Iris

by Yolanda Sfetsos

  She didn’t respond, didn’t know what to say. Instead, she concentrated on the turns of corridors after they’d cleared the open area. After a long climb of several concrete stairwells, they eventually got to a floor with carpet beneath their feet. A classier looking glass tunnel spread out in front of them. They would have to leave this building to get on with their plan.

  After so much rough trekking, the plush carpet was a welcome sensation beneath her boots.

  Ed stopped just outside the tunnel. “This is where I leave you two. Only those with tickets or residents can get past this point. You’ll have to scan them on the panel before you can go on. Just keep going up ahead, and you’ll reach an office. Only a dozen tickets are handed out every week, with two winners. The man drawing the numbers will pull out both your tickets as the winning ones, and then escort you out of this building and onto the wealthy levels.” She paused as two men dressed in soiled rags passed by them, headed the same way they were. “Usually, these lottery tickets lead you to slavery, or worse, as experimental subjects.”

  “What?” Fox’s jaw throbbed, outrage obvious in the sudden set of his shoulders.

  “Yeah, yeah, it’s not fair and all that crap, but what the hell did you expect?” Ed’s eyes widened. “Did you really think Wentworth would allow two people from the lower levels access to the upper ones just so they could enjoy and rejoice in a new, wealthy life? Come on, you’re his son. You know what he’s like. He offers these people false hope just so he can use them for his own devices.”

  “Why hasn’t anyone stopped him?”

  “Once again, if anyone knows that answer, it should be you. I heard you tried to bring him down by stealing from his many accounts. Yet, that hasn’t stopped him, has it?” She laughed. “Don’t look so surprised. I can find out anything I want around here. I’m a Jill-of-all-trades, and my mother knows how to use and motivate me well.”

  “So, we get out of here, and then what?”

  “Master Ticket will escort you up there, himself. Instead of dropping you off for registration, he’ll guide you directly to the Rave Level, and I’ll be waiting for you. From there, we need to get from one side of the room to the other, and the elevator on the other side will take us to the floor with direct access to Wentworth.” She paused when another bunch of people walked past. “Anyway, you’ll find out later. Right now, you two need to get inside. Good luck, and I’ll see you soon.”

  “How are you getting there?” Iris asked. “Why can’t we just go with you?”

  “It’s best I don’t answer that question.” Ed avoided her eyes. “Now, go!”

  Fox dragged Iris by the hand and headed for the corridor. He scanned his ticket, and she followed suit. The lights overhead were round and bright. She realized the warmth was literal and radiated from the fittings.

  She looked back, but Ed was already gone. “Why are these lights warm?” She held a hand out in front of her.

  “They’re UV lights. These are very common in the upper levels. My father has an entire room filled with them, on every wall, and even on the ceiling. We miss out on the natural light of the sun in Nexus. It stunts growth and deprives us of natural vitamins. The rich can cheat the loss this way.”

  She nodded, but sadness stirred inside her when she remembered the hungry children back in the market. How many more were as gaunt and suffering from malnutrition, while the rich enjoyed these types of comforts?

  She despised the injustice, so she cleared her mind.

  Fox led her into a large office, where the earthy color on the walls relaxed her. A man stood behind a narrow, black desk. His leather chair looked more like a throne than anything else.

  Unlike all the other people in the room—who were dirty and clothed in mere rags—this man wore a black shirt and a red suit jacket. His blonde hair was cut very close to his scalp. The twinkle in his green eyes and smoothness of his skin made him seem unreal. It gave him a quality that made her think he might be an AI.

  “Ah, welcome to today’s Lottery. I’m Master Ticket, and this is the Lottery Hall.” His thin lips spread into a smile to reveal the hint of straight, white teeth. Both of his arms were spread out as if to display the average room. The only furniture was the desk and chair. The walls were yellow, the carpet was red, and a huge painting featuring a blazing sunset framed him. “Today, I will pick two numbers. These two lucky people will get the chance of a lifetime. You’ll escape the bleak levels and encounter how the other half lives.”

