My name is Shane, I'm now twenty eight and yes I do have some good things in my life, my family, my dogs…but there's been this emptiness inside of me since I was eleven, you see when I was eleven I was temporarily dead, and ever since I haven't been the same.
And that has lead me to believe that my life is a shitty one not worth living…it's hard to put in words but it's like I'm crawling…stumbling through my life…very few things excite me, or fill the hole I have inside me, I've wished for a sense of purpose, belonging or accomplishment, I've tried to obtain them till my feet bleed till my hands ache and shake so much I can't grip a water bottle.
But all I have is an empty gnawing inside, I want something exciting, something thrilling…something to fill the void inside of me…but I guess I was born in the wrong universe.
Sighing I sit down on a bench in the park and look up at the dark overcast sky, "What did I do to deserve this shitty life? It's not my fault the EMT's brought me back…but yet, you seem intent to punish me for it." I mutter how I feel outloud, hoping that whatever higher power there is finally listens, finally puts me back to right.
But of course nothing happens, sighing again, feeling lost, hopeless, worthless, empty.
'I just want it to end…' I murmur inside of my head as I reach into my sweatshirt pocket, my hand grips the handle of the snub-nosed .357 Magnum, I bought an hour earlier out of some guy's trunk, opening the cylinder, emptying all but one bullet out the cylinder, I shut the cylinder, cock the hammer back with my thumb, raise the gun so that the barrel presses against my right temple.
BMike's song Anxiety starts playing in my head,
"Michael?"
"Uh, yeah?"
"Right this way please, Michael,
What can I do for you today?"
"Yeah, I just need something to take this edge off and I'll be on my way."
"Well, I can't just give them to you."
"What the fuck?! why not?!"
"Why don't you take a seat and we'll have a little chat?"
"Every single day it breaks me to pieces. I've tasted defeat at the feet of my demons!"
"I'm such a fucking waste of achievement, I should put this trigger to my brain and just squeeze it. Lord, I know, I ain't been no saint."
"But tell me what I did to deserve this pain? Tell me what I did to deserve this hurt? When all I ever did was put everybody first."
"Micheal.'
"These days I just don't feel shit
I don't feel a thing at all, I don't feel like I exist. That's why I need my fix, so I can just feel something."
"How do you describe the word empty?"
"Try to describe the word nothing.
Wait, fuck that! Use my name as a definition, write it on my forehead, defective out of commission!"
"Micheal, please calm down."
"I'm sick of it, I've lost myself, and I'm sick of it, I've given it my all, I've given it my all, and so much more…but it just isn't enough!" my finger twitches on the trigger and then everything goes to black.
The sound of a gunshot echoes throughout the park.
[Hello, This is an automated message for policy holder number 68-580-03207221996, Your life has ended, but thankfully you purchased a Death Insurance policy through Isekai Insurance Corporate (No Affiliation with Truck-kun.) and have been approved for for a new life in any of the worlds listed below:
-Game of Thrones
-House of The Dragon
-Shameless
-Terra Nova
-Jurassic Park
-Underworld
-Almost Human
-Fast and Furious
-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
-Grimm
-Andromeda
-Buffy The Vampire Slayer]
'Huh, even R.O.B's use automated systems…too bad I can't combine…worlds because I can think of some combinations that would be pretty cool…' I think, but pick Jurassic Park, because Dinosaurs, not that I'm some dinosaur nut I hardly know any names and the few I do know I can't even spell, but there was always something so magical about watching the Jurassic Park movies, I could watch them once a week and not grow bored with them, the same couldn't be said for Star Wars, The MCU and various other movie franchises.
[World Chosen, Jurassic Park, Your policy comes with the option to Select up to five powers, and 1 item, from the list below:
-Alpha Shapeshifter (Supernatural)
-Portal Creation (Blink, The Gifted)
-Telekinesis (Chronicle)
-Wolverine's Healing Factor
-Twins Of Shadow
Create a copy of yourself that has all your physical and mental stats, follows your commands faithfully and without question without regard for it's own personal safety, All knowledge and experience your copy attains is transferred to you, such as memories and workout gains, negative side effects are not transferred, When copy is destroyed, a new one can be summoned again after 24 hours has passed, if you desummon the clone away you can resummon the clone instantly, clone can use all of your abilities/powers.
-Demigod
You are stronger, tougher, faster and have more stamina than ten fit and active men, you heal from any non-instant death' injuries, within a few short moments. (You become a well endowed Adonis, a very well endowed Adonis, if you are a woman you become a sexy babe that even Diana (Wonder Woman) would envy with a killer fucking body and grav defying assets.)
