“Holy shit balls.” Zoe whispered. She stumbled back into Ever, grasping her shoulders.

  “Hello Zoe, my name is Nyx,” the goddess of the night said. She dipped into a curtsy, star dust shimmering off her midnight dress. “Ever’s told me so much about you.”

  “Y-Yeah,” Zoe said, unable to take her eyes off the larger than life primordial deity.

  “It’s 11:50,” Ever said. Maybe we should start heading to the look out point?”

  “Yes,” Nyx said. “It’s right this way.” She turned and her dress swished casting mini comet trails into the darkness.

  “Hey,” Zoe hissed to her boyfriend.

  “Mm?”

  “You never told me she was…” Zoe eyeballed the primordial walking ahead of them, “...like fricking ten foot tall.”

  Ever laughed out loud, causing his mother to look over her shoulder and smile warmly at him. Zoe shrivelled up slightly.

  “She’s only seven foot tall,” Ever replied. “I guess I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”

  “Oh yeah?” Zoe said. “Not a big deal at all.” She made exaggerated talking marks with her fingers for ‘big’.

  They moved silently between houses down a path that was draped in shadows that seemed darker than usual. Nyx had to walk slightly bent over where the edges of the roofs on the houses either side nearly touched. Shrouded in darkness, it was like Ever was leading Zoe into a portal to step off the face of the Earth, perhaps to fall infinitely into the endless abyss...

  ...And suddenly they were back, dirt and sand crunching under their feet as some trees whispered overhead. Zoe stumbled a little. She pulled out her phone, turning on the flashlight.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Allow me,” Nyx said. She raised her hand and the night sky acquiesced. Stars roared from their sockets light years away and the moon burned, bathing them in ivory light.

  “Wow,” Zoe whispered.

  With their path now well lit, they moved faster with only minutes to spare.

  “Mother.”

  “Yes dear?”

  “Zoe wanted to know why–ow!”

  “Not now, idiot!” Zoe hissed.

  “Why did I decide to show myself to her now?” Nyx asked. They left the trees behind, moving into a clearing. A bench overlooked the cliff, a perfect view of the city shivering with anticipation miles away. “It’s because the two of you had sex.”

  “Ah.” Ever said. Zoe hung her head, face afire.

  “When humans have sex,” Nyx said, not noticing that Zoe had shrivelled up completely now, “that indicates an extremely strong emotional bond. That’s what I was waiting for before I showed myself to my son’s partner. I love him and I will show myself to those that he loves too.”

  There were pops in the distance, followed by the faintest of cheers.

  “The fireworks have started!” Zoe said, embarrassment forgotten. She ran ahead towards the bench.

  “Careful!” Ever warned. She was dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. She turned around just as he reached her and threw her arms around him, kissing him.

  “Happy New Year,” she said.

  “Happy New Year,” he replied.

  ? Happy New Year, ? Nyx said into their minds. They looked around but she had already left.

  They sat down at the bench, watching the tiny fireworks lighting up above the city far away. “What’s your New Year’s Resolution?” Zoe asked. “What do you want to commit to doing in the new year?”

  Ever squeezed her shoulder, resting his head on top of hers.

  “I–”

  “Don’t tell me, otherwise it won’t come true.” Zoe said. “Just… think it.”

  Nyx entered their minds separately, sitting with them as they pondered their resolutions. To her delight, they wished for the same thing. She withdrew into the firmament, a smile on her face.