Raph looked at Kelen and waited for her to tell him. She continued to stare
at the ground. Kelen just couldn't figure out an easy way to tell him this.
She slid away from his grasp and crossed her arms. Her heart was pounding
so hard she was surprised he couldn't hear it. Her stomach tied itself into
a thick triple knot with no sign of letting up. She was trying to buy
herself some time, but she couldn't stall much longer. "Could we talk about
this somewhere else?" she said quietly, "I don't really want to tell anyone
else yet." He looked at her, thinking the worst over in his head. "That
bad, huh?" he asked. She nodded. "You wanna take a walk?" he asked. "Yeah,"
she said. She grabbed a sweatshirt and pulled it over her head. He got his
coat and fedora. They were heading out when Kelen caught the faint blue
glow of the T.V., and walked a little louder past the room Mike was
watching it in. He turned his head at the noise and smirked at them.
"And where are you two going tonight?"
"Guess!" she sneered.
Mike got up and caught Kelen's arm. "Excuse us," he said, pulling Kelen into the room he was in.
"You sure you want to do this?"
"No, but I don't have a choice."
"You want me to follow you?" he offered, "Just in case?"
She shook her head. "Nah, I just wanted to let you know. I feel like I might explode."
He patted her arm. "Good luck, babe."
She turned and left the room. "What was that all about?" Raph asked.
"Nothing, it was nothing," she said. She started to go over what she would say to him in her head and became so lost in thought that she almost missed the ladder when she was walking past it.
Mikey sighed and decided he should warn Lauren. Maybe she could save Kelen the trouble and tell Donnie. He walked to Donnie's room and listened outside his door for a minute. He didn't want to interrupt anything. He didn't hear anything. He knocked on the door.
"Yes?" Lauren asked. Mikey poked his head in the door. He was baffled to find Lauren sitting on the bed, and Donnie on the computer. Had he forgotten that Lauren was there?
"Uh.Kelen and Raph just went out.to talk," he said.
"Wonderful. You think she would have given us at least a 24 hour warning."
"Yeah, but it's her thing, we should let her do it her way."
"Yeah, you're probably right," she sighed. She looked over at Donnie, sighed again, and flopped backwards on the bed.
"Goodnight," Mikey said. Lauren waved absently, but didn't say anything. When she heard the door close, she got up off the bed. Lauren walked over to Donny and put her arms around his shoulders from behind. She kissed his cheek, and when he turned his head towards her, she kissed his lips. As soon as he put his arms around her waist, she pulled back.
"If you go on that computer one more time, and stay on it, I'll scream!" she said playfully.
"Yes ma'am."
He pulled her onto his lap and they continued where they had left off. But it wasn't long before they were interrupted. Mikey hadn't even bothered to knock this time. Lauren looked up at him and blushed.
"If you tell Donnie, I'll work on Leo," he said smiling.
Lauren looked at him for a moment. "Tonight?" she asked. Mikey nodded. "Fine," she said. The door closed and they were alone again.
"Tell me what?" Donnie asked suspiciously.
"You have to promise that you won't get mad," she said.
"I'm not sure I can promise that."
"Then you can't get mad until Kelen gives you all the details, okay?"
Donnie sighed. "Alright, what happened?"
Kelen and Raph walked along the sidewalks of New York. She was going over the jumble of words in her head, carefully putting each one in order. He was silently guessing what it was she was going to tell him, and giving her all the patience he had while he waited. Finally, she stopped walking. He did likewise and she slowly turned towards him.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She wanted to tell him. The thing was, she wanted to crumple into his arms and tell him. She wanted him to hold her and tell her it was okay, that he would take care of everything. But that wasn't going to happen. She turned her head away from him, breaking their gaze, and looked hopelessly down at the ground. She shuffled her foot around for a minute, hoping to unlock some lever, praying that the lever would release the ground's hold to the Earth and swallow her up. After all, what did the Earth care about her? Obviously nothing, it hadn't really given her a pleasant stay so far. She mustered up the last of her courage, not wanting to waste it, and looked back up at him.
