Chapter 3: Fear and anger
Voices could be heard coming along the tunnel – Donatello quickly turned to Michelangelo "Sensei's back – I suggest you scoot"
The younger brother hopped up "I was never out of bed" he insisted before quickly returning to his room "And I definitely didn't eat any pizza!" he added.
Raphael shook his head "What an idiot – does he really thinks sensei will fall for that one"
Donatello grinned "He's a trier"
Splinter entered the lair followed by Leonardo who was stretching his arms.
"And here comes another idiot" mumbled Raphael, glancing at his brother.
"I heard that" snapped Leonardo "And I wasn't the one who stomped off like a baby"
Raphael shot to his feet "Excuse me Lame-o.."
"ENOUGH!" Splinter held up a paw asking for silence "You need to learn that arguing never solves your issues – it will only make things worse. Raphael you will come with me"
Raphael looked ready to explode – glaring at Leo he left the lounge and followed Splinter to the dojo.
"What's rattled him? I did think he'd have calmed down by now"
Leonardo hung up his swords and sat on the chair opposite Donatello who in turn leaned forward and put down the manual he was reading.
"The Becky scenario is annoying him" he said simply.
Leonardo looked round the room "Is she here?"
"She was. But she left. Again. Look Leo – she came to see you – it was obvious. You really need to treat her better or she may look elsewhere"
"Is this coming from Raph or you?" replied Leonardo, feeling slightly irritated.
Donatello thought about this for a moment or two "Both of us" he concluded "She's a great girl and now she's at college she will get noticed"
Leonardo felt crushed; he knew Donnie was right "I guess I've been so involved in training I didn't realise"
"You need to romance her – spoil her – that's what girls like"
"And you know this how?" Leonardo sat back putting his feet up on the table.
"I've read about it and errr seen it on TV" Donatello was now blushing deep scarlet.
Leonardo got up "I'll call her"
"Invite her over – get her flowers – cook her a meal.." suggested Donatello, still blushing – though at this point he didn't know why.
Her number went straight to voicemail. Rather than leave a message, Leonardo decided to call her in the morning. It would be better to speak to her properly.
"Any pizza left?" he asked.
"Kitchen" answered Donatello, picking up his reading again.
Rebecca lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She had finished her drink and was trying to switch off and put her mind in a state ready for sleep. The problem was that her mind wouldn't switch off. She sat up. Why couldn't life just be simple?
She looked at one of her text books – perhaps reading would help tire her out.
College was something she was enjoying. Her course was part time so being around all those new people wasn't too much of a shock for her system.
The book "Psychology and the key to understanding behaviour" made her smile. If only it was that easy. All you needed to know about why people do what they do detailed here in a large text book. Perhaps turtle behaviour was different. She imagined asking the book a question and finding the answer; taking solace from the words. Shaking her head she dropped it to the floor, not really interested. She was too pissed off to read.
Picking up her pillow she held it across her chest and held it close, trying to draw some sort of comfort from this inanimate object.
Tomorrow her father wanted to take her for more testing – by now she was getting slightly fed up with needles and scans but she would go along just to keep him happy. He wouldn't admit it but he did like to worry and worry a lot.
She got under the covers and turned off the light – in time she knew she should be able to sleep although tonight it may take a while.
Rebecca didn't know how or why but something woke her and she felt afraid. Putting on her bedside light she looked at the clock – 3 a.m – typical. She must have really conked out and now she was wide awake and for some reason – she was terrified. Her breathing was light and quick and she could feel her heart hammering.
Swinging her legs from under the duvet she got up cautiously and pulled on her dressing gown. For some reason she had the feeling that someone was in the apartment. Standing by her bedroom door she put an ear to it and listened.
After hearing nothing she took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. The lounge was cloaked in darkness but from what light there was she could not see anything out of the ordinary.
Pushing herself she crept out and quickly snapped on the all the main lights.
The lounge was empty and quiet – there were no monsters lurking.
She let out a huge sigh of relief and pressed her back against the wall – surveying the room for a few minutes.
Being brave was hard when you no longer had powers or fighting skill but she liked to think she still had strength of mind and determination.
Snapping off the lights she closed her bedroom door and got back under the covers.
At the back of her mind though she still couldn't shake that feeling that someone was there. Watching. Waiting.
She left her bedside lamp on and sunk down under the duvet. This was going to be a long night.
