Chapter Text
Izzy watched the mans pen tap the smooth oak table. It was a steady beat. Tap. Tap. Tap. Over and over again. If it wasn't for the importance of this meeting, she was positive her anxiety might have gotten the best of her and caused an outburst. Something along the lines of.
"GIVE ME THE FUCKING PEN"
Or
"JESUS, TAP, TAP, TAP, HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT?"
But she remained silently smiling in her seat, as if this was the best moment in the world. The man glanced up at her for a moment and she raised her lips even higher to give him a toothy smile. He frowned before looking back down at the photographs in front of him...Possibly too much of smile.
"Shit Izzy, calm down. It's not like you havn't dont this before. Deep breathes"
Izzy closed my eyes and breathed in deeply and sat up straighter.
How long had I been in this room? Was it getting hot in here or was it just me? How long is this dude gonna take?
She opened her eyes to peak out the window.
Oh, the beautiful, polluted city of Los Angeles. Where half the population can only afford microwave meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the idea of health insurance was a joke unless you won the lottery.
The man cleared his throat and she quickly turned her attention back towards him.
"Izzy, is it?"
"Yeah, that's right" She gave the softest of nods. The man opened the folder and pushes it towards her. Inside, was a simple resume along with a few photographs. The photographers were not necessarily flattering, nor were they the most professional. Izzy was wearing green bikini, posing up against a white wall. Her hands were in awkward positions, with her lips puckered into a pout. It was a sad attempt to try to look like one of those picture perfect girls you might see in a victorias secret ad but it was all she had.
"You seem sweet, but we are really looking for professionals here"
"Look, I can learn. I really need a job right now and-" Izzy was desperate. She leans forward, pawing through the photographs, trying to find the best one.
"All our ladies can handle making drinks, dancing and-
"I'm a super, super fast learner and I like to think I'm in shape and- " The man waved his hand in front of her shaking his head.
"Stop"
Izzy puts a photograph out in front of him but he slid it back towards her.
"I get that you are trying to survive here, just like everyone else. But there are things you have to do to get to the point these girls have, to be getting the pay grade and working the clubs they do"
Izzy ran her hands through her hair frustrated before resting them calmly on the table.
"Okay, what? Just tell me what to do, I'll do it, I need a chance here"
The man sank into his seat, before his smile raised into a toothy grin. He looked out the window. Although on at least the 6th floor, he found the need to reach over and close the blinds. Izzy watched him, her eyes narrowing before he took his seat again. They shared a silent moment as she clocked his expression.
"Then, impress me" The man leans back and unbuckles his belt before putting his hands above his head. Izzy slumps slightly in her seat, her fists clenching and unclenching at her side. The man whistled a little tune as if to say "I'm waiting."
A soft sly smile creeped up to Izzy's face. She slowly got off the chair, placing her hands on the desk, leaning forward. The man's eyes trailed down to under her shirt.
"I'm really good at making great first impressions" She whispered with a sly smile. She flipped the folder closed and moved it away, giving her space to crawl onto the table towards him. He watched her, sweat forming above his lips in anticipation. Izzy's hair brushed against the desk as she leaned forward, her red stained lips almost touching his. He closed his eyes, taking in the moment in anyway he could. She gently rubbed her hand through his hair before leaning down and licking his ear befoer softly whispering "Unfortunately, I fucking hate pigs"
If this man had actually listened to the words she had whispered so lovingly, he might have realized they were not meant to be taken in such the bittersweet way they had been spoken.
But, like a majority of rich white men who have their heads so far up their ass- they never question anything. So of course, he failed to notice Izzy grabbing the coffee from his desk. It was too late to stop her. The hot brown liquid splashed onto his perfectly ironed white shirt. A howl of pain escaped his throat as Izzy made a dash for the door.
Out the door and into the hallway, she stumbles in the tall heels. The bellowing of the older man was very rapidly closing in on her. She took the chance to glance behind her just in time to see the man slam into the hallway wall as he tried to turn.
Shit. Go. Go. Go.
Izzy looked over to the elevator.
Six people. More people going in. Can't risk getting stuck. Stairs. Where are the stairs?! WHY DIDN'T I PLAN THIS BETTER!? She rapidly looked to the left. Stairs. Her heels click loudly on the cheap flooring, before she slammed the door open, disappearing behind it.
