Hard Wired Trilogy

by DeAnna Pearce

  “You hate school. You want to do your art. So, do it.”

  “That isn’t a job.”

  “You don’t know that. Dave might hire you when he sees your work.”

  “There’s my mom to think about and school ...” He faced the dark road ahead of them. “I just don’t know.”

  A cold spread through her body as Ari turned to stare out the dark window, unsure if she’d said the right thing.

  Chapter Thirty

  When Reed opened the car door, the cold air woke Ari to her surroundings. Dawn was still several hours out, and the only light came from the car’s interior lights. Ari slowly climbed out, and Reed pulled her into a hug. Her muscles ached as if she had been run over.

  He kissed her forehead. “I was worried about you back there.”

  She drank up his touch before he pulled away a few seconds later. Turning around, she realized they were back in their own neighborhood, more specifically at Reed’s apartment. The three-story brick building was painted brown with additions built on like an afterthought. It was chaotic, messy, and smelled like the cigarette butts littering the alleyway, but it was the closest to home she’d been in a while.

  He motioned to Tessa, who was passed out in the front seat. “I guess we need to wake her up.”

  “Yeah,” Ari agreed. “She saved our butts back there.”

  “Yes, she did.” Reed stared for a moment as if he were somewhere else, momentarily lost in thought.

  Ari leaned over and rapped at the window.

  Tessa lifted her arm, covering her face to glare at Ari.

  “Leave me here,” she shouted through the closed window.

  “Not in this neighborhood.” Ari opened the door. “I like you too much.”

  Ari reached inside and pulled Tessa out, while Reed grabbed the bags.

  Tessa was on her feet, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Are you sure my Izzy will be alright out here?”

  “Do you have a good security system?”

  “Yeah, she’ll be fine.” Tessa waved away her concern and headed to the building.

  “Is your mom home?” Ari asked Reed as she held Tessa in one arm and her small bag in the other. As they approached his door on the bottom floor, Ari wondered if Reed’s mother was about to be startled awake.

  “No, she’s been on the night shift for a while now. We can crash in my room.” Reed used his code to open the door.

  Ari wished Reed’s mom was home, so she could hug her one more time. His mom was a staple in their neighborhood, one more person Ari wouldn’t see for a long time.

  Reed lugged up their bags. “Take Tessa to my room. She looks like she’ll collapse any minute.”

  The two-bedroom apartment had a small kitchen, living space, and a single bathroom. It was similar to all the other buildings in the neighborhood. Ari lived in a building only two blocks away, except hers was a three-bedroom apartment, due to their family size.

  The girls shuffled down the hall, while Reed moved to the kitchen. Ari glimpsed pictures of Reed as a child in frames on the wall. She loved the one from elementary school, back when she first remembered Reed. He was all knees and elbows, playing in the street with Marco and Ari.

  Leaving the memories behind, she pushed open the first door and knew immediately it was his bedroom. It smelled like Reed, with a musky scent that could only be his. It smelled safe.

  Without a word, Tessa threw herself down on the only bed in the room. She didn’t bother pulling down the sheets or taking off her shoes, but face-planted into oblivion.

  Ari had always wondered what his bedroom looked like, and it was sort of how she imagined it. Drawings littered the walls and a small sculpture rested on a nightstand. Ari thought about going back to the sofa in the entertainment room but, for some reason, it felt safer staying together.

  She grabbed the blue pillow Tessa wasn’t using and crashed on the floor. She didn’t bother with her shoes either, just rolled over and, with a soft sigh, fell asleep.

  When the sun peeked through Reed’s window, Ari realized Reed’s arm was wrapped protectively over her waist. His arm gave her a sense of security, like a blanket she wanted to cling to more than anything. She didn’t want to move, but her mind started processing the previous night’s events and dwelling on what she had to do that day. She squeezed his hand gently, not ready to let go of him yet.

  Reed released a happy sigh at her touch and pulled her close to him. “Morning,” he mumbled into her hair.

  “Only if it has to be,” Ari replied.

