Victor hadn't said a word since they entered the car, and he aimed his gaze at the back of the passenger's side seat.

"V, you good?" Connor asked as his friend's leg violently bounced up and down.

Victor turned, a barely noticeable smile on his face. "They're going after kids now? I'm turning that thing to ash the second I see it."

"Hold on," Mr. Au said. "We still don't know why they're going after people."

"Yeah, of course," Victor said. "I meant after we interrogate it for a bit."

Mr. Au glanced at Summer's water gun. "Summer."

"Yeah?"

"I like the new gun."

Victor perked up. "When did you get it?"

"It came in the mail yesterday, almost right after you left."

"Well, it looks really cool. Not a fan of the color scheme, though."

"Right?" Connor added.

Summer stared daggers at her boyfriend. "You told me you liked it."

"Well, I—"

"Summer, I haven't been to SooHoo park in years," interrupted Mr. Au. "Is there a shorter way?"

Connor's soul returned to his body.

Summer focused on the road. "Yeah, me and granny found a shortcut a while back. If you take a left at Patterson and then a right at Murray, you can save like ten minutes."

"Thank you." Mr. Au gave Connor a quick wink through his rearview mirror. "Summer, did you get a good look at the demon?"

Summer leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes. "I didn't see any demons, but I remember how he felt. His heart was beating really fast, and he was surrounded by darkness. He was sweating a lot and... oh yeah, his backpack was red." She opened her eyes, wrapping her arm around her water gun. "That's all."

"What's a kid doing alone at the park?" Mr. Au asked.

Summer began tapping her water tank with her pointer finger. "Maybe he went there with his family but got separated?"

"I can see the backpack being full of camping equipment. There's a campground not too far from the parking lot," Connor said.

"Not a bad theory," Mr. Au said.

Victor was still shaking his leg. "Hey, V, what do you think?" Connor asked.

"About what?"

"Were you daydreaming or something? We're wondering why this kid is all alone."

"Does it matter?"

"We have very little information, so we're trying to put the pieces together."

"I don't care about any of that. There's a kid scared for his life. When I see a demon, it's dust... after we question it first."

"We're just speculating," Mr. Au said. "We'll find out soon enough." The occupants leaned in unison as he took a sharp turn. "Mrs. Kahale told me you've been training really hard. That's my boy."

"I wouldn't have gotten this far without her," Victor said. "Summer, I had no idea your granny was this cool."

"That's good to hear because she hasn't stopped talking about you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's actually kinda sweet."

Victor's leg stopped shaking. "I hit the dummy today and it didn't move."

"Wait, when?" Summer asked.

"I just told you. Today," Victor retorted with a flat stare.

"No smarty pants. What I meant was, why didn't you let us know earlier?"

"It happened almost right before you came outside."

"Dude, that's awesome," Connor said.

"It's no big deal, really. I only did it once," Victor said.

"Don't downplay your achievements," Mr. Au said. "We're proud of you."

"It was a pretty great feeling. I got so excited, I picked Mrs. Kahale up and spun her around. She wasn't too happy about that."

"How are you even alive?" Summer asked, wide-eyed. "I remember my dad picking her up after a game-winning touchdown and she gave him the stink eye for the rest of the day."

"I guess I really am just that lovable."

Connor pretended to dry-heave, causing Mr. Au to divert his eyes from the road to check on him. "So," Summer said. "Can I get a progress report on your ability to see auras? Connor is starting to see colors." She gave him a warm smile.

"Every single pore on my hand is etched into my mind," Mr. Au said. "Yet I haven't seen a thing."

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"I didn't know you were even trying," Summer said.

"Why wouldn't I? What if I meet a demon wearing sunglasses?"

Summer laughed. "Okay, that's fair. How about you, V?"

"No colors yet, but it's getting easier every day."

"That's great!"

Victor inspected Summer's water gun. "Hey Dad, did you bring your axe?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Summer has her water gun." Victor slammed his fists together. "And I have these." He gave Connor a glance. "Where's your weapon?"

"I don't really—"

"You should get a sword!" Victor exclaimed.

Connor cracked a smile. "What? Why a sword?"

"I could have sworn I've seen pictures of angels wielding swords."

"You might be talking about archangel Michael," Mr. Au said. "Connor... is he real?"

"Hold on Dad, I got this one. Let me guess, you don't know?"

"Hilarious," Connor said, unsmiling. "There are powerful angels in Heaven, but I have never personally met one. I also don't remember seeing any swords."

"It honestly feels like you learn nothing about the universe once you reach Heaven," Victor said.

"I don't know, I think it's kind of interesting that you still have a lot to learn after you die," Mr. Au said.

"Heaven is just another plane, free from your physical body," Connor said. "You don't magically become all knowing."

"We're almost there," Mr. Au said. The car went quiet. Connor peered through the windshield as they drove along a narrow path surrounded by dense forest. A large, almost empty parking lot was at the end of the path. The striping was a faded white, exposing the lot's worn asphalt. Splotches of yellow and brown dotted the grass, and shoddy looking park benches could be seen in the distance. The gazebo stood out the most. It was in pristine condition, its glossy maroon paint glistening, juxtaposing with the surrounding area.

"This place has seen better days," Mr. Au said as he opened the car door. He snatched his axe from the trunk and then glared at the concrete trail. "Summer, lead the way."

Summer raised her water gun and jogged along the trail. "The bridge isn't too far ahead." Connor and Victor moved to her sides. Their eyes darting around the poorly maintained park.

