Part 10
Part 10

Back outside, the rain continued to pour. Risa cursed at herself that she forgot to bring an umbrella to protect her body from getting drenched all over again. Raphael laughed as he noted to her of the many times she curses to herself for no reason. He placed an arm around her with a slight happiness that she forgot to bring her umbrella. Gives him the excuse to get closer. Risa sighed and threw her head into the inside of his shoulder, blinking rapidly as the rain now came down side ways from strong winds.

"A..a..at least...m...m...my head will be dry." She said as her teeth began to chatter.

"Don't tell me you're cold, dear?" Raph mimicked her. "Not with all those layers of clothing."

"It's a bitter cold, Raph." Her voice was shaky. "It goes right through to the bones. And all my layers."

The two reached a corner drug store that was almost closing. Risa headed straight for what she came in for as Raph circled around the other aisles. He had no desire to even be 2 feet in distance to where she stood. But if he was going to spend his life with a female for another 40 years, he'd have to get used to her with this curse every 4 weeks per month. Hopefully, his brothers will still be around to pull him away while she has her pity party with other female companions whom share the same 'period of time' with her. He caught Risa approaching the counter with one of the maxi pad bags. Oh, goodness. It was a male clerk to Risa's dismay. He was cool about it, one whom doesn't tease girls who walk in to buy such things. The first and last time he did that was when a girl jumped back with a 'be glad you're not a woman' remark. Now ringing up Risa with a package of pads, he merely smiled and said have a nice day. Simple and good customer service. Risa smiled back and grabbed Raph's collar to yank his attention from a Penthouse magazine his prying eyes were glancing through. Raph placed the book back on the shelf and headed out into the stormy weather.

"Stormy weather...." Risa started to sing. "Can't keep my poor self together....." She grinned to him. "Keeps raining all the time....ulp!"

Raphael covered her mouth. He grinned back. "Save it for Broadway."

Returning to the hospital clinic, they discovered Leonardo was nowhere in sight. Both entered the lobby and approached the front counter where the nurse sat behind the desk.

"Excuse me? Hi, I'm Marisa, a friend of Jennifer Morrison. I was in here not that long ago and I was wondering if I could see her now."

The nurse looked up to them. They were both sopping wet, dripping water all over the beautiful light blue carpeting. They looked like a bunch of wet rats.

"She has just been seen by the doctor and will need oral surgery. Another friend has come in and is visiting with her right now. We've also contacted her mother so she'll come pick her up tomorrow in the late afternoon."

Risa looked to Raphael.

"Whoa. One step ahead of us. Can I go see her? I wanted to bring her some clean clothes and a few belongings."

The nurse looked again at both of them, giving looks as if they were street bums.

"Sure, but he'll have to wait out here." The nurse pointed to Raphael.

Risa tapped his arm as the nurse stood to open the door for her.

"Sorry, babe. I don't make the rules around here. Give me a few minutes."

"Whatever."

Risa went to touch his cheek but he turned away to grab a seat and pick up a magazine. Time, Newsweek, or The New Yorker. No Penthouse for this guy. Risa sighed and went through the door. She followed the nurse down a long hall way, making a right and up to a bed with a curtain around it. The nurse pulled it half way to reveal Jenny propped up in the hospital bed dressed in those lovely gowns with the back wide open. Leonardo sat at a chair beside her bed with one hand holding hers tightly. She was scared. He must have explained to her what the doctor told him earlier. She and Leo both looked over as Risa approached the opposite side of the bed.

"Hey, sweetie. How are you doing?"

Jenny nodded and then shrugged. Risa sat half on and half off the bed, placing her bag at her feet.

"I got you some clean clothes and I heard your mom's coming in to get you tomorrow."

Jenny nodded again and looked to Leo.

"Actually, her mom was in earlier. She came in as soon as she heard what happened. I got to meet her and we talked for a bit. She was cool about my appearance and didn't seem to notice that much. I didn't explain why or how this happened to Jenny. It would have only worried her even more. It's not smart to let people like her know when there's still others at the building who's lives are in jeopardy so to speak. All will be explained once the time is right. For now, no one should know about what's going on."

