Part 15
Part 15

The crash site was a littered mess out somewhere in the middle of the wilderness. They got as far as flying over Ocala National Forest just north of Orlando before plummeting to the earth. The plane was split in several places, chairs as well as parts of the interior were thrown in separate directions of the forest. Emiko luckily remained seat belted to her over-turned chair, bloodied from head to toe and deathly unconscious. A partial wall of the plane rested on top of her; her tiny body saved by the high cushion backing of her seat prevented severe head injuries. It was a crash quite possibly no one could have survived. Some were spared depending on where they sat and the cushioned landing of the trees below made it able for them to see another day come forward.

The noise brought over several concerned campers from their tents and cabins to find out in the woods the plane resting in a flattened position. People were lucky to find some passengers still alive and breathing. Barely. Emiko was soon found and released from her imprisonment of the chair. The chair that supposedly rescued her from an untimely death. The park ranger, cops, fire department, and any other emergency vehicle known was soon at the spot to retrieve the survivors who remained alive but critical. Out of the 8 passengers including the pilot, co-pilot and two flight attendants, making a total of 12 people, 5 only emerged still breathing.

Emiko and the other four were whisked away into different ambulances toward the nearest hospital while on an oxygen tank within the back of the truck.

"Incredible. Absolutely incredible." The paramedic stated as he held the mask to her face.

A second paramedic looked up from his spot to his friend.

"She was spared. Nearly half of them were. I only fear she may be suffering internal bleeding."

The first paramedic slowly nodded and looked to her face. Her pale face. She almost looked as if she wore the white make-up Japanese women usually wear on their faces with the rest of her skin her usual light brown color. He padded her arm lightly. She didn't respond. The ambulance reached Ocala Hospital where a team of the hospital staff rushed out to prop her and the others up on gurneys to be wheeled into the emergency rooms. Doctors and surgeons worked hours overtime with the survivors, restoring what they can. Dead skin tissue, third-degree burn marks, large gashes. Emiko woke up to see her surroundings. The oxygen mask remained on her nose and mouth with her breathing rigidly. She was more scared than ever seeing what was going on. Machines making beeping and pumping sounds filled her ears.

Two nurses searched through her purse to find anything that might say who she is. Her social security card was found within a red wallet followed by a piece of Hello Kitty stationary. April's address was written upon it with the phone number.

"Hey, look what I found. This might be her mother."

The second nurse took the note and read it carefully.

"O'Neil? Doesn't sound Japanese. It's also a bit odd to keep her mother's address on a piece of paper. Plus this woman lives all the way in Northampton. She wouldn't place her daughter on a plane by herself. And look, there's a signature on the bottom. 'Take care of yourself, Donatello.' "

The first nurse shrugged. "Maybe that's her father. We should try calling this April person."

The second nurse looked through the purse again, finding nothing that would help aid their search further.

"I guess we have no other choice."

Emiko's eyes shot all around the room in fright. She then looked down to her body to see the doctors patching up bandages and applying some sort of ointments. Her leg looked out of sort; she heard a doctor announce it to be broken which stirred more attention to it. It was soon placed within a cast and hoisted up onto a iron crane for support. Emiko clutched the side of the bed as she stared out at everyone whom didn't seem to notice she had awoken. One person stopped and looked to her.

"Hi, there! You feeling better?"

Emiko slowly nodded as she stared at the doctor. He was short, about 5'7, with dark brown hair and glasses which made him look studious. He smiled to her. She could tell he's worked with kids before. His whole attitude made her feel more comfortable. She wanted to smile but was too miserable and in pain to do it. The smiling was left to him.

"Emiko, I believe is your name?" Emiko nodded again. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Dr. Gordon." He patted her wrist. "I'm glad to see you're finally awake! You did cause quite a scare for the rest of us; we weren't sure if you would pull through. Aside from some cuts and bruises, your leg is broken so we'll have to keep you here until we can make contact with some family members for you. It's very rare we get children in here by themselves so hopefully we can find out a little more about where you came from and any news of your parents or legal guardians. Okay?"

