Chapter 10
" So where should we start?" Raph asked as we were planing out scenes to re-create for Donnie.
A week had gone by since Donnie had woken up, We've never had time to plan what pictures to take to help Donnie's memory because he had fallen sick. But we managed to find time to plan and now Leo, Raph, Mikey and I are gathered around in the living, sitting on the floor, writing down ideas on what locations to re-create.
" Well, what do we have so far?" Mikey's voice chimed with wondered. He was back to his usual content self. In fact, ever since Donnie woke up, things been happier. Which of course made sense. But the thing that really surprised me was that Leo and Raph never had one fight yet. So things were running pretty smoothly around here for once.
" Nothing." Leo replied flatly, you could see the disappointment dripping out of his mouth.
" Well the last thing that Donnie remembers is April leaving. And this happened..." I needed someone to finish my sentences for me. After all, I arrived after April left.
" It happened two months before you came." Leo completed my statement.
" Then," I continued, " Did any big events happen in those two months?"
" No not really. Donnie was always depressed, rarely left his lab." Leo responded sadly.
" Oh." Was all I could say. I couldn't believe that Donnie was depressed for two straight months. It just didn't seem like the Donnie I know...or knew.
" So would the first big event that happened is when Taylor came?" Mikey's voice sounded unharmed. He didn't sound sad, remembering what Donnie went through. It was hard to knock Mikey down and even if you did, it would take a lot to get him to show it.
" Yeah pretty much." Leo agreed.
" So where should we take the picture, the old lair is demolished." Raph pointed out. Now that I think of it, Raph doesn't really think things through. The answer was obvious to us all, except for him. Which is kinda shocking because this was usually a Mikey move.
" Two things. You guys technically didn't first meet me at the old lair, you first saw me when you were dragging me down into the sewers. And second, the new lair looks exactly like the old one." When I finished they were all looking at me in a strange way, " What?"
" You've been hanging out with Donnie to much." Raph scolded.
It took me a moment or two to figure out what Raph meant. But then I realized that I said technically, which is kinda Donnie's thing.
" Haha very funny." I said with annoyance tickling the back of my throat, " What else can we re-create?"
" Well I think the older lair is definite yes. And maybe Taylor's house?" Leo suggested. We all nodded our heads in agreement. I wrote down the three locations that we came up with. I wrote down the sewer tunnel they dragged me into, the old lair, and my house. I was kinda flattered that one of the three locations was my own house, it was nice to know that I had such a big impacted in the turtles lives...in Donnie's life.
The thought of Donnie made my heart feel sad. It wasn't fair that he was badly injured and now coming down with the flu. That was another thing that Donnie had to battle alone. It made me more angry then anything.
My thoughts got interrupted by the sound of a bell. That was the alarm I had hooked up to Karai's tube, to know when to feed her. I had learned a thing or two about mechanics from Donnie.
" Time to feed the prisoner." Raph announced to know one in particular and Leo walked off to the kitchen to fetch Karai some lunch.
" That bell makes me feel like a caged animal." Karai's usually calm yet intimidating voice piped up, " When can I leave?"
" You can't leave until our Shredder problem is solve." Raph said through clenched teeth and tight fists. He had explained this many times to Karai and she just did it now to get on Raph's nerves.
" You know if you don't set me free soon, he's gonna come and hunt you down." Karai stood up and folded her arms, thinking that she won the battle. But I could tell by the look on Raph's face that he had one more trick up his sleeve.
" You've been missing for a week and there's been no sign of the foot clan or your precious daddy." Raph's evil smirk caused a chill to run down my spine.
" Raph!" Leo yelled at his red masked brother before Raph could take it too far, " Here Karai." Leo handed Karai a bowl of what looked like Chinese noodles through the little opening. I knew Leo had just put them in the microwave to reheat them because for one thing, Leo can't cook and we had Chinese noodles yesterday for supper.
