April was worried, not a single word from the guy's since they went out last night. Master Splinter had asked her to wait until tonight so he could help look but,
the longer they waited the less chance they had of finding the boys. So here she was scouring the area they had talked about patrolling last night. Looking up
at the tall roof tops, she wished she had the ninja skills to get up there and look. If any evidence of what happen to them could be found, she would bet her
money on it being on the roof tops. Sighing she checked yet another ally way, but stopped in her tracks a few steps into it. There was a faint sound coming
from a trash can in the back of the ally. Slowly pulling out her fan, April slowly approached it, hoping it was just a cat. When she was close enough, she
grabbed the lid of the trash can and yanked it off. A scream and green arms blocking his face reviled a cowering turtle.
"Raph?" April question as the turtle just continued to sob and plead for her not to hurt him.
" Raph it's me, April!" her voice raising in panic.
Was this really Raphael? Was this sad, shell of a turtle really number-one tough-guy Raph?
" A-april? " he stammered looking up at her.
"Yeah, Raph its me. What happen? Where are the others?" she asked gently, yelling was going to get her nowhere and Raph seemed incredibly upset.
"T-the Kraang , T-they attacked us. Shot some kind of.. thing at us…." Raphael hiccupped another sob and broke down again.
'Oh god….with this reaction…are they' ,April was freaking out., ' no, they can't be defeated just like that.'She then turned her focus on trying to get the heavy
distressed turtle out of the trash can. After a few tries she finally managed to get him out and knelling on the ground. Raph kneeled there his head buried in his
hands, mumbling apologies between his tears.
"Raph its fine," she tries to calm him down placing a hand on his shoulder, "just tell me what you remember."
He look up at her, look like he couldn't believe she wasn't mad at him." All I really remember after they shot that thing at us was ,well, passing out and when I
woke up…" he trailed off, then shivered " I woke up Donnie and Leo were talking but, they sounded….wrong." Raph looked down at his feet again. " Wrong
how Raph?" Aprils voiced rose a little at this latest development. Trying to info out him was urgent, What if the others where in serious trouble.
The once hotheaded turtle flinched, once again using his hands to hide his face.
"S-sorry April. I'm so sorry." He manages to sob.
'Great going April' she thinks as she placing a hand on his shoulder." Hey look its going to be ok Raph. Look we'll figure thing out but for now, lets just get you
home and out of the open." She looks around. Its still broad daylight! They were very lucky to not be noticed so far.
" This way Raph," The red-head says taking a hold of one of the broken turtle in front of her, "Lets go tell Splinter what we do know and we will try to find your
brothers with his help tonight ok?"
she give him a gentle smile hoping to stop his tears. Raph only nods slowly and squeezes her hand as he stands up.
" I hope they are better before we find them, cause I'm not sure if you'd be that happy to see them if they're still…messed up." He quietly states not taking his
eyes off his feet.
April wasn't sure if it was the pause or the honest fear in his voice but, with that warning, she lead him as quickly as possible to the nearest manhole. Hopefully
Master Splinter could help her make since of the hot-tempered turtle's sudden change and what had happen to the others. There is always hope right?