Apocalypse Weird: Genesis (The White Dragon Book 1) by Stefan Bolz Read Free Book Online Page B

nearby houses. Another car crashed into something further up the road. Kasey couldn’t see a thing until she stopped for a moment. There. The roof. Not more than a glimmer of green in the blackness. She opened the door and reached inside and grabbed the key chain from the ignition switch.
    “I got it.”
    “I was watching TV.” The woman held on to Kasey’s arm. From the way she walked, Kasey assumed that she was older. “There were all those outbreaks everywhere. People were fighting. And then the governor came on. He said we’d get help but to stay inside and lock the doors.”
    “Watch out for the curb,” Kasey said. She could sense it more than anything.
    “I should’ve stayed inside but I thought I’d get some groceries. Since Paul died, I don’t need that much anymore. But there’s that really good Italian meat sauce from Rino’s.”
    “I know that one.”
    “You do?” the woman was almost in tears now even though Kasey could hear the brief smile in her voice. “Are you from around here?”
    “Yes. I live just a few blocks from here.”
    “You’re a very nice girl to help an old lady like this.”
    “I think we’re here,” Kasey said. Her hands touched the wrought iron fence as they walked along it. “Are there any steps to your house?”
    “Yes. Three.”
    “Okay. Let’s be careful.”
    “I usually go in through the garage.”
    They went up the steps to the front door and Kasey opened the lock. It took a few moments for her to find the right key but eventually the door opened.
    “I can stay with you if you want,” Kasey said.
    “No, no. I’m fine. You’ve got to take care of yourself. You have a boyfriend?”
    “I… don’t know.”
    “A girl as pretty as you gotta have someone.”
    “How do you know if I’m pretty?”
    “I know if someone’s pretty, dear. I can hear it in their voice and in what they say and how they say it.”
    “Are you sure you’re okay?”
    “Yes.”
    Kasey could hear the lie in the woman’s voice. The underlying fear gave her away.
    “I can stay with you. It’s no trouble,” Kasey said, suddenly feeling guilty for wanting to leave her all by herself in the house.
    “I’m fine. I’ve lived here for thirty-five years. I can cook a whole dinner in the dark.”
    “Okay.”
    Kasey realized that part of her didn’t want to leave the woman for her own sake. This seemed a safe enough place and the thought of searching the city for Jack in complete darkness was something she dreaded. But she couldn’t imagine doing nothing either.
    “What are you going to do?” the woman asked.
    “Look for my… boyfriend.”
    “That’s good. I’m sure he’s all right.”
    “Can I use your bathroom?” Kasey asked.
    “Of course.”
    The woman led Kasey to a door a bit further down the hallway. Inside, Kasey opened the faucet and let the cold water run over her hands. Then she washed her face as best as she could. The cold water felt good on her hot skin. Now alone, the images from before pushed themselves back into her mind.
    Take control.
    Kasey opened the door.
    “Thank you,” she said. The green hue in her sight let her see the woman’s silhouette. Kasey wondered for a moment how her vision would work at night.
    “Go,” the woman said. “And tell your boyfriend he’s got a keeper.”
    The woman’s hands found Kasey’s face. She held it for a moment, then she kissed both her cheeks several times.
    “God bless you, my child.”
    Kasey began to cry. She couldn’t help it.
    “Listen to me,” the woman said, still holding Kasey’s face in her hands. “You’re young and you might not know it yet, but you have something in you. A quality I haven’t seen in a lot of people lately. You’re a light in the dark. Don’t forget that.”
    “Thanks.” Kasey couldn’t think of anything else to say.
    The woman led her to the door and opened it.
    “Bye. And come back to visit anytime. I’ll cook for you and your boyfriend.”
    “Jack. His name is