She didn't want to be different. In fact, she would have given up her very soul to be "normal". Or "normal" as it was perceived to be out there in the fast-paced streets of Manhattan. In this City it was a term that covered a heck of a lot of folk but you had to be loose with it. Really, she thought, her hazel eyes focusing in, watching the people rushing about: what would be "normal" to them? Not her. Oh there was no way she would ever be seen like that. To look at, yes, she was average, a plain Jane. Not a stunner, just someone who existed but who had no particular feature that upon meeting you would remember. She was a mousy colour - both hair and eyes. Not light enough to be blonde and not dark enough to be brunette. She was somewhere in the middle and average felt like a good place. She lowered her view and looked at her hands. Turning the palms over so that she could see them, she had thought she had her mother's hands; petite with short fingers, but then that had all gone awry when she'd found out her parents weren't actually hers and that hadn't actually been born. Lowering her hands she felt a sadness over take her
They had always insisted that being different was a good thing. Her mom said 'she had a gift' and that she should 'embrace it'. Dad. Well dad had been different too - not in the way that she was - but different nonetheless. Thinking of her folk made her stomach lurch. They had been her biggest supporters, the three of them standing strong like the Musketeers. Nothing or no-one could come between them. Until they died. Two bullets. That's all it took. She closed her eyes, remembering that night like it was yesterday, not four years ago.
Why had she not done anything to stop it? Why had she not stepped up? Used her power to destroy those idiots...before they had the chance to change her life forever. Hindsight was a wonderful thing - as was the word 'why'? She wondered if the turtles ever thought about that day, if they ever thought 'why'? She'd first come across them at that time, when the Foot had raided a subway station, her and her parents had been there - just a bunch of none entities, quietly waiting for the next train. That was until the Foot and that 'woman' had pushed her and her parents onto the floor, made them stay quiet. After the threats, two bullets rang out, each one destined to change her life. And through tears she had watched them run, their big bulky forms surprisingly quick and agile; knocking members of the Foot across the floor until each one was propped against the wall, securely fastened with rope.
"What were those things?"
"Freaks" That was the answer, feeling a panic inside of her, that is when she had moved. Albeit reluctantly. She didn't want to leave them but they were beyond help, beyond her capabilities, beyond anyone's, so what else could she do? She didn't exist so there would be no birth record - no way of tracing her and no way of knowing where she was. Her parents had preserved her and kept her hidden and up until that day she had thought that she was the only one in New York who could be different, could be a freak. But then there was the turtles. Four brothers, who along with their human companions, supported the work of the cops and protected the people. So selfless. So committed. Leonardo, eldest and he was the one who led them. After the death of their father he had reluctantly taken on more responsibility, strength through pain, she could relate to that, he was a little too serious but had the brightest had the blue eyes. Raphael, the one in red, all muscle, occasionally grumpy, but she could tell he was a soft hearted individual really. Thirdly came Donatello, Mr Purple and the cleverest one, often in his lab. She would love to get a look in there. And finally Orange, little Mikey, the fun loving brother, who, in the early days after his father's death had broken her heart with his tears.
She had spend so long watching them, following them, listening to their banter - and their arguments - that she felt like she knew them though in fact she had never spoken any words, not even so much as a 'hello'. And it had been months. During her darkest moments she had thought about ending it all but then she had seen them, one night across a rooftop from hers. All buildings within that vicinity were mainly warehouse, storage and there were a few which were abandoned. Low hanging and leaky they weren't the most comfortable but luckily her needs were few so she managed. She followed them that night and had kept up them ever since and the best thing was, they had no idea.
"You see anything?" Donatello smiled to himself as he heard Raphael's voice from the doorway. He had found out a few weeks ago that his brainy brother was monitoring a 'situation'. It was the most excitement that he'd had in years so had invited himself to get involved and if he wasn't included then he'd tell Leo. And Donnie knew that if Leo knew it would become ridiculous because Leo would go into full 'Leader' mode which would take the fun out of it. And this was fun.