-Minder
You can turn invisible, read minds, and give nightmares to those asleep as long as you're within ten feet of them.
-Dominator
When this ability is used on someone or an animal you gain absolute loyalty of the person or animal it is used on, they will do everything in their power to fulfil your wishes while under your influence, in the beginning you can only dominate 1 mind at a time, with training you may be able to dominate up ten minds.
-The Green thumb of Gaia
Hasten the growth of plants. This can make seeds become seedlings in seconds, make flowers bloom and improve the taste of fruits. Other benefits of this boon are that you gain the ability to draw sustenance from sunlight, and become immune to any viral disease, and have the lifespan of an English oak tree.
-Thorn Curse
Your touch can cause pain or pleasure to humans, even if you only have a grip on say someone's hair or graze them with a touch of your finger this can still be used to affect them, with enough pain or pleasure, you can essentially mind control any subject.
-Healer's Touch
Healer's touch covers anything from minor wounds, internal bleeding, diseases to poisons, cancers and missing limbs, even eyes; it can even bring someone back from the brink of death once, will autonomously prevent the user's own death as long as he or she stays in a near-dead state, but this ability cannot revive the dead, to treat cancer or other serious conditions may require more than one treatment with Healer's Touch.
-Pocket Loft
Pocket Loft is a personal pocket dimension, that contains a large loft style apartment, a large bedroom with a king sized bed, a window that shows a view of the owners favorite destination, a radiator, a small desk, six power outlets, and a closet, A full kitchen with a stove, always stocked fridge, cabinets, always stocked pantry, dishwasher, breakfast island, cutlery and other necessities, a full bathroom with a shower/bathtub, and a half bath. Living room with comfy furniture, a large entertainment system with consoles, stereo and speakers, massive wall dominating tv.
To travel to this pocket world simply look at a wall or doorway and think of the pocket loft, this will create a doorway into the dimension.
-Never Empty Wallet
A slim, worn brown leather wallet that always has exactly one dollar (U.S. currency) inside, no matter how many times you pull one out, no limit I how much you pull out. (If lost, stolen, destroyed or displaced will return to you within twenty four hours. Cannot store any currency inside of this wallet.)
-Pot
Any plant seed placed in this pot will grow 25 times as fast and produce 25 times normal yield in acceptable conditions, the plant will never get sick and never die while it remains in the pot, needing no water or tending. (Pot is soul bound and will repair itself if damaged within 48 hours depending on severity, if pot is completely destroyed, it'll return to you in a week.)
-Cat Goddesses blessings
You gain the grace, speed and reflexes of a cat, regardless of what distance you fall from, you will land on your feet unharmed, you can climb anything, you have the enhanced senses of a cat. You have nine lives, you can choose age and or customize your appearance upon resurrection.
-The Umbrella of the ultimate Kingsman, This umbrella is empowered with many properties; you can use it to fly like Mary Poppins, or when you wield this umbrella like a rifle the umbrella can shoot magic bullets up to the strength of a tank shell, opening the umbrella while holding it like a rifle and willing it to defend you, the umbrella will act as an unbreakable shield, when you wield the umbrella like a sword, you gain the skills of a master swordsman, The Umbrella sword is as sharp as a lightsaber without being hot like one. (When you are using this umbrella as a shield open you can also use the ability [umbrella dash] to move up to 20 feet whilst moving at 100mph, you take no damage while dashing.
-"You feeling lucky Punk? Yeah, go ahead make my day!"
By making finger guns and saying or thinking "bang" you shoot bullets of the following types: Invisible energy bullets, with the stopping power of a 44. Magnum. Healing bullets: Healing bullets cure disease, heal internal and external wounds/damages, can regrow lost extremities including eyes. Lights out, are special knockout bullets that not only knock out people, animals but also electronics.
I look over the list one more time and make my choices,
'Let's review,
Gonna have to go with Demigod, you get toughness, strength, speed, looks, healing factor and as far as I know a normal human life span, it's probably not as strong as an Alpha Shapeshifter because the one in supernatural was a fucking Beast with a capital B, but I also don't care much for the immortality factor, weebs will cry out impotently over this decision I'm sure.
Pocket Loft, because well I might just wake up as a homeless person and I'd rather not struggle for meals or sleep in shelters, plus it'd just be nice to have a place to go to when I want to be alone, and not have to worry about random ass encounters with people.
Cat Goddesses blessing, because it gives me nine lives…and the ability to change my base appearance and age.
