A/N: The Bridger is Kikide's creation. I just borrowed her for a bit. ;
"Second Chances and New Beginnings"
Ch. 1
Gina found herself on a beaten path. Looking ahead, it seemed to go on for miles and miles. It was the same when she turned to look the other way. She sighed, sitting down on the ground. What was she going to do now? She had no idea which way to go. And more importantly she didn't have the slightest clue where she was and what she was doing there. The last thing she remembered before finding herself in this place, was getting stabbed by Raphael, then nothing... "I'm so confused."
"You are in between worlds."
Gina screamed, a glowing being suddenly appearing in front of her. She jumped up, quickly moving in to a defensive stance. "Wh-who are, you?? Where did you come from??"
"You may call me The Bridger. I guard over the realm between the world of the living and the afterlife," the creature said in a feminine voice.
"S-so... am I dead?" Gina asked hesitantly, relaxing slightly.
"Not quite; right now you are on the edge. You're friend is trying to save you," just as The Bridger said this, a window appeared. It showed Donatello trying to close up Gina's stab wound, the other turtles, Raphael especially, helping him.
"I - I don't understand... why would they help me?" Gina looked at The Bridger questioningly as the window disappeared.
The Bridger remained silent.
"S-so what now? What do I do?!" Gina cried, placing her hands on her head. "I don't know where to go!"
"The answer will come to you soon." With that, The Bridger faded away.
"Wait! Don't - don't go...!" Gina sat down again, pulling her knees close to her body. She was scared and confused. She looked ahead of her, and then back. Which way lead where? She groaned, burying her face in her arms.
Gina didn't know how long she stayed in that position. It could have been seconds, minutes, hours... possibly even days. There was no way of telling time in this place between worlds.
"Gina...?"
Gina looked up to see Raphael (back to normal) standing before her. "R-Raph...?" Tears brimmed in her eyes and she jumped up, jumping in to Raphael's arms. "You have no idea how good it is to see a friendly face."
"Don was able to close up your wound, so ... come back, okay?" Raph said sounding slightly embarrassed.
She looked up at the other and nodded, tears still in her eyes. "Yeah, I don't want to leave just yet."
"I can't stay here for very much longer, but continue down this path and you'll find your way back," Raphael said, pointing down the path ahead of them. With that, he disappeared.
Clenching her fists with a newfound determination, she began her trek down the path. "Don't worry, I'm on my way."
Raphael slowly opened his eyes, and sat up. He looked at Gina still lying lifelessly on the operation table and sighed. I guess it was just a dream...
Just then there came a soft groan and Gina's eyes opened slightly. "Thank you..." she said, before slipping again in to unconsciousness.
"G-guys! She's alive! She made it!" Raphael exclaimed, causing the other turtles to rush in.
Donatello checked the readings on the life scan and said, "I can't believe it... the readings just an hour ago were coming up unresponsive... This is amazing," the genius brother said in awe. "I'll just run a few tests to make sure this is for real."
"You should get some rest, Raph, you look terrible," Leo said, as Raphael yawned.
"I don't want to leave her side..." Raph said almost frantically.
"Don't worry, I'll watch over her. She's in safe hands. Mikey, make sure Raph gets to bed."
"Yes sir!" The youngest turtle replied, saluting Leo. He chuckled, looking at Raph. "Looks like it's time for little Raphie's bedtime," he said in a mocking tone.
Raphael glared at the orange bandana clad turtle and growling in a menacing voice, "Yeah, just keep talking like that and we'll see just whose bedtime it is."
This quickly shut Mikey up.
Turning back to Leonardo, Raph conceded, saying, "Fine bro, I'll take your word for it." With that, he left the room, Mikey trailing behind him.