Alice in Virtuality by Norman Turrell Read Free Book Online Page B

It was only a couple of minutes rowing before there was a scraping sound of wood on rock. Martin stepped out of the transport at the edge of the trees. The signal light was gone. He wound his way into the small copse. A variety of litter and beer cans were scattered around showing others came here for their own private adventures.
    "Don't turn around," a woman's voice commanded.
    Martin's head turned instinctively.
    "I said don't!" the voice held a panic that froze Martin in place.
    "What's wrong?" he said.
    "There are no cameras here, but she could be watching," the voice became a whisper.
    "Who? What cameras?"
    "Just listen." There was no pause to offer space for further questions. "I got here early. She isn't infallible. We will just have to hope for some luck."
    A quiver in the jumbled sentences gave Martin the clear impression that this person was a bit desperate. He decided the best way to find out what was going on was to remain silent.
    "The person who is coming to meet you is going to hurt you Martin. Emotionally that is. She is going to say awful things and walk away. Don't blame her and definitely don't follow her. You need to go back to your seat now. I want to keep you out of all this so the less you know the better. Just one thing, stay offline. I mean it."
    The voice was moving away as it finished its speech. Martin turned quickly as he heard a boat being launched. Winding his way through the trees to the source of the sound, he saw a figure with the hood of an anorak pulled down rowing away to the side of the lake furthest from the bench. His boat was on the other side. Rowing back to the dock, he could see the other boat already abandoned on the far shore, the anorak, discarded, trailed in the water. He forgot the misappropriation of the vessel as he moored it and made his way to the bench.
    He was looking at his watch when he felt the seat take the weight of another occupant. Looking up, he saw a thin red haired girl dressed well for the chilly day with green eyes so deep they looked unreal against her pale skin.
    "Hello Martin." The voice was unmistakably the one that had just given him his strange lecture. Her eyes flashed a warning as she saw the recognition in his face.
    She laughed out loud. Her mannerism was as false as the stilted movements made by the characters at MeetCentral.
    "You look a bit nervous." She stifled a fake giggle.
    "What..." Martin started to question, but was cut off.
    "Look, I am not going to beat around the bush. This is a complete waste of my time. You aren't my type. Can't imagine you are anyone's type frankly. You looked nice in the game. I think you should change your avatar before you get any more girls hopes up." Her voice was cracking as she got to her feet.
    "Don't try and get in touch with me again, games or anywhere. I got a big boyfriend and he would be pretty cross if he found out I had even talked to you." Her eyes were welling with tears. She turned and made off, close to a run.
    Martin did as instructed and didn't follow. He wanted to chase her and get the truth, but her distress had moved him not to add to it. He watched her as she disappeared into the scenery.

Chapter 12 - Alice Returns
     
    He got back to his flat completely deflated. Not only had his hopes of a romantic encounter disappeared, his head was filled with puzzles. Having time to think on the way home, he had concluded that the e-mail was too convenient, feeling foolish he hadn't realized that earlier, clouded by emotion. The 'she' references during the meeting on the island reminded him of his recent troubles with Alice. He was positive that, in some way, HackerNet was behind this. If they got a person's details through the program, there were lots of ways they could make life very difficult. He could only assume that this is what had happened to green eyes, enough to force her to the behaviour she had found so difficult. It seems Uno had been sorely mistaken in his verdict of the programs innocence.