The lights in the arena blinded her at first. As her eyes adjusted she saw the crowd was the rest of the mafia. Her parents were sitting at a table on the gym floor with Parker and Tyrus. Her father stood up and the entire mafia went quiet.

“Nova and Leon if you haven’t noticed yet there is only one seat left at the table. You two must now face the challenge. Kill your opponent to earn your spot at the table.” he said calmly then sat down.

Reality hit Nova like a train as she noticed the blood on the floor and as the words registered in her head. Egill came out again and handed them both 6-inch blades. He couldn’t bear to look at them as they took the knives and he walked off to stand next to the table and Kedric smiled maliciously at him.

“Leon…..” she began as she panicked. This was her best friend. She couldn’t do this, all her life all she had was Egil and Leon and now she was going to have to kill one of the only people who cared about her. Leon could see the look on her face.

“Nova….make your family proud,” he said as he lunged at her.

She easily avoided his attack and kicked him in the back. Leon went flying across the room. Nova cursed, all of her training had changed her reflexes and Leon knew it. Her automatic response to anything dangerous, or seen as a threat was to fight back, he and she both knew she wouldn’t be able to stop herself. It was a primal instinct at this point, to protect herself when threatened no matter what. Leon jumped up from the floor and came at her again.

“No, no, no, no” she screamed in her head, she was trying so hard to fight her urges. This was her best friend not her enemy, But it was too late. Nova let out a strangled cry from the depth of her throat as she plunged the knife into his chest as he ran past. Leon stood still for a second then collapsed to the floor. Nova began to cry as she ran over to him. She dropped to her knees

“Leon…….Leon, I’m so sorry…. I’m sorry.” she whispered to him as she cradled him in her arms. God, what had she done.

“It’s alright,” he whispered as he coughed up blood.

“We can fix this! We can get Mamma Fahima and you’ll be ok just hold on please!” Nova begged as he looked up at her, his eyes full of sorrow and love.

“Just tell Opal I love her.” he coughed again as more blood shot out of his mouth and pooled around them.

“Leon no…” tears were sliding down her face.

“I love you, Nova, I always have. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, maybe you wouldn’t have ended up with that heartless prick. Now give em hell for me. I love you ” he whispered as one last cough escaped his lips. Nova hugged his limp body in her arms, then released him. With her head down she wiped her tears away as she stood up.

“Nova Charlotte Valadez.” her father shouted her name “welcome to the Valadez mafia,”.

Nova looked up, her eyes dry as the mafia cheered for her. Tyrus gave her a thumbs up and a smile. Nova ignored him as she walked over to the table and sat down. Nothing would ever be the same again, she was done seeking out the validation of her family. This game of hide and seek she had been playing all these years, trying to find the love of her family had been a waste of her time. A childish game where she was the pawn for them to play with.