Ru's POV:

I sit on the floor of the closet in Josie's room. The sirens are so loud in my ears. Josie has Damien, GlubGlub and I sitting in the dark. I'm quietly singing my happy song just like Illoha told me to do.

"It's a good day, good day."

"Dex where are they?!" Keeva yells out.

"You're gonna be okay, okay."

"Do you think we can get them to back down?!" Illoha's voice calls after from farther away.

"Don't worry 'bout what comes your way,"

"How did they find us? We're a stealth ship!" My mom's voice echos from outside the door.

'"Cause it's a good day, good day."

She opens the door to us.
"Ru? Kids, are you okay?" She asks kneeling beside the three of us. Damien is clinging onto my shoulder.
I just nod and continue humming my song to keep out the gunfire.
"It'll be over soon, Ru." She whispers, "Hang in there."
"Ok, mom." I whisper in response.
She hesitates, "We'll celebrate your birthday after we win, okay?"
"Mhm." I nod.
"Fox?" GlubGlub cries, "Are we going to die?"
"No buddy, they won't kill us. We'll either be taken back to Keekos or we'll win. You're in no danger." She holds back.

I know what she means. I overheard my mom and Dex talking about it. She's a criminal to Keekos. That means I'm in danger too. It's only because we're hybrids. They're attacking us because of how I was born. That doesn't seem fair. Even Freddy's logic has more logic. He just wants everyone to die, not just a certain species. Why should how I look matter? I'm 8... or well 9 today. I touch my ears gently. How am I so different from them?

My mom kisses the top of my head and leaves quickly. She's going to save us again. I just want her to be able to rest. She's stressed and I can't help her. I want to help her. She's helped me so much. I hate being so small. That's what I want for my birthday. I help my new mom relax.

Is that a possible request?

Foxete's POV:

The gunfire ended within twenty minutes. We escaped, barely. We need to fix the ship. It's falling apart. Who knows how much damage they did. My breaths are heavy and panicked. What if they got Ru? Would they kill an 8 year old? Would they hurt him? I slump against the wall. My breathing gets faster. Calm down. You need to get Ru. Grow up Foxete you're an adult. You need to act like one. Panicking isn't going to save your son.

My heart doesn't listen.

"Foxete?" Keori comes around the corner.
Ah shit. She can't see me like this. I desperately look around for a way out, nothing.
"Are you ok?" She asks gently, watching my labored breaths in the corner.
"F-ine." I choke out.
"No, your not." She rushes over to me.

The world was spinning. I endangered Ru. How could I do that? Who cares about what happened to me, he could have died. HE could have died because of me. I shouldn't have ran away. They wouldn't have come after us. This is my fault. I shouldn't have let them break me out. Foxete snap out of it! Get up! Get up!

Ru's POV:

"Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear me, happy birthday to me." I sing quietly as I walk through the halls of the ship.

We're floating in dead space. I heard Keori say it to Illoha when my mom was taken to the med-bay. They wouldn't tell me why. I hope she's okay. I need her to help me celebrate my birthday. It's all so confusing. I want my mom. I knock on the door to the med-bay like Illoha told me to. It's rude not to.

"Yes?" She asks, noticing it's me she sighs, "Fox is upstairs in her room, Ru."
"Thank you." I smile slightly. People like when I smile. It makes them happier. People need happy these days. I wander upstairs and reach the bedroom. I knock again and mon opens it almost instantly.

"Hey Ruru!" She smiles. It's fake, she looks drained.
"Hi mom. Are you okay?" I ask.
"Of course. It's your birthday though! I have a present for you." She grins a genuine smile this time. I walk into the room and she grabs the gift off her bed. It's covered in colorful paper.
She hands it to me and I stare in awe, "Where did you get the colored paper?" I ask.
"A friend." She smiles.
I open the gift and smile largely.
"It's a RC Car?!" I ask excitedly. I had saw one in a magazine Otso brought a few months ago and wanted one really badly.
"Yeah, Keori and I made it for you." She chuckles.
"Thank you! Thank you!" I smile and hug her tightly.
Her smile never falters, "Of course, Ru."
"I love you!" I smile, "I'm gonna go show Damien!" I rush to the door.
"Have fun," she smiles to herself, "Love you too, Ru."
I run off happily.
This is the best birthday I've ever had despite those little setbacks. Though...

...it's the only birthday I've ever had.

(915 words)

Sorry if this is completely horrible! I've been really stressed recently and took a bit of a break from writing. I'll try to upload soon!