Red and blue crashed against the dark walls of The Ghost Factory. 

The bright lights had attracted the eyes of a peaceful neighborhood, making them all aware of the trouble Eric Riley and his friends had caused. At least, that was how his dad saw it. 

"I do hope you'll see this as nothing more than teens being teens," his father addressed Deputy Gregson as he laid a heavy hand on Eric's shoulder. "But I give my word, there'll be severe punishment for their irresponsibility."

Deputy Gregson inhaled deeply, his triple-chin merging with his neck. With fists on either side of his hips, he wobbled back and forth on his heels. "Don't be too hard on him. I'm just glad no one was hurt."

Eric looked over his shoulder at the paramedic's van. Nora and her father were close by, watching over Jen. A fireman sat next to her, asking her questions while the paramedic took her vitals, but their efforts were in vain. She hadn't spoken a word since she woke up. Her blank stare was set on the road that turned red, then blue, then red, then blue . . . 

"Well, say hello to Hilda for me, will you?" Eric's dad tightened his grip around his shoulder, reminding him to look up, stand up straight, and try to be as pleasant as possible. 

Deputy Gregson nodded before he adjusted his belt over his muffin top. "Will do, Mr. Mayor."

"Please, call me Thomas," Eric's dad corrected, shaking the deputy's hand before he set off to get in his patrol car. The flashing lights stopped, leaving the street illuminated by the fluorescent light posts. 

The small crowd of families that had gathered already seemed to lose interest. As soon as the patrol car was out of sight Thomas dug his nails into Eric's shoulder. "We're going to have a long talk when we get home."

He brushed his warnings off. He was far too distracted by the pacing couple heading right toward Jen. The man looked furious, nearly stomping his way past the onlookers. From here, Eric could hear as he started shooting question after question to the fire marshall and the medic.

"I'll be right back," Eric said, which unsurprisingly angered Thomas more. 

With a rough jerk of the arm, he pulled him back. His icy eyes spoke was his mouth couldn't. "We need to go. Your mother is worried." He pushed every syllable through bared teeth. 

Eric yanked his arm out of his grip. "I'm getting grounded anyway, right? Then, let me make sure she's okay."

There was more Thomas wanted to say to stop him, but Eric didn't let him get another word out. He jogged toward the van, taking a spot to the man reprimanding Jen. 

"This isn't anything like you! You've disappointed me tonight," he chided, while her mother rubbed her back in circles. 

Jen gripped her seat, her knuckles turning white. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice shaking. Was she still cold? 

He thought back to the depths of the asylum, and how she'd screamed bloody murder. It made him shiver. Having her father scream at her wasn't going to do much good. He knew that for sure. So, he walked in sight of Jen's father and said, "It's not her fault, sir."

The man turned his scornful eyes on Eric. "Excuse me?"

Her mother stood. "Charles, calm down. This is not the time to—" 

"No, I won't. You have no idea what you've done. Jennifer is sick! She needs medicine, and you've brought her into the depths of that hellhole! She fainted for God's sake!"

"Dad, stop," Jen whispered, head hung low. She sniffled. "You're embarrassing me."

"I— I didn't know." Eric took a step back, his brow tight as he glanced at Jen. She didn't seem sick. 

"Is there a problem here?" Thomas asked. He stepped next to Eric, towering over Jen's father. 

Charles pulled at Jen's wrist to make her stand behind him. "Yes! I want your son to stay away from my daughter!"

"Dad, please," Jen whimpered, her cheeks growing crimson as she glanced at Eric. He wished he could let her know it was okay. 

Thomas' gaze snapped to Jen, his brows raised and nostrils flared like he was surprised or . . . disgusted. Eric couldn't tell. "I'm sure that won't be a problem. Just know, I am sorry about all this trouble. Come along, Eric."

He turned on his heel and walked toward their car, signaling to the chauffeur to start the engine. 

Eric wanted to ask Jen how she was feeling, but by the time he looked back at her, she was already being led away by her parents. "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry," she kept whispering. He could hear her stifling a sob.

Two loud honks came from the black car. Eric cursed under his breath before yelling, "Alright, I'm going!"

✦✦✦✦✦✦

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Thomas started yelling as soon as they set foot in the house. "We'll be the talk of the town tomorrow! The son of the mayor breaking and entering! Ridiculous," he yelled, walking to his favorite little liquor table to serve himself a glass of whiskey. After he'd taken a sip, he massaged his right temple. "This family is supposed to set an example."

Eric stayed quiet and waited for the storm to pass. It always did.

"You're about to start your senior year. I expect you know better than to sneak off with a girl to do God knows what."

At this, Eric couldn't help but say, "It wasn't like that."

"I don't care how it was! Believe me when I say it's better that you never speak to her again." He chugged down the whiskey and licked his lips. The crystal clanged as he set it against the foyer table. Thomas took heavy breaths. "In fact, I forbid you from doing so."

"Forbid me? Why? She didn't even do anything!" Eric walked toward his father. Big mistake. 

Thomas whipped around and smacked Eric across the cheek. He stumbled back, his eyes watering fiercely, but he didn't cover his face. No matter how much his cheek stung and prickled, he resisted the urge to duck and hide. 

"Don't you dare question me! You'll not speak to her again! Am I understood?"

"No! I don't get it! It was a stupid dare that got out of hand! It was Emmett who locked her in, anyway!"

Thomas' eyes went wide. He took two long strides and grabbed a fistful of Eric's shirt. "Emmett? Emmett Keller?"

Eric shrunk back, squirming under the scent of whiskey. "Yes."

"You've been running around with a dealer?"

His eyes went wide. "How did you kno—"

"I know everything that happens in this town! Everything! So, I'm sure it was a matter of time before I found out my son was spending his time with a low-life!" His fist tightened until the collar of Eric's shirt was pressed against his neck. "Have you been smoking?"

Eric gulped, hoping this would all be over soon. 

"Have you?!"

"Yes!" he cried, pinching his eyes shut as his father raised a clenched fist over his head.

"Thomas!" someone shouted. 

He loosened his grip. Eric's eyes snapped open to see his mother leaning against the upstairs banister. Her long, red hair spilled over her shoulder. "I think that's enough. He starts school tomorrow. Giving him a black eye would only create more rumors."

"Unbelievable," he said before letting Eric drop to the floor. 

Coughing and sputtering, he watched his father go up the stairs. Thomas landed a kiss against her cheek before storming out of sight. 

His mother looked down at him with her brow sloped in worry. 

"Alice! Come! We've a long day tomorrow!" Thomas yelled.

Alice mouthed, "I'm sorry," as a tear spilled down her cheek. She pushed herself away from the banister and disappeared past a slammed door. 

Eric buried his head in his hands, a growing tension clogging up his throat. He tried to push it back, but when it became unbearable he let it go with a stifled sob. Then another. And another. Until all he became was a puddle of sorrow. 

✦✦✦Author's Note✦✦✦
Hey, lovelies!

Hope you've enjoyed reading this chapter. It's a lot darker than the original Seekers, but I wamted to push these characters to the limit.

What did you think of Eric's dad?

Do you think Eric will stay away from Jen as his father asked?

Thanks for reading!
- l i a n n -