Healer's Touch, covers the weaknesses of the Alpha Shapeshifter and Cat Goddess's blessings, and ensures I can keep the people I might come to care about alive and healthy, or even use it to make boatloads of money.
Dominator, pet dinosaur here I come.
As for an item…the never empty wallet and the Ultimate Umbrella are great picks so is the pot…but the Ultimate Umbrella is just plain old dope as fuck.' As I finish my selection my vision starts to spin and grow dark, I wake up and find myself laying on a folding cot inside of a large canvas tent, a door in the back of my mind opens up and memories of my current self pour into my brain, and fuse with the already existing memories.
'So the person who's body I took over is…or was named Alec, Grant…he is…was the seventeen years old son of Paleontologist Doctor Alan Grant, and his highschool sweet heart who broke his heart and ran off to leave him to raise their son alone. My predecessor just finished high school and is currently helping on his father's dig site to earn some money before heading to trade school in Connecticut.' My tent starts to shake as the sound of a helicopter landing pulls me out of my memories.
'Sounds like John is here to make his offer…probably should make an appearance…' I think and grab my boots from the wooden floor of my tent and drop them on the floor to make sure nothing nasty didn't nest in them last night, swinging my feet off of the cot, pulling my boots on and lacing them up, exiting my large canvas tent, I spot my new father running to his camper.
I reach the door to his camper, just as he starts to shout, "What the hell do you think you're doing in here?!" Just as my hand is about to reach the door handle the sound of John Hammond popping the cork of a wine bottle, almost as loud as a .22 caliber rifle, making me duck down on reflex.
Shaking off my distraction I grab the door handle and pull the door open, just in time to see my dad with his arm raised, index finger pointing at Hammond.
"Hey, we were saving that!" I almost laugh at the outrage in his voice over a twenty dollar bottle of champagne.
"For today, I guarantee it." Hammond says in amusement, dad stomps towards him, finger pointed at his chest like a weapon, "Who in God's name do you think you are?!" Dad asks in a gruff voice.
If Hammond is bothered by Dad's attitude he doesn't show any indication of it, "He's John Hammond Dad!" I call out as I enter the trailer, "Yes, as the young man said I am John Hammond, and I'm delighted to finally meet you and your son in person Doctor Grant." John introduces himself and I can see recognition at the name but it's taking Dad a long time to try and figure out why he recognizes that name, while John grabs hold of his index finger and shakes it in greeting, jovially, before releasing the finger and blowing the dry dirt off of his hand that had transferred just by grabbing dad's finger, before walking away from him to a rag to wipe his hands off with.
"I can see my fifty thousand, a year has been well spent." John throws the knowledge of his money being donated to Dad's dig around for whatever reason.
'Hmm, the Limp is real…guess the pimp cane isn't just for show…wonder if one of the dinos took a bite out of him or if it's gout…you know might be able to make some money off of him by trying to heal him…and even if it doesn't work it'd be practice…'
I step out of the way as Ellie pulls open the door behind me, "Okay, who's the jerk?" Ellie asks in a mix of annoyance and anger.
Dad quickly moves to stop Ellie from saying more, "This is our Paleobotanist, Doctor Sattler." Dad quickly introduces Ellie to Hammond and then Hammond to Ellie, "Ellie, this is uh, Mr Hammond."
'Oh this is a lot more amusing to watch in person…' I think while leaning back against a bench.
Hammond lets out a short quick bark of a laugh, "I'm sorry about my dramatic entrance, Doctor Sattler." The man apologizes and takes Ellie's hand, shaking it, "It's an honor Mr.Hammond." Ellie says but Hammond talks over her, "But I'm in a wee bit of a hurry, will you have a drink? we don't want it to get warm."
Ellie starts bumbling through words while moving to get a set of drinking glasses, for them to drink from.
"No nonono, you go sit down, I know my way around the kitchen." Hammond shoes Ellie away and Ellie goes around the desks set up ing the middle of the trailer coming to stand by Dad.
They look at each other, both really taken aback by this guy's bravado, Dad sits down on a stool while Ellie leans back against a desk set behind her, both look to me, seemingly asking me for my opinion on what's going on I just shrug my shoulders and point to, Hammond who has turned around to face them as he dries the glasses, from the strainer.
"Well now, I'll get right to the point. I like ya…the three of you, I have this gift for people." John says and I internally cringe, at the looks that earns the man from Ellie and my Dad.
"You see, I have an island, off the coast of Costa Rica…leased it from the government and have spent the last five years setting up a kind of biological preserve down there." Hammond's excitement is palatable as he talks about his biological preserve.
