Free Oculus (Oculus #1) by J. L. Mac, L. G. Pace III Page A

doesn’t always make a lot of sense. I didn’t mean to upset you.” He pauses, seeming to consider his next words carefully. “I was wondering if you and I might have a quick conversation.”
    I glance over at Mirabelle who gives me what I can only imagine is supposed to be a look of encouragement. “Mirabelle. I need the new passcodes.” She nods and gestures to John.
    “He can give you the next two codes we are using. If not, come back after you are done talking and I’ll give them to you.” John motions to the path before him, and feeling a bit railroaded, I start walking.
    Leading me to the edge of the barn, he opens a wooden door in the wall. Once we step inside he takes me to a small area with tables. A woman comes over and John orders a tea with lemon. When he raises his eyebrows at me in askance, I shrug.
    “Make it two. Thank you.” The woman nods and walks away, John watches her hips sway as she departs. Turning to me, he smiles in a conspiratorial way. “Ah, the beauty of the female form.” When I don’t react, his smile slips a bit before he continues in his overly cheerful tone. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I wanted to speak with you. Well, to be honest, I wanted to know if you would be willing to do a job. I had hoped to broker it through Anna, but… since you are here.”
    It takes the better part of ten minutes to get all the information out of him that I need. The job is two sectors to the south, deep inside a transitional zone. Corp security is tight in the area which means the job pays triple. His reasons are unimportant. The target is unimportant, some mid-level bureaucrat on a power trip. Even the pay is meaningless, though I don’t share that with him while I negotiate for more money. What matters is getting a job, and figuring out how to do everything on my own.
    Once I have all the information I need, which includes the passcodes for the next three Markets, I leave the area in a random direction. Once I’m beyond the perimeter I circle around, making sure that anyone following me will lose the trail. It has been a long day, but I decide to start towards the job location. The sooner I get to the area, the faster I can finish the job.
    I find running is a bit more difficult with a second pack. Even with the added weight though, the run helps me work out most of the anxiety I have built up during the day. I set a faster pace since I’m only planning on travelling for a few hours. The miles fly by and any concerns of pursuit evaporate. Unless they’re on a dirt bike, it’s doubtful anyone can keep up with me at this speed.
    I stop for the night near a stream where I can clean off. Hanging my clothes for the night, I build a fire to help them dry. I pushed myself hard during the run, so I fall asleep quickly after I eat. I hate to admit it, but I look forward to sleeping more than anything else. When I close my eyes, I can see her.
    She’s laughing when she sees me. Her green eyes, a lighter shade of color than Anna’s, sparkle in the light shining from above. Reaching for me she begins to run her fingers over my skin. The feeling electrifies my body, sending my pulse racing. Tentatively, I look down into her eyes, expecting to find fear or judgment there. Instead, I find tenderness, understanding…and fire.
    Pulling her to me, I feel my pain being erased as if the touch of her skin brings with it a healing balm. Hungrily, I draw her lips to mine, reveling in the taste of her tongue. Sweet, like candy. Allowing the dream to take me, I slip away from my world of pain, and into the fantasy that is her.

O NE OF THE CRUELEST TRUTHS about being blind is that my options are limited.
    With everything.
    Always .
    I can’t see my hair and decide how I think it looks best. Or what color I think suits me nicely. Hattie and my father’s opinions are transplanted as my own. I play the reluctant surrogate to their judgment about things that directly affect me. I have to. I just go with