Dr. Coleman stood up and resumed his pacing, his argument turning into a lecture. “Ironically though, they seem to have no problem slaughtering us despite their moral objections.” He stared off in the distance for a bit, and then a cough from the back of the class revived his attention. “Nevertheless, here we are. Please start your essay on your virtual and continue with reading the next chapter.”
He began to walk off as the students pulled out their small computers. Then, as a second thought he added, “There will be a quiz tomorrow on the reading in case you decide to skip it.” With a smug smile, he disappeared to his desk in the corner.
The campus was on lockdown: the VR College, IT, IT security, and network management. It seemed the whole world, or Ari’s world, was frozen for the time being. She spent the first hour of lockdown completing her homework. Reed texted her once to make sure she was okay. She’d sent a message to her brother but hadn’t heard back. Reed had told her not to worry about Marco, but something didn’t sit right. Why wouldn’t Marco text back? Maybe he was making out with some girl and locked in her room.
As time ticked by students became restless, stretching out their legs, or having quiet conversations. She ignored Wake and his buddies’ comments and snickers from the back of the room. Tessa sent her a video of a comedian who specialized in jokes involving AIs. When Ari let a laugh escape. Dr. Coleman cleared his throat and glared at her.
She didn’t have time to apologize before gunfire sounded outside the class. A girl shrieked in the next room. Ari jumped at the noise hoping, praying, it wasn’t as close at it sounded. Several students cowered in their seats.
“Please!” Coleman said in a firm voice. “A gun cannot make it through these doors. And being hysterical will not help this situation.”
The air in the room hung heavy and thick. Ari struggled to breathe as she unconsciously scratched her fingernails along the inside of her palms.
“You guys have gone through enough simulations to know how to control your emotions. If I passed out weapons, I would expect you to be the soldiers you have been trained to be.”
Ari had never gone through those simulations that trained students in emergencies and even on the battlefield. It was one way the government could pick the perfect soldiers. Ari had always been exempt from all VRs with a note from the school psychologist. But by the look of the other students, Ari wondered if Coleman himself understood the difference between simulation and reality. These students were computer geeks, not soldiers, no matter what VR they did.
Dr. Coleman paced restlessly in front of the classroom, angry with his class for their less than exemplary behavior. He finally returned to his desk in the back. The class resumed its mumbled conversation, and Ari turned back to her screen.
She flinched as a hand fell onto her shoulder. It was the moron, Wake. “You’re not scared, are you? Maybe they want to destroy your brain from creating anything. Don’t worry, I’ll tell them it’s not worth wasting a bullet on you, on the other hand—”
Ari slapped his hand away. “Get lost,” She’d said it louder than she’d meant to and earned yet another glare from Dr. Coleman.
A brief noise sounded overhead, and a voice came on the speaker. “The threat was terminated. Please continue regularly scheduled classes and, as always, report any suspicious behavior.”
Terminated.
Ari wondered what that meant exactly as she left the classroom. In the hall, students pushed against the glass windows. She moved further down the hall and looked out a different window. Authorities had gathered on the grounds. A stretcher was pushed out of the front of their building with a black body bag on top, and she realized the gunshots they heard weren’t aimed at the students but at the intruder.
CHAPTER 19
Once dismissed, Ari headed to her next class, art design. There was only ten minutes left in class after the lockdown, but she didn’t want to miss any assignments. The teacher had the door closed and locked with no note. Ms. Weber might have been just as rattled by the lockdown as everyone else and didn’t bother catching her next class.
On the main floor, several students stood at the glass doors, watching the darkening sky, and complaining about the intruder. Ari stood slightly apart from them and watched large drops of rain pelt the path. She loved the rain, but today it felt dark, melancholy almost. The dead body being wheeled out of school might have something to do with it. Tessa came running down the path, her arms full of white bags, distracting Ari from her thoughts.
