To answer Crystal Cipher: This is the 2003 TMNT 'verse. My personal favorite.

So romance isn't going to be the main theme. It will play a role, but I want to work on developing my character too. You'll just have to wait and see which turtle she goes for ;) (AKA slow build)

I'm not gonna lie. When the lights went out, I was terrified. There was a maniac up there with a gun, some dudes who were trying to help me, and a street full of people doing nothing about it! I found the wall with my hand and leaned against it, trying to take deep breaths without breathing in the stench. I could feel my chest tightening as panic set in.

There was a scraping sound and the manhole cover began to move. I used what little light it gave me to bolt down the sewer until a junction appeared. I hid in the darkness of the pipes, half of me wanting to run for dear life, the other half wanting to never move again. I heard voices begin to echo through the tunnels.

"She's not down here."

"Where do you think she went?"

"If she moved, she'll prob'bly be lost down here fer ages." That voice I recognized as the person who spoke earlier.

"We need to find her before she hurts herself."

Four. I counted for different voices. All male and all concerned for my well being. I couldn't decide what to do. They probably just saved my life, but they could also hurt me. I sat in the dark, unaware of the faint noises of feet slashing closer. I chanced a look back at the cover and nearly had a heart attack. Standing in front of the junction was a large shadow. Three equally large shadows stood behind it.

"Please, its ok. We want to help." This one sounded like he actually cared about my sanity. I remembered him as the last to speak before.

I couldn't move. I was frozen in my position, stiff from all the fear that was just now taking effect. I couldn't breathe. I was numb. Then a gentle hand gripped my elbow and helped me to stand.

"What's your name?"

"H-h-" deep breath, "Holly. My name's Holly." I felt a little guilty giving them my middle name, but I figured it was better for everyone if they didn't know who I was.

"Ok Holly, I'm Leo. I'm going to get you back home. Can to tell me where you live?"

"J-just a f-few doors d-down." I didn't realize how cold it was down there until I started shivering.

"Ok, just follow me. We'll get there soon." He walked past me into the junction, releasing my elbow.

"Wait!" He froze. "I can't see you. H-how am I gonna follow you?"

A sigh heaved his body. "Are you wearing gloves?"

"Y-yeah." I didn't understand what that had to do with anything. Then I felt a hand grab my own. He gently tugged and I numbly followed. At this moment, I wanted nothing more than to completely trust these four strangers, but the logical side of my brain wouldn't let me. I knew they could turn on me at any given moment to do whatever their hearts desired with me. I could just barely hear the other three walking behind. I couldn't understand how they were moving so silently. My own steps seemed to bounce off the walls like a signaling beacon.

We walked this way in silence for a few minutes before we stopped. The man holding my hand took it and placed it on the wall. Wait no, a ladder rung.

"Climb up this and you should be right across from your house. Be safe."

I nodded, placing my other hand on the rung. I started climbing before I realized I hadn't thanked them.

"Wait, guys," I turned but there was no one there. They had vanished.

"Thank you."

I didn't tell anyone what happened to me that day in the sewers. Honestly, I just wanted to forget about it. But at the same time, I couldn't. It was seared forever into my memory.

Time passed. I got a job at an adorable little bookstore not far from my apartment. I went through each day as if it was a routine. It was pleasant at first. It provided the stability I so desperately needed. But pretty soon it got boring. I hadn't made many friends. There were my co-workers, a nerdy high school senior who wore a different math-related t-shirt everyday. He's a cute kid. And the college girl who only got the job so she could have a discount on the books they sold. Which is actually a really good idea. And of course my boss. She's a sweet old woman. The business used to be her husband's, and she keeps it running as a living memory of him. There are a few regulars. An eccentric old man always going on about fairies and what-not. A redhead from across the street that always buys these giant books about relativity and thermonuclear dynamics. This one really attractive single dad that always brings his son in. I looked forward for those visits the most. But I didn't get out much. For the most part I was content with just working then heading home and relaxing. Some days, though, got a little lonely. I longed for the familiar crush of my large family in a small home. Cousins and friends stopping by just because they could. Distant chatter as you sat snuggled in blankets and furs near the fireplace. It was during this time of homesickness that my mother had a wonderful idea.

She was sending over my youngest brother. Yay.

Technically he's my step-brother. My mom had me and my three biological brothers with my dad, but he died when I was really young. When she remarried, the man had a son from a previous relationship. Honestly, they fit right in. We were a rowdy bunch. I was the middle child. Perfectly after mom got re-married. Two older brothers, two younger brothers. The two big ones are married now, with families of their own. The young ones are still in school. One a sophomore in college and the other a senior in high school. They're great brothers.

Thing is, my littlest brother got kind of mad when he realized we weren't his biological family. He's been going through a rebellious phase for about two years now. He never listens to my mom anymore, he has no respect for any of us siblings. He barely even pays attention to his dad! Nobody knows what got into him, but we've all be praying that he'll figure it out soon. We want our brother back.

So Mom figured a change of scenery would do him good. I had to agree. Also, I needed someone from my home.

He got in on a Friday night. The greeting was cheerful and hope sparked in my chest that the old him could be coming back. I gave him a tour of the house, then of the city. That first night was fantastic. He loved New York. Next morning, he even made pancakes! I was seriously considering having him moved up here. Monday came and I had to go off for work. He promised not to get into too much trouble.

I should've known trouble would come looking for us.

I came home that night to a broken door. Daniel was gone. I searched the house from top to bottom. There wasn't much sign of a struggle, but I could feel the rage and fear my brother must've felt. I broke down in tears seconds after calling the cops. A few minutes before they arrived, I found it. The ransom note.

"Your insurance is past due. Pay up or you'll never see him again. $5,000, Central Park, statue of the dog, Thursday night."

I don't know what made me do it, but I kept the note from the police. They came, asked questions, took pictures, and left. I cleaned up the broken glass and flowers where someone had smashed the vase across someone's head. No blood though. Nothing useful.

I went to work the next day. Didn't tell anyone what had happened. One of my regulars noticed I was acting off. The girl from across the street. Her name was April. She had her own shop, an antique shop, that she lived above. We had started talking when she would come in looking for a strange assortment of books. Anything from Spirituality to Motorcycle paint jobs. The fine science of Ecopsychology, to the latest Silver Century comic book. We'd had some good conversations, but I didn't think she knew me well enough to know something was up.

"That brings your total to $63.75." I tried to say it with my usual smile, but it obviously didn't make the cut.

"Is something wrong, Claire?" She asked. I shook my head no and tried to rush her out the door. "I don't think so missy." She walked behind the counter and dragged me to a table at the back of the store.

"Spill." I think she saw the emptiness in my eyes, because her tone got much softer. "Sweetie, what happened?"

I couldn't help it. The tears came and the words came with them. I told her everything. Not just about my brother, but about the night in the sewer, the loneliness, the terror, everything. By the end of my tale, we were sitting in a pile of used tissues, both our faces puffy and wet. It felt so good to just finally say the words. April had had this knowing look on her face the whole time I was talking, as if everything I was saying was a piece in a puzzle. Then she surprised me.

"Can I have the ransom note?" She asked calmly.

"Why? Can you do something with it?" I sniffled.

"No, but I know someone who can. A few people, actually. I really think they can help you here."

"Are you sure? I'm a total stranger. Why would they help me?"

She smiled a knowing smile. "You are exactly the kind of person they would help out."

So guys, ya like it? Claire will meet the turtles in the next chapter.

How do you think she'll react?

Do you think Daniel should stay with Claire? Let me know!