Salvation at all costs; salvation in spite of all terror; salvation, however long and hard the road may be, for without salvation there is nothing.‘...““So, what are you going to do?”“Wait to see what happens after Angie talks to Doctor Mercer. She isn’t expecting an answer from me in the next few days.”“Are you sure?”“Positive. I do need to leave in a few minutes.”“I remember. What are you going to say to Elizaveta?”“Nothing. Well, I will tell her I’m having lunch with Becky tomorrow. My parents. . If he doesn’t want anything else to do with me – well, then I’ll probably be getting a dog to take his place ... If I like it ... But I think I’ll like it. I hope I do.” She looks around the crew again, seeking confirmation that he expectations will be fulfilled. “I hope he’s a good fuck...”Cut to the street outside ... Walking toward us in slow motion – it’s Dennis and Casanova. Everyone watching immediately knows that Tara is in for a serious pounding.Dennis speaks with croaky Cockney. ”“They hurt you that bad?” she breathed.I nodded. “I don’t want to go into all the details, but most of you girls got out after the party. They didn’t. Patrick and Vance kept them doped on weekends so they could have their way and then kept them dried out during the week when I was around so they’d go into withdrawals and take it out on me.”“Whoa! That’s seriously fucked-up! I had no idea. Lana just swore to me that she had reason to believe the story about you. I didn’t know the rest.”“Neither. What else could I do, though? I hadboobs. I could feel their weight and fullness on my chest. How couldthey have gotten there if not magic?"H-How long?" I questioned with an odd mix of dread and hope."Until your pass expires," Anya answered. "But don't worry, the magicwill help you so that you can do normal girl things like put on a bikiniand know your name." My name?" I asked, getting a nod from Anya. "You just said it, though.It's Gretchen. I mean Gretchen. I mean ..."Anya's smile.