Once inside, Tessa brushed water off her jacket. “Man, it’s cold outside. I wish it would snow already.” She passed a bag to Ari and ran her fingers through her newly colored dark purple hair. She even had purple eye liner on to match.
“Wanna eat?” Tessa asked, looking up, drops falling from her hair.
“I’m starving.”
“I got a lot of food just in case of another lockdown. Our fridge might overflow, but at least we’ll have food.”
“Bless you,” Ari’s stomach growled in agreement. They rushed up to their room and sat in the middle of their floor with their array of food in self-warming packages, steaming with a variety of flavors. They even kept their door ajar, sharing with some of the neighbors.
Stuffed to capacity, Ari leaned against her bed and watched the rain hit the window. The dark sky made it feel later than it really was. Coming from a desert climate, she excitedly awaited first snow, even if she didn’t have clothes for it. She’d have hit the student center soon to stock up.
Tessa sat on her bed with her tablet. “Have you started Tollingston’s paper yet?”
“No, I can’t believe he gave us a paper on our first night back.” Ari turned from the window and grabbed her bag.
“Probably was jealous that we actually enjoyed our break.”
“Enjoying your break was an understatement I believe.” Without notice, a richly dressed man had appeared in their doorway.
Ari jumped. The man, dressed in an expensive navy suit, had smooth tight features that had a too-perfect feel about them. What he spent on his appearance could probably sustain a family of four for a lifetime. A school security guard stood several feet behind him.
Tessa didn’t act alarmed, but her lip curled in annoyance. “Number Four is always telling me that I need to be more social.”
“Not so social that we have to face complaints from the condo board. Sheri’s pass is under investigation.”
“Are you sure Number Four wasn’t having some of her own fun?” Tessa asked in an innocent voice.
The barb hit its mark. The man, presumably Tessa’s father, stiffened and his jaw flexed.
“Her name is not Number Four, but Sheri. You will show respect to your stepmother.” His voice raised in volume.
“My roommate has a name too. This is Ari.”
“Hi,” Ari said, trying to turn invisible in the confrontation. Neither Tessa nor her father seemed to be worried about having an audience though.
“Ari, the girl from the block?”
Ari kept her chin up, refusing to react or be embarrassed by where she came from.
“Nice, Dad,” Tessa said.
“What? I think Ari should be proud. Not many scholarships are assigned such high-paying occupations. I wish my own daughter could rise to something besides online gaming. It really shows when people make something of themselves out of nothing. Not like Tessa here who has had every opportunity in the world. Did Tessa ever tell you how I started my first business?”
“Dad, really? I think that was a new record. Three minutes before we’re talking about you again.”
“I just remembered,” Ari interjected. “I was supposed to meet my brother for something.” She grabbed her bag and took off. Ari would brave any storm to avoid that conversation.
Outside, the rain poured down as she ran towards Reed’s dorm. She should’ve called first but didn’t think he’d hear her over the rain, and she didn’t want to stop running to text him. She also could ha
ve stopped in the cafeteria or student center, but if she stopped she would’ve lost her nerve. They’d messaged each other but hadn’t talked in person since coming back to campus on Sunday.
Part of Ari worried if it was a weekend fling, or maybe a dream that she wished would come true. She wanted to know if what they had was real.
By the time she arrived at the door, she was drenched. She had only one more hour until visiting hours were over and then a key was required to enter. On the way up the elevator, a couple of guys eyed her questioningly. She ignored their stares and tried not to think about what she must look like. By the time she knocked on the door, she was shivering.
Reed answered the door, his lips pulling up in a grin.
Words stumbled out of Ari’s mouth. “I had to get out of my room, and I wasn’t sure if you were around or if you wanted—”
He ignored her words and quieted her rambling by pressing his lips against hers, warm and welcoming. He pulled her close, holding her tight despite her sopping clothes. It was the whistles and cheering from two guys down the hall that made them finally separate.
Reed glared at the two guys. “Come in.” He closed the door. “You must be freezing. Do you want something to wear?”
