E.R.I.C. (The Almost Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

name you?”
    I froze. “What?”
    “I’m not stupid, but I won’t tell,” she said. “I just want to know what she calls you.”
    I folded my arms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Very well,” she said. “It’s only a matter of time before the N.I.C. figures out what’s wrong with your DNA. Once he does, he’ll kill you.”
    We stepped out of the sanitation chamber and went through the scientists’ area. It was empty. My friends were gone. “Where is everyone?”
    “I had everyone go to their own quarters for safety. You’re not the only one at risk from the E.R.I.C. He’ll kill anyone who stands in his way.”
    “Why didn’t your E.R.I.C. kill you?”
    She frowned. “I reset him.”
    “That’s good, we’ll just reset mine!”
    “I already reset yours, remember?”
    I nodded. “That means he won’t come after his mother now.”
    “He’ll reprogram once he locks on her.”
    “So you can reset him again.”
    “No,” she said. “I can’t.”
    “Did you kill your E.R.I.C.?”
    Dr. Cole frowned, staring at her feet. I watched her coat flap as she took hurried steps into the main elevator.
    “You didn’t answer me. Did you kill your E.R.I.C.?”
    “I watched him kill my O.H.P.”
    “He killed his mother?”
    “Yes, with his bare hands. He cracked her in half.” Her eyes watered. “Blood was everywhere.”
    I grabbed for her hand. She jerked back.
    “Okay, time’s up. Shay, enough with the questions. We need to get you into your quarters and set up security before your E.R.I.C. comes for your O.H.P.”
    I nodded. “Right, back to work.”
    We stood in silence as the glass elevator declined towards the bottom of the ocean where my room was. It stopped and the doors opened. I couldn’t see them, but I already felt better knowing my bed would be there, ready for me to crash into it. I could sit in my Pop’s sensory chair and feel his presence. My heart pounded inside me. Would Darla be there, waiting for me?
    I stepped forward.
    My quarters hadn’t been touched. Everything was exactly the same. My first prototypes still littered the walls and tops of dressers and tables. I smiled at the racing lights flooding my room and landing on the console.
    “Hello, my Shay,” said Pop. “Welcome home.”
    I searched for Darla.
    Dr. Cole cleared her throat. “Your O.H.P. is being brought down. She’ll be here shortly to stay with us.”
    I twirled around and glared at Dr. Cole. “You can’t be here.” I searched for Pop. “She can’t stay in here with us, Pop, she’ll ruin everything.”
    He didn’t respond.
    “Pop?”
    “It was the only way,” he said. “Those were her negotiations.”
    Dr. Cole shrugged. “I’ll see you shortly.” She disappeared.
    I surveyed my room. “We don’t have much time. Let’s set up before she gets back. I want to be ready for when Eric gets here.”
    Pop’s hologram pointed at several prototypes, military grade inventions I’d discontinued. “This will be something he’ll not see coming.”
    I nodded. “Yes, no one thought they were worthy of a second glance.”
    “Very good, my Shay, I’m impressed at your vision.”
    “Pop,” I whispered. “I’m going to die soon.”
    “Shay—”
    “It’s okay,” I said. “I’m going to save Darla and also someone else first. Promise me you’ll help me, no matter what the cost.”
    “I cannot—”
    “I know you say you’re a machine and cannot emote. But, I know you’re at least attached to me. I’m bonded to you and I need you to help me. Once I’m terminated—so are you. At least let’s go out with a bang these scientists have never seen before—nor will they ever see again.”
    Pop stood before me, his face solemn. “I will do whatever you ask.”
    “Even if it’s against your programming?”
    “I will disconnect manual override.”
    “Good, ‘cause I need to live for another six months, but I may not be able to do it here.” I pointed to the ocean