| Part 11 |
| The nurse was shocked to see the same people walk through the waiting room again. Leonardo hung back next to the building, being without his disguise, and chose to lay low in the shadows. Raphael was an absolute basket case, shoving Risa's body practically through the window of the nurse's desk, yelling for them to open the door immediately. "I don't know her goddamn medical records! She needs to be treated right away! Now!" Two doctors flew out with a waiting gurney, taking Risa from Raph's arms and heading down the hallway. Raph held Risa's hand like an expectant father would to a soon-to-be mother in labor as the gurney wheeled her down the hall. He followed it up to the operating room door where his hand was pulled from hers and was shoved back from entering with the group. He began to fight with two other doctors whom tried to prevent him from getting past them. "Please take a seat in the waiting room! We will call you as soon as possible!" "I can't leave her! She needs me, damn it! Leggo!" The nurse finally called in security to handle the situation. Two strong-looking soldiers came out and grabbed Raph, hauling him down the hallway and out the door. They were obviously weaker than him but Raph decided to pull back on any action and did what he was told. The soldiers released him and he slowly walked to the waiting room, slumping down into a chair. He didn't bother to pick up a magazine this time. He leaned forward in his seat, placed his elbows on his knees with his hands to his face, and sobbed quietly. Leonardo removed his hat and held it to his side. It was pointless to wear it now. He leaned up against the wall and could do nothing but think positive. Emiko was sleeping on a chair when they found her. Her baggage surrounded her tiny body, causing Don and Mike to trip over it. Don sat down in the chair next to her with Mike sitting next to him. There was no one around in the area of Gate 47. It was still early to catch a flight. Don leaned over and lightly tapped her shoulder, making her stir in her sleep. She twisted around and slowly opened her eyes. He glared down at her. "Going somewhere?" Emiko opened her eyes wider and sat up to see the two of them staring at her. They didn't look angry. They looked more exhausted. Her giving them the biggest run around made them more tired than upset. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and looked around before turning back to them. "How did you find me?" She asked with a yawn. "Oh, call it a hunch." Mike said with a grin to his brother. Don rolled his eyes. "I thought about what you told me when you said you wanted to go some place where you'd be happier. And that would be leaving town to some place in particular. Miami perhaps?" Emiko felt caught and almost ashamed for not telling them. "I don't want you guys to worry anymore. I'm going to live with my grandparents. And I'm not coming back." "Well, duh! You certainly packed enough for the trip!" Mike viewed her baggage that surrounded her. "Seriously, Emiko." Donatello placed a hand on her shoulder. "Why didn't you tell us you were leaving? We wouldn't have stopped you if that's what you thought. If anything, we wanted to get you out of there from the start." "Don." Her serious tone for a child sounded strange. "I don't want you to worry about me. You rescued me when you met me. You made me see that there's more to life than that building. I left without telling you because..." She looked away. "I felt it wasn't right for you to keep helping me all the time. I should just leave and pretend that you never saw me. I'm ashamed to have a friend with siblings whom I tried to kill with a laser gun." "But, Emiko. That wasn't your fault. You were acting out of duty. You said yourself you were doing what you were told. Under orders. We've dealt with many people, many youngsters whom are brainwashed to do unspeakable things without reason. You have to realize we see right through you. You're harmless and don't wish to hurt or kill anyone. You need guidance from responsible adults, not ones that teach you to shoot a gun and kill others. With you running off, it makes us wonder if you ever wanted to know us to begin with. Were we so terrible to hang around with?" Emiko looked down, not knowing what to say to that. Of course that wasn't the reason, but Don was double checking on this kid's ideas. He wanted an answer. He wanted the truth. "No, Don. You're fine. You're all fine. I guess it's me. I was the one who felt terrible to hang around with. It was never you. I need to defend for myself without anyone's help. You understand, right?" "Ah, I see." Don looked to Mike and both nodded. An idea came to Don's sharp brain. "So, you're leaving us for good, huh?" Emiko nodded. "You need to check into baggage first, kiddo. You