That mini argument was the last thing I remembered when I woke up this morning under a blanket I didn't remember getting; on top of a couch I didn't remember getting to; under a circular ceiling which is getting a little too familiar for my taste.

Moaning groggily, I slowly sat up from my awkward position on the couch, only to realize that I'd passed out for a good couple of hours.

That's if the thin black arrows on the small, dented clock barely hanging on the wall was anything to go by.

'Well, I'd say I'm overstaying my welcome but I think that issue flew out of the sewers hours ago' I thought, suddenly feeling exhausted, as I was finally able to focus on my surroundings.

I eventually noticed it was only 3 in the morning.

…Wait.

"Well, better now than never i guess" I mumbled as I managed to push myself off the couch without falling forward onto my face.

A personal achievement I'd say.

"What the hell can I do at three in the morning?" I asked myself as I did a once over around the place.

The station car held a small orange glow behind the blurred windows, meaning it was probably best if I tried to stay as quiet as possible since if it was Splinter, I didn't want to disturb him and if it was the boys, I didn't want them knowing I was up on the off chance Raph is there.

Last thing I need is a 200 pound turtle angry with me for disturbing his 'me time'.

That thought only made me snicker at the image of Raph having some sort of facial, with cucumbers over his eyes, the whole shebang.

That's what I'd want to do in my 'me time' anyway; Raph could certainly use the spa treatment given his stress levels yesterday.

I didn't particularly want to go raiding their kitchen, especially since the way Mikey was acting whenever I brought up 'pizza'. Something about a betrayal but I've gotten to know Mickey enough to accept his little quirks.

I'm still not sure if that's a benefit or an issue yet.

So that left the storage room and Donnie's computer corner, as I liked to call it.

'Hmm, I wonder what equipment he has. Probably valuable' I thought, gaining my interest, before I practically slapped myself across the face.

"The hell you doing? They're not targets, Lea" I fought my natural instinct to scout around the 'intrguing' electronic corner and instead headed towards storage.

I'll save the corner for when Donnie gets up, that way I can make sure I keep my hands to myself.

'Hey, he might be able to put some good music on my shuffle' I thought happily as I approach the storage entrance.

Cautiously peeking around the edges of the doorway, I slowly crept into the spacious room as I scanned over the boxes.

Most were simply old supplies and tools, probably left behind by the workers that used to operate here.

Large plumbing covered most of the wall and a few protruded and arched, giving a style of pillar in a continuous pattern all the way to the other end of the room.

A few wall lights illuminated the walk space between the box rows as I continued exploring.

'They're really set up down here' I admired briefly as I came across a few open boxes and began investigating.

Come on, you're under the same roof as four mutant turtles and a man rat and you're not going to investigate their stuff?

Walking over to the first opened box, I peered inside; I could barely make out the outline of a large steel helmet. A family heirloom, maybe?

'I doubt workers carry around armour' my head commented dryly.

Not wanting to damage it, I went over to the next box, only to find stacks of magazines and a note.

"If you touch my mags, I will stab you with a spoon. That means you, Greg, so hands off" I read the note out loud before looking at the 'mags' with regard before I realized what they were.

They were Playboy magazines.

A lot of Playboy magazines.

A lot of Playboy magazines.

Oh, and one 'Good Housekeeping'.

"Did they actually work down here?" I stared in shock at the sheer amount of magazines in this small box before doing what was best and closed it, making sure it was shut tight.

'Why was this box open? I wonder if the guys found them…. wait, do they find humans attractive?' The thought crossed my mind before I shoved it aside.

Here's me trying to not get attached to them and I'm standing here wondering what their sexual preference is.

"I'm doomed. I just know it" I gave up on arguing with myself (you can only get so far with…well, yourself) and decided to explore the final box in this cramped section.

'Hmm…a video camera?' I thought curiously as I inspected the old model before seeing if it still worked.

"Wow, it actually has power" I muttered in amazement while I pulled out the small screen on the side, only to have the small bright glow of the screen blind me for a few seconds as my eyes adjusted to see a few videos stored on the memory card.

