Unexpected Mother
Part 9
Moving within the shadows, looking over their shoulders, they made their way into the darkness of the kitchen.
A giggle could be heard echoing in the pitch black room, accompanied by a shhh afterwards, "Qwuite," a small voice commanded.
"Hurry!" another replied, as sounds of moving furniture scraped across the ground, followed by some gasps towards the loud obvious noises they were making.
"Hurry, hurry!" another voice chanted, being answered by another, "Lweo watch for mommy!"
"What about me?" April smiled, leaning against the archway that led to the kitchen flipping up the light switch, to light the room up so she could see.
There, each small turtle was frozen in their spot, realizing they were busted, a chair was placed in front of the fridge as Donnie was standing beside the chair directing, Leo was beside him holding onto his arm.
Raph was crouched down, letting Mikey to stand on top of his shell so he could reach the top of the fridge, well they were attempting to at least.
All four boys eyes on her as fear filled them, white as a ghost, neither of them moved, it was apparent they didn't know what to do.
"So, what are you four up too?" April walked over, grabbing Mikey placing him onto the ground before he hurt himself.
"Nwothing," Donnie replied all innocent like, as the other brothers repeated him, giving her the whole big eye angel look.
"So, the chair just magically appeared in the kitchen, in front of the fridge of all places. Then Raphael and Michelangelo just, what? Found themselves on top of it?" April narrowed her eyes, as Raph and Mikey cringed on hearing their full name said out loud, knowing all to well that meant they were in big trouble.
Leo pulled Donnie's arm, as Donnie went white, "Yweah!" Donnie lied fidgeting trying to get Leo to stop holding onto him so tightly.
Shaking her head April was a bit disappointed, "Donatello, how many times do I have to tell you boys not to lie to me, now tell me the truth."
Giving the toddlers, another chance to redeem themselves, they all look towards Donnie, something April has been noticing, Donnie has been acting like the ring leader, in a way.
When it came to things the boys stick together, but when it came down to it, they always waited for Donnie.
Donnie shifted under their eyes, turning red; the two year old didn't like this, or wanted to be in trouble either.
"Mommy itz was me…" Leo finally pipe up taking all the blame.
Sighing, she knew none of the others would protest to Leo taking blame for this one, "Leo I know it wasn't fully you. I know it was Mikey that started it, and Raph that encourage it, then leaving Donnie to figure out how to do it."
All boys glared at Leo, who became smaller by the minute, looking away from their prying eyes.
"Poppy head!" Raph growled at Leo, for doing it again, getting them in trouble, but not him, special treatment like usual.
"Raphael, none of that, apologize to your brother," April crossed her arm, as Raph jump looking away red holding his arm.
"Sorrry Leooo," Raph spit out glaring at the ground, as his temper started to show.
Noticing the sudden tension between the brothers knowing this would end badly, they may be only two, turning three, their personalities have been showing and lately the three older brothers have been treating Leo like he was having special treatment, not realizing he was sick and there were things she had to do differently with him.
She felt sorry for Leo, many times when the boys thought he was getting special alone time with her or Leatherhead, reality they were preventing the young turtle from over exerting himself, he got tired a lot, and cranky after his shots.
At times, April had to wrap him into a blanket to keep him calm and cuddle with him to ease his pain.
The other boys didn't understand this and she didn't know how many times she explained it to them, sure she did take each one giving them time with her as well, but there was three of them and so much time in the day.
Leatherhead helped out too, taking Donnie and Mikey at times, considering those two had more affection towards the alligator, Raph was a momma's boy by the looks of it, even Leo tend to leaned to spend more time with her then Leatherhead..
Picking up Raph, holding him within her arms, he fought for a sec then wrapped his arm around her neck in defeat, then picking up the chair she brought it back to the table.
"So now will one of you tell me what was so important on the top of the fridge that you went this far to reach it," April sat on the chair while Raph sat down onto her lap, then Donnie climbed her to sit onto the other lap, giving her a big hug.
"Sworry mommy…" Donnie apologized kissing her on the cheek.
"Its ok, I am not mad at you boys," April adjusted the way she was sitting to allow the other two to sit with her, juggling four young turtles wasn't easy though, "I just wish you wouldn't lie, and what happened if one of you got hurt, next time please ask me if you want something ok."
April kissed all four boys as each beamed from her affection, "Now why were you up there?"
"Three" Mikey said all secretive.
"Three?" April asked, looking at the toddler oddly not understanding at first the significance of the number, sort of, then she knew where this was going but pretended to lead them on.
