Part 17
Part 17

The living corpse stirred in it's confinement. It had to escape. The master was calling it. The hours of daylight were slowing slipping into night time, when the creature that was once alive will rise once more. To return to it's rightful humble abode. No one would suspect this thing to be boundless soul. But the clothing and smell would be a 'dead' giveaway. It pulled the white sheet away to begin it's slow trek toward the building. Surprisingly, it made it back without being seen by any doctors or nurses passing down the halls.

Once inside, it walked straight down the staircases, never stopping to look around. The invisible door down in the laboratory was reanimated for it's arrival. The steps sizzled as it descended the stairway barefooted, approaching the lower center in what looked like a hollowed out cavern. Master Nomed grinned.

"Marisa. Welcome home."

It smiled to him, removing the hospital gown to reveal a pale, naked body.

"You were never modest, were you, my dear?" It continued to smile. "Are you ready to be brought back?" It nodded. "Good."

The master turned to begin chanting like some Norse god in front of a large, gaudy temple with carvings of human faces. The faces were distorted, screaming out with wide-eyed, mouth opened expressions. They looked like they were in pain. The pedestal where he stood had a small flask full of white sand, almost like one half of an hour glass. Risa watched in silence as the contents started to disappear from the flask and swarm like a sand storm around her body. The wound in her chest started to close up, her skin turning back to healthy peach color, her empty eyes returning to normal. Her heart started to pump blood throughout the body. She could feel herself revitalized.

"Ohhh..." Risa fell to the floor, feeling somewhat weakened. "I feel....strange."

The master placed a blanket around her.

"I'm thankful you're not brain damaged. Your body was without life for almost 10 hours. These grains of sand have rejuvenated your skin cells and restored dead tissue within the brain. I like to call them the sands of time. They can heal wounds by turning back the clock, or destroy a person by aging them till there's nothing left but a pile of dust.

"Does everything turn back?" Risa thought about Jenny if she was still in the hospital.

"No. Only your body returns to the way it was before you died. Before the accident. Life has gone on while you were pushed back to this state. Your body is confused right now. You must rest it before returning to your duties."

"Thank you, Master."

The master nodded before pacing the room.

"I have heard of some strange stories lately, Marisa. And the words that get around soon reach my chambers. You seem to have an affection for one of the freaks, is that not true?"

"Yes, Master." Risa echoed.

"You know that it is forbidden to have any contact with outsiders. Especially mutated ones that are here to stop us. It is them who must be stopped. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master."

"If you should see them, report them to a soldier immediately. Don't let them out of your sight. You have been training with guns for the past weeks. I will issue you a laser that you will keep on you at all times. Although, only full-fledged soldiers have lasers assigned to them, I'm allowing it this one time. Don't let that creature influence you into thinking he's harmless. You are extremely vulnerable right now. Remember that those things, including my own soldiers, can take advantage of you."

"Master, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"Why have you brought me back? Are all the people who perish here return to life?"

The master stared at her.

"Those who are loyal to this organization and that have died in battle have been resurrected to continue with their work. Those who wish to leave without notice will die and return....to suffer."

"How will they suffer, Master?"

"Only those who have betrayed me know the answer to that. You are a good worker, Marisa. A strong student whom is vital to my group. That is why I brought you back."

"But, what if someone leaves and they didn't die?" Risa was laying it thick, trying to figure this guy's plans.

"The potion that has been inserted into each of my students, whether I administer it myself or one of my men do it, has a certain chemical in it that I found to be useful when going through my research. If someone leaves and they didn't die, they will have the rest of eternity to live in utter hell. The potion will start to take effect. A black cat will cross their every path, they will become very weak with illness, they will suffer terrible nightmares as well as seeing things when they're not sleeping. You see, what I have done to you all is showed you how to prove your worthiness or pay the consequences. I lost one child not that long ago. Emiko was her name. She escaped from here but didn't get far, as her plane crashed down while she attempted to live elsewhere outside these walls. If she died, it was over and done with. If she lived, which would be highly unlikely, her life has been spared."

"Why would she be spared?" Risa pressured.

