Content Warning: Religious and Mental Trauma

Raven skimmed the new books Miss Logan had picked out for her. Garfield grumbled from the seat behind her.

"Gar, you can't always have the high score on Block-World," Miss Logan said, exasperated.

"He cheated, though! He had to have," Garfield whined. "No one can get over eight-thousand on level 20."

"Well, BTM can, apparently," his mother chuckled. "It's going to be fine. You can have some tokens on Saturday, okay?"

"'Ghoulish Intent?' I've wanted this one for ages," Raven said, pulling a book out of the bag. "Dad said it was satanic."

"Well, a little, but really," Miss Logan said, "it's the villain that's satanic. The hero's just trying not to die."

"It's got a pentagram on the front, so. Thanks, Marie."

"No problem."

Raven opened the book and read quietly as Miss Logan drove, ignoring Garfield as he continued to mutter and growl about losing his high score at the arcade next to Syber Space. Thankfully, the plot absorbed her quickly and allowed her to block out his ranting.

"Raven?"

She held up a finger. One more page before the chapter ended. Miss Logan laughed, but said nothing. Closing the book, Raven looked up.

"Oh. We're here," she observed.

"You were enjoying your book," Marie said, unbuckling. "Did you want to get it, or should I get it for you?"

Raven stared at the house. It was a good question. The house wasn't the issue; its owner was, and he occupied a bed at the hospital. Still, her stomach twisted at the idea of going inside.

"Or we can go together," Marie offered.

Raven nodded and climbed out of the car. Oh, god, Mom will hate this, she thought, glancing at her new wardrobe. Jeans on a girl? Leggings were pushing the limits and only approved by Troy because of the modesty factor.

Like that had helped.

"Raven?"

She bit the inside of her cheek and looked at Marie. The redhead's shoulders slumped, and she wrapped an arm around Raven.

"You don't have to do this, sweetie. I can get it."

"My drawings…"

"Where are they?"

"In a bag on the floor. Next to my sewing table. Mom knows."

"Go wait in the car, okay? Angela and I will bring them out."

Raven nodded and returned to the car. Before she got in, Garfield rolled down his window.

"Are you okay, Rae?"

"I'm fine."

"Need a hug?"

Raven's hand tightened on the door handle, but she didn't open it. A hug? How was a hug supposed to fix this? Her world was gone. Shattered. She couldn't stomach going into her own house for a few minutes, and all he could offer was a hug? Her eyes burned with tears fought back by sheer will.

She growled, and opened the backseat door instead. She sat down, shut the door, and instantly broke down sobbing. Garfield pulled her to his chest and smoothed her hair.

"Ugh, it smells like science class," he said.

Raven laughed and cried harder, holding his hand to her shoulder as her teeth sank into a knuckle on her other fist. Thankfully, he was silent after that, just cradling her and stroking her hair while she wept. Worse, her mind focused not on the reason she was crying, but on everything she lost because of him. Christmas cookies. Quiet knitting. Mother's gentle singing when he wasn't home. Tea and crackers after school. Her room. It wasn't much, but it was hers.

Was. Her room, fine, that can be replaced. What was supposed to replace Angela, though? The little moments alone with her, all gone. Over a sleepover.

"God, I'm so stupid," she whimpered.

"I don't think you can say that around me."

"Gar…"

"No, seriously. You, Rob, Vic, and Kori? You guys are, like, super smart. I'm the dumb one."

"Why didn't I run when you stole my table?"

"You kind of did."

"Not far enough."

"Raven. I'm no brain scientist, but- It wouldn't change anything."

Raven pulled away and glared at him. He shrugged and scratched his neck nervously.

"I mean, he was already hitting you, right? It was only gonna get worse anyway. At least you have friends this way, you know?"

Raven's eyes softened. She hadn't really considered that until now. This… it had nothing to do with her or her choices. She'd always just been property to him. Even if she had run away, what would have happened to Angela? She couldn't cut off her own mother, could she? Which meant he was right. He did own her.

"Oh, my God," she breathed.

"Yeah. So stop beating yourself up. He's the dick here."

"That…," Raven searched for the most insulting word she knew, blurting out, "that bastard."

Garfield gaped at her. "You swore!"

"So?"

"It's adorable!"

She scoffed. "Whatever, monkey brain."

"Hey, you should respect the monkeys! They're smart. Smart enough to use seasoning. There's a whole colony of-"

"Garfield."

"What?"

"Thanks."

That dumb, lopsided smirk of his bubbled up again as he said, "Hey, no problem. It's what you love about me, right?"

"Don't push it."

She returned his smile, though, and wiped her nose on her sleeve. Okay, so she had already admitted that a few days ago, but it seemed that the more unsure Garfield was about something, the more right he was. About people, anyway.

Tapping at the window pulled her from her thoughts. She smiled slightly and opened the door.

"Mom," she muttered, sliding out and twisting her arms around the woman.

"Oh, Rae, what on earth…"

"I'm sorry."

"No, no," Angela said, kissing her daughter's head. "Rachel, there is nothing to be sorry for. You just surprised me."

"I couldn't go inside."

"I know. I hate it here, too. It's okay. It's so quiet without you kids. How are you feeling?"

Raven squeezed. "A lot. Confused, angry, safe, alone… Just a lot."

Angela pulled back and removed a thin gold necklace. Raven stared at her as she held it up and showed off the dark red gem dangling from it.

"This is the one thing he let me keep. It's been in the family since we lived in the old world. It's red tourmaline, thought by some to have healing powers. But it's also very pretty," she said.

"It's beautiful, Mom. Why didn't you ever wear it?"

"Troy thought it was ungodly, boastful. So I kept it put away. Why did I ever care what he thought?" Angela sighed and reached around Raven's neck. "Besides. It looks better here."

Raven whimpered and wrapped a hand around the sharp red stone.

"I'm sorry, Rachel. I didn't take care of you."

"What? No! You did amazing, Mom. Father-."

"Would never have laid a hand on you if I'd left when I should have. The very first time he slapped me, I should have run."

"He would have followed you. It wouldn't change anything."

"Maybe not. But I could have tried."

Raven hugged her mother tightly again. "It's not permanent. They'll see you're working on it. They'll see. Then I can come home."

"Hey. When you're missing me," Angela said, placing her hands over Raven's and squeezing, "just hold tight. I'm right here, Rachel. Okay?"

"Promise?"

"I promise."

AN: I am still looking for beta readers, so please PM me if you're interested in getting the chapters a week early!