"I'm proud.. I guess.."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
"I'm proud.. I guess.."
This night had been one of the most emotionally taxing Tara had endured in her short life. However, tonight was also very rewarding. Not only had she finally started to accept herself, but she had also gained a trustful ally in her quest for self-love. The road ahead was an arduous one, but with Beast Boy and the other Titans cheering her on, she felt more confident she could actually make something better of herself and start anew.
Tonight was also a night she didn’t want to end. While by this point it had been almost an hour since their departure from the tower, Tara found herself wishing it was longer. There was something about Beast Boy that set her mind at ease. Perhaps it was the nostalgia from her former life that was forcing her into a box, but the more she got to see his smile, his life, his wit, she noticed herself growing fonder of him.
“Alright, we’re back.” Stated the green bean himself as they landed onto the island. After transforming back to his humanoid form with Tara firmly planted on his back, he breathed a fresh pint of the crisp air.
“Am I not heavy for you?” Tara asked, peeking over his shoulder, intentionally leaning all her body weight forward with a sly edge to her voice.
Beast Boy smirked, suddenly jerking to the right, then left, throwing off her own balance causing her to grip tighter to his neck with a shrill giggle. He hopped around in a circle, speaking after every bounce, “Does. That. Answer. Your. Ques-tion?”
“Hahah! Oh my god, please stop! I’m gonna hurl!” she squealed, the rodeo-like ride finally came to a halt as they both gasped for different reasons. Once he caught his breath he grinned.
“I could do this all day.” he gently sat her down, then fixed the butterfly comb that had begun to sink down her sun-kissed locks after the show he put her through.
Tara blushed, feeling his gloved fingers caress her so familiarly. It gave her goosebumps, but that wasn't news. She would have been surprised if his touch didn’t leave a physical reaction. That was just how it was with him. She didn’t want to put a label on it or even dwell on it. There were bigger issues on her plate than how she felt right now.
Right now, she only had small bits of her memories intact and tremendous ‘earth bending’ powers to control. There wasn't any time to worry about anything else. So, Tara just smiled, brushing it off entirely, even downright ignoring the butterflies in her stomach as she placed her hand over the strap of her satchel.
“Perfect!” Beast Boy proclaimed, throwing his loose fists over his hips. He turned his nose up with accomplishment. Tara snidely quirked her head, raising a brow.
“You’re awfully good at doing hair,” she remarked.
“If I am, it's thanks to Raven.” shrugging nonchalantly he turned on his heels. This seemed to surprise the girl behind him.
“Raven?” she gapped, “I didn’t know she had another hobby besides making people miserable.”
“No way! She’s totally awesome .. once you get to know her. She’s the one who cuts our hair. She doesn't like to talk about it much, but she's really good at it! Starfire was the one that introduced her to styling though. She’s been trying to teach me how to cut my own hair, but it isn’t going so well.”
“I can imagine.'' For some reason, when she thought of Raven and Beast Boy together like that it made her feel .. unpleasant. “I mean, I didn't expect that, but like, she’s so moody.” Tara carefully made her way up the dim-lighted terrain toward the tower. With the moon their only source of light, it was difficult to maneuver. Beast Boy seemed to be handling it better, but she expected that since he had lived on the island for multiple years now. But when he heard her sudden opinion he tripped.
“She’s really not as bad as you think.” turning to face her, Beast Boy held out his hand to help her over a small divot in the dirt path. Their eyes connected and Tara had never seen him look like that. “A lot happened to make her that way. She hates having things change out of her comfort zone when it comes to people. I mean, when Cyborg threatened to quit the team one time, she was totally freaking out even if she tried not to show it. It bothers her to lose people she has grown accustomed to.. It was especially hard when it came to losing you though.”
“Huh?? Have you not seen how pissed she gets whenever I even so much as breathe??”
“I know, I know. It's just..” he rubbed his neck, “..Complicated. you need to get to know her to understand what I mean.”
“..You’re pretty close to her, huh?”
“She's important to me. She helped me get through a lot of things.” he shook his head, turning to Tara with a lighter expression, “All I want is for you two to be friends again, or at least not send death glares at each other.”
“I can't promise anything.. But I will try. After all, I don't remember everything that happened between us, but I don't want to piss off the witch of darkness any more than I already have.”
