| Part 18 |
| The Turtles treaded down the hall, following back out to the main section of the grand staircase. Their walking ceased as they came across Cameron's classroom where they heard yelps and shouts coming from within. Followed by loud cracks like a whip. Each made a frown as they came closer to take a look inside. The large room was empty with a high ceiling, making the noises echo from the acoustics. Two people occupied the enormous room. A tall, burly, man wearing a gi with a small girl, around Cameron's age also wearing the same thing. Getting out of the hall, the Turtles stepped into the room quietly and hid in one of the dark corners to watch the private session. They were fascinated by the student's agility but concerned about the discipline she kept receiving. "Again!" The man screamed to her. The girl took two steps with hands in karate chop position, doing a frontward kick then side turn, exclaiming, "Hi-yah!" Her footing was all wrong and her balance was way off. This the Turtles could see at a distance. The instructor didn't let her forget it. He cracked the whip like he was taming tigers at the circus. The girl sensed a presence in the room, moving her eyes to the dark corner but keeping her face forward. "Cynthia! Concentrate!" The man screamed with a crack of the whip. "That's no way to train someone." Leo whispered. "I can't believe this place is still active after all this torture." Donatello watched the whip crack inches from her side, remembering back to when Emiko was tied hand and foot for a punishment she didn't deserve. The instructor turned away, placing a stack of cinder blocks down in front of her. "You've used your hands and feet many times. I feel your skills have increased greatly. Now, I want you to use your head. But you must concentrate first. Let all you have inside let free." "I can't do this. Not with my head." Cynthia whispered, staring at the blocks. "Never say 'can't' in my class! You can and you will do this!" She continued to stare, wanting to leave more than anything. The room was dead silent. "Would you mind leaving me to prepare myself? I think I need a moment alone to uh, meditate with my inner thoughts." The instructor stood thoughtfully. "You have wasted too much time in my class, child, with your nonsense talking. I keep you after so you know your position when in my class." He paused with a sigh. "I will return in 10 minutes. No more! I come back and you break the blocks. Then, I let you go for the night. Yes?" "Yes." "Good." The instructor turned and walked out, leaving her to stare at the blocks deeply. "Become one with the block. Think like the block." She said, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths. "I am a block." Snickering was heard in the back of the room, followed by shushing. Cynthia looked up and over, trying to see who it was in the shadows. "Who's there?" She stepped off the mat and walked closer, now seeing who they were. "Hello!" Michaelangelo exclaimed. The 'got caught' look wore on their faces. Cynthia almost fainted. "Please say, I'm not dreaming." "Okay, 'I'm not dreaming.' Anything else?" Raphael grinned. "....I.....uh....uh....." Her thoughts went back to the blocks. Looking to their attire, she felt they knew something of this technique. "I need help." She finally blurted out. Leonardo stepped closer. "Sure, we'll help you. And you don't have to be afraid of us. We won't hurt you." "I wish my teacher said the same thing. These blocks might hurt me instead." Leo frowned as he looked to his brothers. "Listen, you don't know who we are and vice versa and we don't have much time. Your instructor will be back soon, expecting you to break those blocks." Leo reached a hand out to guide her back over to the cinder killers. She moaned silently. "He called this technique something. I can't remember what it's called." Leonardo stood in deep thought, touching the top surface of the blocks. "I believe it's called Kyukupa. It's means to break. This must be a Tae Kwon Do class." He looked to her outfit. "Yeah, it is. One of the classes the instructors teach at this place. I'm in the middle of basics, breaking blocks with my feet and hands. But this....I can't do this. Especially with an audience." "You can do it. With or without an audience. But total concentration is the most important thing as what your instructor said. It can be done. It has been done." "But not by me." She said quietly, biting her lip. "I haven't practiced enough. I'll hurt myself, I just know it!" Her words faded by the end of her sentence, her throat cracking from sobs. Leo gave her a look of pity, knowing she definitely wasn't prepared for this. He's already done it before. Once or twice to say the least and admits it's a high level for expert students. "Hey, don't cry over it." He padded her head. "Um." He quickly looked up to make sure the instructor wasn't returning. The thought of him using the whip on the child angered him. He groaned as he quickly pondered hard to try and get her out of this. "Leo, how 'bout we just take care of the schmuck ourselves?" Raphael stepped closer. Cynthia gasped and looked to Leonardo in shock. "Raph! We can't do that! How could you think that way?!" "Because that jerk's been cracking that whip like a goddamn circus trainer and I feel like cracking some of his bones. Possibly rearranging them like a jigsaw puzzle." Michaelangelo walked up to Raph. "Man, I don't always agree with your