Did I Just Die For A Mere Grand?

My name is Jessica Hall. A  high school drop out in the year 2137. With not much going for me, my best friend suggested being a bounty hunter.I needed money so I went for it.  That is the choice that led to my first death.

It was a simple cheap bounty. In fact it was ,as far as I knew , to pick up a scrawny teenage girl. Needless to say ,nothing is as simple as it seems. The intel we got happened to leave out that she was a mob boss’ only daughter. 

I’ll skip forward to us being in a junk yard. Looking back, I should’ve known something wasn’t right . What good things happen in a junk yard?

I found the girl pretty easily. Unfortunately, the guys her dad hired to protect her from people like me found me even easier . This cute little girl was shouting all these obscenities. A sailor would  have even be ashamed. 

The five huge thugs had me backed into a corner.  Getting shot at tends to make you run away. We’ll call it a survival tactic.Then they stopped  all of a sudden. She sneered with the most wicked grin as she waved good bye.

I was confused. Why would they stop? My gun had one bullet  left . I was meek. I couldn’t have scared them off in my wildest dreams. It hit me when I noticed the ticking I couldn’t hear over the gunfire.

I saw the bomb ticking close to me. The moment I noticed, it’s counter said five seconds. Damn, I shouldn’t have taken this job. Maybe I should haunt Seth forever for suggesting this. 

Easy job he said . A grand for an hour of your time. How could you say no? I’m not sure who is bigger idiot anymore.  The moron giving the now apparent suicide mission or the dummy who followed it to her death . Nah, I still think it’s him.

I ran and tried to shield myself behind a beat up old car. The world went spectacularly white . A second later, it faded to black . I’m sure it hurt like hell but it was so quick that I don’t remember .

Next thing I know, I’m opening my eyes.” Geez, you really are a drama queen. Get blown up a tiny bit and maybe kinda die. Then you think you have the right to sleep for a week. I’m getting a new bestie.” Seth groaned.

The world was hazy. I opened my eyes to his familiar sarcastic voice. My head was pounding as I did. However, when I did I saw the world through a whole new perspective.

Above Seth’s smug stupid face was a list of words. Seth Sapp. Best friend . Stoner and genius. Weaknesses: Love of money and me.

“ What the hell is going on? Am I in hell? Well,you were always clearly meant to rule here one day.” I stuttered weakly . Half joking and half serious.

He let out a huge fit of laughter. He took off his glasses so his hazel eyes could focus on me. They weren’t for prescription anyway . He just thought he looked smarter.Idiot.Then he brushed back his emo brunette locks.

“ No. We aren’t in purgatory. Although elections for new ruler are next month and I expect your vote since I saved your sorry butt.” He grinned. However, he always did tend to joke more when he was nervous.   “ Guess I’ll explain . You can thank your lucky stars your best friend is a genius.”

I went to sit up but it felt odd. My muscles felt like they were moving in parts. I was quicker than normal . The pain I used to feel when I got up was gone. What on earth was going on. “ Oh wise genius,why  do you have words above your head ? Also, why do I feel weird?”

“ Elementary , my dear Miss. Watson. You are kinda not completely human anymore. Ummm…”  His tone went from playful to completely serious. “ Look you were pretty much dead. I saved you but you are now kinda half robotic .”

My mind was still trying to play catch up.I accepted a job because Seth said it was easy money . He said it was imperative  for our businesses reputation. I even canceled a date. It would’ve been my first one in three years. I guess bounty hunters choices can be important sometimes . Should’ve went on the date instead, obviously.

Now I’m a machine ? I guess it’s better than being dead. Pretty sure there was a wanted sign on the pearly gates with my face on it anyway . Not much I could do about it now .

Seth regained his composure.  Then I saw pure relief overwhelm him.  There was even tears . What a wuss.

“ I’m so glad I didn’t loose you jaybird. “ he flung his arms around me.  I wanted to joke and act disgusted. I couldn’t . It was so nice to see him again. Well, I guess it was a blessing to see anything again.

After a hug , that lasted   so long I’m pretty sure it counted as just embracing, he practically  let out a breathless scream in pain. I didn’t  realize how hard I was holding him. It felt normal.

We immediately let go of each other, “Ease up super  biiiii……” I gave him the finish that sentence and die stare. “ Biiiiig strong now super enhanced enchanting woman .” He quickly corrected.

“This is my fault. And I’m sorry I couldn’t ask permission but you were pretty much a goner. I used all the tech I owned to save you. But now your lazy butt is a lot stronger and faster than you used to be. It may take a while to get used to .”

I nodded like I understood. I was so wrong. I knew nothing at the time. This would be the first of many misunderstandings to come.

“ Oh and we are pretty much broke now. I kind of need you to go back to work soon.” My eyes focused again. Now when I looked the word jerk was also above his head in bold letters. I giggled silently to myself .

“ I don’t even want to know what words you see.” He chuckled. “ Total idiot.” He shrugged.” Now I know you’re lying, although some is self analysis, the rest will be facts coming from you and the internet. It  will be pretty much complete facts when they stream together.”

“ I still think you’re the most idiot genius in the world.” He playfully punched my shoulder then grasped his hand. Apparently it hurt more than he thought it would. See? Idiot just like I said.

“ That may be true but I spent all of our money reviving you. So how about we get you used to your body.  Oh and you may look a little bit different now.  I think you’ll enjoy what you see.”

I expected to see a barely 5 foot  girl . One that had short choppy black  hair with a flat chest and blue eyes. I peered into the huge mirror he drug me to to expecting to see me. Boy was I wrong again .

I guess this Seth we are talking about. I should’ve expected a hottie staring back in my reflection. Now I stand about five inches taller. Truthfully, both legs feel bionic so it makes sense. The hair that didn’t touch my shoulders is to my back. It’s still black but there’s now a Metalic blue streak in the front. It’s completely synthetic as I can feel.

My eyes may still be blue but one has a subtle almost glowing blue on the outside . Guess I lost an eye too. Geez, what’s left of the original me.I study myself further. Wow,those weren’t there before.  I don’t think anyone can call me flat chested again but he may have gone a little overboard.

He saw where I was looking .For someone so full of himself he was appeared very flustered .” I’m flattered for the upgrade but don’t you think you over did it a lil bit?”

He looked a little shameful but his stupid confidence came back in seconds. “Maybe, but those and girls are hiding a few things .” 

My imagination  ran  a muck. “ Please tell me I have machine gun breast  “ Dude, where were you when I was coming  up with ideas. Oh…that’s right ….dead. But I won’t lie, that would’ve made life more interesting. Machine gun jugs.”

It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed. Imagine it. Bounty hunter with a deadly rack.  A literal one. However , I’m sure whatever they’re hiding will be helpful . 

“  Alright, now that we’ve established you’re still hot, it’s time. Like I said we’re broke. I may have left out where I borrowed money from the people who killed you to save you.  We need to get back to work so you don’t die again and I die too .”

Seriously? He is the smartest idiot after all. I smiled. “ Yeah, let’s keep the death to once this year if possible. What’s our next bounty? If you say a teenage girl , I’ll kill you myself.”