Hooked

by DeAnna Browne

  The afternoon passed in its usual fashion. Tessa kept busy on her game, bickering about the rate of currency exchange. Ari plugged her earphones in her tablet, turned up her music, and opened a book.

  About a hundred pages later, the sun started its descent, casting shadows through the small windows in their room. Tessa stood up to stretch and grab a soda.

  “Want one?” Tessa asked when she noticed Ari’s gaze.

  “No thanks.”

  “How did the test go today? I didn’t hear anything about a first-year screaming through the halls.” Tessa smiled easily, but Ari wasn’t quite ready to laugh at herself yet.

  “I think it went well, but we’ll see.”

  Her HUB went off with a new message. She opened it. It was from Garrett.

  Congratulations on your test. Ready to celebrate? Party tomorrow night in virtuals at midnight.

  This took Ari back a bit. Tessa must have noticed her surprise.

  “What is it?”

  “I guess I passed.” Ari flipped through the school site on her tablet. There it was, a high B. That was better than even she expected. How did Garrett know this? Grades weren’t public. She’d figure that out later.

  “I passed,” she told herself as well as Tessa. “I got a B+ on the test.”

  “Good. I would have hated to have a new roommate. You never know who you’ll end up with.”

  Ari rolled her eyes at her roommate’s flippant remark, but it didn’t bother her. “Tessa, get ready. We’re going to party this weekend.”

  CHAPTER 12

  After hacking their school issued HUBs, the two girls walked through the campus guided by the orange glow of the school’s emergency lights. Ari tugged on her fitted blue sweater as they approached the building. Uncomfortable, she wished she wore something else, probably just nerves from her first party.

  “If this is supposed to be a date with your boy toy, why did I have to come along again?”

  “First, he’s not my boy toy. Garrett is ... I’m not sure what he is, but I know what he’s not. And second, this is a party, not a date. I thought you’d have fun.” Truth was, Ari didn’t want to go alone. Ari didn’t know why she felt uneasy, but having Tessa there, somebody besides Garrett, helped. “I’ll owe you okay? I’ll get morning coffee for a month.”

  “Don’t skimp on the Danish.” The corner of Tessa’s mouth lifted at the idea. “And stop pulling on that sweater or I’ll dump a drink on it.”

  Ari stuck her hands in her pockets and tried to stay calm. This would be the first time she entered a VR for no other purpose than to have fun. She spent all of her pre-teen years wishing she could do this.

  They approached the lab. A couple of students turned in front of them and entered through the dark metal doors. Just inside, a scruffy guy collected Tessa’s money.

  “I was supposed to meet Garrett here,” Ari told the guy.

  “Oh, you must be his current girl.”

  Ari grimaced at the word current, as if Garrett had girls on a rotating roaster, replacing them for whatever fit his pleasure.

  “I got it from here, Paul,” Garrett interjected as he appeared behind Paul. Garrett grabbed Ari’s hand and pulled her into the dark corridor.

  “Congratulations, Ari.”

  “Thank you. By the way, how did you know I passed?”

  A mischievous smile crossed his lips. “Mica is a friend, remember?”

  Ari inwardly cringed thinking about what Mica had probably told him. It also made sense how Garrett always knew when she needed help. It didn’t sit well that he knew so much more about her than she did about him. “Oh, so you have spies.”

  “Spies, friends, contacts, however you would like to put it.” Garrett led her through the usual doors, but this time only dim light cast shadows around the room. Green lights pulsed from numerous VR stations. Someone familiar passed down a row. Her brother maybe? With the darkness she couldn’t tell.

  “And how can you pull this off with so many students?” Ari whispered as the room quieted with each student plugging in.

  Garrett guided her through rows of unconscious students whose eyes flickered unnaturally in their semi-conscious state.

  “There are only about twenty or so people. Any bigger would attract attention. But don’t worry. We have a couple people we pay to look the other way. Do people really expect students to not party or have fun? At least this way no one gets hurt.”

