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

Chapter 35

Running fast through the dark night, the wind howled through the trees. Ari remained right behind Tamar, often grabbing onto his shirt for guidance to not get lost. Only someone who grew up on these paths could take them so fast. He maneuvered with a swift coordination that even Niomi would be impressed by.

He slowed once the dorms came into view and turned to Ari. “Go in and grab your boy.” He motioned to his bare chest and tied skirt. “It’d attract more attention the way I’m dressed, which we don’t need right now.”

“Okay.”

As she walked off, he added, “You don’t have time to convince him. The boat will not wait for you if their shipment is loaded.”

Nice to know. Jogging upstairs, she tried to gather her thoughts of what she’d say to Reed. By the time she arrived at his room panting from exertion, she still didn’t have a clue.

Opening the door, Reed looked surprised as he took her jagged appearance in.

He had no idea what was about to hit him.

“Am I late?” he checked his HUB.

“Do you trust me?” Standing up, she met his gaze and prayed this was the best thing for him.

“Of course.”

“I don’t have time to explain. I’m leaving the island right now. I have to.” She gulped knowing this was the hard part. “If you want to stay, I totally get it. You have a great life, with a chance of being reunited with your mom. I can’t promise you any of that. I just have to leave and couldn’t without telling you goodbye first.”

He blinked and with a brief nod said, “I’m coming.”

It was Ari’s time to be reassured. Despite the hell of the situation, she smiled, reaching forward and kissed him. He reached out, but she pushed back. “No time. We have to go, now.”

“Should I grab anything? Clothes, food?”

“No time… except do you have any money or stuff to trade.”

“Yeah.” Keeping the door open, he rushed to his dresser. A bag lay on top, which he grabbed, and opening his top drawer threw stuff in it. It took all of thirty seconds before he turned. “Let’s go.”

Ignoring the looks of others, they ran through the halls and outside to the outdoor patio, the same one in which they often shared several conversations, meals, and kisses. Standing in the middle of two tables was Vinh.

His hands fisted by his sides, almost shaking. “Where are you going, Ari?”

Her jagged breath did nothing to help hide her guilt, thankfully Reed was thinking straighter.

“On a date.” Reed ran a hand through his hair. “We’re hoping to make it back to her rooms before the storm hits. You know, nice cozy night during a storm.”

“Then why is her tracker on a beach dancing right now? I thought it funny when I saw her sprinting to your room, a bit over eager.” Vinh’s chest puffed up in an aggressive pose that didn’t suit him. Unlike his easygoing temperament, it appeared to take effort for him to be this confrontational.

The wind picked up, and it was accompanied now by a light rain. She didn’t have time to waste. “Step aside, Vinh.” Ari moved forward, not willing to let him ruin this for them.

“I can’t. I will lose my job.” He remained still, hands clenched at his side.

“I trusted you,” she spit at him, her voice raising as drops of rain fell on her face. “I thought you were my friend.”

“I am.” His earnest face showed that he actually believed the lie.

“Friends don’t let friends kill themselves.”

“What are you talking about?” Reed said next to her.

Vinh gulped and glanced down. “I was doing everything to keep you healthy and safe.”

“You didn’t tell me the truth, so I could decide for myself if it was a risk I wanted to take.”

“I couldn’t. I would lose my job and not be able to help you at all.”

“Maybe. But it’s still my life to gamble, not yours.” A tinge of sympathy tugged at Ari. She knew about tough situations that life can put you in. She may be able to forgive him one day for this betrayal, but she couldn’t stay here.

She started forward to forcibly move him, but Reed beat her to the chase. Storming forward, he punched Vinh in the face. He fell backward on the ground and didn’t move. Looking back and forth between them, Ari was surprised and impressed.

Tamar emerged from out of the foliage. “About time,” he motioned to Vinh sprawled out on the ground. “We have to run. I just got a call from the boat. They will be gone in ten, fifteen minutes tops, and can’t wait.”

“Okay.” Ari took a step before remembering one last thing. “Reed’s tracker.”

“Right?” Tamar pulled out his knife.

Reed didn’t blanch but turned around, which said a lot given he didn’t know Tamar well.

“It’ll be quick. I already did mine.”

“I know.” He flinched slightly as Tamar made the incision. “I saw your neck in my dorm. I figured it was pretty serious if you cut it out.”

“Let’s go.” Tamar placed the tracker in Vinh’s pocket which was next to him.

Reed turned to Ari, “You have a lot to explain.”

“I will, later. Promise.”

For the first time since her arrival at the island, Ari was grateful for Niomi’s obsession with running. Once they made it deeper into the jungle, Tamar pulled out a light to help speed up their trip. Her heart pounded in her chest, but every step took her closer to freedom and survival.

With her legs rubber and numb and her hair sopping wet, the dock came into view. Ari had never been to this part of the island, and its dated and industrial structures were out of place in comparison. Guess VisionTech hides away the gritty side of life in more than one way.

A tall light pole illuminated a portion of the massive boat, bigger than her apartment building growing up. It was large and dark but teeming with life. Men shouted on the deck, working against the