"Wake up." A scratchy voice wheezed, and Esther swore someone was poking her with a stick. Her eyes flew open. She gasped at the face two inches in front of her own. No. Not more Ecim? But no... The fur was darker somehow in the golden glow.

"Often children of man are surprised at my appearance." It said. "But, being a giant rat has its benefits." He sat back on his haunches.

Esther slowly sat up, curling into a ball. "A rat?" she whispered.

He grinned, or it must have been a grin, but it looked more like a creature of the night baring its teeth. "Yes."

It was still night. The rat had built a fire, and seemed to be cooking something in a small ceramic pot. Something that smelled of herbs and reminded Esther of the tea Amanda had made the previous summer using chamomile flowers from the farm.

"What is that herb?" She wondered. It smelled familiar and yet completely exotic at the same time.

"It will help your strength," he evaded.

"I'm fine." She answered, pulling her knees to her chest. "I just need to find that kid so I can go ho-" Her voice caught. Home without Amanda? Then what? But what if she's- The tears started to well up and she pushed them away angrily. "Really. I'm just fine."

"You may wish to believe that that is true. But I see there is more. More than even you can see. And you will need your strength." He pulled out a ceramic mug, and filled it with the tea, handing it to Esther.

She glanced gratefully at the kind rat, and blew over the top of the steaming liquid before taking a careful sip. She shuddered. "Why is it so cold? Shouldn't it be hot?"

The rat looked concerned. He quickly put a hand to her forehead. "Quickly. Drink it all." He said urgently, before grabbing at his satchel beneath the fire and pulling out some herbs and a flask. "Hurry," He said, when he saw she wasn't drinking.

Do I trust him? She wondered. He was kind. But kindness can be the worst manipulation she knew all too well.

Suddenly, he was by her side, sponging a cool cloth to her forehead. "You are very ill. Please drink the tonic." He whispered. And his voice was calming, persuasive, and kind. She couldn't help but drink every drop of the chilly beverage.

She started to shake. "Now I'm c-c-cold."

He pulled her closer to the fire. "Your fever must break." And he piled her shoulders with what seemed to be animal skin, which seemed odd considering, but Esther was beyond ironies at the moment. Finally, finally, she felt warm again.

He felt her forehead. "I believe you will be 'fine'." He said with a wry smile.

She did feel better. Like her head was clearer. Her emotions not quite so surfaced.

"Thank you." She whispered. "I'm Esther by the way."

"Esther. A good name for a fighter. And I am Splinter."

Splinter. That sounded familiar... She closed her eyes, and visions of nunchucks, sewers, and pizza raced through her mind. "You don't mean-" She felt her face collapse in utter shock. She must have looked as terrified as Amanda had upon seeing Peter.

"My first students have been long gone now, each serving his purpose elsewhere."

"Your first students? They didn't happen to be... turtles by chance?"

"You are my student now." He said peacefully, ignoring her question.

Fair enough, he didn't have to answer. How would she know that anyway. Wait what? "I'm your student now?" More shock. Would it ever end?

"Like I said, you'll need your strength." He smiled knowingly. "Rest now. For on the dawn, we begin." And he began to walk away.

"Wait! A fighter? Why would I need to be a fighter?"

He paused, glancing behind. "There are things afoot. They will need a warrior."

"Who's they?"

But he didn't answer, and Esther was left to worry, and to dream.