“For starters.”
A wide smile spread on Dave’s face. “We would love to offer you a job, with immediate on-site training.”
“Terms,” Tessa said before Ari could even respond.
“Okay then.” He pulled out a small screen and uploaded a document. “This is our standard employee contract. Who wants it first?”
Tessa grabbed it. “Ari is not your standard employee so this better not be insulting.”
She dove right into reading over the agreement.
Dave raised an eyebrow to Ari. She nodded. Dave appeared to be a regular guy, more like an uncle or neighbor, not someone who was trying to steal kids to work for his employer. Maybe “steal” was too harsh of a word, for if things were as bad as he’d told Ari, then he might use the word “rescue.”
Ari coughed briefly to clear her throat. “There are some ... umm ... complications also?”
Dave remained silent and waited for her to continue.
“I have a mom and brother that I will need to take care of.”
“Many of our employees financially assist their families. We can assist in sending money without it being traced.”
“So how often can I visit them or have them visit me?” Ari couldn’t even consider never seeing them again.
“Our offices are a twelve-hour flight from here, and the location is not open knowledge to the public. Once you join our company, you cannot leave for vacations or trips. There are families there, but they all work if they are capable. We have the highest level of security available and go to great lengths to protect our employees.”
Ari leaned back into her chair. Marco would never come live with her, and her mother would never leave Marco or her father. Her heart weighed heavily in her chest. It took effort to breathe. Was she exchanging one prison for another?
Despite her shocked reaction, he added, “I also can’t guarantee contact with the outside world.”
“I can’t leave my family, my life.” Ari couldn’t help but feel the presence of Reed next to her. She wasn’t sure she could walk away.
“You won’t have a choice, Ari. Once the government knows what you can do, you will be moved to a secure facility. Foreign governments and dark companies will kidnap warpers if necessary. VisionTech believes that incentives work better than coercion. We like people to choose to work for us, and we pay then handsomely for it.”
Ari reached for Reed’s hand under the table. A large lump was stuck in her throat and she struggled to swallow. With her free hand, she reached for the water on the table. A waitress arrived with an assortment of exquisitely plated food and drinks. Ari didn’t have an appetite. She stood on the top of a mountain, and any step might send her careening down.
Tessa set the electronic contract down and took a drink of the swirling peach and blue beverage in front of her.
“Of course, you won’t want to sign until you read it all thoroughly, but it looks pretty standard.” Tessa turned to Dave. “Ari will need triple the signing bonus to start as she is pretty broke and double the yearly salary. She wants it reviewed yearly as the market fluctuates and her skills increase.”
Before Ari could get a word in, Tessa continued, “Also, she must have contact with the outside world. You reached us without getting caught, so figure something out. Her family, boyfriend, and of course myself, must remain in contact so we know she is safe and happy.”
“Done,” Dave didn’t hesitate.
Tessa smiled and grabbed some sushi to eat. With some type of fish still in her hand, she turned to Ari, “Did I miss something?”
Miss? I’m still trying to figure out what you just said. Overwhelmed, Ari shook her head. Dave’s serious, yet kind face, let her relax a bit.
“One question,” Dave said. “How have you been able to hide what you do this long?”
“I never finished my school VR eval. I was terrified of VRs and couldn’t last longer than a few minutes until the last couple months.”
A look of doubt crossed over his face. “And they never finished your testing?”
“They never needed to,” Reed said.
Ari coughed lightly, interrupting him. “Advisor Williams wants me to take the eval on Monday, before I leave on break.”
Tessa spat chewed rice across the table before sputtering, “When did this happen?”
“Yesterday, after Wake stole my program, which I’m supposed to have completed by the end of this week.” Ari wondered if she would even make it to Christmas break. The project felt small in comparison to the rest of her problems.
“You can’t take that test.” Dave said. “We’ll rush the contract and you can sign it on the plane. I can get transportation here within the hour.”
