Chapter Ten:
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Today, it was different, I was unnervingly anxious.
Why? Because April called earlier today, she invited us to dinner at her place.
Regretfully, Mike, who had answered her call, -overly enthusiastic, if I may add,- had completely forgotten to include a small bit of information, forgetting to tell her about my- current condition.
Don had called back to see if he could wriggle us out of her invitation, and that maybe we could do it some other time, but unfortunately, he couldn't. Yeah, she was that stubborn, it was expected of her, especially when it comes to her opinion regarding family gatherings; so seeing there was no way she was excusing us out of her offer, we invited her over in order to explain to her, why we had somewhat lost touch during the past few weeks.
The parameter alarm beeped, announcing her arrival at our secret entrance; I swallowed.
Don had installed two types of alarm. One with our friends' identities confirmed on the device; all they have to do is pass through an arched doorway, like those metal detectors at airports, and they could pass without setting the other alarm. The one contains the same identification samples, to see if the one passing through our territory is a trespassers or the like.
It was something Don had salvaged and redesigned, from a similar item he retrieved from the ship he took from the Triceratons leader. 'And I used to wonder what he did to it, it's probably in bits and pieces now!' He kept it well hidden in an old abandoned part of the junkyard, along with the chopper he managed to retrieve from the Shredder, back when he was still on earth.
Back to the present, I felt a cold splash in my stomach when Raph left to get the door for April, seeing it was brandished with heavy iron, incase someone, or something, tried to break its way through; it'll protect us and keep any life threatening outsiders at bay. Like Karai's giant mechanical Foot robots, the same giant ones that trashed the old Elentian lair, the same giant robot thing I fought when I first came home, after my return trip from Japan.
Of course, I don't know how much Don and Mike had told her, in preparation to my new feathery appendage and I'm feeling nervous, as to what her reaction could possibly be. Then again, I'm grateful Casey is out of town. I mean, who knows what he'd say or do, if he saw me like this! Last we saw him was roughly a week before any of this started!
We haven't seen him in a month, -he did call and all, but only two or three times, though; just to make sure we didn't get into any trouble, and hog all the fun from him or something, -and with the so little time he had to actually pick up a phone and call us, without being called by his mother to come help her with something, we probably wont be seeing him for another month, I figure.
His mom arrived in town a month earlier, she said something about fixing the farmhouse, something about leaving the city and moving out. She wanted him to help her with the task, because she didn't trust the moving van companies; something about losing some precious items because of bad service when younger. She mentioned wanting to start a small victory garden of sorts, something to keep herself busy with, but I'm not too sure if she had other plans to go with it, I don't think I caught the whole conversation.
You see, my brothers and I were stranded outside Casey's window, on the third floor, because her arrival was too quick and sudden, -and Casey's apartment was either too much of a mess, or did not have any suitable hiding spots,- and we never got close enough to the fire escape to manage our way up the roof, without getting ourselves spotted. If she were a ninja, we would have been caught by now, because if I didn't know any better, I'd say she sensed us, but didn't come looking, because she didn't see anything suspicious.
Either that, or I was just pushing my luck.
'Well, it's now or never.' I braced myself for courage at hearing April's voice, yet a part of me was still nervous.
I mean, come on now! April had been one of the very few people we had ever met; she and Casey have accepted us as family in spite of our appearance, and the dangerous life we're living! Although I'm sure, -I think?- that she will not change her mind about me, seeing how much I have- changed. I still can't help but have this nagging feeling, the change may not be something that would match her liking.
"Hi guys!" April greeted warmly, as Raph escorted her down the steps.
"Watch yer step, Ape! I just had the thin' waxed." He smiled sheepishly, holding her hand and helping her down the steps.
"Thank you." she smiled and let him help her, "And I have to admit, you did a fine job, Raph! This floor is so shiny, it looks like glass!"
I could see her small, delicate and thin fingers curling around Raph's colossal, rough skinned hand, so once reaching the non-slippery floor, she retrieved her hand and then pecked my temperamental brother's forehead, much to his annoyed embarrassment. He just rubbed his head where she kissed him, and muttered something which made her giggle, before he rolled his eyes and did a beeline to the kitchen, where Mike and Don were setting the dinner table.
Master Splinter, who was sitting on his armchair, pushed off his seat to greet her.