"Because she is a child. And as a rule, the children will not be introduced to the potion until they are older and stronger."

Risa was getting in way too deep. She stood up and looked at him carefully.

"One more thing, Master. You've told me quite a lot about what goes on here. What if I decided to confess to the government that this is all illegal and you could be arrested?"

"Then I would kill you instantly." He spoke in a low rattle. "If you had decided to do so long ago, I suggest you change your thoughts quickly before I have second thoughts of sparing your life."

Risa started to laugh.

"Uh, huh! I said if! Ha, ha! Not that I really would of course! I meant someone else. Not me. Heh!"

The master grinned angrily to her, knowing she just gave herself away.

"Of course it was if. A hypothetical question. You wouldn't dare disobey me, would you?"

She quickly shook her head. "No, Master."

"Hmm. Just to make sure, I'll put you on constant watch. But it won't be just anyone watching you."

"Who will it be then?" This was scaring her.

"One that has suffered. You see, if you attempt to do anything out of content, you will suffer greatly."

This was not going as planned. Risa wanted so much to see Raphael again. She was lucky her master didn't know what she was thinking or else he would have killed her on the spot. But now, she can't make any contact with him whatsoever. The minute he sees her, he'd jump her bones in an ecstatic embrace. She had to stay away until things calmed down. Lay low as before. Only this time she'd be laying low from Raph. What possessed her to return to this god awful place anyway? The devil possessed her.

"You may go now, Marisa. I trust your stay will be to your liking as before."

Yeah, right! I can't even shower without some THING hovering over me. This is nuts. God, I should have kept my big mouth shut!

Marisa bowed and headed for the steps, finding them cool to the touch. Very strange how the heat died down so quickly. She reached the first floor where the halls were dark and empty. The Turtles were nowhere in sight. She knew them better than to be hanging around the halls out in the open. She headed up the steps to her room which was still hers. It was as if they were expecting her to return. She threw open the door to find everything as she had left it before. She collapsed on the bed, flinging off the blanket that the master had given her. She didn't even want to look at it. It struck her in the pit of her stomach as she began to cry uncontrollably. Dying, reborn, death of others, young children suffering. Raphael never seeing her again. Her tears flowed like the rain poured outside her barred window.

"I think I need a shower." She spoke to herself.

She rolled off the bed to head into the adjoining bathroom. Filling her palms, she splashed her face with the ice cold water. Looking in the mirror, she stared at herself. Before turning to the tub, she stopped to have a second glance. It could have been her shadow but all the lights were turned off. The shadow almost looked alive as it appeared to have eyes watching her every move. She screamed and ran out, jumping onto the bed and covering herself in her own blanket. Looking out, she saw nothing. It was gone. What had he done to her?

"Foreshadowing." The master whispered in the cavern. "So that she may never do any undoing." He smiled as he closed a leather-bound book on the pedestal.

"Witchcraft." Risa whispered. "He uses witchcraft." She started to cry again. "Oh, Raph, I'm so scared!!" As soon as she said his name, a black, shadowy figure entered the room. Risa almost stopped breathing to watch it float toward the bathroom, making unusual, growling sounds like an animal. The shape looked like fire with it's flames colored black and brown. It soon changed course and headed straight for her, continuing to growl. "I didn't mean it. Don't kill me. Please!" Risa stared as it stopped about a foot from the bed. Then it turned and headed toward the front door, evaporating into thin air. That was enough to tell her she must obey the master. Or, as he said, suffer greatly.

Cameron was extremely in awe with his new found friends. He felt like he had fallen into a story book with the four of them as fearless warriors clad in ninja attire. The boy couldn't help but stare gleefully as they spoke to him about the dangers of the building. As a normal kid, he didn't listen to what they had to tell him. He was more interested in how they looked and what kind of ninja moves they can do.

"Wait till I tell Mom about this!"

"No. No, mom's, kid!" Michaelangelo waved his hands. "You'll have to spare us the meeting to any adults. Especially parents."

"Why not?"

"Well, look at us!" Raphael said, almost disgusted with those words. "The way we look, humans automatically see us as a threat. And your mom would be on the phone with the U.S. government within seconds."

