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

to a government labor camp. That’s if the government finds you first. If it’s someone after Ari, they will use you against her.”

His mom bit her lip, something he’d never seen before, which made her look young. “Then let’s go to Ari?”

It pulled him up short. Yes, that was an option months ago, when his sister first left for her new job. But they didn’t know where Ari was anymore. That information was dangerous. After today, he didn’t think he’d be able to safely contact Ari for some time.

When he didn’t answer, his mom spoke again. “We need to be safe. She can make us safe.”

“I know, but we don’t know where that’ll be.” Part of him didn’t want to go either. He enjoyed his freedom, his life, even his work at times. Leaving that to play second fiddle to his sister didn’t sound like much of a future.

“It doesn’t matter,” his mom reiterated. “What’s your hesitation?”

He didn’t want to tell her the truth. “It’s just a big step. I don’t even know if we still can go.”

“We won’t know until we try.” Her features turned soft now, a kindness that pulled on his emotions.

Then an idea came. Maybe she could go alone. He could make the arrangements and make sure she was safe. Staying behind offered him more freedom and possibilities.

“Okay,” he conceded.

The relief was evident in her large smile. “Okay.”

He scanned the clothing store that surrounded them, taking in the nearby customers. Nobody set him off. Yet, that nagging worry remained. “Maybe we should just lie low for a while. I don’t know if trying to contact Ari right now would be the safest decision.”

“We have no other choice, that’s what you said.”

Exhaling, it took effort not to roll his eyes.

“We need to be safe,” she reiterated her point.

He shook off the uneasy feeling. Maybe she was right. Anyway, for them to contact Ari again so soon, they needed to talk to her old roommate and best friend, Tessa. Which would be a feat unto itself by tonight. Tessa lived hours away. If he could get a clean line to call her, she may be able to get them a car or something. A public tram may be tricky.

“Okay. Let’s get moving.” He left the store, heading towards a busy walkway.

“Where are we going?” His mom kept pace at his side.

“To find a safe place to contact Tessa.”

“Tessa… Ari’s roommate.” She paused for a moment.

He shuddered momentarily, not sure if her statement was a question or not. His mom knew about Tessa. She often helped funnel money for them as well. She quit school recently to go to work for her dad, a wealthy entertainment producer. Her position made it possible to help them if needed. Mom knew all this and yet...

“Let’s go.” Shaking off the odd feeling, he continued down the crowded path, keeping an eye out for anything unusual.

The smell of coffee nearby reminded him of the long journey ahead, and he turned for a detour. “I’m going to grab a cup real quick.” Marco veered to the shop, reaching for his crypto card linked to an old girlfriend. Every payment card was linked to someone; he learned long ago never to link one to himself.

“I’ll take the usual,” his mom said as she stepped in line beside him.

“The usual?” he turned to ask, staring at her. His mom didn’t do coffee. Never. She drank tea, which she knew they didn’t serve here. Not like she liked it.

“Por favor.” She flowed into her native tongue without hesitation, which was normal for her. Coffee wasn’t.

“Okay.” He turned forward, while his heart picked up again. He flexed and unflexed his hand as a terrifying thought entered his mind: was this really his mom? It would take some high tech to impersonate her? Another thought that was even more frightening entered. Did he ever truly leave the VR back in that crummy shop? He couldn’t control that panic that clawed its way up his throat. It had happened once before, he reminded himself.

Last time it had been after a long stressful weekend, where more than one person had threatened to kill him for a deal turned south. It had started with a short VR trip at school. Marco had thought he left the program but never did. Granted that version of life had gone a lot smoother for him. Deals had worked themselves out and he’d felt safe. It had taken his sister coming into the program for him to leave. But why would he choose a VR where his life was on the line? Surely his subconscious wouldn’t decide to make his life a living hell. Or maybe this paranoia was all in his head?

He stepped up to the counter and typed his order into the screen, glancing down at his mom who was waiting for her usual order. He needed to know the truth. He ordered her a coffee: cream, no sugar. He swiped his payment, and the machine went to work, soon placing two hot coffees in front of him. He handed one to his mom.

“Thanks,” she replied with a smile, then sipped the coffee. “Don’t you think we should contact Tessa soon? It’s getting late.”

Heavy dread twisted his stomach and he looked away from her. He took a drink to hide his reaction. This wasn’t his mother. What he didn’t know was if this was a program or not and if he woke up, what he would be waking up to. A room full of guards? Maybe staying in here would be safer for everyone. “After coffee, I’ll call her,” he said to placate her.

“Good.” She cupped her petite hands around the cup. They got her hands right, hands weathered and aged due to hard work.

Then as he swallowed the bitter hot drink, he realized he was wrong about staying in the VR. This may not be his mother, but she was out there somewhere. If he didn’t help her, who would?

That realization steadied his