'Well, I'm already snooping around, might as well. I just hope it's not related with the magazines' I shuddered at the thought.

Choosing the first video, I was faced with a black screen. Thinking there was nothing, I was about to back out when a quiet voice echoed out of the device.

Turning up the volume slightly, I was able to make out the words.

"Is it ready, Donnie? Is it fixed?"

"Almost"

"Come on, how hard is it?"

"I'm Googling as fast as I can!"

"Well, Google faster!"

"Give him a sec, Raph"

"He must've been born a grump," I giggled to myself before the video finally worked and I could see the most nauseatingly adorable turtle face with wide brown eyes staring happily down the lens.

"I think it's working!" he smiled happily, before three others entered the frame.

"Hey, I can see you guys through the screen!" a voice in the background cheered as the others tried awkwardly to see themselves in the screen while also trying to stay in the shot.

"They're so cute, my inner girl is gagging" I tried hating the picture but I couldn't stop the toothy smile from appearing.

This is perfect blackmail should I need it later, but thoughts for later I suppose.

On with the video.

'They look like they're six …I don't know any six years olds I didn't want to steal from for being ridiculously spoiled…" I mumbled in deep thought before a voice interrupted.

"What have you found, Donatello?" the camera moved over to face a younger looking Splinter without the definitive walking stick and weary voice probably brought on through years of childcare.

"It's a portal~" Mikey tried sounding mystical, wiggling his tiny fingers towards Splinter, making him chuckle.

"My, my. It is certainly a find worthy of attention, then" he smiled.

"I-I managed to fix it, dad!" Donnie's voice was filled with pride as Splinter glanced towards the camera.

"A proud achievement, Donatello" I didn't need to see his face to know he was beaming.

"Do you know what it's supposed to do?" Leo peered at the camera with innocent eyes as the sound of fighting over the camera buttons and familiar button mashing began.

"It records memories and special moments. So when you're older, you can relive the moment" he smiled at their inquisitive expressions as he gently took the camera away and turned it towards the group.

"What do you want to say to the future?" he asked as their faces practically buzzed with ideas.

"Oh, don't forget Old Mike, you owe me a pepperoni pizza slice" Donnie grinned at Mikey's childish pout; I couldn't help but laugh at that since that's basically he way they are now.

'Children never grow up' I thought ironically, since technically we were all considered kids still.

"One day, you will get that X2 monster truck, no matter how many times dad said no" Raph encouraged; I could literally feel Splinter's eye roll behind the camera.

"Ok, remember that idea you had about ice hockey and jetpacks? Replace the ice hockey with tennis and you're good to go" Mikey winked at the camera as everyone turned to Leo to finish it off.

'Wonder if Mikey still has that idea' I thought absently as we all waited for Leo.

"If you ever get the chance to do football topside, get you and Raph onto the team. We'll be the top players in no time" he smiled as they high-fived each other.

I stared in honest shock and surprise: when the hell was Raph nice?

To Leo, out of all of them?

The camera spun around to see Splinter's confused face peer down the lens.

"Where's the 'off' button?" it focused on his face for a few moments before the screen turned dark.

Deafening silence filled the room again as I leant against the boxes behind me for support.

I sat there for a few minutes before I realized a single tear fell down my cheek.

Wiping it away in shame, I stashed the camera back in the box and headed back into the sitting room.

Lying back on the couch, I tried to calm my thoughts to a peaceful pace.

Why the hell couldn't I have that life? Why did I have to sit here and suffer like this? Why did…why did Abigail have to exist?

The question made me physically flinch; I knew it wasn't her fault and I shouldn't blame her. Hell, she was the one who showed me our parents were complete assholes.

Why the hell did it hurt then?

"It is hard to hide something that is meant to be expressed"

I didn't turn to see Splinter come from the station car and into the sitting room; choosing the chair directly in front of the couch.

The setting and the atmosphere immediately transformed into a therapy session.