"It's really just spectacular, spared no
expense you see…it makes the one I have in Kenya look like a petting zoo, I have no doubt that once we become open to the public our attractions will drive the kids right out of their minds!"
"And what are those?" Dad asks and Ellie makes a snort of amusement and shoots me a wink.
"They're small versions of adults, honey." Ellie jokes earning a laugh from me and a dirty look from dad, 'Guess he's not too fond of the idea of having another kid, not that I blame him, getting stuck with me…my predecessor at such a young age, struggling to complete his college education and earn his doctorate all while taking care of an infant to toddler on his own.'
"I don't understand why you would want me to inspect a park for kids." Dad grumps and Ellie gives him a shoulder hug and plants a kiss against his cheek.
Hammond chuckles at both my dad's reaction and Ellie's, 'Huh, they don't make a bad couple..' I think
"Oh the park is not just for kids, but for everyone, we're going to open
next year." Hammond just glows with energy as he talks about Jurassic Park, not that I can blame the man.
Suddenly Hammond's face takes on a disgruntled expression, "That is unless the lawyers kill me, I don't care for lawyers. You?" Hammond asks with a light scowl on his face.
" I, uh, don't really know any…we-" Dad starts to tell Hammond we haven't ever really had the need for one.
"Well, I'm afraid I do, there's this one, a particularly annoying pebble
in my shoe…he represents my investors you see, says they insist on outside opinions." Hammond scowls as he speaks about Donald Gennaro.
I can tell he's gotten dad's interest though as he asks, "What kind of opinions?"
'The kind about dinosaurs…come on dad you're a paleontologist…what other worthwhile opinions could you have?'
"Not to put too fine a point on it, your kind. Let's face it, in your particular fields, you're the top minds. If I could just get you two to sign off on the park…and you
know…give a wee testimonial, I could get back on schedule…"
"Okay, and why would they care what we think?" Ellie asks while raising her arms in the air in a raising the roof gesture with a little bit of added flare, Dad reaches over and rests his hand on her left knee, it's closest to him.
"What kind of park is this?" Dad asks his interest tantamount in his voice, Hammond smiles, a cat that ate the canary smile, like Sylvester when he thinks he's eaten Tweety, at Dad's question.
"Well, you see…it's right up your alley." Hammond continues to smile while pouring a drink for dad and handing it to him.
"Look, why don't you three come on down for the weekend, I'd love to have the opinions of a paleobotanist and a young man on the cusp of adulthood as well." Hammond continues to say and pours a drink for Ellie and hands it to her.
"I've got a jet standing by at Choteau…" Hammond continues to talk as he jumps up and sits on the kitchen counter.
"I'm sorry, but no." Dad is immediately about to shoot it down and Ellie doesn't look like she disagrees with him.
"Hold on Dad, think about this…the man who is the largest contributor to your dig, a dig that you have at least four to six summers of work left to do…is offering you, A Paleontologist, and You Ellie A Paleobotanist…a trip to a reserve, a reserve where endangered wildlife is preserved…must be something pretty special to need the opinions of two people versed in long dead species…and I'm sure Mr.Hammond here isn't expecting you to do this for free, maybe he'll offer to fully fund your digs for the next five to ten years or create a trust fund with you and Ellie as Trustees and you can use the funds that way."
"Ahh, you are quite right young man
I can and will compensate Doctor Grant by setting up a trust to fully fund your dig for the next five years.
Doctor Sattler, I would be happy to pay you seventy five thousand dollars as well, and for the young man, I offer forty thousand enough to get started on an education…maybe even a doctorate…" Hammond offers throwing his money around and I'm surprised that I'm even being considered to receive money.
"I-" My dad looks at me for a few moments, "This would be an awfully inconvenient time…this is most likely my last summer with my son…around he's about to go off to Connecticut…"
"Very well then, I'll make sure there's enough in your trust to fund at least two more digs that will take as long as this one is projected to take to completion." Hammond sweetens the deal, 'Wow, this guy is really throwing around money…can he even afford to do something like that? I mean we're talking close to two million dollars…here for two more digs…'
Dad is about to shoot down the offer but Ellie elbows him hard in the ribs, 'Thank you Ellie.'
"We need this all in writing of course and I'd like to see at least Alec get what you have offered to him upfront, with you covering the taxes on the forty thousand dollars as well, but other than that where's the plane?"
'Oh Ellie you beautiful woman if Dad doesn't wifey you up and make you a mommy like you want so badly I sure as hell will.' I think as the blonde smiles at me.