I closed my laptop and lifted it from my desk. I pressed it against my torso, feeling the hum and heat of its engine. I was still in my pajamas, and I hadn't even gone to the bathroom yet to wash my face. Instead, I passed by it and down the hallway. I headed downstairs. The lights were on this morning; Mom was awake. Perfect.

I entered the living room, where she sat watching the news. I took a deep breath and stepped in front of the TV.

"Good morning." Mom said. "Shouldn't you be getting ready?"

"I'm not going to school today." I said.

"And why not?"

"Because... I need to tell you the truth."

Mom focused her eyes on me and set the remote down. "I'm listening."

I held my laptop out and opened it. The screen lit up, displaying an image of the Teen Titans logo.

"We're going to watch all the episodes up to this point. Thirty-episodes, two and a half seasons, fourteen hours."

"Fourteen hours? Ciela, I don't have time for-"

"Then have time for a few minutes. Season 2, episode 12." I set my laptop beside the TV and plugged it in, moving my laptop screen over the TV. I went to the link, my finger trembling as I clicked on it and loaded the episode. "You probably won't like what you see, but keep watching."

I fast-forwarded to the correct scene, feeling Mom's curious eyes on the back of my head. I pressed play and walked behind the couch.

It showed the long canyon on the outskirts of Jump City. It was nighttime, and it panned into the canyon and to me sitting against a rock wall, holding my arms and shivering.

"Isn't this nice? This place brings back many memories."

I looked and lunged out of the way as a boulder crashed down where I once was. Terra appeared on a floating rock, hopped off it, and approached me.

"Slade told me all about you."

"Why am I not surprised? You were always my least favorite character."

Mom leaned forward, staring at the screen with squinted eyes. She recognized my voice.

The conversation continued for a little while longer before I drew my pistols and attacked. As I watched the battle from the screen, my mind replayed the actual moment: the flying rocks smashing against the ground sounded louder in my ears, the texture of Terra's hair tangled in my fingers when I yanked her off me, and the bruises welling up on my arms from her steel-cladded fists trying to do me harm.

The fighting ceased, and we stared at each other with blazing eyes. We returned to talking, mostly from my end as I antagonized her.

Then, it happened. I watched from a spectator's point of view as Terra's dagger rock flew at me, followed by a sickening thump that made my skin crawl. I dropped to my knees, the angle showing the rock penetrating my torso. My mother watched in shock as Terra approached me with a smile.

"You see? I told you I wouldn't miss the next time."

My eyes closed, and the screen faded to black. The ending episode credits appeared, along with the blasting theme song that made Mom jump. Silently, I walked over to my laptop and paused the video. I turned to Mom, took a deep breath, and lifted my shirt, exposing my stomach. The layer of gauze was thinner due to less need of it. I took off the pin and unraveled the bandages. The cold air conditioning hit my skin, making it ache. Mom's hand flew to her gaping mouth as she stared at my scar. It's been a week-and-a-half since I received it, and it looked like it was just starting to get better.

I straightened my shirt and looked up at Mom. Tears spilled down her cheeks. She remained frozen in her seat.

"This may seem horrible, but it's nothing compared to all the good things that's happened. Ever since I started entering the Teen Titans world, I felt like I've finally found relief after all these years. They... my friends... helped me." A lump formed in my throat. "I'm sorry I caused you all this trouble, Mom. I'd never do anything to hurt you on purpose. I wish I had the courage to tell you sooner."

Mom practically leaped from her seat and pulled me into a tight embrace. I ignored the dull ache of my scar against my clothes as I hugged her back. We remained this way for several minutes, crying into each other's shoulders. Mom pulled away to look into my eyes.

"I'm sorry for doubting you, Ciela. It was never your fault." Mom said. The ice in her eyes had all melted away, and it was so relieving to see her sunny disposition again. "So... how many episodes did you say there were?"

I wiped my cheeks and grinned. I hurried to my laptop and pulled up the first episode. I heard my mother sneak into the kitchen, turn on the microwave, and soon the scent of popcorn traveled to me.


I entered the living room, which was a complete mess. The fridge was wide open and began many different trails of food containers. Tables and chairs were toppled over, and the couch had a few bites taken out of it. I heard slurpy munching from somewhere in the room. I walked further into the room and over to the couch. A small, pink, oval-shaped blob sat next to the gaming console.

"Silkie?" I said.

