“Ash?” Adrian mumbled as his brother climbed into his bed. He then switched to a teasing tone as he added, “Are you afraid of the dark?”

“Terrified.” Asher replied.

There was truth to what both of the boys had said, but neither one of them acknowledged it.

“He must have meant that the demons were immortal.” Asher hoped. “Yeah, because otherwise, Mom wouldn’t...be dead.”

“Ash?” Adrian called.

“Yeah Adi?” Asher replied. He could feel Adrian stir next to him.

“I forgot you used to call me that.” Adrian whispered.

“Well, it’s been quite a few years.” Asher mused. He then continued, “So what did you want to talk about?”

“Well, you know Dad isn’t normally this open.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“So did you ask him about Mom?”

“Selfish” was the first thought Asher had when he realized he hadn’t. But he was certain that fell under the negative side of things, so he pushed the thought away.

“No, I’m sorry. I forgot.”

“Oh. That’s okay.” Both Asher and Adrian were quiet for a few moments. “It’s just, no one ever says her name.” Asher was aware of this, but he hadn’t known that Adrian was. “I’m not even sure...I know her name anymore.” Adrian said in between yawns.

As his brother’s breathing slowed as he fell into sleep, Asher whispered a name that had not been spoken for years.

“Stella.”