won't be able to carry all this stuff on the plane." Emiko stood up and looked to her stuff. Donatello stood up next to her and also glanced around the chairs. "Yeah, how did you get all this stuff up here without the security guards checking it first?" Emiko shrugged as Mike paused. "Or do I even want to know?" "They just told me where to go but I guess I fell asleep. I should take these to baggage check-in then. I know nothing about traveling." Donatello observed the chairs. "It's gonna take you awhile to lug all this downstairs. Of course, if you don't need our help, I'm sure you can handle it." "Before they start boarding." Mike added. "I got it all here this far...um." Emiko felt defeated. "So, you don't want our help anymore?" Donatello started to walk off, Michaelangelo catching on. "Too bad. Well, have a nice flight. It was nice knowing ya." Emiko stood there as they headed for the escalator. "Don, wait!" Donatello froze in his tracks and craned his neck in her direction. "You hollered, Little Miss?" She waved a hand for them to come back with the face of a small child's plea for assistance. "I could use a little help here. If that's all right with you." Donatello looked to Michaelangelo and both walked back over, grinning indulgently. "I knew it. Come on, Mike. She's got a plane to catch soon." Raphael met up with Leonardo outside, handing him his trench coat. "Umm, it's got a little blood stain but it's on the inside. Sorry 'bout that." Leo threw it on, waving a hand to him. "It's fine, Raph. Don't worry about it. Did you hear anything?" Raphael shook his head, wiping his beak with the back of his arm. "Nah, not yet. I got her in a lot faster. She was a gun shot victim but it wasn't a hit in the leg. They took her in right away. I wouldn't let her wait in that damn waiting room and watch her die before my eyes. I couldn't sign any papers cuz I know nuthin' about her. I just told them I was her friend and she got shot by a gang member." "A gang member with a laser gun? Do you think they'll buy that, Raph? Sounds a bit strange if you ask me." "Like I care what they think, Leo! I made sure she was seen right away and now I have to wait for the results. They wouldn't even let me in with her. Damn, doctors." Leonardo could almost imagine the conniption Raph must of had with those poor doctors. He even bet security was called in to restrain his actions. Had he'd of bet, he would have won. Raph was the type not to screw around with. When there's a life on the line, especially a female companion, he won't take no for an answer. Both girls were now stuck in the same hospital. One resting for an operation, the other sleeping during an operation. A more serious operation even. Leonardo placed his hat on again and buttoned up his coat, feeling the tiny blood spot dampen his chest. It was less blood than what Jenny lost. But the wound Risa had was more severe and life-threatening. Thinking about those punishments, lasers going off to innocent people, and children getting beatings only made him want to go to the building right away and destroy all that did those horrible things. Raphael must have felt the same way. He was giving that look he always makes before wanting to kill someone. He too was in a fighting mood at the moment. "Leo, when we find the others, I wanna-" "Go back and take care of some business? I'm already way ahead of you, Raph." "You were always prepared for any battle weren't you?" "When I'm in my right mind, yes." "Heh. So when does that ever happen?" Raphael finally smiled. Leonardo glanced over, concealing his smile. "You hang around Mike too much." Raphael nodded and pushed away from the wall. "I'm going back in. See if anything has changed." "I'll join you." It was 11:45 when Mike, Don, and Emiko finished placing her baggage down in the baggage check-in. They decided to grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants before returning to wait for the plane. Mike and Don ate the food hungrily while Emiko took slow, small bites. She was hungry but after feeling guilty, scared to get on a plane, and upset about ditching her friends, it made it tough for her to consume her late dinner. "This'll keep me awake the whole plane ride. I was hoping to sleep on the way there." Donatello looked up from his food. "Have you called your grandparents to let them know you're coming?" Emiko shook her head. "No, I was going to call once I get there. But I won't disturb them early in the morning. I'll call at a more reasonable hour." Mike and Don looked to one another. Mike attempted the next question. "So, what you're saying is you're gonna hang around the airport till they come get you?" Emiko sat back and crossed her arms. "Heck no! I was going to call them and then catch a cab to their house. I don't expect them to come pick me up