  A short, blonde lady wearing the same attire as the man handed out digital tablets to each of them. Her eyes were the same spooky shade, and her fingers felt cold and hard when they accidentally skimmed Iris.

  Iris glanced down at the tablet. Welcome to the Wentworth Corporation Executive Suites was scrawled along the top. A multitude of other buttons lay underneath the greeting.

  “If you’d like to see a little of it for yourself, feel free to browse the catalogue,” Master Ticket continued. “Once you win this lucrative prize, I will personally escort the winners to the registration unit upstairs. Unlike the bulging population in the lower levels, Mr. Wentworth has set up a database for his most treasured population.” He met her gaze and winked. “He likes to take care of his own.”

  Fox snorted, but no one seemed to notice. They were all too busy touching index fingers to see what was on offer if their numbers were drawn. She felt her stomach dip knowing the result was rigged, and none of these other people would be granted access.

  She pressed the button with the name Kingsley Wentworth III printed on it. The digital picture of a handsome man with brown hair appeared. His smile seemed genuine as he posed for the shot, but she knew what lay behind those eyes. He’d promised her so much. He said he’d keep her safe and rescue her from the nightmares, when in fact he’d been the cause of her pain. He’d wanted nothing more than to control and use her abilities for his own needs.

  “Iris, I knew you’d eventually come back to me.” The picture seemed to speak to her. She blinked, and it was a still shot again, but the uncertainty didn’t fade.

  Fox didn’t look like his father. In fact, he looked like someone else they’d met along the way, even if she couldn’t pinpoint who. They’d met so many people during this bizarre quest to seek the truth.

  Now that she knew what she was, only by name and scientific explanation, Iris didn’t feel wiser or better off. No, she actually felt like a prisoner on her way to a sentence no one could overturn.

  Kingsley offered her manipulation.

  Spalding offered her a life of imprisonment.

  At least she’d have Fox with her. If nothing else, that would suffice. His only plan was to be with her. She couldn’t stay angry at him because of what his father had done. Hell, those memories of Fox trying to help her escape were so vivid. It was a shame she’d eventually escaped without him…but how incredible that they’d found each other, anyway.

  “All right folks, here we go.” Master Ticket smiled as the blonde woman stood behind him. “The first lucky winner is—” He stretched his forearm out in front of him—turning it over so the inside was facing upward—and then tapped his opposite index finger against the screen embedded into his arm. “—number twenty-three.”

  Iris held her number up. That’s my number.

  “Ah, congratulations. You’re on your way up!” Master Ticket held out his right hand, and she gave him the ticket. He scanned the ticket’s barcode against the screen and handed the paper ticket to the woman behind him. “Okay, here we go. Cross your fingers and toes, and even your eyes, if you’d like.” He chuckled at his own joke. “I’m about to pull out the last lucky number.”

  Fox squeezed her fingers, knowing he’d be the next ticket called.

  Iris couldn’t wait to get out of this office. As beautiful and clean as it was, she hated the feel of the other people looking at her with contempt and obvious envy.

  “The next winner is number two!”

  “That’s me, tha
t’s me! Oh my…” A woman on the other side of the room jumped to her feet. She almost tripped in her haste to get the ticket to him. The AI scanned it, and nodded.

  “Congratulations, to both of you ladies. You’re our lucky winners for today.” Master Ticket looked at all the other disappointed faces. “I’m so sorry for the rest of you, but you can once again purchase your tickets next week. Now, if you’d all please clear out, I have some new residents to escort.”

  Iris sat stunned. What had just happened? She looked at Fox. His eyes were focused on the AI, who now sported a sneer.

  “Sir, I’m sorry, but you’ll have to leave as well,” Master Ticket said to Fox as he stood up.

  The female AI practically pushed everyone out the door in her hurry to ensure no one else remained. She then stopped behind Fox’s chair and placed both hands on his shoulders.

