Part 7
Part 7

The Turtles began another tour back on the very lower level. They didn't even see which way they took Sam. Mike wanted to go with her, help her and get to know her more. The least she could give him was a pay back for saving her life. But what would be a good pay back? Now, he started to ponder thoughts just as Leo has been doing with Jenny. Another girl. There seemed to be a lot of girls in this place. Ones that are strangely nice to them. And ones they could see spending the rest of their life with. The question was, were these girls willing to waste an eternity with creatures that weren't even human? Would they possibly accept them after the way they acted at their first encounter? For all Mike knew and cared about, he was in love and that was enough from him. Changing his thoughts back to their current location, they discovered a staircase off to the corner and decided to descend. The ground changed from the wooden floors into a stone dungeon-like floor. Spider webs decorated a small alcove as the Turtles walked in to what appeared to be a laboratory.

"Whoa! Where's Igor when you really need him?" Michaelangelo eyed the area.

"More like Dr. Frankenstein. Look at all those beakers, flasks, and microscopes." Donatello stepped over to survey the black desk that had all he mentioned littered upon it.

Raphael backed up against the wall and heard a loud growl. He yelped and jumped back to see several cages that contained strange beasts with glowing red eyes. They looked like the same things that attacked him back at the library. He could see in the light a better view of their bodies. It was a short beastly thing with long, gnarled hair and 2 sets of arms instead of one. The lock on the cage was padded because of the creature's intelligence of lifting the lock and escaping from it's capacity. The creature reminded Raph of those troublesome things from Critters.

"Mike? You know how you said déjà vu can happen to anyone at anytime?"

Michaelangelo looked over. "Yeah? So?"

"Now, would be a good time. That's one of the creatures that attacked me at the library."

Michaelangelo stared at the creatures and gasped. "So, that's what they look like. Demon-like creatures. Dang. They're freaky-looking."

Raphael nodded. "Hell must have spawned these things."

Leonardo nodded as well as he stood by Raph. "I've never seen anything like it before. Fact is indeed stranger than fiction."

Donatello started checking out each vial and noticed another table with rows of blood samples. He lifted a test tube and sniffed the contents, making a face.

"Phew! What a smell! Leo, come smell this."

Raphael smirked. "Right, Don. 'hey, Leo, this smells like shit, come smell it.' You're just as bad as Mikey when he wants me to test if the milk had gone bad."

Mike crossed his arms. "You'd know more than I would, Raph. Consider it an honor."

"Yeah, me falling flat on my face from poisoned milk. I should get a medal for what I do for you."

Leonardo walked over and inhaled the vial in Don's hand. He made a face and pinched his beak.

"Blech! That smells like...like...when Jenny breathed on me." Leo caught himself and did a double take at the vial. "Raph, this smell's like the creature's blood, doesn't it? Back at the library."

Raphael finally took a whiff and frowned. "Yes, I couldn't forget that smell!" Michaelangelo applauded his bravery in the background.

Leo looked to Don. "Just to make sure, can you detect if this is the same blood of the creature's?"

Donatello looked down. "Umm, I can try. But I'd need to get a new blood sample to compare the two." He stepped away toward the desk, placing the vial back on the rack.

The Turtles froze and turned to the caged beasts.

"Leo, if that's the smell indefiniately, why do we have to sample anything?" Raphael didn't like where this was going.

"It's better to make sure from a fresh test. Who knows? Smelling something shows nothing. It's seeing the results that makes the difference."

Raphael crossed his arms. "Well, that's a great theory, O Mighty One. But who's going to get the blood sample? You need to draw blood from one of the creatures."

They froze again and looked to Donatello whom was busily looking through a science book.

"Don, be my guest." Michaelangelo backed away.

Don looked up from the book in shock. "Hm? WHAT?! Why me?!"

"Cuz you're the scientist. Get a blood sample from one of them and run it through. How hard can it be?"

"When they rip my arms out of their sockets, it will be very hard."

"And there goes your social life." Raphael spoke with assurance. He felt better he didn't have to fight with one of the creatures again.

Leo put his hands to his hips. "Look, this is serious. This stuff is being used on people and if we don't do something, there's going to be big trouble around here. I just know it."

Don stared at him and put the book down. "Well, now that you put it that way, perhaps you can give me a hand on holding one of these things down while I inject it?"

"You're the leader." Raph grinned. Leo sighed and went to help Don.

It would seem hours before they would work on the 'operation' for Jenny. The men scurried around to find the surgical tools but found them to be missing.

"Did you misplace your rusty pliers? Too bad!" Jenny taunted them.

"Silence! Wait, you'll be doing that for the rest of your life once we've finished with you. Enjoy talking while you still can." The master turned away to help his men. "Must be one of those damn kids that took them. Go to every room and search for the tools. Or so help me, I'll rip her goddamn tongue out with my bare hands!"

