Nine Lives

It was one of those hot sticky days and I could feel my sweat running down my back.1

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I brushed my hair away from my face and scanned the surrounding area.
This was the last place Maxi Paddy was seen and that was 2 days ago.3

4

I was close, I could almost smell his blood on my hands.
I smiled sensing victory.5

I had been tracking the flipping boxer for almost 4 months now, and the arrogant politician was hot for his blood.
I had been to Cairo, New York, Peru and now here, Mexico City. 6

Mexico City was on the verge of total breakdown. They had suffered badly when the world's fuel supply had dried up and all the precious technology had been taken 'ill' by a virus. 7

Who cares? All I needed was my two best friends. My razor sharp dagger (called my claw) and my quick-cat like reflexes. 8

9

They didn't call me Nine Lives for any old reason. 10

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~ ~ ~12

At only 20 years of age I had bagged myself nearly 15 bounties. 13

Hell I'm good. The problem with my targets is that they're all the same.
Arrogant.
Obnoxious.
Big.
Stupid.
And Men.
So like always, they underestimate the 5'5 brunnette with deep chocolate brown eyes.
They whimper when I hold my dagger against their throats, cry for mercy when I lick their blood of my fingers.14

But it didn't start that way.15

First they try to seduce the pretty little creature in the grey cargo pants and black vest top. Then they smile sweetly and laugh critically when I announce that I'm Death.16

Well I had warned them.17

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I stalk the night and prowl throughout the day.19

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~ ~ ~21

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I sat at a little cafe' and drank my vodka slowly. There he was Target 15. Maxi Paddy.23

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He was tall man and had dark brown eyes, that were almost black. His tan skinned rippled with sweat in the Mexican heat. 25

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He looks at me and smiles a friendly glance at me.27

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How sweet. Just like all the others, flirting with the first woman that crosses their line of sight. 29

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He's cute I'll admit. Muscles that bulge in places I didn't think exisited. He has an almost latin look about him, which makes me wonder if maybe he's got mexican in his blood and if that's why he's here. 31

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I shake my wandering thoughts away and concentrate on the bounty. The beautiful gold bars that will soon be in MY possesion. I've never had gold before. Money yes. Shoes (gorgeous shoes I'll add) but never gold. 33

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Tony Bragg; the politicians name. And god does he brag about himself. Brag about his position. Brag about his wife. She's the whole reason I'm here. She the stupid cow spun a little lie about Maxi Paddy being a lover of hers. So suddenly when a distant (4 times removed or something) cousin of Tony's is murdered in a bar by Maxi Paddy, it gives him the incentive to go on a man hunt.35

Only like most politicians, he gets someone to do his dirty work.36

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In steps me, the GI Jane of Chicago. 38

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Anyway Maxi is now talking to a waiter, gesturing in my direction. The next thing I know I've been brought a drink. 40

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I walk over to him, drink in hand and sit seductively next to him.42

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Suddenly across the street, two gangs appear, guns in hand. They start shooting each other, and the street explodes in fire and blood. 44

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Maxi sweeps me into his arms and we start running down the street. 2 blokes block our way. One of them has a bloody laser gun as his right arm.46

Shit. I had to act defenceless, but hell I didn't want this idiot to laser me!47

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Maxi takes the situation into his own hands. He leaps forward like a wildcat, snarling and growling at them. Bam! Knocks one straight out.49

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Laser-Arm points his weapon directly at me. I whimper pathetically and pretend to go all woozy. Maxi circles him like a starving wolf. 51

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Laser-Arm threatens me, calls me Maxi's woman. Only Maxi is too quick. He dances on his feet, so quick is he that he punches Laser-Arm straight in the nose, causing Laser-Arm to stumble. That's it. Maxi smashes his fist so hard in Laser's jaw that I can hear the bone crunching. 53

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He steps close to me. Holds me. 55

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* * *57

We're in his apartment, both our bodies are slick with sweat.58

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He was a good lover. Heck one of the best I've had. 60

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He sleeps soundly. No evidence of the trauma we've been through. No fear, no shock.62

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I walk over to the window and stare out at the depressing scene. Mexico City is on fire. People run around the streets killing each other freely.64

Why had we tampered with things? Why didn't we just leave well enough alone?65

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I walk back slowly to the bed and pull out my dagger that was hidden in my clothes. 67

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I press it firmly against his throat, drawing blood. His eyes flicker open.69

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He looks at me thoughtfully. Temporarily I'm stunned. This man shows no fear, he's not even begging for his life.71

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I brush my hair away from my face with my left arm and steadily hold the dagger against his throat.73

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"Tony Bragg sends his regards."75

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I slice the dagger along his throat and feel the life bleed out of my victim.77

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Using the silk duvet I wipe my dagger clean.79

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I stare at the man's body. A feeling washes over me.81

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What is that? Did I eat something bad? Was it the vodka?83

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No I realise. 85

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It was guilt. Guilt? How could that be, I'm meant to be a heartless bitch. 87

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* * *89

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I stare out across the atlantic ocean from my beach hut. 91

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The waves roll along the sandy beach, and I take another sip of my vodka.93

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A dark figure approaches me.95

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"I guess technology has advanced further than we knew it" 97

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I smile sweetly and caress him gently.99

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Maxi Paddy laughs richly and we go to the bedroom. 101