I really hate therapists.

"Why does it hurt?" I begrudgingly asked like a child, hoping in vain that he could draw the answer out of a hat.

Simple as that.

"Everyone is built to carry the weight of the world, but not everyone can do so without a broken back or a broken heart" he replied calmly, which only angered me.

"What kind of teaching is that? Why should I be forced to have this…feeling? I never wanted it; hell, I never had it until I met you and the others. I was fine by myself" I growled, gripping the cushion below me like a constricting vice.

"Were you alright? Or has the wall you built around yourself prevented you from seeing?" he questioned me, only adding to my frustration.

"Stop talking in riddles! I'm having a bloody emotional breakdown and you can't even talk to me straight up!" I hissed, glaring straight into his eyes.

"Would you rather I yell back since that is a response you can deal with?" he asked moments later, making me tense.

The quiet settled back on top of us like a comforting blanket, only my tense breathing was heard.

"I can't" I shrugged helplessly, looking at the pillow I was cruelly choking.

I heard shuffling before large hands enclosed mine and gently loosened my grip.

"No matter if you were bulletproof, or titanium, everyone needs a hand to guide and support some time in their life," he explained, sitting next to me while moving one hand to my shoulder.

"Did you just quote a song?" I smiled weakly; he quickly returned it.

"No matter how foolish a song may seem, given the right attention, it can be essential in uniting a universal crowd under one strong message. True, that message may not always be…productive…but it is the beneficial ones that contribute. Other words 'You can't have the great without the rubbish' "

He finished with a pat on my shoulder before lifting my face up with his hand.

"My dear, you have the experience and years of an adult, yet you deal with the experience through the body and eyes of a child. It is a sad sight to see" his pity felt like daggers aimed straight at my heart.

"Why do you persist?" I hissed but I didn't have the heart to be truly angry with him.

"If I don't, who will?" he retorted as we sat in silence for what felt like hours.

I really didn't need this fight, but from what I've gathered about the loveable gang of mutants, they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Some part of me reveled in that fact, but my trust issues aren't exactly soft on me.

Either way, the tense atmosphere of the place was choking me under a heavy weight; I desperately needed some air.

"I need to return to the alley. I've been gone too long so there's a risk my stuff might be stolen" I stated without any hint of emotion as I headed straight for my heavy boots.

"Then I will not stop you. Your life is your own…but think on what I've said" he replied as I stood in the middle of the entrance like an idiot.

Hearing shuffling behind me, I couldn't help it.

"Splinter…" I called as I watched him turn away from the station car.

"Yes?" he faced me curiously.

"…Thank you, for what it's worth" I nodded awkwardly before quickly setting off out of the sewers.

I didn't see his smile before he retired for the rest of the morning.

"Should we follow her?" I whispered to the others as we crowded the top of the staircase.

"If you want to be a stalker, that's your business" Raph huffed in what I could only describe as boredom.

"Not now, Raph" Don pled tiredly.

"I was just saying maybe we should watch out for her. Its still night and she's not exactly in a good state right now" I tried to tell Raph but I knew he wasn't in the mood for it.

"Well done, genius," Raph muttered, but after a while, I'd gotten used to ignoring his criticism.

"She needs her space"

"She needs help, you saw how she was acting!"

Raph and I argued back and forth for about two minutes before we managed to quiet down.

"What if Splinter notices that we're gone?" Don asked, worried.

"Okay, two go after her while two stay here and distract him long enough for the others to get back" I suggested as I patiently waited for Raph's argument.

"Why does she interest you so much?"

…Well, I wasn't expecting that.

"You saw her the other day, she was acting like we were robbers" I explained with exasperation. Couldn't he care for someone else for just a few minutes?

"I saw a girl wanting space, and I'm happy to give it to her" he retorted quickly.

"She did seem a bit closed off. Maybe she's not used to contact" Donnie suggested but was soon intimidated by Raph's default glare.

"Maybe she thinks we're mutants" Raph muttered before walking off.