“I’m fine,” Ari lied, distracted by Reed’s side of the room. He always had pictures up, some from home, many of them of the desert trees with their broad twisted branches. She loved to look at them. An unfinished drawing on his desk caught her eye. It was a portrait of a girl, with a long wave of hair covering half her face. It was her.
“I haven’t finished this one yet, but it’s of you.” Color flooded his cheeks as he reached for the black and white drawing. “It still needs a lot of work.”
“It’s amazing.” The detail in her eyes held more emotion than any photo she’d ever seen of herself. Looking up at all the pictures, the familiarity brought a bit of homesickness. She pointed to one bush with thorns twisted into the air. “This should be in a program. You would have been amazing in design. They are so surreal. Like a world, beautiful, twisted, scary.”
Reed was a scholarship kid, like most kids from the block, and art was one of those things that might be a great hobby but didn’t pay the rent. As an only child with a single mother, he had to be more than an artist. But at that moment that nothing else seemed as important.
Something else caught her eyes—a miniature green sculpture of a dragon, with gray eyes that blinked and moved around when it sensed movement. Ari had made it for him years before, after she’d read a book about dragons. The robot was easy enough to make. Reed had started a series of dragon cartoons after that gift. She couldn’t believe he’d kept it.
“Here, let’s get you changed,” Reed said, taking her attention away from the dragon.
“I don’t think you’d fit in my pants, but maybe Marco’s.” Reed handed her a long t-shirt.
“I’ll grab some of Marco’s sweats,” Ari said. Marco was built more like Ari, thin and tall.
Reed offered to step out while she changed. Ari put on the dry shirt which reached down to her thighs. She laid her wet clothes over the back of Marco’s chair and turned to dig through his dresser for sweats. Digging through the drawers, something black caught her eye.
Lifting a shirt, she found a gun. It couldn’t be a real gun, those were illegal. Why would Marco need a gun at school? For a joke? She picked up the weapon, the cold metal heavy under her hand. It didn’t feel like a joke.
“Are you done yet?” Reed stepped back in. “Man, my shirt is like a dress on you. Cute.”
She ignored the comment, and instead turned around with the gun in her hand.
Reed’s eyes widened. He stepped back into the dorm, shutting the door behind him. “What’s the weapon for?”
“It’s Marco’s.” A heavy weight pulled at her shoulders. Whatever her brother was mixed up in was big.
“Oh,” Reed said, but not as surprised as Ari wanted him to be.
“Why does he have a gun? Did you know about this? He’s going to be expelled if anyone finds out.”
Reed walked towards Ari with his hands up. “Hold on. Let’s put it away while we talk about it.”
More than happy to get rid of the gun, she placed it back in his drawer. Maybe if it was out of sight, then it wouldn’t seem as real. Her hands, now empty, shook uncontrollably. Reed had her sit on Marco’s bed. She tugged the hem of his shirt down to cover the top of her thighs.
Reed pulled a chair and sat across from her. “Marco’s been getting mixed up with some sketchy guys lately.”
Anger rose up, hot and fast. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He let a long breath out. “I’ve talked to him about it and was hoping things had gotten better. But today he asked for money again. I’ve lent him some, but he wanted more.”
“You should have told me.” Anger burned the back of her eyes, frustrated by being left in the dark.
“I know.”
She tried to push aside the fury building inside and focus on how to help her brother. “You don’t think he’s stealing.”
“No, Marco wouldn’t do that.”
“Wouldn’t do what?” Marco asked in a jovial voice as he walked through the door but froze when he saw Ari.
The color drained from Marco’s face, and she raised her defenses. This was Marco. She had fought with him enough as a kid. Unfortunately, now, the stakes were much higher now.
“Reed, I’ll only ask this once.” Marco slowly shut the door. “Why are you on my bed with my sister, and where are her pants?”
Ari stood, determined not to let him turn this situation around. “Marco, why do you have a gun? Do you think it makes you a man?”
