Who am I? - CH18
Into the Mist
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: The way home...
The fog was thick and dense, they couldn't even see past their own beaks let alone any upcoming trees, bushes and other obstacles that would be easy to trip over.
If it wasn't for the compass they would be lost, wandering aimlessly in the wilderness with no clue which direction to go or if they were even going in circles.
It was perfect in a twisted way, being that if they can't see would be the same for anyone else, lowering the possibility of encountering any potential threats who in turn would have difficulties in navigating a search for them. That is if such threats, the name of Bishop, no doubt wouldn't bother trying, it would be a waste of effort and resources, no different than finding a wooden needle in a haystack.
Against all odds the turtles pressed on with Leo in the lead with Adam to his right, Raph trailing at the rear, leaving Mikey and Donnie helping each other in the middle.
His eyes strained, focused desperately in front of him, to make sure not to direct them into anything that could slow them down, taking the grunt of the foot slamming into stumps and other stuff warning the others of what he had found.
It was painful at times and disturbing in others not daring to try to figure out what he might have stepped into on the odd occasion.
For this reason, he had insisted Adam join either Mikey or Raph yet the turtle wished to keep him company regardless of what mishaps they would find.
It wasn't easy for Leo with Adam by his side at that current moment, what was plaguing him was complicated on all angles, after one factored out the treacherous pace of playing follow the leader in the fog and in constant uneasiness that he would miss something and Adam became a victim instead. It was beyond that, which place his current duty that he guiltily admitted not a priority in his state of mind.
Thus far only the pain as reminders that he was out in the woods surrounded by trees and unseen dangers, he had the nasty downfall of succumbing to his wandering thoughts that consumed his focus over his task. Thoughts and questions blind sighted him, that were heavily dwelling over the key card he had in his possession.
The card he didn't dare let the others find out about.
He wanted to tell them, however with the stress of Bishop getting closer in finding them, this Casey that is on their side yet wasn't fully determine he didn't have other motives going solely on Adam's word, it would be poor judgment on his behalf to add the key card that mysteriously appeared in the middle of nowhere with Adam's female human side as the picture on it… If that was thrown to them then it would come to pass mentioning the phantom that he couldn't describe if asked, there was no way he could bring more stress nor the insanity upon the others.
Donnie was still iffy not talking much brooding in his own thoughts, as both he and Raph determined the young brother needed to seek help as it stood. To have something like this out of the blue would only derail any future improvements to Donnie's demeanor that was unsettling with only over the current knowledge of half the stuff that was going on.
Besides it was evident as Leo concluded on his walk back to the cave after the weird episode, he would have written off as a blown-up acid trip, if he did drugs and not had in his possession the key card, this was over his head too much for him to even handle, let alone anyone else.
Everything was getting out of hand and there were too many questions with no answers, making it a delicate and chaotic mess that he didn't know where to start to unravel the truth.
When it boils down to it, at the end of the day, he and his brothers were trained ninja's not detectives. Sure, Donnie has plenty of resources at his disposal, yet Bishop has more, and intelligence that could prove a disadvantage, which might lead to either dead ends or more questions. It would be like getting blood from a rock and if he wanted to figure this out, he needed outside help.
As much as he hated to dismiss his own brothers' abilities or disregard the possibility, they can handle this on their own and not pull anyone else into this madness, he knew there was little choice. Luckily, he has an old trusted friend in mind capable to lend a hand back in New York, once they arrive. Until then he had to keep this under wraps for the sake of his brothers' sanity and his own.
"Not complaining Fearless," Raph spoke up at the rear loud enough to reach Leo's ears but not to overbearing to draw attention to them, "Don'tcha think this is… you know… just… I don't know convenient?"
Raph voiced the other thing on his mind and the others as well. It was to perfect, with the rain the night before that continued during the day making it miserable, it ended before nightfall, with a rolling fog covering the area next.
Donnie was speechless trying to explain it, factoring in the temperature and how things were playing out and the history of the area that wasn't known to have fog in the likes of this, he was just baffled, rambling out contradictory theories.
"Then don't complain," Leo answered back, knowing it wasn't much of one, but he had nothing else.
"Well…" Raph started then was interrupted.
"Dude it feels like someone is trying to give us a hand," Mikey blurred in receiving a sigh from his two brothers, yet not from the leader.
"Sure… someone is… Shell Mike, who or what would help us and make it this fucken foggy?" Raph took the bait then quickly added in, "Don't answer, don't care."
"Ahh… come on Raphie," Mikey playfully whined.
"Nope, not happening," Raph protested, crossing his arms.
"But…" Mikey continued as Leo tune out the little bicker war as his brothers got into it, with conspiracies to who knows to what end, as he just focused back on the path.
Pull back to his thoughts, his questions piled up once again, diving him deeper, forgetting what he should be doing as something tugged his elbow pad giving the poor turtle a fright.
Startled, he jumped, only slightly not catching the others' attention who were still engulfed with their conversation or was it protests over Mikey's conspiracy theories. However, he wasn't as lucky when it came to the green eye turtle that was guilty in catching him off guard, yet painfully Leo could tell there was a smirk of satisfaction by his reaction, hidden under that so-called innocent face.