" Ouuu, left overs." Karai's joy was very sarcastic.
" At least it's better then nothing." Raph pointed out in a very...rude kind of way would be the best way to describe it.
Karai let out a heavy sigh and then continued talking, " Just hurry up and contact my dad already, it's boring in here."
" At least we let you out to use the bath room." Mikey's remark wasn't rude likes Raph's was. It sounded completely innocent. And Mikey was right. We did let Karai out to use the bath room, but she was always accompanied by at least two turtles. They didn't go in the bathroom with her, they just waited outside the door. And since there wasn't any windows, there was no way for her to escaped.
" Come on guys, let's go eat." Leo was growing impatient. He didn't like talking to Karai. And I can understand why. He has, or as he says had a crush on this girl. Now we're keeping her prisoner. If I was him, it would upset me too.
The turtles walked in the kitchen but I stayed behind a bit longer. There was a question tugging at my mind for the whole week. Something I had to asks Karai.
" Tell me Karai," I didn't bother staring with a hello because I knew that I wouldn't get an answer from her if I started like that, " Why were you just wandering the sewer tunnels by yourself the day that we captured you?"
" It's my life mission to take you guys down." Karai began to explain. What surprised me was that she didn't hesitate to tell me, just like Donnie barely hesitated to talk to me. Maybe I was just an easy person to talk to, " The night that I found Leo and Raph alone on a roof, I was on patrol with the foot clan when I spotted them. I took the chance and attacked. I only had a few men with me, not very experience men. Then when they escaped, I followed them, ordering my men to go back to head quarters. I wasn't planing to get caught, but things don't always go as planned."
The last sentence that Karai said, it didn't sound like part of her explanation, it sounded like a warning.
" Taylor! Are ya coming to eat or not?" Raph asked and emerged from the kitchen.
" I'm coming." I told him and ran towards the kitchen, but Raph pulled me to the side before I could enter.
" Raph what are you-" I began to ask but my voice faded when Raph shushed me.
" Is Lily coming over today?" Raph's voices was so low I could barely hear him.
I smiled at Raph. I found it sweet that two of my best friends are together. Well, kinda together, their not an official couple but they do have this thing going on. It's a very complicated relationship.
" Don't look at me like that." Raph ordered and pleaded me. His voice was tough and ruff but his eyes showed desperation. Raph hated to admit that he was falling for a girl, especially Lily. She was the complete opposite of Raph but hey opposites attracted right?
" I don't know what your talking about." I tried to keep a serious face but my smile over took me and I almost snorted, " Anyway, no shes not coming over, school just started again and shes already has a pile of homework to do."
" Hey guys, what's keeping?" Mikey swung himself from the kitchen and almost lost his balance but grabbed the door frame before falling on the ground.
" Nothing!" Raph shouted to quickly for someone not to be suspicious, " I was just asking Taylor if she was going to see her parents tonight." Raph shifted his stern glance to me to warn me to play along.
" Why? What day is it?" Mikey wondered.
" Friday." Raph slowly pronounced Friday so Mikey could understand, but he was just really making fun of him for not catching on.
" Guys I'm hungry. What's going on?" Leo now joined in the conversation.
" Taylor's deciding if she's going to go visit her parents tonight." Mikey explained before Raph and I had a chance to.
" I think she should." Leo openly shared his opinion.
" Why?" I was a bit stunned by Leo's opinion. Not what he said, just how forward he was with it.
" Well you haven't seen your parents for over a month now, I think they're a little worried about you." Leo explained his reason. I didn't know what to say, because Leo was right.
" Dang Leo, why do you have to be so good at that?" I complained, " Fine, I'll go see them." I gave in and walked into the kitchen to go eat some lunch. Leo and Raph followed me in but Mikey stayed behind for a little longer.
" Wait, what was Leo good at?" He said out loud to himself and then quickly ran into the kitchen when he realized that we all left. Sometimes it surprises me just how clueless Mikey is. But that what makes Mikey adorable.