Emiko nodded once more. Parents or legal guardians. They never mention friends or grandparents. Right now, she would take just about anyone to get her out of there. The doctors and nurses were nice but the atmosphere was most terrifying for a nine year old. Even if they were trying to help, she never considered hospitals as one of her favorite places to visit. Later, she was placed in her own room with a large window that looked out into the city. Her foot was once again suspended above her head within another iron crane. Emiko found the remote for the TV and picked it up, only to drop it again. She looked down to her hands to see they were shaking uncontrollably. One of the nurses walked in with a tray of food and a sack dangling from her wrist.

"Good Morning, Ms. Hiramoto. I have breakfast for you." The nurse set the tray down in front of Emiko and placed the sack at a near by chair. She then set Emiko's bed into an upright position. "Oh, and we have made contact with someone. We talked with a Mrs. April O'Neil Jones of Northampton. She was unaware of who you were but recognized the name Donatello that was written on the note. Can you clue us in on the situation?"

Emiko, still shaken up, attempted her best.

"April is a friend of Donatello and he's a friend of mine. I met him in New York. He probably thinks I'm dead by now. I was on my way to live with my grandparents."

"But where are your real parents, dear?"

"I haven't had adult supervision in well over a year except for my brother Ken, but he doesn't count. I guess Don was a life saver for me and since he was a friend, just a friend, I decided to leave the city and go live with my grandparents in Miami. Both my parents are dead." Emiko sighed and looked away, feeling another lump in her throat. "I don't like to talk about it, if that's alright with you."

The nurse patted her arm. "No, it's fine dear. Really. I'm so sorry to hear about that. We feel it's necessary to find a suitable place for you. You say your grandparents live in Miami which is much closer than Northampton and in your condition, traveling is not an option here. If you'd like, we'll contact your grandparents unless you have other relatives in the area?" Emiko shook her head. "Alright, then. I don't know what you want to do with this April person. When we talked to her, she seemed surprised when I mentioned Donatello's name and started questioning me on how I knew him. You can give her a call if you wish to talk to her. I leave it entirely up to you. Usually, when we get children like this, they are sent to a foster home for the time being and I don't think you want to do that." Emiko shook her head again. "No, I didn't think so. Oh, I have your belongings here." The nurse stood and went to grab the sack from the chair. Her kimono, slacks, shoes, and purse were within the sack. "I'll check back on you later. Enjoy your breakfast." The nurse turned and walked out, leaving Emiko to rummage through the sack. She found her purse with everything still in it. She pulled out the note Don gave her and stared at it. She then looked to the phone that sat near the end table. Breakfast waited a little longer. Emiko picked up the phone and started dialing. She didn't know why she was doing this. Something told her to call that number. Something deep within her conscience.

The late hours of the morning were soon approaching. At some time around 10 o'clock, Jenny was just waking up from her surgery. Dr. Garrison smiled down to her as she opened her eyes up to him. The surgery, as any doctor likes to say, was a success.

"I'm very proud of you, Ms. Morrison. Your mother should arrive shortly to come pick you up. You will need lots of rest and liquids. Solid foods are still a no no as of now but you should gradually start to eat small things to keep your strength up. The only thing we can offer you here is oatmeal." Jenny stuck her tongue out to that, realizing she could without too much trouble. The doctor laughed at her. "Okay, forget the oatmeal! You might be able to chew on some scrambled eggs. I'll see what the nurse can get you."

Jenny sat back in her bed, waiting patiently. She hoped to see Leo come walking through the door before her mother. He'd be too late if she came in first. Knowing her mother, she'd take her straight home without any stops along the way. Especially any stops to a junkyard. Jenny stared at the door and waited. And waited. And waited. The nurse came in next with a tray of runny eggs. Jenny sighed and ate slowly, squinting at the slight discomfort that was expected to happen. She aimed the food toward her teeth then have it rest upon her tongue which still hurt to move around the bits of egg. Her mouth swished around like a cow chewing lazily on grass. Now, her jaw started to ache. Damn! She thought. When will the pain ever end?