"I think I know." Risa started quietly. "If someone knows too much or if they tell a lie to Master Nomed, the punishment is removal of the tongue. Quite barbaric for America but then again, the master isn't from here. Jenny must have found out about something or made a fib and almost lost her tongue."

Leo shook his head. "This can't go on. I can't save every human in the world but I can try to put an end to the unnecessary abuse that goes on at this place. If you haven't noticed already, there are people, including yourself, that are being drugged to do unspeakable things."

"Drugged? With what?"

"Blood. The blood of an unknown creature. My brothers and I discovered it in a laboratory. Not to mention Raph got bit by one the other day at the 42nd Street Library. This so called police station is probably something more than what it claims to be. These men are using you students to participate in some scheme to rule out the city with their power. Jenny claims she saw you doing some crazy workout with the master as if you were in trance. You weren't your normal self. Once you finished your routine, Jenny got caught, refused to admit she saw what happened and nearly paid the price of living the rest of her life in silence."

Jenny nodded again and pointed to Leo as if to say he's right.

Risa stared at him with mouth dropped.

"How could you know all this?"

Jenny waved and Leo smiled to her.

"Jenny told me. Through sign language."

Risa looked to Jenny and pouted.

"You never told me you took that class. You thought it was boring and a waste of time."

Jenny shrugged and looked to Leo again.

"Obviously not. I thought the same thing till I gave it a try and learned from my sensei many years ago. So, I was a bit slow at what she was saying. Should have been in here earlier. It was a riot."

Jenny nodded, almost smiling. The nurse came through with a small, empty basin. She smiled to Jenny while reaching for the gauze.

"Okay, your friends have to leave now. Here, let me take that."

Risa watched the nurse switch basins from one that had a small pool of blood to a clean one. The nurse slowly pulled the bloody gauze from Jenny's lips and quickly put in a new one. She whined from the pain of the cotton touching her sore mouth.

Risa stared at the dirty basin. "Whoa, Jen. Is that all from you?"

Jenny nodded with tears in her eyes. She knew what the nurse meant when her friends had to leave. That she would be alone and they would prepare to operate in the morning! A tear slowly ran down her cheek as Leo stood up to leave. Jenny looked to him and squeezed his hand tighter. He turned and smiled with a look of pity.

"Hey, hey...don't cry!" He sat down on the edge of the bed and caressed her cheek, removing the tear from her face with his thumb. "You'll be fine, I promise you. It's a simple operation. It'll be quick and you'll be able to talk normally again. I'll stop by to see you before your mom arrives, okay?" Jenny nodded and looked down. Risa reached over and gave her a quick hug.

"Take care, Jen. I'll see you later."

Jenny nodded and Risa stood up to grab her purse. Leonardo watched her closely as her body shook.

"You really are scared about the operation, aren't you?"

"Mmm, hmm." Jenny nodded and squeezed her eyes shut, another tear sliding down. Her heart was beating faster according to the monitor and her hand felt clammy within his own.

The nurse walked over to the other side and patted Jenny's shoulder.

"She'll be fine. We'll take good care of her."

Leonardo reached over and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Bye, Jenny."

He stood up and headed for the door and toward the long hall. She was only a child. A small, frightened child. He was older than her by a few years and yet, the way he acted back there was more of a father and daughter relationship. Daughter gets injured, father brings her in to be treated. Daughter is scared to be left alone, father comforts her before leaving the room. Leo always felt he was the soft shell of the group. No pun intended. A strong, born leader whom can win a war against 10 men but still have a shoulder to cry on for the weak and sensitive type. Jenny was weak, that half was true. But sensitive? Maybe to pain. It was a simple operation as he said before but she's just a kid. He didn't want to begin to think how she would handle all that he's gone through in the past.

Risa was already with Raph in the waiting room when Leonardo walked through the door. Both sat very still with an expressionless face.

"My butt's warped." Raphael finally spoke up. The woman next to him gave him a look. Risa smacked his arm with a laugh.

"I took too long, didn't I?"

"We're fine, Leo." She looked to Raph. "Both of us, that is."

"So what now, Fearless Leader?"

"I guess we go back to-" Leonardo looked to the woman and caught himself. "Ah...back home."

Raphael turned to Risa. "Say, Riz. Where do you live besides the station?"