" I'll be back in an hour or so!" I shouted to the turtles as I left the lair. I was on my way to go see my parents. And as I was walking through the sewer halls, I began to think to myself...
I remember when the turtles use to have to come with me when I wanted to see my family. And then now when they come with me, they come in my house. It's kinda scary how much my life has changed over the past year. I met four mutant turtles, I fell in love with one of them, and now I'm living with the turtles and Splinter.
Splinter! I couldn't remember the last time I seen Splinter in the living room. He's always in the training room, meditating. In fact I don't even know if he knows that we've captured Karai. It was a bit odd that we never went to tell him, guess it just slipped our minds.
I found my way to the man hole cover and climbed out. I didn't have to hide in the shadows anymore, the police weren't after me and the only person in this neighbour hood that would actually recognize me was Lily. But since we haven't trained for over a month, I decided it would be good practice, plus it's fun.
So I jumped up on a roof and began to run. I forgot what it felt like to be out of the sewers, forgot what it felt like to have the wind in your hair and pounding against your face, I forgot the irresistible rush you get flowing through your veins. I felt alive, I felt free and for a moment, I forgot all about my troubles with Donnie.
But then an idea sparked into my head, I came to a complete stop. Stupefied that I didn't think of this sooner. I should get the turtles out of the sewer and go for a good rooftop run. It made me forget, so it could do the same for the turtles.
The time when we went after Raph didn't count because we had one thing on our minds, and that was getting back Raph. But if I just took them out, just for an hour, just for fun. It's sure to cheer them up.
I began to run and jump again, elaborating on my idea in my head. But finally I came to my house. I jumped down from a roof and ran across the street. My parents didn't like me jumping on their roof or anywhere near their house so I had to go across the street. They still didn't fully support the idea of their baby girl being a kunoichi but I didn't care what they thought. I like it.
I knocked on the door and it slowly creaked open. It was 10:30 at night and I was coming later then usual. I could come at 9 or so because it's winter, and it gets darker sooner.
I could see my dad's eyes peeking through the slightly opened door, I smiled and waved but then he closed it. I heard him take off the chain and now the door was fully open.
" Honey! Taylor's here!" My dad shouted to my mom.
" Hi dad." I quickly said before the situation could get awkward. But it didn't really work, my dad just grunted and gestured with his hand for me to come in. I walked into my house and my mom came running from upstairs with hands waving in the air.
She ran up and hugged me like she hasn't seen me in years.
" What happened to your arm!?" My mom broke up the death trap and backed away.
" I broke my hand during a...fight" I shrugged my shoulders.
" Are you okay?!" My mom shouted frantically.
" Yeah I'm fine, it doesn't even hurt anymore." I told her.
" Why don't we sit down and talk." My mom pushed me towards the couch. I knew that she had something she wanted to talk to me about. I just didn't know what it was.
" So, Taylor." My mom began as she brought me a glass of water and sat across the couch on the chair.
" Yeah?" I approached the conversation nervously. I knew my mom was up to something.
" Have you ever met Garret?" My mom asked with a huge fake smile on her face.
" Who?" I was really puzzled but I had a hunch on where she was going with this.
" Garret, he lives in our neighbour hood. And he's around your age. I think you'll really like him." My mom explained. I knew exactly where this was going. My parents, although didn't show it around them, didn't exactly approve of me dating a mutant turtles. Don't get me wrong, my parents love the turtles and Splinter, but they don't think I should be dating one of them.
" Mom, I'm not going to date Garret, I love Donnie." As I explained with annoyance, my parents flinched at the word love. They don't like hearing me say it.
" Taylor, your not in love. Your to young to know what love is." My mom chuckled as she spoke. But she said it more towards herself. But saying it to herself or not, it still got me angry.