Dr. Garrison walked back in with a face of despair. Jenny looked up to him with a frown. Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong.

"Ms. Morrison? I, uh, need to talk to you for a minute. Alone."

Jenny continued to frown as the doctor slowly closed the door behind him. The next few minutes seemed like an eternity. Despite how weak she was, her enormous shriek reached out past the waiting room and on the street. People turned their heads as they heard her scream.

Leonardo snapped to attention as he woke up from sleeping again. He poked Don whom groaned and turned around.

"This had better be important." He mumbled.

"Don, what time is it now?"

Donatello lifted his wristband to stare with squinted eyes. "Quarter to twelve. Why?"

"Damnit!" Mike and Raph jolted and looked to Leo with tired eyes. "I forgot about Jenny!" He rolled over up onto his feet, snatching his hat and trench coat. The sudden jump up blackened his vision and made him dizzy. "Ohhhh, I think I need to sleep more often." He shook his head and his vision restored quickly but left him light-headed. "I'll be back soon." He staggered over to the door and before Mike asked if one of them should join him, he was already gone.

The lunch hour was coming around as people were crowding the streets. Leonardo kept his coat collar turned upward as he marched at a fast pace toward the hospital. He was risking being scene at the lightest and brightest part of the day but as promises were meant to be kept, he made his way to where Jenny was waiting patiently. How could he forget about her? That strange dream should have reminded him about coming to visit her. Perhaps that dream was a sign that something bad was going to happen to her. He couldn't think that way. She was going to be fine now that she was out of that horrible place. He entered the hospital lobby to find it the same way as it was the other night. A few people in the waiting room; the same nurse sat at the desk with a nail file. Leo sighed and approached the counter where she once again gave him the looks.

"Hi, I don't know if you remember me from the other night? Leo? I'm a friend to Jennifer Morrison. I'd like to see her."

"Oh, yes. Leo. She was asking about you." The nurse stood up to open the door for him. Another nurse escorted Leo toward the end of the hall past familiar areas that he had seen since his previous visit. The nurse stopped just outside the door and turned to him suddenly.

"I don't know if you were informed, but I must tell you she's not doing too well at all this morning."

Leo raised an eyebrow. How could she have known about Risa being brought in here? It must have been something else that was just as bad.

"Is there anything I can do?"

The nurse looked to the door, then back to him.

"If you can perform miracles, then you might be able to help her. For now, just comfort her. That's what she needs more than anything."

"Can't you tell me what's wrong?"

The nurse sighed before answering.

"Her mother was found dead this morning. Someone murdered her. Jenny was notified about it an hour ago."

A pain hit his chest as he swallowed hard. "Oh, God...." He crossed his arms and looked to the floor. The dream he had. The vision. It was her mother that he saw in her eyes. Her mother collapsing. That's why she was crying. This was not going to be easy to deal with.

"Be gentle with her. And talk positive. She doesn't need any more grief."

"I would never give her any grief. I can promise you that."

The nurse nodded while opening the door. Jenny was found sitting up in her bed, hands in her lap, head lowered to her chest. She stopped crying for the moment; her face beet red and eyes puffy. She looked up to see her door open with the nurse walking through with Leo following behind. She quickly looked down again, amused by playing with her fingers and nails. The nurse tapped his shoulder before leaving the two alone. Leo stood at the door to wait for her first move. She looked up again.

"Hi." She spoke quietly.

"Hi." He said in the same tone.

"Did they....tell...you...about-" She broke off and looked down.

"Yes, I heard." He spoke quickly, remembering to keep his words positive. He didn't have to repeat what he was told.

Her body started to shake as she looked up again, tears filling her eyes.

"Why, Leo?" She whispered. "Why did this have to happen? What have I done to deserve this?"

That was the same question she ask him in his dream. He had no idea he'd be reliving the same thing.