"I live in a two bedroom apartment with my parents. They were the ones that put me in the program. Got into too many fights in regular school. It's like a home away from home. They'd be shocked to see me come walking through the door when it's not even vacation yet."

"Aren't you going to tell them what's going on at that place?"

Risa looked to Leo.

"Yes. But not right away. It's too soon."

Raph threw down his magazine. "Oh, so when's a good time? When everyone's dead over there?!"

Risa and Leo looked around to see they were stirring up attention. The nurse behind the desk looked over with a scowl expression. Three others and a doctor passing by looked over.

"Ixnay, ixnay!" Risa quickly stood and grabbed Raph with her. Leo headed for the door and the two followed single file outside.

Leo turned and pointed a finger into Raph's chest. "Nice going, Raph! Only half of the hospital staff heard our conversation."

Raphael smacked his finger away. "Why are you two being so secretive? People have a right to know that they're lives are in danger. And you want me to be quiet about it?"

"I want you to-" Leonardo cut off and looked away with a groan. "I don't want you to mention it around other people. Let's go back to the junkyard and talk to the others. We are not through with that place. Our mission has not yet been fulfilled. I'm not leaving until justice is served."

Raphael nudged Risa.

"I hate it when he talks like that."

The three walked down in the now light-drizzle rain toward the end of town where the junkyard housed the remaining group. Leonardo's heart sank as he saw there was no one in sight. He ran into the shack from one side to the other to find it empty. He drew a katana and began a hunt around the entrance of the area. Raphael frowned at his brother's behavior and quickly caught on with Risa staring with worriment. This was not like Mike and Don to disappear without notifying them first. It was times like this, Leo wished they didn't get rid of their old turtle coms, the one sure way of keeping track of one another. He then remembered their hideout had been spotted the other day by soldiers and Emiko was the only one that made it back to- nah! She wouldn't tell on them. Not after everything's that's happened. But Mike did mention she has her orders. Leo's mind was now racing with trust and betrayal all at once. He kicked a crate in and swung around to face Raph and Risa with a look of uneasiness.

"Um, where are they?" He hissed silently, knowing the question was rehtorical.

"Look, maybe they went out for a bite to eat?" Raphael tried to lighten the mood. "I'm kinda hungry m'self."

Leonardo straightened up, keeping his sword out, and walked over to them.

"We don't have any money, Raph! How are they going to eat out?"

"Hey, why don't you ask 'em when we see 'em? I can't keep track of what they do when we're not around!"

"Maybe they went back to the police station?" Leo and Raph turned to Risa. "My guess is as good as yours."

"Feel like bustin' some heads, Leo?"

"I always feel that way, Raph. All the time. Let's go back."

There was no fight. Or dispute among the group. It was a simple chase of finding a small child whom wondered off in hopes of finding friends or people who care to take her in. Mike, Don, and Emiko had a long talk of how families live together through hard times and when the time comes to grow up, they must move on. They told her about Splinter and how he left to go live in Japan for the remainder of his life while his sons finish whatever needs to be done here before joining him. Don was done, had been done with New York for many months and wanted to leave with him. But as brothers, they felt separation was not an option for now. They should stick together until the time was right that they were all ready to leave. Emiko was saddened for them that their only parent to speak of left them, whereas both her parents were killed, leaving her alone. And frightened. She couldn't stand it anymore. These creatures were so kind to her, she felt they didn't deserve her burden. While the two turtles lost the will to stay awake, Emiko slipped out on her own to go back to the station, get some belongings, and leave town forever. She had no idea she was spotted and being tracked down where she went off to. They knew where to find her. They knew where she was going.

It was many hours later when they discovered her missing. Feeling incredibly guilty and perhaps confused, Mike and Don roamed the streets in their hat and trench coat attire, hoping to find her in this large maze of a city. They retraced her steps to the station but discovered she had already packed and left, leaving nothing of hers behind.

"That should slow her down a bit, no? Heh." Mike grinned to Don whom said nothing to that.

"I don't know why I feel the way I do, but I really felt sorry for the kid."

"You? Feel sorry for a kid? There's a first. That's not like you at all, Don."

"True, Mike. I must be thinking about the person that she is and not just her age. I mean, she was practically thrown into training and battle without anyone to look after her. Everyone was an enemy to her, even us whom she hardly knew. And once she did get to know us, she seemed so distant, like she already told herself no one was going to help her. To...love her."