  She glanced at the bed. Tessa slept heavily, her chest rising methodically and a slight wheezing sound escaping her lips. Ari’s eyes darted around Reed’s room, now that she could see better in the daylight. An over-organized, dusty feel permeated air. He hadn’t been there for months. The only mess was the bags they’d brought with them. His walls were painted in swirling teals, like he couldn’t decide whether to paint the sky or the ocean. It was beautiful, just like him.

  Reed kept his hand around her waist and turned her to face him. “I could get used to this.”

  “Me too.”

  He didn’t give her time to be self-conscious of morning breath or anything else as he leaned forward and kissed her. His firm lips rested against hers, sending a small spark down to her toes. That spark soon led to a burn within her, stronger than she’d imagined. While his hand kept a firm grip on her hips, her fingers rested on the soft spot on his neck, wishing she could pull him closer.

  He brushed her thick hair back, and his lips traveled to her neck and ear. “Remember Tessa,” he whispered into her neck.

  Ari froze, mentally flying back to reality where Tessa slept mere feet away. With a disappointed sigh, she stared at his face. His sharp cheek bones led to soft and slightly swollen lips. Scruffy, dark facial hair sprinkled his cheeks, and she itched to kiss him again.

  His smile pulled up to one side. “What’s the saying? ‘Think of the Queen’?”

  She laughed into his chest, inhaling his scent and letting it envelope her. “Well, if anyone could be Queen, it’s Tessa.”

  “True.” He turned on his back and kept one arm around Ari.

  “I can’t leave this,” she said as her hand rested on his chest. “I don’t want to leave this.”

  “Oh, come on. I’m sure there will be other boys to kiss.”

  Ari hit his arm, but not hard. “It’s not funny.”

  “You can make a program with me in it, and then you can visit me anytime.”

  Ari wished he could see her eyes rolling. “Please,” she replied sarcastically then with a serious tone added. “I want you instead. Flesh and blood.”

  “I know.” Reed’s voice tightened. “You’re off to do amazing things.”

  “It won’t be the same without you. I really do—” Ari stopped herself before she could say those three words that surprised her as much as they would have surprised Reed. The L word had never escaped Ari’s lips before, and she usually made fun of love struck teenagers who lusted all over the popular kids. Yet if she was going to be honest with herself, she did love him. She’d loved him before she knew what love was. He was the happy, sweet Reed, and no matter what happened in the future, part of her heart would always love him.

  But she worried he didn’t feel the same. She’d invited him to come with her, but she also knew how important his mom and his life was here—a life that she would no longer be a part of.

  “What was that?” He turned towards her, his breath tickling her ear.

  “Nothing. Just be glad we had one last night together.”

  “Don’t talk like that.”

  Before she could reply, a beep sounded in the kitchen. Startled, she sat up.

  “It’s the coffee.” He reached for her.

  The sound of the machine dripping echoed throughout the small apartment. The smell of coffee soon permeated the room, and like a magical alarm, Tessa began to stir.

  Ari left the unspoken words floating stagnant
in the air.

  Tessa eyed the makeshift bed the two of them had made on the floor. “I’m glad I passed out last night.”

  With a sly grin on his face, Reed ran a hand through his tousled hair. “Oh, this was from this morning.”

  “Spare me.” Tessa flashed Ari a sarcastic grin.

  Ari headed to the bathroom to clean up a bit. After the run in at the rest stop and sleeping in her clothes, not much was going to help. She ran a brush she’d found through her hair and braided it.

  She returned to Reed’s room to find him digging through his dresser. Tessa had barely moved.

  “Ready to break into a hospital?” Ari faked a smile, hoping if she kept pretending that maybe it would be easier. She hadn’t seen her father, talking or moving, for over six years, and the idea of going back into a virtual with him overwhelmed her.

  Tessa pulled out a hair tie and shook her hair like a dog shaking off water. She sat up and tried to tame her hair down. “How about some coffee first?”

  “Sounds good,” Ari agreed.