Ari took after her mother and grandmother and could yield a hot Spanish tongue. They both stood for a moment starring at each other. Finally, Marco caved. He headed to his drawer to make sure it was there.
“You don’t know, okay. I need it for protection.”
“Who do you need protection from?”
“None of your business!” Marco spit back at her.
“It is my business and Mom’s if you wind up dead.”
“Is it Mom’s business that you’re sleeping around like some slutty freshman?” He glared at her with more contempt than Ari had ever seen. They had fought over the years, like most siblings, but there was a line of how far they would go and he’d just crossed it.
Ari’s words stuck in her throat. In her frustration and rage she lunged for him. She punched him in the shoulder and tried next for his face. Marco grabbed her hands. Reed had both hands around her waist hoisting her away from her brother. She fought against his hold. How dare he stop her? Did Reed not hear what Marco had just said?
“You don’t want to do this,” Reed said.
Blood rushed in her ears. “Yes, I do.”
“Give me a minute, and then you can kill him.” Reed turned back to Marco, keeping Ari behind him.
“Look, Marco. I didn’t sleep with your sister. We’ve kissed a bit and that’s it. She came over soaking wet. She was looking for a pair of sweatpants when she found the gun.”
Marco lowered his gaze, a red mark blossoming on his cheek. He nodded and bit his lower lip. “Okay.” Then he reached inside his drawer to grab the gun and put it in the back of his jeans.
“We’re worried about you, Marco,” Reed said. “I don’t want to see you hurt, or your future destroyed.”
Ari’s temper continued to boil. She didn’t want to care about her brother. How could he talk to her like that? He knew her better than anyone, or so she thought.
“It’s my future.” Marco looked at his face in the mirror above his dresser and ran a hand through his hair. “I gotta go. Don’t wait up.”
“Can’t we talk about this?” Reed asked again.
“Don’t worry. You have my blessing, Reed.” Marco motioned to Ari with weary disgust. “You can have her.”
Ari growled and reached for the closest thing she could find, a cup o
f water, and threw it at Marco. It missed his head and crashed against the wall as he shut the door.
As he left, he’d sucked out all the energy and fight from the room. A bot beeped and emerged from under the bed to begin cleaning up the mess. Ari stumbled back and sank onto Reed’s bed.
Reed approached, hesitantly. “You okay?”
Ari stared at the tears that fell into her hands. Suddenly aware that she was partially naked and sitting in Reed’s room with tears pouring down her face, embarrassment burned her face.
“I better go. It’s getting late.” Ari hurried to put on her wet jeans while avoiding Reed’s glance. “Turn around so I can change my shirt.”
Reed reached for her arm. “Hey.” He steadied her and waited for Ari to meet his eyes.
“Keep the shirt. I like it on you.” Reed pushed a wet strand of hair out of her face. “Let me walk you back, and we can grab a drink from the student center.”
“I don’t think I can.” Ari’s voice wavered.
Reed pulled her in close. She fought back the tears as she relaxed in his hold.
“You’re not alone in this, okay?”
Ari nodded.
“You sure you don’t want a hot chocolate or something?”
Ari shook her head. She didn’t feel like hot chocolate but tightened her hold on Reed. Her world was unraveling around her and the only thing she had to grab onto was him.
CHAPTER 20
After a couple days, Ari’s anger at her brother gradually turned to fear. She had tried messaging him several times, but he didn’t answer. She wanted to tell their mother but decided to give him a few more days to respond, a week max. Besides, what could her mother do?
Throwing herself into her schoolwork, she hoped to ignore the mess that was her brother, and the unanswered questions about her abilities in the VR. The routine helped, but the worry and ache remained. After hours of work in Programming, her grade climbed to a B+. She found art a nice distraction, and even Dr. Coleman’s VR class was easier, although her cuticles might have disagreed with that last part as they received the brunt force of her anxiety from the VRs.
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