"Raph, I would die if something happened to you," she said, the rest of the words were already choking her up, forming a lump in her throat. She swallowed hard and continued, "Especially if it was because of me."
He nodded in understanding and waited for her to go on. "And honestly, I don't think I would tell you this at all if I didn't believe you were going to get hurt." She looked at him. His eyes showed confusion and worry. She went on to explain what she meant.
"My father found me, Raph. And even though I didn't say anything, I think you knew that."
He nodded. "Yeah, I did."
"Thought so," she said, "and he was pretty mad when he did."
He began to carefully and quickly look over her face and neck for anything resembling a scar. "Did he hurt you?" he asked, already knowing the answer, but wanting to hear it for himself anyway.
"Yeah. He hurt me pretty badly. The thing is," she paused. He seemed so completely calm right now, that for a brief moment she thought he wasn't going to mad. She abruptly shook the thought from her head before it had a chance to settle in. "The thing is.I think he's going to hurt you, too."
He waited for her to say more, but she didn't. "Why do you think that?" he prompted.
"Because he's a member of the Foot," she said just loud enough for him to hear. She had caught him completely off guard with her quick response.
Just like she thought, he immediately exploded. "WHAT?! Kelen, that man was in our house. He knows where we are---they know where we are!"
"I know, Raph, I really do. But please just listen to me---"
"No way! I can't believe you wouldn't tell me something like that! Everything is a big secret with you!" He started to raise his voice even more.
"I'm sorry, but---"
"You're sorry?! They could've come and killed us, and probably will come, and you're sorry? Jesus Kelen, did you--"
"You aren't even giving me a chance to explain!" she yelled above his voice.
He heard and tried his damned hardest to calm down. He shut his eyes and balled his hands into fists at his sides. He took one deep breath after another, but it wasn't helping. He was in complete shock that she would keep something as dangerous as this from him.
"Thank you. Look, I'm not sure how you think I found this out, but he didn't tell me. It's not like he came to see me so we could have a cup of coffee and talk about our day!"
He knew she was right, but still, she should have told him this a long time ago.
"I'm really and truly sorry that I didn't tell you as soon as I found out, I wouldn't want you and your family to get hurt or anything. I wouldn't want anything to happen to mine either."
"Kelen, what do you know about family?" he said flatly. "You don't have one." As soon as it came out of his mouth, he knew it was a mistake having said it. He prayed she hadn't heard him. He hadn't meant for it to come out like that. He hadn't meant for it to come out at all. But when he opened his eyes, he saw the damage was done.
Kelen was looking at him, wide-eyed and in shock. Part of him wanted to apologize right away. The other part was too proud, and thought she deserved it after keeping this from him. He was still fuming at her.
She knew he hadn't meant it. He was mad. He was just talking. But she was still hurt by it. She suddenly found it pointless to tell him that she had only found out two days ago. They were now mad at each other. He wanted to turn around and walk off and leave her there, but knew that wouldn't be right. Anyone could be lurking around here and just because he was mad, that didn't mean he wanted her to get hurt.
"Let's just.go home," he said, after the few moments of silence that they had stared each other down. He felt this conversation was over for tonight anyway. If they wanted, they could finish it at home, with everyone. Probably in the morning.
He started to turn around but she crossed her arms, shifted her weight to one leg, and didn't move. "No," she said.
He looked right at her. "What?" he said. He thought she was crazy.
"I said no. I don't want to go back with you."
"So, anyway," Lauren started to wrap up, "She told me, and apparently Mikey, and now she's telling Raph."
Leo, Donnie, Mikey and Splinter were all scrunched together in the living room, listening intently to Lauren as she told them all she knew about what had happened a few nights before.
Leo was the first to speak up. "She should have told all of us as soon as she found out."
Lauren nodded. "I agree, but I think she's afraid of you."
They all gave her questioning looks. "You know, afraid of losing you," she explained. "You guys have been like family to her -to us. I think that she stopped telling you things because you were already trying to solve her problems, and she was afraid that even more problems would push you away."
"Then why do you suppose she told Mikey?" Donnie asked.