I remained rooted to my spot; I couldn't move, a small tremble was there in my legs and I could feel it! I was so anxious; I didn't even trust myself to stand up. My wing curled closer to my side and I did not bother trying to hide it, -besides! How can you hide something that's over seven feel long and five feet wide, anyway?- I know she'll eventually pay attention to it, so I readied myself for it.
"Leo?" I heard her voice, too close for comfort.
I felt my shoulders square as my skin bristled and my sight focused. I saw the neat, small little Cinderella-like shoes, -Yeah, April has some cute, small feet, to be honest,- encasing her delicate little feet before me and I swallowed, reluctantly peering up at her with a smile, "Um, hi April." I hesitated, not sure if I ought to get up to full height yet, "Glad- you made it."
Her emerald green eyes shone with a hint of concern and her smile, glossed with her cherry red lips, as always, was loving and motherly. Seating herself to my right, opposite of my winged side, I felt her small, soft hands reach out and take a hold of mine; uneasily, I curled my fingers around hers, half paying attention to the difference in size.
Her thumbs went about gently massaging the back of my hand in a circular motion, before she decided to speak. "Well, talk about your one winged angel." She commented softly, smiling. After a period of silence, she freed a hand to touch my chin and turn my head to face her. She didn't say anything, she just smiled, and I saw that there was not a hint of dislike or fear in her eyes.
Relived, I smiled back, but still not dare say a thing, I still felt- nervous.
"Now, my daughter, I believe it is time for dinner." Father spoke, extending a hand for her to take.
April smiled and pushed off the couch, "Yeah, I don't want to be late." She winked at me.
I smiled back, "Yeah, there is no knowing with Mike's appetite." I added.
She grinned wider and kept holding my hand, now tugging gently and urging me to stand, so I complied. Once up on my feet, she freed one hand to take Sensei's previously offered hand, and the three of us made way to the kitchen. Like a chain, father was holding her hand, while she held on to mine. It felt a little silly, but in the same time, it made me feel a lot better.
Raph quirked a brow at us, taking note of us holding hands. He just smirked; he didn't say anything about it, and then with a strange notion of chivalry, he pulled a chair for April to sit.
Usually, on our kitchen table, we have six chairs, two on the left and right, and one at each end. Normally I'd sit left of Sensei, while Raph sits on the right, but Raph had offered his seat to April and took the one next to it, which is usually Mike's seat, so Mike ended up taking the one at the tail end of the table, seeing Don was in the seat next to mine.
As if in an unspoken agreement, Raph and Mike spared each other a glance, before both got up and switched seats.
Now Raph sat at the tail end, opposite of Sensei, while Mike took back his usual seat, opposite of Don. I remained in my seat, opposite of April for a change, and Father besides me. Sometimes, Casey and Leatherhead come over for a visit and a meal, too; Angel rarely comes around, she and Raph kind of get too buddy-buddy and too close for my comfort.
In a way, I admit I find it kind of creepy! But that's a different topic.
Gathering around and sitting at the table, waiting for the food to be ready, we just chattered a bit. For a moment, I wondered when and where April would bring up the topic about my new, white appendage, but so far, she acts as if it's not even there, as I built up my walls and waited for it. I don't know how to react to it once it's brought up, or even- if I ought to be relived or upset. I mean, it's a wing sprouting out of my shell, for crying out loud! She can't miss something that obvious, can she? Then that means she's not mentioning it on purpose, -and whenever she looks at me, she never even glanced at it,- but the question is: Why?
Soon, there was a small dinging sound, and Mike got up to get the oven, popping out the lasagna pan, and then flashing a huge grin with his latest masterpiece! The smell of it alone was enough to make my mouth water!
A while after we began eating, I was lost away in my own world of thoughts.
I don't remember what I was thinking of; actually, I think it was a tangled and webbed subject that tugged at my mind, I lost track of myself. I remember sitting there, poking idly at my half eaten plate of pasta, I let out a small sigh. Somehow, I can't feel the weights on my arms and legs anymore, almost as if it had gone numb. It had only been four days, since I had put them on, now I feel like they're not even there.
But that's not what's bothering me, I just- can't pinpoint what it was.
Somehow, I wonder if the change is affecting me more mentally than physically, because I've been through many changes during the past few days, and somehow, it's still too overwhelming, I don't know how to handle it. I mean, after so long, I ought to have been used to it by now, right?