ways of handling things." He looked to Cynthia. "But in this case, I'll go with you this one time." "I'm touched." Raph curled his lip up. "And what about you, Don?" Leo looked over to the remaining turtle in the far back of the group. "What do you have to say?" Donatello just stared, the visions still haunting him of seeing Emiko get whipped. Leo frowned. "Don?" Mike waved a hand across his face with a whistle. "Yo, Don! Time to come back to Earth! Don? Hello?" Don smacked his hand away. "Knock it off, Mike! I'm still here. I was just thinking." "And your final answer?" Michaelangelo grinned, mimicking Regis Philbin from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? "Too late." Don said quietly. "Huh? What do you mean?" They all stared at him. Donatello covered his eyes with one hand, using the other to point behind them. "I think he'll want a different opinion." Each turned to stare at the instructor's face. He had come into the room seconds ago. He stared at the group. "What is this? Who are these strange creatures? I want answers now!" Cynthia lifted a hand in reasoning. "I'm sorry, sir, I-" "Well, you see it's like this...." Michaelangelo interrupted Cynthia. The instructor ignored him and threw a right hook, knocking Mike onto the floor. Mike felt his jaw. Damn! Better not be another loose tooth! He stared up at him, maintaining his cool. "I take it you're not for small talk!" "Shut up, freak!" The instructor shouted. "That does it...." Raphael lunged at him next, only to get into a rumble with a skilled opponent. The two went at it for a while before Raph was thrown back near Mike. "Welcome to the Floor." Michaelangelo grinned in a daze. The instructor turned on Cynthia, only to get blocked by Leonardo. "You're not touching her. I won't let you." The two went off with several kicks and twists. A scene that almost put to mind
of Neo and Morpheus from The Matrix. In this case, it was Leo with an
unknown fighter who was just "And you said you were never one for violence." "When did I ever say that?" Don smiled. Leo returned the smile and sat up. Mike and Raph did the same. Cynthia
stepped back, staring at the sight around her. Her instructor flat on his face, a
turtle standing over him with a "You killed him!" "I'd like to think that but, no, he's not dead. I will say he'll have massive head injuries. Hopefully amnesia too, so he forgets what he saw here." Cynthia looked to her instructor sprawled over, wondering if she was either saved. Or in danger. Raphael came over in a loopy walk. "Ow, I think I hit my head harder than my butt!" Cynthia laughed to that, feeling a little better that these hired assassins had a sense of humor. "So, does this mean I get out of hurting my own head on these bricks?" She crossed her arms at Don. "For today, I guess. We can't always be around to pull every kid out of situations." "I don't know what to say." "How 'bout thanks?" Raph raised an eyebrow and grinned. She smiled back. "Thanks. And I mean that." Michaelangelo crossed his arms. "So, why have you been kept after class? Not paying attention I take it?" She could no longer keep a straight face with them. "No, I pay attention. But not like I'm suppose to. My mind is always elsewhere during our sessions." Leo cupped his chin. "Hmm, a daydreamer, you mean?" "Yeah." Leo looked to Mike. "There's one in every class." Cynthia started to walk toward the exit. "Look, it's late and I want to grab a bite to eat before going off to bed." "Hey, do you know a Cameron?" Michaelangelo asked as the group followed behind. Cynthia turned with a bright red face. "Cameron? He's okay, I guess. I sorta like him and all-" "No, I meant do you know him?" Mike grinned. "But I guess my question was already answered." "Oh." She blushed more. "Yeah, I know him too. I was just about to go try to find him. He had something to ask me." "Well, heck! We're on our way to see him now! Why not come with?" "Really? He's seen you guys?" "Half of this level already has." Raph rolled his eyes. "He's probably down in the cafeteria. If I'm not too late, he may still be there. Follow me." Cynthia grabbed a sack from the corner of the room and hurried toward the exit, her new companions following behind. The rules state as follows. No children are permitted to be around certain areas after hours. If a child is suspected of wrong doings, they will be punished. The act of the crime depends on the severity of the consequences. He was only a boy. A worried young kid whom had his heart set on other things. Like finding out where they took his older brother Nathan! Cameron promised the Turtles he would return after half an hour with some food for them. Leo and Raph have gone without eating longer than Mike and Don. "8:12. Still got time." He muttered while staring at his digital watch. He still slugged around in a white T-shirt and black shorts. Typical workout attire. The classes shifted to fit within students schedules. Cynthia was taking Tae Kwon Do in the evening while he performed basic P.E. at the same time. Reaching level three, Cameron walked along the halls, checking out each door that was left opened. He had searched just about everywhere with no luck on where they might have taken his brother. Then he assumed he might have been placed in the first aid room on the first floor. A room he was quite familiar with when he would get injured many times. 