Taslima's words rang over and over in his head as he walked toward the ridge. He missed her already. It was hard on him even if he was reluctant to admit it. He had grown very fond of her in those few hours. She was a South Dakota girl. Maybe she grew up near where he had? He'd never know now.
It was not knowing her that bothered him the most. He had wanted to ask her about the tattoo on her chest, the hand. He knew it was a symbol of her religion but he had no idea what it meant. Not to everyone but what it meant to her. He hadn't asked. Thought it was a dumb question when there were other pressing matters. He'd lost that chance. He hated himself for it.
He knew she had been very religious. It was a quality that Snake both admired and held a great disdain for. He had never been religious, saw no reason to be but when Taslima spoke about it on the few occasions while they were together he saw light in her eyes. She had faith. Maybe it was her innocence or perhaps it was true belief. Did it matter?
Snake shook his head. He didn't believe in shit but he found at that moment he was mentally asking Allah to watch over her. He didn't know if he'd listen to an Atheist. Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn't, maybe he didn't even exist. Snake didn't care. He wasn't thinking it because he believed in a god or a prophet but because he had believed in her.