Read Apocalypse Soldier for Free Online Page A

“I gave them what they were looking for.”  
    “Go on.”
    The words flowed easily. Cabrera told the stranger about the demon that had invaded the sanctuary of his church and turned it into a killing field. He also told him about the young woman whose soul he’d saved eight years earlier. Whose soul might once again be in need of saving.
    Nicole Robertson.  

C HAPTER S IX

    AROUND THE SAME time that Talon entered Cabrera’s hospital room, Nicole Robertson received a text from her roommate and best friend, Ashley. “Hitting Hal’s for happy hour drinks. You down?”
    Nicole yawned, downed her eighth or ninth cup of coffee for the day and responded, “Count me in.” A drink or two would put the challenges of her new job in perspective. Her first year as a hospital RN was making her miss college. At the end of the day she felt drained and before starting a shift, she’d wake up in the middle of the night full of anxiety, wondering about facts and procedures she needed to remember. The demands were overwhelming and she was beginning to understand the high turnover rate among new nurses.  
    School hadn’t quite been able to prepare her for what the actual job entailed. There were so many different types of patients that required her attention, and each day brought new lessons. But she was hanging in there. As one of her teachers used to say, “Nursing is an art, a science, a way of life and a privilege.” Nicole saw it as a calling. She wanted to help people and despite the long hours and lack of sleep, she could feel her confidence growing. The work was tough, but rewarding.  
    She wrapped up her charting, slipped out of her scrubs and clocked out. She was looking forward to some downtime with her roommate. Even though they shared the same living space, they barely saw each other nowadays. Ashley worked nights at a restaurant while Nicole disappeared for twelve-hour shifts during the day. An evening out to have some fun and catch up was long overdue.  
    She wished her co-workers goodnight and strode through the wing of the children’s ward. Before leaving, though, she couldn’t help but check in on her newest patient one last time. Manuel Rodriguez was seven years old, but the serious expression on his cute little face gave him the gravity of an adult. He was scheduled to have his tonsils removed the next day and when she entered his room, his contemplative, concerned gaze met hers.
    “Shouldn’t you be asleep?”
    Manuel looked up from the Batman comic book in his hands and a hint of a smile lit up his face. They’d become best buds rather quickly. Manuel’s mother worked two jobs; Mrs. Rodriguez was a nanny during the week and cleaned houses on the weekends. Manuel knew his mom worried about the cost of his hospital bills and didn’t feel good about leaving her little boy on his own for his first surgery. Ironically enough, Manuel worried more about his mom worrying about him than he did the surgery itself. Seeing him trying to be tough and brave touched Nicole’s heart and all she wanted to do was give the kid a warm hug and reassure him that everything would be okay.
    “Tomorrow is a big day. You should get some rest.”
    “I’m not feeling sleepy.”
    Nicole could relate to his insomnia. She’d spent countless sleepless nights over the years, her mind drawn back to a past she’d rather put behind her for good.
    “Want me to read you something?”
    For a moment the boy’s eyes brightened, and he nodded enthusiastically. Nicole grabbed the comic and dived into the story. She hated to keep Ashley waiting, but she’d feel worse knowing that little Manuel spent the night before his surgery wide awake. Fortunately, her roommate knew how to entertain herself – the girl wasn’t exactly shy.  
    By the time Nicole had finished reading the comic, Manuel was fast asleep. Smiling, Nicole dimmed the lights and snuck out.
    She scanned her phone as she rode the elevator down to the parking structure.