"Have you been listening to any of what we've been telling you?" Leonardo lowered his eyes to him.

Cameron nodded. "Sure! You're crime fighters and you're here to save us. I don't know from what but it's really cool what you do for a living!"

Leo rolled his eyes, glancing at his brothers. The glance to them was so that Cameron couldn't see him smile.

"Look, kid....." Leo closed his eyes. "Ahhhh. Sorry, no intros. And you're no goat. What's your name?"

Cameron smiled. "My name's Cameron."

"Cameron." Leo repeated. "That's a nice name. I knew a Cameron once."

"Yeah, like who? Cameron Diaz?" Michaelangelo grinned widely. Then poked Cameron. "Get it?"

Cameron didn't get it. "Who?"

Mike puffed out his breath. "Never mind."

"Cameron," Leo started. "What we're trying to tell you is, this school is not safe for youngsters. It's not even a school as you have been informed of. This place must have put up a good front to convince your parents into thinking you're here for special training. Is that not so?"

"I guess that's true." Cameron spoke slowly.

"So, what's your story?" Michaelangelo asked. "Why did you come here in the first place?"

"Well, my being here is quite common like the other kids. My parents put me and my brother in here because we wanted to learn martial arts. Our regular school didn't provide the classes and we got into a lot of fights there. Nathan suggested we take self-defense classes to protect ourselves against bullies. He couldn't always be there for me since he was in the upper grades area. Our parents talked it over and at the end of the semester, looked into placing us in a private school. They found this one to be suitable, complete with daily classes and the basic stuff like math, English and science. You know, the boring stuff." Don frowned at him as he quickly continued. "Heh, that is, I liked the fighting part the best. Our martial arts class is done both in the early morning and evening along with regular workouts. Which in my case...." He bent down to rub behind his knees. "I've been failing at miserably."

The Turtles stared at him after his long speech before he paused to acknowledge the pain in his legs.

"So you're taking martial arts?" Michaelangelo crossed his arms.

"Yeah, I'm just starting out."

"Cool. But you've got a long ways to go before you can protect yourself."

"I already can protect myself! Now, I want to learn how to kick major butt!" Cameron started to twirl around, kicking his skinny legs out.

The Turtles smirked with interest as he displayed ungraceful moves. Moves similar to when they first started out in training. It was almost a trip down memory lane.

"The squirt has spunk." Raphael mumbled.

"I heard that! Come on! I can take ya!" Cameron started to bounce with fists up in front of Raph. "Come on! Put 'em up! Show me what ya got!"

Raphael looked pitifully to Leo. Then, without a warning, he leaped forward at him, roaring like a monster.

"Yaaah!" Cameron fell backwards and ran behind Donatello whom couldn't help but laugh at him.

"Raph!" Don said sternly but was still laughing. "That wasn't very nice!"

"My bite is worse then my bark!" Raphael spoke proudly.

Michaelangelo padded Raph's head.

"Whoa! Down boy! Heh! We said we'd help him, not kill him!"

Cameron came around in front of Don, feeling a bit wussy.

"It was a defense move. Really."

Raph nodded. "Of course it was."

Leo finally broke in.

"Okay, Cameron. You've showed us the fear in you as well as the fighter. Now, can you show us that you can be a good listener as well? What we have to tell you is very important."

Cameron slowed down his breathing after the short, vigorous romp before nodding with obedience.

"Sure, thing- ah, and your name is?" He grinned to him.

"Leonardo." Leo said evenly.

"Leonardo." Cameron repeated in an almost mockery tone. "Didn't he draw the Mona Lisa?"

Leo smiled. "You know your history, kid. Yes, that was Leonardo da Vinci. Famous artist of the Renaissance era."

"Hey, I'm getting good!" Cameron beamed. The looked to the others. "Do you all have weird names too?!"

Raphael shrugged. "To go with the weird faces? Hell, why not?"

"So, which one are you then?" Cameron pointed to Raph.

"Name's Raphael, kid. One of the lesser known guys."

"Hmm, never heard of that one."

"I rest my case."

