Part 16
Part 16

The afternoon promised of clear, blue skies with lots of warm sunshine. People still hurried along up and down the streets after the lunch hour to return to the dreadful office buildings to put in a full day's work. A heavily clothed figure walked along with the other crowds. The figure looked down to the ground as he walked. Damn. Wish I had some shoes. The wad of chewing gum stuck to his ace bandage as he attempted to scrape it off without hurting his foot again. Leonardo groaned as he continued to walk with hands deep in his pockets. Jenny was safe now. In good hands with a family member whom came to pick her up. The farewell was heartbreaking to her but she'll get over him. It may not be so easy to part with someone you feel so close to. He clutched the note in his pocket. She wasn't about to forget him so quickly. She made sure of that. A smile appeared on his face as he walked. Squish, step, squish, step. Damn it! Feels like bubble gum! Gross!

Jenny looked out her window at the blurry scenery going by. The aunt was very silent almost the whole car ride, thinking about the death of her sister and the burden this child would be to her. The woman already had two kids of her own. Two boys about Jenny's age whom were quite a handful alone. Jenny will have to adapt to her new surroundings, attend her cousin's school, and deal with their rules. The only thing she could think of right now was Leonardo. And him vice versa.

"What are thinking about, dear?" Aunt Phoebe spoke up finally with a quick glance to the passenger seat.

"Nothing." She lied.

"I know this is hard for you. And it's hard for me, too. As soon as I heard the news, I went into absolute shock." She cut off her words as she looked in the rear view mirror. She, too, had been sobbing like crazy the whole time she arrived to see her little niece. Leo was almost like a distant shadow when she stormed through the hospital bedroom. The woman hadn't noticed him until Jenny introduced the dark figure in the corner. The meeting was a little unpleasant for him as the aunt gave him the sizing up treatment followed by a turn of the heel. Her whole reason for being there was to take Jenny away to live with her.

"I wish Dad were here." Jenny mumbled miserably.

"I know, sweetie. This probably wouldn't have happened if your mother lived alone."

This wouldn't have happened if I never went to that horrible place to begin with! Jenny could feel the tears reaching her eyes again. They burned from previous crying.

The two were silent again as the car purred along. Along the street, Jenny spied someone walking up the opposite direction. Hat and trench coat. Her heart skipped a beat as she sat up in her chair to get a closer look. The figure stopped to check his watch before crossing the street. Good, he's crossing. Now, I'll get a good look at him! The figure ran across and looked right at her. Jenny frowned. It was some businessman running late to get to some important meeting.

"So, tell me Jenny. Do you have any boyfriends? Anyone you'll miss in town?"

Jenny sighed as she watched the figure leave her sight.

"Yes. Leo. The one you met at the hospital."

"Oh, him." She didn't sound thrilled. But kept her tone upbeat. "Is he your boyfriend?"

Jenny nodded. "I guess you can call him that. And I'll miss him big time." Her face pressed against the glass door window, soaking it with her spilt tears.

Leonardo returned to find his brothers out of hat and trench coat attire and into doing feverish exercises. They'd grown tired of being tired and decided to work out a bit before facing the heavy challenges.

"Tell me I'm not dreaming this." Leo closed the storage door behind him.

"You're not dreaming this." Came Michaelangelo's voice followed by quick panting as he did jumping jacks in one spot.

The crates and boxes that littered the floor were now stacked neatly in a far corner. The size of the room minus the junk within it was roughly the size of their dojo. Except for the low ceiling which made it difficult to do flips. Their shells showed much dust from being thrown too high and their outer layers had scrape marks. Raphael huffed and puffed as he did push-ups on the ground. With a little challenge, he requested a small crate to be placed on his shell once he started down for the count. Donatello, meanwhile, was always the last turtle to snoop and find useful items. In one crate, he came across some 15 LB weights, quite possibly extra equipment stored away in....what else? A storage room! He stood silently, curling them up and down, trimming up his biceps and triceps. Leonardo was impressed and amazed to see his brothers bouncing back into fitness. The only things this scene was missing were bright lights, loud music, and an aerobics instructor. Ah, the good old days were starting to look like brand new days. No one noticed, but for the first time in the longest time, Leo smiled to them. He was very proud. With all that was going on, one would think he'd join in with them. Instead, he sat down on a crate and watched until Michaelangelo snapped to attention.

