To Our Only Hope

Part Two: Birthday Note

The note read 'The creature inside this box has chosen you to become it's parent. It will look up to you and do as you wish, so we hope you are prepared to care for this creature like nothing else before. It will be there in the good and the bad, the smooth and the rough. It will see you as its mother, so love it graciously. However, this creature was born of evil, it is the spawn of a recently deceased Hellcat, which are the loyal guardians of Hell's gates, where they worked for Hades. Since your birth, you have been granted the ability to understand all of this creature's kind, and all Hellbourne creatures alike. We, as the Fates, have decided to let this small Hellcat choose it's own fate, and it chose you to be its guardian, for you have the blood of Hades. You have the strongest power since Hades himself became the ruler of the Underworld. This power has yet to be awakened within you. Choose a name for this creature, guide it responsibly, be kind to it. Anybody who is attached to you will also understand this creature, and any other Hellbourne creature. You must protect it with your heart and soul, your body and mind.

Signed,

The Fates, Past, Present, and Future

I read the note over and over again, in disbelief.

'Why this year?' I thought.

I gently slipped the note back into the envelope, and replaced the envelope between the box and it's wrapping. I carefully pulled the small Hellcat from the box and cradled it's small body in my hands. He yawned, his little mouth stretching wide, his eyes closing tightly.

When he finished with his yawn, he stretched and opened his eyes. With large, curious red irises, he stared into my eyes. His nose twitched. He tilted his head to the side and sneezed harshly. He would have toppled out of my hands, had I not cupped my hand over his back. He shook his head, sat in the palm of my hand, and with his hind leg, he scratched his big pointy black ears.

"You're kind of cute." I said quietly, smiling.

The cat stopped scratching his ears, bowed his head, his tail between his legs, and replied, "Thank you." his voice was small and timid. He seemed frightened.

I was shocked.