on short notice. Their old." "Yeah, but you're not old. You're just a kid!" Michaelangelo looked to Donatello. "I feel like I'm talking to a 30 year old!" "Emiko." Donatello leaned forward. "Think about what you're doing here. You're getting on a plane that will land in Florida, you'll have to lug your own luggage, wait around to call your grandparents since you refuse to disturb them at an early hour of the morning, not to mention you haven't even told them why you're there or-" "What's your point, Don?" Emiko interrupted. Don groaned and looked to Mike. "It's what Mike said. You're just a kid. And wondering around in the airport with luggage is not safe. Someone could rob or kidnap you. I'm not trying to sound paranoid, well, okay I am, but deep down, I worry about you. Even though you told us not to worry anymore. I still do. I can't help it. I care about you." Don looked to Mike again. "Uh, uh, right! He can't help it!" Mike thumbed to him. "Man, this guy can be such a pest but he means well!" Emiko stared at Don. "You know something? You act just the way my father did." Feeling a lump forming in her throat, she grabbed her mini purse and left the table. Don and Mike looked to each other before getting up to follow her. "Is that a good thing?" Mike watched Don closely. "I don't know. Hey, Emiko?" Emiko turned back around, folding her arms. He approached her and placed an arm around her. "What did you mean by I act like your father?" "You act like when I used to go out and play and my father would say, 'now don't run off too far. I don't want to have to worry about you.' He was very protective. My parents were always there for me." Emiko looked up to him. "Up until the end." Donatello sighed as Emiko pulled away from him, continuing to walk toward the stairs. The three walked back up to the waiting area of Gate 47 where the emotion really hit Emiko. It was almost time to board. She sat down in a chair with her feet tucked up under her, Don sitting next to her. He was lost for words. He tried his best but she would not listen. Mike sat on the other side and stared out blankly. He hated these situations. They were so painful to watch. "I don't want you to go." Donatello finally spoke up. "I want you to stay with us. Come to Northampton with our family. We have human friends who have a daughter that would love to meet you." Emiko turned to him and shook her head. "I can't. I have to be with my own family. They're probably worried about me." She turned away with a laugh. "Um, I don't know if they're as worried as you've been, heh!" Donatello looked away. He's never been this attached to any kid. He was always nervous being around one of them. But she was different. She wasn't a normal kid that he's dealt with before. He held back in his usual shyness when they first met as he does with other children but once he got to know her, he opened himself up more. "What would I do in Northampton, Don? Know any good school's there? Besides, who would look after me? Not your human friends." "I would look after you. As my own daughter. A daughter I never had." Emiko's eyes widened. She looked to Michaelangelo whom also gave the same expression. "Whoa, Don! You, a father? You really think you can handle it? That's a big responsibility." "It's not too hard. She's practically an adult as it is." He smiled to her as she looked away, feeling independent again. "Tell you what, Don. I'll go stay with my grandparents for now. When they get tired of me or can't handle me anymore, I'll look you up some day. How's that?" Donatello looked over to Michaelangelo whom shrugged. "It's your call, bro." Don looked back to Emiko and nodded. "Okay. You win. You got a pen and paper?" Emiko dug through her purse to find a Hello Kitty pen with notepad stationary to match. She handed it to him. "Hmm, cute. Okay..." Donatello closed his eyes for a minute, thinking carefully before scribbling down April's address and phone number. "I don't know when we'll get there but that's where we go from time to time. However, I have a feeling we'll be staying there for awhile. They don't know about our home being destroyed just yet." Emiko took her pen back and tapped the note pad with it. "Uh, I don't know my grandparent's address offhand but I do remember their phone number. Here-" She wrote down the number and tore off the paper, handing it to him. He took it and placed it in his coat pocket. Emiko placed her note in the notepad and put it back in her purse. People started to walk toward them, grabbing seats near by. There were only a few that were catching this early flight. It was a total of ten people in the area of Gate 47, seven not including Mike, Don and Emiko whom were there first. The flight attendant walked over to the podium while people formed a line in front of it. The woman