"So, you're not helping?" I made sure he noticed the disappointment in my voice, and he was more than happy to retaliate.

"She wants nothing to do with us, Leo. Why don't you do the girl a favor and accept that?" he walked briskly off into his room as he plunged the rest of us into awkward silence.

"What if he's right?" I looked to see Mikey's unsure face as he looked between Donnie and me.

"What if he's wrong?" we both turned to see Donnie's calculating face as we waited for him to elaborate.

"I mean she's obviously in emotional pain. What if she needs the extra support?" Donnie encouraged, lifting our spirits and remove the awkward tension Raph's presence usually manages to leave everywhere.

"Okay, so who's staying with bowling ball?" Mikey grinned, pointing at Raph's room.

"I can hear you" A growl vibrated through the door, making him snigger.

"I'll stay. If Splinter gets suspicious, I'll keep him distracted. Plus, it'll hopefully let Raph blow off steam and calm him for the day" I tried to stay serious, but Mikey's grin was infectious as I nodded towards the others.

"You two just make sure she gets home alright…and tell her she's not alone" I smiled as they tried to stealthily walk down the stairs and leave.

It reminded me so much of a TV episode where a drunk person tried to sneak into their parents' house and managed to make every noise imaginable, including yelling 'I'm not even drunk yet!'

The sad part was they didn't have the excuse of alcohol, which made it even funnier.

"Do you think she'll be mad we followed her?" Mikey asked next to me as we slowly travelled over to the alleyway again.

"Well, I hope she doesn't feel smothered. We are just trying to help her" I shrugged, praying she didn't fight like last time.

I can't handle those situations on my own.

"Y'know…what if Raph's right and she just needs space"

I turned to see Mikey look like he was actually in deep thought; I didn't know whether to be proud or creeped out.

"She doesn't think you're a mutant," I told him, knowing exactly what he was hinting at and not liking it one bit.

"But-Ow!" he rubbed his sore head as he glared at my blank expression.

"What was that for?"

"For being an idiot"

"What-"

"Now shut up about it and come on" I pushed him gently forward as we saw the alleyway approaching.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did"

"Ha, ha. Very funny" Mikey huffed as I smiled innocently, waiting for him to continue.

"Do you think we can help her?" I paused as I mulled over his question.

Can we? Or are her emotional issues just too big. I mean we're just barely hitting our teens and we're talking about this stuff already? This isn't right.

"We can always try, Mikey" I tried to encourage him but I was probably failing.

"I guess its Mikey to the rescue again" he grinned obnoxiously as he slid down the ladder.

Shaking my head in amusement, I quickly followed, only to walk straight into his shell as we entered the shelter.

"What…Lea?" I called nervously as we both stood there looking at Lea, sitting against the alleyway wall in shock.

"They took everything"

Two nights away was long enough for stragglers to rob the place of everything salvageable, which made me feel even more stupid.

I left two of the most valuable things in my life, my childhood chest and my novel I was given for my 7th birthday, behind when I was brought to shelter by Leo and the others; I didn't even bother to hide them or put them somewhere safe.

Stupid, stupid, stupid…

I leant against the wall inside the shelter as I just…took it in, I guess.

Don and Mikey stood awkwardly on the other side of the shelter; after quickly interrogating them, I learned that Leo and Raph apparently stayed behind (well, Leo stayed behind and I knew Raph wasn't going to leave, anyway) so hopefully Splinter would stay distracted long enough for them to get back while they were over here making sure I was safe.

Really stupid…but appreciated.

"I'm sorry, Lea" Donnie interrupted my musings, obviously trying to break the tension but I just snorted.

"Don't be. It was my stupid fault and you're practically the smartest person I know; not all of my friends can managed to access electricity in the sewers without it being suspicious" Donnie gave a small smile at the compliment but the tension soon killed it.

"I can't believe it's all gone" I sighed at my lack of judgment.

"Don't worry, I lose stuff all the time. Like pizza apparently" he slowly leaned dramatically close to Donnie face with a suspicious glare.