  “There’s been a mistake,” Fox said with a shake of his head. “I’m not going anywhere until you rectify it.”

  “Please, sir, we’re both peaceful AI who have a job to do. If we don’t deliver these two women for registration within the hour, someone will be sent down to investigate. I don’t think that’s in your best interest. Do you, Fox Wentworth?”

  Her heart froze inside her chest. They knew who he was. Of course, why hadn’t it occurred to them before? AI who belonged to the Wentworth Corporation would surely have access to Kingsley’s records.

  She felt nauseous.

  Fox attempted to stand up but was stopped by the female AI. She pressed so hard against his shoulders, his face strained with pain.

  “Now, my assistant here is going to help you get outside this room. If you resist, she won’t hesitate to hurt you. If you go willingly, we’ll both forget we crossed paths with you. Everyone thinks you are dead. It would be a good option.”

  “I’m not leaving her.”

  “Ah, yes. Number twenty-three or the Iris, is a different story. We have no choice but to hand her over. It is what we are programmed to do in such a situation.”

  The woman with the other winning ticket cowered behind the chair she’d sat in a few minutes before.

  The female AI let go of Fox’s shoulders, and instead forcibly lifted him by yanking on his arms. She raised him off the chair, and before anyone could respond, the gun strapped to Fox’s thigh was clutched in his right hand. He aimed and fired a shot at close range, between her eyes. No hesitation in the move.

  The other lottery winner screamed.

  Master Ticket’s mouth hung open in confusion. He took a step toward his assistant, but Fox pointed the gun at him.

  “Iris, come on!” He held out a hand for her.

  She extended her hand to grab him, but all she managed was to skim her fingertips against his before the first shot hit Fox in the back of the hand. His gun clattered to the floor.

  Iris turned to glare at Master Ticket. One of his fingers had turned into the barrel of a gun, and it was still pointed at Fox.

  “Please, I don’t want to shoot you a second time. Leave now!” The caution and desperation in his voice seemed sincere. “I will do everything I can to ensure she doesn’t get captured right away. You’ve still got time to catch up with her on the Rave Level.”

  “What the hell happened? I thought we had a deal already set up?” Fox cradled his right hand to his chest. Blood seeped from it, staining his sleeve. Sweat dripped from his hairline, and his face looked pale.

  “We did, but my programming was overridden seconds before you arrived. Now, go. I will take care of her.” The tip of his fingers resealed over the barrel.

  “I’m sorry, Iris,” Fox whispered. “I’ll meet up with you later, okay? If my father thinks I’m dead, at least we’ve got the element of surprise on our side.”

  She nodded, trying to hold back the emotion threatening to tear her apart. Realizing he had to go and leave her alone to face a new plan made the hollowness inside her overwhelming. Iris rushed over to him and threw her arms around his neck. He held her waist awkwardly, but she didn’t care.

  As she pulled back, she kissed him hard. She wanted Fox to know exactly how she felt about him. “Fox, I love you,” she whispered along his lips.

  He kissed her cheek and nodded. “I think we’ve both felt the same way for a long time, Iris.”

  “Hurry,” Master Ticket called. “Time is running out.”

  Fox turned around, but before he could slip away from her, she caught his injured hand. He winced at her touch, but Iris knew she could heal his injury. She’d done so before. Running the tips of her fingers over the bullet hole in the middle of his hand, she hoped it would be enough.

  Fox finally stepped outside and stood in the doorway, staring at her. “I won’t forget you this time.”

  Iris nodded, before turning to face the AI responsible for this latest obstacle.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  As the door closed in front of him, the sharp pain on his hand stopped, but not the pain of having to leave Iris behind. Fox took several shallow breaths, though none seemed to reach his lungs or brain. He felt deprived of everything. The most important part of him had just been taken from him, and he hadn’t been able to stop it.

  I can’t just walk away from Iris.