Ten seconds later, the Starbucks covered asshole opened the door. He caught his breath for a moment, wiping the sweat on his brow before his small beedy eyes spotted a single black heel laid perfectly upright at the bottom of the first staircase.
"I got you now, bitch"
With excitement in his stride, he took down the stairs, two at a time. If he would have just paused for a moment to look up, he would have noticed Izzy eyeing the scene from a flight above. Holding her spare heel in one hand, she made her way carefully down both flights of stairs to retrieve the left heel.
Only a few moments later, she camly half walked, half skipped her way down the hallway. Back into the interview room, Izzy casually started going through the drawers. Papers, pens and pencils flew behind her as she emptied every single one.
"Binggoooo" She smiled as a wallet dropped perfectly into her open fingers. She opened it, snatching the cash out of it. Only 20's and 50's. It was a good day.
Quickly tucking the cash into her back pocket, she paused to look at the folder of photographs of herself. With a small grin on her lips, she brushed away some of the papers to find a pen and flipped over one of her photographs and started to write.
By the time the man had admitted defeat and made it way back to his room, it was much too late. He came back to find his personal belongings tossed and turned to no end with one of the photographs of Izzy taped up to the window with a comment- GO FUCK YOURSELF :)
...............................................................................................................................................................
Izzy opened her apartment door and walked immediatly over to the coffee table where the remote remained. Quick flick of the button and the news report flashed to life on the telly.
"On recent news, there have been reports of large...balls?...Falling from the sky-" The poor reporter squinted, moving closer towards the prompter.
"Tom-"
"Sara, I'm reading what it says-" He angrily defended himself.
Izzy laughed as she made her way over to the kitchen, filling up a glass of water. "Balls falling from the sky, Oh joy. Hey Siri, play voicemails"
She collapsed on the couch, drinking the cool goodness while counting the cash from her pocket.
"First, unheard message....HEEYYYY...so- you stood me up. We were supposed to get drinks tonight at 7 and-
"Shit, Markus" Izzy squealed, choking on the water as she got up. She lunged for her phone and dialed a number. "Hey, so, so sorry- I didn't forget about you. I'm on my way. Just got caught up with...work"
She quickly stripped out of her skirt and belly shirt, instead replacing it with camo pants, combat boots and a baggy sweatshirt. A small cat popped out from under the couch, meowing for attention as Izzy awkwardly hopped around the room trying to put herself together as fast as she could. "Not now Igby, love you, bye"
Within minutes, Izzy was on the street again, phone up to her ear.
"Hey, I'm like five minutes away from our spot, I'll be there in a few minutes"
She ended the call and continues to push forward, seemingly unaware of the various of people pushing and pulling to go in the opposite direction. Izzy continued to irritably push them back, making her way up the crowded street.
A loud bang caused her to slow to a stop. People continued to slam into her as they ran, terror in their eyes. Izzy stopped in her position, trying to hold her ground as she began to take in her surroundings for the first time. The sound of gunshots rapidly firing ahead seemed to bring her into a good sense of what was happening before bright lights exploded in the sky. She tripped backwards, startled as sparks from surrounding electric poles, sizzled and flew out, threaten to start a fire.
She finally came to her full senses and turned to join the crowd in running away, but wasn't given more than a few moments before having to duck as a large fire truck flew over head, exploding on impact with an apartment building. Large pieces of concrete took to the sky before gravity started to throw them back down. Mother, fathers, and children cried for help. Izzy kept her hands on her head, watching what felt like a battle ground around her. Buildings threatening to fall as they were struck and electrical wires flew around, ready to snag and electrocute anyone who came in their path.
Trying to regain her breath, Izzy fleetingly backed up again and turned down an empty alleyway. It was a dark, small street that appeared to be abandoned. Graffetti littered the walls with various of bright colors, none of which Izzy could really tell in the dark, but none that would have been of importance regardless.
All she knew was that she needed to hide. Her boots pounded across the wet concrete as she ran toward a door and grabbed the handle. Locked. She ran to another. Locked.
A blast of heat and light caused her to stop and turn. The large explosion of fire could have almost have been considered beautiful, if it wasn't so close. So close and so dangerous. Deadily.
Izzy wiped her nose, before clenching her hand at her chest, trying to remain calm. Her eyes rested on the large green metal trash can that lay rested up against the wall. Not much goes for protection.
