Chapter 4
Chapter 4
From the diary of April O'Neil Jones

Sunday, November 21, 1999 9:05 p.m.

Captain's Log: Hee, hee! I've always wanted to say that! Well, here it is, another holiday gone haywire. It started off with Casey getting into a fight with whatever and our planned trip took a turn at the hospital on the day before we left to start our vacation. He's doing better, being Casey as always, but he seems to be more edgier than before. Even Raphael has noticed a small change in him lately.

We arrived at the farmhouse around 5:50 p.m. Not much in the way of repairs since we've come here more often but Donatello was proven to be rather useful again. The heater was broken and our lovable Mr. Fixit came to our rescue. He says it was no big deal but we beg to differ. Especially, now, we don't have to keep our coats on the whole time!

Dinner went well. I didn't feel much like cooking, so I went to town to buy a frozen family-size lasagna. Michaelangelo felt hurt that he couldn't make his own special kind with bits of chicken and extra cheese topping. He felt better when I said, "Leave the cooking to the microwave." He took that opportunity to try some sledding before dinner time. He's not hurt anymore. The store-bought brand was very tasty. Him and I still have a date with a turkey on Thursday.

Just gave Shadow her bath before her bedtime. The others argued over the remote control while I spent my time washing up the little urchent. I swear, the girl will be the death of me before I reach forty! I thought it'd be easier with girls than boys when it comes to baths. Michaelangelo must be filling her head with plans to fight against me. She gave in, my clothes are still soaked as I'm sitting here, but, as they say, mission accomplished.

Ut, Donatello just walked into the room. He was kind enough to let me borrow his lap top to type my letters on. My hand is taking a vacation from writing, but the fingers are now doing all the work instead. As promised, he won't read my letters and I won't click into his personal folders. I told him I didn't mind him reading my stuff but he must have some well-kept secrets hidden in those folders. I happened to catch one of the folders titled: "Blond-haired photos."

"That's blonde with an 'e', April."

April minimized her letter and saw Don standing beside her with hands behind his back.

"Don't you have somewhere to be other than over my shoulder?"

Donatello raised his hands in defense.

"I'm just saying if your letters go down in history, you gotta be accurate about them."

"Shoo, go away! I'll give you your computer back in a minute!"

"Alright fine, but you're getting my seat all wet with your clothes."

April threw a piece of wadded-up note paper.

"Like any of you were any help with her! Lord, you guys have more strength then I could ever have!"

"Well, you didn't ask for help. I thought all the shouting was from Shadow."

"That was me shouting, Don."

"Oh. You're still a soprano?"

April finally stood up and ushered him out.

"Look, you'll be singing soprano if you don't let me finish this!"

"Okay, okay! I was leaving anyway." April slowly sat down in the seat again. He grinned to her. "Need a towel for the chair?"

A book came at him that time. He stifled a laugh and shut the door; the book hitting it instead. April looked over her letter and hit the backspace button.

I happened to catch one of the folders titled: "Blonde-haired photos."

April paused again and looked to the door. Minimizing the letter, she went to the "Blonde-haired photos" and double-clicked on it, all the while feeling incredibly guilty about doing it. Listed were large icons of JPEG files with female names. Amber, Dixie, Shanna, and Tiffany all in alphabetical order.

"Oh, my....." She whispered, moving the scroll bar up and down to see full-size view of the nude women that flashed on the screen. So, this is how he spends his time. When not tinkering with repairs, he's tinkering with......this. Having seen enough, she closed the folder and removed the colored high-light off the icon to make it look like she never opened it. She went back to her letter:

I happened to catch one of the folders titled: "Blonde-haired photos." Whether that meant close friends or on-line acquaintances, it was really none of my business. It is getting late. This letter will now come to a close as I say goodnight for the evening.

April clicked the 'Save' button and hit the X button at the top, closing the window and returning to the desktop. There was a light tap at the door.

"Come in."

Donatello walked in slowly, making sure nothing was being thrown at him.

"Your minute is up."

"I know, I'm finished here. Don't stay on too late."

"Yes, 'Mom.'" He smiled to her as she stepped past him.

"Goodnight, Don."

"G'night, April." Donatello went and sat at his computer. "Oh, and April?"

"Yes?"

"Did you enjoy your browsing?"

April suddenly blushed bright red.

"Um, yeah, it was fine. Thank you. Um, for letting me use your computer."

