Apocalypse Weird: Genesis (The White Dragon Book 1) Read Free Page B

for that long. Three years, I think.”
    “And before that?”
    “West Coast. San Francisco. A bit north of it.”
    “That’s nice.”
    Kasey leaned her head on Jack’s shoulder. There was a part of her that objected but she was too tired for that to give her pause.
    “Why are you smiling?” she asked.
    “Because you didn’t like me two hours ago.”
    “That’s a long time.”
    “True.”
    “Besides, who says that I like you now?”
    “Well, for starters, there are about twenty of your classmates around the fire. And you’re sitting here. With me. Actually next to me. Your head is on my shoulder and you’re talking directly to me. So, yeah, I think you like me.”
    “Why do you always have to be so logical?”
    Kasey could hardly keep her eyes open.
    “You want me to drive you home?” Jack said. “It’s no trouble.”
    “That’s sweet of you. But if you don’t mind, I’d just like to sit here with you for a while.”
    “Sure.”
    She shivered.
    “You cold?”
    “A little.”
    “Don’t go anywhere.” Jack got up and disappeared again.
    In the distance, on the dark horizon, something red illuminated part of the sky. Then it disappeared. Jack returned, his sleeping bag under his arm. He sat next to her and pulled the bag around both their shoulders.
    “Thanks.”
    “Sure.”
    They were quiet for a while. All Kasey could hear was the surf gently rolling onto the beach and the soft voices of her friends around the fire.
    “Can I ask you something?” Jack asked.
    “That was already a question.”
    Jack laughed quietly. Kasey liked that.
    “Go ahead. Ask away.”
    “Where did you get that amulet?”
    “How do you even know I have one?”
    “You’re kidding, right?”
    “No.”
    “You took it off when we first went into the water. And then you reached for it a few times when you talked to me before. And now you’re holding it again.”
    “I didn’t even notice.” Kasey let go of the necklace.
    “It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me.”
    “It’s not a big deal. Some guy gave it to me when I was eight.”
    “Like a gift or something?”
    “No, not really. I was playing on the beach and he came toward me and gave it to me. Then he took off.”
    “That’s it?”
    “Yeah. That’s it.”
    “Did he say anything?”
    “As a matter of fact, he did. He said he was sorry. And he said something else that I can’t remember.”
    Kasey felt warm. Not so much on the outside but on the inside. She could smell the sweat and salt on Jack’s shirt. Somehow he made her feel comfortable. His presence was restful and she knew she didn’t have to worry about anything right now.
    “You wanna hold it?”
    “No. No. I don’t… No. It’s fine.”
    “I’ll let you hold it if you want.”
    “Really?”
    “Sure, why not.”
    Even though she’d never let anyone else touch the amulet in all the years she’d had it, this time it felt right.
    “Okay,” he said.
    Kasey hesitated for an instant. Then she unclasped it.
    “Here,” she said. She hung the necklace around his neck and closed it.
    “Wow, it’s heavy!”
    “Do you feel different?” she asked.
    “Yeah. I feel... wait, I feel…” and in a much deeper voice he proclaimed, “The powers of the heavens and the earth now belong to me! TOO MEEEEE!”
    Kasey looked at him in disbelief.
    “I’m just kidding. I don’t feel anything.”
    “Ass!” she punched his arm.
    “Ow! That… didn’t… hurt. At all.”
    “You are so bad,” she smiled. “You can keep it for a while if you want.”
    “I’d love to,” he replied.
    “You wanna lie down?” she asked.
    “Is that a question?”
    “Yeah.”
    “In that case, sure.”
    He pulled the sleeping bag off their shoulders and lay on his back. Kasey lay on her side next to him, her head on his shoulder. He spread the sleeping bag over both of them.
    “You comfortable?” he asked.
    “Very. You?”
    “Very.”
    The stars shining in the clear night sky gave off just enough