"Are they right?" Adam asked quietly, looking off into the fog waiting for something to jump out.
"Huh?" Leo responded, trying to understand the question then heard a tail end of some spooky tale Mikey was spinning off as Raph snorted bullshit. "Oh," Leo smiled, placing a hand on Adam's head, "Don't mind them, what they're saying isn't true, most of it is a wild imagination with a mix of boredom and anxiety."
"Why then?" Adam gulped fearfully looking around.
"As I said it's a mix, meaning they are trying to distract themselves than allow their worries take over," he explained, getting a confused look in return.
With a light chuckle Leo smiled, "I know what your thinking, how is telling scary stories make things better or easier?"
There was a nod and he couldn't help to smile more, "Let me explain, you see through the story is probably making Mikey paranoid, by telling it, it does help him to confront it, even if the fear isn't exactly based on what he is…" Pausing Leo dared to look at Adam who wasn't buying it, "Okay… when it comes to Mikey it's more complicated than that and he probably is making himself believe his stories, however, this version of reality is easier for him to deal with currently, then the real threat, Bishop. Sometimes distractions, even if it's an illusion, helps ease one's mind from diving into madness and despair. In his case something simple like a story, believe it or not, it does bring him some peace of mind, odd as it is. No good will come for any of us to let the weight of our predicament drag us down. Also lightens up the mood for the others."
"Raph?" Adam asked next as Leo hissed under his teeth.
"He is taking part for it does help him too, sure he might be acting angry and grouchy, yet he does enjoy the stories to a degree and as you can tell helps him by giving him something productive to do, even if that productiveness is mainly focused on threatening Mikey, a scene of the norm for him."
"Then making him… no…. Um…"
"Edgy?" Leo asked if that was what he was trying to get at.
"Yeah!"
"Then yes, as for Donnie he has to disprove and lay down the facts, in a way like a game or to educate Mikey, either way, it still does the same as the others, keeps him from overthinking too much."
"Isn't it…. Dangerous?"
"As in being overheard, I would say yes, then again in return we would hear anyone that does try to follow our voices. For there is no way anyone is skilled enough to keep silent in this fog. Have you not noticed?" Leo suggested seeing if Adam had caught on.
"Tree trunk?" Adam answered.
"So you have noticed, so yes even trying I'm still stumbling-" Leo began to explain then felt the familiar pain stubbing his toe. In a split second with Adam trying to catch him he fell forward splashing in a thick muddy puddle. Mud flew into the air splattering over everything nearby including Adam that had his plastron plastered with muck. There was a rise of alarm having his brothers rush to his aid only to stop with snickers and chuckles.
"So Fearless wasn't happy being clean that you decided to have a mud bath? I don't think this is a good example for Adam? Or are you training him the art of blending into your surroundings?" Raph mocked, getting a narrow glare, "Great look by the way no one will see you coming in this fog."
"Ha, ha, ha," Leo said sourly, flicking his hands to knock off the mud, "I like to see you take the lead and not fall on your shell."
"Me?" Raph snorted, "Wouldn't dream of it, you're doing such a great job, look at this clean plastron."
"Are you okay?" Adam asked, ignoring Raph's asshole remarks, offering a hand to Leo. Taking it Leo raised to his feet almost losing his footing feeling the muck slide under him.
"Yes and I now see what you were warning me about," he sighed, not believing he didn't see that one coming.
"We should be going," Donnie started, "You didn't hit your head did you?"
"No, I'm fine, as for my pride and hygiene that is another matter," Leo looked around seeing nothing out of the ordinary.
"Well, maybe it's a good thing?" Mikey suggested.
"How is my falling into the mud a good thing," Leo inquired then saw Mikey pointing towards his right.
Turning his head he now saw what Mikey was indicating. Thick as the fog was elsewhere, in that direction it was thinning out and the movement of water could vaguely be seen.
They were closer to the river than he anticipated. How? He wasn't sure. He swore they had another hour or two, did he get turned around? Either way, it didn't matter as it was obvious that was now the new direction, one he wouldn't have taken and overlooked if it wasn't for his little mishap.
"Well then, never mind, let's head towards it then," he took the lead as the others followed. The closer they got to the water the sounds of the rushing current were more prominent accompanied by the smell.
"This is the river we were looking for, correct," he asked Donnie, who in turn got Mikey to help him to the edge as he tilted his head puzzled.
"Yes and… it's the location I ask father to park the sub, how is this possible?" Donnie said slowly blinking bewildered trying to figure it out.
"Magic?" Mikey sarcastically answered, receiving a moan.
"Does it really matter on the how," Raph barked, "Shit... we are messed up, tired and… shell we are going home… who gives a damn how...so it's underwater right?"
"Unfortunately, yes. One of us needs to dive into the water and enter-"
"I will," Leo volunteered, getting a sharp look of disapproval from Donnie.
