Untitled
I've been here for hours. I set my hand down on my bony arm. It's cold in here, but all I'm allowed to wear is a hospital gown. My skin's turned so pale, and my hair looks darker than ever before. I feel my heavy eyes start to close; around them, my skin is dark with distilled blood. I don't have the nightmares anymore, so that's a positive. Looking up at the dim, rubber room surrounding me at all ends, I wish for a window. I don't know what it's like outside; I haven't for a long time. It's been hard to fight lately. When I fall asleep, I don't see myself being able to wake up. I can't see myself in the stars anymore. I haven't felt the same in years; I haven't loved myself in so many years. I miss Sam, Freddie, and Spencer. I miss Gibby, Melanie, and Wendy.
Things aren't how they used to be; iCarly's over, Sam and I don't talk anymore, and I'm all alone. I can still see Sam slicing into her arms with a pocket knife. I begged her to stop, and she begged me to stop throwing up. I couldn't, so she never stopped. I don't know where she is now, but she's not with me. The last time I saw Spencer, he was crying. I wonder if he knows I'm never coming back.
Flipping my long brown hair back into place, I hear pounding on the door, then watch it break down; my friends are here to save me. Two of them guard the door while one hands me my clothes. "Are you okay, Carly?" the last one, Michelangelo, asks, his voice caring and loving.
"Yeah," I quickly answer. "Thanks for showing up, guys."
"We'd never let you down, Carls," Donatello happily replies.
"Now let's blow this place," Raphael orders, clenching his sai in both hands. I nod, then follow Raph and Leonardo out the door; Mikey and Donatello following behind me. We were a team. Glancing back at me, Leo's face resembled Freddie's for an instant.
"Any idea who we're up against?" I asked, keeping up pace with our leaders.
"The Foot," Donatello answered, a grave nature in his voice. "They've been attacking Seattle since you left. But together, we're gonna take 'em down."
"What did they do to you in there, Carly?" Mikey asked, his youthful tone lightening my heart.
"I'll tell you back at base," I answered. "Right now, we have baddies to fight."
As the sun set, the ninjas lined the roof of an old apartment. I stood beside Mikey, my closest friend, scanning the city. "Any sign?" I asked, keeping my voice hushed.
"Not yet," Leo answered, not taking his eyes off the skyline. "I don't even know where they're centering at."
"And Shredder's been out of the picture for about a year now," Raphael added. "We're takin' shots in the dark here."
"We don't have any leads," Donatello replied. "No sign of them, no more attacks. I'm still trying to triangulate their position, but I'm having no luck."
"So we just sit back and wait for their next strike?" I asked.
"No. Raph and I'll search the area," Leo declared. "You three stay here and watch the rooftops. Keep in contact. Here, Carls." The team leader threw me a shell phone, which I quickly pocketed.
"Thanks, Leo," I said. With a nod, the two lept into the city of Seattle. Hours pass by; nothing. Leo and Raph called in afew times, just to say they hadn't found anything. Turning away from the city, I look at my friends. "Guys..." I said with a trembling voice. "Thank you for saving me. I really thought I was all alone for awhile."
"We'd never turn our backs to you, Carly," Donatello reassured me. "You're our friend."
I felt Mikey's hand touch my shoulder; the tepid embrace of those three leathery fingers calms me down. "We're there for you, bud," he promises me. Suddenly, my phone went off; it was Raphael. "Foot's a no-show," he declared. "We're gonna pick up the search tomorrow night. Meet us back at the base."
"Will do, Raph," I answered. "Thanks." Turning to the others, I give them the news, and Mikey helps me jump buildings until we reach the sewers. While the two turtles flipped and scaled down the hole, I climb down a ladder, carefully placing the manhole lid back into its place. After about five minutes of wandering, we find the base, where Raph, Leo, Master Splinter, and a warm pizza were waiting for us. "How's he doing?" I asked, looking at the sleeping rat on the couch.
"Hasn't stirred," Leo answered, gently stroking his master's fur back. "Sometimes I don't think he's ever waking up."
"Have faith," I said. "I know he's gonna pull through." We all sat down at the table, and divide up the pepperoni, sausage, and bacon pizza among the five of us. Taking a massive bite, I let out a satisfied moan. "Thanks for the pizza, guys. I was starving. The guys agree, and continue their dinner.
Waking up, I find myself pressed against my padded walls. My mouth is damp, and my hair flat in my face. Clad in my sterile hospital gown, I look up to find a man and a woman in white nurse outfits ready to escort me off to dinner; the worst part of my day. I'm too weak to fight back as they drag me out of my room. I wish my friends were here. It's so cold in this building.