gave her usual speech as Emiko stood up and got in line with them, checking her ticket to have it ready for show. Don and Mike watched quietly. "Hello, there. Just one?" The flight attendant extended her hand for the ticket. Emiko looked back to the two. "Yes, just one." The flight attendant took her ticket and stamped it. "Alright, you'll be riding coach in window seat number F 13. There you go! Have a nice flight." "Thanks." Emiko stepped out of line back to her seat while reading her ticket. She sat down next to Don, holding it up to him. "Well, it's official. I'm off to Miami." "Yup." He didn't sound thrilled. Her grin changed to a frown. "Aren't you going to wish me luck?" "I wish you luck." The first boarding call was soon announced. Emiko looked up and then back to the Don. "Better get going. You take care of yourself." Donatello tapped her shoulder and he and Michaelangelo stood up to leave. Emiko
watched them start to walk off to the escalator. She looked back to see the people
slowly boarding. "Don, wait!" They both turned around and saw her stop and stand in the middle of the hall. Don placed his hands on his hips and stared with sternness. "What? Do you need help with something else?" Emiko walked over and stopped again in front of him. "Don, I don't like to admit things but I just want to say...um...something before I go." Her eyes were glued to the floor. He watched her closely. "Well? I'm listening." He then lifted her chin toward him. "What is it?" She looked into his eyes with tears in hers. "I....I....really like you and....I'm going to miss you." She pulled her chin from his hand and stared at the floor again. Don looked back to Mike whom smiled broadly. "Guess we weren't that terrible, huh Don?" "No, we weren't. It's nice to know that." Don dropped to one knee, staring deep into her eyes. "I don't like to admit things either. But in all honesty, I'll miss you too." She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her cheek on his shoulder. Don placed his hands around her back, looking up to Mike with a wink and thumbs up. Mike returned the gesture. The kid liked him. He heard her say it. No one except Shadow ever told him that. Well, Shadow never said it out loud but she must if she doesn't mind hanging around him. She liked Mike more anyway. He was her main turtle out of the four of them. But with Emiko, she really liked him. And he'd never forget that line. "Okay, Emiko." He whispered in her ear. "You'd better go now." Emiko pulled back and cupped her hand under his chin. "See ya later, Don." "Mm, hmm." Donatello stood back up and the two watched her get in the back of the line to board last on the plane. They watched up until they couldn't see her anymore. She never looked back to them. Emiko walked on with shakiness and quickly went down the aisle to find her seat. She knew she'd feel better when she sat down. Finding her section empty, she sat alone and looked out her window toward the airport. Don and Mike weren't at the window. She opened her purse and read the note Donatello gave her. April O'Neil. She sounds like a nice lady to live with. Someone very open, very caring and has gone through some hard times. Knowing these guys was no surprise to Emiko. She laughed at that. The plane started up and backed out onto the runway. To Grandmother's House We Go, Emiko hummed to herself. It's such a silly song to sing. Very childish. Good thing she was a child. Another plane took off in front of them with the captain's voice crackling through the intercom. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us; this is your captain speaking. We will be taking off shortly for a non-stop flight to Miami, Florida. Please make sure your seats are in their upright position, your seatbelts are fastened securely and that there is no smoking permitted on this flight. Weather is all clear skies tonight with high clouds and we should expect very few turbulence on our flight. Thank you once again and have a nice flight." Emiko puffed out a breath and sat back. That was good to know there was less
turbulence. The engine roared to life and the plane started to roll faster along the
ground. Emiko sunk in her chair as she felt the pressure of being lifted off the
ground hit her whole body. The plane was up in the darkened morning sky. No
one would have expected anything. But with a |
Eve Of Destruction
By: Brinatello
After a bomb destroys their home, the TMNT seek new lodging and discover a place full of unknown horror.
Rated: Fiction M - English - Adventure/Supernatural - Chapters: 30 - Words: 122,941 - Reviews: 5 - Favs: 5 - Follows: 1 - Updated: Apr 28, 2001 - Published: Apr 26, 2001 - id: 266176
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Full 3/4 1/2 Expand Tighten
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