"Leo you're…"
"More than capable than anyone else," he interrupted, "Mikey's ribs make it hard for him to make any sharp movements, your leg is broken so swimming wouldn't be ideal or possible, as for Raphael, his eye is still an open wound that doesn't need anything to help it get infected… I am the only one unless you believe Adam-"
"No, no," Donnie hissed in defeat, "I see there is no other choice, you remember how to enter it correctly without filling my sub up with water?"
"Yes, Donnie... You had given all of us the training on how to enter and use the sub," Leo assured him, patting him on the shoulder while covering up his eye roll.
Taking to the edge Leo knelt down feeling the water's temperature, it wasn't bad, a bit chilly from the steady rain the night before.
"I will be right back."
Taking a dive being that he knew it was safe for it had to be deep enough to keep the sub submerge he entered the murky water, which was ideal for a sub just that alone.
The water wrapped around his body as he made his way where he assumed the sub was to be located. As if it knew he was coming alone light in the musky gloom guided his way.
His vision poor, in the low-quality water, it was a lifesaver as he feared he would have to surface soon for air and try again.
The longer this took, the more likely they would be spotted, that thickness of the fog was long gone and too thin to use as cover any longer, he had to make this quick.
The light becoming bright, then suddenly something to his right made him freeze in his tracks. There was movement, yet not the fish variety unless it was a large one, even then it was out of place.
Slowly he turned his head away from the light, finding he couldn't make out anything.
"It was my imagination," Leo told himself, giving up his search and focused back on the sub.
When he turned his head back, there before him was a figureless face staring back at him, a daunting shadow lingering before him. He screamed in fright unable to do anything to protect himself.
"Shell where's fearless?" Raph growled crossing his arms as he kept a good eye out on their surroundings.
The forest was calm, the fog that once claimed it had vanished in a matter of seconds, just the same moment when Leo took the plunge as if it never was there in the first place.
It made him feel uneasy daring to consider maybe Mikey was onto something, that it wasn't natural. Not that he would admit such a thing, besides Donnie was already lecturing Mikey on how it was possible, though it sounded like a half winded excuse not to admit it was eerie and bizarre on the timing.
"Down?" Alex answered as Raph rolled his eyes.
"I know that he is under the water, I meant what is taking him so long," Raph explained half annoyed, not at anyone moreover how he felt out of his element standing out there waiting for some arm guards to rush out of the bushes.
"He is probably trying to figure out how to turn it on," Mikey snickered, getting a horrified look from Donnie.
"He better not have broken anything!"
"Chill Don, it's not like the sub is a toaster, it will survive our toaster killer," Mikey grinned seeing the worry in Donnie's eyes darken.
"Toaster killer?" Adam tilted his head, baffled by the title given to Leo.
"Oh boy, you are into a treat here Adam, one time with the fifty-fith-"
"There he is," Donnie burst out overpowering Mikey, more so as not to announce Leo had finally surfaced with the sub, more to stop Mikey from daring to bring up that ordeal again, he was still pissed off after the fifty-fifth.
"Finally," Raph contorted as the sub made a bubbly splash, surfacing on the edge and the door opened up with Leo exiting, "So Fearless, got lost?"
"What do you mean?" Leo crossed his arms then moved to the side for both Mikey and Donnie to board. Donnie not caring for the conversation rushed on with Mikey's help so he could make sure all was in working order.
"It took you twenty minutes," he scoffed, "Was inches away from sending a search party."
"Oh…" Leo scratched his head, "Well… I…"
"You forgot how to turn it on didn't you?" Raph sighed. With no response, he rolled his eyes, "Fine don't admit it, next time before diving in how about not boasting you know how to work it when you actually don't and just ask."
"Sorry, I thought I had it figured out," Leo answered.
"Sure…" Raph shook his head entering the sub with Adam closely following behind him.
"You… okay?" Adam asked Leo as he went by, startled by being asked Leo jumped then turned trying to smile.
"Fine, just fine, Let's get home shall we?" Leo insisted him to enter and he to follow after. Just at the threshold, Leo felt the eyes on him as he turned his head towards the dense forest barely making out the shadow watching before vanishing.
"He will claim 'him'… you can't let him or all will be lost… Adam is key… he knows 'he' is here from death... he suspects 'his' dark secret... he is planning… 'he' was taken out by him… he is watching… he is the true puppet master… he will claim them all if not stopped…" Leo muttered to himself, unsure of what kind of warning the shadow gave him.
In the cryptic message, who was 'he' and 'him'? Was it Adam, yet Adam was mentioned by name? Who was claiming who? Bishop over Adam? Then again back to Adam was mentioned by name and didn't feel linked to 'him' or 'he' as though those were referring to other individuals, not of two but more… Who was here from death? Who has a dark secret and who is 'he' that suspects it? Regardless, it always came down to who is 'he' and 'him' referring to, as if the names couldn't be mentioned or was it he couldn't understand? In the end, his mind was ready to explode and what else was going to unfold? How did this turn into a shit show in such a short time frame? Sadly, he had no answer which was a recurring theme, as he entered the sub to head back home.
TBC