" That's where your wrong!" I began to raise my voice, " I ran away from home just to be with him! I feel like I can't breathe without him! I would die for Donnie! You can not tell me that's not love!" I stood up as I shouted.
" Taylor keep your voice down, your brothers are sleeping." My dad snapped. He had been standing there this whole time. But my mom and I just kinda ignored his comment.
" Taylor, that's not love. It's...it's..." My mom didn't know what to say, I knew that she knew that it was love. She just didn't want to admit it.
" Look, I don't care what you guys think. I love Donnie and there's nothing you can do to change that!" I was no longer yelling, but my voice was still a bit higher then normal volume, " Besides, you shouldn't worry to much, you'll get what you want sooner or later. I think Donnie and I might be breaking up."
My mom had a sudden change of heart when she saw tears welling up in my eyes.
" What? Why?" She asked.
" Donnie, he-he lost his memory." I gathered up all the courage I had left inside me to say that,while simultaneously fighting back the burning tears.
" How?" My mom had walked over to me and put a hand on my shoulder.
" He got tortured by Shredder." I looked down at the ground and the tears began to fall down my face.
" Who's Shredder?" My mom's voice had curiosity echoing through it.
" He's our number one enemy." I gave a short explanation, I really didn't feeling like explaining the long version of it.
" Oh?" My mom knew when to push me and when not to. And now was a not to moment.
" But the thing is. He only forgot me. He still remembers his brothers, his father, but everything that happened with me, he forgot." I explained to my mom, trying not to cry anymore but it didn't work.
" Come with me, I want to show you something." My mom took her hand off of my shoulder and walked up stairs. I followed her.
We walked down the hall and past the bathroom. Then, we came to my old room. She opened the door and urged me forwards. Now standing in my room with my mother, I looked around and realized that it was exactly how I left it.
" Why are we in here?" I turned around to face my mother.
" Do you notice anything different?" My mom wondered, I shook my head no, " Exactly. Your room is exactly the same as it was when you left. And it will be here when you return."
" What do you mean?" I raised an eyebrow.
" Once you get over this turtle ninja phase. You're room will be ready. You know, when you come home." My mom said with an innocent smile.
" Mom, I told you already, I'm not coming back and I probably never will. I'm happy living with the turtles." I chose my words carefully. My parents still didn't know that I live in the sewers, and I plan on keeping it that way for a little longer.
" Trust me, you'll come back." My mom said with a glow of satisfaction, but I didn't know why she was satisfied, she didn't accomplish anything.
" No I won't come back! When will you understand that!" I yelled. I was tired of my parents, tired of this visit. So I opened the window and jumped out. I had no problem jumping from heights anymore, I have been training as a ninja for quite some time now and jumping from heights was one of my first lessons.
" Taylor! Come back!" I heard my moms faint voice in the distance, but I kept running. I jumped up on the nearest roof and began to run. But before my house was completely out of sight, I took picture of it with my T-phone.
" One picture down." I mumbled to myself and wiped the tears from my eyes as I began to run again. Only five minutes into the run I felt like stopping and just lying down. I no longer felt that rush of freedom, I felt sad and empty. All I wanted was for Donnie to be here by my side to comfort me. I wanted the feeling I get when I'm in his arms. But I can't have that because now, Donnie's sick and broken. He can barely move his arms at all.
I just wanted stuff to go back to the way they were. Leo being the fearless leader, Raph being the hot head, Mikey, the happiest sol I've ever meant, and Donnie. Donnie being the incredibly smart one, the incredibly kind one, the one I fell in love with. I admit that stuff had gotten better, but still, it's not the same. And I don't know if things will ever be the same again.
But now, with Donnie sick, the turtles not feeling like themselves, and knowing that I don't have my parents support, I have never felt so alone in my life.
Another chapter written and done, so...yeah. There's really not much I need to say here, just I hope your enjoying the story so far and please please review! And thanks to anyone who is reading/reviewing my story! It means a lot to me! :)
