Hmmm...this chapter was shorter than I would like but I hope it'll get you all by until the next update.


"So what's the plan?" Mikey asked nervously, fidgeting in his chair besides Leo. The eldest turtle was frowning, staring at the rug in front of him, his chocolate eyes narrowed.

"Leonardo?" Alex asked. He wasn't comfortable calling the turtles by their nicknames just yet and he'd learned that within a short time that the blue clad turtle was to be treated with respect, as the leader of his clan.

Donatello was someone Emma got along well with, them both loving science and mathematics. His girlfriend also had a soft spot for the youngest turtle, Michelangelo. He also found himself getting along well with the two youngest turtles. The eldest of them all seemed to be so angry all the time – so focused on protecting his family. So the least he could do was respect him for it.

"Poor Raphael," Emma fretted, nervously wringing her hands. She paced behind Leo, her eyes wide with worry.

"Do you think they're going to show him again?" Don wondered.

"Maybe," Leo said softly.

"Macaster might not plan on letting the public see him for awhile. The last time he tried to show off Raph on TV, and when he failed to show him, the public all thought it was just a man in a costume so he was written off as nothing more than a scam. Macaster lost a lot of business and money because of it." Don said as he looked over a few printed pieces of paper he'd gotten offline.

"Didn't he come close to loosing his job?" Mikey asked.

"Close?" Don gaped. "He had to go to court. Tons of people wanted to sue him. They paid to see the 'turtle monster' and he didn't show…."

"Then chances are he won't get a lot of business here." Alex said. He remembered seeing the court day on TV – it had been all over the news for a week.

"Think he'll try for a different state?" Mikey asked in a slight fearful tone.

Glances were exchanged around the table as dread filled the room. It was as they feared… if they didn't act soon, they may loose their brother for good.


Raph shook his head, letting out a small groan of pain as he slowly came too. The last thing he remembered was Suzy and another assistant walking into Macaster's trailer, a dart gun in hand. The next thing he knew, there was a dart sticking out of his shoulder, a clear liquid being pushed into his bloodstream. Then all he saw was darkness.

Usually when this happens, I wake up under a hot, bright light, Raphael thought, turning his head slightly. Interesting…no white light and no straps...

Straining, he forced his heavy eyelids open. Instead of the normal bright light of a lab or pitch blackness of a cell, he saw dim lighting and felt soft padding under him. With a low moan, he struggled onto his knees and looked around.

It was a small room, covered completely with thick padding, even on the ceiling which was high up. There was a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling, much to far up for Raph to jump and the pads on the wall made it impossible for him to get a good grip to climb up.

Shaking his head, he felt a dull, throbbing pain in his shoulder blade. There was a thick piece of gauze wrapped on his right shoulder. Ripping it from his arm, he saw a slightly raised bump, slightly smaller than a penny. Reaching out with one tentative finger, he probed the bump. A hot pain went down his arm.

Okay, note to self. Don't touch swollen bump on arm.

Shakily getting to his feet, he took a few hesitant steps forward. A dizzy spell passed over him and Raph threw out an arm, catching himself on the soft wall. Taking a few more staggering steps forward, he noted a bowl of water and food in the corner.

Wait….food?

Raph reached up, pressing his fingers against his beak. Instead of plastic and leather, his hands hit his bruised face from when Hun had captured him again. He looked down, seeing his leg where the animal trap had snagged him, was neatly stitched up and wrapped with a thin layer of gauze. It felt much better – there was less pain in his whole body, now that he thought about it.

Odd…I wondered what happened to Macaster's chains and muzzle. Not that I'm complaining or anything.

"I'm telling you Mr. Macaster!"

Raph paused, cocking his head towards what he assumed was the door. He could hear a familiar woman's voice and the rough, deep voice of a man. A man who's voice sent shivers of fear and waves of rage through him.

Macaster.

"Miss Susan, I do believe that it was specifically against me wishes for the turtle to be un-muzzled and unbound. Have you not heard a word of how dangerous he is?"

"He's a poor animal that's obviously been hurt! If you hope to have any luck with him, allow him some slack in the leash, so to speak. He needs to eat solid food, not be fed through an IV tube."

"He had survived a whole month just fine on an IV tube."

"And he ran away! You need to show him kindness! He's a special animal and deserves good care and treatment!"

"That's why I have you."

"But you won't allow me any slack to work with him!"

"When you prove to me I can trust you, you'll have a free roam and complete care of him. But remember, he's mine and you work for me."

"I know that. But remember, I've been hired to care for the animals. What I say goes until he has my signature saying he's well enough!"

Thank goodness for her….

Raph could practically see the steam going out of the man's ears as he fumed at the stubborn lady.

Reminds me kinda of April….

"Fine Miss Susan, but remember, if anything happens to him, you'll pay the price. And trust me….you won't like it."


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