The Apocalypse Read Online Free Page A

out in disgust. "He has a little scratch on his cheek, but they got the glass out quickly enough. He'll be fine." Isaac scoffed. "Until I get my hands on him, that is. I'll kill—"
    "Hey." Jake kept his voice soft. He understood Isaac's anger, but now wasn't the time for it. "Hudson's an idiot, I'll give you that, but don't think about him right now, all right? What do you know about Ay—your sister?"
    Pain crept onto Isaac's face, and he didn't say anything for several minutes. He shrugged then. "She busted her head somehow, and she had to get stitches in her shoulder, knee, and forehead. Somewhere else too, I think." Isaac swallowed and shook his head. "They're talking brain damage though."
    Jake sucked in air sharply. No wonder Isaac was so troubled. Even if Jake knew that Isaac and Hannah weren't super close due to the three years of age difference, no one could have doubted the sibling love there. Hannah was very protective of her brother, and Isaac looked up to Hannah more than anybody. It all went unspoken, but it was obvious.
    "What if she dies, Jake?" Isaac's voice was barely a whisper. "I…if her brain swells—what if…" He met Jake's eyes, and Jake was afraid that Isaac was about to break down. "She'll be okay, right?"
    "She'll be fine," Jake assured him with a little smile. He stood up and went over to Isaac, prodding his arm. "Come into the kitchen with me." Without waiting on a reply, Jake moved into the kitchen, where it was colder than the living room. As Jake was pouring water into the coffee pot, he saw Isaac entering from the corner of his eye. "You should eat something, man. It'll help."
    Isaac managed a half smile. "That's H-Hannah's philosophy," he commented softly. He climbed onto a barstool and watched Jake making hot chocolate. "I wish I could do something to help her."
    "And I'm sure Hannah will give you plenty to do when she's home." Jake smiled and tried to lighten to mood. "She'll have you bending over backward bringing her stuff. Probably food."
    "True…" Isaac sighed and rested his elbows against the countertop. "You may not like her much, Jake, but she's…I don't know what I'd do if she wasn't around ."
    Jake brought two heavy mugs of hot chocolate to the counter Isaac was sitting at and perched on another barstool. He sipped some of the hot liquid slowly. "She's your sister, dude. Of course you love her." Jake shrugged and looked at the clock. It was almost two o'clock in the morning. "If no one threatens my life for driving in the snow, I'll take you to see her whenever visiting hours start. Okay?"
    A little hint of a smile softened Isaac's face, despite Jake's poor word choice. "Yeah," he agreed with a concise nod. "Mom refused to let me go tonight, so… Thanks, Jake." Isaac reached for the other steaming mug of hot chocolate and took a drink. "When Hannah's all good again, will you hold Greg still so I can break his other arm?"
    The question reminded Jake of the upbeat, albeit nerdy, lively boy that Isaac normally was. But both of them knew that he was only venting. Isaac wouldn't hurt a fly. "I don't know… I'd be your accomplice then, and I try to pick rougher opponents. Hudson's not much to work with."
    Isaac swallowed. "I hate him. I hate him and the freaking ice." Jake studied Isaac and saw growing rage returning. "It's a good thing his car is totaled 'cause if it wasn't, I'd total it with Greg's head."
    "Ouch." The side of Jake's mouth lifted in a crooked smile. "Now that's something I'd help you out with." Isaac returned Jake's little smile, and they both drank from their mugs silently for awhile, lost in thought. After awhile, Jake spoke again. "You tired?"
    "No way," Isaac scoffed. His eyes were still very bright and brilliantly blue, so Jake didn't doubt him in any way. "Couldn't sleep if I tried." Sadly, Isaac tipped his head and offered Jake a cheerless smile. "But I bet you're exhausted, huh? I don't blame you."
    "I am, but I don't blame you either." Jake finished off