by Katrina Cope
His cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Scarlet,” he hissed quietly. “Do you mind?”
“Mind what?” Her face was blank. “What’s wrong? You seem tense.”
“Well, der!” His voice was condescending. “This is where I need privacy, especially from girls.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m actually a computer.”
“Yeah, you are, but you look like a girl, and right now you’re standing within my extremely private space where no one should be. In fact, Scarlet, I think you need to stop visiting me in the bathroom altogether. It is really awkward.”
“It’s not awkward for me.” She smiled sweetly.
“Scarlet!” Disapproval flowed from him. “You need to tell the others what you can do so that you can meet me in the open and in a more appropriate place.”
“Okay, okay. Keep your knickers on.” A cheeky look crossed her face, and she added, “That’s right, you don’t have any on.” She giggled.
“Ha, ha. Very funny, Scarlet. Now, do you mind?”
“No. I don’t.” She remained standing in front of him.
“Scarlet!”
“Fine, then, I’ll wait outside until you finish up.” Her hologram disappeared from the cubicle, and Jayden breathed a sigh of relief.
He finished up and exited the cubicle. Scarlet was waiting for him outside, as she had promised. He wandered over to the basin to wash his hands as she continued, “I hear that Shelly got up to some mischief today.”
Jayden nodded. “Do you know what is going on with her?”
“She’s not working on her own accord, I can tell you that much.”
“Who is controlling her?”
Scarlet’s mouth moved as though she was speaking, but the words didn’t come out. Jayden did his best at trying to lip read without much success. She slowed her mouth’s movements right down to a snail’s pace. He still couldn’t understand her. Sighing in frustration, she said, “You need to learn to lip-read.”
“You need to learn to get past this silent barrier,” he retorted. “Can you give me a clue any other way?”
She shook her head, frustration plastered on her porcelain-colored face.
“Maybe if you introduced your hologram self to Eva, Aaron, and Robert, they could help lip-read.”
She shrugged her shoulders, “Maybe. I will do that soon.”
“Good. I have to meet them now, as we have to see Avando.” He headed toward the door. “Is he back, by the way?”
Her face went blank as she processed the information, no doubt searching for the answer. “Yes, he is in his office.”
“Great. I’ll catch you later, then.” He ran out the door, heading downstairs toward his friends.
~~~~~
JAYDEN KNOCKED TIMIDLY on Avando’s office door. The knot was tightening in his stomach. The four students felt like failures after the events of the past few days, and they each worried that Avando might be upset. Not to mention that the Prime Minister had been shot. The image of that on the simulator flashed before Jayden’s eyes, with the added image of Shelly sitting behind the controls. A chill ran down Jayden’s spine. How could this have happened? Who is controlling Shelly? This isn’t good. They were supposed to be trying to protect the innocent, not having the Prime Minister killed.
There had been no answer from inside the door, so Eva knocked with added intensity. There was still no answer. “Perhaps we should just go in,” she said.
They looked at each other with uncertainty. Usually, they wouldn’t be so bold, but it was important. Jayden turned the handle, pressing forward enough to open the door slightly. He looked at the others questioningly as loud classical music filtered out from inside the room. Although classical, the music was far too cheerful for the mood that they were in. Without wanting to enter the room uninvited, Jayden called through the crack of the door, “Avando!” There was no answer, but he wasn’t surprised, for the music was so loud.
Together, they crept in farther, with Jayden sticking his head inside the door. His face registered a look of surprise, for inside the office, Avando was bouncing around in time with the music, using a pen as a conductor would a baton.
“What? What is it?” Eva barged through, sticking her head around the corner of the door. Once inside, she grabbed Robert and Aaron roughly by their shirts and dragged them around the corner of the door to have a good look. It was certainly not the scene they had expected to see when they reached Avando’s office.
“Knock, knock, Avando!” Jayden yelled, lifting his voice above the music.
Avando looked up, and a surprised expression filled his face. “Oh! Hello, students!” His cheerful demeanor continued as he picked up the remote control and turned the music off.