  “Sure,” she half-heartedly replied as Garrett repeated the same government line she had heard since a child. “Why the dim light?” When it was just two of them the lab was well lit.

  “That’s for the ambiance.” He waved his hand like a true showman. “Here you go, Ari. I hope you like it.” Garrett led her in a chair and then leaned close. “I’ll be joining you shortly.”

  Ari plugged herself in, closed her eyes and then opened them to a dark city street. Cars and cabs rushed by, sending a polluted breeze her way. Tall, old buildings surrounded her. The one in front of her had an old gray brick face with fire escapes that led up to the roof. She turned in a full circle taking in the looming aged monstrosity of the big city.

  A flashy young couple walked down the street and entered the building before her. The guy wore dark pants and a striped shirt, while the girl matched in a small black dress and four-inch heels. This has to be it. Looking down, she noticed her dress—a frumpy old black Sunday school type dress with black flats.

  “Really,” Ari cried to the starry night. She wasn’t going to a party looking like a poor nun. Ari closed her eyes, trying to force herself to change. Her thoughts traveled to dresses that flashed across the celebrity blitzes on the screens.

  When she looked down again, she wore a small gold dress that fit perfectly and strappy heels to match. A smile crossed her lips in satisfaction. It might not be perfect, but it was definitely an improvement and much easier than she thought. When she reached the end of the block, she noticed Tessa leaning against the building smoking.

  “You clean up nice, girlie.” Tessa pushed off the building. She wore ... well, it took a minute before Ari could figure out exactly what Tessa wore. Black leather wrapped around Tessa’s body covering the bare necessities. A long black skirt trailed behind her.

  “You look amazing. How did you do that?”

  “Plan out your outfit when you close your eyes. It’s easier to get dressed on your way in.” Tessa blew a cloud of smoke in her face. “Come on. You have a boy toy to see.”

  They crossed the street and approached the aged building. At the door, a large man checked their names off a list. “The full bar is on the first floor. Second floor is for dancing. The next two floors are virtuals, and the heated rooftop is also opened tonight.” He opened the door for them.

  “Virtuals?” Ari had heard of a virtual in a virtual but why here? She turned to Tessa who ignored her question and headed inside.

  “This club has several top destinations. Have a good night.” He ushered her in without further comment.

  Ari walked inside to find a large, gold trimmed bar that went decades past the crumbling exterior of the building. Velvet couches littered the room as people lounged around with drinks in their hands. Candles on the tables flickered, producing a seductive atmosphere that unsettled Ari.

  There had to be more than the twenty or so people Garrett invited. The others had to be from the program, but being unfamiliar with the upperclassman, how did Ari know who was real and who was part of the program? She followed Tessa as she struggled to keep the panic at bay. Maybe a drink or a tab would help? But that wasn’t even real.

  At the base of a large staircase, Tessa turned to Ari. “I’m going to check out what games they have on the VRs. You want to come or are you waiting for him?”

  Not in a hurry to go hop in another VR, Ari replied, “I’ll wait for him here.”

  “Catch you later.” Tessa headed upstairs, her skirt billowing behind her like a dark bird.

  A shiver ran over Ari at the
thought of what Tessa was about to do. But Tessa was a big girl. Ari headed towards the bar and found a seat.

  As she climbed on the stool, a familiar voice spoke nearby. “Yes, two beers and an ounce.”

  “Marco,” Ari called down the bar.

  “Hey, little sis.” Marco headed towards her. “What are you doing here?”

  “I was going to ask you the same thing.”

  “I’m an upperclassman, and this is a party.” A familiar smile lit his face as he strolled towards her.

  While she was so happy to see him, she had to wonder where he had been and what he really was doing here. “How can you afford the party charge?” Ari whispered. The cost of the party was a lot of money for them. Her mother brought that home in a day, with double shifts. Ari only got in free due to Garrett. Granted, the drinks and drugs were free here, since they weren’t technically real. It still didn’t feel right.

