A/N: Hey guys! Here's Ch.4 of AHLTL! I got third place in a writing contest and I am a happy child for it! I got nothing else to really say but enjoy and thank you everyone so much for your support and reviews! It means so much! Hope you guys like the chapter!

Disclaimer: Nope, but, as soon as I post this, I will own a bowl of popcorn!

Guest Reviews!

Guest (1st one to review): Yeah kind of accidentally did Don's real name in the chapter...but I did correct it! Thank you for letting me know! As for someone saving the turtles... we will see }:). Thanks for reviewing!

Guest (2nd to review): Yeah, that was my mistake, I knew I was going to do it sometime I will probably end up doing it again! lol ;). Thanks for letting me know though! I have corrected it. Also, just a small fact in the story, the turtles in this AU are not really sure how names work. They believe that their numbers are indeed proper names they are given. Thanks for leaving a review! :)

Guest (3rd to review): You will find out, my friend. You shall find out soon ;). I already have one about Sixty-One (or Don as we know him out of this AU) and I'm getting ready to write one for Sixty-Three! Thank you for the compliment and for leaving a review! :)

April's P.O.V

Taking a deep breath through my nose, I release it through my mouth as I come up to the metal door. Turning behind me, I make sure the Lab is empty, all the scientists eating lunch somewhere else. Gathering my courage, I push down on the knob before opening the door. The room is dark, just like the last time. Before my eyes can adjust to the darkness, I can hear shuffling. The creature is moving away from me, swiftly and fairly quiet.

Blinking my eyes quickly, I began taking small steps forward. Kneeling down, I give it a warm smile as it watches me with cautious eyes. "Hello, again," I say quietly and softly. "I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."

Finally beginning to see shapes in the darkness, I can see the creature, once again, pushing itself back against the cage. With slow movements and without removing eye contact, I reach into my jacket pocket. Its eyes watch my hand movement before glancing at my face. This only proves my theory that earning this creature's trust is going to be very difficult. The only thing that really concerns me is that I don't know how much time this creature has…

"I'm sure they don't give you a lot to eat around here," I whisper to the creature as I pull the red apple out of my pocket. "I brought you some extra food, though. I'm not really sure what you eat so I decided to just get something," I pause to think about what is the right word I am looking for, "natural."

Leaning forward slightly, I sit the apple down inside the cage, my small hand easily slipping through the bars. Once the red fruit reaches the floor, I carefully backup to give the creature some space to eat it. Getting myself comfortable again, I notice some surprise in its eyes. Even though I am worried that the creature won't eat it and one of the scientists will come and get suspicious on how an apple got here, I give it a small smile and gesture towards the fruit with my head.

Glancing at me and the front in front of it, the creature cautiously stands up on it's two rear feet. Almost human, I think as a small shudder travels up my spine. I can't help but wonder how human-like this creature is. How much does this creature think and act like a normal human being? How much is it truly suffering from the experiments it is being put through?

It's eyes continue to look at me warily, as if it's all a trick and I'm getting ready to hurt him. In response, I try to stay perfectly still, only giving the creature a warm smile. After sitting the apple in its hand, it smells it carefully, eyes never leaving mine. Being satisfied that the apple is good and no trick, it begins to eat it. I can see if fighting back the urge to scarf the fruit down, instead taking small bites at a normal speed. Maybe it IS more human than I originally thought.

Watching it carefully, I notice it holding and eating the apple like a human. Its actions continue to prove it more and more human. How is it possible though, is what I'm wondering. The creature's appearance shows the complete opposite from what a normal person should be. Yet, the way it eats, moves, watches, it all seems too human; probably more human than some of the jerks that are in New York City.

The creature in front of me must have noticed that I was staring off into space, for I blink myself out of my thoughts to find it staring at me with something similar to confusion. Smiling timidly and feeling a small amount of heat in my cheeks, I rub the back of my neck.

"Sorry," I say quietly, finally looking back up at it. "I was just thinking." In response to my statement and apology, the creature looks back down at the fruit in his hands. As I carefully observe the rat mutant, an idea appears in my head. "I'll be right back," I state, getting up slowly from my kneeling position. It glances up at me and watches me quickly leaving the room, looking hesitant and curious.

