The Bounty Hunter's Trilogy: Chosen By Fate

Chapter 3. Strange Ways To Meet

When I woke up I was moving, rocking back and forth on a hard rug. I smelled must and dirt... and bubble gum. I opened my eyes halfway and saw a pair of sneakers in front of my face.

"Are we almost there? Henry keeps wiggling," I heard a guy complain.

"I wouldn't wiggle if you had reminded me to pee before we left, Stan," I heard another guy retort.

"Just stop it," a girls voice cut in, "you two are being childish. You'll wake him up. Stan, can you check on him and make sure he's okay under there? Is he awake?" I shut my eyes, knowing somebody leaned down to check on me.

"Nah he's out like a rock, babe." I heard Stan say. "Anyways-."

"Is there a toilet... or a soda bottle?" Henry sounded a bit desperate at this point.

"You cannot be serious. You are not peeing in a soda bottle!" Stan said.

"You have never been able to take a joke. Even when we were little, and mom-"

"Pot hole!" I heard another girl say loudly. It hit so hard I felt myself lift off the floor and my head banged against the seat above me before I hit the floor even harder. I groaned in pain, as did a few of the other passengers. "Is he okay?"

I looked around and saw a face leaning down to look at me. It was a guy, probably one who had just been talking. He had black eyes, blue hair, and a lip piercing. His face was narrow with almond shaped eyes and a thin nose. I noticed a tattoo on his neck covered by his dark green hoodie, but couldn't make out what it was. "Talk about a rude awakening." He chuckled. "The name's Henry."

"You didn't answer the question, you idiot." Another guy leaned down and he really freaked me out. I smelled the most feminine odor on him I think you could imagine. Sickly sweet and a little too strong. Just like Darla. He had dark brown hair, hazel eyes, his left ear pierced and his hoodie was a light cream color. He had a narrow-shaped face as well, with a nose that pointed to the left a bit, obviously from a break that hadn't been set right. No visible tattoos, though. "Oh, he's fine, aren't you buddy?" I knew his voice. It was the same voice I'd heard a few seconds before. Stan.

"Boys, keep him under there." The girl speaking was in the driver's seat, glancing back at Stan who flashed her a crooked smile.

"Why?" I asked. My head was throbbing with pain from banging it against the seat above me.

"Because you're a rookie, and rookies can't be trusted," Stan said. "Sorry bud, but I have to listen to her."

"It's for the best." I looked to the person speaking behind me.

"Mom?" She smiled, shaking her head at me. I tried to get out from under the seat but the two guys from above me reached down to hold me under.

"I'm not your mom."

"She's a... shape shifter. I guess you could call her that. She can take the shape of anything just by manipulating your conscience. Show him your real face, Beverly." Her face shifted and morphed to change into that of a sixteen-year-old girl. Then the floral smell hit me again and my stomach lurched.

"Excuse me?" I tapped Stan on his hamburger sock clad ankle. He leaned down and smiled. "Why do you smell like my step mom?"

"Ah you must really hate her. I can secret a neutral pheromone that will make your nose smell what you want to avoid the most."

"Yeah she and my dad just got a divorce."

"Oh, well good for you. You obviously can't stand her?" He sounded as if he wanted an explanation, but didn't want to pry.