As fun as it would be, neither Ramica nor I own any mutant turtles that
wear colorful bandannas or obsess over martial arts. Ramica owns
Ramiela/Rama and I own Gabriella/Gabby and any offspring that she has with
Seth. Gary is Ramica's character, too. Please read and review!
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Chapter 2 – The Rescue
Regaining consciousness in a back alley, she looked around confused and dazed. She was lying on her side, her left arm supporting her head while her right arm lay bleeding down in front of her. Trying to sit up she shook her head to rid herself of the fog that still clung to her mind. However, she soon discovered that any slight movement was enough to cause her cranium to ache and her stomach to lurch wildly.
Glancing down she noticed the many wounds on her body and wondered how she had managed to get them. There were wounds on her arms, her legs, and her plastron. But any thought that required speculation as to how she came to be that way caused the pounding in her head to intensify.
While in a sitting position she carefully reached up with one hand to gingerly touch the side of her head. She felt her arm protest madly, but ignored it for the time being. However, as her fingertips carefully explored her temple she immediately winced, drawing in a sharp breath as she felt a new and intense type of pain. It hurt so much that she couldn't help but cry just a little.
She felt weak, tired and sick to her stomach. Despite the pain, though, she was able to glance up only to see a host of tall buildings surrounding her. Yet, even with her befuddled mind, she knew from the amount of sunlight which seeped between the edifices that it had to be the middle of the day. Almost on instinct alone she knew that it wasn't safe to be out in the open like this. She had an almost crazed desire to go and hide.
She looked around desperately and saw a manhole cover only a few feet away from where she was. For some odd reason it seemed familiar and created in her a feeling of safety and comfort. It almost called for her to hurry up.
Yes down there under the streets was her home. She was able to recollect that much. She also remembered that her name was Ramiela. But that was all that came to her confused mental state for the moment.
She slowly forced herself up onto her feet as she pushed back against the wall of the building that was behind her. Struggling with every movement that caused her body to almost scream in agony, she hugged the scant shadows afforded there. Ramiela found that even the hairs on her head seemed to hurt! But no matter how cautious and hesitant she was as she moved, the pounding in her head resonated all the more.
Then she noticed one of her legs was barely able to hold her upright. As she looked closer Ramiela realized then the severe gash running down it. It had already begun to crust over but in moving it the wound had broken open, allowing a fresh flow of blood to run. In that instant she suffered a quick attack of vertigo and leaned against the wall. She begged for the spinning motion to stop. Ramiela then felt her stomach lurch once again, but swallowed back the bile that attempted escape.
She hurt so much she was finding it difficult to focus. Just standing up had been physically exhausting for her which made the manhole cover seem miles away from where she was. Even if Rama had somehow managed to reach it, her weakened state would have prohibited her from lifting the heavy lid. Even attempting to maneuver down into the sewers below would be difficult if not impossible for her. But as she studied the emblem on the cover, she could just vaguely read the NYC lettering. New York City! Yes this was her home. Ramiela had family here, she knew that much, but at the present moment she couldn't name a single one of them. She only knew that she had a family.
But her head hurt too much to think straight. All she wanted to do was to sleep – and in the worst possible way, too.
Before giving in to it though she knew she would have to hide somewhere. It was more like a feeling she knew instinctively rather than understanding the reasons for it. Glancing around uncertainly she noticed a fire escape and some large boxes piled up underneath it. It was only a few steps from where she stood presently and she felt that the boxes would provide her with at least a little bit of cover. It might not have been the best place but under the circumstances Ramiela wasn't about to be too picky. Considering her choices, it would have to be enough.
However, she found that even walking those few meager steps was a challenge in and of it self. It was closer than the sewer cover, but 'closer' seemed to be a relative term. She staggered almost drunkenly towards her sanctuary, nearly keeling over at one point. If it weren't for the wall she hugged protectively she would most certainly have fallen.
Finally reaching her destination, Ramiela managed to move some of the boxes around to create an enclosure. She made an opening and then eased in under the fire escape. She pulled the opening closed and, with much effort, dragged some of the other boxes around her. She hoped it would be sufficient to conceal her from any prying eyes before allowing sleep to overtake her.
