Chapter 7: Question time
Next morning Rebecca was awoken to the sound of her dad in the kitchen – no doubt he was attempting to make a cooked breakfast – this could be interesting... She hauled herself out of bed and went to the mirror to inspect her appearance – no doubt she would look like she had gone several rounds with Mike Tyson – and lost.
That's when she nearly fell over; staring back at her was a face that bore no marks from her experience – no black eye and no cut lip in fact her skin was flawless. She lifted her top to look at her stomach and like her face she found no marks or bruises there either.
She looked at her face again – perhaps it was a trick of the light?
She realised that in her old form she could heal and heal fast but that had all gone when she had returned. All her powers had gone. She had fallen over on ice last month and that had taken weeks to heal. This was weird.
"Hey sweetie what are you doing up? You should be resting"
Rebecca turned round to see her father carrying a tray laden with goodies – some of which looked burnt. Seeing her face he stopped – stared and eventually put down the tray and stepped closer.
"How?" He turned her face from one side to another – looking for any mark but finding nothing.
Rebecca looked up at him – her eyes full of questions "I don't know dad" she muttered "I'm just as shocked as you"
She stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself again.
"Ok – well let's not panic" he began; obviously panicking "We need to get you over to see Stephen and then we can assess what's going on"
Rebecca sat on her bed.
"Eat some breakfast and I'll go call him"
"Dad calm down and stop worrying – I'm sure it's nothing and I'm sure it'll all be okay" She said firmly, trying hard to convince herself that all was well.
"Anyway, aren't you supposed to be at work?" she continued.
"Already phoned in – told them what happened – was going to do some stuff at home till you felt better" he reasoned, running a hand through his hair "And now here you are"
Silence passed between them.
Rebecca picked up a piece of buttered toast and took a bite "I feel fine, I'm sure it's all fine"
He studied her face again and then left the room mumbling to himself; minutes later she could hear him on the phone to Stephen Baker.
Rebecca got up and shut the bedroom door; she quickly got dressed and sat back on her bed to finish her toast. What did this mean? Am I changing back? Why would that happen? She leaned against the headboard and sipped her coffee. Going to see Stephen was the right thing to do at least then she could have tests and hopefully find answers.
Her mobile rang shaking her out of her thoughts. She looked at the screen – it was Kelly.
"Hey Kel"
"Becky, how are you?"
Going mad but hey ho!
Kelly didn't really want an answer – it was just a formality they went through every time - she wanted to talk about boys. Throwing the question back at Kelly Rebecca then sat back and listened to her friend talk excitedly about the new boy Nolan and how she had his number and how they'd been texting and how great he was.
"Listen Kel, be careful – you don't know him so don't know what you're getting involved with" Rebecca felt she had to issue some sort of warning – after all what sort of friend would she be if she didn't say anything. If this guy was involved with what had happened to her, it made him a nasty piece of work.
"I'll be fine – we've texted a lot and will be hooking up later- he's cool and very hot as I am sure you have noticed"
He could also be very dangerous thought Rebecca.
"You'll be meeting in a public place?" she ventured
"Yes MOM" replied Kelly, giggling "Tell you all about it tomorrow"
"Take care"
She ended the call and went to finish getting ready, at least they would be going to a public place but she did wonder why Kelly had been so quick to jump on the new boy.
Rebecca tied her hair up and pulled on her boots.
"Ready" she called and grabbing her jacket she left her room.
Her father was sitting on the sofa, still looking worried. She went over and sat next to him.
"It'll be okay" she said, holding both his hands in hers "I'm sure". He smiled at her - a smile of unease and uncertainty.
Leaving the apartment they stepped into the lift. Rebecca still had hold of her father's hand as they exited and went into the underground car park. Walking to the car Rebecca again got the feeling that they were being watched. She turned round and looked back the way they'd come. Once again there was no-one. Perhaps I really am going mad…she thought to herself.
"Okay?" asked her father, stopping alongside her.
She nodded and continued to walk with him.
The man in the adjacent car was cloaked in darkness so could not be seen. He was there to do one job - take the required photographs and leave. This he had done so he started the engine and pushed the car into drive. Rebecca looked up as it left.
Silver car, tinted windows. Whoever it was in there was in a hurry to go.
Getting into her father's car she scolded herself – stop being so bloody paranoid, it was probably someone who was late for work.
"Sure you're okay?"
Rebecca looked him square in the face "Yes – I'm fine – you sound just like Leo so stop it"
"We worry about you that's all. Nothing wrong with that"
He started the engine.
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"So when we gonna track down this Nolan dude?" asked Michelangelo "We got April on the case and my girl is an expert"
Leonardo rolled his eyes "For the thousandth time she is not your girl – she is Casey's"
"She'll see the error of her ways – she knows she's supposed to be with me"
Raphael smacked him on the head "Where's the geek?" he asked – referring to Donatello "Ain't he supposed to be helpin?"
Leonardo stood up "Yes but he has some stuff to do in his lab so I've given him permission to stay here"
Raphael frowned "You've given him permission? Wey to power trip Leo"
"No fights allowed" began Michelangelo, holding up a finger.
Suddenly his phone beeped "Woo-hoo" he shrieked – so loudly it made Leonardo jump "It's my April, she's tracked him down – told you she was amazing"
"So what do we do from here Fearless Leader – can't exactly go topside during the day"
"Already thought of that one. Casey is going to meet us for handover purposes and in the van we will be hidden"
"Nice plan – and if he don't answer the questions Casey can treat our boy with a few whacks of a hockey stick! I like it" Raphael rolled his shoulders.
"No beatings" ordered Leonardo "We want answers and if we can avoid blood loss we will"
Raphael stood up next to his brother "Err, haven't you forgotten something? Becky didn't have a choice whether to give blood or not cos they beat it out of her! I thought you loved her"
"I do" snapped Leonardo "I just don't think we can solve this situation with more violence that's all"
"Pathetic" snarled Raphael shaking his head.
Leonardo ignored him and instead turned to Mikey "What's the next move?" he asked
"Oh I've heard it all now – first you turn chicken shit and then you ask genius boy here what we're doing?"
Raphael threw down his weapons and walked away.
"That's okay" began Leonardo "He wants to be a baby we can let him"
Michelangelo looked sad "Will it be okay just us two?"
"It'll be fine Mikey – let's go get the van and roll outta here"
