Part 8
Part 8

Night fall was descending over the red skies which casted eerie shadows through the barred windows. A musty odor filled the air to indicate that a storm was coming through the city. Dark clouds began to thicken and surround the area. The Turtles and Risa walked continuously on the lower levels of the building. The first floor above the basement level consisted of walls that echoed when footsteps went through their confinements. Risa was the only one who wore white sneakers that made a squeak noise as she walked over the wooden floors. Her normal self was graudually coming back but she still would fall forward at times, causing Raph to catch her and hold her back upward. She seemed to like the attention he gave her and he started to wonder if she was deliberately tripping on her own feet.

"Jeez, woman, you walk like a drunk person. Are you sure there's no alcohol in the creature's blood?" Raph stared into her glassy eyes.

"What creature? What alcohol? I don't drink alcohol."

Raphael turned away. She's still a bit loopy. God, what a strange reaction.

Leonardo suddenly turned to her unexpectedly.

"Where did you see Jenny last?"

"Same place I left her. In the torture chamber room. She said something about them removing her tongue as punishment for something."

Leo turned fully around and stared at her wide-eyed.

"WHAT?! Why didn't you say anything sooner?!"

"I did. To him." She pointed to Raph.

Leo groaned. "If you knew where she was, why didn't you get her out of there when you saw her?!"

Risa laced her fingers as she swayed in her spot. "I don't know. I guess I was scared or confused-"

Leo almost look frustrated as he punched a fist into the wall. He looked to her again with furious eyes.

"Damnit! You should have gotten her out of there! You think we have to do everything around here?! Shit, we can already be too late as it is!"

Risa stared at him; her glassy eyes becoming watery.

"I, I..I'm sorry. I...I didn't think..."

Raph hushed her and turned angrily to Leo with a pointed finger.

"Look, damn you! The girl was fucked up on drugs at the time! O-KAY?!! If you want to blame someone, blame yourself! If you and Don weren't screwin' around with those blood samples, we would have already saved more time as it is. But don't you dare start yelling at her. Take your anger out on me if you hafta. I can handle your bossy bull shit a helluva lot more than someone who hardly knows you."

The two stared at one another with their beaks almost touching. Risa intervened and pulled them away.

"Please, stop fighting. Both of you. I appreciate what you're doing for me Raph but, Leo has a point. I expected you guys to rescue her. Not me. I guess the reason why I left her there was because I was thinking more about myself. If I got her out of there, I was afraid they'd come looking for me and I'd be punished next. I wanted to find you first so that you can handle the situation more easily. I figured it's something you're used to by now. So if you want to blame someone, blame me. I deserve it."

They looked to her as the tension calmed down. Donatello finally intervened next.

"Look, can we argue about this later? We probably could have found Jenny by now instead of wasting time."

Leo shook his head and turned to Don.

"You're right. We should split up and check multiple floors. Mike and I will go to the second and third. And since you know the upper levels more, you, Raph and Risa can search throughout there."

"Right, Leo. Come on, guys."

Don waved a hand and Raph and Risa followed toward the end of the hall and up the staircase. Leonardo turned to Mike and sighed.

"You've been awfully quiet the whole time. Do you think I was a bit tough on her?"

Michaelangelo raised his eyebrows and nodded slowly. "Coulda handled it differently. I can see you're upset for Jenny's safety but there was no reason to bark out at Risa. Raph was right she was heavily drugged at the time and probably didn't even realize she was breathing. I'm not one for taking sides but this time, I'd have to go with Raph. No matter how berserk or unruly he may get."

Leo grinned at that.

"Hmm, unruly. That's a word I never thought would be used to describe him."

"He's also overly protective of women as you can see. And when he sees someone hurt them, especially you doing the hurting, he's not going to let it go."

Leo nodded and started to walk off.

"Come on. We've wasted enough time as it is. I want to get to Jenny while she's still able to talk normally."

