Demon Retribution (Shadow Quest Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

experience, but a depressing one. The old
ways of caring for the sick used to be much more compassionate and
less…“sign here and have a seat.”
    She found Zoey in the lobby, her face wet,
eyes burning with tears. Kyra took the seat to her right, giving
quiet comfort and waiting for her to decide what to do next. If she
wanted to sit here all day, then that’s what they would do.
    After about twenty minutes, Zo muttered,
“I’m so tired.” The words were but a breath through her lips, so
low Kyra had barely heard.
    “ Are you ready to go
home?”
    Zo didn’t say anything. Her eyes had been
fixed on one spot for a while. Kyra was sure she wasn’t really
seeing anything, but finally she gave a single nod.
    “ Is there anything you need
from her room?” Kyra didn’t want to say the word “Mom”, afraid it
would make Zo break down completely.
    Zoey shook her head, a tear escaping down
one cheek.
    The cab ride was quiet, and when they
reached their destination, Zoey blindly fished in her purse for
money. Kyra was quicker and handed a couple of twenties to the
driver, not really caring if she was due change.
    Zoey’s apartment was on the first level, so
it wasn’t long before Kyra was helping her into bed. She asked a
series of yes or no questions because Zoey was only responding with
head movements. She wasn’t hungry, she wasn’t cold, she wasn’t hot,
she didn’t want music. Thankfully, she did accept a glass of
water.
    “ I’m going to be right out
here, okay?” Kyra jerked her head toward the main room.
    Nod.
    Stepping out of the room, she closed the
door behind her and then made herself comfortable on the lumpy
secondhand couch. Her earlier sorrow over the loss of her fake life
seemed insignificant now, but still inevitable.
    It was a despicable situation. She’d be
leaving Zoey during a rough time in her life. She could only hope
that Zoey didn’t turn to Kevin, for both comfort and financial
support. Kyra could see that happening, all too well. The hospital
bills had eaten away any savings Zo and her mom had put away, and
the girl was living on credit.
    Kyra decided then that Zoey would receive a
generous gift from an anonymous benefactor. An unknown wealthy
uncle, or some forgotten family member recently deceased, but who
had been searching for their only known heir. It would take some
time to forge the documents and plant evidence of his existence,
but by this time it was par for the course.
    Kyra spent most of the day rifling through
Zoey’s small book collection, flipping through channels, and
checking on her every so often. Late in the evening, Zoey stopped
crying, but she still wouldn’t eat. When Kyra found she’d finally
fallen asleep, hours after the sun had set, she went back to the
couch and closed her eyes.
     
    Kyra woke to a warm hand on her shoulder.
Zoey perched on the arm of the couch.
    “ Thanks for staying. You
didn’t have to, though.”
    “ Whatever. Like I would
leave you alone at a time like this.” Kyra cringed at her own
words.
    Zoey sighed. Her face was puffy and
stressed.
    “ Do you need me to do
anything? Call anyone?”
    “ No one to call,” she
replied dryly.
    “ What about…arrangements?”
Kyra instantly regretted bringing it up so soon.
    Renewed tears spilled from Zoey’s eyes. She
swallowed and pushed the words out. “Done. Mom insisted on getting
everything settled, just in case.” She paused on a silent sob.
“After what we went through with Dad…Well, she didn’t want to leave
me with that.” She took a heavy breath, and Kyra noticed how
exhausted her friend still looked. “So, she’ll be cremated, and
just wants…wanted to be spread somewhere exotic. Unfortunately, it
might be a while before I can afford to go anywhere.”
    “ What, New York’s not
exotic? Tell me where else you can get a two dollar slice of pizza
and a ten dollar martini in the same meal?”
    Zoey gave a clipped laugh, then stood and
traveled the few steps to the