Life Designed (Life Plan Series Book 1), Eliza Taye [great novels .TXT] 📗

found on his sciorb. He’d written it down on a piece of paper, but he didn’t want to risk taking it out to reexamine the directions. That’d be a glaring sign that he didn’t belong there. Or worse, get him assaulted and robbed.

Garrett couldn’t help feeling a little nervous walking through this part of the Undecided sector, but he wasn’t about to turn back. He needed a piece of technology to break into City Hall and he could only obtain it here. At least, according to what he found on the dataweb.

Rounding the corner, he spotted a shack with an open interior, a dim light crackling in and out of intensity. Based on the appearance, this was the place. Heading straight for it, he noticed a figure hovering over a table.

As he approached, he raised his head and fixed his dark chocolate eyes at Garrett’s approaching figure. The scraggly brown beard that matched the long hair brushing against his shoulders gave him an ominous appearance. “Can I help you?”

Not wanting to repeat the same lack of confidence that he and Opal had shown before in City Hall, Garrett deftly pronounced. “I’m here for a lockaway device.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “A lockaway device?”

Instead of speaking, Garrett gave a short nod.

Staring intently at Garrett for a few moments, the man then inclined his head towards the back of the shop. “Follow me.”

Garrett did so. Throughout the shack, a scattered assortment of tools caught Garrett’s eye. Looking around at them, he almost forgot to keep up the pretense that he belonged there and inwardly chastised himself.

Staying focused on the vendor in front of him, Garrett noticed he’d stopped in front of a back door invisible from the street. With the jingling of keys, the man opened the door and ushered Garrett inside.

Once inside, Garrett noticed this room was well-organized, unlike the main shop. He half-wondered if it was a good idea for the man to leave the front of his shop so exposed. Either way, he wasn’t going to tell this man what to do.

“What are you trying to break into?” he asked.

“That’s my own business.”

The man turned and glared at him. “How am I supposed to know which sort of lockaway device to give you if you don’t tell me what you’re trying to crack?”

Silent, Garrett contemplated whether the man was testing him or not. If he were and Garrett failed, he’d lose the one chance he had to purchase a lockaway device. Deciding on telling the truth without revealing too much, he responded, “It’s something of high security…that’s all you need to know.”

The corner of the man’s mouth drew into a slight smile. “Smart kid.”

Moving a row down and reaching towards the top, the man obtained a small, black box. “This is the lockaway device you’ll need. It’s compact but powerful. It’ll get you into any high-security location.”

Nodding approvingly, Garrett reached out for it. The man placed it in his hand and allowed Garrett to appraise it for a few seconds before snatching it back.

“That will be 300 trecins.”

Garrett’s jaw dropped. “Three hundred trecins!”

“Take it or leave it.”

Pursing his lips, Garrett considered walking away and not taking it, but a small voice in his head cautioned that this, too, might be a test. Determined, Garrett countered, “Two hundred trecins.”

The man’s fist closed protectively over the device. “Are you trying to insult me?”

“No, but I’m not trying to be ripped off either.”

“Two hundred seventy trecins.”

“Two hundred fifty trecins,” began Garrett, and before the man could protest, he added, “and that’s my final offer.”

The man opened his mouth, closed it, and released a steam of air through his nostrils. “Deal.”

Garrett handed over the 250 trecins—most of his remaining life savings and took the lockaway device from the man. Without another word, he turned and left the shop.

Feeling satisfied with himself, he could hardly contain the smile threatening to spread across his face. Forcing it down, he reminded himself to remain composed and stoic. He didn’t want to look like an idiot walking through one of the worst neighborhoods of the Undecided sector.

“Garrett?”

Freezing at the sound of his name, Garrett turned slowly to see who’d called his name.

April stood on the opposite side of the street looking at him with her brown eyes widened. “What are you doing here?”

Still frozen and unsure how to react, Garrett just stood there.

Crossing the street and making a beeline for him, April asked again, “What are you doing here, Garrett?”

Finding his voice, Garrett responded. “I could ask the same of you.”

Confused, April regarded him for a moment. “Well, I live near here, but you, you’re…”

Before she could say anything else, Garrett covered her mouth and pulled her aside where they couldn’t be seen or heard in an old abandoned shop.

Once inside, he quickly explained, “I’m sorry, I didn’t want anyone to know that I’m not one of the Undecided. I came here for something I can’t get in my part of the city and I know this is a bad area so…” Garrett allowed his words to trail off.

Hanging her head, April agreed, “Yes, it is a bad part of town.”

Garrett realized he’d just insulted the area in which she’d told him she lived and backpedaled. “I mean, I just read that it’s rough, that’s all. Um…”

“You don’t have to apologize, Garrett.” April sighed. “The truth is I live in an area that isn’t very safe, but it is very inexpensive. It’s about all my mother and I can afford.”

Garrett’s eyes softened. “I’m sorry, April. You deserve better than this.”

“I know I do, but unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do to change it.” Meeting Garrett’s softened gaze, she reiterated, “So why were you here?”

Wincing, Garrett explained, “It’s better if you don’t know. I’ve already revealed