However in her debilitated state she didn't notice the trail of blood she left behind. Ramiela was unaware that the crimson stain on the alleyway floor and the blood smeared boxes led right to where she was hiding.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gary was stressed almost to irritability. He had to get away somewhere if only to catch a breather from the hustle and bustle of the office. A few minutes of solitude to regain his composure and he'd be ready to return to work. He only had about fifteen minutes for his coffee break, but it would have to suffice.
As Gary entered the alley he was deep in thought about what was going on back at the office. The entire place was in a state of panic. Upper management had received notice just that morning that the new owner was coming in that day. He was interested in meeting with them and to ensure that all work was going as planned. The owner was known for his surprise visits, so the fact that a call was even made to the office that morning to warn of his impending stop was thought to be considerate.
Gary couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. He had met the owner early on shortly after the man had bought the company. The impression that Gary had of him was he really didn't seem all that bad. Considering the man had taken a struggling business and turned things around for the better said a lot for him. Since Don Tello had taken over the company there had been some changes but nothing that major. If anything, the changes he made were helping the company to get back up onto its feet again, proving he had a sharp but fair business sense. And yet Tello was not a man to be trifled with. Maybe that was why Gary's manager was having a fit with everything?
Thinking about the owner, Gary knew he wasn't really a man in the truest sense of the word. Mr.Tello was probably one of the most unique, if not richest beings on the planet. He was all in all a very interesting individual to be sure. Still Gary couldn't blame management for feeling a little edgy about the meeting. They owed Don Tello a whole lot. Without his ideas for bettering the company, most of those in managerial positions would have been out of a job long ago.
As the young man mulled over those events, he noticed almost casually the blood in the alley.
"Great, probably a drunk beaten up or something," he muttered grimly to himself.
He then noticed the pile of cardboard containers, "Bet he's sleeping it off behind those boxes."
It was more out of curiosity then anything else that caused Gary to step forward and to check it out. If the supposed drunk was dead, then Gary knew he would have to call the police. If he wasn't but he was injured, then – again – the police would have to be called. Either way, Gary knew it was the right thing to do.
He had to pull a couple of the boxes out of the way to see the 'drunk', but as he did so he gasped sharply at what he saw next.
Lying behind one of the cartons was a humanoid turtle. It was plain to see that the being was badly hurt. One look at all the bleeding cuts and gashes was all it took to prove that point. However, it appeared as if it were sleeping.
Gary paused, a horrified feeling grabbing a hold of him, "Wait a sec. What if she isn't sleeping but..." he didn't bother finishing that thought. When he glanced down, he noticed the slow rise and fall of its chest. He breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that it was alive. But then he realized another interesting factor. By its contoured shape and obvious feminine build, he knew that it was female.
Suddenly her eyes snapped opened and, catching sight of the human, she uttered a muffled cry, scrambling to her feet in a desperate attempt to get away. But she seemed to only become tangled in among the boxes, sinking back down quickly before she even had a chance to get up.
"Go away. Leave me alone, Baka" she spoke weakly but sharply to him.
Gary backed off and recognized that she needed help – and desperately, too. He knew that. He hurried back down the alleyway and out onto the pedestrian walk. In a moment he was running through an employee entrance of his office building next door to inform one of the supervisors of the situation. This creature was in desperate need of medical help and he felt that time was of the essence.
Of course with the office in the state it was today it took a while for him to track down someone who would be of any help. When he did find his boss and the head supervisor, they were in the main lobby. Gary saw that they were all ready in the midst of greeting Mr. Tello, who had just arrived.
Gary knew that Mr. Tello would be interested in what he had found in the alley and so, without waiting for an introduction, he brazenly spoke up. Speaking quickly, Gary said, "Mr. Tello sir, please forgive me for interrupting, but I believe that one of your family members might be hurt in the back alley."
That seemed to get everyone's attention. While his employers only turned a scowling look at the employee, Mr. Tello seemed to have a rather skeptical expression on his face. The announcement by this low-end worker seemed rather incredible; he didn't quite believe what this young man was telling him.
"A family member of mine?" he asked suspiciously. His voice was calm with just a hint of doubt.
Gary replied nervously, "Well, sir, there seems to be a distinct family resemblance, if you get my drift? She, at least I think it's a she, is bleeding quite badly." He shifted from one foot to the other nervously. He knew he was treading on thin ice as he noticed the narrowing of not only his boss's eyes, but Mr. Tello's, too. He had heard that Mr. Tello was an individual who was quite careful with whom he trusted and entrusted. He did not tolerate well anyone who would play around with him.
