Who am I? - CH14
Guardian Angel or Other?
Disclaimer: TMNT isn't mine and this is just a fanfiction writing. No money is being made on this story.
(TMNT CC are AU based on 2003 version and events, the turtles are in their late 20s.)
Warning: It has horror elements.
Rate: T
Drama, family comfort/hurt, and heartache...
Summary: Freind or foe? The past is slowly coming back to a point... There is another Casey?!
AUTHORS NOTE: Just to clarify, when it comes to addressing Adam's gender, the brothers address differently. Mikey and Donnie will say she/her when Adam is human, he/him when Adam is a turtle. Leo and Raph will say he/him regardless if Adam is female or male. To them, Adam is referred to as a male using that when addressing Adam. This also will affect the gender choice in the current point of view of the brothers regardless of form, which will determine if Adam will be referred to as he/him or her/she within parts of the story. This will switch back and forth since each tends to take the point of view throughout the storyline. Sorry for the confusion, but I don't believe all four brothers think the same when it comes to Adam's gender. That said, one other thing that will happen is that Raph only, still calls Adam a turtle even when Adam is human as well, this is his mindset and how he perceives Adam.
The night sky taking a gloomy turn, Adam's eyes gazed beyond the dirty window watching the rainfall, hearing it beat against the tin roof that oddly was soothing, regardless of the stress and tension in the room mainly from him.
When movement behind him came to his attention, he straightened up tilting his head towards the human, Casey… his Casey…
After he helped him to remove Raph from the car, Casey loaded the injured turtles into a van and brought them to a cabin not that far off from the crash, yet far enough.
It was a shifty old shack, not much to it and appeared to be abandoned for some time, if it wasn't for the shady looking support beams that did make him feel very unsafe, the ceiling would have collapsed long ago.
Upon arrival Adam was weary, not liking how dusty and broken down it was, yet was reminded baggers couldn't be choosers and also what little choices they had at that. The area didn't have much in the ways of shelter, especially for five mutant turtles.
For the fact that Adam wouldn't step foot in the place, Casey had to assure him it was safe and not just the place's structure but as well from the dangers outside too.
Firstly he would make sure Bishop avoids his search in this area for the time being, only giving them a day max he pointed out and any locals as well if needed, such as the police or any search parties for the individuals that were missing from the crash, their car crash.
When they entered each brother were laid on the floor being there no furniture, as Casey tended to their wounds, something that Adam at first stared at him over, unsure where he learned that it. It was sloppy compared to say Donnie's handy work, but it did the trick on the unconscious turtles.
With Leo, he had minor scratches and bruises that were treated with rubbing alcohol to clean them out.
For Mikey, he got the same treatment with an additional bandage wrapped around his waist. Though Casey did state it wouldn't help the turtle it was more a reminder he was injured there. As for his right arm that had a few deep cuts probably from the flying glass of Raph's window they too were wrapped up.
When it came to Donnie that was a bit more work on hand. Casey didn't want to keep a scrap of metal in his leg asking Adam to give him a hand and follow his instructions.
"Are you sure?" Adam asked fearfully.
"I will admit I'm no doctor but this is something I have dealt with before with fewer supplies to work with," Casey answered confidently, "Besides leaving it would put Donatello in danger. Don't worry I have done this before." The genuine reassurance there, not some white lie to make him feel better, still made him weary either way.
It was hard for him to watch this even to take part, as he felt nauseous. However, Casey, on the other hand, was calm and collected, not phased by the blood nor gash the metal left behind, cleaning the wound thoroughly and then stitch it up with a needle. When Casey was done all was left was a swollen leg and dark red around the wound with a very messy looking stitch job.
"Like I said I'm not a doctor," he grumbled at Adam for making judgements on his handy work, "It will do and beggars can't be choosers." he reminded him.
"Right… will he?" Adam whimpered pointing at how it was so red.
"He will be fine there is some penicillin over there if he starts getting a fever and should take some when he gets up anyways to help him to fight any infection," Casey explained finishing up with bandaging the leg and then fixed it up with flat pieces of wood. It was also broken and would be advised that he didn't use it or put pressure on it.
