Hard Wired Trilogy DeAnna Pearce (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📖

she’d slept in. Slices of sunlight cut into her room behind heavy clouds. It looked like another storm was coming. They weren’t kidding about the rainy season here.

Rolling over, she opened her messages. The first one was from Niomi reminding her of her therapist appoint at ten today followed by a workout. Ari groaned, not looking forward to it either. A week off didn’t feel like time off with this crap.

Next one was Reed telling her that if they wanted to go back to the tree top restaurant, they would have to go tonight. Another storm was due to come in and expected to last the rest of the week. At least she had something to look forward to after her therapist and Niomi.

Getting out of bed, she lost herself in thoughts of Reed. Realizing that this may be the last date she got to have with him. Realizing she no longer had an appetite, she didn’t bother going out to the kitchen but grabbed something in her room. When she reached for a juice from the small fridge, a note fluttered to the ground.

It wasn’t Jewels’ handwriting, but looked sloppy, probably Tamar’s.

Meet us by the beach at 5:15 if you can. We’re calling in the storm.

Calling in a storm? Ari wondered what that all included and how one called in a storm. The idea intrigued her until she remembered her date. Maybe she could meet with Tamar and Oliana first then meet Reed. It may be a good cover as well. She sent Reed a quick message confirming plans and telling him she’d meet him there at 6pm.

The idea of a date tonight kept her mind busy all morning, until her therapy appointment. Walking down the hall, Ari wondered what therapy meant. Granted people had psychologists, but most used the VR for that. Simulations geared to heal people of phobias, psychological disorders, and for anything the programs couldn’t fix then surgery could help. When one could have all the great doctors in the world in one program, why would one doctor on the outside be so special? She had never heard of talking to a person face to face.

She stood in front of the white door in her smart suit—which she was instructed to wear—waiting to be let in. Doctor Davis’s name ran across the electronic panel. After a few moments, the door hissed open and the therapist greeted her. Her skin was flawless like expensive china, and up close, her bright green eyes looked ever more manufactured—definitely a plastic. “So good to see you again, Ariana.”

“You can call me Ari, everyone else does.”

“Okay, Ari, please take a seat.” She motioned to the long blue couch against the wall. The small office was decorated in neutral tones, calming tones with sparse furniture.

“Do you know why you’re here?”

Ari shrugged thinking that was really a good question. Granted, what she knew and what she was supposed to know were two different things. “I messed up on my last mission.”

Doctor Davis laughed lightly. “You didn’t mess up, dear. There were circumstances beyond your control.”

Ari stiffened as the doctor called her dear but didn’t say anything. Instead she renamed her Doctor Plastic. Tessa would find that fitting.

The doctor didn’t seem to notice and continued to talk. “Niomi and your supervisors called me in to make sure you’re happy here.”

How kind of them. “I’m fine,” she said instead.

“You look great. But being so young without your family can be hard on a teenager. I heard Reed and his mother may move into your wing. I suggested that. Having a community and support system is important for your health, especially when dealing with stressful situations.”

It didn’t seem like the woman wanted an answer, so Ari remained silent.

“Why don’t we start by how you are doing with your work and social life?”

This wedged right under Ari’s patience. This doctor, perfect as a woman can be, who must come from a different universe, wants to know about Ari’s life. This doctor must be paid a lot. Granted Ari didn’t want to create unnecessary problems not with everything else going on. So, Ari shared, just a little, trying to stick to the truth as much as possible. There was a reason Niomi wanted Ari to wear her smart suit. It traced her blood pressure and other vitals that could read her better than some therapist.

Everything continued along with Doctor Plastic being so supportive and kind nearly made Ari puke. Then, just when Ari was ready to leave with five minutes left of her appointment, the real question came out.

“Tell me about the other warper in the VLEX?”

Ari swallowed. “I told Niomi all that I know and put it on the report.”

“Yes, I’ve read the report, but I’m curious. Have you ever met her before?”

Breathing slowly to get her vitals back to normal, Ari replied, “She looked familiar. I probably saw her before at lunch or something. How do I really know if she is a warper?”

Doctor Plastic glanced down at Ari’s hands twisting in her lap. “You know you need to tell us if you meet another warper?”

“Why? So, you can recruit them?” Track them down, manipulate them, and work them to death was what Ari really wanted to say.

“No, for your protection. We want to keep you safe in and out of the VLEX. And surprise guests can cause a lot of problems for you.”

And a lot of problems for you too. “I understand.”

“Do you? Do you understand how important you are to VisionTech? Niomi and Vinh consider you family. Our goal is to make you content as possible.”

Anger rose, bristling at the lies that poured so easily from this woman’s mouth. How many years would this have gone on? Until Ari’s brain snapped? This company lying over and over until there was nothing left of her. Ari leaned forward this time to make herself perfectly clear. “I. Understand.”

Chapter 34

Blocking, striking, and pushing herself to the limit physically, distracted Ari’s mind. Harder and harder she struck