  He smacked his fist against the door, forcing the last few drops of blood to fall between his fingers, but he didn’t care. As lightheaded as he felt, he didn’t care about his wellbeing. All he wanted was to get Iris back.

  “Fox, am I too late?”

  He whirled around and pushed his open palms against Ed’s shoulders. He sent her flying back against the wall, holding onto her as her spine took the impact.

  “Was this your setup?” he hissed near her face.

  “No! Are you crazy? Why would I go to all this trouble to set you up?” Her eyes were wide and shiny.

  Fox pressed a little harder against her. “I’m the son of the enemy.”

  Ed winced.

  “What are you doing here, then?”

  She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the wall. “I heard a bunch of people talking about the two lucky women who were going upstairs. Obviously, it’s not how I rigged things.”

  “So that’s how you do it? You get the AI alone and simply reprogram him. How many times have you done this?”

  “Many times. The people I help deserve to go up more than the people who live there already.” She glared at him, defiant.

  “I thought you said going up there was a one-way ticket to death? Suddenly, your story doesn’t make any sense.”

  She sucked in a deep breath and let it out. “The ones who deserve to go up there aren’t abandoned upon winning. They don’t register and simply blend into the population. Wentworth likes to think he’s got total control of numbers, but we still have a few people up there.”

  “A few people for what, exactly?” Fox pressed a little tighter against her pale skin.

  “You’re hurting me, rich boy.”

  “That’s my intention.”

  She laughed. “Maybe you did get a few of your father’s traits after all.”

  He softened his grip.

  “So, you hate you father so much, all it takes to undo you is a little comparison? I’ll have to remember that.” She blew a curl off her face. “Anyway, my mother has finally infiltrated your father’s corporation. It’s only a matter of time before we overthrow him. He’s not as invincible as he thinks he is, and he certainly shouldn’t trust those he thinks are his most devoted.”

  “Has this sort of thing happened to you, before? Has the AI been able to override your reprogramming?”

  “This is the first time.”

  “If you’re lying to me, I will—”

  “Why the fuck would I lie to you? Do you honestly think I would come back if I had anything to do with this? What kind of moron do you think I am?” Ed met his gaze, her eyes narrowed and serious, almost challenging. “I may not be like your precious nymph, but I’m capable of a lot of things. Treachery and
betrayal aren’t among them. I want equality and a healthy world as much as the next person. Some of us are trying. You have no idea how many times we’ve tried to approach you.”

  Fox released her, took a step back, and allowed the wooziness to pass before he dared to suck in some air.

  “If you’re done with your accusations and assumptions, I know where the registration office is, so we can still intercept them,” Ed said, shaking her shoulders and straightening her clothes.

  “The AI claimed I could still go to the Rave Level and find Iris before it was too late.”

  “Oh, shit. He hasn’t been programmed to take her to the registration level. He’s handing her straight over!”

  “The bounty hunter!”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking.” Ed bit down on her bottom lip. “Do you know what I just found out? The bounty hunter Kingsley hired is a man called Lex.”

  “Lex?” A shiver raced down his spine. Everyone knew who Lex was. He just hadn’t recognized him in their rush to get away. The guy was rumored to be more machine than human and never failed a mission. People also said that the only person he showed any compassion for was his wife—everyone else was fair game.

  “Come on. Let’s switch this into overdrive.”

  Fox nodded and raced after Ed.

  I hope we’re not too late.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Master Ticket stuck his arm out in front of Iris, stopping her intended step into the registration room. “Not you. Just the woman. You and I are headed somewhere else.”

  Iris watched the other woman wander into the room with wide eyes and cautious steps. A well-dressed human sat behind a curved counter and motioned her over with a friendly smile. She was as meticulous as the small room. A row of comfortable, plush chairs were pressed against the wall across from the reception desk. The small table in front of the chairs was littered with a neat stack of digital magazines. The walls were painted a bright white. It all looked and felt so clinical.