Reaching the entrance to the tower, Beast Boy entered the security code on the panel triggering the door to open. He half turned to her, the glint of the moonlight behind them sparkled in his lidded eye, “We should be quiet now, don't want the others to wake up.” placing a finger over his lips, Beast Boy whispered this. Tara nodded, following closely behind him.
The entrance hall was dimly lit, but it was easier to see than outside under the moonlight. Treading carefully down the red carpet hall, they finally made it to the living room entrance where the doors automatically opened for them.
"Looks like the coast is clear." Beast Boy whispered to the girl beside him, only for the lights to abruptly flick on, startling them.
With crossed arms sat Raven and Robin together, leaning against the kitchen table across from the couch. They looked mildly annoyed, even downright angry as they stared at the two busted, frozen figures atop the stairs.
"Not as clear as you'd like it to be," Robin remarked, tilting his chin upwards lightly.
"Robin. Raven! Lovely to see you.. So late."
"Where have you been? You didn't have your communicator on you, what if something happened?" Raven began to barade the beast boy like a worried mother as they made their way to the center of the room.
"I know, I know, I'm sorry. I-"
"It was my fault." Tara pushed Beast Boy behind her, sternly staring into the eyes of the other two. They turned their attention to her. "I was going to run away. Beast Boy was the one that convinced me not to. If it weren't for him, I'd be gone."
"Geez," Robin sighed, placing a hand over his forehead. "We were worried about both of you!'' Robin sounded less upset now, taking a relieved, frazzled tone.
"I'm sorry." Tara bowed her head to the two of them in remorse. This surprised them. "I was closed-minded and willfully ignorant just for my own self-loathing. I have been terrified I might be something other than normal ever since Beast Boy found me. I was overwhelmed and I let my anxiety fuel my judgment."
"Tara.." Beast Boy blinked his eyes in shock.
"I hope I can start over with you all." Raising her fragile expression, Tara tried to smile.
Robin grinned, "Yes, of course you can. I'm sorry too. We haven't been the greatest support in the world. All we've been doing is comparing you to the Terra we knew when we should've been getting to know you. Beast Boy seems to be the only one who is able to do that at the moment." They shared a glance, "But we'll try harder."
"..At least now I don't have to form a search party." Raven sighed, turning her ruffled expression away. Beast Boy smirked.
"Awwwwww, look how nervous you are!~" baby talking, Beast Boy pulled Raven’s cheek, then promptly received a punch in the gut. He wheezed. "Right… My bad.. Won't happen again!" Puffing up strained words, Beast Boy groaned, hunching over.
"..'Complicated', huh?" Tara crossed her arms watching Raven hurriedly scuffle from the living room.
"You really pushed her over the edge this time," Robin remarked, half laughing as he poked Beast Boy in the back of the head.
The green teen shoed his hand away once he regained the ability to breathe. He unsteadily rose half his body, tears beading at the corners of his eyes, as he held a shaky thumbs-up through another wheeze. "' S'nothing I can't handle."
Life at the tower was more enjoyable after that. Tara had begun to accept her surroundings and even was getting more used to this stranger's room, calling it her own. Beast Boy was able to fix the box that had become more dear to her. The mirror was the only thing unsalvageable, but after overhearing the two of them chatting at her door while he passed by, Cyborg offered to make a replacement for the box, if she wanted. While she could tell Beast Boy was mildly embarrassed, he was excited about it along with her when they both accepted.
Tara had learned how to put the butterfly comb in her hair. Starfire was a surprisingly good teacher. As she sat on the violet, circle-shaped bed holding a mirror while she watched the princess’ perfectly slender fingers part her blonde locks and slip the comb in her bangs. She couldn't help but smile, feeling natural instead of anxious. It was.. A relief.
It was hard sometimes, especially that first day after her attempted escape. Every time she would march to her door and try to leave, she would pause midstep feeling the embarrassment take over, and scramble back into her bed with a whine. Luckily, she wasn't alone anymore.
"Yo! Tara! Get up, girl! It's breakfast time!" Cyborg pounded at her door, seemingly excited. It startled her to say the least as she sprung from the bed and hurried to the door. When it slid ajar, she was greeted by his towering form grinning cheesily down at her. "Come on! I made pancakes!" He ushered her with his overly large hand as he trotted for the kitchen down the red carpet.