"Mikey's one of her best friends. He hasn't betrayed her before and I think she knows he won't. They have a pretty sturdy friendship."
Mikey smiled, and blushed slightly. "And you don't think what she and Raph have is sturdy?" Leo questioned.
Lauren was quick to respond. "No, I think it's too sturdy. Don't give me that look, I'm going to explain. Okay, imagine each one of the problems or accomplishments in their relationship as a brick. A brick is solid. Now, imagine that they keep taking all those bricks and building a wall. A brick wall is solid, but it's also sturdy. However, if you build the wall too tall, it will eventually come crashing down. And from all they've gone through so far in such a short amount of time, they have a pretty high wall. And Kelen is being very careful about which bricks she's adding to it, because she's afraid it will fall. Kelen isn't afraid of it falling, she's afraid that Raph isn't going to want to start a new wall. She's afraid he'll leave her behind with the rubble and broken pieces and he'll go and start a new wall by himself.or maybe with someone else."
They all took a minute to process this. Lauren sat down on the couch and rubbed the sides of her forehead as she thought of all the broken walls that she and Kelen had behind them. Kelen wasn't easy to deal with. And it obviously wasn't what they had in common that kept their friendship going. Kelen was wild and outgoing, and had lost most of her family in very suspicious accidents. Lauren, on the other hand, was well read and had much better control over her life. She had an extensive family, and they were all still living. They also loved her very much. Trent was protective of Kelen, until something came along that sounded like more fun. And there was something in the back of her mind that said if Kelen should die, god forbid, he would throw her a cheap funeral, mourn for a few hours, and then go water skiing with his girlfriend. And more then once, Lauren had considered giving up their friendship. Kelen was loads of fun to hang out with, she was sweet, she was pretty.but she was also very hard to keep watch over. She disappeared for hours on end, she locked herself in her room, and she switched moods faster then you could say 'now!' She knew that all Kelen's close friends were the same way. Hung out with her when she was in a good mood, and then left when she was depressed, claiming "She's too difficult when she's like that." And Lauren was always there when she was mad or upset, but she silently agreed with them.
"Well," Leo said, breaking the silence, "I guess we can only hope he does the right thing."
"Kelen, don't be stupid!" Raph yelled.
"Oh, right Raph! I'm stupid because I don't want to go home with someone who isn't exactly happy with me right now. Gee, I see your point!"
"I'm serious, Kel, I'm not gonna leave you out here! You'll get killed!"
"Raph, I'm not two!"
"Well you're acting like it!"
"And you're being an asshole! But I'm not pointing that out! Oh wait.I guess I did!"
"You are the one who kept something from me that could kill me and my family!"
"Well, I had no idea! But of course I wouldn't, I don't have a family, remember?!"
"Will you just shut up? We're fighting! Great! But you have to come home with me, I don't want to be stuck up all night, wondering if you've been killed and where they've dumped you're body!"
"I don't need this," she sneered, turning and starting to walk away at a slow pace.
"Oh yeah?! Well guess what? I don't need you!"
She spun back around, her eyes bloodshot and red. "Jesus Christ, Raph! Don't you think I know that?! I mean, join the club why don't you? I'm sure your brothers and Lauren are all at home thinking the same thing.so guess what? You don't have to worry about it anymore, because that's all I needed to hear to keep walking! And don't worry, I'll be sure not to ever trouble you again. No one in my life sticks around, okay? I'll just add you to my list of people to keep in mind when they've already forgotten all about me.I'm surprised you even stuck around this long! You really had me fooled there for a while, ya know.it was just a matter of time."
She turned back around and continued to walk, at a quicker pace. Raph stood dumbfounded where he was. How many fucking times had she heard that? Why did he have to say it, too? He wouldn't even begin to accept the fact that she very possibly had just ended it with him. It took him about two minutes to snap back into reality. There was no way he was letting her walk off like that.
"KELEN!" he yelled after her. He saw her pause for a moment. She slipped headphones over her ears and started walking again. He broke into a run after her.
She's taking her time, Making up the reasons, To justify all the hurt inside. Guess she knows, From the smiles and the look in their eyes, Everyone's got a theory about the bitter one.
