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

on the dark web helped fill in the gaps and missing pieces. Unfortunately, Ari hadn’t come as far along with figuring out how to get to Reed.

The coordinates for the meeting spot were in the European Union, specifically the Spanish corridor. Ari had no clue how to make it there in the next week. If she had to make a late night run for it, it’d have to be soon. Traveling across the ocean didn’t leave a lot of options with a tight schedule.

Since it was the weekend, Patrick called for a movie night for the group. He did group activities every now and then to help with stress and group morale. With everything going on, it had been a while since the last one. They also held a ping-pong tournament with chores and food on the line. The bets went high, and Patrick was just finishing up toilet duty after he lost to Blur.

Tonight though, Marco helped download a recent movie. Ari’s mom made cheesy popcorn while Sue made cookies and chocolate candies. There was enough junk food mounding the table to feed the neighboring town.

Large over-stuffed couches filled the room, and everyone spread out. A couple of people had pillows and took up positions on the floor. The only one missing was Blur, who was with Tricky. She had started waking up every day for ten or fifteen minutes, but Ari hadn’t been able to talk to her yet.

Patrick stood up in front of the screen. “I wanted to touch base about—”

“This isn’t a meeting,” Harini said from the couch with a bowl of popcorn on her lap. “This is movie night, Patrick.”

He held up a hand. “I know, I know. Sorry. But I wanted to let you know. Joe made a big breakthrough. He found the physical location of one of the designers of the virus.”

Words of surprise and excitement ran up through the room. People congratulated Joe, who looked completely uncomfortable with, or maybe just annoyed by, all the attention. Ari wasn’t surprised by Joe’s ability but impressed.

“I’ll soon be searching for a security team to retrieve it.” Patrick had to raise his voice to get everyone’s attention.

Harini threw popcorn at Patrick. “No more work.”

“Okay, okay. It is now time for The Zombie Void.”

Another round of cheers sprang up as it started. Patrick took a seat near Ari. He offered a kind smile then turned his attention to the movie.

Ari couldn’t concentrate on the movie, even with half-dead people roaming around eating brains. Her thoughts kept going back to what Patrick said and her problem with Reed. Her timeline was narrowing down and her options running out.

She sat up and scooted over to Patrick.

He glanced at her but kept his voice low. “What’s up?”

“Thinking about what you said earlier.”

He nodded to show he was listening.

“About the security team.” She leaned towards him in an attempt to keep their conversation private. “It’s dangerous to involve outside help. And if they get the drive and realize how valuable it is, they may not hand it over. I think I should go and retrieve it.”

His gaze flicked towards her, eyes wide with surprise. “Too dangerous.”

“I trained with Niomi and proven myself more than capable—”

Harini threw popcorn at her. “Be quiet. No work allowed.”

“We’ll talk after the movie.”

“Fine.” Ari scooted back to her side just as another throat was torn out. Not able to watch any more of this, she left.

Wandering to Tricky’s room, she found Blur asleep in the chair next to his sister. Ari nudged him gently. “Why don’t you head off to bed? I can sit with her awhile.”

He stirred, wiping the sleep from his eyes. “Actually, I could really use a shower. I can be back in fifteen minutes.”

Ari wanted to push him more to rest and sleep, but she remembered when her brother was in the same position. “Take as long as you need.”

He left and Ari took up the watch in his chair. Tricky’s fair skin took a pale and ghostly appearance. Her golden hair brushed over one shoulder. Her beauty was only highlighted as she slept. Tricky would have hated that.

Ari reached for her hand. Tricky’s painted black nail polish had started to grow out, showing the white half-moons underneath. Her hand was cold, icy. It reminded Ari of death and she held it tight, trying to transfer her warmth. How could Ari fix this mess she helped cause?

“You know I have an opportunity to find who’s behind the attack.” Ari’s voice came out in a strained whisper, tight with emotion and guilt. If anyone could possibly understand this decision, it was Tricky. “No one else knows about it, someone has Reed, probably the same ones who put him in VLEX. I assume they want me in exchange for him. I don’t want to ask more of the team. Patrick has done enough for me. This is my battle to fight, my baggage that I dragged to the team, but is sneaking off ruining what trust I built here…” Ari trailed off, keeping one hand on top of Tricky.

“Go.” Tricky’s words were hoarse but startled Ari.

She flinched, then looked around for a drink. Should she notify Sue or Blur? Unsure, she turned back to Tricky. “Do you need a drink? What can I get you?”

“Go get the bastard who did this.” Her ice-blue eyes were sharp. “Go get them.”

“She’s awake.” Sue hurried into the room. “I just got the notification. How are you doing Tricky?”

Ari stepped back as Sue went to work testing vitals and bringing Tricky a drink. Rooted in place, she thought of Tricky’s words. Go get them. Soon Blur hurried back in with wet hair. Ari moved by the door to give them room to work, and Harini appeared next to her.

“She’s awake?” Harini asked, worry etched into her brow. She had been by Tricky’s bedside almost as much as Sue.

“Yeah. Movie over?” Ari tried to act normal, which took effort with the whirlwind of emotion going on inside from