Tara blinked her eyes, astonished. "UH! Yeah!" She stumbled from her abode and rushed to catch up with the alarmingly fast cyborg.
She barely stopped herself before she crashed into his back when he suddenly halted at the door waiting for them to slide open. "Tara's here, everyone can dig in!" He announced as he stepped to the side to present the flustered blonde.
"Oh, glorious! We have saved you the seat!" Starfire hovered momentarily in her seat and motioned with her hand to the seat beside her. She seemed to barely contain her excitement as Tara mindfully made her way to the chair set just for her. When she sat down, Starfire threw her arms around her, rubbing her cheek with her own. "I'm so glad you made it!" She giggled.
Tara found herself laughing, with a shy blush. She was at their table, they weren't treating her differently. They even waited for her before they started to eat. She almost wanted to cry, but she wouldn't allow herself to. She breathed deeply and held it in trying to control it. That was when a plate was set in front of her filled to the brim with pancakes and a mountain of syrup. She glanced up, connecting with Beast Boy's soft eyes.
He didn't say anything, just smiled as he sat down too with his own plate, as Tara tasted the delectable dish she couldn't help the joyful tears that sprung in her eyes, but she blinked them away.
"How is it?" Robin inquiries. Following the question, the others turned their attention to her where she smiled brightly.
"It's everything I hoped for."
Tara thought about that moment while she sat in Starfire’s bed while her hair was being fixed. It made her cringe a little, feeling a little childish. It wasn't her style to be so emotional, but after the time she'd had, maybe she deserved to be.
"Finished!" Starfire beamed. "How do you like it?"
"It's perfect." Tara turned her head from side to side in the mirror. "I'm not good with stuff like this. Never been much for makeup either." Gently sliding her fingertips over the comb she turned to Starfire. "I’m sure it will hold my bangs back while I'm trying today."
"Are you nervous?"
Truthfully, she was. Her powers were out of control and the only person who was able to help her before was Slade. Obviously, that wouldn't be an option, so she had to rely on her new friends.
"Yeah.. I mean, I tried to use them before but it literally blew up in my face so I don't know what I'm going to do. It's like, I can feel the connection start to align, but then it poofs out of sight. It's like trying to grab something that's just barely out of reach." Tara nervously rubbed her head. "It sounds stupid when I try to explain it, huh?"
"Ah! Of course not! I do not think that at all. I understand, truly." Starfire shook her hands then sat beside her. "But I'm sure it will come to you."
Uncertainty clouded her orbs when she casted them down to her trembling hands. "Yeah.."
"Here, you might want these, just in case you blow something up in your face." Cyborg offered a pair of goggles, brown leather laced the outer rims of the clear plastic.
Tara pensively glanced to the side seeing Starfire smiling obliviously and waving at her, ‘Of course she told him .’ Tara gave an exasperated sigh.
“Guess I can’t wear this then.” her pale fingers guided the butterfly from her hair, slipping it into her pocket.
When Tara grasped the goggles she had this feeling oddly rush through her. She was content when they were over her eyes like this is normal for her. Once they were over her face she recalled the picture, now resting safely in the newly refurbished box. She was wearing goggles similar to these. She tucked her bangs into the band to keep them out of her face and stretched her arms.
The training base on the island was large, perhaps a fraction of a football field. It fit just perfectly on the island beside the tower. The ten-foot-tall stadium tower sitting on the far end of the training ground housed Robin and Raven. They were waiting for Tara to get the jitters out before they proceeded with anything.
The stated plan was for Tara to move some boulders. The machines that Cyborg built would scoop out a chunk of the earth and set it in front of her, then when she would push the rock to the one-foot goal using her Geoforce. The machine would then scoop another piece for her to try again while a second, mobile machine, recycled the previous bolder.
Tara was anxious. She continuously jumped in place and loosened her body, acted like she was going to try, then panic and quickly turn away, jogging in circles, repeating the process.
"She's nervous," Raven murmured as she observed. She was scrunched up on the rolling chair with her arms crossed and legs up against her chest. Her knees leaned against the wall with her head.
Robin nodded, "Yeah, but I don't blame her." He sighed, scratching at his head. He grabbed his communication device from the mechanism table in front of them that controlled everything within the training ground's space, then spoke, "How's the force field holding up, Cyborg?"
“She's purring like a kitten”, was the reply.