Still in her chair, Ari pushed back from the table. “What are you talking about? I’m not getting on a plane in an hour going to who-knows-where with a man I just met. I’m sixteen, and you’re asking me to make major life decisions in a couple minutes. I need more than dinner to digest this all.”
“If you were my daughter, we would leave now.” Gone was the carefree Dave, instead, a serious, almost anxious Dave sat in his place. “If you’re worried about me or the company, contact Tessa’s father. He’s done work with our company, and they can verify I work for them. This isn’t a joke. This is my job.”
Tessa stuck her hand out. “Let me use your phone—I assume it’s untraceable—and I’ll confirm things with my father.”
Dave handed over the phone, and Tessa stepped away from the table to make the call.
Ari glanced at Reed, knowing he wouldn’t like the next part. “My dad is also in a VR coma. I have to try to get him out before I go.”
Reed’s grip tightened, but to his credit he remained silent.
“Remind me how long he’s been in?” Dave asked as if he already knew the answer.
“Seven years.”
“I’m sorry to tell you this, but he’s gone. I’ve never known anyone past six months to make it out.”
“I have to try.”
“Would your parents want you to risk it? Because it would be a risk. You won’t be able to continue with school once you take the evaluation or refuse it. And if you leave unexcused, they will send officers to come and retrieve you. You didn’t think they had all of those armed guards only to keep the bad guys out, did you?”
Tessa sat back down at the table. “My dad knows the CEO of VisionTech. He says the company is reputable with off shore outreach teams. He’ll look into Dave and message me if he pans out.”
“Thanks,” Ari said, though it didn’t make her decision any easier. Everyone’s gaze rested on Ari, waiting for her decision. Heat rose in her cheeks.
Reed spoke first. “Sounds like you need to go, Ari. You can’t help him, and you can’t risk staying.” The resignation in his eyes hurt her. Reed had wanted her to hide her gift, so she could stay as long as possible, but even he recognized the reality of the situation.
“Okay.” She would sign the contract, but she still had to try to help her dad. Not only for his sake, but for the sake of their family. She couldn’t abandon her family without trying.
“Tomorrow night.” Her words were hard and final. “I’m going home first, but then let me know where I need to meet you.”
On the way back to school, Tessa’s dad sent a message that Dave checked out. It reassured Ari to know she wouldn’t be walking off to accidentally join a cult. It didn’t make saying goodbye to her life any easier though. While Ari wanted to walk in silence, holding Reed’s hand and preparing for the next couple days, Tessa had other ideas.
“Are you planning to ignore all of our advice and still try to save your dad? Some people don’t want saving.” Tessa didn’t mince words. It was one of Ari’s most and least favorite things about her.
Ari continued walking. “I know you guys don’t agree with me, but I’m not asking you too.” She kept her eyes forward, not ready for Reed’s reaction. “I appreciate your help with Dave, but I think we a
ll know I have to do the rest by myself.”
Tessa pulled her to a stop. “Whoa, chica. While we don’t think it’s the smartest thing to go in after your dad, it doesn’t mean we’re abandoning you.”
Ari wrapped Tessa into a tight hug. She couldn’t have asked for a better roommate.
“Calm down.” Tessa awkwardly patted her on the back. “I’ve had my share of stupid. We’ll just remind you of that when we’re all arrested.”
Ari turned back and forth between her two best friends. “I don’t want you to be arrested. I can do this alone.”
Reed grabbed her hand again. “You don’t have a choice. I’m staying with you Ari, as long as I can.”
“Thanks.” It came out in a whisper.
“It sounds like it’s road trip time.” Tessa began walking again, with Reed and Ari beside her. “Let’s grab our stuff and head out tonight. We’ll check out with campus security and stay at my condo for the rest of the weekend.”
“Sounds good,” Reed replied.
They didn’t have time to make any more plans as they approached the security checkpoint.