"Now for the tricky part," he said grimly looking over towards Raphael then to Adam, "I don't know if I can do much for him since… maybe I should leave him to Donatello to make that decision…"
"It's that bad?" Adam asked.
"Yeah…" he mumbled rising up only bandaging Raphael's arms and cleaning his cuts yet didn't touch the face.
"There is no choice than leaving it for Donatello, reality is…in the end it really comes down to Raphael…"
"Meaning," he poked, wanting to know yet no answer came instead of the human, stood up stretching and took a good look around.
"I should be getting a move on," Casey softly spoken, as Adam's eyes widen disapprovingly.
"No…"
"Sorry, Ra… Adam, I have no choice, I have to make sure Bishop doesn't find you or them," Casey explained, yet the turtle wouldn't have any of it, grabbing his arm desperately to keep him from escaping.
A sense of sadness filled the man's eyes as he sighed, "How much do you remember?" he asked the out of place question. One that didn't make sense in this scenario.
Adam could only shrug with no real answer as Casey nodded, "That is why," he answered, getting a questionable look from Adam.
Letting out another sigh Casey shook his hand running his fingers through his hair, "Adam you don't know what happened to you, what is going on, do you? Well, neither do I…"
"Huh?"
"All I know is that Bishop is part of the answer and that is why I have to go back to find the truth of yous. He has the answers, I just need more time to dig it up, until then, I have to keep you safe and to do that they need to watch over yous until then and maybe Donatello there will figure out more about yous until I return."
"But…"
"No buts Adam, until today you didn't even remember me, did you?" he sternly asked as Adam took a step back, blinking over the question, startled that it was true and he never thought anything of it until now. If Casey didn't point that out, he wouldn't even have considered that was the case nor questioned it. The more he thought on it the reality struck him; he knew Casey… yet didn't. It was like his memories of him were locked away and he couldn't access it fully.
"See what I mean, I tried to help you before, however, you have forgotten about me," Casey admitted rubbing the back of his head with a long sigh, "probably not helping your case was that you thought I was dead…. But that said, you ran away from me before and I lost you… shit I looked everywhere and couldn't find you... yet luckily," Casey looked at the other turtles, "they found you instead of Bishop, which I admit it worked out perfectly since I was going to bring you to them in the first place."
"Really?" Adam tilted his head.
"Really… Okay I have to admit I don't fucken know them, however... if they are like…" he paused shaking his head not finishing that train of thought, "I had to believe they can protect you for I can't, not right now... not until… I find…"
"You have to go…"
"Yes, I have to go. Sorry Adam, I promise I will be back when I find the ones you have forgotten," Casey only stated leaving no explanation on who he was referring to, as Adam wasn't sure what he was getting at, yet deep down that made him feel like something was missing yet couldn't figure out what.
All he remembered was pain, that horrible human and now Casey yet even then much about Casey was hidden in the dark, out of his reach and it was painful on how he couldn't access it.
"You will be safe?" Adam whimpered not wanting to lose him again.
"I will be fine, I'm Casey Jones after all," he boasted and then smiled sweetly at Adam placing his hand on his head, as the turtle winced, "And to make sure of that you can't tell them who I am Adam, do you understand?"
"Why?" Adam tilted his head at him.
"For one, Bishop has no clue who I really am, only seeing me as a soldier which I am after all, however that said, to keep me from being discovered by no means can he find out my real name since he will figure out that I am from another dimension and could hinder my efforts to find out what we need to find… So what I need you to do is when they ask how they got here and who helped you all, you will tell them the man that helped you and Raphael when Bishop captured you."
"Isn't that…"
"Yes that is in a way giving me out, however, I have my trump cards and things set in motion if he finds out there is a traitor in his ranks, don't worry about that, however, if he finds out that traitor is Casey Jones, that could be the end of me."
"Okay…" Adam whimpered.
"Don't worry bro, your big brother has your shell," Casey smiled as Adam gave him another odd look, as Casey sighed, "I guess that hasn't come back then… then never you mind what I said… either way, I will make sure your safe and in return, you tell them what I told you and let them know they have until nightfall to leave and make their way back to New York. I figure they have a plan that wasn't involving that car right?"