Gary could see Mr. Tello considering these words and then, as if coming to a well thought out decision, demanded, "Show me."
Gary nodded, saying, "Yes, sir, right this way!" and led them all out of the office and back to the alley. He could feel his boss's hard penetrating gaze on his back. Gary wondered how soon he would be reprimanded for interrupting them with the new owner.
The worker gestured towards the jumble of boxes and mumbled, "She's under the fire escape over there."
A weak exhausted voice from that direction floated towards them "Go away bakas, just leave me be!" Her words seemed to have more strength then the tone itself.
Don tried to keep from laughing as he heard the Japanese insult. He highly doubted any of the people with him would recognize the word or even know its translation for that matter. But he knew it. Whoever was speaking might be weak and badly hurt but they obviously had some spunk left in them. Don glanced at the signs of blood in the alley. It was quite possible that the being was seriously injured. But he also knew that some wounds, even though superficial, insisted on bleeding profusely. The amount of blood that stained the alleyway and the boxes suggested that this might be the case.
Assessing the weakness in her voice, he mentally reached out with his senses. They were on high alert, allowing him to perceive that whoever was hiding was in a much weakened state, both physically and mentally. Don also sensed this being was desperately trying to hide. He could easily discern her panic.
Knowing there was no threat to him he walked over and gently removed a few of the boxes. He heard a slight struggling sound coming from underneath; then a small whimper of defeat. "No, please, just leave me alone." The voice was nearly breaking and it tore at his heart as a result.
He was determined to find out what this was all about. He knew for a fact that whoever or whatever was under these boxes was not a member of his family. He knew that other mutants of their gene pool were rare, almost unheard of. In fact the only other mutant he had ever met outside of his brothers was Rahab. She was a mutant iguanid female who had come into his family's life some twenty-nine years earlier. Through a series of events and relationships, she ended up becoming Mike's wife. Her children through Mike and two of his other brothers added much to Don's family. Outside of them, however, there weren't any others.
Finally Don removed enough boxes to lay eyes on the injured creature for the first time. He had seen too much in his life to be shocked easily. But what he saw next now caused him to straighten up in surprise. His eyes went wide and a small smile of intrigue slowly creased his face.
What lay before him was the most startling discovery he had ever made. It wasn't the injuries he spotted first but the safety pads and the aqua bandanna around her head. That alone reminded him of his own youth so many decades before.
Now he and his family preferred to wear clothes on occasion so that they would fit in better among the humans they worked or crossed paths with. They had given up their disguises long ago in favor of the more socially acceptable attire.
Quickly looking around the area of this young female, Don half expected to see some sort of weapon nearby. But there wasn't any. Considering her many wounds, it was obvious to him that she had been in a fight but had been the worse for wear because of it. By the injuries alone Don knew exactly what had made them. He scowled at the memories they conjured up. Still, it was certain that she was in deed a mutant turtle and very similar to him in many ways. He then noticed that she was now struggling to stand up.
Crouching down to reduce his size and to appear less threatening, Don spoke in a firm but gentle voice, "Lay still, my dear. You have been badly hurt and you need help."
She ceased struggling at the sound of his voice. She studied for a moment the one that stooped before her. Then, looking up at him through narrow pain filled eyes, she grumbled weakly but sarcastically, "Well – duh - it doesn't take a genius to know that I'm hurt."
Don ignored the insulting remark, "I want to help you. My name is Don and I'm going to see to it that your wounds are treated and cared for. What's your name?" he hoped at least that she did have a name. If not then he'd have to come up with something to call her for the time being.
"Ramiela." She then noticed the small knot of people just up the alleyway. In a voice near to breaking and filled with panic, she begged, "Please, I can't be with people. They'll hurt me. I have to hide."
Don could see she was fighting to stay conscious. He could also sense her fear and uncertainty. But he also knew that she was fighting a loosing battle. Don realized that she wouldn't be able to stay awake much longer.
"I give you my word, Ramiela, that no one will hurt you. You do not have to hide either; not while you are with me or my family." Don vowed, "You will be well cared for."
He wondered silently who this mutant really was, where she had come from and most importantly how had she ended up being this badly hurt in the first place.
