Chapter 14
Five days had gone by and I was bored out of my mind. I had read every book lying around; I had even gotten so bored that I had read Donnie's books on technology and science. To try and release some of my boredom, I had spent every waking moment practising my martial arts and interacting more with Leo. Leo lay on my bed. I lay beside him and had my head on his chest, listening to the slow beating of his heart. My hand was gently placed on Leo's stomach and Leo had me in a hug. I was staring right at the wall opposite us and felt Leo's chest rise and fall.
"Kelisa, do you ever think about what would happen if things were different?" Leo's quiet voice said, breaking the silence. I brought my head up and rested my elbows on Leo's chest, staring into his eyes.
"What do you mean?" I asked, in a slight whisper.
"If you had never met the Shredder, what do you think would have happened?"
"I don't know," I replied, resting my chin onto the backs of my hands, "I guess I would be just a normal girl. I would probably be doing a plain boring thing that an ordinary everyday girl would be doing or maybe something worse." Leo turned his hazel eyes to mine and stroked the top of my head. I leaned forward and softly kissed Leo's lips. He kissed back. We lingered in the kiss and held onto each other's hands, linking our fingers together. Leo then turned to his side and pulled me closer to his body. I snuggled into him and smiled as I stared into his eyes. I stroked his shoulder and pulled him a little on top of me. I placed a hand on Leo's cheek and moved closer. Our lips were close to touching when a cough sounded from the doorway. We both looked towards the door and saw Raph. His face turned into a smirk.
"Am I interrupting anything?" He asked. Leo turned a light shade of pink and sat up. I moved and sat up.
"No nothing" I replied, when Leo didn't speak.
"Right; Leo, Splinter said it's time for us to go and do our scout of the city" Raph said. Leo nodded and got off the bed. Raph turned and left.
"Go and do what you need to do" I said, with a smile. Leo kissed me on the top of my head, before turning and leaving. I flopped back on to my bed and stared the ceiling, my hands placed palm down on my stomach. I forced my breathing to be low and shallow as I closed my eyes and entered a meditative state. I focused my senses to my touch, smell and hearing, while completely blocking taste and sight. I could hear Splinter breathing from the other room. I could smell something that had been burnt a few hours ago in the oven. A loud beeping noise sounded from my pocket and I jumped. I fell off my bed with a loud crash. I knelt down and pulled out my shell-cell of my pocket. I flipped it open and Donnie's face appeared.
"Kelisa, have you seen April?" He asked. I shook my head.
"No, is something wrong?" I asked.
"April said she would meet us at the park, but she hasn't shown. She hasn't contacted you at all?"
"No," I replied, standing up, "I could check her apartment. Just give me a few minutes to get there."
"Kelisa I don't think that's such a good idea. Splinter may not like you running off without his permission" Donnie replied. I shrugged my shoulders.
"He'll just have to get used to the idea that I leave when someone dear to me is in danger" I said.
"Kelisa-" Donnie started to say, but I hung up the shell-cell. I pocketed it and walked out of my room. I grabbed my trench coat and hat and put them on. I opened the entrance and dashed out, before Splinter could see me. I ran to the surface and towards April's apartment. I walked right into the darkened shop below. I flicked on the light switch and nearly gasped in horror. Everything was destroyed. Bits of broken glass lay scattered on the floor. I walked around and looked for any signs that April may still be in the shop. I found that no area of the shop was unturned. I then walked to the stair and slowly made my way up. About halfway up, I saw a splatter of blood. I stopped and inspected it. I brought a hand to it and, using a finger, scraped some of the still wet blood off the wall. I brought it to my eye level and swirled it around to see if its colour was dark or light. The colour became a rich dark colour. Whoever's blood it was, they were bleeding really badly and would possibly die in the next few hours if they didn't get medical attention soon. I heard the sound of smashing glass up stairs. I walked up the stairs and opened the door that was hanging from its hinges. I walked into the pale lit room. I walked over to a light switch and flicked it on. I turned around and saw that everything was exactly as what was downstairs in the shop. Everything was overturned and there were many pieces of stuffing and cushion fillings on the floor and scattered on any surface around the room. The couch was overturned and shredded to pieces. Many of the windows were smashed from the outside and glass littered the floor. I turned to a wall and saw a few ninja stars embedded in it. I grabbed one and ripped it out. A few bits of wall crumbled and fell to the floor. I inspected the ninja star and noticed it had the exact same symbol that Shredder's ninjas had. I clenched my fist, that was holding the ninja star, and it sliced my hand. I hissed in pain and dropped the weapon. It clattered on the floor and splattered blood around it. I kept walking and headed straight to April's room. The was missing and I walked right in. Everything was destroyed. There were many feathers around. The lamp had been knocked off the dresser and everything had been rummaged through. It was then that I remembered the vile I had given to Donnie. I quickly whipped out my shell-cell and dialled his. He answered on the second ring.