Mike was still in shock after hearing about that. The two walked silently down the halls and hoped for the best that they weren't too late.

From the first to the fifth floor, the climb was a struggle for two wounded turtles and a drugged girl. They climbed four flights of stairs and staggered to reach the final step of the level.

"I....used.....to.....be in such better shape than this." Donatello panted as he quickened his last words to catch another breath. He looked to the bandages on his legs to see if the bleeding started up again. Excessive climbing or any active workout causes the blood to boil and quite possibly open wounds tend to bleed out. The white of the bandages were a dull brown from previous staining which meant no fresh blood was released as of yet. Raphael checked his bandages as well through a series of huffs and puffs.

"I hate climbing stairs. Why doesn't this building have an elevator?"

Risa shrugged at him.

Don bent over to place his hands on his knee pads. "Oh, but stairs are so good for your calves. Think of how buff and impressive they'll look."

"Shut up, Boy Genius. My calves don't impress anyone but myself."

Risa bent down and rubbed his leg gently. "I'm very impressed, Raph. Keep it up."

Raph looked to Don with a wide grin and spoke out lovingly. "My woman!"

Donatello straightened up and started to walk forward. His whole body was stiff and sore as he started to move with a limp. It would be going on a week since he did a major workout with his brothers. The battle they fought earlier almost tore him apart. It seemed they gave up the will to fight after Splinter left and there was no one around to turn to. An occasional spark might flare up between them but they hardly fought one another for practice. Even Leonardo whom wanted to remain in shape gave up altogether when he realized he would be exercising with himself. Don wasn't one for speaking up for himself but at moments like these, he really wanted to change his whole body again. When a person expects a super hero to rescue them, they don't want a worn out, out of shape loser who can't even defend himself without the aid of others. He decided to drop the argument inside his head and step back into reality. This building. Leo was right. They were here for a reason. He headed down an intersection and stopped to hear the sound of someone running.

"Listen! Hear that?"

Raph and Risa stood quietly.

"Yeah, sounds like someone has more energy than we do!" Raph grinned to Risa whom smiled back.

"Uh, huh! But it sounds close."

Don relaxed when he saw it was their old pal, Emiko. One person who saw him and his brothers as true heroes. Despite their first meeting, he had come to the realization that she was just a normal child trapped in an adult world to abide by adult rules. Raphael had a soft spot with kids and probably has forgotten what she had done to him, knowing the fact that it was out of duty and not intentional. She looked the same, only wearing a satin red and gold kimono with black pants and black slip-on shoes to match.

"Don!" She saw him standing there and ran over. He wasn't quite prepared for her excited greeting. In her child-like manner, she jumped up into his arms and hugged him tightly. Pain soon erupted.

"Yeeeouch!" Both screamed out. Emiko's shoe dug accidentally into Don's shell from where the lasers struck him. Not to mention his arms were weak and unable to hold a 65 pound kid. Emiko screeched when he touched her back where her bloodied scars were still trying to heal. They looked at one another in shame.

"Um, hi." Emiko said sheepishly.

Don smiled. "Hey, kid. I can tell you're still healing."

"And I will stay healed if you don't get me out of here!"

He stared into her face.

"What? What are you-"

Emiko placed a small hand over his wide mouth, surprisingly able to silence him. "They're after me. Head for the steps. We can't stay on this level."

Donatello looked to where she came from and heard voices approaching. He groaned at the thought of another battle.

"What are we going to do with you?"

"Don, just go!"

Donatello readjusted her to his hip and Emiko placed her arms securely around his neck. Risa frowned at Raph as Don ran over to them.

"Don? What is it?" Risa became worried at his sudden movement.

"The troublemaker strikes again! Back down the stairs. Now!"

"Oh, wonderful. More steps." Raph groaned and started to follow Don. Risa placed an arm through his.

"Think of your calves, babe. Besides, it's easier going down."

