I Was a Teenage Necromancer

Chapter 17-Meet the Parents

"Could you hand me that box there? Make sure to mark it off the list."

"You got it, Mr. Harris." The young man said, handing him the box. Mr. Harris carefully checked the label and placed it on top of the others. The young man glanced up at the clock. "Uh, Mr. Harris? It's after six thirty." he said nervously. The rest of the workers had already left; it was just the two of them still left in the warehouse.

"Huh? Oh, you're right Brad. Thanks for staying." Mr. Harris said absently. Lately he had been throwing himself into his work. It made the pain of losing his daughter, not lessened, just more...numb. "Going to the party?"

"Yessir."

"Ahh. Good, good. Thanks for reminding me. Jenny and I are going to go to it too. I think-I think getting out of the house a bit will help." he said.

"Yeah. I hope it does, sir." Brad said, biting his lip. Everyone knew about the Harris's loss of Amber, and how the boss hadn't been the same since. He just didn't seem to care about anything anymore, but no one knew how to talk to him about it.

"Go on, I'll close up here. Go enjoy yourself. I'll be along shortly." Brad brightened and nodded.

"Yes sir! See you tomorrow!" Mr. Harris waved him off and sighed, watching the boy's departing back. He was only eighteen, fresh out of school and the future bright ahead of him. Amber had only been three years younger...

He shook his head. There was no use dwelling on such dark thoughts now. If he hurried, he could get Jenny and himself to the party. He made his rounds, ensuring the papers were filed properly, all the boxes of appliances were in place, and grabbed his keys to lock the door. Just as he was about to put the key to the lock, a car screeched to a halt in front of it. Lights were flashing in the window, indicating its status as a police car. A tall woman and a thin kid, stuffing the last of a sub into his mouth emerged and came in.

"Good evening sir. I'm Detective Margaret Cross, Craven Falls Police Department," Cross said, flashing her badge. "I formally apologize for this, but you and your warehouse have been deputized for aid in resolving the crimes of the Craven Falls Killer."

"Wow, this's a big place! Tall, too! I think I'll like it here. Yeah, you were right, it's only like a couple miles from the cemetery! I'll take it!" Scott said, pushing his way past them to admire the space.

"Hey, wait! Who are-the police?" Mr. Harris said, turning to Cross. She nodded. "Deputized? Um...I'll be glad to help, but...how is my warehouse deputized?"

"Glad you asked, Mr. Harris! It is Mr. Harris, may I call you Mr. Harris?" Scott slid between him and Cross, shaking his bewildered hand. "See, we kinda need a large amount of space with walls, gotta draw sigils on the walls too for this one, it'll take awhile. But I like what I see, so I'll take ownership of it as recompensation-urk!" Cross grabbed him by the collar and yanked him back with a stormy expression.

"Kid, this's not the time for that!" she yelled at him, exasperated. He held up a finger.

"Au contraire. This is the perfect time for it, we have to explain anyway-yes, I know!" he said and rolled his eyes at empty space.

"Look, what the hell is going on!?" Mr. Harris snapped. "I don't know what you want form me, but I'm not signing over any of my warehouses to anybody! I worked long and hard to get where I am, so leave before I call the real police!"

"Mr. Harris, I can assure you..." Cross started, but Scott rolled his eyes as he listened to her platitudes and said what he figured would get the man's cooperation the fastest.

"How would you like to see Amber again?"

Mr. Harris's attention snapped to him faster than a snake.