Morning

The chilly morning air awoke me as I groggily sat up. then, I realized what day it was. "Flowwwerrr!" I Quickly got ready and ran into the main room in our small little house. "Mommy! Mommy!" I ran up to Mother and held onto her leg. My face was flushed in excitement." Well good morning sweety! Are you ready for your birthday? If not we can move it to tomorrow!" Mother teased. I puffed my cheeks up and stuck my bottom lip out.

"NOoooo! Please don't I'm ready, I'm ready!!!" Mother pat my head and laughed, "Haha I'm just kidding Nova, Mother would never do that!" I glanced around the room. No sign of father. "Mommy where is Daddy?"

"Oh, how observant of you! Daddy has gone to get you your flower!" I squealed in delight. "Now let go. Mother is setting the table for our feast!" Just then I realized how hungry I was. I didn't eat much the night before because I was too excited I thought I might puke it all up.

"Ok! Let Nova help too!"

Mother and I set the table and waited for father's arrival. Just as I was starting to get impatient I heard a knock on the door.

"Nova~ daddy has a present for you! Happy Birthday!!" My father opened the door and presented a little white rose."Daddy!!" I was about to run up and hug father when his smile froze. His face scrunched up into an odd position and his complexion paled.

SPLAT

Father coughed up a mouthful of blood onto the once white flower. The rose dropped to the floor as father collapsed to the side, a knife now visible in his back. "DADDY!" I screamed. I wanted to run and help him up but mother stopped me. A man dressed in a green combat uniform pulled out his rifle.

"NOVA! RUN!!" Mother yelled as she flung herself at the man, hoping to spare her child even a second longer to live. Ah, how strong a mothers love was.