The tiny alien creature perked his head and at me. The game controller was in his teeth, a few bites already taken out of it. The controller fell out of his mouth as he panted like a dog and cooed at me. I crouched down, and Silkie crawled up my leg and into my lap. I shuddered from the trail of slime coating my leg. I picked up the squishy alien and stood up, holding him out in front of me. I glanced around the trashed room once again before looking back at the cute little critter that caused it all.

"You made quite a mess." I said. Silkie responded with a coo. I chuckled and held him against my chest. I felt the faint thump of the front entrance doors closing. I headed out of the living room and down the hallway. I heard my friends talking about their most recent battle against Johnny Rancid and his dog, Wrex. I pressed closer to the wall as they passed by and into the living room. I heard their cries of shock and frustration from the place being trashed.

"I'll look for Johnny Rancid while you guys find out what did this." Robin said.

While my friends filed out of the room, I reached out and snagged Beast Boy's collar, pulling him away from the others. He turned and his eyes went to Silkie squirming in my arms.

"I, uh..." he said. "I guess my time is up?"

"I'm glad you remembered that. I believe this is yours." I said, giving Silkie to him.

"Beast Boy?" I heard Starfire say as she turned the corner. "Oh, hello, Ciela. Perhaps you can help us... with..."

Starfire locked onto Silkie, smiling without a care in the world.

"What is...?" she said.

"Starfire, meet Silkie." Beast Boy said. He held him out to her, and she stepped back.

"You mean the moth creature that Killer Moth utilized in order to attempt to overthrow the city? The moth creature our friends specifically advised you not to keep?"

"...Yes... but just look at him! Isn't he cute? Listen, I need a favor from you guys. I need you to take care of Silkie and help keep him a secret from the others."

"You're trying to drag me into this, too?" I said.

"Come ooon! If Robin finds out, he'll make me get rid of him! Please help me. I'll owe you big time!"

"I do not like to keep secrets from our friends." Starfire said.

"It'll be just this once! Pleeeease? I really need you. Silkie really needs you!"

Starfire sighed begrudgingly. She held her arms out, and Beast Boy plopped Silkie into them.

"You're the best! Thanks again!" Beast Boy said before jogging down the hallway.

As soon as he was out of sight, Silkie's lip quivered and he began to cry.

"Oh, weep not, small one." Starfire said, holding Silkie close and patting his back. "What is the matter with him?"

"He's hungry. Let's get him somewhere else before someone hears him." I said.

We headed to Starfire's room. Starfire set Silkie in a high chair and wrapped a bib around his neck.

"What do Silkies like to eat?" Starfire said.

"Do you have any alien foods? He really enjoys that." I said.

Starfire tapped a finger against her chin before an idea hatched. She hurried to her closet and pulled out a purple and black jar.

"No one can resist the delicious bitterness of zorka berries!" Starfire plopped the jar in front of Silkie and opened it. Silkie inhaled the scent and started to munch on it. "Good! While he is getting his fill, I shall obtain a fresh blankie."

"Are you sure it's all right to let him have that entire jar?" I said. While Starfire's back was turned to retrieve her curtains, Silkie plunged headfirst into the jar. I stepped back as the jar tipped over, burst open, and Silkie grew to the size of a minivan. "Uh... Starfire?"

Starfire turned, a bundle of curtains in her arms, and gasped at the giant Silkie. There was a knock at the door, and Starfire yelped.

"You must keep him tame. I will deal with our friends." Starfire said before hurrying to the door. She snuck outside, careful to keep the door as closed as possible. I caught glimpse of Cyborg's arm.

I sighed and turned to Silkie. I patted his head. He cooed, which mildly shook the ground. He leaned over and nuzzled his slimy cheek against mine. While he did, he found my braid and began to nibble on it. I pulled myself away, my hair coated with drool.

"Are you sure there's nothing going on?" I heard Cyborg say. I turned to the door and listened.

"Yes, of course! I have already searched my room thoroughly, and there is nothing unusual. You may continue your search elsewhere." Starfire said.

I heard Silkie shifting behind me, and when I turned, he was gone. As I looked around, the door opened, and Raven and Cyborg came in with Starfire clinging to Cyborg's leg.

"Oh, hi, guys." I said. "Is there a problem?"

"We're just looking for whoever trashed the living room. Any idea who?" Cyborg said.

"Um, no... But maybe you'll find out later."

