“Where are you hiding, little monster?” Her father called out to her as she covered her mouth trying to suppress her giggles. 

Nova was so excited her father wanted to play with her, usually, only Egil and Leon indulged in her love for the game. Her father had never wanted to do anything with her before, usually, he was always angry or what Egil called “stupidly impaired”. 

“Aha!” her father shouted as he threw the curtains open. Nova squealed in delight as she tried to crawl past his legs. 

“Ah, ah, ah not so fast.” her father chuckled as he grabbed her by her leg and lifted her into the air. Nova laughed as her father set her on the couch and crouched down in front of her. 

“Stop laughing.” her father said sternly, all the joy of the moment was gone for him but Nova couldn't stop. She was having so much fun and she was so happy her father had wanted to play with her. 

“I told you to stop!” her father shouted as he slapped her. Nova could feel tears in her eyes as he glared at her. 

“You listen to me if you can't hear me sneaking up on you, you're going to get killed. More importantly, if I can hear you then so can everyone else.” her father yelled at her. 

Nova nodded her head as tears streamed down her face, she knew he had left a handprint on her cheek. However, he was right, if she wanted to be good at the game she had to be quiet. 

“Ugh, why do I even try, you're useless. Can’t even fucking hide correctly.” Her father growled as he picked up a book off the coffee table and threw it at her stomach. Nova gasped and collapsed on her side as she felt the wind leave her lungs. 

“Kedric, can you get the baby?” Her mother asked from the other room, as her younger brother’s cries echoed throughout the house. 

“No the brat can deal with him, go on deal with your brother, you worthless slug.” her father said to her as her mother walked into the room. 

“Kedric she’s only five how is she supposed to take care of a two-year-old?” her mother asked, placing her hands on her hips. 

“She’ll figure it out, Vladka! Now take care of it brat!” Her father said as he grabbed her wrist and dragged her down the hall, and shoved her into her brother's room. 

“Such a disappointment, maybe you can do this right. He’s going to be better than you ever will be, at two years old he already shows more promise than you.” Her father growled under his breath as he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. 

Nova gasped for air after she hit the ground she could barely move, but she knew she had to deal with her brother or else she would get beat again. 

“Hey, Raphael!” Nova choked out as sweetly as she could as she picked him up out of his crib and calmed him down. 

He was so small and fragile, she couldn’t remember being that small but she was never going to let anything happen to her little brother. After all, he needed her protection, she was big and he was small. 

“There you go malen'kiy vorobey,” Nova said as she smiled at him as he finally settled down. “That's right, back to sleep malen'kiy vorobey,” Nova said as she laid him back in his crib and he drifted back off to sleep. 

Nova curled up in the corner of the room. Everything hurt as she let the silent tears fall from her eyes as she rocked herself back and forth in the corner. She was never going to let little Raph feel the way she did now. 

“Nova?” Egil asked as he walked into the room. 

“E-e-Egil?” Nova whispered as she looked over at the door. 

“Oh, my little Kolibri!” Egil whispered as he ran over to her and pulled her into his lap. 

Nova gripped onto his shirt and sobbed into his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. She was so glad he was here, he was her safe place. Nothing could harm her when she was wrapped in his arms. 

“Shhh, oh I'm so sorry Nova darling! I should have been here, I'm so sorry.” Egil whispered sweetly as his tears fell on top of Nova’s head. 

“Why are you sad, Egil?” Nova sniffed as she looked up at him, she hated to see him sad. Had her crying upset him? 

“Oh Kolibri, I don't think you would understand,” Egil whispered sweetly as he whipped her tears away. 

“Well don't cry! It will all be ok! Just like you always say!” Nova said as she stuck her tongue out in concentration as she tried to use her small hands to wipe his tears away. 

“Yes… that is what I say isn't it? Well, I am always right Kolibri” Egil chuckled as he stopped her and whipped his own tears away. Nova smiled, he was always right. 

“We have to go to training,” Egil whispered as he helped her stand. 

“With Leon?” Nova asked hopefully. 

“Of course.” Egil chuckled as he took her hand and led her to the training room. 

She couldn't wait to see Leon again! Maybe they'd even get to play hide and seek.