Jayden noted that the music must have been too loud for him to request that Scarlet turn it off. “You seem in a very good mood, Avando. It’s almost as if you’re having a little party in here.”
“Jayden, my boy, I have been having a perfect day. Why don’t you all come in and sit down?” He indicated the chairs opposite his desk.
“We’re afraid that your day may not be so good after we tell you our news,” Eva warned him as she sat down.
Avando lifted an eyebrow while observing her with his deep-brown eyes. “So serious? It must be bad.” His posture took on a more somber demeanor. He walked behind his desk and took a seat on his chair. “Well then, do tell.”
The students looked at one another in reassurance, hoping another would be the first to speak. Awkward moments of silence passed between them.
“When you’re ready,” Avando encouraged them, noticing their apprehension. He leaned forward over his desk.
“Uh…” Aaron hesitantly began when he was interrupted by a knock on the door.
Professor Anna’s head poked around the door. “Hi, everyone! Sorry I’m late.”
“Not at all, Professor Anna. Do come in.” Avando stood with the mannerisms of a perfect gentleman welcoming her entrance. He indicated the chair closest to his, where she often sat in group meetings.
Her long dark hair was pulled away from her face, and her hazel eyes shone as she looked at the students affectionately. She sat down elegantly, pulling her tailored, below-knee, dark-blue skirt back over her knees modestly. She finished by resting her crossed hands on the bottom edge of her skirt and looked toward the students. “Now, what have I missed?”
Avando flashed her an affectionate smile. “Nothing yet, my dear lady. Although I do believe Aaron was about to start.”
“Oh, good…”
Robert, who was ghostly white, interrupted her, blurting out in a panicked rush, “Prime Minister Richard Baskins has been shot.”
Her face turned white in shock and disbelief. “Wh-What?”
Avando’s demeanor also became serious.
“Yes, it’s true,” Eva said.
Seeing their expressions change, Jayden continued, “And what’s worse is that Shelly shot him on the simulator somehow.”
As Jayden spoke, tears started to stream down Robert’s face. Professor Anna and Avando looked at Robert, shocked, casting quick glances in each other’s direction.
“But it’s a simulator,” Professor Anna said, “and Shelly is just a little-girl robot. Are you sure this is what happened?”
Tears continued to run down Robert’s face.
“We witnessed it ourselves,” Aaron said, placing a hand on Robert’s shoulder.
“I feel so responsible for this.” Robert wiped his nose on his sleeve.
“We believe someone has somehow hacked Shelly,” Eva said.
“Oh, Robert.” Professor Anna came around the table to put her arms around him. “This isn’t your fault.”
He turned his head into her shoulder and blubbered some more. “But Shelly did it, and I created her.”
Avando placed a comforting arm on Robert’s back. “I know for certain you did not program her for this. It would appear that she has been hacked.”
Jayden said, “It did seem that she honestly did not remember what she had done.”
“See, Robert? It couldn’t have been you.” Professor Anna continued to comfort him.
“Uh, this isn’t everything we had to tell you,” Aaron added hesitantly.
“Why? What else is there?” Avando’s face remained serious.
“I am worried that Dr. Ernest is on to me,” Aaron said.
“How is this?” Avando asked.
“He appears to be keeping an extra eye on me, especially after we broke into the underground lab and were caught.”
“Were all of you caught?” Avando asked. “What makes you think he is watching you in particular?”
“It’s just a feeling I have.” Aaron shrugged, and a frown creased his forehead. “The feeling was particularly strong when he pointed out the meaning of Brendan’s last name, Ersatz. He said it in an eerie way.”
“I wouldn’t think that he would allow you to continue in their underground if he suspected you of anything. I think you’re safe, Aaron. I would think now that you will be the last thing on Dr. Ernest’s mind, especially if they are working for a good cause.”
“Why do you think that?” Jayden asked.
“Because now, they all have their hands full, trying to work out who shot their Prime Minister. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were given an emergency recall back to the school in the middle of their holiday break to come and help.”