The three ran down a flight without looking back and continued to run through the empty hall ways. Feeling they were out of harm's way, Don halted up ahead with Emiko still in his arms. He'd seen her run before and knew she'd lag behind. Except for the time when she got a sudden burst of energy and tried to ditch them. He wouldn't admit that to no one. Risa and Raph stopped and rested up against the wall, panting just as heavily as Don was. He carried more weight with him.

"What....is.....wrong?" Risa slowly spoke out. She could taste blood in her throat.

"Well....apparently....this little tike did something to stir up trouble." Raph looked to Emiko.

"I didn't do anything. I was trying to save Jenny from getting hurt."

Raphael turned to Don for an answer. He could only shrug in response. Over the passage of time, her weight became intolerable as his arms began to scream out in agony.

"I think you should explain what you mean by that. But, first-" Don put her down, feeling a sudden relief. "I can't hold you anymore. It was nice of you to drop in, however, my muscles may disagree."

She took one of his arms and observed the white bandages.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you. You must have paid for a penalty like I have."

"Yes, in a way, I did. My brothers and I ran into some friends of yours. A group of soldiers with laser guns."

Emiko stared up into his face. He looked tired and worn out.

"They are no friends of mine. I only respect their rank of being soldiers. They are normal teenage boys who roam the halls as well as the streets to shoot anything in sight."

Donatello waved his hands and changed the subject.

"Never mind them. What we want to know is where Jenny is. We separated to find her but so far we've had no luck. My other brothers are searching down stairs."

"Then, they'll find her faster than you." Emiko cut in. "She's on the second floor, in the torture chamber room. We're only on the fourth floor. If it's one thing I know about this place, is my way around here."

"Don happened to learn a few spots while hanging around with you." Raph pointed out.

"But I've been here almost a year. And I can show you where your friend is if you want me to help."

Don was skeptical. "How can we trust you won't lead us into a trap?"

Raph agreed. "Yeah, you led us to this place. I'd say this is one hell of a death trap if you ask me."

"I didn't lead you. You followed me. Your other brother wanted to come with me. So take it up with him."

"Oh, I will. I could be relaxing in Northampton by now if we didn't agree to come here. Practising in the barn, waking up to a beautiful sunrise in a warm, country home, go swimming in the nearby lake or go hiking on the trail, maybe bust some heads with the Casemeister, that sort of thing." Raph turned to Risa whom smiled at the lovely picture he painted. He smiled to her and looked back to Emiko. "Well, maybe one good thing will come from this place."

Emiko took Don's hand and went to the stairs.

"Come on, Don. Let's go find the others. And Jenny. And get you all the hell out of here!"

Raph smiled to Don.

"I think I'm starting to like this kid."

Leonardo and Michaelangelo continued up and down level two, feeling a sudden wave of defeat come over them. The plan of splitting up didn't seem like the greatest plan Leo could come up with. If Risa knew where Jenny was, they would have found her by now and the group wouldn't have to split up and search different levels. The feeling changed when a low moan was heard coming from a room off to the left of the hall. The two walked down, jumping into the shadows first as a group of soldiers marched by, then into the dark room. On the table laid Jenny; her outer mouth soaked with blood. Leo gasped as he approached her.

"Jenny? Are you alright?"

She nodded. Tears had streakened her face. Mike stepped over and looked down at her.

"I'm afraid we're too late, bro."

"No..." Jenny spit out blood. "I....an....alk." She opened her mouth to show her tongue was still there but badly damaged and pulled at severly. It hurt to talk. "Hey ried oo ake ee bu did no succee."

Mike frowned. "Now, in English."

Leo translated. "She said, 'they tried to take it but did not succeed.' Right?" Jenny nodded. He turned to reach for the iron clamps. "Let's get you out of here. Mike, get her ankles."

"Righteo!"