(Kelen heard him and took off at a run, hoping to lose him.)
They're saying, "Mama never loved her much," And, "Daddy never keeps in touch, That's why she shies away from human affection."
(She knew he was faster and she twisted and turned down alleys to keep him behind her.)
But somewhere in a private place, She packs a bag for outer space, And now she's waiting, For the right kind of pilot to come, And she'll say to him.
"I would fly to the moon and back if you'll be. If you'll be my baby. Got a ticket to a world where we belong, So would you be my baby?"
(He was tailing close behind her. She turned down the side that looked more familiar and hoped to get somewhere where he couldn't follow her.)
She can't remember a time, When she felt needed. If love was red then she was color blind. All her friends have been trialed for treason, And other crimes that were never defined.
(His words rang through her ears.that and the way Lauren had kept looking at her and shaking her head all night. It made her run all the faster.)
She's saying, "Love is like a barren place, And reaching for human faith, That's like a journey I just don't have a map for." So baby's gonna take a dive, Push the shift to overdrive, Send a signal that she's hanging all her hopes on the stars, What a pleasant dream.
I would fly to the moon and back if you'll be. If you'll be my baby. I've got a ticket to a world where we belong. So would you be my baby?
The last thing she wanted was for Raph to apologize because he felt bad for her. She sprinted so far she thought she might throw up. She turned around to see where he was and ran smack into someone. She looked up at them, and screamed.
"I've been waiting for you, what took you so long?"
She moved back a few feet. "No, don't leave. The fun hasn't even started," a voice told her.
Raph heard her scream and he ran faster than he ever had before. He turned a corner he'd seen her go down and ran into the back of her head. She fell forward and he stood looking at her father. He quickly helped her to her feet and stood in front of her.
"Leave her alone," he growled deeply.
"And you are? No wait.I remember. Ah, yes.the boyfriend. I thought I killed you, though. Oh well, it's never too late for that. One thing I may suggest to you though, never take your eyes off the enemy."
Kelen screamed behind him. He spun around to see what had happened.but she was gone. When he turned back to where her father had been, he too was gone.
"No.NO!"
*Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT. Plain and simple. Sorry this took so friggin' long. I have three or four of the next chapters already typed, and just need to do some polishing up on them. I expect them up soon, but I wouldn't put money on it. Oh, yeah.I don't own Savage Garden or their song, "To the Moon and Back." (I borrowed it earlier.) While I'm at it, I don't even own Snow White.how sad. She belongs to Disney.
"And where are you two going tonight?"
"Guess!" she sneered.
Mike got up and caught Kelen's arm. "Excuse us," he said, pulling Kelen into the room he was in.
"You sure you want to do this?"
"No, but I don't have a choice."
"You want me to follow you?" he offered, "Just in case?"
She shook her head. "Nah, I just wanted to let you know. I feel like I might explode."
He patted her arm. "Good luck, babe."
She turned and left the room. "What was that all about?" Raph asked.
"Nothing, it was nothing," she said. She started to go over what she would say to him in her head and became so lost in thought that she almost missed the ladder when she was walking past it.
Mikey sighed and decided he should warn Lauren. Maybe she could save Kelen the trouble and tell Donnie. He walked to Donnie's room and listened outside his door for a minute. He didn't want to interrupt anything. He didn't hear anything. He knocked on the door.
"Yes?" Lauren asked. Mikey poked his head in the door. He was baffled to find Lauren sitting on the bed, and Donnie on the computer. Had he forgotten that Lauren was there?
"Uh.Kelen and Raph just went out.to talk," he said.
"Wonderful. You think she would have given us at least a 24 hour warning."
"Yeah, but it's her thing, we should let her do it her way."
"Yeah, you're probably right," she sighed. She looked over at Donnie, sighed again, and flopped backwards on the bed.
"Goodnight," Mikey said. Lauren waved absently, but didn't say anything. When she heard the door close, she got up off the bed. Lauren walked over to Donny and put her arms around his shoulders from behind. She kissed his cheek, and when he turned his head towards her, she kissed his lips. As soon as he put his arms around her waist, she pulled back.