"Leo?" Mike ceased jumping and pulled up a crate alongside him. "What's up, bro?"

"Jenny's gone, Mike." Leo looked to him.

"For good?"

"I don't want to think of it that way. I went to see her at the hospital and when I arrived, I was told her mother was found murdered."

Michaelangelo's eyes flew up and widened. "Oh, man! That's awful! How's Jenny taking it?"

That was a dumb question. With that, Leo gave him a dumb look.

"Think back to when sensei walked out on us and then times that sorrow by how you would feel if he died instead."

It would hurt to no end. Michaelangelo thought about it and almost looked like he was going to cry next. "Oh, I see. Sorry about that."

Leo nodded. The thought of losing Splinter stabbed at his emotions as well. "It's okay, Mike. You're just concerned. I was, too."

"So, where's Jenny now?"

"Hummm...." Leo closed his eyes, remembering the aunt coming through the door, causing him to side step. "She's on her way to Yonkers. To live with her Aunt Phoebe."

"Hope she don't get lost there. Heh, get it?" Michaelangelo grinned. Leo nodded again, getting the gag. Mike sobered up. "You'll miss her, huh?"

"Like I miss our sensei."

"Do you love her like you love sensei?"

Leonardo stared out before turning to his brother.

"No, Mike." Michaelangelo could hear the pause in his voice. "I just love her."

Everything halted. Raphael pulled away as Donatello released the weights. Both, including Mike, were stunned by those words that escaped from their brother's lips.

"L-love?" Mike stammered. "Did I hear that right?"

Leo nodded slowly. "Yes, Mike. I said I love her."

"But Leo, you hardly know her. How could you love someone you hardly know?" Don walked over with arms folded. Raph soon joined his side.

"Do you think she feels the same way as you?" Michaelangelo pressured.

"I think we have an inner bonding. I loved her since I first met her. Yet, I could sense fear in her eyes. Uncertainty. She could have gotten up, ran off, and told a soldier to hunt me down. Instead, she stood there and introduced herself. And shook my....my...." Leo looked down to his green hand. "my, hand."

Raph was puzzled. "So, that's why you love her? Because she shook your hand?"

"It's more than that, Raph. Much more."

Raph then looked to the others. "Um, I don't mean to interrupt your little fantasy here, but shit, I already am. Um....did you happen to see Risa while you were at the hospital? You know, pop in, check her current status, that sort of thing?"

"No, I didn't see her Raph. But I think she's still the same as before. Nothing's changed."

"Are you so sure? I'd like a second opinion." His voice started to crack.

"Why is that?"

"Because the stupid bitch died on me this morning!" Raph screamed with clenched fists. Leo almost fell off the crate.

"No..." Leo whispered.

"YES! Call the fucking papers! Read all about it! The girl is gone! She's nothing but a corpse! A goddamn stiff! And you're talking about all this love bullshit while my babe is about to be either cremated or buried six feet under!!"

Leo looked down, feeling as if he just admitted to a horrible crime. He had no idea Risa died while he was there.

"How do you know she died, Raph? How could you say that without knowing?"

Raphael flailed his arms as he swung around, starting to calm down as he remembered the spirit that visited him and his brothers.

"I saw her, Leo. Pale, white, radiant. She stood right here. About 2 feet off the ground. It was her, goddamn it. It was her..." Raph broke off and turned away.

Leo fell silent, looking to Mike and Don for the same reaction.

"Did you see it too?" They both nodded.

Raph's shoulders started to shake. He couldn't hide it from them anymore. He tried so hard. The lump in his throat broke free as the tears streamed down his cheeks. Leo stood and approached him.