  “I work on the side.” Marco brushed off the question. “But look at you, dressed up and everything. How did you score an invite?”

  “Garrett.”

  “Garrett?” It took Marco a minute to register this. “You’re the freshman he’s dating?”

  “We’re friends.” She shrugged.

  “Sure.” He lowered his brow and stared at her. “I’m not sure I approve of that.”

  “A little hypocritical, isn’t it?” Ari motioned to the two drinks and the small mirror with powder and a straw that was placed in front of him.

  “Virtuals don’t count.”

  “I could say the same.” She bristled against his desire to control her. He’d never been the type, and she didn’t want him to be. She decided to turn the tables. “You’re not in the virtuals a lot, are you?”

  Marco rustled her hair. “Don’t worry, little sis.” He picked up his two drinks. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” And then he was off.

  Those instructions left things pretty wide open. She sighed and watched him head across the room.

  Before Ari could worry too long about her brother, a hand slid around her shoulders.

  Garrett sat at the chair next to her in a dark suit. “What are you drinking?”

  “Not sure yet. What’s the point of drinking in the virtuals?”

  “It’s as real as you believe it is. Why do you think we come here?” Garrett asked but didn’t wait for an answer.

  “Most of these rich kids have actually been to this club. The more closely tied to reality it is, the more believable it is. Then, if you want something more exotic you can go hit up a virtual.”

  “I thought a virtual in a virtual wasn’t safe.” Ari had read reports that the more levels you go down in a VR, the harder it was to find yourself back to reality. After her father, she’d read a lot about it.

  “Amazing isn’t it?” Garrett eyes flashed with excitement. The bartender came by and Garrett ordered a couple of drinks for them.

  “So, what’s it going to be tonight? Drinking, dancing, or head to another beach?”

  Ari wasn’t ready to think about another VR. “How about the roof?”

  Before Garrett could answer, the bartender pushed the two drinks in front of them.

  “The roof it is.” Garrett lifted his glass in agreement. “I’ve got to take care of a little business, but I’ll meet you up there.”

  Ari nodded and watched as Garrett headed off into the crowded bar. He greeted several people as he passed. He headed to a dark table with a few girls too perfect to be real, and, of course, her brother sitting in the middle. Ari wanted to know what was really going on with Marco and what he knew about Garrett. Annoyed by this possible friendship, she grabbed her drink, and headed to the elevators.

  Ari squeezed into the crowded elevator. The mix of alcohol and a variety of cologne and perfume colliding in the small space overwhelmed her senses. As the doors started to close, a familiar face slid in. Reed. He wore a dark blue vest with a fun tie and shirt rolled up to the elbows.

  “Hey, Ari.” He smiled that adorable smile of his as he squeezed in next to her.

  “Hi,” Ari replied.

  The elevator stopped on the second floor to let people in and out. In the shuffle, someone pushed Ari next to Reed. Her drink almost spilled, and he held onto her arm to steady her.

  His gaze trailed up and rested on her face. “You look nice.”

  “Thanks.” Ari stepped back, heat rushing to her face.

  A guy, visibly drunk, entered the elevator and slapped Reed in the arm. “Great party.”

  Did Reed throw this party? Ari couldn’t worry about that right now. She focused on breathing in this confined coffin and watched the numbers rising on the display.

  While Reed replied with niceties, Ari considered how getting drunk in a virtual worked. If you didn’t really believe the alcohol was real, then would you get drunk? Ari took a drink of her cranberry vodka, telling herself it wasn’t real. Once she focused on the illusion though, it continued to other things. Was she really rising with the elevator? What happened if she only believed in parts of a VR? Would she fall through the elevator?

  By the time the elevator reached the top, Ari couldn’t breathe. Her fears snowballed, imagining her mind running in a program that might never end.

  Reed was at her side. “What is it?”