"If you go on that computer one more time, and stay on it, I'll scream!" she said playfully.
"Yes ma'am."
He pulled her onto his lap and they continued where they had left off. But it wasn't long before they were interrupted. Mikey hadn't even bothered to knock this time. Lauren looked up at him and blushed.
"If you tell Donnie, I'll work on Leo," he said smiling.
Lauren looked at him for a moment. "Tonight?" she asked. Mikey nodded. "Fine," she said. The door closed and they were alone again.
"Tell me what?" Donnie asked suspiciously.
"You have to promise that you won't get mad," she said.
"I'm not sure I can promise that."
"Then you can't get mad until Kelen gives you all the details, okay?"
Donnie sighed. "Alright, what happened?"
Kelen and Raph walked along the sidewalks of New York. She was going over the jumble of words in her head, carefully putting each one in order. He was silently guessing what it was she was going to tell him, and giving her all the patience he had while he waited. Finally, she stopped walking. He did likewise and she slowly turned towards him.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She wanted to tell him. The thing was, she wanted to crumple into his arms and tell him. She wanted him to hold her and tell her it was okay, that he would take care of everything. But that wasn't going to happen. She turned her head away from him, breaking their gaze, and looked hopelessly down at the ground. She shuffled her foot around for a minute, hoping to unlock some lever, praying that the lever would release the ground's hold to the Earth and swallow her up. After all, what did the Earth care about her? Obviously nothing, it hadn't really given her a pleasant stay so far. She mustered up the last of her courage, not wanting to waste it, and looked back up at him.
"Raph, I would die if something happened to you," she said, the rest of the words were already choking her up, forming a lump in her throat. She swallowed hard and continued, "Especially if it was because of me."
He nodded in understanding and waited for her to go on. "And honestly, I don't think I would tell you this at all if I didn't believe you were going to get hurt." She looked at him. His eyes showed confusion and worry. She went on to explain what she meant.
"My father found me, Raph. And even though I didn't say anything, I think you knew that."
He nodded. "Yeah, I did."
"Thought so," she said, "and he was pretty mad when he did."
He began to carefully and quickly look over her face and neck for anything resembling a scar. "Did he hurt you?" he asked, already knowing the answer, but wanting to hear it for himself anyway.
"Yeah. He hurt me pretty badly. The thing is," she paused. He seemed so completely calm right now, that for a brief moment she thought he wasn't going to mad. She abruptly shook the thought from her head before it had a chance to settle in. "The thing is.I think he's going to hurt you, too."
He waited for her to say more, but she didn't. "Why do you think that?" he prompted.
"Because he's a member of the Foot," she said just loud enough for him to hear. She had caught him completely off guard with her quick response.
Just like she thought, he immediately exploded. "WHAT?! Kelen, that man was in our house. He knows where we are---they know where we are!"
"I know, Raph, I really do. But please just listen to me---"
"No way! I can't believe you wouldn't tell me something like that! Everything is a big secret with you!" He started to raise his voice even more.
"I'm sorry, but---"
"You're sorry?! They could've come and killed us, and probably will come, and you're sorry? Jesus Kelen, did you--"
"You aren't even giving me a chance to explain!" she yelled above his voice.
He heard and tried his damned hardest to calm down. He shut his eyes and balled his hands into fists at his sides. He took one deep breath after another, but it wasn't helping. He was in complete shock that she would keep something as dangerous as this from him.
"Thank you. Look, I'm not sure how you think I found this out, but he didn't tell me. It's not like he came to see me so we could have a cup of coffee and talk about our day!"
He knew she was right, but still, she should have told him this a long time ago.
"I'm really and truly sorry that I didn't tell you as soon as I found out, I wouldn't want you and your family to get hurt or anything. I wouldn't want anything to happen to mine either."
"Kelen, what do you know about family?" he said flatly. "You don't have one." As soon as it came out of his mouth, he knew it was a mistake having said it. He prayed she hadn't heard him. He hadn't meant for it to come out like that. He hadn't meant for it to come out at all. But when he opened his eyes, he saw the damage was done.
