E.R.I.C. (The Almost Series Book 2) by Christina Leigh Pritchard Read Free Book Online Page A

the freeze portal with longest remaining shelf life.”
    Darla gasped. “I’m not going back into one of those things!” She recoiled, slamming into the aquarium walls. “I never want to go inside one of those things again!”
    “He’ll kill us!”
    “I don’t care!”
    Dr. Cole climbed out of bed. “You’re serious about this escape plan of yours. I thought you understood that we’re trapped down here. How do you intend to get out? If you leave they will spot you.”
    “I promised the N.I.C. he’d have the most data ever collected on a S.H.A.Y. and I intend to keep my promise to him,” I said. “Mom, get in the shrinker!”
    “I won’t do it! I’d rather die!”
    “It’s the only way for Eric not to lock on to you. If he sees you he’ll reprogram again and try to kill us. If he doesn’t see you, he’ll help me—”
    “No!” Darla’s face reddened. “You’ve never been in one of those things! You cannot torture me! I won’t go back inside there!”
    “He’s going to reprogram!”
    I’d never seen Darla angry. Many times, I thought I had, but today, her eyes darkened, deep and full of hate. I stepped back. She made a sound, deep and frightening. “I said no !”
    Pop appeared next to me. He kept pace as I examined each remaining prototype. “I warned you that your plan was faulty. Darla does not wish to be saved. The O.H.P. wishes to die at the hands of her child. Why do you insist on fighting for this human?”
    Darla pointed her finger at Pop. “I don’t want to die. Moron.”
    Pop’s hologram faded in and out. “The human is losing emotional control. Do you see why training is so beneficial, my Shay? Emotions are a human weakness that I do not share and I see why they are unnecessary.”
    “You do emote, Pop, you’re having a little anxiety attack now because you’re going to miss me.”
    Darla threw up her hands. “It’s a heartless machine, Shay! They don’t care about us!”
    “You’re the only selfish one here,” I snapped. “I’m trying to save your life and you won’t cooperate—even Dr. Cole isn’t arguing that much.”
    “I just know that your attempts are futile,” Dr. Cole said. “I’m preparing for a breech. I’ve spent eighteen years watching you over-exaggerate your abilities, Shay.”
    Pop followed me from table to table as I snatched things. “You won’t need any of those,” he said. “We’ve gone over survival assessment and these are not necessary. You should be gearing up.”
    “You’re right,” I said. “Clothes, Pop.”
    They fell from above.
    “Had them waiting.” He gave an electronic laugh. “My last day helping you prepare for your daily activities.”
    I ripped off my night clothes and struggled to put on my wetsuit. Dr. Cole frowned. She shook her head but continued guarding the elevator entry.
    I sneered. “You don’t look all that serious with all that make-up on.”
    “You should see your own face,” Dr. Cole said.
    I glanced up. “Darla.” I froze. “Get away from the walls.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Why should I?”
    “Pop, turn out the lights.”
    He didn’t respond.
    “Pop?”
    “It’s too late for that, my Shay.”
    Darla turned slowly, her body trembling. “Is he—”
    I nodded, my eyes locked onto Eric’s. He swam, pressing his body against the glass walls. He tapped his fingers against the containment.
    Darla looked up, seeing her son. She gasped, falling backwards. “He’s found us!”
    Pop bowed his head. “Oh, my Shay.”
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
     
    The Romeo Clone
     
    “Requesting to enter,” the keeper said. He stood outside the glass doors. “I’m not here to harm anyone, my father has asked me to help keep you safe.”
    Dr. Cole shook her head. “We do not need any outside help.”
    I stood frozen, my peepers still locked with Eric’s. Pop argued with Dr. Cole and Darla recoiled, hiding her face from her son.
    Pop ran statistics before Dr. Cole. “Do you