THE ANGELS LAND

FIVE

"So you mean that was Mammon?" Dillon and some other man were talking as Aiden sulked into the room. It was the Entrance Hall. Aiden recognized it from when he'd first arrived.

"I'm pretty damn sure," the other man replied.

"That doesn't make sense," Dillon said. "He died. Not recent either. It was years ago, Ty. He's dead."

"Are you sure? Has anyone ever seen a body?"

"Are you saying he could have laid low for so long?"

"I'm saying we ran a blood test. It's Mammon. Now, people nor demons just waltz right from the grave and back to life. It doesn't happen. Not unless Angels want it to happen. I think it's safe to say they wouldn't bring back a demon."

"This just doesn't make sense," Dillon said, half to himself.

"Who's Mammon?" Aiden asked.

Ty looked at Aiden as he took off his hat and sat it on a table. "Just a demon we delt with years ago. It's nothing important."

"This is my brother, Tyler," Dillon said. "Tyler, this is Aiden."

"Yeah," Tyler said, stroking his go-tee. "I've heard about you. Kid who just lost his parents."

Aiden suddenly felt sheepish and introverted. "Yeah."

"Look, kid," Tyler said. "And I'm not here to hound you. But it's a tough world out there. People die. They get killed and there's nothing you or anyone can do about it. The sooner you learn to live with that, the better off you'll be. Don't devout yourself to revenge. Because once you go there, you never go back. Trust me. I've been there." And he picked up his hat and exited the room without another word.

Aiden looked at Dillon. "Are we going to go out today?"

"Well, I think you need some rest. We'll head out first thing in the morning."

"No," Aiden said, firmly. "I don't know about your world. Or where you come from. Or even if you feel any emotion. If mama gave you enough love, I don't know. But I'm not sleeping until this is over."

Dillon looked at the ground. "My mom died while giving birth. And then my father killed himself..."

Aiden realized he had made a mistake. "I didn't mean... I'm sorry..."

"It's fine," Dillon said. "You're right. Let's go."

Aiden went into the waiting room. Annie sat in front of a tv, observing it. "Hey," Aiden said. She looked at him. "I'm going out. I'll be right back. Okay?"

"Aidy. What's going on? Why isn't mommy and daddy here anymore? What happened?"

Aiden didn't feel like having this conversation. He still didn't fully understand it himself. "Ann...."

"I want mommy."

"I know you do," Aiden said. "I do too. Just gotta hang in there. I love you."

Dillon was waiting with the portal already open. "Let's go," he said and stepped through.

Aiden followed once again falling through the bright swirling lights, floating through space and finally landing on the grass in an open field.

Dillon held out a hand to help him up.  "The landing is never easy," he said.

Aiden angrily shoved his hand out of the way. "I don't need your help." He forced himself to a standing position. "I got it."