The Neighborhood Watch

Chapter Sixteen - A Family Affair

It was decided that Jessica and Grandma Juna would go to the store in the end and buy as much ammo as possible and as many guns as the old woman could get away with. But it was an additional decision, that Jayce and I would go with them so that if they were followed, they wouldn't be outnumbered.

So, Jayce and I sat in the bed of my truck while the girls shopped inside, sitting in silence. My ribs creaked every time I breathed, but my shadows were buzzing. There are several cop cars out today. My shadow noted. I glanced around and found he was right. Think they have heard about Harrison?

As we sat, I began to count the number of cop cars I could see, both in the parking lot and driving past it. When I got to twenty, I decided there was no way it could have been Harrison's death. There was no way Max would bring this to anyone's attention. He'd take care of it quietly and bury our bodies somewhere deep.

"Mika Darcy?" A familiar voice asked. I turned to see Chhaya walking towards us, a man who looked like her father walking next to her. "What are you doing here?"

I glanced towards the store before answering, finding my lying abilities were a bit slow today. "Leo needed some stuff for the game on Friday. I offered to come get it for him."

"Then why are you two sitting out here in your truck?" Chhaya's father asked. As they came closer, I realized that the father was very familiar. He was the officer that had led us around my home and had found me hostile. "You," he seemed to recognize me as well.

I smiled at him. "Officer." My tone was level, but my eyes gazed at him with the same look that made Vince nervous. "How've you been?"

"Of course, you know the cops." Jayce laughed. "What did you do this time, Darcy?"

"Nothing I can prove, yet." The officer frowned. "I escorted him and his sister through their house as CPS took them from their father. He is quite the troublemaker I hear."

Chhaya nodded, not understanding the context. "He got into a fight for me yesterday." Her dad turned to her in surprise. "A guy was getting in my space and put his hand on my shoulder and was being generally creepy. Mika stood up for me and when the guy wouldn't back down, Mika fought him."

"And he won?" The officer asked.

"Naturally," Jayce smirked. "Mika has fought since he was a child, trained by professionals. It's a family tradition."

Chhaya's father seemed uncomfortable, thinking about how he'd egged me and Marrisa on in tight quarters. "I trust your new living situation is going well?" He asked, changing the conversation. "Living with the Prices?"

I shrugged. "It's going."

The officer stood awkwardly before clearing his throat. "Well, don't forget about the curfew boys. It starts tonight." He turned to leave, Chhaya giving me a friendly wave.

"Curfew?" Jayce frowned. "What for?"

"The murder," Chhaya seemed surprised we didn't know. "Of Rachel Midway? You guys really haven't heard? Her parents came home from their trip and found her dead. Schools are out and there's a big curfew going on until the police find out who did it."

So that's why there are so many police cars out.

"Boys?" We all turned to see Grandma Juna and Jessica returning to the truck, the bags thankfully packed to conceal the weapons. "Is everything okay?" Grandma Juna asked.

I nodded. "Yes, Grandma, everything is fine."

"Grandma?" The officer frowned. "You're not to be around any of your family until your case is closed."