As I walk into the lab, I quickly walk over to one of the desks, my water bottle sitting proudly on top of it. This morning, I had decided to bring a bottle of water with me, hoping to get myself more hydrated throughout the day. Throwing that thought I had this morning out the window, I grab the cool container before quickly returning to the creature in the cage. It looks back up at me quickly, the core of the apple in his hand. A smile crosses my face at the realization I helped the staring creature get an extra meal in.

Slowly and gently, I lower myself into the same position I was in moments ago. With a smile, I hold out the bottle of water. "Here," I say quietly, "how about a trade? The apple core for the bottle of water?"

Its eyes glance between me and the H2O in my hand. Hesitantly, it reaches out towards it, his other hand moving to put the apple core in my open palm. As soon as its long fingers wrapped around the plastic, it quickly removes the bottle from my grasp while dropping the core in my hand. My gently smile turns into a knowing smirk as I watch the mutant twist the cap off of the bottle before bringing it to its lips.

"So," I say after a few moments of silence, watch the creature slowly remove the plastic from its once dry mouth, "I believe you are more human than you truly let on."

Its eyes widen as it stares at me, its only reaction being small shock in its eyes.

"First, you moved and ate like a human, a well-mannered human to be precise," I explain, trying to add a small funny to my explanation. "Then, you appeared to understand more than simple commands, meaning you understand English; or, at least, most of the English language. Lastly, you knew how to remove the lid off of the water bottle and put it back on." As I gesture to the now closed bottle, its eyes meet mine. They seem to search me for a moment before a small smile pulls the corners of its mouth, meeting its eyes.

"Don't worry," I tell the creature with a smile, "you can trust me; I won't tell. And I want to help you. They are obviously hurting and starving you." Thinking for a minute, I tilt my head in thought. "Can you speak English?"

Before the caged-mutant can answer, I hear the lab door open before the sound of footsteps approaching meet my ears. Moving quickly, the creature shoves the bottle into my hand before moving towards the back of the cage. Its speed leaves me blinking, my brain still processing what just happened. Yet, the mutant's great speed almost wasn't enough; for a second after the creature rests on the opposite side of the cage, a person enters the dark room.

"What are you doing in here?" the scientist asks. His red hair seems to reflect some of the light coming from the lab. The dark eyes peering through the round glasses that rest on his nose look at me with curiosity and confusion.

Standing up quickly and swallowing hard, I try not to look too nervous. Gripping the half-empty water bottle in my hands, I clear my throat. "I brought the food and reports from downstairs," I explain, thinking off-the-fly on what to say. "I was just going to sit them on the counter and leave, but the door was open and I was curious."

The confusion in his eyes went away and he sent me a small smile. His eyes go to the mutant in the cage. "Amazing, isn't it? We've had him for quite some time now, but there is still so much to learn."

I nod, looking down at the mutant. He's watching us closely, his eyes darting between me and the scientist. "I bet," I reply. "How did you get him?"

"Baxter Stockman brought him in," the scientist explains. Apparently a rich man found him on his property and brought him to us to learn more about the creature and do a couple experiments/observations. I think Stockman's plan is to learn how he was created and create similar creatures, probably for military purposes or something."

Nodding, I pretend to seem like nothing about it is bothering me. It is though! All of it is wrong! Learning more about a strange and unique creature is one thing; but, holding that creature hostage, practically torturing it, then creating similar beings just to send them war or something crazy is, well, crazy!

"Well," I say, walking towards him. "I should probably head back to my own lab and leave you to your research. Keep me posted on what you learn; I am curious on what you find."

"I don't know how much I can tell you," he starts, "but I'll tell you all I can."

"Great! I'll come back tomorrow; I hope I'll be able to see you again!" Of course, it's a lie. He's the last person I would like to see tomorrow.

Walking out the door as the scientist approaches the cage, I turn back to the mutant. He watches the scientist carefully with a glare before his eyes meet mine and soften. In response, I give him a determined nod, sending him a silent nod that I was on his side. I guess he got the general idea of the message, for he tilts his head downward slightly with a nod; and I swear, I saw the corner of his mouth turn upward.

This is going to end, I think to myself as I walk out of the lab and down the hallway. There is no way I'm going to let this continue any longer!