Chapter 36: Dreams, Demons and death Part II

Nick sat in the Chief's office - he found the silence that hung between them rather uncomfortable, the Chief wasn't particularly doing anything negative he was just reading the report from this morning's scene over and over again, or rather the front page of the report. Nick was receiving the 'I'm not happy' vibe. It was a vibe he was used to receiving from the Chief when things weren't going according to plan.

As well as re-reading that same section, Chief Medcalfe was clicking his ball point pen on and off. The noise was getting to Nick. He reckoned this was the why the Chief was doing it. After fifteen minutes of silence; albeit for the pen-clicking, the Chief put down both papers and pen and looked at Nick.

"So...?" he leaned back in his chair "What's the plan? Tell me how we are going to wrap this thing up?"

"I wish I knew.." Nick felt like he was drowning - he hoped the Chief would throw him a rope instead of a lead weight.

"Houston you're my eyes and ears on this thing - you're my guy on the ground - I need results and I need them fast"

"We've got men out there - we're working on it Chief.." He still couldn't bring himself round to talking about the paranormal side of the case "This incident is very different; could be that it's a new case book or even some nut job getting turned on by what's already happening"

"Either which way Houston I want it stopped, we can't afford any more serial killers - not on my watch" He got up and looked out of the window "We have to nail this thing" He turned round and seemed to tower of Nick in spite of the men being of equal height "Do you have anything to go on?"

"Actually we have some CCTV - I'm hoping that will show up something"

The Chief's eyes widened "From the bar?"

Nick nodded.

"Well what the fuck are you doing here, get downstairs and get it analysed" He maintained a standing position as Nick got up "Let me know the outcome Houston, no messin', do we understand each other?"

"Yes sir" He felt the urge to do a mock salute but resisted - he knew that it wouldn't really go down well and mean as the Chief was already stressed to the hilt it was best to get out of his office whilst you were still slightly in the good books.

He quickly descended the stairs - better do as instructed although with no eye witnesses and no communication of a disturbance he was doubtful of finding anything.

Rebecca stayed at the lair with Joshua - talking and catching up over the all the things she'd missed; which was basically everything. He told her over and over again that he had dreamed of this moment his whole life - being able to talk with her, being together, just the two of them - one on one. He also announced that he wouldn't call her mom. Luckily, he also thought it would be a bit bizarre given the fact that they looked practically the same age.

Whilst he was showing her some more toddler photographs an exciteable Mikey burst straight in.

"Thanks for knocking there buddy.." Josh raised his eyebrows and put the photos down onto the bed.

"Sos J, in a hurry that's all, Raph's been found Leo's already there so D and I are hooking up with him asap" The sentence was said so quickly both Josh and Rebecca looked at each other "Thought you oughta know - see ya" Rebecca jumped up and quickly followed Michelangelo out.

"Hey, not so fast Mikes..Raphael's been found - where was he? Is he okay?"

Donatello was waiting upon his younger brother and already had his weapon strapped to his back and tracking device loading to pin point Leonardo: "We'll know more when we get there - sorry to rush off but in emergencies that's what we do.."

"We'll be in touch.." added Michelangelo "Stick by the phone.."

"But..." It was wasted - they were gone.

"That was mad" She couldn't help but jump as Joshua suddenly appeared beside her "Sorry" he muttered

"Someone's been practicing their stealth mode..." replied Rebecca, giving him a smile

"What can I say?" He popped an arm through hers "Do you think Uncle Raph will be okay?"

"He'll be fine - they'll sort him out... they have the best medic on the case with Donnie don't they?"

Returning to Joshua's room they picked up where they had left off. He shared another story. She sat and listened. She loved to hear him talk so enthusiastically about his life but at the same time she felt so guilty about missing out on so much. But just spending this time with him made their bond strengthen - Leonardo had done a good job and had obviously raised him well. Being a single parent couldn't have been easy for him - especially with Joshua growing up so unnaturally fast.

"Do you think I'll eventually have powers like you?" The question came out of the blue but it was one she had been expecting "I mean, I can heal myself a little..." he continued, looking quite pleased with himself.

"I didn't know you could do that... When was this?" She felt intrigued by his revelation - no-one had mentioned this to her.

"Raph and I were sparring and he tagged me - was no biggie, just a scratch really but it healed - he said you could do it too. Obviously I know you can heal others.." His words trailed off and he looked away.

Rebecca took a breath "I think it's like diluting juice" she began, he looked up, his forehead creased into a frown "You must have power like me but being only a part of me those powers are probably diluted which is why you couldn't heal yourself after the incident, those wounds were just too big. I'm just glad I found you when I did" She gave him a warm smile.

He reached for her hand and held it tight "Me too. I'd have been a goner for sure"

"Let's not think about it" she whispered, putting her other hand on top of his.

"Perhaps you should have gone with the guys...if Raph..."