"Raph?"

He quickly turned, stepping away.

"Back off! I don't need your goddamn shoulder to cry on, okay?! You're the last person I'd ever ask for any consolation."

Leo stared at him with hard features.

"Look, Raph. I just want you to know that I am here for you no matter what. No matter what you say, I will always be here. Even when I die. I will never leave any of you."

Raph sighed as he wiped the tears away. "How assuring. You'll be a bothersome pest even in the afterlife. I'm forever doomed. No escaping the Fearless Leader, bros!"

Leo was now losing his patience.

"Listen, damn you! You think you're the only one who feels pain? You think you're the only one who's ever shed a tear? Jenny didn't died, but I still lost her in the sense. She's gone too. I may never see her again. And poor Don lost a good friend that we just met a few days ago. We're all suffering here, Raph. I'm not asking you to cry on my shoulder. God forbid you should ever touch me because my emotions will pull down your boasted ego. Tell me something. For a guy to love so many, how can you have so much hatred for me?"

Raph groaned, looking skyward.

"Aw, give it up with the sappiness, Leo! You know damn well I don't hate you. Sometimes. If I needed support, I would have asked for it. I'll be fine. Just fine."

Drop the subject already. Leo nodded and turned away to Mike and Don.

"Then let's press on. We're not finished here, yet."

All four decided to step out back into the halls for more answers to this bizarre maze of horror. Neither of them thought to put on their disguises.

Leonardo tapped Raph's arm as they walked. "By the way, Raph, what did this apparition say to you? Anything of importance?"

Sam emerged from the crowded swimming hall and headed down the long corridors. After her shift and workout, she was left feeling dazed and exhausted. Plus after swimming with her friends made her more tired than usual. She checked her watch, which she had accidentally left on in the water. The time had stopped at 1pm and it was clearly later than that.

"Damn!" She cursed out loud, shaking her wrist to get the thing to start ticking.

"Sam!" A voice called behind her. It was Richard. She turned to him.

"Hey, Rich." She smiled as he approached her.

"Why weren't you at practice? I covered your ass from the teacher. What's your excuse this time?"

"Sorry, Richard." She held up her broken watch. "Lost track of time, I guess."

"Well, if you don't have any plans, maybe you'd like to go have an early supper with me. My treat."

"Sounds like fun. Let me go get changed and have a quick shower and I'll meet you downstairs."

Richard started to run off. "Great. See you at 6?"

"I'll be there." Sam waved to him as he turned down another corner. What am I? Nuts? He'll want to wine and dine me then snatch the thing I prize most. My dignity. No other man could be that persuasive as this one. That is, the ones she came across so far. She thought back to all the men she went out with and none could compare to being Mr. Right for her. None of them! Not one guy. Could it be she wasn't looking hard enough? She stomped her bad foot in a huff, feeling pain shoot up to her mouth where she shrilled an unpleasant shriek. Her foot! It hit her immediately. Not just the pain but the cause of it. The pool. Michaelangelo! He was no man but a mutant! Strangely the sweetest male caller that she forgot to add to her list of dates. She never dated him so how would she know what he's really like? Sam began a quick limp on the lower level to see if these creatures were still around on the premises. Finding no trace of them and losing valuable time, Sam decided to climb the higher levels to reach her room for a change and shower. They're still here. She just knew it.

And they certainly were here. Making more commotion than usual. It started with an accidental trip of Leo's bad foot that made soldiers come to them within minutes. A chase started up as the cowardly men hid behind their firing weapons once more. Several kicks and punches were thrown to the soldiers, but as more and more emerged out of nowhere, it was time to retreat. The four took some hits as they scurried to escape the massive thick line of laser fire. They cleared three steps at a time, bounding up to hire levels of the building, using no stealth whatsoever. The blood in Leo's lungs began to burn as he was the first to reach the top floor where at that moment, they bumped into a crowd of children and teens just being released from their training. The halls were noisy with their mixed chatter. The small talk soon turned to shrieks as the Turtles approached without stopping.

