Chapter 8

[Note: The following is Nova's Point of View within her dream-like state. It's a specific memory]

"Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday my dear Nova~ Happy birthday to you~"

Lewis and Nova sat in the small living room. The sun set, so the entire room was dark. A tiny candle illuminated the entire room.

"You know I don't like celebrating my birthday right? How much did you spend making this," Nova frowned while inspecting the cutely decorated cake.

She look back up at Lewis who was also frowning, but with a puppy-like expression.

"… Thank you," she secretly smiled at his cute face. She picked up a fork and scooped out a large bite. She inhaled the cake while smearing frosting on her face.

After laughing and finishing the cake together, Lewis shot up excitedly. He brought back a tiny black box in his hands.

"My little girl is growing so fast and the world is such a scary place," he fake shivered. He extended the box into Nova's hands to open.

Even though the box was completely black, there was small intricate designs etched in. Nova quickly opened the box in curiosity.

In the middle of a soft bedding of fabric, there was a large ring. It was a simple black band with no designs.

Nova looked up slowly at Lewis. "Your giving me an ominous, deathly-looking ring for my birthday?" She wasn't a spoiled person at all, but she was very confused.

"Come on, it does not look that bad right?" He picked up the ring and grabbed Nova's left hand.

"It's way to big…" she continued to question her father's choice.

As soon as Lewis slipped the ring onto her middle finger, it shrunk to a perfectly comfortable size.

'Magic?' She quickly looked up at her father. Items with magic were so ridiculously expensive especially for them.

"What is wrong-" Nova began to scold him for his poor financial choice, even though she was a child herself.

"Nova" Lewis tightly grabbed her with both of his large hands. Nova immediately stopped talking at his completely serious tone.

"Before I was the cheerful man you know now, I was just an empty shell. Can you imagine me as a dull doll? There was no happiness where I was, so I built the courage to escape." He pulled Nova in for a hug.

"I guess what I am trying to say is always live life to the fullest with no regrets. Be the happiest person in the world." He leaned closer to her.

"If anyone tries to take your happiness away, destroy them. Make sure your strong enough to stomp on anyone who gets in your way," he whispered lovingly in her ear.

Nova tried to respond, but her words choked up in her throat. Suddenly hot tears streamed down her full cheeks as her head pained with grief. The dream began to collapse on itself until there was nothing left.

Nova felt a light pressure on her chest. When she opened her eyes a beautiful all black kitten stared at her. Even the cat's pupils were completely black.

Meow

The cat purred before resting its head down on her chest. She lifted her left arm and found the same black ring on her middle finger. She laid her head back down and quietly sobbed for a long time.

***

Nova waited to get up after the cat fully woke up. She groaned in pain because of her stiffness. It must have been a while since she was dreaming.

GROWL

The cat jumped at the loud sound.

"Calm down buddy. It's just my stomach," she laughed out loud at the cat's cuteness.

While she pet the cat, a foul stench rose from under her arms. Nova and the cat locked eyes simultaneously. The cat looked at her disgustingly.

"Give me a break. I've been through a lot," she placed her hands back down while pouting.

She quickly composed herself. What would she do now?