8:25. Damn! Gotta hurry! Cameron started to run down the steps, catching sight of patrolling guards. They figured he was late on getting out of class and left him alone. Reaching the bottom, he discovered the doors to the first aid room were closed and locked for the evening. Now, what? Something told him to keep moving. A corridor he never saw before caught his eye. Casually walking over, he spied another staircase leading down. Brow lowered, he descended below, feeling the temperature getting hotter with every step. He started hearing voices as he got closer. "How the hell did it get out?" "I checked the locks three times. Someone must have tampered with it." "These blood samples have been moved around also. Better recount them." Cameron could not believe his eyes or ears. The soldiers were scientists? No way! What's the deal here? He could see them starting to close shop for the evening. Time to head back. Fast! Turning around, he plowed into something hard, making him gasp. Before he could get away, arms circled in on him, making it difficult to escape. Sam and Richard slowly returned from their dinner, talking calmly as they climbed the steps. Richard was pulling the old arm-around-the-shoulder-and-kiss-on-the-neck routine to get her aroused. She was only getting more and more repulsed. An old friend stopped him from necking her. "Richard, wait. Stop. Is that...oh, my God!" Risa walked down the hall, dressed in a black sweatshirt with black sweat pants. Black slipper boots schlepped on the wood floors. Her face was hollow, her eyes sunken in. Sam could tell something was deeply wrong. Ignoring the obvious, she remembered the rumors of her being killed and immediately rushed to her side. "Risa! Oh, my God! My, God! Sweetie, I thought you were dead!" She embraced her, finding she was the only one giving the hug. Risa had her arms loosely to the sides. "You thought right, Sam." Risa mumbled. "I didn't know what to think." Sam ignored what she said and looked to her. "I was told you were shot and in the hospital and oh, God! It's so good to see you're alright!" "It's good to have you back, Risa." Richard interrupted as he approached the two. "Risa, honey, tell me what happened. Please, I want to know everything. Where's Jenny? Why isn't she with you?" Risa stared at both of them. She was lost for words knowing whatever she says was being recorded at all times. Spiritually recorded. "I don't know where Jenny is. We got separated after I went out for training with some soldiers on duty." She lied. Sam started to walk, taking her hand. "Let's go back to your room and talk some more. Richard, I'll see you later, okay? You understand, right?" Richard glared at Risa, then slowly nodded. "Yeah, sure. I understand. See you later, Sam. Risa." At that, he turned on his heel and headed off down the hall. Sam stopped and waited till he was out of ear shot range. "Thank God you came by. I thought I'd never get rid of him so easily." She paused, seeing her friend not responding. "Risa, talk to me. What's bothering you?" "That's the problem. I really can't talk about it." "Come on, let's go back to your room. I don't feel too safe out here as it is." Sam led her friend back the way she came. The sky was now a pitch black outside, the dull halls were lighted by some lamps that hung on the walls. Risa seemed scared of her own shadow. And who could blame her? She felt a lot safer with someone with her. Sam closed her door and turned on her. Risa sat quietly on the bed. "Risa, we gotta talk seriously." She watched her expression. Nothing. "Look, something weird happened to me the other day and I have to tell someone." "Funny, something weird happened to me too." Risa smiled sickly. Sam just stared. "Right, and it's important that you know because I don't think I can hold out anymore." She started to pace, unsure if she should spill the truth. "Remember when Jenny said she saw those green aliens or whatever? Right after her workout?" Risa nodded. "Well, she wasn't dreaming. I've seen them myself. And so has a lot of other people." Risa knew everything. Seen everything. Almost had sex with that everything. For now, her words had to be chosen wisely. "Sam, this is the something I can't talk about. I've seen them too. But you don't understand what's been done to me. Please, don't make me even think about them if you truly are my friend." Sam sat on the bed, taking her hand. "Okay, so you have seen them too. But why can't you talk about it? Are you afraid of me because I'm a soldier? Are you afraid that I will turn you in because you've seen these guys?" Risa started to well up in tears. "No. I'm afraid that you'd never forgive me for turning them in! I can't even say their names, Sam! I've been cursed! If I should see them, I must report them to a soldier immediately." Sam sat back with a stunned look. Never in her wildest dreams had she heard such craziness. "Cursed? Who cursed you? The master?" Risa nodded. "Oh, my God." Craig was right. He is a magician. Sam pulled her into a hug, holding her close. "I would never turn you in. You're my friend, my Magenta! I'm your Columbia! Remember?" Risa nodded, wishing she were in Raphael's arms instead. Sam was good to her. Risa was so scared, any arms would do for the moment. Sam started to think hard. What could the master have done to her? "Um, what kind of curse is it exactly?" Risa looked into her dark blue eyes. "One that is watching us right now." "Leggo! Let me go!" Cameron kicked and squirmed as the hands held