"Yep" He zeroed in on familiar heat signal. Her colours as glaringly bright yellows, greens and ambers. This female had not been seen by any ordinary camera - with an ordinary camera you would not know she was there. Apart from the warmth, she was completely and utterly invisible. Donatello had never come across anything like this before and since Bebop and Rocksteady, he had done a lot of research on mutation. Hoping to find some answers as to why, how... And then quite by accident, whilst doing some separate monitoring of the rats there she was. He had figured it was a camera blip but no, the next night she was there again so he doubled then trebled his effort and had been watching her ever since.
Raphael chuckled "So, when you planning to catch her?"
The swivel chair that Donatello was on spun round rapidly as two glass eyes looked up: "Not catch. Detain...for a little. Catch makes it sound like I'm a predator" The chair spun back round.
"If the cap fits" snorted Raphael "And if we include some mild torture she'll be squealing like a baby in no time" The larger brother rubbed his hands together.
"Errr no, no and again NO. Remember Raph the only reason I am including you in this is because you threatened to tell Leo. Which, by the way, seems odd because he annoys you more than the rest of us"
Raphael thought for a moment "True. But, I'd rather get him involved than have you exclude me"
"Logical" muttered Donatello, seemingly impressed although slightly irritated.
Raphael grabbed the spare chair and thumped down next to his brother "So, what's the plan?" The excitement in Raphael's eyes mirrored his own "Are we taking her down with shackles or..."
"Gentle sedation" interrupted Donatello "Just so she's out long enough to move and put somewhere safe"
"Not here obviously" added Raphael. They both considered it, re-connected and said the same word at the same time: "Mikey"
"Nosey little worm who always lands on his feet - for some reason"
Donatello smiled "Not here. I've got somewhere else in mind - away from here but secure enough to keep her safe.."
"Safe?...what if she works for Shredder? or worse, the Kraang?"
"Raph we haven't seen hide nor hair of either of them for years so chill" Donatello looked at the screen "I think she's from somewhere else"
"And we're gonna find out where... Secret mission. Just us" Raphael grinned and offered up a hand.
Donatello paused before high fiving his brother: "Just us" he repeated.
Outside the lab, Leonardo sucked in a breath as he rose to full height. He'd only resorted to spying because he knew, just knew, that they were up to something. And, before he confronted them both he wanted to make sure he was right. Which of course he was. He didn't want to go in all loud and authoritative. This required softly, softly. He'd pretend he knew nothing and then he'd follow them. After all stealth was his middle name.
"You lookin' through that peep-hole?" came a rather loud Michaelangelo. Leonardo jumped and slid the chair back over.
"No" he snapped
"Yeh you were. I did it once - maybe twenty or so times - because I thought it was weird Raph being in there, labs are for smart scientists like Donnie" Michaelangelo made his way over to the cupboard and upon opening a door his head disappeared inside "We need April to get more snacks!" he whined. Leonardo sidled up alongside him: "So, say I was listening, which I wasn't..."
"Nooooo, of course not..." came a voice from the cupboard followed by rustling "A-ha, corn chips!" Michaelangelo reappeared and tore open the large pack - several erupted from the bag and landed on the floor.
"What'd you hear?" began Leonardo, following his brother to the main living area.
"Chip?" the pack appeared in front of his face.
"No Mikey" He shoved it away "The lab - what'd you hear?"
Michaelangelo wandered to the sofa and slumped down "Nothing interesting" began the youngest as he stuffed more chips in his mouth "Something about a visitor" Bits of corn chip exploded from his mouth as he spoke "But they've been talking about that for ages. I think they're gonna go and get Kraang. Like in a spaceship or something...Donnie could do that, build a spaceship.." The television flickered into life and Michelangelo put his feet up.
Turning away, Leonardo felt a mixture of both anger and pain. Anger that they'd kept something from him, that they'd had secret meetings, planned a mission. He was the Leader, he led the missions! He clenched a fist and sucked in a breath.
The pain, though was just as real. They'd excluded him. On purpose. And that hurt so much. If his dad were here he would have asked him why? Why would they do it? He wasn't that bad surely? He just liked being organised that's all and where was the harm in that.
He looked at Michelangelo oblivious on the sofa and pursed his lips - yep, he would follow his brothers and then he'd demand answers. He had to take back control. And they'd appreciate it really. They had too.