Mari

Shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

What had I done?

Ky slumped forward into my arms and my eyes darted around frantically. Everyone around us was going about their business, likely plugged into some V-World experience as they wandered around the market. I could see shimmering holograms of V-World people intermingling in the crowd, their faces flickering in and out with their cartoonishly proportioned bodies while men and woman drowned them with virtual gifts.

I looked back at Ky. There was a small gash on his swelling cheek, just under his visor which was slightly askew, warped burn scars peeking around the edges. My hand stung, my fingers likely broken from the severity of the blow I had inflicted. Ky’s weight sunk against me, and I struggled to keep him from collapsing to the ground.

I was pretty sure someone might notice that.

“You going to buy that, girl?” asked a voice from behind me. I froze, feeling Ky’s body slipping in my grasp. I hefted him up, letting him rest against me as I turned to look around, a strained smile on my face.

“Oh no,” I slipped off the thermo-cuff and held it out to her. The merchant’s eyes wandered from me and to Ky unconscious against me. “I was just trying it on.”

“Are you sure?” she asked again, looking at Ky.

I mentally cursed myself. She had been there during the whole thing, and I had completely forgotten.

“Not often we see a Zara down around these parts,” she continued. “Are you sure your master might not be interested in my wares?”

Ky’s weight was leaning against me awkwardly as I shifted him, slinging one of his arms around my shoulders so he was leaning against me. I glanced at his face, almost peaceful except for the side I had pummeled. His lips were relaxed, giving him an expression of serenity while he suffered the effects of my survival fueled hit. His dark hair was mussed from where it had been styled slicked back off his face, a strand falling over against his skin. For an Elevated, he was awfully pale. Like he didn’t get out much despite being up where the sun sometimes shone.

I would have felt guilty for what I had done had he not been trying to destroy everything I loved. My sisters. My life. And if he had realized I was Lorelei, it was over. I had no idea what to do with him. Either I had to kill him or get my eye cut out and say goodbye to the V-World forever. There would be no escaping him now.

I didn’t doubt for a minute that he and his father were the main players behind the recall. They had started the ECCO movement shortly after my sister…

I pulled my mind back to the present. I didn't have time to think about things long past. I looked up at the merchant, and I hated the pleading in my voice.

“Please, I have nothing, no money, no coin, I had to use it all to get the...”

She shook her head, her eyes landing on Ky meaningfully.

“Your master is looking unwell, pet.” She smiled tightly, pressing her lips together. It was then that I realized what she was implying. Perhaps even if she wanted to get paid off to keep quiet, she wasn't particularly fond of the Edden's either.

I shifted Ky, feeling along his suit for his for a pocket of some kind. I was so used to the V-World, I forgot that human’s still often carried around real money. If I was lucky…

I eventually found a pocket, and I stuck my hand into his black pants, pulling out a slim pouch. I opened it to find a few plastic bills, nothing much considering his status as an Elevated. Hopefully it would do.

I looked at it, then threw it on the merchant’s table. She opened it, frowned, then glanced back up at me.

“That’s it?” she sounded disappointed. “Always thought a rich kid like him probably swam in the stuff.” She paused as I doubled checked Ky, feeling my face flush as I groped his unconscious body. But no other secret pockets were found. Ky likely hadn’t anticipated ever having to use what he had. Mass V-World shutdowns were very rare, considering the panic they often wrought.

The jeweler closed the pouch, pocketing it, her eyes darting around.

“Very well,” she said in resignation. “This will have to do then. You better scram before anyone notices you got the Elevated golden boy knocked out. You are lucky he deactivated the droids before you attacked him, LoreLei.”

I inhaled deeply, watching the jeweler with lingering mistrust. A group of people walked behind me, bumping into Ky, making his head loll against my shoulder. I cringed and tried to lift him up higher. Already my arms were burning trying to hold up his weight. He was damn heavy, a good head or two taller than me with a body that didn’t lack any muscle as far as I could tell.

The jewelry merchant sighed, her eyes widening with urgency. “Well, get moving, I don’t want to be seen anywhere near 'ya. I got wares to sell and you are blocking my stall.” She lowered her voice her partially shaved head jerking to the left. “There's a loading dock down that way behind the stalls. Lots of carriers going in and out of the city,” she added, and I caught her meaning.

I could go there. If I could sneak on to one of the carrier's I could get out of there before anyone else tracked my chip.

I nodded, and I didn’t hesitate this time. “Thank you.”

She shook her head. “Don’t thank me, I’m just a merchant looking to make a sale.” But she winked, a smile curving her lips. “Good luck, pet.”