Adam nodded as Casey sighed in relief, "Good see you later, don't give them too much a hard time okay?"
"Okay…"
"Oh right," Casey stopped at the door turning around and pointed towards the corner of the room with items he had placed there moments ago, "Tell Donatello there is a month's supply of the drug there, you should take it, and I know you don't want to but until he figures out an alternative just take it Adam, please."
"Okay…" Adam looked down in shame.
"Don't sweat it, he will figure out something okay and let him know that was the most I could take without raising suspicions."
Taking to the door again Casey placed his hand on the handle, then he suddenly jumped, feeling arms around his waist. The pain unbearable in his heart Casey said nothing gently removing Adam's arms and leaving the shack.
Watching the man leave yet again… Adam just stood there as hot tears ran down his face. He suddenly felt alone again.
A warmth touched his cheek, welcoming as his eyes fluttered open, greeted with a view that cast him into confusion.
Leo blinked towards the light that alone window was peaking through, making him realize it was day.
His body ached however it wasn't that bad, as he slowly sat up hearing someone quickly shuffle towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder desperately trying to stop him from continuing. He looked up towards those green eyes full of concern over his well being.
"Adam?" Leo asked as the human nodded.
"Where are we? What happened?" he asked groggily as his mind drew a blank and it was consumed with fog as he desperately tried to find the answer.
"Safe…" Adam answered, getting a look from Leo to explain.
Adam bit his lip nodding to Leo's right and left as the turtle moved his sights off of him and towards the two directions seeing his brothers were laying on the ground. They each had blankets covering them and what parts that were exposed he could see fresh bandages.
Leo whipped his head back to Adam, regretting it feeling the rush in his head, yet ignored it, "Adam you have to tell me what is going on right now," he insisted as Adam panicked.
Leo was not surprised by the reaction since Adam was more talkative was still having issues and was unable at times form full sentences, showing struggle and anxiety when asked to try.
Donnie figured he could in some way in his head at least yet when he tries to relay his thoughts the words don't come or get jumble out or in most cases be half sentences. Leo was getting use to it and was able to finish the train of thought at times that is.
"Just breathe Adam and try, don't have to go into full details just enough for me to get a general idea," Leo encouraged him, not wanting to stress him out more fearing he will get no answers if that was the case.
Adam nodded, "Car… crash…"
Leo blinked at him as the flood of memories came to him.
"We need to leave now Leo," Donnie insisted standing up seeing the drug was taking effect on Adam's body. The leader seeing how serious this has became, closed his eyes then nodded giving out orders, "Mikey you have twenty minutes to gather any food and water we might need, Raph go outside and get the car ready, Donnie you gather what you think is necessary in here we might need. I will watch over Adam, and think of a plan to get to the sub through the back roads. But first Raph give me a hand to bring Adam to the living room, I need to listen to the scanners to see if the local police have any indication where Bishop is poking around."
"Sure Leo," Raph didn't protest picking up Adam and bringing him to the living room.
Mikey rushed off leaving Donnie with him alone.
"Leo I never thought it would escalate to this…" Donnie insisted, only to have Leo raise his hand.
"Donnie I don't blame you and I'm aware you would have told me if that was so, this is my fault," he told his brother that gasped in shock that Leo would dare to take this on himself.
"Leo how were you to know?" Donnie protested.
"For I noticed how he reacted when I said we were staying longer… I should have told at least him of our plans to leave sooner…"
A rush of anger took over Donnie as he snatched Leo's wrist narrowing his eyes at his brother, "Leo don't you dare take this on upon yourself, it wasn't your fault either! No one could have predicted this outcome so don't you dare!"
Shame filled him as Leo's eyes looked towards Adam's, "We had to leave," he explained knowing Adam didn't know this part at least, being sedated by the drug that Donnie injected him to calm him and capacitate him at the same time, "You were hurt when you tried to…" Now it was Adam's turn to look ashamed recalling what he had done. "It was my fault-"
"NO!" Adam suddenly snarled darting a glare at Leo, "No, me, me!" Adam insisted pointing to himself as Leo just stared at him.
