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DAY 2


It's been like that since the only way to get money was working online, I remember when we actually worked in the real world, not like now though. Let me back track, about five years ago when I was thirteen a company invented a way for people to upload their brains so they could control their avatars and work for hours on end and not get tired. After a while humanity became too dependant on this new technology and we began to stay in our “perfect bodies”. I can't remember the “real world” very well but I miss it, for the real experiences we had, for the girl I loved, for being human. I've grown up in this sick world, it's no better than the one we used to inhabit, here we still feel pain and are restricted to the laws of our real world. Actually, it's illegal to log out, we are trapped by humanity's worst enemy, our own selves and our greed. It's not like a movie where death here means death out there, no if you die here you wake up and go to jail for the rest of your life.

I walked over to a small cafe'. When I sat down with a hot chocolate I pulled my cellphone from my pocket. I took a sip as I scrolled through my friends list. My thumb knew where it was going. It stopped on the number of my contractor, Waterdragonn. He was my friend in the real world, but now it was mostly business we talked about.

“Hello.” His voice crackled on the other end.

“Got the money, how 'bout you come here to get your portion.” I answered.

“On my way, by the way I've been meaning to talk to you about something.” His voice told me as I heard him get out of his chair.

In half an hour he was there and drinking some coffee as we talked.

“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” I sipped my drink.

“One: Give up the cocoa, you're a man, drink some coffee, Two: I think you need a partner.” He joked when he brought up the cocoa but turned serious when he mentioned a partner.

“I said I work alone.” I said harshly.

“Look, I know you miss her but it's time to get another partner.” His steely eyes focused on mine.

“This has nothing to do with her.” I tried to break eye contact.

“I think it does.”

The tension in the room rose. We always argue about my old partner. She disappeared two years ago and I've worked alone since then. Waterdragonn had to get us started again.

“Meet Ecic, She's new to the whole business. If you don't think she would make a good partner then just take her under your wing for a bit.” He motioned towards a slightly younger girl than myself. She walked over to me and sat beside him.

“Y-you’re Essiy, right?” She said timidly. Her hand outstretched to shake my hand, I ignored it.

“I don't think she'd make a good bounty hunter as is.” I scoffed. She looked insulted.

“G-Give me a chance.” She demanded.

“I can see compassion in your eyes. That makes a good doctor or nurse, not a good bounty hunter.” I got up and tried to leave but Waterdragonn stopped me.

“Those eyes of yours aren't always right you know.” He said coolly. He always had to be level headed, it's my job to be the hot headed jerk.

“Fine, but she better not get in my way.” I barked.

“I won't.” Her voice squeaked in the corner.

I motioned with my hand and she followed.

“By the way,” I called to my friend. “This one's on you.”

He laughed. “I knew you'd say that.”

little did he know I had left him a hefty check.

The bell on the door rang when we left and I heard him swear. I smiled to myself.

The scene in front of me seemed reminiscent of an old west movie, this server was designed to look this way. I could see horses tied up near bars where their owners, waiting to be fed.

“So, um, where to now?” she asked which brought me back to reality. I instinctively reached for my cell phone. A text message appeared on the screen. It was badly texted curses from Waterdragonn.

“Nowhere, we go home.” I answered and put my phone away.

We parted ways and I told her that we meet near a fountain in the “Fallen city” server at noon tomorrow, sharp.

I hopped onto my motorcycle and rode to my apartment. I unlocked the front door and pulled my mail from the mail box.