Tessa spoke to guard as she went through. “Hey, we’re going to head up to my condo tonight. I need clearance for one night.”
The young guard was about as tall as Reed with thick arms that appeared out of place on his smooth childlike face. “Give me a minute, and I’ll enter it in the system.”
Reed walked through the scanner, his ID bracelet lighting up.
Tessa continue talking to the guard, standing closer than usual. “Yeah, we wanted some space to study for finals and my parents got their own VR link up.”
“Impressive.” The guard smiled at Tessa and then turned to work on the computer.
Ari walked through the scanner and a beep sounded. She paused, unsure of what that meant. “I don’t have any weapons.”
“Not weapons, miss.” The guard read something on his computer.
“Well, you two are welcome to leave tonight,” the guard point at Tessa and Reed. “But your friend Ari is flagged to remain on campus for the time being.”
“What does that mean?” Ari asked.
“It means you have to report to your student advisor for permission to leave campus.”
Ari’s mouth went dry as she stared at the guard’s weapon on his hip, a stun gun on the lowest setting or, at its highest, a deadly killing machine. Reflexively, Ari stepped back, wondering how quick he was. Would he really shoot her? Even if she avoided him, there were others guarding the perimeter, and those guys had weapons as well. Was it too late for her?
“Ari, you must have forgotten another assignment,” Reed teased, completely out of character for him. He reached for her arm, pulling her towards the entrance and away from any chance of escape.
Tessa jumped into the conversation, ignoring Ari who was frozen with fear. “Yeah, if I didn’t live with her, I’d swear she was blonde. Let’s hurry so we can be on our way.” Tessa waved goodbye to the guard “Thanks.”
Ari continued walking, one foot in front of the other. She wasn’t going back to see Advisor Williams. She couldn’t.
“Relax.” Reed pulled her in closer. “There is more than one way to leave the school.”
Ari’s gaze flashed up to meet his. “Really?”
“Yeah. Tessa and I will have to leave through the front. The school won’t realize you’re missing by the time curfew gets into effect.”
“Okay, then. We better leave right away.” Tessa glanced at her bracelet. “That will give us a six-hour head start.”
“So how do I do it?” Ari asked. “How do I get out of here?”
“As much as I hate the idea of it, we’ll need some help.” Just as Ari got a sinking feeling of who he was talking about, Reed came out with it. “Garrett.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ari and Tessa hurried back to their dorm to pack. Tessa packed Ari’s stuff in her large designer bags since it would be easier for Tessa to walk them out. Reed left them to go talk to Garrett. Ari hoped things went smoothly between them.
Reed messaged them.
Lucky break. Need to move fast. Meet me on the West side of the student union ASAP.
Ari hacked her bracelet, so it would keep playing the same loop of her reading on her bed. She prayed it still worked. Since they’d been caught at the VR party, the school had been tightening down, but it was worth trying. She slipped pliers into her bag, so she could take it off once she made it far enough away. Ari slung her father’s old leather bag across her chest and left behind anything she didn’t need. Tessa promised she’d send it to her mother.
They skirted the front entrance of the student union, avoiding people and sticking close to the trees and picnic benches. Garrett and Reed were waiting for them near a table, neither one smiling. Garrett was in the usual silver work uniform with an orange coat.
“You’re running?” Garrett asked as they approached.
She set the large bag on the ground. “Sort of my only option.”
“Why do your problems always seem to fall into my lap, like I have nothing better to do?” He raked a hand through his now short silver hair.
“You don’t,” Reed said bitterly. “And you owe me.”
Ari briefly wondered what Reed was referring to, but since neither guy seemed forthcoming, she let it drop.
Reed approached, pulling her into his arms for a quick hug. “We have to leave now, if we’re to meet up with you. We’ll follow you and be ready at the scheduled stop. Okay?”
“Okay,” Ari replied. It would take them some time to pick up Tessa’s car and check out with security for the night. She squeezed Reed tighter, not wanting to let go.