They had to have some form of protection while outdoors, for Tara’s safety that was imperative. If Slade wanted to, he could try to snatch Tara while training. They had to be cautious. That said, Robin had already discussed with their tech-savvy friend about the situation. The forcefield generator was his solution. It took a week to build, delaying the training, but it was worth the wait.
The force-field was able to scale the entire length of the field and was half as tall as the tower. The problem was stability. With that wide of an area to cover and such little time to construct the generator, too much force from outside sources, or an accidental rock went flying, might cause the field to be severed.
Still, the comfort of having that around Tara did help her feel safe. That wasn't the main issue. It was her unstable powers that worried her. The boulder was sitting there and the task of moving it on her own was daunting. She was panicking, doubting, helplessly dreading the ultimate sting of failure that would await her.
Then she felt pressure on her shoulder. A soft, light touch pulling her from her crippling anxiety and back into the light. She couldn't help gasping feeling startled until her eyes met the cool hues of green.
"It's okay." Beast Boy grinned. It was like a breath of fresh air. Tara breathed deeply through her mouth.
"It's just, I don't know if I can do this.." She wrung her hands together, staring at the boulder that felt like it was towering over her.
"Don't let yourself go down that road. Look at me." It was as if she were under a spell. She obeyed without question even surprising herself as she locked eyes with him. "Don't get stuck on what you think is impossible. If you do, you won't be able to see past it."
"..I guess."
Beast Boy understood she was unsure. He nodded to himself and suddenly jumped into a low fighting stance. "You need to visualize what you want the rock to do. Once you get that image in your mind the rest will fall into place like a large pizza. But, if you don't take a bite from it at that moment, then the cheese will melt off and get all drippy.”
“Okay, the pizza analogy is only making me hungry and farthing my problems by one.”
“What I’m trying to say is if you lose that image, or it becomes fuzzy, or you second doubt yourself, your powers fall apart. In other words, don't overthink, just do."
"You must follow that advice by heart!" Cyborg hollered from the far side of the field. Beast Boy groaned, annoyed.
Tara snorted, covering her mouth, making him blush. "Sorry." She giggled, noticing his expression. "I think I understand, but why are you posing like that?"
"I figured it would be the easiest way to visualize it. You know, like an earth-bender from Avatar or something." His response made it sound obvious but it only made her more confused.
"Hm.. Okay, you're the boss." Unsurely, the girl beside him lowered her body, copying his pose. "Like this?"
"Yeah! Perfect. Now focus on the boulder."
"Okay."
"What do you want to do with it?"
"Uhmm.. I want to push it to the one-foot goal." She responded carefully.
‘Then do it!’ The piercing command caused an unexpected spark of yellow over her fingertips and the rock exploded.
"Ah!" Beast Boy quickly grabbed Tara and shielded her with his back, transforming into a gorilla to thicken his skin.
"Whoa!" Cyborg barely dodged two bullet-like shards that came for him.
"Hmm." Robin rubs his chin watching from above. Raven stood up, he turned his head. "Going out?"
Raven nodded, throwing her hood up over her face as she opened a portal through the wall, stepping inside. When she passed through the other side, she was a few feet away from Beast Boy and Tara. She began to walk to them.
"Are you okay?? I-I don’t know what happened!" Tara panicky looked up at the transformed teenager who now towered over her. She heard a soft grunt noise before he suddenly shrunk, back to a human form.
"Of course, are you?"
"I'm fine.." Tara fidgeted, avoiding eye contact, her cheeks only growing pinker.
Beast Boy cocked his head to the side, "What?"
"You .. Can let go now."
"..OH!" Beast Boy shrank even smaller into a fluffy bunny, hopping around sporadically until finally landing several feet away from her.
Raven sighed as she neared the awkward display with disinterest written on her face. Tara froze when the sudden presence of this elusive member of the team walked next to her without a word, passed a glance to her while momentarily slowing her pace, then continued to Beast Boy who was still recovering from earlier.
He was kneeling awkwardly on both knees grumbling to himself. His face looked as though his soul was leaking out. She plucked a piece of stone from his hair, then smoothed out the rest like a mother cleaning her messy child. The hint of a smile on her lips as she looked over him made Tara shrink a little.
"That was probably the worst way you could've started." She mundanely stated to Beast Boy who shyly chuckled as he stood.