Jenny swallowed and remained calm. She looked down at her frail body. Why'd they have to strip me if they were doing something in my mouth? She moved her legs around to loosen the ropes. Great, they'll be undone. Now, her wrists are the next challenge. The room was empty for the moment. Someone came into the room. Jenny couldn't turn her head to see who it was.

"Don't worry, Jenny! I hid the tools." A small voice came to her right. Jenny turned to see a little girl smiling at her.

"Who are you? And how do you know me?"

"I've been around and know some of the people here. My name's Emiko and you didn't see me come in."

"Emiko, you have to get me out of here. Hiding their tools will only anger them more."

"It can only stall them. But I have friends that can help."

"Who?"

"Some green guys that are scouting around the premises."

"So they do exist!"

"Oh! You've seen them too?!"

"Yes, I have. Well, I thought I was seeing things but if you say you saw them too than I guess I wasn't imagining things."

"Totally! I don't know where they ran off to but I can try to find them. Just stay here, okay?"

"Emiko, do I look like I have a choice to go anywhere?"

"Oh, right! Sorry. I will return soon."

Emiko went up and down the halls, never realizing how dark they had become. Something was stirring around in this building and it seemed to throw a dark shadow overhead. She backed away as soldiers passed her. They were going the wrong way. The trouble was down in the dungeon. But Emiko had no clue of that. She spun around through and between each corridor. Maybe they were back on the top floor, around her room. She cleared two steps at a time as she bounded up to the top. Her luck went down as she bumped into Master Nomed and his henchmen. He snatched her up and clutched her shirt tightly.

"Emiko. Sweet, child of mine. I seem to have lost some tools. Would you happen to know anything about them?"

Emiko played it cool. "Tools? Which ones?"

"I need the tools for an operation. It's none of your concern, really. I need to find my tools to finish the job."

"I have no idea what you are talking about. I don't get involved with such things. I only stick to what I do best here. And that's working hard and paying the penalties."

She sounded so believable, the master decided to release her.

"Yes, you do pay for your punishments and you do what you are told. If you happen to see my tools, please alert me as soon as possible."

"Yes, Master."

The group marched off and Emiko began to walk the levels to find her friends.

Risa was left alone to wander aimlessly around the halls. She would occasionally fall to the ground, curse at herself and then get up again and continue to walk. She went passed the room with Jenny in it and stopped to take another look. Jenny looked up and saw her hanging on to the door frame.

"Mm, hello, Jen. New bed? Looks a little uncomfortable."

"Risa! You gotta help me! Get me out of here!"

Risa stepped in and pointed an accusing finger. "Now, you know I can't break the rules. If you did something you weren't supposed to do, you'll get a punishment. No biggy. Right now, I have to find my room and rest. It seemed to run away from me. I'll talk to you later."

Jenny frowned at her friend's bizarre speech and kicked in her spot.

"Damn it, Risa! There's not going to be a later! You'll be the only one talking since I'm getting my tongue removed."

Risa froze and almost came out of her trance.

"Whoa. That is a serious punishment. Whatever you did must be really bad."

"Risa, find the green guys. Remember the ones I told you about? I'm sure they can help stop this crazy madness. Please, Risa."

"I'll do what I can, Jen. I promise."

Risa backed away and started to run through the halls in search for the Turtles.

Leonardo panted heavily as he shut the cage door and backed away. The animal growled with anger as Don lifted the needle and held the small blood sample in his hand.

Michaelangelo flicked his finger between the thick bars.

"Couldn't you have injected the creature through the bars instead of opening the door of the cage?"

Leo looked to Don with arms crossed. "Now he tells me."

Another bright idea from good ol' Mike. Afterwards as always. Don smiled at Leo and signaled to the opposite counter.

"Leo, can you pass me an empty test tube, please?" Leo glanced over at the rack and pulled one out, handing it to Don. "Thanks. That's all I need. I appreciate all your help-"

"Don't mention it. I just hope this works." Leo sat down by Raph who was busily reading through a book on the human body with illustrations.

"Anatomically correct female." He pointed it out with a grin. "Ah, one of God's creatures."

"Where?" Michaelangelo stepped over with hands extended. "Lemme see!"

Raphael closed the book. "No can do. You're not old enough."

"Neither are you! We're both the same age."

"I'm more mature."

Michaelangelo snatched the book and began flipping through it. "I'll be the judge of that. Now, what page was it?"

Leo sighed. "Try the index, Mike. It's probably under the letter 'N' for naked women-See prying eyes only." Don giggled from his spot. Leo glanced over. "Keep working, laughing boy."

Raph stood up, stretched and started to look around. He checked his wounds which seemed to calm down in the bleeding department. It was stuffy in here. And the extra blood samples was nauseating to his empty stomach. He climbed the steps for a quick breather. Footsteps were approaching him. He ducked away to see a young woman walking toward him. She looked drained of her color like Jenny was and was also doing a funny walk. She fell to the ground and cursed at herself.