Kelen was looking at him, wide-eyed and in shock. Part of him wanted to apologize right away. The other part was too proud, and thought she deserved it after keeping this from him. He was still fuming at her.
She knew he hadn't meant it. He was mad. He was just talking. But she was still hurt by it. She suddenly found it pointless to tell him that she had only found out two days ago. They were now mad at each other. He wanted to turn around and walk off and leave her there, but knew that wouldn't be right. Anyone could be lurking around here and just because he was mad, that didn't mean he wanted her to get hurt.
"Let's just.go home," he said, after the few moments of silence that they had stared each other down. He felt this conversation was over for tonight anyway. If they wanted, they could finish it at home, with everyone. Probably in the morning.
He started to turn around but she crossed her arms, shifted her weight to one leg, and didn't move. "No," she said.
He looked right at her. "What?" he said. He thought she was crazy.
"I said no. I don't want to go back with you."
"So, anyway," Lauren started to wrap up, "She told me, and apparently Mikey, and now she's telling Raph."
Leo, Donnie, Mikey and Splinter were all scrunched together in the living room, listening intently to Lauren as she told them all she knew about what had happened a few nights before.
Leo was the first to speak up. "She should have told all of us as soon as she found out."
Lauren nodded. "I agree, but I think she's afraid of you."
They all gave her questioning looks. "You know, afraid of losing you," she explained. "You guys have been like family to her -to us. I think that she stopped telling you things because you were already trying to solve her problems, and she was afraid that even more problems would push you away."
"Then why do you suppose she told Mikey?" Donnie asked.
"Mikey's one of her best friends. He hasn't betrayed her before and I think she knows he won't. They have a pretty sturdy friendship."
Mikey smiled, and blushed slightly. "And you don't think what she and Raph have is sturdy?" Leo questioned.
Lauren was quick to respond. "No, I think it's too sturdy. Don't give me that look, I'm going to explain. Okay, imagine each one of the problems or accomplishments in their relationship as a brick. A brick is solid. Now, imagine that they keep taking all those bricks and building a wall. A brick wall is solid, but it's also sturdy. However, if you build the wall too tall, it will eventually come crashing down. And from all they've gone through so far in such a short amount of time, they have a pretty high wall. And Kelen is being very careful about which bricks she's adding to it, because she's afraid it will fall. Kelen isn't afraid of it falling, she's afraid that Raph isn't going to want to start a new wall. She's afraid he'll leave her behind with the rubble and broken pieces and he'll go and start a new wall by himself.or maybe with someone else."
They all took a minute to process this. Lauren sat down on the couch and rubbed the sides of her forehead as she thought of all the broken walls that she and Kelen had behind them. Kelen wasn't easy to deal with. And it obviously wasn't what they had in common that kept their friendship going. Kelen was wild and outgoing, and had lost most of her family in very suspicious accidents. Lauren, on the other hand, was well read and had much better control over her life. She had an extensive family, and they were all still living. They also loved her very much. Trent was protective of Kelen, until something came along that sounded like more fun. And there was something in the back of her mind that said if Kelen should die, god forbid, he would throw her a cheap funeral, mourn for a few hours, and then go water skiing with his girlfriend. And more then once, Lauren had considered giving up their friendship. Kelen was loads of fun to hang out with, she was sweet, she was pretty.but she was also very hard to keep watch over. She disappeared for hours on end, she locked herself in her room, and she switched moods faster then you could say 'now!' She knew that all Kelen's close friends were the same way. Hung out with her when she was in a good mood, and then left when she was depressed, claiming "She's too difficult when she's like that." And Lauren was always there when she was mad or upset, but she silently agreed with them.
"Well," Leo said, breaking the silence, "I guess we can only hope he does the right thing."
"Kelen, don't be stupid!" Raph yelled.
"Oh, right Raph! I'm stupid because I don't want to go home with someone who isn't exactly happy with me right now. Gee, I see your point!"
"I'm serious, Kel, I'm not gonna leave you out here! You'll get killed!"
"Raph, I'm not two!"
"Well you're acting like it!"