"We will be thrwee," Donnie showed two of his fingers to her.
Leaning close to them, squinting with one eye, she examined his two fingers, rubbing her chin, "Hummm… I see two, so you're going to be two?"
Donnie took his hand, looking at his fingers, playing with them, then adjusted them, "Thrwee."
Trying not to laugh April held it in, "OH, our going to be one!" April kid, seeing Donnie showed only one finger this time around.
The toddler confused, looked at his fingers again, as Raph tried to help him as both toddlers looked over his fingers, while Mikey examined his and Leo did the same.
Attempting all together they showed all their fingers, April couldn't hold it, laughing out she smiled sweetly, "Oh wow 24! Now that is a jump in a half from two!"
Frustrated the boys looked at her, "Silly mommy we be three!" Mikey grabbed April cheeks playing with them with a big grin.
"Three…. Three…" April played with the word having fun playing around with her children, narrowing her eyes, she looked at them, "I don't know… are you sure about that? Wouldn't that mean it's your birthday? No, it can't be."
Leo wrapped his tiny arms around April, "Mommy we be three, k k"
"Yeah, cake!" Mikey exploded that caught Raph off guard almost making the toddler fall to the ground, by the looks of it Raph was about to fall asleep.
Grumpily he looked annoyed at Mikey for the rude awakening, huffing burying his face into April's arm glaring at Mikey.
Smiling at the boys April shook her head, she wondered what was taking Leatherhead, wishing he would hurry up, the plan was he was going to take the boys as she took the time to decorate the lair for their birthday, it truly being their third birthday she had things planned out.
That included hiding key items on top of the fridge, which the little rascals figured out that was the hiding place.
Time to kill and not to fond of the fact that they were starting a war on her, it was best they play anywhere but using her as a playground, hopefully peacefully of course.
Placing each child on the ground, April indicated to them to go play in the living room, and not get into any more trouble.
Of course the boys protest asking questions about cake and presents, but she told them if they ask too much it will never happen, being told they ran for it, fearing she would be true to her word and they won't get cake.
Stretching, April looked around figuring where she would place the balloons and streamers, as her mind race, putting her plans into action within her head, so she knew exactly what she was going to do.
Deep in thought, her thoughts were shattered as the lair door that led to the sewers opened up abruptly, with Leatherhead bursting in frantically.
The large alligator looked like he saw a ghost or worse as he rushed into the lair, closing the door behind him, but not before making sure no one was lurking around the sewers.
His face was white with terror, he was sweating heavily, his breathing was out of control to the point April wasn't sure if he was having a panic attack.
There in his hand was a duffle bag, he looked at her not saying a word or was it he couldn't find the words?
Staring at him, uncertain on what was going on, April heart went to her throat something was wrong and the fear pouring off of Leatherhead made her stomach turn.
Quickly she looked at the boys, which had all eyes on Leatherhead in wonder and fear, the boys' nostrils flared as they started to shiver, she knew they could smell Leatherhead's fear.
Whimpering they dropped what they were doing, becoming restless, running towards April for comfort and protection.
"April we are leaving," Leatherhead tried to say as calmly as he could, not to scare the boys more, walking up, he placed the bag down looking at the boys, trying to figure out what he could say to them, so they didn't look at him in the manner they were.
He hoped they were just scared because he was, not scared of him.
"Leatherhead…," April started, then figured it was best she got rid of the boys first, "Boys why don't you go upstairs and pick out your favorite toys, one each though. Also, your PJs, as well one shirt each, no more than that ok. Donnie can you grab mommy a shirt and pants?" April said calmly patting the boys on the head that everything was ok and to do what they were told.
Hesitantly they nodded, slowly leaving her side, Leo started to cry followed by Mikey, as Raph and Donnie tried to comfort them, by holding their hands, walking with them up to the room above.
When it seemed the boys were out of ear range, April placed her focus back to Leatherhead, who seemed worse than before, he was shaking, his eyes were full of fear and dread, what happened?
To answer her wondering eyes, Leatherhead went to the TV putting it on low, then put his head down like he couldn't bear to look at it.
April mouth felt dry, her heart race out of control, as the sights of what she was witnessing, was impossible, was this really happening, as tears ran down her face, she couldn't believe this was really happening!
Gasping for air April grab the side of the couch for support, her head felt light and she wasn't sure if she was going to pass out, quickly Leatherhead placed his arm around her to comfort her, and himself as they both stared at the TV.
The worst has happened; they watched a news camera that was streaming a live feed of a horrifying event that plagued New York City.