Garrett cleared his throat. “We’d better get moving.”
Reed leaned in and kissed Ari. It was rough and urgent and left Ari’s lips tingling. He took her bag as he pulled away.
“Catch up with you soon,” Tessa said.
Ari watched her closest friends walk off together. Garrett had better be true to his word and help her leave. She turned to look at him bundled in a thin orange coat as he stamped on the snow around him.
“Ready?” Ari asked.
“Waiting on you, princess.” He turned and walked off through a narrow passage between the older buildings, leaving only snowy footprints to follow.
Ari hurried after him, not surprised by his coldness. She finally caught up in the passage way.
“What is this?” Ari asked, her breath coming out in short bursts.
“Walkway used before they remodeled.” He kept it short and kept moving fast.
“So how is this going to work?”
He turned briefly, glaring over his shoulder. “Since I got kicked out of the Tech Lab, I’ve been assigned to receivables. I take inventory for the technical supplies that come in and out of our school. You’re going to catch a ride with a supply truck in a few minutes.”
“And they are okay with it?”
He approached the door and, after he punched in a quick code, it opened. “Not planning on asking.”
“I’m surprised they gave you this job after everything ...” Ari instantly regretted her words.
“Yeah, you mean after being put on suspension? Reed would never tell you, but we both got in more trouble than you know. I don’t even think I got a ‘thank you’ out of it.” Ari followed him through the door, trying not to let her guilt distract her. They entered a storage facility with lofty ceilings and filled with boxes and crates.
“I am grateful. I’m sorry—” Ari said.
“For what?” Garrett cut her off. “For getting me suspended, for taking off and never giving me a chance, or for using your boyfriend to get me to do your bidding? There is a lot to choose from.”
His accusation struck her cold. He was right. He wasn’t a saint, but she should have handled things better. Her face burned in response as she tried to sort out what to say next. He stood facing her, waiting expectantly.
“I’m so
rry for everything that happened between us. I hoped we could just be friends, but I didn’t know how to do that.” Ari forced her gaze up, to look in his eyes. “I’ll stay in contact and repay you one day.”
Garrett approached, stepping into her space, which made her nerves jump as if hot-wired. He had a way of making her uncomfortable. She had to tell herself to hold still as he tucked a hair behind her ear.
“I hope you’re right, but I won’t hold my breath.”
Ari would try, but she didn’t know where she was going or what her situation would be. She owed him enough to try. And for that reason, she didn’t slap his hand away as it lingered on her shoulder.
“We could have had fun.” He kept her gaze as he stepped away from her. “You were more to me than just another freshman girl. But we’ll never know. I wish you the best when karma finally comes your way. It always does.”
His dark expression soon vanished, and he patted her shoulder with a smile before backing away. The haunting feeling was fleeting, and she brushed it off to focus on the task at hand.
“Now, let’s pack you away.” Garrett wandered between the stack of crates leaving Ari to trail behind.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Fingers numb, Ari gripped the nearby crates as the storage truck jostled her down the road. She had only ridden on electric trams or cars. The massive truck with wheels up to her shoulder, bounced along the road with constant vibrations and no heat. The truck ran quietly enough, amplifying the noise of boxes shifting slightly against their restraints in the storage section of the trailer. She clutched a plastic crate nearby to avoid sliding down the aisle.
She had to be ready when the driver, a friend of Garrett’s named Arman, made his stop. Garrett said Arman always stopped at a truck stop which had a good price on his brand of cigarettes. Putting this much faith in Garrett made her nervous. He had more than one reason not to help her.
Ari groped blindly in the dark for the large sliding door at the back of the trailer. It took her a few minutes, especially when her bag, slung over her chest and resting by her hip, kept snagging on boxes. Finally finding the door of the truck, she searched for release switch Garrett had pointed out earlier. No luck. It must be on the opposite side.
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