"Anytime, Amber, uh, I mean, April!"

She stared at him as his eyes darted away from hers.

"Right."

Turning to leave, she walked into the dark hallway, feeling guilty and now, caught red-handed. He wasn't dumb. He knew she'd take a look when getting the chance to. April decided to call it a night early. Casey was still downstairs at the TV with Raph, Leo and Splinter were in their room, and Mike was probably somewhere aimlessly walking around in the living room. Last time she caught him, he was heading for the kitchen to get a late snack. April walked into her bedroom and switched on the light, moving toward the bed to remove her damp clothes and slip into some sweats. No skimpy lingerie tonight for her husband. It was too cold to be wearing that kind of stuff. If he was smart, he'll sleep in flannel, a better way to keep warmer than in the nude like he usually does.

A low moaning was heard from her bedroom window. Looking out, she could see some wolves down below sniffing around in her yard. They trampled and knocked into the tree swing clumsily. It made her wonder why there so many wolves suddenly appearing out of nowhere. It made her also worry that they'll come around unexpectedly when Shadow is out playing in the snow. She was glad that the Turtles were here. Aside from her strong, crazy husband, the Turtles were skilled and trained to fight against enemies, whether it be human or animal. Their guard would have to be up more if these wolves kept coming to close to them.

April pulled out a book to take her mind off of what she saw. She didn't want something as wolves to ruin her vacation. The hours grew later and pretty soon, she was fast asleep in the warm bed.

It snowed hard all night long. The flakes whipped against the window panes in every room of the house. Not one spot went untouched. April tossed and turned in the sheets. The time said 3:40 a.m. She knew she cleaned them when they first arrived. Casey slept like the dead, snoring rather loudly beside her. She couldn't stand it anymore. Getting up, the floor felt freezingly cold.

"Oh, please tell me you put the heater on, Casey." She said to him but didn't expect an answer.

Wrapping her robe tight, she crossed the room toward the door and stepped out into the dark hallway. Silence. Emptiness. Looking into Shadow's room, she heard slow, deep breaths coming from her bed. The next room was occupied with Splinter, Leo, and Mike. No sounds were heard in their room. Moving toward the fourth room, occupied by Raph and Don, there was a blue light seeping through the cracks of the door.

"Someone's up." April whispered as she pushed the door in carefully. Damn, squeaky door.

Donatello immediately looked up when she came through the room. He was stripped of all his gear and wore a large, black sweat shirt, sweats and what looked to be slipper boots.

"Hey." He said softly. "Did I wake you?"

April shook her head. "Mm, mm. Couldn't sleep."

Glancing around the room, the place was considered the 'moved-in' look with Raph's and Don's belongings combined. On the farthest bed, Raphael slept with his shell facing them. He slept on and off from the bothersome light from the monitor screen. April could tell he was a little annoyed. The pillow was on top of his head then under it.

"I couldn't sleep either." Donatello finally said after staring blankly at the screen. "Did you hear any moaning outside your window like oh, say around 10 p.m?"

"Woofs."

"Excuse me?"

April laughed quietly. "There were wolves outside the house. I caught some creeping around in the backyard."

"Yeah, they were out in the front yard, too. Sniffing around the van."

"Why are there so many wolves?" April crossed her arms. "I've never seen so many like this."

"Maybe they're curious about all the noise or they want food."

"That's what the guy said at the gas station back in town. Wolves are curious about noises near civilization."

"It's not too much of a worry. Wolves are generally afraid of us as we are of them. They usually don't attack unless provoked."

"I'm worried about Shadow, though. What if she's out playing and one of them approaches her?"

"Hopefully, she'll climb the nearest tree?" Donatello grinned, then frowned when he saw her expression. "Wrong answer. Um, I'm sure Casey or one of us will be with her at all times. And if one approaches, the best thing to do is to stay calm and don't freak out too much. Animals can sense fear and might strike faster when they know you're scared."

"It's a bit hard to pretend not to be scared. If one ever approached me, I think my heart would stop."

"I'll guess I'll have to keep my weapon on me whenever I go out." Donatello looked away in deep thought.

"Yes, that would be good. Um, if you don't mind that."

"Nah, I don't. Just don't ask me to sleep with it and I'm cool."

"No, a staff isn't very comfortable to sleep with."