“Really?” Aaron asked.
“Of course. All we need to do is keep an eye on the situation and work on fixing Robert’s adorable little robot, whom we have all grown to love.” Avando placed his hand comfortingly on Robert’s head.
Robert smiled—relieved that Avando and Professor Anna weren’t blaming him for his robot committing such a terrible act.
- Chapter Seventeen -
Thanks for Nothing
Liam couldn’t believe his ears. The Prime Minister had been shot. The skateboarding festival continued after the winner had been announced, although a feeling of apprehension remained. A buzz of shock and panicked whispers reverberated through the air.
“That’s big news, bro.” Matt had rejoined Liam’s little group. “That’s totally messed up!” He ran his hand nervously through his hair. “What a way to ruin a good day.”
“I sure hope that they find whoever did this,” Gemma said, her arms crossed across her chest as she shook her head in disbelief.
Hayley, Liam, and Dryden shared an inconspicuous glance. They all knew that they were thinking the same thing and wondering if Dr. Ernest and his close-knit team would be part of the investigation group trying to find the killer. In this company, they were not able to say their thoughts out loud.
“You guys are awfully quiet over the whole thing,” Gemma said.
“I guess it’s because we are just in so much shock,” Liam said. A frown puckered his forehead. “It’s not every day that your prime minister gets shot.”
A tall, leggy blonde walked toward the group. She was wearing pale-blue skinny jeans with a low-cut waist and a long-sleeved white crop top that showed off her slender midriff. Even though she was slightly older, Liam thought she was quite attractive.
Her pale-blue eyes shone as she turned and faced Matt. “Hey, handsome champ.” She turned and grabbed Matt’s face gently, pulling it down toward her and giving him a soft kiss on the lips. “I thought I would come over and congratulate my champ, seeing as he didn’t come over my way first.” She pouted her lips in mock hurt.
Matt looked a little ashamed. “Hey, babe. Sorry. I was a little distracted.” He turned to the rest of the group and said, “Everyone, this is Sheila, my girlfriend.”
She turned and gave the group a sweet smile as everyone responded, “Hey.”
Liam didn’t hear anything from Jarrod. Turning to see if he was still with them, he found him with his eyes planted firmly on Sheila and his mouth gaping open in awe.
Sheila noticed him staring at her and gave him a little friendly wave. “Hey.”
Jarrod didn’t respond or move.
Feeling embarrassed for his friend, Liam reached over and closed Jarrod’s jaw with his hand. He then gave him a couple of friendly, soft slaps on the side of his face to try to bring him out of his awkward stare.
It seemed to work. Jarrod shook his head slightly in confusion, and his eyes flashed in all directions, trying to assess what happened. When he saw everyone staring at him, he cleared his throat and stammered, “Um, sorry. Just having a blank moment.”
“Aha.” Hayley lifted an eyebrow.
A loud ringtone came from Matt’s back pocket. He reached his lanky hand deep inside and pulled out his phone. He read the caller ID and slid his thumb across the screen. “Yo, Mom. What’s up?”
He fell silent as he listened, and his brow creased in thought. After a short pause, he said, “Yeah, they’re here. I’ll let them know.” He hung up the phone and turned to Liam. “Bro.”
“Yeah?”
“Mom said she’s coming to get you three,” he said, indicating Hayley, Liam, and Dryden.
“Why?” Hayley asked, not appearing shocked.
“Apparently your school’s asked for you to be returned,” he replied. “If you asked me, that’s pushin’ it too far, even for a nerd school.” He shook his head in disbelief. “Can’t believe they’re requesting ya back in the middle of the holidays.” He looked genuinely sad for them. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
A knowing glance passed between the three.
“Whoa! What was that?” Matt didn’t miss their excitement. “There is something seriously wrong with your heads. I can’t believe you’re excited to go back to school during the holidays.”
“What about me?” Gemma’s mouth turned down. “Am I requested to go back too?”
