Chapter 25: Come to understanding
"I can't believe you Mikey!" Raphael was still furious twenty minutes later; he'd chased his younger brother around the lair several times with Donatello's Bo-Staff, choosing to use the weapon for a number of different purposes including hitting Michelangelo on the head and tripping him up.
Leonardo had just managed to calm Raphael down when his T-phone rang: it was Karai.
"Shush guys, it's Karai...Yes it's me - what you got?"
He put Karai on speaker phone as Raphael pushed in further to listen.
"Hey Leo, it's not looking too good, I tried to stop her but she got in a cab, looks like she took some money from somewhere - I'm following her now on foot"
"Lose her and I swear to God!" interrupted Raphael in a growly voice "Why the fudge didn't she get a cab too?"
"Leave it Raph" replied Leonardo, turning away and taking the phone with him.
"Tell Lover-Boy to can it, I'm doing my best!" shouted Karai in response
"I know, and we are most appreciative - aren't we...? Aren't we Raphael?"
Raphael huffed and folded his arms "Once she gets my girl back here in one piece then I'll be appreciative!"
"Where do you think she's heading?" asked the eldest; trying to get the conversation back on track.
There was silence, followed by crackling and then a resounded and clear "Oh no"
"What...what is it?" Raphael was at this point trying to take the phone from his brother.
"Calm it!" scolded Leonardo, gripping the device even harder
"It's TCRI. She's going into TCRI"
I had never, ever stolen anything in my life and I hadn't ever planned on doing so but the way that Raphael had dumped me so unashamedly and then run back to Robyn made me so angry that I called it payback. I took money from their tin in order to carry out the next phase. As a took the change off the driver and slammed the door I wondered where the Hell they actually got their money from the first place? It's not like any of them had jobs...well, not ones that paid.
The reception area of TCRI was smart. It still ran with the metallic theme that I had been exposed to on the upper floors but it was smart, simple, crisp and clean. The woman on the desk looked up at me and smiled. It was one of those 'over the top' fake smiles.
"Good morning" she began cheerfully "How can be of assistance today?"
I took a breath "I'm here to see..." suddenly I was stopped dead as a hand gripped my arm firmly.
"There you are. Thought you'd got away from me did you?"
It was Karai.
"We're both here to see Mr Shadow. I'm Karai, this is Rosie Taylor - he's expecting us"
I shook her hand - or attempted to shake her hand - off me, but it wouldn't budge; this girl had a grip of iron.
"What are you doing here?" I hissed
"Saving your ass" she replied "Just go along with it - and do everything I say"
The woman on reception hung up the phone and smiled again "Take the elevator - you'll automatically be transported up there and then met on arrival"
Before I could respond, Karai thanked the overly-smiley woman and pulled me to the elevator. Once inside and moving she turned to face me.
"This guy threatened to destroy everything for me unless I brought you in so would you pretend that's what is happening?"
I frowned at her "Why would I help you? Besides I'm here for myself"
"I know, and I for one think that this has to be the most stupidest stunt you've pulled to date. Why go off on one like that?"
"Raphael humiliated me that's why...I wasn't about to stay there and look like a fool"
"Raphael is a dick. I don't know what you see in him but for some reason you like him; no accounting for taste; and he appears to like you. It was Michelangelo - he got the message wrong. Personally I would not trust that one with anything"
"What do you mean?"
"He got it wrong - what else do you need to know? Raphael had got some special breakfast for you - Robyn had collected it so they met to do the handover. That was it"
My mouth dropped open slightly and I looked at the lift doors as said lift came to a stop and they opened. Two of the familiar 'men in black' stood there instructing us to follow them as one took the front and the other took the back. I felt like I was being taken to the guillotine. It didn't help that I now knew about the confusion that had occurred with Raphael, Mikey and myself.
We reached a door, the man in front knocked and then entered, holding the door open for the rest of us to follow him inside. This would be my first time meeting this guy who called himself 'Shadow' and I was hopeful that even though I was certain he was a mad man - he would know more than me and would therefore be able to provide me with answers.
"Karai...Rosie, Miss Taylor...please come inside, take a seat"
The voice I recognised. It was the same one who had spoken to me on my first visit to this facility. Deep, dark and terrifying. I took a deep breath and watched as he stepped out of the corner. This man was huge. His presence was imposing but I wouldn't show that I was intimidated - even though, obviously, I was. A hood covered the most part of his face but I could make out eyes. They glowed almost like an animals.
As we sat down he seemed to grow an extra four feet.
"Welcome both of you. So glad that you could make it"
The way he was dressed made him look like a freaky magician - all he needed was a wand and a big hat; for some reason that made me smile to myself.
"Something amusing there Miss Taylor? I certainly wouldn't be laughing if I was in your position."
"And what position is that?" I asked, my voice faltering though I had tried to keep it steady. I needed to exude confidence; I had to.
"The position of vulnerability Miss Taylor" He walked away, turned and then walked back again.
"Because you think I know nothing?" I added
"Oh I know you are aware. However, there is a marked difference between awareness and knowledge Miss Taylor. For instance, you will change tomorrow and you have no idea when or into what... and that Miss Taylor scares you - and if it doesn't...it should" He glared at me - eyes markedly narrowing.
"It takes a lot to scare me" I answered confidently. I was so blatantly lying.
He laughed "Really? I find that hard to believe. Having maintained a watch on you for many years I have paid witness to a vast number of things which so easily terrified you"
"If you have watched me for so long - why wait? Why leave me out there at risk? Why was I not brought in sooner?"
"Questions, questions. All of which I can answer and will but not before this one leaves" He nodded to one of the men in black who strode over to Karai and waited before reaching for her arm and grasping it "You are no longer needed. Take her out!"
She shook off the contact and stood up "I don't need an escort" Looking down at me one last time she showed no obvious emotion. I had always found her hard to read and this occasion was no different.
After the door was closed he walked over to the window and stood looking out at the non-existent view.
"Time Miss Taylor is the essence of everything that binds us. You may find this hard to believe but you have always been protected; there was no way we could touch you, well, until now. Your real father may have tried his best to save you but he failed, they all failed. Tomorrow you will change and tomorrow you will show us the way"
"The way to what? This source that I've heard of? I..."
He spun round to face me "The Source is one of the most powerful substances in existence. It will change everything" I stared at him; unsure of what to say, if anything. The amber eyes seemed to glow even more as he advanced on me "Perfecting the process is all I have ever wanted so that all human beings can become"
My breathing automatically sped up "Become what?" I was fearful of the answer yet I wanted to hear it.
"Something else" he replied simply "Something better"
"I am not just sitting here and waiting for Miss Misery to report back - we have to get out there" Raphael was pacing.
"Wearing out the carpet is not going to help matters bro" added Michelangelo warily
"You!" snapped Raphael, pointing a finger at his brother "Can shut it; it's your fault we're in this mess"
"It's no-one's fault, not really" added Leonardo, desperately trying to keep the peace.
"Okay, I have sorted it...the van is fixed" announced Donatello "So, I'm all ready when you are"
"Donnie, you are a genius" Raphael patted the purple masked turtle on the shell and proceeded to wrestle him into a hug "Let's roll out!".
"Is this officially a rescue mission now?" asked Michelangelo, excitedly grabbing his gear
"For us" began Raphael "You are staying here . You can let us know if Karai makes an appearance" He tossed him a T-phone.
"Awwww...pants!" He slumped on the nearest chair and sulked as the others left him alone.
If there was one thing he really hated (next to wasted pizza) it was being left on his own.