Ramiela looked up at him and thought that he appeared vaguely familiar. "Should I know him?" she asked herself. But as she tried to remember, she felt the blissful cloak of darkness come over her and in the next instant she was out cold.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 2 – The Rescue
Regaining consciousness in a back alley, she looked around confused and dazed. She was lying on her side, her left arm supporting her head while her right arm lay bleeding down in front of her. Trying to sit up she shook her head to rid herself of the fog that still clung to her mind. However, she soon discovered that any slight movement was enough to cause her cranium to ache and her stomach to lurch wildly.
Glancing down she noticed the many wounds on her body and wondered how she had managed to get them. There were wounds on her arms, her legs, and her plastron. But any thought that required speculation as to how she came to be that way caused the pounding in her head to intensify.
While in a sitting position she carefully reached up with one hand to gingerly touch the side of her head. She felt her arm protest madly, but ignored it for the time being. However, as her fingertips carefully explored her temple she immediately winced, drawing in a sharp breath as she felt a new and intense type of pain. It hurt so much that she couldn't help but cry just a little.
She felt weak, tired and sick to her stomach. Despite the pain, though, she was able to glance up only to see a host of tall buildings surrounding her. Yet, even with her befuddled mind, she knew from the amount of sunlight which seeped between the edifices that it had to be the middle of the day. Almost on instinct alone she knew that it wasn't safe to be out in the open like this. She had an almost crazed desire to go and hide.
She looked around desperately and saw a manhole cover only a few feet away from where she was. For some odd reason it seemed familiar and created in her a feeling of safety and comfort. It almost called for her to hurry up.
Yes down there under the streets was her home. She was able to recollect that much. She also remembered that her name was Ramiela. But that was all that came to her confused mental state for the moment.
She slowly forced herself up onto her feet as she pushed back against the wall of the building that was behind her. Struggling with every movement that caused her body to almost scream in agony, she hugged the scant shadows afforded there. Ramiela found that even the hairs on her head seemed to hurt! But no matter how cautious and hesitant she was as she moved, the pounding in her head resonated all the more.
Then she noticed one of her legs was barely able to hold her upright. As she looked closer Ramiela realized then the severe gash running down it. It had already begun to crust over but in moving it the wound had broken open, allowing a fresh flow of blood to run. In that instant she suffered a quick attack of vertigo and leaned against the wall. She begged for the spinning motion to stop. Ramiela then felt her stomach lurch once again, but swallowed back the bile that attempted escape.
She hurt so much she was finding it difficult to focus. Just standing up had been physically exhausting for her which made the manhole cover seem miles away from where she was. Even if Rama had somehow managed to reach it, her weakened state would have prohibited her from lifting the heavy lid. Even attempting to maneuver down into the sewers below would be difficult if not impossible for her. But as she studied the emblem on the cover, she could just vaguely read the NYC lettering. New York City! Yes this was her home. Ramiela had family here, she knew that much, but at the present moment she couldn't name a single one of them. She only knew that she had a family.
But her head hurt too much to think straight. All she wanted to do was to sleep – and in the worst possible way, too.
Before giving in to it though she knew she would have to hide somewhere. It was more like a feeling she knew instinctively rather than understanding the reasons for it. Glancing around uncertainly she noticed a fire escape and some large boxes piled up underneath it. It was only a few steps from where she stood presently and she felt that the boxes would provide her with at least a little bit of cover. It might not have been the best place but under the circumstances Ramiela wasn't about to be too picky. Considering her choices, it would have to be enough.
However, she found that even walking those few meager steps was a challenge in and of it self. It was closer than the sewer cover, but 'closer' seemed to be a relative term. She staggered almost drunkenly towards her sanctuary, nearly keeling over at one point. If it weren't for the wall she hugged protectively she would most certainly have fallen.
Finally reaching her destination, Ramiela managed to move some of the boxes around to create an enclosure. She made an opening and then eased in under the fire escape. She pulled the opening closed and, with much effort, dragged some of the other boxes around her. She hoped it would be sufficient to conceal her from any prying eyes before allowing sleep to overtake her.
However in her debilitated state she didn't notice the trail of blood she left behind. Ramiela was unaware that the crimson stain on the alleyway floor and the blood smeared boxes led right to where she was hiding.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gary was stressed almost to irritability. He had to get away somewhere if only to catch a breather from the hustle and bustle of the office. A few minutes of solitude to regain his composure and he'd be ready to return to work. He only had about fifteen minutes for his coffee break, but it would have to suffice.