Mike turned and realized the ropes were already loosened. She must have tried to get free by herself. Leo found it tough but learned the mechanism of the restraints. A simple twist and click set her wrists free. Jenny sat up to feel her arms began to tingle as the blood rushed back down to her hands. She stepped down onto the ground and Leo put an arm around her for support. Her body was so thin and skeletal, he was afraid he'd snap her bones if he held her close. The floor was ice cold to her bare feet. She began to shiver with arms crossed over her chest. Mike found her clothes flung against the wall and went to retrieve them. He came back and held them out to her.

"Han uuu." Jenny turned away to spit blood again. She slipped on her jeans and poet shirt.

Leo took her hand and stared into her face. "Jenny? I want you to come with us. You don't belong here."

She could only nod to him as her mouth filled with more blood. She wanted tell them she wanted to go back to her room to get some of her belongings before leaving. She did her best.

"Waaaiii. My coes. My coes." They frowned at her. She swallowed a mass of blood only to spew it back up onto the floor. Mike backed away with disgust as Leo caught her from falling over. She was incredibly weak from loss of blood. "Orry. I wan oo edd my coes!"

Michaelangelo looked to Leonardo.

"What is she saying?"

Jenny clutched Leo's arm for support and looked at him, blood was dripping from her mouth onto her chest. She placed a hand to her ear.

Mike followed along. "Sounds like?" She blew out as hard as she could, wincing from the pain. "Blows?" She nodded with a smile. "Sounds like blows. Um, woes, goes, knows, clothes...."

She pointed and nodded. "My loes! In my oom!"

"Oh, I get it! She wants to get some clothes from her room."

Leonardo was slightly amused by their little game of charades. But soon went serious.

"It might be risky, Jenny. We should leave right now and find the others. Before we get caught."

"Maybe we'll come back later?" Mike suggested.

Jenny nodded, since it was easier to respond that way, and stood up feeling light-headed. Her mouth filled up again. Leo looked at her with concern.

"Are you going to be alright?"

This time she shook her head. "Feee, izzzy..." She slumped forward and started to sob. "Nnngg! He.l..p...eee!" She clenched her mouth, red teeth were bared.

Leonardo finally pulled and lifted her into his arms as she cupped her hand over her mouth.

Mike's eyes widened. "Whoa, Leo! Careful. She's a vampire's dream come true."

"Huh?" Leonardo looked down. The blood started to drip out from her hand and trickle down her wrist. A few drops landed on Leo's plastron as well as Jenny's blue jeans. She placed her other arm behind his neck, dropping more blood onto his opposite shoulder. She also looked down at his body and gasped.

"Oooh, I...I...oh orry!" She wailed.

"Shh! Hey, it's okay. Don't worry about it. I've had more blood on me worse than this."

Leo walked out of the room with Mike following behind. It wasn't long before soldiers started at a fast pace. The two started to run faster. Jenny moaned and held her mouth shut. The running made her spill more blood onto Leo's chest. He didn't seem to care.

Mike observed closely. "She's bleeding badly, Leo. You're covered."

Leo looked down again. "I'd rather be covered in it than leaving a trail for them to follow."

Michaelangelo spotted Raphael up ahead and ran faster.

He tapped his shoulder. "Raph! Long time no see!"

Raphael turned around followed by Risa, Don and Emiko.

"Hey, Mike! Did ya find Jenny?"

Michaelangelo looked to Risa.

"Yes, we did."

Risa stared at him.

"Is she alright?"

"Sorta. She will be as soon as we get her some first aid. She's bleeding really bad in the mouth."

The group fell silent as Leo approached them. Jenny had passed out with her head resting on his shoulder. His top plastron and shoulders were a deep red color. As for Jenny, her mouth, chest, hands, and jeans were stained. Risa gasped and ran over to her friend. She took her arm and began sobbing.

"Jenny! Oh, God! How could they have done this?!"

Leo could only give her a look of pity.

"I don't know why they did this. But I want to get her to safety before they discover she's missing."

All four turtles and the three humans continued their trek through the darkened halls and out onto the street. Once again, without realizing it, Jenny was in good hands. Déjà vu.

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