Matt shook his head in disbelief. “No.” When he saw the disappointment spread across Gemma’s face, he gave her a worried look. “Uh, sorry for your loss.”
Gemma stomped her foot, crossed her arms, and groaned.
Matt scratched his head in confusion. “Okay, I’m never going to get you guys. Just make sure that you’re waiting out front in half an hour.” He turned to Jarrod, who had been standing in silent shock, watching the commotion and still glancing at Sheila. “Dude! You wanna come hang with me, Sheila, and my friends for the rest of the day, while these nerds go back to school?”
Jarrod’s face lit up. “Can I?” When Matt nodded, he said, “I’d love to.” Without a second thought, he followed Matt and Sheila when they turned to leave.
Gemma, annoyed with whatever she was missing out on, stormed off to be with her friends, flicking her long brown hair with a passing comment. “See you in a couple of weeks, butt kissers!”
“Bye.” Liam didn’t hide his grin. “Jealous much?”
Gemma stuck out her tongue at him.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Liam was happy to finally be ahead of Gemma in something.
Seeing his self-satisfied smile, Hayley said, “You do realize that she will probably end up joining us with the underground stuff eventually, don’t you?”
“Oh, shut up, Hayley! At least you can let me enjoy it for now. Besides, Dr. Ernest was adamant that I shouldn’t tell her.” Liam made his way to the front entrance to wait for his mom.
~~~~~
EVA HAD BEEN having trouble sleeping. It was the middle of the night—she wasn’t sure what time. All that she knew was that she had been tossing and turning, and as hard as she tried, sleep wouldn’t come. Her mind was full of concern over who could possibly be controlling Shelly. No possible guilty party was coming to mind.
She flung back her bedcovers and climbed off her bed, making her way to the bathroom for what felt like the millionth time that night. The corridors were dark and lonely. No one was in sight, as they were all sleeping.
Eva scanned her hand, and the door opened instantly. She didn’t think to thank Scarlet. As far as Eva was concerned, it was Scarlet
’s duty and the reason she was at the Sanctum, even though Scarlet liked to play tricks on people. She absently went about her business then washed her hands. When she finished, she made her way back through the darkened corridor.
As she rounded the corner, a cheerful voice greeted her. “Hello, Eva!” There, standing in front of her, was a thin girl about her age with brilliant-red hair, sparkling blue eyes, flawless porcelain skin, and a cheeky smile. She was wearing black jeans and a pale-brown long-sleeved shirt.
Startled, Eva screamed and lashed out with her Tae Kwon Do self-defense moves. She kicked, hit out with defensive strikes and spun around with spinning fists, yet she hadn’t felt a single connection. She heard a cackle come from the elusive redhead and stopped her unfruitful efforts, annoyed at having her defense moves laughed at.
Finally realizing she wasn’t in danger, she demanded, “Who the heck are you?”
The redhead crossed her arms with a fake-looking sad expression on her face. “Oh, Eva, that’s not a nice way to greet an old friend.”
“Friend?” Eva snapped as she squinted. “I’ve never seen you before in my life.” She stood defiantly in her long pajamas, with her dark-brown hair falling messily around her shoulders and her arms crossed, mimicking the girl opposite her. “So, I ask again, who the heck are you, and why weren’t my kicks and strikes hitting you when you weren’t moving?”
“Eva Bower,” the attractive redhead with annoyingly perfect hair for that time of night said patronizingly, “it’s me, Scarlet.”
“Oh no, it’s not.” Eva shook her head and returned to her defensive position. “Scarlet is a dark-haired forty-year-old woman who’s stuck on a screen or in a computer system, with a snarky attitude.”
The redhead let out a demeaning laugh. “And what do you call this?”
“Why, you little brat!” Eva said through clenched teeth as she reached to grab her arm. “I’m going to take you to Avando.” Her grasp missed, causing Eva to retry the hold, taking extra note of the aim of her grasp. To her dismay, she watched as her hand passed straight through the girl’s skin. “What the—?”