As Gary entered the alley he was deep in thought about what was going on back at the office. The entire place was in a state of panic. Upper management had received notice just that morning that the new owner was coming in that day. He was interested in meeting with them and to ensure that all work was going as planned. The owner was known for his surprise visits, so the fact that a call was even made to the office that morning to warn of his impending stop was thought to be considerate.
Gary couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. He had met the owner early on shortly after the man had bought the company. The impression that Gary had of him was he really didn't seem all that bad. Considering the man had taken a struggling business and turned things around for the better said a lot for him. Since Don Tello had taken over the company there had been some changes but nothing that major. If anything, the changes he made were helping the company to get back up onto its feet again, proving he had a sharp but fair business sense. And yet Tello was not a man to be trifled with. Maybe that was why Gary's manager was having a fit with everything?
Thinking about the owner, Gary knew he wasn't really a man in the truest sense of the word. Mr.Tello was probably one of the most unique, if not richest beings on the planet. He was all in all a very interesting individual to be sure. Still Gary couldn't blame management for feeling a little edgy about the meeting. They owed Don Tello a whole lot. Without his ideas for bettering the company, most of those in managerial positions would have been out of a job long ago.
As the young man mulled over those events, he noticed almost casually the blood in the alley.
"Great, probably a drunk beaten up or something," he muttered grimly to himself.
He then noticed the pile of cardboard containers, "Bet he's sleeping it off behind those boxes."
It was more out of curiosity then anything else that caused Gary to step forward and to check it out. If the supposed drunk was dead, then Gary knew he would have to call the police. If he wasn't but he was injured, then – again – the police would have to be called. Either way, Gary knew it was the right thing to do.
He had to pull a couple of the boxes out of the way to see the 'drunk', but as he did so he gasped sharply at what he saw next.
Lying behind one of the cartons was a humanoid turtle. It was plain to see that the being was badly hurt. One look at all the bleeding cuts and gashes was all it took to prove that point. However, it appeared as if it were sleeping.
Gary paused, a horrified feeling grabbing a hold of him, "Wait a sec. What if she isn't sleeping but..." he didn't bother finishing that thought. When he glanced down, he noticed the slow rise and fall of its chest. He breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that it was alive. But then he realized another interesting factor. By its contoured shape and obvious feminine build, he knew that it was female.
Suddenly her eyes snapped opened and, catching sight of the human, she uttered a muffled cry, scrambling to her feet in a desperate attempt to get away. But she seemed to only become tangled in among the boxes, sinking back down quickly before she even had a chance to get up.
"Go away. Leave me alone, Baka" she spoke weakly but sharply to him.
Gary backed off and recognized that she needed help – and desperately, too. He knew that. He hurried back down the alleyway and out onto the pedestrian walk. In a moment he was running through an employee entrance of his office building next door to inform one of the supervisors of the situation. This creature was in desperate need of medical help and he felt that time was of the essence.
Of course with the office in the state it was today it took a while for him to track down someone who would be of any help. When he did find his boss and the head supervisor, they were in the main lobby. Gary saw that they were all ready in the midst of greeting Mr. Tello, who had just arrived.
Gary knew that Mr. Tello would be interested in what he had found in the alley and so, without waiting for an introduction, he brazenly spoke up. Speaking quickly, Gary said, "Mr. Tello sir, please forgive me for interrupting, but I believe that one of your family members might be hurt in the back alley."
That seemed to get everyone's attention. While his employers only turned a scowling look at the employee, Mr. Tello seemed to have a rather skeptical expression on his face. The announcement by this low-end worker seemed rather incredible; he didn't quite believe what this young man was telling him.
"A family member of mine?" he asked suspiciously. His voice was calm with just a hint of doubt.
Gary replied nervously, "Well, sir, there seems to be a distinct family resemblance, if you get my drift? She, at least I think it's a she, is bleeding quite badly." He shifted from one foot to the other nervously. He knew he was treading on thin ice as he noticed the narrowing of not only his boss's eyes, but Mr. Tello's, too. He had heard that Mr. Tello was an individual who was quite careful with whom he trusted and entrusted. He did not tolerate well anyone who would play around with him.
