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

like liquid metal is coursing through her and I dunno, those scientists, they might be looking for her. I think they did something to her.”
    “I should look at her.”
    I nodded.
    “Where’d she go?”
    “I can’t find any readings marking her exit.”
    Nick rolled his eyes. “You and your big words.” He pointed at the shoreline. “She went that way.”
    “How do you know?” My eyes scanned for thermals but found no markings. “How could you see her path and I can’t? Are my adaptations faltering?”
    “No,” Nick said. “I was here early this morning and watched her escape. You were downloading.” He smiled. “Your girl talks to herself.”
    “Yes, I know.”
    He punched me. “I didn’t know you liked ‘em crazy.”
    “Shut up!” I kicked at him. “Help me find her.”
    “If you find that girl…” Nick said. He grabbed my arm. “I think things will change for us. We won’t be the same.”
    “Why do you say that, man?”
    “It’s just something in my gut warning me.”
    I shrugged. “She’s just a girl who says she’s got a two years or less life expectancy.”
    “That’s it?”
    “Yeah, but, I think it’s less, like a few weeks.”
    Nick frowned. “We need to help her.”
    “Yeah.”
    “C’mon, man.” Nick guided me along the shoreline towards where he had watched Shay board her emergency raft. “She went that way.”
    I followed his finger towards the mainland. “I’ll see ya later.”
    “What?” Nick chased after me. “Wait, man! I gotta warn you!”
    I jumped into the ocean, feeling my hands and feet web together. My muscles twitched and I groaned from the pain. Gills formed along my neck and I swam out faster and faster as the changes took effect.
    I could see the Miami Shoreline and a floating craft up ahead less than a mile away. It was Shay, I could tell by the readings on the screen.
    Someone was in the boat with Shay.
    I adjusted my vocals to sonar for better hearing under the water and resisted using satellite vision. It was rare I ever received the capabilities, and I hated when new software downloaded to replace the existing. The Lone Keys never seemed to receive a satellite signal. It was a dead zone and if the upgrades were satellite based, I’d be without many defenses.
    I swam faster. My main concern was the intruder I spotted in the boat with Shay. Was it a scientist?
    There was a small island. I climbed out onto its shoreline and narrowed my eyes, scanning the boat. My vision stopped on the unidentified person. I finally downloaded updated software. While satellite images uploaded, I tried to focus the rest of my attention on the unknown intruder. Somehow, my communications programming didn’t register. I switched to satellite. It was slower than my usual communications, but it knew who the intruder was.
     
    Species : Human; Homo sapiens’ original flesh; soul.
    Specified Use : Optional Human Parent
    Genetics Match: DNA match: yours.
     
    Mine?
    What did Shay just call her?
    She called her Mom and then, Darla.
    Darla.
    I couldn’t swallow.
    Was she my human host?
    “Mom?”
    I remembered her! She used to cradle me in her arms and sing to me. She had the same thick, dark hair that tickled my face and those big, soft eyes…
    I reached out—my eyes locking with hers.
    My body jolted, electrical currents ran through my veins, and I shook, vibrations overtaking me.
    You’re being reprogrammed. Please stand by.
    “I’m being what?” I could barely get the words out.
    Everything blurred. My fingers, still webbed, curled in on themselves and my nails cut into my flesh. I couldn’t stop my teeth from chattering.
    Reprogramming nearly complete.
    Who was talking to me?
    My eyes went into manual override. I tried to look to the left, but it was as if someone controlled my will to do so. My optics scanned without permission and when I tried to shut down satellite use, red lights flashed within my pupils, blinding me. Next, I could feel my limbs reject my