him close. He was suddenly dragged into an opened room on the first floor. "Calm down boy! We just want to talk to you!" They finally released and surrounded him. Tall, fully-attire soldiers crowded the small room. They didn't look pleased. "You know the rules, kid. No trespassing into restricted areas. What were you doing on the ground floor?" "I was looking for my brother!" The soldiers looked to one another; their faces concealed in dark helmets. "What's your brother's name?" "Nathan." The soldiers made the same glance to one another. "You want to see your brother?" Cameron nodded. "Come with us." The group lead the boy out into the hall and down toward a darkened room. "Now, kid. You're not going to like what you see. But we can't deny you the right to see family members." The leader of the group extended a hand to guide Cameron to a table with a bright lamp under it. His heart sank as he approached the still body resting upon it. Scratch marks were covered all over the exposed skin. His neck and cheeks looked swollen as if whatever got a hold of him tried to strangle the life out of him. Cameron slowly backed away, feeling nauseous from the sight of the body. He bumped into the leader whom held him tightly. "Listen to me kid. You gotta swear not to tell anyone about this. What we have going here is none of your concern. If someone should ask about your brother's absence, tell them nothing. An escort will take you back up to your room where you will forget about what you saw. Is that understood?" Cameron nodded again. "Good. You two." The leader pointed to two soldiers on his right. "Take him back up. The rest of you come with me." The soldiers saluted and took Cameron's arm, heading out the exit. "Tell me I'm safe here." Cameron pleaded as they walked. "Tell me what I saw was an illusion." "No, kid. It's real." One soldier calmly stated. "And if you keep your mouth shut, you should be safe from harm." The two soldiers and Cameron climbed to reach the top floor, stopping suddenly. Bad timing as always, Cameron caught sight of the Turtles, the soldiers already with laser drawn. "You!" "Stop right there!" The soldiers shot off the lasers, Cynthia screaming in terror. Michaelangelo grabbed her and flung himself in a roll onto the wood floor. He did more damage to his body then hers. Raphael, Leonardo, and Donatello dodged the streams, also doing rolls. Raphael crawled to one soldier, sliding his foot under his legs to trip him. He could feel the heat of the laser inches from his face. Any closer and his eyes would have been burned out. Donatello met his old pal Cameron once more, this time forcefully dragging him down to the floor while Leonardo handled the second trigger happy soldier. Leo withdrew a katana, slicing the barrel of the gun clear off. The soldier looked at it, tossed it aside and stupidly went into attack mode. Raphael pounded the first soldier till he went unconscious while Leo simply threw a few kicks to get his assailant on the ground. Knocked out alongside his friend. Michaelangelo was in a curled position with Cynthia beneath him. He was careful not to squash her tiny body. "Damn." He muttered softly. "I hope I never get on the wrong side of those guys! Wait, I just did! Ha!" He looked down to Cynthia who was hardly laughing. "You okay?" Cynthia slowly crawled out, trembling all over. Mike pulled away and stood up, helping her to stand. "I....I'm okay. Uh, huh. Yeah, sure. I'm fine." Donatello rolled off of Cameron, smiling shyly. "Sorry about that. Heh, we meet again." "Yeah, with some unwanted guests." Raphael looked to the soldiers, then Cameron. Cameron pulled away from Don, standing up to meet Raph's gaze. He didn't look happy. "What did I do? Do you think I went and got these soldiers to come find you?" Raph looked to Leo whom said nothing. He wasn't sure what to think. Cameron stood back to look at them all. "Uh, uh! You got it all wrong! Honestly. They found me downstairs. I walked in on them accidentally." "Cameron!" Cynthia came closer, her face turning red again. "Oh, hi Cynthia." His face blushed as well. "What are you doing here?" Raph rolled his eyes. "Alright, enough with the romance! Cameron, you were suppose to go to the cafeteria. What the hell are you bringing soldiers up here for?" Cameron sighed, looking to Cynthia. She stared just like the others, a little confused and a little angered. "I saw Nathan." He spoke straight forward. "I found a staircase on the first floor leading down. A staircase, Cynthia!" He kept looking to her, her eyes seeming the most understanding. "Um, some soldiers caught me there and I told them I was looking for my brother. They took me right to him." Cameron paused and looked down. "What happened to Nathan, Cameron?" Cynthia sounded concerned. Cameron looked to the Turtles. "Ah, I'll tell you later. Um, so they said I couldn't tell them what I saw and the leader of the soldiers had two escorts take me back up to my room, where, we um, bumped in to you guys." "You saw your brother?" Michaelangelo broke the silence. "Yeah, he looks awful. So many scratch marks. He looks like he's in a lot of pain." "Cameron." Cynthia said more softer. She then looked to Michaelangelo. "What is going on here?" Michaelangelo looked to his brothers, then at Cameron and Cynthia. They had to tell them. It was now or never. |
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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