"I just wanted to demonstrate how her powers worked." He replied, turning to Tara who awkwardly stood a foot or so away, "Did you feel that rush of energy?" She nodded quickly, "Your emotions, your fear of failing or hurting people, made that rock explode."
"..Yeah.." Tara huffed, momentarily glancing at her hands. "It was like a bolt of lightning, but I was the lightning."
‘Then do it! ’
But there was something else that she couldn't wrap her head around.. The next person to speak snapped Tara out of her thoughts immediately,
"Like me, you have to keep your emotional attachment to your powers in check." Raven speaking to her almost like a normal person spooked the blonde to the point she barely registered what she was saying, scrambling her brain from focusing, "When you allow yourself to doubt your ability, then you're setting yourself up for failure."
"..I was never actually supposed to move the rock to the goal.. Was I?"
"It was a test to see where you were. When we met you for the first time, you barely had control over your powers, but at least you knew the basics." Raven glanced around seeing the rubble from earlier littered over the ground, then back to her, "You're basically starting from scratch now."
Tara rolled her lips back into her mouth. Raven was right. She had a long road ahead of her before she even came close to the level her original self was on before Slade intervened. That thought filled her with worry. She wanted to embrace this and no longer be afraid, but she really could hurt someone at this rate. Before the panic fully seeped through her eyes, two slender hands clasped around her cheeks pulling her from her thoughts. Raven was staring intently in her sapphire eyes.
"You're doing it again. Stop overthinking. This is your power. You are in control. Do not let fear cloud your mind. Focus on what is at stake."
Tara was in awe. This was the first time Raven had treated her like she wasn't a threat. It was jarring, but she didn't want to waste the moment. "R-Right! I'll work hard." She stuttered as Raven released her grip.
"I'm going back to the watchtower," she turned to Beast Boy, "If you need help, I'll be there." With a black mist engulfing the witch of darkness, she vanished.
Beast Boy excitedly giggled, causing the dumbfounded girl to turn her attention on him, "What?"
"Raven is starting to come around." He excitedly balled his fists, bobbing up and down like a little kid at a toy store.
Tara's lips perked to smile, "That was 'coming around'?"
Beast Boy cheekily wiggled his ears, smugly grinning, "Ready to actually start training?"
Tara gingerly cocked her head in the direction of the watchtower where Raven had gone back to observe. She smiled, pulling her goggles over her eyes.
"Ready."
…
"They're training… Some type of ..force field sounding the area.." Low in the grass, the figure that had been spying on the two teenagers a week ago continued his surveillance, listing the current situation to the master on the other line. "She's .. Having difficulties." He strained to watch, even though his high-tech goggles.
'Keep an eye on her progress. We need her to awaken all of her strength before we proceed further.' His voice was as cold and meticulous as ever. ‘Let them believe they're safe for now. ' It sent shivers up the young accomplice's back.
"..I'll keep you posted. Over and out."
The man grimaced, his solum, auburn eyes closely watching his target with sympathy. He didn't want to have to do this.. But at this point…
There was no other choice and no turning back..
…
"So what do I do then?" Tara inquired.
"Well," Beast Boy patted his pocket, pulling out three stones, each differing in sizes, "Right now, you need to practice levitating these. Start with the smallest one. The goal is to be able to levitate them for a minute without losing control."
It sounded simple enough, but after what just happened with the boulder, Tara wasn't confident in the slightest. She hesitantly took the stones in her hands then sighed through her nose.
"Okay.." She clamped her eyes shut under the goggles, trying to paint the picture in her head.
'Lift up just a little rock three..' She chanted, hoping it would somewhat help. It had sorta worked before when she tried to run away.
For a moment she lost herself. She was in some sort of weird in-between state. Her only focus was on the connection. She could see it. It was a long, yellow thread, glowing with the same color. It was twisted, and knotted, she tried to unravel it one strand at a time. It was difficult, straining her mind with a slight headache, but as she detangled it she felt something stirring in her core. She continued to focus, to breathe, unaware of the excited gasps of the outside world.
There was this sudden flash in her mind's eye, something that felt startling at first. It was this faint, blurry picture, but as the thread unraveled so did the scene.
"Very good, Terra. Now, imagine the rage that consumed you when Beast Boy lied to you. Focus on that anger, real it in until it's the only thing on your mind. You're not capable of emoting anything else."