  Ari tried to push him off, searching for ... something. She struggled to stay in the present. Flashes of glitches, black and white static lines, spotted her vision.

  “Breathe,” he said, close by. Close enough that she could smell him, an odd scent, a cologne that she didn’t recognize.

  “Ari, look at me.” Reed’s voice was commanding.

  Her eyes flicked up to meet his worried gaze.

  “You’re okay. You’re with me in a virtual. One that I have control of ending whenever I need to. You’re safe with me.”

  “You’re holding my hands.” Ari’s breath came in short gasps. She couldn’t think of anything else to say but couldn’t find the energy to care. He must have taken her drink at some point.

  “What?” Reed gave a nervous chuckle and dropped her hands.

  “It’s these damn virtuals. They mess with my head sometimes.”

  “That is what they’re supposed to do.” He led her to a chair and sat down next to her.

  His eyes became intense, as if he was asking for everything she never wanted to tell him.

  She turned to look at their surroundings. It didn’t look like a roof at all but an extension of the club. Plants and vines hung as a backdrop with comfortable couches, reclined chairs, antique-looking coffee tables, and even a small bar.

  Beyond the roof, large buildings and a twinkling of lights scattered the night sky almost like stars—a modernized galaxy in its own accord.

  Reed leaned forward. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “I will be.” She pulled on the hem of her dress. “Still getting the hang of these things.”

  “Ari, I’m sorry about before, but you’re amazing.”

  “What?”

  “Do you know how many kids from our neighborhood have been placed in the VR program? None for over ten years. I checked. You’ve overcome your fears, and one day you will be creating worlds that will make this VR pale in comparison.” He reached forward and brushed the top of her hand and then lifted his gaze. “That’s why I warned you about Garrett. A lot of people will want to know you as you’re headed towards something amazing. He doesn’t have the best reputation with girls, and I worry about you.”

  A warm stillness spread throughout Ari’s body. “You worry about me?

  “When I was ten, your mom told Marco and me to watch over you on a school trip. She told us the same thing before we came back here.” He glanced down. “She didn’t have to though. I would have anyway. It’s a hard habit to break.”

  Ari let a breath go, not sure whether to be annoyed or grateful to have an extra big brother around. “Anyway, if Garrett’s such bad news then why do you work with him?”

  “W
e need each other to pull this off.” Reed spotted someone behind Ari.

  “How do you pull this off?” Ari asked.

  Before Ari could turn around, Garrett placed his hands on her shoulders. “Reed can’t give away all of our secrets or there goes our mystery.”

  “Why the mystery?”

  “Everyone needs a little mystery.” Garrett squeezed Ari’s shoulder hard, and she gave a little jump.

  Reed couldn’t cover the look of disgust that crossed his face. She wasn’t going to feel guilty though. She had seen him with countless girls himself; he was in no position to judge.

  “Right. I’ll head off. Ari, you sure you’re okay?” Reed asked one more time.

  “Promise.” Something inside of her sunk as she watched Reed walk off. She realized she missed him, but he wasn’t hers to miss.

  Garrett pulled her up from her seat. “Do you need anything else to drink?”

  “Do I?” Ari returned the question. “It’s all fake anyway. Can’t I tell my brain to release the chemicals that make me act like the rest of the stupid drunk girls?”

  “Some people might call you a buzzkill, ya know?” Garrett pulled her into a hug, his mouth brushing against her neck. His lips sent a tingle throughout her body.

  Ari scanned the balcony to see who else was up there. There were a few couples lying down on the couches making out, while others were drinking and talking. Garrett would probably expect something like that, being up there. Her stomach tightened, wishing she would have stayed at the bar.

  Stepping back, he led her to a plush reclined chair. “Have a seat, and I’ll grab a couple drinks.” Ari watched him cross the rooftop to the other side of the bar. She took a seat and wondered how many other girls had he brought here? She was letting Reed and Marco get in her head, and they had occupied too many of her thoughts already. It was time for her to live her own life.