She squeezed his hand, cutting him short "He'll be fine, they would have said if they needed me.."

Commotion in the lounge made them both jump up and head out there. Raphael was was in the mix of the others, he looked exhausted but he was still standing which Rebecca took as a good sign. Donnie was trying to direct him to the lab so that he could check him over and Raph being Raph was fighting him all the way.

"I'm fine Don, stop your fussing" He brushed his brother's contact off and stepped past him huffing.

Rebecca hovered by the entrance to the lounge, unsure of what to do so for now she just hung back to survey and read the situation. Joshua on the other hand exercised no such caution and went straight over to Raphael a huge grin playing on his face "You dirty stop out!" he joked moving his arm up to knock his Uncle on the shoulder but then he stopped as he noticed all the wounds on his skin "What on earth happened to you? You look like you've had a fight with a..."

"Yeh yeh...knock if off..." He blocked Joshua and looked like he was almost ready to shove him back, Rebecca was quick off the mark - she was not going to stand for that! Speedily she shot forward all ready to defend Josh with everything she had.

"Hey! He's only teasing, stop being such a bully" she snapped, firmly smacking Raphael on the arm.

"Well I ain't in the mood for no teasing so just get him to back off okay" Raphael was scowling at her but she stood her ground - there was no way he was going to bully her.

"Why? Got a hang over? It's your own fault! You realise how selfish you're being! And what Hell you're putting everyone through!"

"Me selfish? You want to take a look in the mirror sweetheart! Blame is a lot closer than you think.."

Silence.

Her eyes pricked with tears. How could he be so cruel?

"You shit" she hissed. Turning around she did the only thing she could do: leave - and leave quickly.

Leonardo glared at his brother and then nodded to Donnie "Take him to Splinter"

"Not cool bro, not cool.." Michelangelo was shaking his head arms folded across his chest.

Raphael snorted nonchalantly "What? It's true isn't it?"

Joshua had already gone after Rebecca. "Mom!" He raced up behind her, she stopped and looked back at him "Sorry, I know I'm not supposed to call you that"

She wiped her eyes "Don't worry" she muttered "I'm not angry"

"Thanks for sticking up for me..." he touched her arm "It was nice.."

Smiling she put a hand over his "Any time"

"Raphael is an idiot" announced Leonardo as he joined them "At the end of the day he is get it big time from Splinter - I give up - he's got me beat"

Rebecca looked up at him "He's your brother, you can't give up on him.."

"He's an idiot" repeated Leonardo "He was annoyed the moment we got there - I for one think he's still under the influence of something... don't take it personally, he's thrown insults at all of us and what he said back there...it's rubbish, none of us think this is your fault so don't think it okay?"

"That's what I was going to say.." added Joshua "I'm so glad you're here, we both are, aren't we dad?" He looked at Leonardo who felt his cheeks heat up.

"Of course" he muttered, looking away.

"Thank you..both of you...but I am not going back in there - I'm going home...and that's where I'll stay until he apologizes" She crossed her arms and pursed her lips.

"I can come with you.." said Joshua enthusiastically "That would be okay wouldn't it dad?" he looked expectantly at Leonardo who pondered over the suggestion and eventually nodded.

"Sure, why not...probably best all things considered..." He put a firm hand on his son's shoulder "But no partying okay? You still need to rest"

"We'll be as good as gold.." He grinned at Rebecca and she couldn't help but smile back at him.

"We'll be fine.." she whispered.

The evening in the bar was playing out as an ordinary evening in a bar should do, people were drinking, chatting and generally having a good time. Nick sipped his coffee and leaned back in his chair, popping his feet up on the desk. At least there was some footage to watch. It surprised him a little; he did think that the whole thing would be blank. Just as he had that thought the screen began to flicker and flash. He leaned forward and put down his coffee. The screen was still flashing but in the midst of that he swore he could just about make out some sort of screaming - the screams merged in with a deep guttural growling. He shook his head and put a finger in each ear trying to eliminate the possibility that the noise was just inside him and that he was not really hearing it. The screen settled into focus - the clock had moved on by only four minutes and yet everyone in the bar was dead - it was 11 pm exactly.

And then he saw it. A dark figure.

Although what exactly it was he had no idea until it got closer to the screen. The figure was hunched over, not revealing it's true identity - it moved awkwardly but with the obvious intention of arriving at the camera, Nick couldn't help the chills that ran up his spine as he watched it moving closer into view. He wanted to look away but he couldn't. He wished he had.

The face that suddenly flashed up before him was one of many but it was like nothing he had ever seen before - horrific - a face from his darkest nightmares and straight from the depths of Hell, he jumped back muttering something incomprehensible as he watched that awful thing stare right into his soul. He shuddered.

The next face that appeared into view was one he knew,and one he knew well, and it was grinning at him: white teeth gleaming through the blood stained face.