  As they headed out of Reed’s bedroom, his mother came in the front door. She had on a gray uniform, dark hair wrapped up in a bun, and an inquisitive look on her face that quickly turned into a scowl. Tired eyes lined her face as she hung up her keys and waited for them to come into the kitchen.

  “Hey, Mom,” Reed appeared shortly behind them, in a new navy shirt and jeans.

  “I don’t know if I’m more tired than normal, or I’m getting old. Why are you not at school, but coming out of your bedroom with two girls and a flush on your face that tells me you’ve been up to no good?”

  “Hey, I’m the innocent one in this.” Tessa pulled up a chair to their small kitchen table. “I was just passed out the whole time.”

  “I don’t think that helps anything,” Ari said, trying to keep a guilty look off her face.

  “Come here.” Reed’s mom pulled him into a hug, breathing in his scent. “You’re going to give me gray hair.”

  She released him and ran a hand over his hair. “Have a seat, kiddos. I don’t have much for breakfast since it’s usually only me, but I’ll fix something while you tell me the whole story.” Her fiery gaze, focused on Reed, would have shot laser beams if possible.

  “Thanks,” Ari said.

  “It’s good to see you, Ari. Hope Reed has been treating you right.”

  “Of course.” If anything, she wished he was a little less gentleman-like, but she didn’t think anyone would like to hear that, especially not his mother.

  Reed made Ari sit down while he helped his mom pour coffee for everyone, and he told their story. Ari listened to the whole thing, adding pieces here and there, but pretty much let Reed tell the tale. Gratefully, he left out the part of being attacked at the rest stop. By the time he was done, Ari had finished her coffee. Tessa refilled her own cup and sat down again, holding her mug tightly.

  Reed’s mom took another drink. “So why are you guys here instead of at Ari’s?”

  She’d never missed much, and often had to keep Reed and Marco in line when they were younger. Reed had her same intelligent hazel eyes.

  “Ms. Ramses,” Ari started.

  “Ari, you are too old for that anymore. Call me Monique,” she told Ari.

  Ari swallowed briefly and adjusted the foot tucked under her on the chair. “Well, you see—”

  Reed broke in. “We think we’re being followed. There is this guy at school, a real jerk. We’re worried he might have said something to someone, so we came here instead. Since I have Dad’s last name and you have yours, we were hoping they wouldn’t be able to find us.”

  “While I don’t love the circumstances, it’s good to see you.” Monique wrapped her son in a hug, holding tight. When she released him, she turned her attention to Tessa. “And how do you fit into this mess?”

  “I’m the get-a-way car.” Tessa grinned.

  “Oh, that’s yours? I was wondering about that. And you go to their school?”

  “She’s my roommate,” Ari chipped in.

  “No, more like her idol,” Tessa added.

  “I can see why,” Monique added sarcastically, looking at Tessa’s piercings.

  “Tessa has helped me a lot,” Ari said.

  “Okay.” Monique nodded as if coming to some sort of agreement within herself. “I’m glad you’re a good friend.”

  Tessa never once moved her gaze from under Monique’s inspection. “I do try.” Of course, Tessa followed it with, “By the way, I’m not sure I’d call this coffee.” Before Monique could respond, Tessa held up a hand and interrupted her. “Don’t worry, I’ve had worse. Once in another country, I think.”

  Tessa smiled at Monique who pinched her mouth closed. Tessa was like that.

  “Let me fix some toast for you guys before you head down to the center,” Monique offered.

  The care center where Ari’s dad lay in his coma handled long-term medical and psychiatric care patients, a lame name for a place that changed a lot of tubes and bedding.

  “Here, let me help with the toast.” Ari stood as a ring sounded, signaling someone at the front door.

  Everyone froze. Ari knew no one should be coming around at that time of the morning, at least not any neighbors.

  Reed went to the door and looked at the small electronic screen. The way his hands clenched, Ari knew it wasn’t good. Williams, he mouthed the words. Ari cringed, wondering how her Advisor knew where they were. He must have been tracking them. Reed motioned for them to all follow him out the back. Monique grabbed Reed briefly on his way, placing a kiss on his cheek. The front bell rang again.