Gary could see Mr. Tello considering these words and then, as if coming to a well thought out decision, demanded, "Show me."
Gary nodded, saying, "Yes, sir, right this way!" and led them all out of the office and back to the alley. He could feel his boss's hard penetrating gaze on his back. Gary wondered how soon he would be reprimanded for interrupting them with the new owner.
The worker gestured towards the jumble of boxes and mumbled, "She's under the fire escape over there."
A weak exhausted voice from that direction floated towards them "Go away bakas, just leave me be!" Her words seemed to have more strength then the tone itself.
Don tried to keep from laughing as he heard the Japanese insult. He highly doubted any of the people with him would recognize the word or even know its translation for that matter. But he knew it. Whoever was speaking might be weak and badly hurt but they obviously had some spunk left in them. Don glanced at the signs of blood in the alley. It was quite possible that the being was seriously injured. But he also knew that some wounds, even though superficial, insisted on bleeding profusely. The amount of blood that stained the alleyway and the boxes suggested that this might be the case.
Assessing the weakness in her voice, he mentally reached out with his senses. They were on high alert, allowing him to perceive that whoever was hiding was in a much weakened state, both physically and mentally. Don also sensed this being was desperately trying to hide. He could easily discern her panic.
Knowing there was no threat to him he walked over and gently removed a few of the boxes. He heard a slight struggling sound coming from underneath; then a small whimper of defeat. "No, please, just leave me alone." The voice was nearly breaking and it tore at his heart as a result.
He was determined to find out what this was all about. He knew for a fact that whoever or whatever was under these boxes was not a member of his family. He knew that other mutants of their gene pool were rare, almost unheard of. In fact the only other mutant he had ever met outside of his brothers was Rahab. She was a mutant iguanid female who had come into his family's life some twenty-nine years earlier. Through a series of events and relationships, she ended up becoming Mike's wife. Her children through Mike and two of his other brothers added much to Don's family. Outside of them, however, there weren't any others.
Finally Don removed enough boxes to lay eyes on the injured creature for the first time. He had seen too much in his life to be shocked easily. But what he saw next now caused him to straighten up in surprise. His eyes went wide and a small smile of intrigue slowly creased his face.
What lay before him was the most startling discovery he had ever made. It wasn't the injuries he spotted first but the safety pads and the aqua bandanna around her head. That alone reminded him of his own youth so many decades before.
Now he and his family preferred to wear clothes on occasion so that they would fit in better among the humans they worked or crossed paths with. They had given up their disguises long ago in favor of the more socially acceptable attire.
Quickly looking around the area of this young female, Don half expected to see some sort of weapon nearby. But there wasn't any. Considering her many wounds, it was obvious to him that she had been in a fight but had been the worse for wear because of it. By the injuries alone Don knew exactly what had made them. He scowled at the memories they conjured up. Still, it was certain that she was in deed a mutant turtle and very similar to him in many ways. He then noticed that she was now struggling to stand up.
Crouching down to reduce his size and to appear less threatening, Don spoke in a firm but gentle voice, "Lay still, my dear. You have been badly hurt and you need help."
She ceased struggling at the sound of his voice. She studied for a moment the one that stooped before her. Then, looking up at him through narrow pain filled eyes, she grumbled weakly but sarcastically, "Well – duh - it doesn't take a genius to know that I'm hurt."
Don ignored the insulting remark, "I want to help you. My name is Don and I'm going to see to it that your wounds are treated and cared for. What's your name?" he hoped at least that she did have a name. If not then he'd have to come up with something to call her for the time being.
"Ramiela." She then noticed the small knot of people just up the alleyway. In a voice near to breaking and filled with panic, she begged, "Please, I can't be with people. They'll hurt me. I have to hide."
Don could see she was fighting to stay conscious. He could also sense her fear and uncertainty. But he also knew that she was fighting a loosing battle. Don realized that she wouldn't be able to stay awake much longer.
"I give you my word, Ramiela, that no one will hurt you. You do not have to hide either; not while you are with me or my family." Don vowed, "You will be well cared for."
He wondered silently who this mutant really was, where she had come from and most importantly how had she ended up being this badly hurt in the first place.
Ramiela looked up at him and thought that he appeared vaguely familiar. "Should I know him?" she asked herself. But as she tried to remember, she felt the blissful cloak of darkness come over her and in the next instant she was out cold.