"Kelisa what's wrong? Did you fin April?" He asked.
"No, I haven't found her, but I have an idea on who might have. Listen do you still have that vile I gave you?" I asked, walking back to the main area. Sticking to the cupboards was a note. I ripped it off the knife that was holding it there.
Kelisa,
You have something I want. If you want April to survive bring it to me by midnight at the park. If you don't bring it, April will die without medical treatment. I will be there waiting.
~Shredder
"Yeah, I still have the vile. Why?" Donnie asked. I reread the note.
"I need it. Meet me at April's apartment in five minutes. There is something I have to do" I replied. Before Donnie could reply, I hung up and placed the shell-cell down on the bench. "Sorry guys, but I have to do this on my own" I said to myself. I walked out of the apartment and waited.
Not much time had passed and the turtles' van pulled up. The four turtles walked out and Donnie handed me the vile. I looked into it and nodded.
"Alright, I have to go. I'll try to be back before Splinter knows I'm gone. Please don't track me down or anything" I said, pocketing the vile.
"Where are you going?" asked Leo. I turned my head away.
"I can't tell you," I turned back, "I will tell you everything when I get back. I promise." Leo's brothers all took one look at the two of us and decided to head inside the van. Once the van's door shut, did we speak.
"Leo. I have no choice. April is going to die if I don't go" I said.
"Kelisa, there is always another choice-"
"Not this time Leo. I'm sorry." Leo took a step forward, unsure of what to do. He gently took my hand.
"Kelisa, please is there any other way?" he asked. I shook my head.
"Leo, I have to finish this once and for all. If I don't then everyone I love is in danger. Especially you. I don't want to see anyone get hurt because of me" I replied. Leo brought a hand up to my face and wiped a tear from my eye. "I have to go" I said. I turned and walked away. I refused to look back, in case I started to cry from the pain in Leo's eyes. I walked down an alleyway and towards the park. I entered the park and looked at the clock. It was five minutes to midnight. I sat down on one of the park benches and moved my hat closer to my face, avoiding any light from highlighting my face. I looked up and saw something moving in the shadows. I rose from my seat and walked over cautiously. Someone walked in front of me. The silver metal shining from the street light. I looked at the area where his eyes were held.
"Good girl. You managed to evade the turtles, yet you should not have trusted me" Shredder said. I was then hit from behind and knocked to the ground. My hands were held behind my back and I was dragged to my knees, from someone picking me up from the fur on the back of my head. I was forced to look into Shredder's eyes and he loomed over me. His eyes flashed icy cold and he grabbed my face. I clenched my teeth and Shredder seemed to smile from behind his mask. He back handed my face, scratching two lines across my face. I refused to show any pain. I felt blood trickle down my face and onto my legs. I blinked my eyes a few times.
"Is this how you treat all your children?" I snapped. Shredder moved one hand and one of his ninjas searched my pockets. They took out the vile and handed it to Shredder. Shredder took it and turned his back to me. He inspected the vile and laughed.
"You have been trying to create more of it" He said. My eyes turned wide. Shredder turned back to me. "You should have joined me when you had the chance. Now April will die." I struggled against my captors.
"You promised she would be safe. You lied to me!" I yelled out. Shredder shrugged.
"Evil" Was the only response he gave. He opened the vile and walked over to me. He forced my mouth open and poured the liquid down my throat. I felt myself burning and my skin prickle. I doubled over and my captors let me go. I shut my eyes and placed my hands on the ground. When the pain subsided, I looked up and opened my eyes.
"What have you done?" I asked.
"I thought you would be happy. Isn't this what you wanted? I know how much you wanted to become human, why the sudden change now?" Shredder asked. He knelt down and looked into my eyes. An amused look came over him and he laughed. "I get it. You felt like you belonged. You wanted so much to have a place to call home, let me explain this to you. You had a home with this April. She made so many sacrifices to keep you safe and sound and how did you repay her? By joining the purple dragons. You made so many mistakes and yet never once thanked her for anything. She gave you a life," Shredder said before standing up, "Oh by the way. Have you found Homato Yoshi yet?"
"How do you know about that?" I asked. Shredder turned his back to me and placed his hands behind his back.