Adam was taking the blame for his own actions not allowing Leo to even think it was his own. A small smile bloomed on his lips, for what reason Leo wasn't sure, maybe it was that he wasn't at fault or that Adam admitted he was, showing he was aware of his mistake and it appeared he learned his lesson for it?
"Fine then, but I didn't help the matter in question," Leo at least insisted that was his doing, "I should have seen the signs that something was wrong and I didn't act upon it I'm sorry Adam."
A huff came from Adam as Leo chuckled looking towards his brothers trying to recall what happened next after they all got into the car and started to drive to their destination…
"What then huh?" Raph growled threw his teeth snarling at Donnie who in turn was at the wheel, staring down the deserted dark road.
"What do you think?" Donnie nastily replied, "We wait until I find something on the line to the drug itself or similar. Until then we have no choice but to—"
"Put him in a coma! What cracker barrel joke of a plan is that! Even Fearless wouldn't come up with that one on a bad day," he retorted as Leo remain silent in the back seat beside Mikey who in turn did the same.
Neither where sure how to intervene nor calm down the hot-headed brother that was losing his temper once again.
In turn, it was really his fault per se, even Leo understood seeing that the only given option was when they reach the lair to avoid Adam's not only body but now mind from deteriorating at a rapid pace, is to place Adam in a coma for his own good. From there Donnie can closely monitor his vitals and do what he must to help Adam.
He did fear losing more of a chance to gain Adam's trust but little choice now with the current events at hand.
"What do you suggest huh?!" Donnie snapped his beak, "You saw what he tried to do right? Do you want me to instead just strap him in a bed aware of his surroundings as he slowly dies instead?"
Raph sat back arms cross brooding over the question, which was far worse in his mind, yet he wanted there to be another way.
"Raph listen," Leo finally intervened, "Let's just take this one step at a time, get to the sub and then home, Once there we will discuss this with Adam to figure out the best plan of action, no point getting—"
"I know Leo… calm… down… shell this isn't—" Raph started to complain then it happened so fast. There was a screeching of wheels and Leo's eyes widen seeing the headlights that came out of nowhere blinding Raph who turned his head just in time to see what the sound was coming from.
Donnie unable to do a thing turned the wheel yet it was too late, the sounds of crunching metal came, the screams and then the darkness.
Leo rubbed his head, "We did crash…" as the memories sank in, fear rose within, followed by panic, "What of the others, are they injured? Where are we, Adam!"
"Calm…" Adam put his hands out, "They are…"
"Hurt?" Leo asked getting a nod, "Life-threatening?" Adam shook his head hesitantly as if he wasn't fully sure, as Leo took a breath to collect himself either way. Losing his cool now wouldn't do much, he will have to evaluate what he could before letting the panic to take root.
Giving his surroundings a good look around, they were in some cabin. "Adam I need you to try to explain to me what happened after the crash, how we got here and… who helped you." Leo insisted, seeing the supplies on the side that wasn't theirs and didn't appear they came from the cabin.
After a few minutes of guessing 'what he is trying to tell you' game, Leo got the majority of it as his face went grim, "So one of Bishop's men helped us…"
Seeing how Leo was concerned over this Adam waved his hands before Leo, "Friend… friend…"
"I understand he helped us, Adam, however, Bishop is a devious man that loves to play with people's heads, I wouldn't put him past him he set this up too…"
"No! No! Friend he was friend!" Adam insisted as Leo studied his eyes and the way he was acting, even oddly noticing how his voice sounded sad. Why was Adam sad?
Nodding slowly, Leo wet his lips," Why do you insist he was?"
Adam froze remembering what Casey told him, he couldn't put his family in danger regardless he trusted Leo. Though it wasn't about trust it was about to protect someone you care about, on both sides? Raising to his feet Adam walked towards Raph pointing to him, then the drug and last him, "He helped us."
Leo blink for a minute then it hit him, "Wait was it the same guy that aided you and Raph's escape from Bishop?"