"Well, bro, this is why we never get attached to anyone. Before we know it, they're up and gone. Without even saying good-bye.

"What about April and Casey? They're still in contact with us."

"Yeah, that's true. But they didn't stick around here." Mike looked away. "Yet they did said good-bye....okay! So I can't say everyone leaves. The ones who remain are true friends, I guess. Besides, if you knew her whereabouts, would you want to see her again?"

Donatello looked out ahead as they walked. The question should be, would Emiko want to see them again? He knew what he wanted, but can't decide for others that make decisions like this.

"I don't know, Mike. I really don't know. She ditched us so that means she wants nothing to do with us. She'll find her own way without us in her life."

Her own way. Donatello started to think. Where would she go if not back to the station? There's no family here for her. Maybe friends but ones that lost contact a long time ago. Donatello began to rack his brain, thinking back to where she would go other than the place that makes her miserable. This whole town is miserable! At any rate, he'd want to go with her. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head and his eyes got wider. He threw an arm into Mike's chest to cease his walking.

"Mike, I think I might know where she is. Come on!"

The other group met up with some interesting characters on their walk returning to the station. Raphael had his fun while getting some blood spilt onto his sais as a brawl started out with street urchens, attempting to steal what they can. Leonardo left his swords sheathed as he and Risa fist fought these tough gangsters whom jumped them from a dark corner. Risa was no simpleton when it came to street fighting. Her style wasn't martial arts like her companions but her gutsiness protected her own skin from getting sliced onto switch blade knives. Raph went into his ballistic stance to fight off four attackers whom found him to be the most threat of the three. Risa would be held in a strong wrap or grabbed in the chest area. This she did not like, no sir. Those men got black eyes and their family jewels disecreted. Risa was all legs, kicking everything in sight. They sooned wised up and backed away from her female rage. Leonardo finished off three whom surrounded him and then scared off one by unsheathing a katana. In comparison to a small jack knife, the size of Leo's blade made the attacker turn yellow and run in the other direction.

Their challenge wasn't over yet. The little war caused a speed cruiser to swing by above them over head. Soldiers within it opened fire on their laser guns.

Raphael jumped a backward flip and groaned at the soldiers. "Shit! Not again!"

"This is not true fighting." Leonardo gruntled. "It's a goddamn shooting gallery! Head for shelter, Risa! We'll catch up!"

"But they're not shooting at meee-aaaah!" A laser hit her right in the chest, causing her to fall to the ground.

"Nooooo!!" Raphael shrieked. He got a good look at the one that shot her before running to her side. "Sonuva bitch!"

The crusier landed and all soldiers leaped out with their guns pointed. Raph stared down at Risa with tear-strickened eyes. Leonardo backed up against the two with his sword out. He squinted to the soliders with pure hatred. The soldier who shot her stopped and gasped, placing an arm to stop his men from approaching. He lifted his helmet to get a better look.

"Halt! Oh, shit! It's Marisa! Oh, my God!"

Raphael and Leonardo made a quick glance to one another before pulling Risa away from the soldier whom ran over.

"Get the fuck back! Now!" Raph snarled as he held Risa's dying body in his arms.

"I...I didn't mean to shoot her...I didn't know..." The soldier stammered, almost forgetting the situation.

"YOU DIE!!!!" Raph leaped at the soldier with sai drawn.

Leonardo gasped and looked to see the others aiming their guns. In a quick movement, he went for the others, swinging and knocking their weapons from their hands. Leonardo was almost dancing in his circle strike. He didn't stop there. He began another round of punches and kicks with a free hand and whirrling legs. These men were experts in martial arts training as they started to fight back. Block a right, block left, block swing right, block left, duck kick, side step from wide swing. Leonardo returned the same blocks only getting in a few hits with fists flying in the process.

Raphael pounded away on the murderous soldier, never allowing him to get a word in edgewise. He was too angry to even care what he had to say. Leonardo finally pulled him off, letting the soldier crumple to the ground.

"Wait, Leo! He's still breathing!" Raph went down but Leo yanked him back. The two began to restle a little.

"Raaaph! Stop it! It's not going to change anything. Stop, damn it, stop!"