"Damn! I hate getting lost in this place. Where did my room run off to?"

Raphael frowned at her words let alone her slurred voice and decided to show himself. He walked over and tapped her shoulder, feeling the same way Leo acted to Jenny. Risa looked up and swung a fist at him. He dodged it easily as she went for another swing. He caught her closed hand and knelt down to her level.

"Easy, girl. Jeez, you gotta learn to chill when others are trying to help ya."

"I don't need any help. My room ran away and I can't find it."

He smiled at her strange story. "What's your name, beautiful?"

"No, it's not beautiful. It's Marisa."

"That was my next guess. So, you say your room ran away? Walls and everything?"

"No, no, no!" Risa waved a free hand. "It ran from ME." She punched her chest. "Come here, I have something important to tell you." She pulled a bandana strand and Raph leaned in relentlessly. Her face became serious. "Jen's in trouble. Big trouble. And she asked me to find you guys. She needs your help. I can sense it."

"Yeah, and I sense something on you, too. Whew! Your breath is nasty. What have you been eating besides dead things?"

Risa laughed hard and Raphael pulled away disgusted. He thought for a moment. Leo mentioned earlier that Jenny's breath had a foul odor to it. Plus her strange behavior was identical to this girl.

"Come with me, I need you to clear something up for a minute." Raph lifted her off the floor and she started to point behind her.

"But wait, I haven't found my room yet."

"Um, I know where it is. I'll take you there."

"No, you don't! I know how you guys are! Take advantage of me and then dump me. Well, sorry, I'm too smart for that. So, where's my room?"

Raph rolled his eyes and pushed her toward the staircase.

Leo assisted Don with the blood samples as Mike flipped through the health book to find the pictures. Maybe Raph just said that to tease me. What a jerk! I'm old enough! Of all the nerve! Mike groaned as he went to each page, finding pictures of the inside of the body. Not so pleasant looking. Donatello looked up at his brother and shook his head.

"I've never seen a guy so desperate to find pictures of nude girls." He walked over and took the book from him, putting it face down. "Look, if you're so interested in looking at naked women, I'll let you borrow my password and you can surf on the internet for pornography pages. Great stuff. Radiant photos in color. Much better than some black and white drawings in a health book. Okay? Now, come help me and start to use the head on your shoulders instead of the one between your legs."

Leo and Mike stared at one another and then to Don whom glanced at them and said nothing. Don must have his needs too and both now knew why he spent many hours alone in his computer lab. They decided to keep this outspoken confession to themselves and dropped the subject immediately. Mike nodded to Don's response and went straight to work which was watching him and waiting till he was asked to do something. Leo backed away from the black counter to wash his hands at a nearby sink. At that point, Raphael slowly walked down with a girl attached to his arm.

"Look what I found roaming the halls."

"What are you doing Raph? We aren't supposed to be seen by anyone."

"You should talk Leo. Last I recall, you had a crush, er, crash meeting with that Jenny person. And Mike saved that other chick from drowning earlier and-"

"What chick? Someone I know?" Risa interrupted.

"Later, babe. Besides, this is no time for romance. Heh, did I just say that?" Raph smiled as Leo crossed his arms. "Um, as I was sayin', this chick's been acting a bit screwy; similar behavioral patterns to Jenny. Plus-" Raph leaned into Risa's face. His voice came up raspy. "Yup, her breath also has a raunchy smell. Does this seem coincidental?"

Michaelangelo placed a hand under his chin. "Both Jenny and Risa have bad breath?"

"Uh, huh. Aaaaand?"

"Um, they were drugged with the same stuff?"

"That's it!" Leo snapped his fingers. "Don, that blood sample smelled just like Jenny's breath. I'll bet you dollars that girl's breath smells exactly the same."

Don peered into the microscope. "And I just got a match here. These girls were drugged with those beast's blood. We've only seen the results afterwards. I'd hate to think what their first reactions are."

"Probably act like the creatures do." Raph's face lit up as he thought back to his encounter at the library. "Ohhh, she'd be great in bed!"

Leonardo rolled his eyes. "Is that all you can think about at a time like this?"

Risa looked to Raphael. "This isn't my bedroom. Have you guys seen my room? I want to go to bed."

The Turtles stopped and looked at Risa. Raph grinned at Leo.

"Hey, she said it, not me! Seriously, this girl's been babbling nonsense and mentioned earlier that Jenny was in big trouble. I have no idea what she's talking about but I think we should check it out."

"All right. Don, are you done here? This place is giving me the creeps."

"Yeah, I can fairly guess what's going on around here. Let's go find Jenny. Mike?" Mike threw the health book down and blushed at Don whom cocked his head to the side. "We're leaving now."

"Gotcha!" Michaelangelo was the last one up the steps. He turned and waved to the creatures. "Later, weird dudes!"

The creatures groaned questionably as Mike disappeared up the staircase.

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