"And you're being an asshole! But I'm not pointing that out! Oh wait.I guess I did!"
"You are the one who kept something from me that could kill me and my family!"
"Well, I had no idea! But of course I wouldn't, I don't have a family, remember?!"
"Will you just shut up? We're fighting! Great! But you have to come home with me, I don't want to be stuck up all night, wondering if you've been killed and where they've dumped you're body!"
"I don't need this," she sneered, turning and starting to walk away at a slow pace.
"Oh yeah?! Well guess what? I don't need you!"
She spun back around, her eyes bloodshot and red. "Jesus Christ, Raph! Don't you think I know that?! I mean, join the club why don't you? I'm sure your brothers and Lauren are all at home thinking the same thing.so guess what? You don't have to worry about it anymore, because that's all I needed to hear to keep walking! And don't worry, I'll be sure not to ever trouble you again. No one in my life sticks around, okay? I'll just add you to my list of people to keep in mind when they've already forgotten all about me.I'm surprised you even stuck around this long! You really had me fooled there for a while, ya know.it was just a matter of time."
She turned back around and continued to walk, at a quicker pace. Raph stood dumbfounded where he was. How many fucking times had she heard that? Why did he have to say it, too? He wouldn't even begin to accept the fact that she very possibly had just ended it with him. It took him about two minutes to snap back into reality. There was no way he was letting her walk off like that.
"KELEN!" he yelled after her. He saw her pause for a moment. She slipped headphones over her ears and started walking again. He broke into a run after her.
She's taking her time, Making up the reasons, To justify all the hurt inside. Guess she knows, From the smiles and the look in their eyes, Everyone's got a theory about the bitter one.
(Kelen heard him and took off at a run, hoping to lose him.)
They're saying, "Mama never loved her much," And, "Daddy never keeps in touch, That's why she shies away from human affection."
(She knew he was faster and she twisted and turned down alleys to keep him behind her.)
But somewhere in a private place, She packs a bag for outer space, And now she's waiting, For the right kind of pilot to come, And she'll say to him.
"I would fly to the moon and back if you'll be. If you'll be my baby. Got a ticket to a world where we belong, So would you be my baby?"
(He was tailing close behind her. She turned down the side that looked more familiar and hoped to get somewhere where he couldn't follow her.)
She can't remember a time, When she felt needed. If love was red then she was color blind. All her friends have been trialed for treason, And other crimes that were never defined.
(His words rang through her ears.that and the way Lauren had kept looking at her and shaking her head all night. It made her run all the faster.)
She's saying, "Love is like a barren place, And reaching for human faith, That's like a journey I just don't have a map for." So baby's gonna take a dive, Push the shift to overdrive, Send a signal that she's hanging all her hopes on the stars, What a pleasant dream.
I would fly to the moon and back if you'll be. If you'll be my baby. I've got a ticket to a world where we belong. So would you be my baby?
The last thing she wanted was for Raph to apologize because he felt bad for her. She sprinted so far she thought she might throw up. She turned around to see where he was and ran smack into someone. She looked up at them, and screamed.
"I've been waiting for you, what took you so long?"
She moved back a few feet. "No, don't leave. The fun hasn't even started," a voice told her.
Raph heard her scream and he ran faster than he ever had before. He turned a corner he'd seen her go down and ran into the back of her head. She fell forward and he stood looking at her father. He quickly helped her to her feet and stood in front of her.
"Leave her alone," he growled deeply.
"And you are? No wait.I remember. Ah, yes.the boyfriend. I thought I killed you, though. Oh well, it's never too late for that. One thing I may suggest to you though, never take your eyes off the enemy."
Kelen screamed behind him. He spun around to see what had happened.but she was gone. When he turned back to where her father had been, he too was gone.
"No.NO!"
*Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT. Plain and simple. Sorry this took so friggin' long. I have three or four of the next chapters already typed, and just need to do some polishing up on them. I expect them up soon, but I wouldn't put money on it. Oh, yeah.I don't own Savage Garden or their song, "To the Moon and Back." (I borrowed it earlier.) While I'm at it, I don't even own Snow White.how sad. She belongs to Disney.