It was quickly covered by Donnie's hand as he shoved him away without so much as a glance.

He didn't even look when he landed on his ass.

"We'll try to help in any way," he offered but we both knew it was useless.

"Rule of thieving, Olive. Never keep stolen goods. As long as they exist, it's evidence" I felt like a teacher right then.

A currently depressed, homeless teacher, but it's the thought that counts.

"Olive?" he asked in confusion, distracting me from my internal ramblings.

"Your skin. It was the first thing I noticed when we met; I tend to make up little nicknames for people when I first meet them since I don't know their names" I managed to giggle at his embarrassed look.

"Hey, what about me?" I looked to see Mikey pouting on the floor.

"Well, Raph called you Mikey before you went down the manhole so I knew your name already…so I didn't make a nickname" I shrugged apologetically.

"Oh, just stab me while you're at it. I see where your love's going" he sulked before we both began laughing at each other.

It was stupid but that seems to be the theme of the day. At least we can have a laugh.

After a few more silent moments, a question popped into my head.

"Mikey, why do you keep talking about...'pizza betrayal' I guess" Shrugging casually, I waited for his reply.

It didn't take long.

"My pizza slice in the fridge went missing a couple days ago. It's been driving me insane" he sighed in mourning on the floor.

I felt the heat rise quickly to my cheeks, catching their attention.

"I feel guilty for saying this now, but...I kinda ate it for breakfast" I shrunk under his intense gaze before he sighed in absolute relief.

"Thank god for that!" he gave a toothy smile as he relaxed, laying back happily on the floor.

Donnie and I shared an incredulous look before turning back to him.

"You're not angry?" I asked cautiously, wondering if he was playing it cool but secretly planning a murder.

"I'm relieved! The past few days, my brothers wouldn't break under my 'confession tactics' so I thought there's been a neglected pizza slice hiding somewhere. That's just not right" he laid on the ground happily while we just processed the information.

"So, you hid my newest invention in the making and threatened to attach it to your skateboard as you did your morning practise...just because you thought there was a pizza slice missing" Donnie actually managed an intense glare at his oblivious brother as he nodded proudly.

It took a few seconds, but the laugh bubbling in my chest burst out as I tried to take Donnie's glare seriously.

It didn't work.

The brothers just watched in mild fear like I was going off the deep end.

Unfortunately, when it died down, we were still left in the same position we started from.

We tried a few more attempts at talking before we settled back into silence.

It was like that for a few more agonizingly slow minutes.

"So…what should we do?" Mikey piped up, the awkwardness of the situation already putting his nerves on end.

"You guys should head back before Splinter notices. I'm going to check up on some friends, see if they know the stragglers" I shrugged, giving one more glance around the place in hope, even if I knew it was completely pointless.

Girl can dream, right?

"You sure that's safe?" Donnie questioned, making me feel slightly smothered. But it was…nice, in a weird way.

It was like the worrying side of my mind was able to relax and Donnie took it up.

Mikey was just…Mikey. That was all he needed to be.

"I've already told you, I'll be fine. Just worry about yourselves alright" I patted Don on the cheek before slowly pushing them through the door.

"Hey, yo-yo, you in?"

I froze for a second before I realized someone was at the door.

"Shit" I swore in panic under my breath, almost pulling Don and Mikey to the floor as I shoved them away.

Their startled looks turned to worry, as they were thankfully able to hide out of sight of the doorway.

Peeking through the flap in hopes it was my imagination, I was unlucky enough to see the face of my nightmares.

"What do you want, Stretch?" I crossed my arms with a solid glare as I walked out and quickly blocked the doorway.

'Stretch' was the neighborhood 'collector', making sure the local homeless and underdogs followed the area's regulations and standards.

Hopefully, I won't have to explain the entire system to you but put simply, the city is split into districts and each district has a hierarchy where groups of homeless/criminals/beggars/etc. operate.