"Goddamn you!" Raphael kicked the soldier in the stomach, blood spurting from his mouth. "I hate you! I hate you!" Raph started to heave loudly, almost in tears. He looked back to Risa's body which hasn't moved since he left her. He crawled over and lifted her onto his lap, starting to sob uncontrollably. "It's not fair! Why the hell did this hafta happen, Leo?! WHY?!"

Leonardo stood motionless. He turned back to the gun that rested on the floor and picked it up, snapping the weapon in two. Raphael started to rock back and forth with Risa in his arms. A small squeeze was felt on his arm. He looked down to see Risa looking up to him with weak eyes.

"Mm, Raph?"

Raph gave out a cry and stared with wide eyes. "Oh, Risa! Sweetie, don't scare me like that. Just relax. You're going to be alright."

"Raph, wh...wh...why a.aa.am I bleeding?"

"Uh, you got shot, babe. That's what happens when you- Risa? What's wrong?"

Risa started to shake violently in his embrace. "Oh...it...hurts...it....hurt....a...lot...Raph."

"Shhh! You're going to be alright. Just relax, okay? Please!"

Leonardo stood over them, watching closely. "She's going into convulsions, Raph. Here-" He removed his trench coat and placed it over Risa's body.

"I....ca....an't breathe......hurts....to....breathe...." Risa looked to Raph whom lifted her into his embrace.

"The station'll have to wait, Leo. We're going back to the hospital! On the double!"

Raph took off at a fast pace with Leo following behind. Now two of their friends were down for the count. Jenny had more of a chance than Risa. And he didn't even want to think about what happened to Mike, Don and Emiko. He just prayed they were all alright.

The taxi cab left Mike and Don off at the curb near J.F.K. airport. Once again, Don was bad with hunches but had a feeling Emiko was getting on an airplane to fly to Miami to live with her grandparents.

"Mike, I thought you said we didn't have any money. Where'd you find some to pay the cab?"

"I didn't find it. It was money that we had from our bank. Just don't expect to get on an airplane unless you want to ride in baggage."

"No, I've done that too many times. It cramps my style if you know what I mean." Don grinned.

"You're a riot, Donny. And I thought I was the comedian of the family."

The two rushed off toward the entrance to find the place to be empty. Usually this area was booming with people. Now, small groups wondered around like little herds of sheep, following signs that led to their gate numbers and airline companies. The restaurants were also vacant with the employees sitting back with dull expressions. Even if it was late at night, planes flew out all hours of the day.

"This is going to be like finding a needle in a haystack!" Donatello exclaimed as he surveryed the halls.

"This is nothing compared to the size of the city. We're taking a hunch that she might be here. Your hunch, might I add."

"Hey, if I lead you on a wild goose chase, I'll take the blame when we meet back up with the guys."

"That's IF we meet back up with them. Man, they're probably freakin' out that we weren't there when they returned. I'm sure they returned by now, huh?"

"Uh, huh. Hours ago. Come on, let's check the scheduels."

Donatello's hunch was right. Emiko calmly walked an empty hall with her luggage and suitcases, almost looking like she was a homeless person in a fancy red kimono. Her flight wasn't leaving for another 3 hours. She managed to steal some money to pay for her plane ticket. She was indeed, flying to Miami to live with her grandparents. The thought of saying good-bye to her friends never crossed her mind. She felt they were holding her back from leaving the city. They wouldn't understand her. She was too young to know anything. It was all in her head. The Turtles treated her like an adult, something she never considered herself being.

Michaelangelo pointed upward. "Here's a flight out to Miami, Don. But it doesn't leave till 1 am. Think we should check it out?"

Donatello glanced at the TV screen. "Right on time, too. Gate 47." He looked up to see they were at Gate 1 and let out a sigh. "Feel like taking a walk?"

Michaelangelo rubbed his stomach. "I feel like eating! Man, I'm starved. I still have some money left. Wanna stir up some business in one of the restaurants and get some chow?"

"Mm, maybe later. I'm not that hungry. I want to find Emiko first before eating."

"Whoa, you, not eat? Wow, you must really wanna find her, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess I do. I guess she's more important to me than a full stomach."

"And you really think she's here?"

"Call it a hunch, Mike."

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