Author's Note: This part of the chapter digs a bit deeper into Raven's past. As I've said before, I've changed quite a bit of her story because I don't think that I should have a character in my stories who is part demon (Raven's father in the comics, as well at the TV show, is Trigon the Terrible, a demon). So when the chapter says something about her father, don't picture a demon. Rather, picture a man with black hair, Raven's color of skin, black clothes, and a blue cloak like Raven's.

Sat, Oct 7^th, 2056

The day came when some of the trainees would be recognized as full-fledged Teen Titans; one day after the tragedy of El Coyote. All of the Titans had been told what had happened, but the Trainees had not, all that they knew was that he was dead.

Wolf Woman had been asked by Robin to tell the others the story of what happened at the graduation ceremony and she had agreed to it. When the time came for her to talk, Wolf Woman got up onto the stage, “I’m sure that all of you have heard about how El Coyote is no longer with us, but a lot of you have been asking about why he isn’t.” And so she told them the whole story about how he had tricked her into the trap and how Leo had tried to kill him. Then how he renounced his loyalty to the Legion and had helped Robin and herself to fight Leo and the others. And then finally how he died and how before he did he had given his life to Jesus Christ.

“And I tell you all, it didn’t matter that he had been a traitor, he was truly forgiven yesterday. The Bible says that ‘If a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so.’ El Coyote truly turned from the sins he had committed and did what was right.

“You may be wondering why I am telling you this; let me explain. Who here has done something bad in their lives? I know I have. I’ve lied, I’ve thought bad thoughts about someone, I’ve gossiped. The Bible says that if someone ‘keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles at just one point, he is guilty of breaking all of it.’ I’ve never murdered anyone, but one of my little white lies that I’ve told has made me just as guilty as a murderer in God’s eyes! But, as I’ve told you all many times before, Jesus came and died in my place, so now I can be forgiven of my sins. And so can you. If you’d like to know more about this, please come and talk to me or one of the Wolf Pack or Robin afterwards, we would love to tell you more. And now, I believe Robin has an announcement to make.” She walked off the stage.

“Thank-you, Wolf Woman,” Robin said. “And now here are the trainees who have been chosen to become Titans; they are, Superstar, Gadget Guy, Dark Warrior, and Ivy!”

____________________

Mon, Oct 9^th, 2056

A young Raven ran into her room and hid under her bed, her arms throbbing with pain. As she sobbed things in her room flew off the shelves; she was only seven and she‘d just gained her telekinetic powers. Most others from her world didn’t gain telekinesis until their twenties. She’d have to clean it all up later before her mom saw the mess; if her mom saw she’d be beaten again.

It wasn’t even her fault that things went flying, her powers were hard to control and they did things when she had strong emotions like she did now. But she didn’t really care about that right now. All she wanted was to get away.

“God,” she whispered, “If You’re there, show me! If You exist, make it stop!” Her dresser fell over as if to emphasize her call.

But no, she thought, He’s not there, just like always. If He were real, if He cared, He’d make it stop! But He never does!

Then she heard her door open. “Dad?”

“Raven, get out from under the bed. What is this mess?”

She crawled out and faced her father, tears still rolling down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Father. I tried to keep it from happening, but I couldn’t control it.”

He looked at the bruises on her arms, “Did it happen again?”

Raven nodded.

“I’m sorry, Raven. We just need to wait. She’ll stop eventually.”

“Daddy, can’t you stop her? Can’t you send her away?”

“Sweetheart, I can’t do that. I love her too much.”

“But don’t you care that she’s hurting me?”

“Raven, we’ve had this conversation too many times before. Clean up this mess before your mom sees it.” And with that he left.

Raven sobbed again, “Stop it, Raven!” she told herself, “Emotion only makes it worse!”

Raven sat up in bed, tears rolling down her cheeks as they‘d been in her dream. Only now she could keep her powers under control, so that things didn’t fly across the room whenever she sobbed.

Memory dreams. I haven’t had that one in a long time. “God, where were You when all of this was happening? I know that You see everything, why didn’t You stop it? Didn’t You care? Where were You?”

She stared into the darkness of the room. “So much has changed since then,” she whispered. “I met and followed Satan, gained control of my powers, came to Earth, joined the Titans, turned away from Satan, came to God, and made some real friends. I’ve come so far from that scared little girl. So why do I still have dreams about it?”

Raven laid back down and closed her eyes. Soon sleep came to her and she heard a voice. “I was right there with you. I cried with you. Though you didn’t know, I held you in My arms. I care about you so much, Raven.”

“Then why did You let that happen?”

“Raven, you don’t see the big picture. I do. I didn’t want you to have to go through that, but the world is evil. This world, your world, all worlds. And while it hurt, it made you stronger. It helped to shape you into who I have planned for you to be. Do you trust Me, Raven?”

“Yes, Jesus, I trust You.”

“Then know that I was with you, just as I am now. And know that My ways are perfect. Trust me with your past, as well as your future.”



~Wolf Woman