Essentially, Stretch is our unofficial leader, called 'Stretch' because he certainly sits on the border between barely looking like a leader and looking like a sewer rat.

Difference is the rats smell better.

His short, greasy black hair shelled his pale face as his acid green eyes watched every single movement you did. Surprisingly analytical, I know.

Small black hairs covered his chin and upper lip, but the way it looked only added to the rough image that was 'black-and-blue beggar boy'.

Called so due to his habit of begging for money, wasting it on booze, then assaulting one of the homeless along the street.

The next day, he always wakes up with a black and blue eye. Well we hope he does anyway; it means they were able to put up a fight.

"What? Can't a guy examine the laborers-" he pulled out his thick hands behind his back.

My eyes sank with utter defeat.

"-Especially when said laborer owes a favor" he smirked, holding out the book and the locked chest.

My life is over.

"Can…can we do this later, Stretch?" I almost begged him, immediately scolding myself about how weak I sounded.

"Why, got company?" he sneered, trying to peak past my body.

"As a matter of fact, I do. Two of them, actually"

"Oo, spicy" He leered, unsettling my stomach to no end.

"Didn't realize you were getting into the business early" he remarked causally, like he was discussing work meetings.

"Practice" I managed to choke out.

Damn this is degrading; first being robbed, now this.

"What do you want?" I quickly asked, wanting to retreat back inside my haven as soon as possible.

"Heist night~" he practically sang with joy, which I hated to admit did peak my interest.

"Thought Sparx still had that injury" I uncrossed my arms, instead leading him down the alleyway so the others didn't have to hear this.

'Hopefully, they got the earlier hint and would flee without being seen' I thought nervously.

It was only later that I'd realize that I was actually embarrassed to show them this side of my life.

'Damn influence is affecting me more than I thought, or want' I muttered angrily in my head as we stopped just before a large green rubbish bin.

"He died last night. Which means the position was open and we have another taker" he clapped proudly; I just shrugged emotionless.

They always get the workers on the street to help with the heist. Especially if it's a big one.

I'm usually a straggler distraction, helping in delaying the police from reaching the heist scene as much as possible without being directly involved.

Guess I've been promoted.

You see, Sparx was our 'heavy hitter' of the team but they never last long. We even call them 'heavy hitters' because they're the ones that get caught and injured while the rest of us leave with the loot.

Every heist, we have a 'heavy hitter' or 'distraction dummy'; a tech support to guide the party through the building as quickly as possible; a commlink who monitors police radios for any hint that we're caught and two strikers: they're the ones who do the real work.

The job is the same as normal, except I'm directly involved and therefore the one police arrest.

"Well, since you have company…I'll collect what I'm due later. Then, you can have your stuff back" he smirked, as I resisted the urge to knock him out.

'Yeah, that's if I get out of it free, you ass !' I restrained my instinct and instead chose to nod stoically.

"So…ready to dance the night away" he encircled me like a play toy with his lanky arms as he trapped me in a cage to the brick wall.

The smell forced me up against the wall in a chokehold.

"Winner takes all" I replied, resisting the urge to hit him again as it came back full force. I saw out of the corner of my eye Don and Mikey run up the nearby ladder silently.

Oh god, please tell me they didn't here any of this.

"Good girl" he whispered before releasing me and walking away, hands in pockets.

"I look forward to the results" before he suddenly turned around with a charmed smile.

"We're partners, remember?"

And with that, he left without a moment's notice.

I took a few deep breaths before practically running into the shelter.

After a few moments of calming down, I removed the blankets of my makeshift bed away, revealing to me a loose stone but to anyone else a stone-cold floor.

Lifting the stone away, I took out my skinny black trousers and long sleeved shirt as well as my walkie-talkie and, my last resort, a 9mm pistol.

Thankfully, I've never had to use it before.

Quickly changing in the corner just in case Stretch or the others decided to walk in, I clipped the pistol into its holster and laid them below one of the cardboard chairs.

"Well, better get some shut-eye" I thought, unnervingly excited as I replaced the blankets on the floor and immediately began to drift off again.