'A memory..? ' Tara was barely aware of it, but she noticed it. She was in a desert-like area. Mountains of rocks everywhere, surrounding her like a fish in a bowl. ‘Is this.. When he first started to train me?..’
She was looking at a large boulder, larger than the one the Titans had displayed. She felt the rage in her heart, 'I was.. So angry.. ' She felt it, like a storm violently bearing against an old, broken down shudder. That was when she heard herself scream out and the boulder steadily lifted into the air several feet above her. With a tight clamp of her fist, the rock shattered into perfectly cut shards.
They turned with her body as she released them like hurtling bullets into the bank, destroying one of the weathered rock formations.
"Excellent, My apprentice. " She felt a pressure on her shoulder, forcing her eyes to look up to the sinister man addressing her. “You’re growing stronger and stronger with each passing hour. I couldn’t be more proud, child. ”
The vision fizzled out of her mind’s eye as the very image of Slade terrified Tara. She was unable to concentrate, forcing her trance to end and her eyes flew open. At first, she yelped, the sun blinding her, but in the next moment, when she dared to look again, she was greeted by the elated Beast Boy dancing in place.
She made a confused grunt before he blurted, “Tara, you’re doing it!!”
“Uh?” Tara blinked down at her hand, all three rocks were floating seamlessly in her palms, nothing was swirling, or out of control. She could elevate them perfectly. Her eyes sparkled as a large grin replaced the worry on her features. “I-I did it!!” she squealed.
“Way to go, girl!!” she heard Cyborg cheer from the left of her.
“That’s excellent Tara! ” Robin’s voice came through from the speaker system in the arena. “See if you can give one to Cyborg using that power. It’s okay if you mess up, we believe in you. ”
“Right!” Tara turned to face Cyborg, determination flashed in her eyes, but she stopped feeling her knees shaking. That voice slithered through her thoughts, cutting out any light.
‘I’m so proud, child .’
“Tara.” Beast Boy’s fingers fluttered onto her shoulder. She flinched, turning to face him. If he was worried he didn’t show it. His expression was unreadable as he squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t let it distract you. You can do this.” he softly nodded at her as she swallowed unsteadily.
“Yeah..” knitting her brows, Tara took a more firm stance and breathed.
“Ready when you are!” Cyborg announced.
‘He's so far away.. Will I be able to make it?.. No! I will make it !’ That was enough for the stone to suddenly shoot out of her hand, making a beeline for Cyborg, gaining speed fast. She blurted a gasp, noticing immediately that it might hit him, but Cyborg remained calm and ready.
They trusted her, Cyborg trusted her to stay in control. She wouldn't let him down. She threw her hands up, the other stones falling to the dirt.
‘Stop!!’ she gritted her teeth, a sharp breath escaping through. “Nghh!!” The stone suddenly halted maer inches from Cyborg's chest plate. Her breath trembled as she held that position. Taking a steadier stance, Tara relaxed her hands and the stone floated harmlessly into the palm of Cyborg's large hand.
To say the following cheers and whoops from the other Titans didn’t almost erupt her eardrums would’ve been a lie. It startled her, she squeaked turning from side to side baffled before she was suddenly engulfed into a bone-crunching hug from Starfire, then Cyborg, then Beast Boy. They all sang her praises, excitedly talking over each other. Tara felt her cheeks grow warm.
“C-Come on, I’m not a dog learning a new trick!” She tried her best to make it sound like she was annoyed, but she couldn't hide the embarrassed smile growing on her lips.
Robin was smirking as he leaned back in his rolling chair. He sighed, satisfied. “She’s doing so well,” he remarked. “Amazing.” he slightly turned to look at Raven next to him. Her shoulders were tense as she clenched her hands on her lap. “You okay?” he asked.
She made a small noise, then relaxed, a flustered clear of her throat. “I’m fine..” a small hint of a smile on her lips made Robin grin, “I’m.. proud.. I guess..”
...
“She did it.” the man whispered to himself, impressed by what he had just witnessed. “You'd never think this was the same girl I had seen before..”
‘I can see her powers are progressing. Perhaps we’ll have less time than we thought...’
The man laying belly down on the grass swallowed dryly, knowing all too well that his master was correct. All he could do was pray to whatever god resided above had mercy on that poor girl.