"Get out of the way! Move!" Leonardo cut straight through, pushing kids against the walls.

"Shit! Lookout! Lookout!" Raphael shouted as he dodged left and right past them.

Two boys looked to one another. "Did he say-"

"Uh, huh!" He smiled at his friend.

Raph looked back with a threatening look.

"Not a word, kiddies! If you know what's good for you!" He then turned to sped off.

"Xcuuuuuuuuse meeeeee!" Donatello bellowed. He was a bit clumsy as his belt clanked against the head's of the short ones and his shoulders shoved past the taller ones.

"Whoa! Hey! Howzit going?!" Michaelangelo waved as he zoomed by last. The kids did nothing but gawk with wide eyes. Followed by talk of their strange appearance.

"Think they'll snitch on us?" Raph managed to catch up to Leo.

"I.....hope.....not." Leo's breathing started to wheeze as he halted into a dark shadow, the group joining him. Older sounding voices filled the halls as the soldiers questioned some children if they saw anything suspicious come by. Small children know when to keep their mouths shut, especially when a mutant with a temper can cause major consequences. They shook their heads with answers like "No." "Uh, uh!" "I didn't see anyone." That left the older teens to be questioned next. Young men and women practicing to become soldiers also learn that one of the important issues is to always be truthful. And never tell a lie. One of the men pointed his finger to the right.

"They went that way." He spoke dryly.

The soldiers saluted him and took off down the halls. The group was left to go down to the lower part of the building.

"Why did you do that?" One of the kids asked the man.

"Haven't you heard? Those were them. The rumored freaks that have been running around here."

"So?" Another spoke up rudely. "You wouldn't like it if they were chasing after you."

The man poked a finger into the boy's chest. "Hey, kid. I don't make the rules here. Those things could kill you instantly without warning. I did the right thing."

The group started to separate as more chatter about the Turtles continued. Some girls were scrunching their faces as others were laughing. Guys wishing they had guns already assigned to them were thinking out their attack strategies of how they would handle them if they ever met up with them. The children, meanwhile, were talking fantasy. How could something like that exist or where they might have come from.

"They look like they came from the pages of a comic book." One boy laughed as he walked down the stairs. His friend joined in, nodding his head.

"I thought we were having an unannounced costume party or something." A girl gleefully said.

"No, I think they were real. My mom says there are a lot of weird people in the Big Apple." A boy told her. She could only nod to that after witnessing the four weirdest residents of New York!

The two boys who heard Raphael cuss remained at the top of the stairs after the halls cleared. They looked around left to right.

"Let's go follow them!" One of them finally said.

The other boy shook his head with a frightened look.

"No way! You heard what that guy said. They could kill you without even a warning. Didn't you see the size of those swords one of them was carrying? I think we should leave."

"What are you, scared? Chicken?" He started bucking at him. "I wanna get a better look. And maybe we'll learn some new words from that one who said the 's' word."

His friend sighed before giving in. The brave kid went first as the other was dragged down the passage where the Turtles went, hoping to get another glance of their strange appearance.

Sam and Richard started to head for the exit when they heard the parade of children and teens coming down the main staircase. Some were still chattering about 'green aliens' that ran past them. The two frowned as the group separated again in different directions. Sam stopped one of the boys.

"Excuse me? Did you say aliens? You saw green aliens?"

"Yeah, or something like that. They came runnin' by right outside my classroom!" The boy was ecstatic. "It was really cool! They were wearing all this padding and stuff and I thought I heard one of them say a bad word!" He started to chuckle as the girl who said they looked like they were wearing costumes approached him.

"They could've been going to a party and maybe forgot to pick up something on their way out. They went by so fast, I didn't have time to get a good look at them."

"No, Richard, it was them." The man who blew their cover walked over next, overhearing the conversation. "It wasn't costumes. They're still snooping around the premises."