  “Ugh, let me get decent please,” she said in a loud voice. She locked eyes with her son for a moment, communicating as only a mother and child could. Monique nodded briefly and then waved him off.

  Ari grabbed her bags from his room. If they were running, she would have to dump them somewhere else so Monique wouldn’t get in trouble. She headed towards the fire escape, but Reed caught her arm, pulling her into her mother’s room.

  “What?” Ari whispered.

  Reed pointed up. Tessa’s black boots dangled from a hole in the ceiling. Ari wanted to ask all sorts of questions, but Reed only offered his knee for her to climb aboard. There might be a time for questions later. But that moment wasn’t it.

  Monique spoke loudly from her spot at the front door. “What? My son? He’s supposed to be at school. Are you saying you lost him?”

  Ari pulled herself up into a cramped space with several long jackets. Tessa pulled her up and out through the maze of winter wear. They were in the bedroom of a completely different apartment.

  “Hey,” Tessa whispered and lifted her eyebrows in amusement.

  Reed appeared next out of the closet. “We need to ditch our gear. They’re tracking us.”

  Ari pulled off her ring and dropped it in her bag.

  “I hope you know how painful this is.” Tessa reluctantly emptied her pockets.

  “I’ll pay you back,” Ari said.

  “It’s not the money, but the hours I spent setting it up to my specifications.”

  Once everything was stashed in the neighbor’s closet, Reed left the bedroom with the two girls right behind him. They followed him running through an apartment almost exactly like his, with brown shag carpeting and faded white walls. Only the pictures and furnishings were different.

  “Don’t mind us, Charlie. Just passing through.” Reed gave a quick wave to the man sitting at the kitchen table.

  The balding man sat nursing a drink and gave a curt nod with no more surprise on his face than if it were an everyday occurrence. “And here I thought you outgrew your old antics. Be safe and be fast.” The man shook his head and mumbled into his cup. “Kids.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Ari’s lungs burned as she followed Reed through the rundown buildings. She briefly thought back to her days as a child where they would race around the neighborhood for hours, playing hide-and-seek or
tag. The joy of those days was replaced with fear as the three of them sprinted down a shady corridor. Adrenaline pushed them further and faster than any child’s game ever would.

  As they finally maneuvered out of the maze of old buildings, they found themselves within view of the tram entrance. The three of them stood in the shadows of a small convenience store, catching their breath. Tessa bent over, and Ari clutched a cramp in her side. Reed’s face was flushed but showed no sign of fatigue. If anything, his face was more determined.

  “It was Williams,” Ari said once that her breath slowed, but the stitch in her side still ached. “He followed us here. Why?”

  “Why not sooner? It doesn’t take a genius, if they reviewed your VRs to figure out what you’re capable of.” Reed continued watching the street.

  “He probably didn’t think you’d escape school or maybe he wanted to see who you’d run to.” Tessa pulled back her wild strands of hair into a tight bun above her port.

  “Time to go, now.” Reed grabbed Ari’s hand.

  As the three of them walked down the street, she noticed Reed’s fierce expression. “Let’s try not to look like escaped convicts.”

  Tessa gave Ari a toothy smile. It was quite disturbing. Ari focused on the tram, hoping no one noticed them.

  Morning commuters filled the platform, and Ari hoped to hide amongst the tired, bleary-eyed workers. They squeezed inside the crowded tram. The stench of sweat and dirt assaulted them as they found seats in the back.

  “We might be a little early for Marco. He was supposed to meet us outside the center with your mom’s visitor pass,” Reed said quietly.

  “What? When did you talk to him?”

  “Last night when I was driving. You two were passed out. I caught him up on the situation. I thought it would raise too many flags if you went in as a student, not in school, asking for a visitor’s pass.”

  Ari’s gut tightened with worry, not for herself but for her friends and family. How much was she really risking for this? Her brother would be willing to bear the cost. “We’ll need to be careful. Advisor Williams may be looking for Marco, possibly tracking him.”