Ghosts of Koa, The First Book of Ezekiel by Colby R Rice Read Free Book Online Page A

on the back of Zeika's neck. Somehow, it didn't sound like he was asking. It didn't look like it, either. Davy's eyes danced, as though the machinations of his mind had suddenly turned diabolic, cruel.
    "If you don't wanna pay, then that's fine," he said, grinning. "But I see you gotta cute little sister in there. I'd give her about three or four more years before--"
    She reached into her robes, but Davy was faster, grabbing her arm with one hand and pinning it against her body before she could draw her field knife. His long fingers tightened around her neck, and air rushed out of her chest as he slammed her into the concrete wall. The bulky contents of her pack dug into her spine as he pressed on her.
    "Get off me," she seethed.  
    Davy's grin widened as he squeezed, and though he thought he had the upper hand, Zeika could feel it, the control slipping away from her second by second. She struggled to keep herself from walking through that door, but he'd just threatened her, threatened Manja.
    "I'm warning you," she snarled again, ready to let loose. "Get the hell off me, or I promise you'll regret it."
    Davy got close to her ear, rubbing his nose against her cheek. She squirmed as his stale breath condensed on her lobe as he whispered into it. "You smell really good," he said. "Like desperation. Tell your Papa if he's serious about doing business again, don't send his pretty little jailbait kid to negotiate. Gets me... distracted."
    Laughing, he let go, and she pushed him off her, snarling.
    "Go fuck yourself!" She rubbed her throat as it opened again, allowing her to breathe.
    "I wish you luck with that too, baby," he muttered, lighting a cigarette as he picked up the duffel bag. He tossed the wad of cash he owed her in the sink. "But don't forget to send me a video of it, eh?" Cackling, he disappeared into the wall of the stall with his package, the tiled door sliding closed behind him.
    Zeika shuddered and grabbed the knob of the money sink, turning it on full blast. She splashed her face and neck trying to get his stench off. So gross. It was bad enough that Civilian girls had to keep their guards up against Azures. Civilian guys weren't much different sometimes. It all sucked, really, but Zeika had chosen not to dwell on it, at least not until today. Ugh.
    Her face dripping, she turned off the faucet and pocketed all five hundred dollars' worth of bills as they floated, not caring that they were soaking wet. It was just as well. She didn't want Davy's grease on her money, either.
    "Hey you." Julie stepped in, timid in her walk. "Got what you came for?"
    "Yeah, and more than that." Zeika wrinkled her nose, still feeling the icky warmth of Davy's body on hers. "Thanks, though. I owe you one." She walked up to her, coming in close. "Listen," she dropped her voice to a whisper. "About the daycare space..."
    She explained what had happened with Davy, repeated what he'd said about Manja. Horrified, Julie agreed to move the daycare across town-- today-- to one of their old stations until they found a new space. The kids' parents would help to move the classroom supplies later. She apologized the entire time, blaming herself.
    " Stop , Jules. Stop taking responsibility for all these assholes," Zeika said, forcing a smile. "Please."
    Julie nodded, but cast her eyes down. "Yeah..."
    Zeika grinned, suddenly unable to hold it back: "Plus, you got some other 'holes' to worry about--"  
    Julie laughed and shoved her playfully. "You're such a bitch, you know that?"
    Attagirl. Keep smiling.
    Warmth filled Zeika up as Julie hooked her arm around her neck and walked her back into the daycare.  
    Simply laid, the one room cavern was just big enough to hold the entire class, with some extra room for limited movement. Crates of children's books, bundled sleeping bags and floor pillows, battered toy trucks, patchwork dolls-- they all lined the craggy walls. Children's kitchens and tool shops kept lopsided vigils nearby. Even hanging