Sam looked to Richard whom nodded to his friend.

"I know, Jared. I know they're not costumes. I've seen them too." He turned to Sam. "Those were the ones I was telling you about, Sam. They're killers. And I think we finally caught them this time."

Sam stared at him revealing no joy or sorrow about their capture. She just stared. Coldly.

"Um, let's go get some dinner and forget we heard any of this." Richard spoke calmly as her face remained the same. He suspected something of her. But chose to keep it quiet.

The kid's luck of finding the green heroes was becoming tiresome. Their training was also heavy workouts with strict instructors. The master had not introduced them to the 'poison' just yet until they reach the age of 16 or older, where their skills have achieved depending on performance, and their challenge will be placed one step higher. One kid was only 13, a safe number for new comers while the other was 15, dangerously close to the next level of independence. Both hadn't a clue of what to expect once they reached 16. In their youth, everything was fun and games. Even during the school hours. The two walked around in circles as they tried to find which passage the Turtles went down. The younger boy squeaked as he pulled both hamstrings, hitting the wood floors with a thump.

"Damn you, Nathan!" He yelled to him. "You and your dumb ideas."

Nathan turned around, placing his hands on his hips.

"What's wrong with you now?"

"It really hurts right back here." He rubbed behind his knees. "I think I might have pulled something when doing those leg stretches. Feels like it's going to snap any minute."

Nathan groaned. "Aw, I knew I shouldn't have brought you along! What a wimp!" He went to help him up only to get smacked away. The kid scooted up against the wall, pouting.

"I'm not a wimp! I can't believe you talked me into this. I want to go. I'm hungry, tired, and now, I can barely walk!"

"Whine, whine, whine!" Nathan stood against the wall and looked down to him. "You hardly did much in class today. You know, Cameron, I think if you worked harder and actually did something, you'd be in better shape and your legs wouldn't be hurting right now."

"And who are you? The health expert?! My legs are perfectly capable of doing anything I want them to."

"Then, get up."

"Excuse me?" Cameron's eyes widened..

"I said, get up. If we find those guys, I promise to let you off the hook." He extended a hand.

Cameron groaned and took it, his legs cracking as he bent them while standing up. He continued to rub behind the knees as he walked, feeling the tension getting worse. Two more cracks with each step and he was on the floor again. Nathan turned around once more.

"Dude, you're as pitiful as that girl, Cynthia, in our class. The only exercises I see coming from her is her lips flapping. You two should get together. You have a lot in common."

"Oh, leave me alone, jerko!" Cameron groaned. He was in need of a hot bath and full body massage.

Nathan laughed before stopping to hear feet clomping. He wasn't sure who it was but knew they had to get out of the way.

"Cam, get up! Now! We have to hide! Hurry!"

He stared up at him. "Why? Could be just some soldiers."

"Maybe. But it could be those weird guys! Get up!" Nathan grabbed him and hauled off into a opened door where they fell into darkness. They watched as soldiers passed them by, heading down the hall they came from.

"They're not up here." "Are you sure?" "Check down stairs." "Right." "Did you padlock those cages?" "Where? In the laboratory? I thought you did." The soldiers talked amongst themselves as they left. The kids wondered what they meant by cages downstairs. Do they keep pets here? Dogs? Cats? Lab creatures? The answer was soon given as Cameron pulled away to feel something move behind him in the darkness.

"Nathan, someone's in here!" He whispered. Extending his arms into the inky black, he could see a pair of red eyes blink at him. Letting out a boyish shriek, he hopped out passed Nathan at top speed, only to fall face down on the ground. He really hurt his pride now more than his body. Cameron sat up and crawled to the other side of the wall. Nathan ran to his side, concerned but also freaking out at whatever it was he might have seen.

"Are you okay?" He asked stupidly.

"No, I'm scared! Get me out of here!"

"What was it? Did you see something?"

"Something saw meeee!" Cameron wailed.

