Getting familiar

The boy looked at the figure "How do you know my name?..." The figure walked more into the orange hue of the lava. He was tall and dressed to a T, his coat shined with only a single red jewel inside of a rose. He had hooves for feet and long pointy horns with 4 rings edged into them. His wings bat-like and outstretched, followed by a soft stubby tail. His eyes were like goats that pierced Max's soul as he brushed his dark hair aside. " I'm the devil's assistant, Assistant #37092 at your service."

"But what is your actual name?.." The demon recoiled a little. "I would not want to divulge that information however if you insist, call me Alfred." he extended his hand to Max. The boy was hesitant but followed along, walking along aside the taller man. "So this is hell huh?..." Max looked around at the city through the complex building window they walked into, it was pretty big with skyscrapers that reached the roof of hell. "Yep, our beautiful city" he hummed.

Max still felt uneasy, he just got here and was already being dragged down corridors and into elevators. He looked up at Alfred and the man looked back. His eyes shook the boy's very soul as he turned away. He knows the man knew all his sins and his wrongs. He knows why he is here right now. He looked up to the elevator number and stared as it ticked down from their floor, 32 down to 1. On the way down the tall man speaks "I can sense your fear, I assure you I do not past judgment or look down upon you for the things you've done, you're here now the future awaits you Mr.Cinderbolt" Max looks down, it was surprisingly comforting to hear.

They make it to the first floor and Max grabs his assistant's hand as they walk out of the building and into the city. He opens up the door to his car as they both got in. "So...do you just do this for everyone?...do all dead people get this?.." The man looked through the rearview mirror at Max "technically no…" he said " I'm one of the very few that invest time into the people I take care of, though right now I'm at a bit of a low" Max tilted his head which edged the man to continue "my former people are dead, I decided to move down to assisting teens to get my mind off their death. I get attached to my people but maybe that's because I'm rather lonely." He huffed as they arrived at a big building.

The building looked old in time and style. It had a modern medieval look that was still unique but was wearing in time. Looking more at the lawn there was a playground, a few benches, picnic tables, and a large field. They walked up to the gate and Alfred checked the time "it's awfully late you should be in bed" Max pouted "as if you can tell when I should sleep or not!" The tall man giggled as they walked in.

Max looked around, the room was almost like a small ballroom with 8 chandeliers surrounding a bigger one. The grand chandelier was covered in jewels and branched off to the rest. They walked to the front desk and Max started to doze off. He leaned against the taller man as he signed the small boy in. "I can't tell you when you sleep huh?" The tall man said as he walked the boy upstairs. "Shut up you big goat man…" he said sleepily as they got to his room.

The room was filled with bunk beds and a few similar aged boys sleeping in them. The boy looked around confused "wait where are we?" "The orphanage, it's where most kids go and the only place I can keep you." Alfred said somberly rubbing his head. Max whimpered as he was led to his bed "don't worry I have my own room here so you can see me anytime." Max nodded as he got into bed and fell asleep.

"Good night Mr. Cinderbolt, see you in the morning" was the last thing Max heard before sleep took him under.