Cyborg and Raven stared at me skeptically. I flashed them a cheerful grin. They rolled their eyes and left the room. Once the door closed, Starfire sighed deeply.

"Where has Silkie gone?" Starfire said.

"You might want to check under your bed." I said.

Starfire lifted her bed and noticed a gaping hole underneath.

"Oh, dear... Where did he go?" she said.

Heard throughout the entire Tower, Cyborg's girlish shriek leaked through the walls.

"I think I know." I said. "Come on."

We hurried down to the garage, crossing our paths with the others. We went inside and saw Silkie munching on Cyborg's leg as the rest of him sat on top of a stack of boxes.

"Give me back my leg, you little vermin!" Cyborg summoned his cannon while trying to balance on one leg, but he teetered over and fell to the ground. The cannon ray flew up into the ceiling, breaking off a large chunk that fell onto Silkie's head. Silkie growled and turned on Cyborg. Raven used her magic to pull Cyborg away as Silkie drove his head into the cement like an ostrich.

"Wait, friends! This is a misunderstanding!" Starfire cried, but she was drowned out over the commotion. Robin climbed up piles of boxes and landed on Silkie's head. He grabbed his antennae to try and tame him. Silkie bucked and sent him flying. While Starfire tried to calm our friends down, I hurried over to Silkie.

"It's okay, Silkie. Please try and calm down!" I said, holding my arms out. I rested a hand on his forehead. He recognized my touch, and his growl turned into a quiet, curious gurgle.

"What is going on here?" Robin said. I turned and saw my friends pause in their action and face me. Starfire floated to my side.

"Friends, I wish you to meet Silkie." Starfire said.

"That's Silkie?! What did you do to him?!" Beast Boy said.

"You know that thing?" Raven said, and Beast Boy shut his mouth.

"You must forgive him. He may have been subject to Killer Moth's evildoings, but that does not mean he himself is evil." Starfire said.

Robin folded his arms. "We can't keep him here."

"But-"

"We don't have room to house a giant caterpillar monster. I'm sorry, Starfire, but you have to let him go."


At dusk, Starfire left to go take Silkie somewhere else. The place was mournfully silent, some of it from me. After spending time with the little sack of slime, I felt attached to Silkie.

After Starfire came back, we received an alert that Johnny Rancid was back and raring to go, but we arrived on the scene just as a giant mutant moth gobbled him and his new pet, Wrexzilla. I saw a flaming whip crack in the air and hit the mutant moth, and it shrieked.

"Silkie!" Starfire gasped.

"His name is Larva M-319, and he belongs to me!" Killer Moth said. "I do thank you for caring for my pet."

"He is not your pet! Release him at once!"

"Hm... I don't think so." Killer Moth cracked his whip again, and Silkie nose-dived toward us. I grabbed Starfire's arm and pulled her away as Silkie bulldozed through a wall of totaled cars.

"We've got to knock him off. Take me up there." I said. Starfire nodded, took my hand, and lifted us into the skies.

While the others distracted Killer Moth, Starfire dropped me off on Silkie's thorax. I sprinted across his furry back and to Killer Moth. As he turned around, I shoved my fist into his cheek. He dropped his whip and stumbled back, cupping his cheek. I planted my hands on his back and shoved him off. I used a pistol to shoot off the chain leash Killer Moth attached to his collar.

"Silkie! It's me, Silkie!" I cried. As Silkie flailed around in the air, I latched onto his fur. I crawled down, enough so he could see him in one of his eyes. "Look at me! Don't you remember me?"

Silkie's flailing came to a stop. He stared at me as we fluttered in the air.

And then... Silkie exploded.

The giant mass of flying fuzz vanished, replaced by a mound of pink and purple goop. Luckily for me, it broke my fall. I surfaced as bits and pieces of the digested berry rained down. I shook out my hands and head, my nose clogged with the scent of citrus.

Something squirmed against my ankle, and I plunged my hands into the goo and pulled out Silkie. He cooed and wiggled his tiny legs at me, a big grin on his face.

"Well... At least you came out of this unscathed." I said.

"Silkie!" Starfire rushed to my side and scooped Silkie into her arms. "Hello, my little bumgorf!"

"Uh..." Beast Boy said. The corners of his mouth twitched like he was trying real hard not to laugh.

"Say anything and I'll shoot you." I said, scraping off a handful of goo and plopping it on his already messy hair.