'Sup people of the world! I'm really excited to bring you another chapter for three reasons. 1: I haven't updated in forever. 2: I got my sister into fanfiction. And 3: Because I'm happy! Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof (Pharrell Williams: "Happy"). :) Hope you like this chapter!
In The Shadows
Chapter 9
-Xander's POV-
I could hear my heart pounding like it was about to explode. I could feel tears and sweat streaming down my face, except i couldn't tell one from the other. I can't believe i'm going to be serving the enemy. No matter the task, though, i'd do anything for my mother.
"Meet me on the roof of your apartment building at noon," she instructs me. "I'll give you your mission then." This bitch is seriously stupid.
"Have you forgotten about the bomb that your little assassins planted? I'm not going to risk setting it off."
"I deactivated it. You in or not?" I start to hesitate. Should i really betray my friends? "Keep in mind your mother's life is at stake." No time for hesitation. This ends now.
"You've got a deal. You'd better not be late." I end the call and hand the phone back to Mikey. I had forgotten that eveyone was there to witness the conversation. I shouldn't tell them where i'm meeting whatever-her-name-is. I don't want to worry them or put them at risk.
"What was that about?" April asks. I can't answer questions now. My mind is going everywhere at once. I can't focus.
"I'll be right back," I say half walking, half jogging to the exit.
"Xander, wait," Raph says, putting his hand on my shoulder, "what's going on?" his voice was firm, but his eyes were pleading for the truth. He whispers, "If there's something wrong, you can tell me. You can tell me anything."
"I just have to blow off some steam." I leave the room. I walk aimlessly for about five minutes. I could still feel Raphael's warm touch on my shoulder, and i feel a stab of guilt in my chest.I can't handle lying to anyone, especially not my friends. The angst building up inside me explodes in a cry of desperation and i start punching the wall nearest me. I see blood glazed over my hands from my knuckles splitting open. I don't care. Nothing concerning my own safety matters to me right now. The only thing that truely matters is finding my mother and hoping everyone will forgive me for my betrayal.
My hands go numb after i don't know how long. I wipe the blood off on my pants and sit against the wall. Pressure behind my eyes builds up and i break out in tears. I sob into my hands for what feels like eternity. I check my watch and see that it's 9:30.
"Fuck my life." Impressive last words? No. Well thought out? No. Desperate and a sign that i've hit a new low? Yep. That will most likely be my last statement as a living person. Damn my life's fucked up.
I walk silently back to the room April and i share. I stand in front of a mirror messing with my hair in an attempt to make it look normal. I find a hair tie on the floor and strap my black mop into a messy bun. I'm about to walk out when i see Mikey standing in the doorway.
"I know who was on the other end of the phone call earlier. Her name is Karai," he says somberly. "What i want to know is what does she want you to do?"
"I don't know," i say blinking back tears. "She's going to meet me at noon to tell me."
"Where? You know we can help you, right?" I grab my jacket and throw it on.
"I know. I just don't want to put anyone else in danger. I have to do this alone. I'm sorry." I run out ant try to find the nearest manhole. By the time i find one it's 10:00. I climb out and realize i'm by my school. Twelve blocks away from my old apartment building. I don't know what to expect, but i'm taking my sweet time getting there.
-Raphael's POV-
When Mikey walked out with his head hung low, i knew the conversation between him and Xander didn't go very well.
"What'd she say?" Donnie asked expectantly.
"She's meeting Karai at noon. I don't know where, though." This is killing me. If Karai even lays a hand on Xander, she's dead meat.
"If she was talking about a bomb, then she's probably going to her apartment," Leo concludes.
"We should follow her," I suggest, "to keep an eye on her."
"She said she didn't want to put anyone at risk," Mikey tells me.
"Well I'm going, whether you guys are gonna help or not." I sprint through the sewer in search of Xander. When i turn a corner, i see her pushing a manhole cover out of the way. I try to stay out of her field of vision and tag along. I step out of the sewer and climb the nearest fire escape and follow her from roof level. She remains on the ground until she reaches her apartment building.
She struggles to climb the fire escape to the top. When she makes it, i check the time on my phone. 11:59. The second the time changes to 12:00, i see Karai and two Foot soldiers jump in front of Xander. I move a little closer to hear what they're saying.
"You're early," Karai states.
"Thank you Captain Obvious," says Xander. "Your punctuality is quite admirable."
"Thank you. Now about that favor i ask of you."
"Before we get to that, where's my mother?"
"I'll let her go when you complete the task," Karai says snapping her fingers. The Foot soldiers that flank her reach for Xander and Karai pulls out a syringe filled with mutagen. Wait, MUTAGEN?!
"What is that?!" Xander shouts stunned. "Needles weren't a part of the deal!"
"Relax. It'll be over soon," Karai tells her, mock-reassuringly. "Besides, you'll need the few extra abilities that come with this stuff in order to do what i tell you to." She injected the needle into the side of Xander's neck, and my friend sunk to her knees. She cried out in agony and i couldn't stick to the shadows any longer.
I pull out my Sai and attack. I throw the Foot soldiers off the roof and pin Karai. She has cold stone eyes, ones that i've always despised.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!" I shout in her face.
"Just trying to get some negotiated labor," she said kicking me off. From out of nowhere, a girl with light green skin and hair that seems to be made from tigerlily petals launches herself at Karai, wrapping her hands around the kunoichi's throat.
"What have you done to me!?" she screams, both her voice and body trembling. I saw her eyes turn bright red, the red of pure anger and hatred. I've seen that look in only two people's eyes: my own and Xander's. It's then i know who that mutant girl is. Karai takes her sword and strikes at Xander's throat.
"No!" This is a nightmare come true. Xander releases her assailent and drops to the ground sputtering and clutching at her neck. Instead of blood, a clear thick liquid streams from the gash. I rush to her side, but discover that she's more than a plant-looking beauty, but she has the power to instantly heal, almost like Snakeweed.
The slice in her neck sealed before my eyes, and i couldn't be more relieved. I held her close, hoping to never let go of her.
"I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry. I wish none of this had happened. I-" She cut me off by putting two fingers over my lips.
"I'm fine. Freaked out, but fine. And besides, none of this is your fault." She stands up and pulls me to the fire escape. "We have to get out of here." She get's ready to jump off the roof, and she collapses. She cries out in pain and grabs her head.
"What's wrong?"
"Just a headache. I'll be okay. You should go. I'll catch up," she says, her speech slurred and wavering. Her eyes have changed from red back to the deep, kind brown I've always known in her.
"I'm not leaving you behind."
"I'll only slow you down. If both of us can't get out, then at least you should." While my guard is down, Karai pulls Xander back and kicks me off the edge of the rooftop.
"Raphael!" Xander cries, her voice cracking. I land hard on my shell and look up in time to see Karai and a few Foot soldiers tha tweren't there before drag Xander away. I hear sirens in the distance approaching fast.
I haul myself into the nearest sewer opening, and i completely lose any shred of composure i have with me. I punch the wall as hard as i can. My worst enemy mutated my Xander, beat the shit out of us, and kidnapped her. And yes, I said my Xander. Karai will pay for this with her life. I'll make sure of it.