Nathan stood up with delight as bravery kicked in.

"I'll go check it out for ya." He went to the door with hands out in fighting position. "Who's ever in there, come on out! I dare ya to fight me!" Nathan threw a kick inward, shocked to feel something grab his foot. He gasped as he was pulled inside. Cameron yelped as he heard him rustling with something.

"Nathan! Help! Someone, please help!"

In a quick flash he saw a green blur dart from one shadow to the next, entering a side door to where Nathan was. Growling was heard next along with kicks and punches. With all his strength, Cameron pulled himself up and hobbled to the door, tempted to see what was going on.

"Nathan?!" Growls continued to screech out, making him wince. "Who's in there? What's happening?!" He started to enter further. A green hand came up from behind, covering his mouth then pulling him out towards another darkened room across the hall. Cameron became hysterical as he clutched the stranger's hand and mumbled words while being dragged to safety.

"Whoa, kiddo! Relax. Just calm down." Donatello whispered in his ear. Cameron saw another green flash run into the room where Nathan was. Don could feel him trembling in his grasp. "Hey, I'll make a deal with you. I'll let you go if you promise not to freak out. Okay?" Cameron nodded his head. Don slowly removed his hand. Cameron spun around to stare at a bulky figure in the darkness. He was very short and stood about the same height as him. He knew right away who it was. One of the weird guys who ran passed her and her friends earlier. Cameron continued to tremble while he stared at Don's worried expression.

"Please, don't kill me." He begged to him.

"Naaaw, I wouldn't do that." Don waved a hand, speaking in a matter of fact tone.

Michaelangelo was also in the room, looking worried as well.

"We're not going to kill you. But something else might have." He and Don's attention turned toward the opposite door where Raph and Leo disappeared to.

"What's happening?" Cameron whispered.

"Damn." Was Don's only response. The group watched the soldiers treading up toward their direction. Cameron's shouting triggered their arrival.

"Think they were spotted?"

Donatello raised a hand to silence his brother as the soldiers scattered around.

"Is he dead?" "No, thank God. He's one of the best in this section." "I can feel a pulse." "Take that thing down to observation. See if it's still alive." "And the boy?" "Rush him to the emergency room."

The soldiers were again talking in unison as they pulled Nathan out using two men like a stretcher. Cameron saw Nathan's body and made a frown. It had scratch marks all over it.

"I heard someone scream." "So did I." "Should we check in here?" "Maybe later. This kid needs to be taken now."

"Talk about dense." Michaelangelo grinned to his brother.

"Not very good standard procedure if you ask me." Donatello agreed. "Professional soldiers would scout everywhere. Lucky for us they're not professionals."

When the halls cleared, Cameron spied the other two cautiously moving out toward where they were. Raphael walked in first, seeing Cameron standing there. His eyebrows raised to him.

"Who's the kid? Someone from our fan club?"

Cameron looked to Raph strangely. Then grinned with a pointed finger.

"You're the one that said a bad word earlier! I recognize you now!"

Raphael looked to his brothers whom glared at him.

"Hey, it slipped!"

Leonardo followed in next, looking directly into Cameron's eyes.

"Your friend will live. He was lucky that we were up here to save him."

Cameron swallowed as he listened to his serious tone.

"He's not my friend. He's my brother."

"My mistake." Leo raised a small smile. "Your brother will live." He looked to Cameron, wondering if that's what he'd look like if he were human at that age.

"What was it anyway?"

Leo returned to reality. "Uh, it was some undetectable beast that attacked him. It escaped from it's cage down in the laboratory. A very intelligent thing. Also very dangerous."

"I thought it was you guys who were attacking Nathan." He stared harder to see their eyes were normal like his. Wide and expressive. "But I guess I was wrong."

"We don't attack innocent people. Whatever rumors you heard about us are all lies."

"Then, you're not here to kill us?" He turned to look at Don. Then back to the others.

"No." Leo shook his head. "We're here to save you."

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