Chapter 21:

Next morning the turtles were all up and training in the dojo with Splinter.

Rebecca sat alone at the kitchen table nibbling on a piece of toast. She had actually slept quite well in the end and Leonardo had kept her close all night. She smiled as she remembered. He really was something else and a wonderful special something else. She loved him so much and just couldn't imagine being without him now.

Her father had been in touch to let her know he was well and safe. He, April and Casey were all going to the hospital this morning. Everyone who needed to know had been told that he was okay. The Governmental body behind all this were probably congratulating themselves that he was alive and well and more importantly that he was back in their possession. She warned him to be careful and he warned her to stay put and that he would come and see her later. April said she would be doing some more digging around Shredder – to see and find out if there were any links to the material Rebecca's father had been involved in. After all, it was a bit mysterious that Shredder had fallen from such a height and that he had survived.

She got up and rinsed her plate. It was then that she heard it…as clear as if it was in the room with her – a voice. It was whispering to her. She turned around. The kitchen was empty but still the voice continued to whisper – calling to her.

She stepped into the lounge – perhaps it was Leonardo having a joke? Or even Mikey – he was such a big prankster. But the lounge like the kitchen was empty. What the Hell? Then she saw it – an image filled her brain – something evil and writhing. It caused her to stumble forward. She grabbed the lounge table and tried to pull herself up but it was all around her – consuming her.

"You are the one who will be told and the one that will be told is you" The voice was so close now she almost felt like she would be able to touch a body to which the voice belonged to but past experience had taught her that there would be no-one there. This voice was communicating telepathically with her – it was searching inside her brain for any clues and the body that it belonged to was no where near her. The flash she had seen of the being behind the voice scared her – and one thing was for certain it was not human.

She crawled along the floor – trying to reach the dojo but it was hopeless and she felt too weak – like life was being sucked out of her. She lay down and let the darkness consume her. The last thought was that of her beloved Leonardo.

Topside, April and Casey had left Dr Madison at the hospital, he was meeting colleagues there as well as the hospital chief. April didn't want to see the hospital chief again so she left it to Rebecca's father – they would all meet up later and compare notes. Both herself and Casey were instead heading towards the police station.

"You really think Mr Chief of Police is gonna tell you anything?" asked Casey.

"Well, here's hoping. I told the Channel what I was doing and they are really excited"

Casey frowned "You tell them everything?"

April shook her head "No. Some I have to keep back – you know that!" she smiled at him.

"What do you think is going to happen? Do you think we will be invaded? I mean properly, little green men and all that?" Casey studied her – waiting for her answer.

She quickened her pace "Let's hope not"

They jogged up the stairs to City Hall and popped inside. April went straight up to the reception lady. Casey smiled. She sure was confident. And of course, very very cute.

She walked over to him "Okay, we're in" she announced.

"How did you..?" he began, then throwing his hands up followed her up the first flight of stairs to the Chief of Police who had his office on the fifth floor.

Raphael was the first out of the dojo, he was once again bragging at beating the crap out of his brothers.

"You guys are soooo very lame – specially you Mr Lame-o-nardo" he wrapped a playful arm around his elder brother's shoulders. Mikey sniggered.

"That is a great nickname" he admitted.

"Watch it Mikey, my missus won't like you saying that!"

"Ooo, 'missus' – she wouldn't like you calling her that either!" said Mikey "Becky!" he called "Oh Becky!"

Leonardo punched him in the arm.

Donatello nipped in the kitchen to get water.

"She in there bro?" asked Leo, suddenly feeling concerned.

"No." replied Donatello

Michaelangelo approached his brother again "She's probably in the bedroom…waiting for you" he teased "Don't think I haven't heard you guys!"

Leonardo felt himself blushing but it didn't stop him chasing his youngest brother round the den.

"Oh Leo!" teased Mikey in a fake female voice "Take me now"

"She doesn't say that!" he shouted back, wrestling his brother to the ground

"So, tell me – what does she say? What's it like?"

Leonardo stared at his brother; Raphael and Donatello were also listening.

"Yeh, do share brother – what is it like?" continued Raphael.

Leonardo got to his feet "None of your business" he replied heading in the direction of his room his brothers wolf whistling as he left. Rebecca was not in there either. He came back out.

"That was quick!" laughed Michaelangelo.

"Shut up Mikey" snapped Leonardo "She's not there". He went over to the bathroom – it was open and she wasn't inside. This was getting even more worrying. She knew she wasn't supposed to go topside, it was too dangerous. But it was daytime – he could hardly go racing up there to find her. Although perhaps they could if they kept to the rooftops..