The news crew was nowhere to be seen, probably dead or ran for their lives, leaving the camera run on a tripod, which would be the only explanation for this horror picture, that felt to surreal, like someone was playing a crude practical joke.
The streets ran green and red, while falling from the sky was this rain, but it wasn't water, it was green and vibrant, falling down onto unfortunate people that had no cover, or realization on what was going on.
Screams emulated out of the speakers of the TVs that were on the wall, as April body stiffened by the sounds.
People screaming as their bodies shifted and bulge, some started to mutating into things that they last touch or had contact with, while others not so fortunate burst like some water balloon releasing reddish liquid splashing everything around it, not even their flesh or bones was visible at this point.
It was like everything liquefied, then their skin couldn't take the pressure anymore releasing everything with a sickening pop.
April held her hand to her mouth, trying to force her gag reflects from giving in, grabbing the controller quickly she had enough, she didn't want to see anymore, shutting off the TV, burying her face into Leatherhead's chest crying uncontrollably.
"Those poor people, Leatherhead what is going on?" April whimpered, confused, baffled on what she had witnessed, she didn't know what to think, was this happening up there?
Where people mutating or dying in the most horrifying manner possible?
She cringed as the images repeated in her head, she wanted them to go away, she wanted Leatherhead to tell her it was some stupid joke, she didn't want this to be really happening, what does it mean and how will it affect her family?
Biting his lip Leatherhead shook his head, "I… I don't know, all I could find out, was this weird storm that hit New York City and this started to happen. It was subtle at first as it seemed like normal rain, then the rain came down harder, slowly turning green and people started to... Oh April I don't know…. We have to leave, its not safe here, more then ever! If this rain keeps up it will flood the sewers and you and the kids will be in danger, I don't know what the water will do to mutants, but you I…."
Leatherhead's tears couldn't be held back anymore, as his fear of what the water would do to April consumed him, the mere thought of her dyeing was horrifying, he didn't know the rules it played or why some people died, as other mutated.
"Mommy?" a sob came from the other side of the couch, there, four prying eyes looked upon Leatherhead and April.
Wiping away her tears, April tried her best to hide her fears away behind her smile, "Yes Raph, are you four, all done?"
They nodded, holding out a toy each and the clothes she asked for, Leatherhead took them, placing them into the bag, then putting a garbage bag over it to make it water proof.
As April placed their hats onto the boys' heads, a thought came to April's mind, "Leatherhead what about Leo's medicine?"
"Don't worry, I have enough for three months and Leo only has a month of treatment left, he is almost in the clear," Leatherhead assured her.
With one good news, that did bring her some relief, through these dark times, April sighed, "Now boys, I want you to be on your best behavior, we are going on a trip," April told the toddlers, making sure they were ready to leave.
"Whwere?" Donnie asked fidgeting with his hat and coat.
"To the farm," Leatherhead explained, then looked towards April who was wondering if that was the right place to go, where was the right place to go after this?
"Don't worry April the farm is the safest place for us now, it's in the middle of nowhere and it looks like the rain is only in the city, this far."
Picking up the boys, so they can ride on his back, for it would be faster this way, Leatherhead picked one boy to stay with April.
Giving her Raph, April didn't see why she should be carrying one of them, wouldn't it be better that Leatherhead had them all?
"Just in case…" a small whisper came from the alligator, Leatherhead's eyes were distant as he couldn't believe he was suggesting this.
Looking at Raph she understood, as she swallowed hard, if by chance she did come into contact with the water, this might insure her not to burst like some balloon from her body liquefying inside, but the thought of herself being mutated scared her as much.
Yet in the end it was either death or mutation if it came to that.
If she had to mutate into something, a turtle would suit her more, considering she was the boys' mother and they would accept her more if that did happen, then mutating into something they were not familiar with.
Taking a few breaths, she held Raph tightly against her as the toddler wrapped his arms around her neck, laying his head onto her shoulders, making a few sad chirps.
April tried her best to hide her fear, she was fully aware that the young turtle could smell it off of her making him upset by the second.
Leaving their home, April couldn't deny the feeling of sadness in her heart, sure they were planning to leave sometime, but she wasn't prepared to do it so soon, not under these circumstances.
Being too risky to go to the surface, even in a vehicle, considering it was chaos up there, their best bet, was sticking to the sewers, hoping none of the areas were flooded of yet, and hoping when they reach the bridge to leave the city it was still standing, with no rain.
April couldn't fight back the uneasiness in her, she didn't know what would happen, all she could say was she had to protect her children.