"What do you think that was about?" Mikey asked as we kept away from the edge of the buildings as we slowly made our way back.

"I don't know, Mikey. Something about that 'Stretch' dude didn't sit right with me" I looked back towards the alleyway before I was hit on the arm.

"Don't sweat, Don. She'll be fine" he grinned which somehow made everything feel all right.

"I hope so, Mikey" I sighed before I heard talking below us.

Motioning a finger to my lips, we inched towards the edge and slowly looked over.

Two hooded figures hid behind one of the large trashcans as they began whispering and exchanging items.

"Ready for the night?"

" 'Course. Yo-yo going?"

"When doesn't she?"

"Reckon she'll wear her black outfit?"

"Hope she does"

"You said it"

They began laughing to themselves as I exchanged looks with Mikey.

"Maybe we should warn her…" Mikey whispered as he began backing off.

Unfortunately Mikey isn't the quietest whisperer.

"What the…hey, you!" I turned in fear as the boys looked up in shock before it morphed into rage and ran towards the nearest ladder.

"Mikey!" I yelled before grabbing his arm tightly and almost threw him across the gap as we sprinted over the rooftops and towards whichever manhole was closest.

We were managing to get a good distance away before I heard their footsteps slam across the highs and lows of the concrete floor below us.

'Come on, a little more' I thought before shots fired behind us.

"Oh, come on!" I yelled in frustration mixed with panic as I forced Mikey and I to run faster and virtually dove over the edge of the rooftop, towards the ground and full sprint towards the manhole.

"Hurry, Mikey!" We grabbed either end of the manhole and barely dragged it open.

He just managed to go down before the men showed up.

"Hold it!" I heard him yell behind us before I jumped down as fast as humanly possible.

Unfortunately, that didn't stop a bullet grazing my arm.

'If they're dead, I'll kill them!" I thought in blind fear as I chased after the echoing gunshots before they fell silent. A short cry followed quickly after.

'No, no, no, no…' I repeated like a mantra as I flew around the street corner to come face to face with tweedle-dum and tweedle-dead.

"Hey, yo-yo. Nice outfit" They smirked like irritating twins as I marched up them in a fury.

"What the hell are you playing at?!" I slapped them both harshly, forcing them back.

"Two bums caught our trade, we were just making sure they knew we didn't like snitches" he sneered, rubbing his cheek dotingly.

"Are they dead?" I asked, putting all my energy into keeping my voice level.

"No. Bastards legged it to the sewers. One of them got the message though" they grinned but my glare tore it off.

Unfortunately, the other one was an idiot.

"Yeah, should we lend an arm to help him" he began to laugh manically at his own joke before he finally noticed my growing frustration.

"You're rookies but that doesn't mean you're supposed to be brain-dead. You start shooting up the place, cops show up. And when cops show up, they arrest the people with the guns. And when the people get arrested, we lose revenue." My voice raised an octave with each statement I made; at the same time, I think I saw their ego shrink.

"Get back to your hovels before I call the cops myself. Be sure Stretch will here of this and you better pray that I'm not a snitch today" I commanded them, giving them a kick when they wouldn't move at a quick pace.

"Move it! Stupid ingrates!" I snarled, as they muttered frustrated swears on their way down the street.

Once they left, I turned towards the alleyway which the barely open manhole.

A few drops of blood were left along the rim.

"If they're seriously hurt, you're dead," I snarled to myself, which suddenly shook me out of my stupor.

I sat by the manhole in confusion before sighing in defeat.

"Well, if there was ever a moment where I told myself I didn't care about them, I think it just buggered off" Sighing with sudden tiredness, I decided I was too tense for going back to sleep and instead figured a wander around the local shopping mall would be a good start at relaxing.

After all, we are raiding the place later.

I gave one last hesitant look at the manhole before deciding against it.

'If he's seriously hurt, because he was worried at me...I don't know what I'd do' I thought solemnly as i began a slow walk to the mall.

He better be alright.