"I, I can't handle this....I can't! I-" She started to cry again. That was the signal. Leonardo was seated on her bed within seconds, taking one of her mischievous hands into his own.

"Hey, hey....shhhh. You have done nothing to deserve this. Don't ever put yourself on the defensive."

Jenny slowly nodded her head, knowing what he said was true. Deep down, she knew it could have been avoided if she hadn't left the station. They were looking for her. They must have gone to her house in desperation of seeking answers to her whereabouts within the city. When her mother didn't confess, or even know to begin with, they shot her in cold blood. An unnecessary killing. A life taken from her. Someone she loved is now gone. And it was her fault. All her fault.

"Leo, I have a confession." He nodded as he leaned closer. "After my surgery, when the doctor told me they were calling my mom to come get me, I was hoping to see you come in first before her."

"Really? Why is that?" He was surprised.

"I knew if she came in first, she'd take me home, and I'd never see you again. But here you are, and she's not coming in at all."

Leonardo straightened up from his position. He couldn't stand to watch her cry. Telling her his dream would only make matters worse. He wanted to hold her but wouldn't dare unless she said so.

"Tell me what to do. I've suffered great losses and consoled others who have gone through the same experience as I have. I am now asking what I can do for you and if it will help, then so be it."

Bring her back to me. I want her to walk through my door right now. Jenny looked over to the door. No one came through. Her face grimaced as she turned back to him. He waited for an answer.

"If it's not too much, all I ask is that you hold me. I know it sounds strange but, I feel more safe and secure when I'm in your arms."

Leonardo was a bit moved by such a request. The other times that he held her was when she was unconscious or injured. Now, with permission, he proceeded to do as he was asked.

"As you wish." He said quietly. He stood up and lifted her out of the bed. She placed her arms around his neck as he carried her to the big chair. He sat down with her in his lap, holding her close to his chest. She folded her legs up onto his and rested her head upon his shoulder. The tiny blood-stain from Risa was still on his coat. Jenny turned her eyes inward to meet the spot in the fabric.

"Leo? What's that on your coat?"

"Hm?" His chin moved straight down as his eyes followed her finger pointing into the center of his chest. Seeing the stain, he sighed and closed his eyes. "Oh, um-"

"Did you get hurt?" She unbuttoned the top button to check his pale plastron for any wounds.

"No, I didn't get hurt. Someone else did."

Jenny gasped as she stopped playing with his coat.

"Who got hurt? One of your brothers?"

"No, Jen. I didn't want to tell you right away after hearing about-"

"Tell me what, Leo? Please tell me what's wrong. Who got hurt?"

Now, he looked like he was going to cry. It was her best friend. She was going to find out anyway. But the nurse told him to keep his words positive. He could tell her about Risa. In a positive way.

"Jenny, um..." This was tough. She never took her eyes off him. Her swollen, red, eyes. "It's about Risa....." Her face showed nothing after he said her name. Okay, so far, so good. "Um, her, Raph, and I ran into some trouble on the street with some gangs and Risa got, um, hurt."

"Leo. Tell me. Is she alright?"

"I'd like to say yes, but we're not sure yet. It wasn't the gangs that injured her. A group of soldiers from the station found us and started shooting at us with their laser guns."

He broke off, looking away. Jenny continued to stare, waiting to hear him out.

"Did they shoot her?"

He nodded and pointed to the blood-stain. No details was needed. This was too much for her.

Jenny clamped a hand to her mouth. She had already lost breakfast after hearing about mother. There was nothing more for her to throw up except her insides.

"Where is she now, Leo?" Her voice indicated more sobs coming up. He started to caress her cheek again, not answering right away. "Leo." She said it in demand but with a hint of sorrow.

"She's in here. In the intensive care room." He looked to her, feeling terrible that he mentioned it in her present state. "I'm sorry, Jenny. I shouldn't have told you-"

"No, no, no." This time she shushed him as he rambled on with apologies. "You don't have to apologize to me, Leo. You told me because I asked you to. I wanted to know so I'm the one who should be sorry. It's understandable you didn't want to tell me because you didn't want to upset me anymore."

