Warm air wafted into Room 514 as the door groaned open. The heavy curtain frayed sideways, showering the floor in tiny green leaves.
Boots clicked against the tile for a moment before stopping. A long shadow stretched from the threshold to the bed like a demon.
Silver-gray strands of Zoe's hair fell across her face. She blinked and locked her gaze on the bed.
"Leon." Saliva snaked down her throat as she saw her reflection in the smooth surface of the war disc. It sat at the side of the bed, facing the door.
Her heart pounded heavily. Her hands trembled as she crossed the threshold and moved two steps forward.
Beeps from the monitoring system beside the bed seeped into her mind. She turned her attention toward them.
Zoe's chest rose and fell as Lily's ghostly smiling face and voice flashed in her head. "Aunty, thank you."
Her legs clicked with every step that drew her closer to the bed.
