THE ANGELS LAND

SEVEN

The light of the stars reminded him of his long term best friend/crushs eyes. Aiden reminisced their walks and inside jokes and when Abby would drag him places with her. Freshmen year she had dragged him to the store to help find a dress for a school dance.

He wasn't interested, but he went along anyways. Because he cared about her. She knew he didn't care. She still would come out in a dress and ask what he thought. Of course, he'd tell her she looked good.

He remembered staying the night at her house. Her mom was always really cautious. They were never aloud to sleep in the same bed. Barely in the same room. Often he ended up on the couch or an air mattress.

But just in case something happened, her mom kept pills and condoms for them. Aiden doubted he'd ever get that far with her.

Aiden missed Kim. She might have been a little psyco, but she was a second mom to him. He could open up to her almost as well as his own mom or even Abby.

He only hoped Abby was okay now.

As midnight approached on the clock like a close race, they stepped foot in the park. A shadowy figure stood under a tree, hidden by shadows.

The man from the cafe stepped out. "You showed up."

"First, we want a name," Dillon demanded.

"It's Derek. And I know who you are. I know what you are."

"Oh yeah?" Dillon asked, drawing a dagger. "And what are you?"

"A warlock. Nothing big. I'm an old guy. At least a couple thousand years. I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here to help you."

"Thousands of years? Why do you look like you're still 25?" Aiden questioned.

"Unlike vampires, we do age. But we only age every 100 years. 100 years for you is 1 year for us."

"What can you help us with? You have 2 minutes to explain yourself," Dillon said.

"Your friend, Aiden. I know where she is."

Aiden's eyes grew wide as he stepped closer. "Take me. Take me now."

"I can't do that," Derek said.

"Why not?" Dillon growled.

"We need to strategize. We can't just walk in, guns blazing. We need a plan."

"What'll it cost us?" Dillon asked.

The warlock rolled his eyes. "Please. On me. I know what it's like to want someone back."

"Then let's make a plan!" Aiden said. "Doesn't seem difficult."

Derek's eyes landed on him. "You don't get it. Where she's at; it's not something you just rush into. It's a trap."

"How do you know our names?" Dillon said. "How do you know about Abby?"

"I may not get involved in gossip but I do pay attention to it. There's a cabin in these woods over here. Follow a path north and it's the only cabin there. Wait until morning and I'll be there. Be up early."

The warlock snapped his fingers and he was gone.

Dillon put away the dagger. "Don't get too comfortable. More times than not, warlocks will make you pay them in a twisted way for their services."

Aiden shrugged and started for the woods. "Are you coming or not?"

The cabin was where Derek said it would be. And the inside was nice and roomy. A bunk bed sat in the corner of the room and a flat screen hung on the wall. A fireplace was already burning.