SECRETS OF EVERCREST (BOOK 2)

Chapter 13: Carnage of the Cursed

Chapter 13: Carnage of the Cursed

After a long and exhausting day at Evercrest University, Riley made his way to the nearby mall, **Crestview Plaza**. His curiosity about Harrison’s new job grew with each step. He finally pulled out his phone and texted his brother.

Riley: *Where are you?* 
Harrison: *Look for a store called “Frosty Delights” on the second floor. You’ll find me there.*

Riley quickened his pace, weaving through the bustling mall crowd. When he finally spotted the store, he stopped dead in his tracks, his mouth agape. There was Harrison, behind the counter of an ice cream shop—**Frosty Delights**—wearing a bright, pastel-colored uniform complete with a goofy hat. Riley blinked, struggling to comprehend what he was seeing.

“This... this is my brother?” Riley muttered to himself, incredulous.

Harrison spotted him and waved enthusiastically. “Hey, little bro! Over here!” he called out, his voice full of cheer.

Riley approached the counter slowly, still in disbelief. “Harrison…what is this?” he asked, gesturing at the uniform and the cheerful, brightly lit store around them.

Harrison shrugged nonchalantly, a grin on his face. “What? I told you I had a new job. This is it!”

“But why?” Riley pressed. “You went from being in the military, serving with a gun, to…serving ice cream?”

Harrison chuckled, leaning on the counter. “When I was a kid, this was my dream job, remember? I always wanted to work in an ice cream shop. The thought of making people happy with something so simple as a scoop of ice cream always appealed to me.”

Riley stared at him, dumbfounded. “You’re serious?”

“As a heart attack,” Harrison replied, beaming with pride. “Life’s too short not to do what makes you happy, right? Besides, who says I can’t serve people in a different way now?”

Riley couldn’t help but laugh, the absurdity of the situation finally sinking in. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Yeah, well, believe it.” Harrison grabbed a cone and scooped out a generous portion of chocolate chip ice cream, handing it to Riley. “Here, on the house.”

Riley reached for his wallet, but Harrison waved him off. “No way, bro. It’s on me.”

Riley accepted the ice cream with a grin. “Thanks, but the way you’re acting, you’d think you owned the place.”

Harrison gave a playful wink. “Maybe someday.”

Riley shook his head, still laughing. “I still can’t believe this is real.”

Harrison just smiled, his demeanor infectious. “Get used to it. Now, go sit down and enjoy your ice cream. I’ll join you once my shift’s over.”

Back at the Bellweather house, Max, Sol, and Jane dragged themselves through the front door, utterly exhausted. Susan was in the kitchen, stirring a pot of soup when she heard them come in. She immediately noticed the weariness in their faces.

“You all look like you’ve been through the wringer,” Susan commented, coming over to greet them.

Max plopped down on the couch, letting out a dramatic sigh. “You have no idea, Mrs. Bellweather. Today was intense.”

Susan smiled sympathetically. “Well, I made your favorite—**hearty beef stew with fresh bread**. That should help revive you.”

At the mention of food, Sol and Jane perked up a bit, though they still looked like they were barely holding on. “That sounds amazing,” Jane murmured, her voice heavy with exhaustion.