"I didn't want to cause you any more grief. The last thing you needed to hear was more bad news."

Jenny almost melted in his lap.

"You're so sweet. If you think of it this way, it could be easier to comprehend with. Risa's still alive, so it's not entirely bad news. Right?"

"Mm, yes. Yes, you're right."

"The news would only be bad if she-" Jenny cut herself off, not wanting to thinking about losing another loved one.

"You should get some sleep, Jenny. You need your rest to fully recover."

"Sounds like doctor's orders."

"Nope, they're mine."

She finally smiled at him. It wasn't meant to be funny but his way of speech can sometimes turn up sounding humorous more than serious. She nodded to that and looked down again, making herself comfortable. The medication she was on was making her drowsy. She couldn't fight it anymore. Her eyelids finally closed shut. Both sat that way for a very long time. Until an interruption.

"Jenny?" Leo looked over to the door as Jenny leaned her head back to look upside down. It was her doctor. With some news.

Raphael stirred in his sleep as he thought of Risa. He opened his eyes and either they were playing tricks on him or was he seeing her standing there! He blinked twice. The vision remained there.

"Raph." The figure whispered as it floated across the floor toward him. Raph gulped as he stared at the blinding light that radiated from her body.

"Risa?"

Her hand cupped under his chin like she had done before. It went right through it. Yet he was able to lift his head in her command.

"Oh, God...." Raphael whispered. The figured smiled warmly.

"Yes, God has sent me to you, Raph. To give you a message. You must destroy the evils that live here."

"Evils?"

"You must destroy the Master Nomed before he destroys this world and everyone on it."

Raphael groaned as he realized his brothers and him were doing another 'save the world' deed. Like the rest, it sounded serious.

"What's this master's plan? To blow up the world including himself? That's not too bright on his part."

The figure watched his expressions. Raph was not too thrilled with the whole situation. She shook her head with a look of pity.

"Oh, Raph." Her voice echoed in his ears. "The world is slowly crumbling before your own eyes. What the master has in store is something no human or creature wants to live through. You see, the master is planning to move his stronghold up to the surface. The world you once knew as green and blue will become dry, hot, and unbearable."

Raph scratched his chin from where the figure touched him. "Jeez, why don't we all just move to the desert? It's just the same."

"Raph, you would not be moving anywhere. If the master's powers are strong enough, everyone will perish without even a warning."

Raph rolled his eyes. "Then let's just blast this sucker! I mean, you're talking like he's already won."

"You are still here, Raph, so he has not won. Yet."

"Why us? Why do we hafta do it?"

The figure came closer, kissing his cheek.

"You don't have to do it. We are asking as a favor to help us. With you and your brother's powers combined, you can defeat the master."

"So, who is this guy anyway? Satan himself or one of his followers?"

"The master is a creature in human form with the devil inside his soul. He is a living and breathing....demon."

A demon? Raph's eyes widened. Where's the Haliwell sisters when ya really need them?

"What kind of protection can be used against a demon?"

"You will find out when you come face to face with him. And in due time that protection will grow stronger and more powerful."

"Oh. So what you're saying is we'll have to find out for ourselves when we're on the verge of death?"

The figure shook her head.

"I cannot tell what's to come of you and your brothers. You are warriors. And as warriors you are strong. Able to defeat anything in your path."

Raphael cocked his head with a sly grin.

"Yeah, well, we are pretty good fighters. Heh. Damn good fighters."

The figure smiled back before looking away.

"I must go now, Raph. Remember, I will be with you at all times. Farewell."

Before he could blink, she was gone. Vaporized into thin air. A visit to the hospital would have been pointless. It was her. He knew it. Raph turned around to see Don and Mike were wide awake, staring at him with expressionless faces.

Raphael turned fully around. "How long have you guys been watching?"

"Long enough, bro." Don spoke quietly. "Long enough."

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