"Leo? Is something wrong?" I heard April's concerned voice.
"Huh?" I blinked, now rising my chin to look at her.
"Are you okay?" she smiled weakly," You kind of zoned out on us back there." She explained.
At her worried furrow, I stole a glance at my family and they all mirrored her expression, each at a different level, "Sorry." Was my only reply, putting down the fork, I nodded my head, "I just- I'm not hungry."
I wanted to push away and leave, but I didn't want to be rude, not in front of father and not with April here, because it'll just make her worry. Yet, something was bugging me, but for the life of me, I had no idea what it was. The silence that filled the kitchen afterwards only made the tension worse, and the bulging pain over my shoulder was starting to grow, gradually becoming more and more pronounced.
Disturbingly, I think a similar feeling suddenly started on- or should I say, under my other shoulder socket, but I dismissed the thought. Without a second thought, I nodded my head and excused myself wishing them a good meal; I exit the kitchen.
I don't know what I was thinking, all I remember was doing a beeline to the dojo, feeling the tension grow thicker and more intensified in the back of my shoulders; yes! Shoulders! They both ached now and it bothered me a great deal! I can't explain the feeling, -perhaps, it was dread? I'm not sure;- but it was a nagging, uncomfortable feeling, and- it scared me.
At the dojo, I went through the usual basic kata, trying and wanting desperately to relax, but the nagging feeling was still there. Frustrated, I closed my eyes for a brief moment, before I realized no amount of physical activity will help me and so, I decided to meditate instead hoping that whatever is bothering me will reveal itself, so I could handle it better.
Five steps away from my usual spot and that's when the first stab of pain hit me.
I staggered, feeling as if something had stabbed me in the heart! The pain! It was so terrible!
My knees hit the floor with an audible thud and my arms wrapped around me, eyes squeezed tight, gritting my teeth, I tried to will away the pain and to let it pass, but the burning, squirming something in the socket of my shoulder, only brought back terrible memories.
Fortunately, I sat there on my knees for only a moment longer; gasping for a breath and gaining control over myself, and better feel of my surroundings, but that is when I realized Raph was right in front of me, his hands securely clasped on my shoulders, while someone slapped a cold rag to my free shoulder. Groaning and hissing in pain, I pressed my forehead to Raph's shoulder, trying very hard not to think of the pain.
"Leo, what happened?" Don's voice trickled into my ears.
"Don?" I called, unsure for a moment.
"Yes, it's me," he answered, looking more concerned and worried, and then I felt a hand cup my cheek, turning my head to face him, while letting my head rest on Raph's plastron. I could hear my red masked brother's heart beating, not calm, not panicked, a bit in-between.
My vision was swimming and it sort of blurry, probably because of the tears filling my eyes, so I blinked them away. I settled back more comfortably, now paying attention to April, who had her hands pressed over the cold rag, and Mike was walking out of the kitchen with an ice pack, closely followed by father, who had a hot drink in his hands.
"Drink this, my son. It should soothe your pain." Father instructed, picking one of my hands to gently put the mug there.
"Thank you." I breathed out and tried to keep my hands from trembling.
I cupped the mug with both hands, staring at the milky concoction, catching the scent of ginger. I braced myself and then took a slow, careful sip, allowing it's warmth to spread down and throughout my throat. I felt April's hand rub the back of my neck, while Mike went to fetch a blanket. Stealing a glance at their worried faces, I felt guilt.
"Sorry for ruining dinner." I apologized tiredly.
April looked up at me, before she glanced at Mike, and then turning to face me again, "It's not your fault, it's okay."
"Leo?" interjecting, Don called my name once more, "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, almost suggesting that I do so.
I eyed him wearily, suddenly feeling drained out and so very exhausted, "I'm- not really sure." I answered at first as I furrowed, feeling a growing throb thumping against my brain. "For a while I just felt tense, so I figured I'd try to work it out. All of a sudden, my shoulder started hurting." I reached up to clasp a hand over the wet rag, in which April had pressed the ice pack on, "It- just hurt so much."
For a moment, the silence was so thick, it frightened me even more.
I looked up at Don and his face couldn't have gotten any paler.
I worried, because something tells me things are just getting worse again.
But- would it be better or worse than before?
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A/N: …