"I have had my men following you ever since you left. I wanted to find out where the turtles had made their lair. And now that I have you away from the turtles, I can destroy them once and for all" He replied. I quickly stoop up and lunged forward. a leg came out of nowhere and hit me in the stomach. I gasped as the air left my body and I fell to my knees. Brown hair fell down my shoulders and hung loosely.
"Take her with us. I want her to watch as I destroy the turtles" Shredder commanded, not looking back at us. I was dragged to my feet and forced to walk forward. Shredder walked in front of everyone else and I was walking in the centre of a small group of ninjas. My hands were behind my back and tied together with rope. Shredder walked us to the sewers and down into the tunnels. As we walked I went through each of the possible places I could run to. I then thought of one place that was perfect. I glanced around and jumped, swinging my arms under my bent legs. I brought my arms to my front as I landed and kicked a few of the ninjas out of the way. I bolted and ran towards the vents that were only just small enough for me to fit. I climbed into the vent and moved as far back as it would allow me. I looked up and saw the small vent that I could never climb up before. I shifted and, using my hands, started to climb. I reached the top of the area and was pulled out by someone. I kicked a leg out and it was blocked.
"Miss, are you alright?" Came a voice I knew. I glanced up and saw Mikey.
"Mikey, I thought you were Shredder" I managed to choke out. Mikey tilted his head.
"Kelisa? Is that you?" he asked. I nodded my head.
"Mikey, we have to warn the others. Shredder is coming to set a trap for you. We have to hurry" I said, turning to run off. Mikey caught my arm and swung me back. I looked into his eyes.
"Where are you going? We have to warn Leo" He said.
"No time, Splinter is in danger" I snapped. Mikey stared at me.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Didn't you just hear what I said? Shredder is in the sewers; he's heading to the lair and going to set a trap for everyone. To kill us all" I said, quickly.
"Why don't you just call the others using your shell-cell?" Mikey asked, tilting his head a little to the side. I took a deep breath in and released it.
"I left it at April's apartment. I have no way to get it and come back in time. Mikey I need you to warn the others. I have to get to the lair and warn Splinter, there is not enough time" I said. Mikey nodded and ran off towards where his brothers were. I brought the rope up to my mouth and started to gnaw at the bindings. My mouth started to bleed from the roughness of the rope. By the time I managed to bite through, my mouth had blood dripping from the edges of my lips. I rubbed my wrists and ran towards the lair. I entered the lair and found it to be empty. I raced towards Splinter's room and was starting to worry when I couldn't find him. I ran back out and dodged an arm that came swinging at my face. I landed on my knees then rolled away. I quickly got to my feet and saw one of Shredder's ninjas. The ninja raced forward and I kicked my leg out, catching him in the stomach. The ninja went down and a few more raced at me from the shadows. I blocked and attacked like I had trained myself. I heard someone shift behind me and I turned. I was hit in the face and knocked right across the room. My back hit the wall and I landed on the floor on my side. I looked up and saw Shredder walking over to me. I tried to get up using my hands and knees. Shredder kicked me in the stomach. I was lifted off the ground a little before falling down again, spluttering. Blood spurted out of my mouth and splattered on the ground. I gasped in pain and stared up at Shredder.
"What have you done with Splinter?" I asked, coldly. Shredder smiled behind his mask.
"I have plans for him. Don't worry, I won't kill him...yet" Shredder replied, kicking me to my back. I gritted my teeth and, using my hands, flipped myself to my feet. I punched out and Shredder easily blocked my attack. He struck a hand out and grabbed my neck. He lifted me above the ground and I started to choke. I grabbed Shredder's wrist and gasped for air.
"Put the child down Shredder" came a calm voice from behind Shredder. Shredder turned and I peeked out of my eyes. Splinter stood before us, breathing a little too heavily for him. He had many scratches on his body and clutching his walking stick, trying to stay on his feet.
"Splinter...run..." I choked out. Shredder laughed.
"Ah, Yoshi. I see you have in fact survived my many attempts to kill you throughout the years" Shredder said. I frowned. Shredder let go of me and I slumped to the ground. I sucked in mouthfuls of air and stared at Splinter.
"You're Yoshi? Why didn't you ever tell me?" I asked, rubbing my neck. Splinter looked at me.
"I had my reasons to protect you from the life you would have had if I had turned my back and ignored you mother's pleas." Splinter replied. I stared into his face.
"You knew my mother? What happened to her?" I asked, afraid I already knew the answer to that.
"She was killed the moment Shredder knew that you were not with her" Splinter replied.
"Enough talking! Let's get this over with old man" Shredder cut in. I ran forward, his sword raised above his head and ready to swing it down at Splinter's head.