"It also isn't comfortable when someone bashes your head in with it." A muffled voice came from the bed.

"Are we keeping you awake, Raph?" Donatello looked over with a stretch against the back of the chair.

"Yeeeeeeah, and that's not a wise thing to do."

April headed for the door with a hand on the door handle.

"Better let you guys sleep. You should get some rest."

"Alright, April. Goodnight. Again."

"Goodnight, Don. Goodnight, Raph."

"Mmmmmmm......" Sounded like Frankenstein's monster under the pillow. Donatello's eyes widened and looked to the bed. Then at April.

"He said goodnight. I think."

"Uh, huh. See you both later." Back in the hallway, she felt a chill. That damn heater was off. Casey did forget. Returning to the bedroom, she saw her bed was empty. "Oh, no...." Heading downstairs, the chill started to pick up more. Wrapping her robe even tighter, she headed for the kitchen to find a flashlight. To her dismay, the backyard door was wide open. Gasping, she had to alert one of the guys. Donatello saved her the trip as she turned and plowed right into him. He sensed something was wrong when she left. He also knew better to cup her mouth as she let out a low shriek.

"Shhh, it's just me."

"Oh, Don." She moaned. "It's Casey. I can't find him. And then I saw the door open and-"

Donatello placed a single finger to her lips and side-stepped past her toward the back door.

"Is he out there?"

"I don't know! I just got here!" April sounded panicky.

Donatello stepped outside with his bo in hand. The other hand was signaling her to stay back. She grabbed it anyway and followed behind him. The snow started to flake down on both their bodies, even when still standing in the door frame.

"What's that?" Don pointed out to nothing. Nothing that April saw.

"I don't know; your eyes are better than mine. What does it look like?"

The bushes on the farthest side of the yard were rustling with some sort of activity behind them. Donatello thought he saw flesh of a human but wasn't fully sure.

"What does Casey usually where to bed?"

April was a little put off by that question but she knew he couldn't be much help without knowing certain things. Even this.

"Um, nothing, usually." April felt her ears getting hot. "But, he was wearing a flannel tonight."

"Like this?" Donatello lifted two articles of clothing found dug half-way in the snow at his feet.

"Oh, God!" April shrilled and was shushed by Don again. The bushes finally stopped and now Don could see what it was.

"Damn." He mumbled as he ran over. April followed next. In the bushes, there was a faint smell of urine. Upon discovering, they found Casey was caught with his underwear down, marking his territory on a helpless branch. "Um, Casey?"

Casey looked up with puzzlement. April pushed past Don and started to remove her robe.

"Oh, God!" She repeated as she wrapped her robe around him. "Casey, what the hell possessed you to come out here?" He didn't answer and the two didn't wait. Pulling him off the ground, they ushered him back toward the house. April scooped up his dirty clothes from the ground and shoved him forward. Donatello looked around outside once more before entering the house and shutting the door.

"Casey, we have two working bathrooms. Believe me, I checked."

Donatello paced around the kitchen table as April sat with a shivering Casey across from her. His hands circled a steaming hot cup of tea which he stared blankly into. April calmly ran her fingers through his hair, staring at him with concern.

"What is happening to you? Can't you tell me what's wrong?"

"I don't know, April. I just don't know." His voice was muffled. He glanced down to the bite on his arm. "Lost my bandage."

April started to get up but Don stopped her.

"No, it's okay. I'll go get you a new one in the medicine cabinet. Stay with him, April."

Donatello tapped her shoulder while passing through the door out to the other rooms. April sat back down and looked to his arm.

"Casey. Do you know what bit you? Could it be something that has to do with this?"

"I don't know, April." He didn't seem to know a lot. "All I know is one minute, I'm looking at this thing with bright yellow eyes and the next, I'm fighting for my life. Before I finished it off, it bit me. Ever since then, I've felt myself changing. Like into something else. I know this sounds funny but, I think I was bitten by a werewolf."

April pulled back in her seat with shock.

"That's nonsense, Casey. Werewolves don't exist."

"But mutant turtles, do?"

He had a point. Even she thought the idea was a bit strange.

"I think you should go back to bed. Don will give you a new bandage and we'll forget any of this ever happened."

Casey nodded as a response. He wanted so much to forget after being humiliated like that. He had no clue that his symptoms were worsening by the minute. All he knew was that this change could not be helped. And that meant trouble for his whole family.

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