"She's not here" he repeated. Donatello held his brothers shoulders.

"She'll be okay"

"I have to find her – you don't have to come if you don't want to"

Splinter emerged from the dojo "It is daytime Leonardo – what if you are seen?"

Leonardo slid his swords on his back "I don't care sensei – I have to find her – I told her father I would protect her. And I, I want to protect her"

Splinter put a hand to his son's arm "I understand. But please be careful"

Michaelangelo joined them "I'm in brother" he laid a hand out which was grabbed by Donatello "Me too. Let's go get your girl"

Raphael sheathed his sais "And me" he grabbed the top of the pile of hands. They headed to the door followed by Splinter's watchful gaze.

April and Casey waited outside the office of the Chief of Police.

"Now make sure you behave yourself." She paused "Perhaps I should go in alone – he may feel ambushed". Suddenly her phone beeped. She pulled it out of her handbag.

"It's Leo – Becky has disappeared" she looked up at Casey "the guys are coming out to look for her"

Casey looked confused "It's daylight – won't they cause a bit of a stir?"

"They'll stay on the rooftops" she replied

"I could go and help – meet you later?"

April nodded "Great idea – say meet you back at the hospital? We can check on her father and see what he knows"

Casey gave her a mock salute "Good idea Captain". He turned on his heels and jogged off down the stairs. She smiled to herself as she watched him go.

Suddenly the door to the Police Chief's door opened and he appeared "Hello Miss O'Neil." He looked around "Thought there were two of you?"

"No, just me now I'm afraid" She gave him her biggest smile.

He nodded "Okay. Come in – take a seat"

She did. He never offered her a drink – obviously he was against the idea of her getting comfortable.

"You said Dr Madison was back. I have just contacted the hospital and you are right"

April smirked "Of course, I wouldn't lie to you" oh she couldn't resist getting that dig in!

"So what can I do for you?" he asked, leaning back in his big leather chair.

"What do you know about all what happened last year with the Foot? Their leader fell off a roof and then he just disappeared."

"And you expect me to know about this Miss O'Neil? I'm sorry to disappoint you but I know nothing"

"Can't say I am surprised" She rolled her eyes slightly and also leaned back in her chair, making the leather squeak.

"I don't know what you expected Miss O'Neil, I don't know everything about everything"

"Of course you don't" April got to her feet, this wasn't going to go anywhere – she would be better going back to the hospital and seeing Rebecca's father – perhaps he would have news of her whereabouts.

"Is that it Miss O'Neil?"

She turned round "You know what? I'm not even going to answer that" she opened the door, stepped out and rushed off down the stairs. He was as useless as ever.

Back at the hospital Dr Madison was reviewing his old files, looking for any clues – anything that would be of a help later. He knew an invasion would come – he just didn't know when. The Kraang would not stop until they had retrieved Rebecca and then they would use her to their advantage and cause chaos and destruction.

His telephone rang.

"Yes, this is Doctor Madison.."

"I thought I had heard you were up and awake" came a familiar voice

"Stephen!" exclaimed Mr Madison "Or do I call you the boss? Great to hear from you"

The man at the other end of the phone laughed "Names remain the same Brian, you know that" he chuckled "Look, I am glad you are back – would you be able to come in – there is something I need you to see?"

"Sure – when do you want me to come?"

"As soon as really – if it's possible?"

"How about in a couple of hours?" He wondered what was so important.

"That's great, just ask for me when you get here. And Brian. Great to have you back"

The line went dead. Dr Madison sat back in his chair – he had better get in touch with Rebecca and let her know that all was well. Closing his eyes he drifted and reached out for her. Silence. Absolute silence. That was weird. And that never happened. He tried again. Still nothing. Picking up his phone he dialled the number for the turtles den. It took a while but eventually Splinter answered and told him what had happened. Dr Madison practically threw down the receiver and raced to the door – he had to find her and fast. If she'd been taken over then it would spell disaster. But how could she be? The Kraang weren't here..

Outside he bumped straight into April O'Neil.

"Sorry April, I have to go, Splinter just told me"

"I'll come with you" she insisted, running alongside him.

"We have to find her and get her safe" he began "It's too dangerous for her to be out here and unguarded"

"What is she capable of?" asked April. They both stopped and he looked her in the face.

"Devastation" he muttered "Complete and utter devastation"