"It's a beautiful day," Victor said. "Where is everyone?"

"Didn't you hear?" Summer asked. "Mayor Adams cut park funding last year. Almost all the remaining money went to maintaining the park in Shivesly. They've pretty much abandoned this place."

"I didn't know public parks were only for the wealthy," Mr. Au said.

"That gazebo looks like it was just built," Connor said, pointing.

Summer looked at the gazebo, sunlight bouncing off the amethyst dangling around her neck. "I wish I had an answer. Last time I was here, it was in pretty bad shape."

"Guys, stop," Mr. Au said.

"What's wrong?" Victor asked.

Mr. Au pointed to some trees. There were two figures peering up at the branches, searching for something.

"Demons," Summer said.

"I got 'em. You guys go ahead," Victor declared.

"That is not happening," Connor said.

"I can take them."

"You're not going alone."

"That's enough," Mr. Au said. "Connor, go with Victor."

"But—"

"Victor." Mr. Au gave his son an icy look.

"Yes, sir," Victor said. He stood while facing the direction of the demons. His aura rapidly expanded and then he vanished.

A blood-curdling scream came from the trees. Connor froze. At that moment, he questioned if his eyes were playing tricks on him.

Under a large tree stood Victor, who was bent over with his hands on his knees. One demon was writhing on the ground while wrapping his arms around his chest, gasping for air. The other demon seemed to have disappeared entirely.

Mr. Au shook his head. "Summer, let's go."

"Yes, sir," Summer replied, containing her awe to the best of her ability.

"Hurry up!" Victor yelled. Connor snapped out of his stupor and sprinted toward Victor.

A pile of ash sat atop the grass. Next to it lay the screaming demon on his back, breathing laboriously.

"I Knocked the wind out of him," Victor said "I was trying to break a rib, but I'm not there yet." He stood up straight, presenting a gleaming, toothy grin. "Hey! I have a few questions for you. If you answer correctly, I'll let you go."

"Who the hell are you?" the demon murmured.

"I'm asking the questions. Where is Aayan?"

The demon's eyes widened. "I'll never tell you. Just kill me now."

"Kill you?" Victor reached into his pocket and pulled out his bottle of holy water. "When I'm done, you're gonna wish you were back in Hell." A shiver trickled down Connor's spine. Victor's gleeful smile warped into a snarl.

"Wait! I don't know anything, I swear. I woke up in this body and was told to bring this kid to Aayan."

"Where were you when you woke up?" Connor asked.

"I don't know."

"You can go," Victor said.

"V, what are you doing?" Connor asked.

Victor didn't move an inch. He was staring into the demon's eyes as his snarl transitioned back into a grin. "Are you deaf? I said you can go."

"V, why—"

"Connor, he obviously doesn't know anything."

The demon leapt up and ran in the opposite direction. "You'll never see me again, I promise!"

"Hey, watch this," Victor said. His eyes flashed gold and then he vanished. A loud crack forced Connor to look in the direction of the demon. He was greeted by Victor patting his clothes while sauntering back to where Connor stood—a pile of ash behind him. "Let's catch up with the other guys," Victor said.

"Dude, what the hell was that?"

"He wasn't going to tell us anything."

"How do you know? We barely asked him anything."

"He feared Aayan more than he feared me. Even if he knew something, he wouldn't have said shit. Trust me."

"What is up with you today?"

"We're wasting time. Do you remember where the bridge is?"

Connor wanted to keep digging, but he had to admit that Victor was right. Time was not on their side. "Follow me." He ran toward the bridge while scanning the surrounding area. There were large swaths of dead grass along the pathway, and the benches were brittle and discolored. It looked as if a light breeze could level the entire park.

They reached the bridge just as Mr. Au and Summer were walking up a grassy decline.

A young boy with blonde hair so light that it could be mistaken for ashen walked beside them, his arms wrapped around Summer's torso. The boy noticed Connor running toward them, and his eyes widened. Summer's blouse wrinkled as his grip on her tightened.

"It's okay. These are my friends," Summer said. His hold loosened for a moment, but as soon as he saw Victor, he completely let her go. A warm smile formed on his face as the young boy stood there gawking at him.

"Gold," the young boy said. His eyes were bloodshot.

"I bet you're getting tired of hearing that," Summer said. The lighthearted tone in her voice removed any tension Connor had felt.

"I'm getting used to it." Victor knelt down. "Hey, kid, are you hurt?"

He didn't respond. Victor appeared to have put him under some sort of spell.

Summer tapped the boy on his shoulder. "Trevor, this is V. He asked you a question."

"So your name is Trevor," Victor said. "I'm not gonna lie, that's a pretty cool name."

"Your aura. How is it gold?" Trevor asked.

"How about this. I'll tell you all about me if you answer all of our questions first. We got a deal?" Victor showed Trevor his fist.

Trevor gave him a fist bump. "Deal!"

"Did you see anyone else on your way here?" Mr. Au asked.

"No, this place looks deserted," Connor said.

"Lets get back to the car. We can't risk encountering anymore of them," Mr. Au said.

"It doesn't matter," Victor said. "I'll take them out."

"This isn't about you," Connor said. "The kid is safe, so let's get him home."

Victor bit his bottom lip. "Okay, you're right."

"I'm not going home," Trevor said.

Summer gently rubbed his shoulder. "Sweetie, why don't you want to go home?"

"My grandpa hates me. He said I'm possessed."

Mr. Au threw his axe over his shoulder and started toward the car. "We'll talk about this when I know we're safe."