THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

someone got here.
    Best case, I’d end up looking like a bigger idiot or a troublemaker.
    Worst case, the bird could kill whoever showed up and us. But the bird-thing had seemed interested only in me so I just needed to keep my head down until five o’clock when I hopefully got some answers.
    I realized Gabby was waiting for me to do something. When I didn’t, she finally pressed the button near the top of the keyboard.
    The computer whirred to life.
    Still tapping keys on his phone, Tony paid no attention to us. “Ah, now we gettin’ to the good stuff. Kicked outta the last two schools for disciplinary reasons, but...this can’t be right. No way Cindereller tested that high.”  Tony frowned. More thumb typing.
    The laptop in front of me buzzed with energy. I punched a couple of keys, surprised to find that my fingers knew how to form words as quickly as I thought them.
    Standing at my right shoulder, Gabby hummed something quietly to herself until an image of circles appeared on the screen. She brightened at that and said, “Ah, you’ve found the entrance, but do you know the password?”
    I shook my head.
    She cocked her head, ponytails flopping to one side, laughing silently. “I like to keep my finger on life’s Escape key. Try hitting that, Jedi.”
    I knew that key, but couldn’t very well say so after I hadn’t hit it. I pressed ESC.
    Nothing happened. The three circles of banded colors that mixed with copper, gold and silver, kept spinning and turning, passing over and around each other.
    Gabby gave the computer a confused look and leaned closer, mumbling, “Wonder what’s wrong?”
    Tony appeared on the other side of me. “Nothin’ other than two morons do not a computer tech make.”
    Ignoring the loudmouth, I kept manipulating keys in hopes of clearing the screen, but nothing would let me past those circles.
    Gabby angled herself forward, talking across me to address Tony on the other side. “Perhaps there’s a better way for a computer savvy one such as yourself to garner the attention of the Browns. Such as letting Mr. Suarez know how gifted you are in hacking confidential records.” 
    Tony dropped his voice low. “You threatenin’ me, sweet cheeks?”
    “Threat is such an unattractive word. Think of it as inspired relationship building,” Gabby said, not the least bit intimidated by Tony.
    “Who they gonna believe?” He scoffed. “Me or some psycho babe with zero computer ability?”
    “And here I thought you found all my records, placing you in the caliber of a true mastermind as opposed to petty thief.” 
    “Yeah, I found them, but records can be doctored. Not that you didn’t show an impressive level of skill pluggin’ in that power cord. Now you two are pickin’ out a computer like itsa Ouija board. Can’t wait to see what’s next.” 
    I lifted my hands to hold up between those two, or I tried to, but something tugged my fingers back to the computer.
    Then I caught a swooshing noise outside in the hallway.
    So intent on arguing, Tony and Gabby missed the flying dark shadow flashing past the glass window.
    I glanced over in time to see black wings flapping. What would that thing morph into next? And would it stay outside this room? Even if it only wanted me, would it harm Gabby or Tony if they got in the way?
    I had to get out of here and draw the beast-bird away, then figure out how to not get caught again. Something told me I’d only been lucky last time, but I couldn’t stay here and be the reason these two got hurt.
    Gabby waved a hand, dismissing Tony, and sounding bored with their verbal game. “Some people have the gift of touch, an unfortunate shortcoming in those who don’t.”
    Tony waggled his fingers and eyebrows, smiling. “I got plenty of touch, babe. My fingers can make that laptop sing.”
    Gabby glanced at my hands with a knowing look and murmured, “Don’t think you’ve got her touch.”
    “Ya think? She can’t even get the screen to open.”
    I tried to lift my hands again, but my fingers were heavy as weighted metal and drawn to the keys as if they were pure magnets. This wasn’t helping my immediate goal of escaping this room. More than that, I didn’t think this was normal.
    Gabby looked up at me, her face calm and sincere. “Just ignore Tony and open your senses to–”
    Tony hooted as if he hadn’t heard anything so ridiculous in years.
    In a surprising change from her earlier teasing, Gabby growled and grabbed my right