The Break (The Aesir Saga Book 1) Read Free Page A

ripping his shirt off. He fingered the burn holes, and then went to his closet mirror to check himself for any marks. He looked the same he did every morning. His short red hair a mess from a rough night’s sleep.
    His blue eyes examined every part of his body, yet nothing about him looked like he had been standing right next to an explosion the night before. He decided the clothes from last night were unsalvageable, balling up the t-shirt and jeans, throwing them into the small wastebasket next to his desk. Despite the copious amounts of garbage that littered the room, the trash can now had its first two items.   
              He walked down the hallway to the upstairs bathroom, turned on the shower and hopped in.  For his entire shower he kept replaying the previous night in his head, trying to figure out why the car exploded, and how he was completely unhurt. He toweled off, went back to his room and changed into another pair of jeans and his favorite blue hoodie. He walked downstairs to find his mom in the kitchen, cooking breakfast.  “Hey mom, whatcha makin’?”
             Gabriel’s mom Patricia, stood five foot seven, with chestnut hair and bright green eyes. She kept herself in good shape, working out regularly, and took running the house as her full time job. 
    “Morning sleepy head, about time you got up.  You were awfully quiet last night. Eggs?” She asked, indicating the pan she was tending.
    “Sure. And I was really tired last night; you know how the last week of school is.” Gabriel shifted in his chair nervously; hoping his mom wouldn’t notice his uneasiness.  
    “So what do you have planned for today honey?” she asked as she handed him his plate of eggs.
    “I’m just going to hang out with Amber at the mall, check stuff out, that sort of thing.” He began scooping his eggs into his mouth quickly, anxious to get out of the house before more questions came. 
    “What are you two going to do about next year? She’s going to college and right now I think your plans amount to sleeping in and playing on your computer.”
    He gulped down his mouthful of food. “Mom, can’t I at least have the summer to enjoy myself?”
    “I’m just saying you need to think about your future, that’s all.” She turned back to the stove, giving Gabriel the impression the interrogation was over.
    “Morning baby.” Gabriel’s father Mike walked into the kitchen, grabbing his wife around the waist and kissing her gently on the cheek.  “What do you have going on today kiddo?” Mike
    Daniels was dressed in his usual work attire. As the manager of the city bank branch he wore a black business suit, even though he was much more comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt. 
    “Hey dad, can I borrow the truck, I’m going to the mall with Amber today.”
    “Just make sure you’re back for dinner.” His dad reached into his pocket and tossed the keys to his son.
    “Thanks dad, bye mom, see you guys later.” Gabriel was out the door as fast as he could, not wanting to see any more of his parents’ show of affection. 
    “Well,” Mr. Daniels whispered into his wife’s ear. “Looks like I need to borrow your car today."

FIVE
     
              Gabriel pulled the black pickup into
    Amber’s driveway. She was already heading out the door to meet him. Whenever he saw her it made him think of how lucky he was to be dating her. Amber was one of the more popular girls in school. She was in a bunch of clubs, did drama and acted in the school plays. She could have made the cheerleading team, but was far too busy with her other obligations to have time for practice.
    Her sense of style was also something everyone noticed. Today they were just going to the mall, but she had on a tight pair of jeans, wedges, a designer bag, and a flowy top that showed off her toned stomach. Her blonde hair was the same as always, up in a ponytail. She opened the door to the truck and slid in. 
    “Hi baby,”