A/N: Greetings! This is a story I have put much thought into. I really hope I can pull it off before I get a major writer's block and stop writing for a while. Don't let that get it the way though. I am planning on updating this story weekly, starting from today, unless there are many, many reviews that demand otherwise. Please excuse any occasional grammar and/or vocabulary errors, since English is not my native tongue.

P.S.: I had thought about many little details of the story but not the title. This story is named "Fall" as today it is the first day of Autumn. Please enjoy your reading!

Fall

Chapter 1

She was terribly tired. She had been carrying all those boxes by herself for over two hours. Her car was full. She was glad there was a little space left for her to sit and drive the way back home. She had packed everything, her books, papers, computer. She had even disassembled the bookcase she had bought for her office and carried it down the stairs.

She placed the last box somewhere between the others and stood up, stretching her aching back and sweeping the sweat that was dripping from her forehead. She turned to see the building one more time. She wasn't going far away, but she had the common feeling of separation troubling her. She watched it silently, observing the people who were running busily through the hallways, Frank, the guy who cleaned the large sound proof windows, the door opening and closing automatically every time someone walked by.

She had nice memories of this place. Coming early, staying 'till late, getting more and more tired. But it was worth it. She had been doing it for almost six years. It was inevitable to not get accustomed to this routine.

She took another quick glance and barged into her car. She couldn't fasten the seatbelt because of all the boxes covering it, so she just started the engine and took the way back home. Just like she always did. Only this time she knew she wouldn't be doing it again.

People nowadays, seem to be harder to convince than before. She knew a reporter's job was to provide accurate information, and that's what she did. No one seemed to believe her. People don't believe in supernatural aliens, UFOs and invasions. At least not the majority of them. And those who believe are not enough to make your articles sell, or at least not make you look like a fool.

Her boss was clear enough. People want real stories. Wars, political developments, and mainly gossip. He was clear enough when he made a fool out of her by screaming "You're fired!" and throwing her research on the floor while everyone was watching. The next day she returned humiliated, packed her things and left. Once and for all.

She waited impatiently for the traffic light to turn green. People walked among the streets, everyone caught up in their own routine, their own world. The real world. But April always knew better. And many other people did but it was easier not to ever admit it.

She really must have been a fool to attempt to publish such a story. Nothing had happened in about nine years and people seemed to have forgotten. But for April it was harder than that.

She tried to ignore it but the feeling was there. The same feeling she had when she was still in high school. Something big was about to happen. And not in the good way. She recalled the incidents from her dream. Four faces had appeared. Four faces she had desperately tried to forget. To shut them out of her life and make it normal. Even though it had hurt her, it had been for the best.

She hadn't seen or spoken to the turtles since she was sixteen. Still, their voices visited her in her sleep, their very eyes pleading her for help, warning her, telling her not to ignore her feeling any longer. They were stuck in her mind. But it wasn't right. She left herself acknowledge the feeling for a moment and what did she get? She lost her job. She wasn't going to let paranoia ruin the life she had so passionately created.

She turned left and met up with her entrance. She parked her car right beside one car she was really grateful to see there. She got out and spotted her father leaning in the car hood. Their gazes met and they greeted each other lovingly.

"It's good to see you here, dad!" April exclaimed and wrapped her arms around him.

"I figured you would need some help with the boxes and all…" he joked and returned her hug.

"You have no idea!" She said leaving a sigh of annoyance as she tried to intensify the physical pain she had suffered while trying to carry all these boxes on her own.

"I think we should get started…" her father commented while trying to avoid a laugh at her reaction.

…

She sipped the hot tea and let the flavor fill her senses. She felt overwhelmed by the taste of cinnamon and honey tickling her throat. She exhaled hot air and let the relief consume her. She was still very tired but she felt really grateful to the fact that she was finally able to relax after the whole process of moving out of her office.

Her father sat beside her on the couch, drinking his tea as well, in silence. She wanted to tell him about her feeling but she feared his reaction would be similar to her boss'. She rotated the cup in her fingers, took a few glances at it and finally placed it on the wooden table. She turned to face her father who spontaneously did the same thing.

"Thank you very much for coming here and helping." She said starting a conversation.

"No problem sweetheart! I still don't get why someone would fire you just because they didn't like an article of yours! It's such an immature behavior!" her father replied showing his irritation, as he raised his voice.

"Actually, it's more than that… I wanted to publish a story about aliens…" she said knowing her father understood more than she spoke of. She watched as his expression slowly shifted to anger and confusion.

"April! I thought you had stopped interfering with aliens and mutants a long time ago! It was very irresponsible of you to try and bring that out now that nothing's happening, of course you boss would think you're crazy!" he shouted confirming her earlier fears.

"Dad! I really haven't interacted with anyone since high school! It's just I started having one of those feelings again… But now it's more intense! I know that something is about to happen! I saw them in my sleep! I am not crazy Dad!" She shouted back defending herself. She stood up from the couch and headed to the kitchen trying to avoid her father's gaze. She didn't want him to see her showing any weakness.

He stood up and guiltily followed her. He stood at the door and stared at her while she washed her face, trying to hold back her rising tears. After some moments she turned around and walked to his place where he watched her patiently with understanding.

She raised her head and stared at his eyes. "I'm sorry about that…" she said.

"Don't worry darling. It's probably from all the stress and stuff… I have an idea. Why don't you come and work at my company while you search for another job. It is a good opportunity to forget about what happened…" he offered her.

"Sounds good, dad… I really appreciate it!" She replied accepting his offer. Of course, she knew she couldn't blame it on stress. But she couldn't argue any longer.

"Meet me tomorrow at my office at seven! I'll tell you what to do then…" he said as he walked the way back to the living room and finally out of the apartment.

"See you tomorrow!" She waved at him as he walked down the stairs. He waved back and then disappeared.

April took the two cups of tea in her hands and headed to the kitchen. She carefully washed them and placed them in the cupboards. She went to the bathroom and had a cold bath to relax. Then, she fell onto her bed and slept. Hoping for a better night's sleep than the previous night.