"Yes," Adam nodded enthusiastically as Leo placed a thoughtful hand under his chin, "I see and he even brought you more of the drug… who is this guy and why is he helping us?" Leo asked himself more yet got Adam shrugging on the question.
Smiling Leo took a breath, "I guess that is a mystery for another time, we need to figure out what we should do from here on out."
"OH!" Adam let out as he just remembered something getting Leo's attention, "Night… we have.. until night…"
"Night?" Leo tilted his head, "Oh I get it so we are only safe until tonight?"
"Yes."
"So the guy that helped us can only give us that much time huh? I doubt we are that far from the crash I am assuming?" Leo asked getting a nod.
Thinking it over Leo sighed casting his gaze upon his brothers before slowly getting to his feet, Adam was there by his side to assist him if necessary.
His body felt a bit off, yet compared to what his brothers were suffering from he was in better shape than any of them. His head hurt but it could have been worse as he found he wasn't suffering from any signs of a concussion or at his dismay more damage due to the fact he was still recovering from the first one, as he made his way to the window.
The sun was high giving him some bearings on what time it was and how long he had until nightfall.
He figured to let his brothers rest for at least an hour more since it was only the middle of the day and the sun doesn't go down until at least after nine, if the man said they had until night Leo figured he would keep that promise letting them escape in the cover of the dark then daring to venture when the sun is still up.
Besides, Bishop's efforts in searching would be focused in the night time than day since he knew they couldn't just walk around with the threat of being spotted.
In some ways it was an advantage, others it wasn't since their moves were less unpredictable more now than ever, with that car crash and possible evidence they were involved.
"Too bad I don't know exactly where we are," Leo sighed suddenly feeling something brushing against his arm.
Looking towards the object in question his eyes widen, "He really thought of everything didn't he?" Leo gasp, talking not over the supplies that were rations and water and now he was given a map with a compass to boot.
Adam smiled nodding happily as Leo couldn't help but smile in return. "Very well then let see, ah he marked where we are so that means we need to go in this direction to the sub… however, that is still too far away…" Leo sighed even if they were all in full health the distance was too great by foot to reach in one night, not even considering any obstacles they will face on top of that.
"Here?" Adam pointed at the map, as Leo blinked at the other markers.
At first, he wasn't sure why there were there then it hit him.
"Possible locations we can seek shelter on our way to the sub?" he questioned getting a nod, "Then… I see for he had no clue of our final destination. He had marked all possible safe locations we can go for the day until night, I'm assuming these are locations he will keep clear from Bishop's search or areas that were already thoroughly searched, making it unlikely Bishop would be determined to keep an eye out… I see.."
Leo was in deep thought calculating their location to some of the safe markers, keeping in mind of the crash site and their final destination.
"I think I know where we need to go," Leo finally told Adam, "if we head this direction," he pointed to a location on the map, "We should be able to make it even with the injuries we have sustained, it will be rough going yet it will make it that we can make it to the sub in less time, the longer we are out here the more likely we will be caught and going back to the bunker is out of the question," he stated now wishing he listen to Donnie and his brother didn't have to mess with their water source or they could have gone back.
"When?" Adam asked as Leo sighed.
"We will give them another hour, then we will wake them make sure everyone is up to date, hydrated, double-check the injuries and fed before nightfall," Leo instructed then placed a hand on Adam's shoulder, "Adam for this to work, I will be needing your help here, your the only one that isn't injured and I fear out of my brothers, Donnie will be needing the most-" He pointed out seeing Donnie's leg must be broken by how it was bandage up yet most of his concern went towards Raph unsure if he was going to be okay. However, knowing if he was in immediate danger Adam would have brought it to his attention. Still, he feared how bad it was and with Donnie out cold he wouldn't be able to do anything, even so...
"I will help him," Adam nodded smiling, drawing Leo's attention back to him.
"Good," Leo folded up the map, "Now let's get things in order before then, I would like to go through what supplies we have and figure out what we can carry…"
"Pack?" Adam pointed to two hiking packs as Leo could only roll his eyes, of course the mystery double agent working for Bishop thought of that too, was there anything he didn't?
TBC