"Who gave you that tattoo and what does I.E.C. stand for?"

I don't know the answer to his first question because, as you might have guessed, I have no memory of how it got there.

I know that every child who lives in the place where I grew up had one though. I once over heard it described as "standard protocol".

Clark's second question isn't one that I want to answer.

Well, that and I the warm water in here is starting to make me feel sleepy.

I also feel like I should focus on getting clean while I still have energy.

I hum while I do so. I don't really have a specific song in mind, mainly because, well, I can't sing.

Soon, I hear his washing machine.

That's kind of funny. He's making sure that my clothes get a bath too. They, like me, needed one.

Okay, fine. I'm not really humming.

In fact, I stopped at the sound of the washing machine.

It's not because it scared me.

Well, not really anyway. I'm kind of jumpy because, when you're like me, noises tend to feel louder.

Yes, that's why I'm shy.

I actually used to feel envious on seeing and listening to people talk. They always made it look so easy.

I'd feel like I was in a boat on a sea full of word fish. Ones that I couldn't catch.

I can hear the fish. I know that they're there.

I don't have the right bait.

No, let me change that.

I don't have any bait. I don't even have a fishing rod.

In fact, I often have to bail because my boat's in lousy shape.

Yeah, I think that I'll stop with this. I don't really like where it's going.

No, that's not because I don't know how to swim.

I can. I just don't do it very often.

I can't make noise when I splash and it doesn't feel fun that way.

Oh, and I know about boats because I've read about them.

I really should focus on getting clean now.

Actually, Clark's been trying to get my attention.

I nod.

"Can you close your eyes for me?"

He must have shampooed my hair. I check with my right hand.

It comes back, telling me just how lost in thought I was and the sight makes me mouth an Oh though, this time, I don't feel surprised in a good way.

I'm actually kind of shocked.

I rinse my hand before doing what he said.

I feel warm water being poured over me.

That's nice of him. It's been some time since somebody's done that for me.

"I should probably get a different shampoo for that curly hair of yours."

I blink at him.

He laughs gently. "I like your curls, remember? They look a little limp and I want to help."

Well, that may be because I haven't washed my hair in a week.

I could still kind of keep myself clean. You'd be surprised what people throw away.

I finish my bath then smell myself.

I don't smell like Bruno anymore. I can't find any trace of him at all.

That makes me said and kind of angry.

I shake my head then try to shout his name.

It's been some time since I've tried to make this much sound in one day.

I look down a little, feeling kind of defeated, as my eyes well up with tears.

I really miss you, boy. I hope you knew how much you meant to me.

I'm wrapped in a towel then lifted into a warm hug.

I like the feel of both so I can't really not hug him back.

He gently wipes my eyes after we let go, which makes a smile slowly spread across my face.

I look at this man who's taken me in.

Clark. It's a good name.

I ask him how he got it.

"It's my Mom's maiden name*."

Oh.

I ask if he's chosen a name for me and, if so, can he please tell me good night using it.

He smiles warmly. "I'd love to. I hope that you like it."

I'm sure that I will.

Soon, I'm all dry and in my now warm clothes.

I yawn then rub my eyes.

He picks me up then, soon, I'm tucked into his bed again.

"Good night, Sayna."

He spells it for me, which lets me know that he went with the Latin spelling of a Persian name meaning silent**.

I use telepathy to tell him that I like it, I think it's pretty and he can call me by it from now on.

"Okay."

He gently runs one hand through my hair as he tells me to have sweet dreams, adding my new name like I told him to.

It makes me feel warm inside.

New name, new place to live, new guardian. All in less than a day.

I don't mind that at all.

I use telepathy to tell Clark good night then close my tired eyes and soon fall asleep.

I could definitely get used to this.

*This is canon.
*This is true.