Forcing her legs to carry her, she started to make her way back towards the main street but stopped as another burst of fire slammed into the ground, rising to the sky. The screaming and sobbing of the people out on the street, vibrated through her ears like a haunted choir. The smell of burning flesh was almost too much to bear.
She choked down a sob before forcing herself to turn and collaspse behind the trash can. What seemed to be the only safe place left. With her hands violently shaking, she started to reach into her pocket for her phone till-
A sudden screeching of tires. A bright yellow sports Camaro peeled into the alleyway, bumping down the uneven pavement as it goes. The breaks squeal as it comes to a stop, the lights and engine turning off.
What the hell is this? What are you doing?!
Izzy got up but found herself quickly grabbing onto the fire escape ladder for balance as the ground shook under her. Rocks and roof titles start to rain down. Izzy put her hands over her head protectively before leaning out towards the car.
"It's not safe in there! We need to find cover!" She tried to shout but found the warning came out as more of a whisper. The car didn't move, nor did anyone exit at her warning.
Izzy bit her lip angrily before cautiously making her way to the window. She knocked on the glass hard. "Hey, it's not safe! We need to get out of here!"
No response. She tapped on the window again trying to peer in, but the taint was much too dark see through. Another loud explosion caused the side of the building to fly out causing pieces of brick to hit the car along with the garbage bin. Izzy screamed, ducking down, trying to cover her head. The rocks dropped roughly on top of her, the impact, slicing small cuts on her hands as she kept them up over her head. With still no response from the vehicles driver, she retreated back to the garbage bin.
Everything was quiet for a moment before...
STOMP. STOMP.
The ground shook with the heavy footsteps. Izzy's eyes widened, her body shaking with every step. Holding her chest, she made a slow move to peek out from behind the garbage bin. The yellow car was gone, it was instead replaced with a large black and white standing...robot? Its bright red eyes scanned the area, a deep growl, sounding from its throat.
"I know you're here" The large figure snarled as it took another step. Izzy turned back, placing her back up against the garbage can. Her hands instinctively went to her mouth, trying to keep her breathing as quiet as she possibly could. A few more footsteps. Izzy looked up at the emergency ladder, before softly grasping it with one hand. If there was any possibility of an escape, that would be it.
But she wasn't given a chance to consider as the metal trash bin behind her was roughly pushed away.
Izzy quickly scurried back towards the building wall, facing the towering figure. The red eyed robot growled in disgust, his hand rapidly transforming into a cannon. A few orange sparks flew as it started to glow.
She was for a moment, mesmerized by the bright colors. If this was how she was going to die, then this was it. A single lone tear rolled down her cheek before she closed both eyes taking a deep breath. Waiting. Waiting for pain? Maybe it would be so quick, there would be none.
A large clash of metal threw Izzy out of her moment of peace. Her eyes flashed open just in time to see a smaller yellow and black robot land on top of the other's shoulders, madly throwing his curled fists towards the others red eyes.
The blue eyes flickered over to Izzy, momentarily. She could have sworn it looked...concernered?
"Run, forest run!"
Izzy didn't need to be told twice, even if she was being told by some old playback of the movie Forest Gump.
She quickly got up and sprinted towards the main street, her boots furiously pounding on the grey asphalt as her hair wipped out behind her. If the fight was in the alleyway now, then the main street should be safe.
The yellow bot suddenly rolled roughly in front of her, his metal plating scratching into the concrete as he came to a halt. Startled, she skidded to a halt, slipping onto the pavement. The light blue eyed robot stared down at her for split second before he beeped furiously. His arm slammed down towards her. Izzy put her hands up, knowing the movement would be useless, but to her surprise, felt the ground shake behind her as his fist slammed into the concrete. The black robot slammed his hand down onto the yellow bots. Metal fragments and yellow paint flicked through the air.
He...He was...protecting me? Izzy's thoughts raced as she stared up at both of the towering robots.
"Bumblebee...You are foolish" He hissed. The camero bot beeped a few times before grabbing Izzy in his other hand. Frozen in fear, she grabbed desperately onto his fingers, trying to pull away, but almost as soon as she was picked up, she felt herself being thrown towards the other side of the alleyway.
In a bad attempt of tucking and rolling, she hit the concrete roughly, her pants skidding across the pavement and splitting open. Disoriented but alive she staggered up to her feet in time to watch the smaller yellow bot be slammed to the ground. He didn't stay there for long though. He was a quick, agile fighter.
