The Demon's Half

Chapter 2

Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, bleaching the world in their sterile glow, making everything look washed-out and tired—including the people.

A mix of stale popcorn, cheap cologne, and industrial cleaner curled in my throat. It smelled like desperation. Like a place where people clocked in, clocked out, and left their dreams rotting somewhere between the aisles.

My boots dragged against the scuffed tile.

This was the biggest department store in Moonveil. Which meant the pay wasn't as terrible as the others. Which meant I couldn't afford to lose this job.

No matter how much I hated it.

I wanted to be anywhere else.

Maybe a school, learning and rolling my eyes at homework. Or a studio, sketching out a drawing of some type of fruit... Or maybe somewhere that mattered.

Instead, I was here. Just another ghost among the living.

"Morgan, you shouldn't be here."

Elena's voice pulled me back.

I turned to find her already watching me.

I cared so much for Elena. I was so happy she existed in my life but gods, how I hated when she looked at me like that.
Like I was a wounded animal.

Elena Parker had been here for as long as I had. Maybe a little longer.

There had always been something steady about her—like an old lighthouse, still standing even after too many storms.

"It's only been two weeks since your father passed," she said, resting a hand on my arm, her tanned skin was almost the same shade as mine. "You need time to grieve."

A bitter laugh almost slipped out. Grieve?

Grieve what, exactly? My father's indifference? His absence?

I did my grieving when I was four.

"I know," I said, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "But I can't lose this job. David's already looking for an excuse to fire me."

Her face hardened. "We're talking about your well-being, Morgan."

"I'll be fine."

Elena didn't look convinced.

Her sigh was quiet, but her eyes filled with compassion. "You know my offer stands. You and Mia can stay at my place as long as you need to."

I exhaled, something aching in my chest. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you."

"Just promise me you'll take care of yourself," she said, and as much as I wanted to tell her I didn't have time for that, I nodded.

"I promise," I murmured.

She lingered for just a second longer before turning away.
I watched her go, and I hated how easily I had lied to her. I couldn't care less about taking care of myself when I had Mia. Nothing—nothing was more important than her.

I appreciated her offer. Even if this wasn't the first time she had asked me to go with her.
I should've tried to keep it to consideration but honestly I didn't.

I didn't know why.

Elena was a good person. Probably the only good person I had met in my entire life.
She reminded me of my grandmother, though I had never met her. I'd built an image of her in my head—short gray hair, drooping eyes heavy with decades of wisdom, oversized glasses perched on a nose just a bit too big for her face.