Neira let out a heavy sigh as the beeping of her alarm was heard, wrenching her from slumber. She reached over and hit it, groaning into her pillow before hoisting herself up and getting out of bed. She changed into more fitting clothes, making sure to hook her necklace on before heading downstairs. Her necklace was every bit as important to her as anything else in the home. To her, it was her last connection to her grandmother. Two years had passed since Gramma Athalynn has died, and Neira would be lying if she said she hadn't grown in that time. Neira felt older, for sure. The hum of the heater was heard as she stepped into the kitchen. A shiver wet up her spine as soon as her bare feet touched the icy cold tile.

"Gah, its cold," she said, "stupid faulty heater..."

Neira then began making herself some breakfast. One thing she considered herself talented in was cooking. She made herself a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast. She then ate her food as she checked her email for any job postings. She then almost spit out her food. A big law firm company in downtown was looking for a full-time editor for their ads and asked if she was able to interview this afternoon. She quickly responded that yes, she could meet today before practically shovelling her food into her mouth. She then ran to get ready, quickly showering before drying her hair and applying make-up. She hadn't had an opportunity like this in some time.

Neira was a freelance graphic designer and editor, taking jobs available to her. It wasn't easy work and the pay was unstable, but it was to cover the basic costs of living. Everything else could be done with the inheritance money. Neira didn't mind the modest life. In fact, she liked how it was. When she wasn't working, she would explore the woods behind the cottage. Over the years she and Gramma had left markers to show the way back home. Neira, despite being soft-spoken and subdued, was quite the adventurer. She loved exploring the woods, armed with nothing but a walking stick and an unrelenting curiosity. She didn't mind coming home with scraped up and bruised hands and knees. In fact, she was a firm believer that getting them was a sign of a good hike, along with trinkets collected every journey. Her home was akin to a hobbit hole; collections of random things found in the woods, plants on just about every shelf and cabinet, salvaged trash turned into art, and a large collection of antiques of various worth and decay on shelves galore.

She had finished up brushing her hair as she daydreamed about the house when the phone rang, pulling her from it. She answered.

"Hello, Ms. Hawthorne speaking."

"Yes, this is David Sanders from Gen and Sanders. I was calling to follow up on the interview time?"

"Of course," she replied, "I am free anywhere between 2 and 4. Does that work?"

"Quite, actually. I will email you the details. See you soon, Ms. Hawthorne."

It took all the strength in the world not to scream. Was this her big break? A full time job with decent pay, and not far from her home? This was too good! She couldn't pass this up. She finished getting ready, throwing on a nice blouse and slacks with flats before rushing to her car and driving off.

She had arrived early to scout out the office. She let the secretary at front know who she was and what her business was before ascending in the elevator. She tapped her foot nervously as it took her up to the twentieth floor. She wasn't all too fond of extreme heights. She wandered around for a moment, looking around. A man then approached her, his hand outstretched.

"Ms. Hawthorne, I presume? You're quite early."

"Oh, yes...just scoping out my future workplace," she joked.

The man laughed, "I like your confidence. Shall we begin or would you like a moment?"

"We can start now, if it's not too much trouble?" she asked.

"Yes, right this way," the man beckoned her to follow.

Neira trailed behind him as he led her to a large office. The desk and shelves were immaculate, reminiscent of the law firm's clean record. He beckoned for her to sit before he sat as well.

"Well, let's get started, shall we?"

She nodded. He began asking her questions about her skill and experience, her education, and her discipline. She answered the best she could. She was freelance, no education past high school, and worked on many different ads and videos. She explained all she could do, watching him nod and write things down. This went on for half an hour before he finished writing and stood.

"Well thank you for this. We should reach out to you in a week or two to confirm or deny your employment."

"No, thank you for this opportunity," she replied and firmly shook hands with him.

He then escorted her to the elevator before sending her on her way. Neira waited until she got into the car to squeal in happiness. She had to have aced that interview!

About a week had passed, and she was waiting nervously. She had checked her phone at least twenty times a day to see if it has been sent. It had been right after lunch when her phone pinged. She practically scrambled across the kitchen table to clutch the phone in her hand. She let out a shaky breath.

Come on, please...please...

She opened the email and read it silently:

'Dear Ms. Hawthorne,

'It is with great disappointment that I inform you that we weren't able to choose you to join our wonderful editorial team and will have to decline your application...'

She zoned out as she read those three words over and over and over until she couldn't due to the tears in her eyes. She rubbed them before trying to cheer herself up.

"Maybe a better opportunity is incoming..."

She shook her head firmly before grabbing her walking stick and throwing on her walking shoes before heading out the door. She needed to walk this off. As she neared the trail entrance, the sounds of the forest was already putting her at ease. Chirping birds, the whistling of the wind, the crackle of leaves and sticks underfoot...it was the cheapest form of therapy, Neira believed. She let out a heavy sigh as she walked, kicking around leaves. Her relaxation was short-lived when, while ducking under some low lying branches above the creek, her necklace snagged. The chain broke, causing the pendant to hit a rock and drop into the water. She panicked and reached into the water to try and grab it. Thankfully she was able to get the pendant, but it wasn't without tragedy. The seams of the pendant had broken open, releasing whatever was inside out into the water. Her panic set in again as she struggled to find it, but to no avail. The creek had already carried it away, deep into the forest. Neira begrudgingly trudged home, holding the now broken necklace in her hands. This day just couldn't get worse...

~*~

The ship was quiet, save for the steps of metal feet on metal ground entering the room and a faint beeping sound on a holoscreen. A spindly looking robot, painted black and a deep shade of violet, was nearing as the larger robot, much taller and much larger in frame, watched the blinking dot stoicly.

"Soundwave," the larger one's voice, gravelly and harsh, filled the room as he glanced to the side to look at the smaller one, "Are these the exact coordinates?"

The smaller robot nodded silently.

"Good," he mused, "inform Knockout to take two Vehicons to the site and bring the Dark Energon shard to me."