"Bumblebee" She whispers lightly to herself. There is something familiar about that name. There was something familiar about these robots.
"Losing a battle, all because a lone insect got in the way? Pitiful"
Izzy paused for a second. Insect? Wait, was it referring to me as that? She pursed her lips and turned back but as Bumblebee brought his cannon forward and fired, she did a 180 back towards the ladder and started to stumble her way up. There wasn't time to be offended, nor was she in any position to be.
Her boots slipped on the wet metal several times, threatening her to plumet down but she continued her ascend. The robots fought madly against each other below her. Izzy had only managed to get to the 8th floor before Bumblebee was roughly slammed into the building. Everything shook, causing her to loose her grip. A yelp escaped her mouth as she missed grabbing the next hold of the ladder. Her body slipped sideways, dropping quickly a foot before luck managed to find her. A small window ledge created just enough room for her tiny fingers to grasp. She groaned as she tried to reach the ladder again, but it was too far and she was losing strength quickly.
Her fingers were already shaking at the weight and with a panic-stricken cry, she looked down. In her mind, she knew she was going to fall and there was no denying it. Red flags fired off in her brain, warning her to not let go but it wasn't that easy.
Bumblebee was pressed up against the wall, the black robots forearm, pressed tightly against his neck. At the sound of her sobs, his blue eyes quickly dashed up. Their gazes met for a split second. Izzy felt her fingers slipping even more and she managed to choke out "Help me"
It was all she could say. It was all she had time to say. Her fingers slipped, and she went tumbling down. Her arms flailed out towards the ladder, but it was too far away. With nothing to grab and nothing to stop the fall, she knew what would happen if she hit the ground. She braced herself, bending her knee's, her mind screaming "You need to survive!"
Bumblebee beeped angrily and quickly shoved the black bot away, before bringing his cannon out and blasting a ball of orange fire towards him. In perfect time he reached up, grasping Izzy, mid fall, safely in his hand. She clenched his fingers, looking faint.
He leapt up towards the building, his feet and hands slamming into the brick as he climbed up.
He managed to get to the top and he quickly rolled over, gently releasing Izzy onto the ground. Her legs buckled and she dropped to her hands and knee's, vomit projecting a few feet in front of her. Her gasps of air were long and wheezy as she tried to calm the adrenaline pumping through her veins.
Bumblebee beeped a few times with concern, starting to kneel down to look at her, but she instinctively kicked her feet out to back away from him. He put his hands up in surrender and took a step back before looking down below. A quick scan proved, wherever that other robot was, he was gone now.
"You're one of those robots, aren't you? Th-those...Autobots?" He gave the softest of nods. Izzy wipes her nose, managing to sit up on her knees. "Autobots, are the good guys, right?"
"We aren't going to....hurt you" The radio hummed.
"Yeah...Yeah I mean, would have been a waste to save me if you were just gonna hurt me now, right?" She laughed to herself at the possible irony but found herself very quickly huffing for breath again. Bumblebee watched as she peeled over, vomitting up the remainder of her meal.
A couple minutes passed as she caught her breath before she allowed herself to look up.
"Bumblebee, right?" He nods again. Izzy swallows nervously and nods "I'm sorry for getting in the way of...whatever that was"
Bee shakes his head and kneels towards her. Izzy held her breath, trying to be brave, her knee's shaking uncomfortably.
"Are you hurt?" The radio hummed as he cautiously brought his finger up to point at her forehead and then her hands. She reached up gingerly to touch her face.
Her skin grew pale as she felt the sticky, long indent from the tip of her forehead all the way down to her cheek. It started to throb at the touch so she withdrew her hand. The sight of the dark blood on her hand made her woozy and she widened her stance in an attempt to stop things from spinning.
"No, I'm alright...Oh fuck" A few concerned beeps Izzy stared down at her hands, blinking rapidly. The sight of blood had always made her queasy but now was not the time. A giant robot alien that could kill her with a simple twitch of his fingers was standing right in front of her. Her main concern should be getting down and getting the hell out of there. "I think I just need to..."
Her knee hit the ground. Forcibly she opened her eyes wider, cursing angrily at herself. "I'm fine" She reassured him as he beeped many times in concern. In a last ditch effort that he would leave her alone she gave him an enthusiastic thumbs up before she crumbled to the floor.
Izzy could hear a few beeps and felt the cold wind hitting her skin before she was completely passed out.