"But I do know Michelangelo Buo-bu-Buonorati something."

"Hey, over here!" Michaelangelo shouted. "I'm Michaelangelo. And you mean Buonarotti."

"Right! He was the one that painted the Sixteenth Chapel."

Donatello raised a finger. "Uh, close. It was the Sistine Chapel."

"Yeah, that too!" The Turtles rolled their eyes. "And he also sculpted David, the naked guy."

"Mikey!" Raphael said with disgust. "Tsk, tsk!"

Cameron started to laugh. Then looked to Donatello last.

"You may have not heard of my name either, Cameron." He said.

"No? What is it?"

"Donatello."

"Never heard of him."

"I thought so."

"It hurts to be so unloved." Raph cooed alongside Don.

He agreed. "Those history books don't tell students about all the famous artists of that era. It's a conspiracy, I tell ya!"

Leonardo glanced out a window. It was pitch black.

"It's pretty late, Cameron. We should let you go."

"Is it?" Cameron checked the huge digital watch on his wrist. "Man, it's almost 8 o'clock! Time sure went by fast. I'm starving!"

"Hey, so are we." Michaelangelo yelped. "Can you snatch us some food?"

"I can try. Meet me in my room marked 525 in about half an hour. I'll see what I can dig up in the cafeteria."

"Great." Donatello said. "Then, we'll talk some more."

"Okay! Catch ya, later!"

Cameron waved and ran off in short hobbles, his legs still giving him a hard time.

Michaelangelo grinned. "He'd be a great fighter. Once his legs kick into action. Heh, get it? Legs? Kick?"

The others groaned. Raphael wapped his head.

"I oughta kick you! God, that's bad!"

"He can't get any worse." Donatello sighed.

"So, what now, Leo?" Raph looked to Leo whom glanced up and down the halls.

"Since we're on the top floor, we may as well hang around till Cameron comes back."

A half hour to wait. Mike could feel his stomach growling. All of them were really hungry!

Sam and Richard sat for a long time in the restaurant, chatting about nonsense. Talk of the 'green menace' never once surfaced the dinner table. Even if a fraction of anything that would bring up the subject, Sam would quickly comment on something else. At one point, a wrong change of topics fell for the worse.

Richard took her hand.

"Sam. Samantha. I know we don't go out much and we rarely get to see each other but, I gotta tell you how I feel about you."

"We can't have a relationship because it's against the rules." She said flatly. "Only when we graduate and leave to move on is when things change."

"Sammy, I really want to get to know you more. Get off this friendship basis."

Sam frowned.

"You don't want to be my friend anymore?"

"No, no! That's not it. We can still be friends. And maybe something more."

Sam looked away, removing her hand from his and massaging one temple.

"I don't know if I'm ready for commitment just yet, Richard. I mean, shit, I haven't even started college yet. There's still a lot I want to do before settling down."

"I'm not talking about marriage now, Sam!" Richard sat back with an amused expression. "I mean we finish up school and then look into career opportunities."

"What do you want to do, Richard? As in a major goal?"

"Well....." Richard looked away thoughtfully. "I like the position I'm in now. A soldier in training. Maybe once I finish my studies, I'll join the U.S. Army. You know, Be All You Can Be?"

"I was considering that." Sam also looked away. "My skills in that field have really increased over the months I've been at that place. But you know something, Richard? In all honesty, I really didn't want to become a soldier. A person of the law. My parents put me in that school for better education. But I really wanted to go to Julliard and become a dancer. You know, the Great White Way on Broadway?" She smiled as she thought of herself on stage.

"Ambitions, dreams, careers." Richard said slowly. "You never told me this. Why the change?"

"I never changed! I was in ballet class at the age of four. I took voice lessons in junior high school. I really wanted a career in the drama department. But Dad was a cop of NYPD and since he felt his daughter should follow in his footsteps, he suggested I take classes in the police force. During high school, I signed up to join this place.

"So, are you not happy being there?"

Sam thought of Michaelangelo.

"I'm very happy. Now knowing there's someone special there."

Richard smiled, thinking it was him she was talking about. Sam smiled back, knowing what her thoughts were on.

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