Chapter 5
Monday, November 22, 1999
Chapter 5

The morning sun broke through the dark clouds on the farmhouse. 7:30 a.m. Michaelangelo slept in like he said. Leonardo was already up at the crack of dawn with Splinter. Both decided to let him sleep and went out into the hall. Donatello was also sleeping and Raphael was just getting up with a yawn and stretch. Shadow and Casey were in their rooms still sleeping soundly.

April was in the kitchen with a cup of coffee resting in front of her. She was tired but couldn't sleep much. Leonardo pushed through the door and held it open to let Splinter walk in first.

"Good morning, guys."

"Good morning, April." Splinter said softly as he sat down next to her. Leo's response was a wave. "Did you sleep well?"

"Not really. I tossed a little." She promised she wouldn't say anything about Casey. Splinter frowned to her and she quickly changed the subject. "How did you guys sleep? Were you warm enough last night? Casey forgot to crank up the heater."

"We slept fine. About your night." Uh, oh. Splinter went back to that. "Are you feeling well?"

"Yes, I'm fine. It's Casey I'm worried about." That got Leonardo's attention. He sat down across from her with watchful eyes. She looked to the both of them. "Um, he's just acting weird."

"Oh." They both said it at the same time.

April had to occupy them. "Would any of you like some coffee?"

"Do you have tea?" Splinter asked.

"Tea? We have herbal tea."

"That's fine."

"Leo?" He shook his head no. He was being awfully quiet.

Raphael bundled up in heavy coats and pants to enjoy the early morning breeze. He stepped out into the hall to hear low moaning coming from Shadow's room. Peeking in, he saw her at a small television playing video games. She did quite a lot of sucking up to Donatello to help her with installing the Playstation. She brought it along but Casey refused to plug it in. He didn't care if he left it in the car and it got stolen or whatever. He was sick of the yelling and shouting that emerged from the thing. It was when they first arrived while Don was plugging in his lap top. She came in with hands behind her back, looking to him with botching eyes.

"Uncle Don?" A little voice said at his side.

"Hmm?" His hands automatically went to his hips. "What's with the eyes, Shadow? You want something, don't you?" She reached up to hug his waist. "Yup. And that ain't it."

"Can you help me with my Playstation? Daddy won't do it."

"So, you did bring it along, huh?" Shadow nodded as he bent down lower. "And, what do I get for installing it for you?" She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave a gentle squeeze. "Awww, sweet, but not good enough." She frowned and pulled away, kissing his nose next. "Heh. Nope, but you're getting warmer."

"Please?" He shook his head. "I love you?" He shook his head again, but grinned to her persuasion. "I'll let you play Tekken 3?"

"Bingo!"

Raphael giggled for the moment. Don surfed too much while she was an arcade buff. Both would end up with eye strain in later years. Raph climbed down the stairs to hear soft talking coming from the kitchen. April was talking about Casey, not knowing what to do about him. Splinter said some words to attempt to sound positive. Leo was nowhere in the entire house so he had to be in there as well. But he only heard two voices chatting.

"Something must be troubling the Fearless Leader." As brothers, Raph could sense Leo was not his usual self.

Raphael finally stepped out to the beautiful morning. Icicles hung down like needles on the roof of the house. Reaching the driveway, he sucked in a deep breath to take in the crisp, clean air. No smog was around here. Hands pushed all the way in his pockets, he started to walk down the road. Pulling out his Marlboro's, he began to smack the box with a flat hand. In his other pocket was a marble-colored lighter with bits of red and purple mixed together. He paused to light up, flicking the lighter switch three times for the flame to ignite. The birds were chirping in the trees, the wind picking up every so often. It was truly a monumental sight.

Walking backwards, he looked back to the house. With the snow around it, it looked like a picture postcard that read "Season's Greetings." It was a lovely house once fixed up and taken care of. Needed more trees to make it hidden but still a pleasant spot to call home. Raph paused to look at the barn on the far right. Such memories. The roof he stood watch on, the hole in the wall where Leo was thrown through it during a small dispute. The little work-out spot Mike practice his punches and kicks. Everyone was hurting back then. Everyone is still hurting now. A nice drag off his cigarette calmed his nerves. He realized then he should have taken up smoking years ago. Puffing out a cloud of smoke, he couldn't tell if it was his breath from the cold or the cigarette.

"Maybe both." He said aloud as he questioned the cloud of smoke in his head. No one heard him, anyway.

He started to walk toward the barn, sizing it up carefully. The wind rocked it slowly, causing creak noises to fill his ears.

"One tornado could blow this thing right off the map." He whispered. "If there were tornadoes in this state."

"There's one in this state." Raphael turned to meet Leonardo's eyes. "Hey. Is this a private conversation?"

"I'll let you know in an hour." Raph started to walk around the barn with his boots crumpling on new snow. "So, who's the tornado? Me?"

Leonardo started to follow behind.

"Actually, I was talking about Casey."

"He's been a rather touchy subject since we got here."

"More like he's been rather touchy. Even you noticed it."

"Yeah, I did. A little."

"Tell me something, Raph." Here we go with the interrogation. "Can you remember what all happened that night at the bar?"

"I remember all of it."

"So, you did see what attacked Casey?"

Raphael said nothing for a good two minutes. He saw something huge lying there when Casey strangled the life out of it.

"It was too dark. I didn't see much."

"You didn't see much." Raph nodded and looked away. Leo wasn't satisfied. "Why is it I don't believe y-"

"Because you never believe a damn word I say! I was fucking drunk and didn't help him when he needed it."

"Look, April's in there crying her eyes out but she's not saying anything. Why? Because she doesn't know what the hell is wrong with him. You were the only one with him that night and you were the one that saw him get attacked. So, don't give me that crap that it was too dark."

"I'm going for a walk. Don't follow me unless you can find something better to discuss."

Raphael headed off back toward the house then made a sharp left down the road. His pace was fast as he tried to get away from it all. Leonardo sighed and went in the other direction to the house, making a quick glance to the barn.

"We never did patch up that hole."

Shadow sat in the snow trying to build a miniature snowman out of the hard ice. Michaelangelo sat on the porch keeping his face warm in a cup of hot cocoa.

"Whew! This is too hot to drink."

"Want some ice?" Shadow picked up a handful of snow.

"Nah, I'd settle for a burnt tongue than dirty snow in my chocolate."

"It's not dirty, seeeee?!" Shadow licked it, making Mike wrinkle his nose.

"I'm never letting you kiss me with that mouth again."

Leonardo approached the two with a quick wave then shoved his hands back into his pockets.

"Can I see you inside, Mike? We need to talk."

"Uh, sure. But I can't leave Shadow out here alone."

Leonardo bent down to Shadow.

"Hey, Shadow. Raph went down the road for a walk. If you hurry, you might catch him."

"OK!" Sitting up and brushing the snow off, she skipped down the road to where Raph went to. Mike looked to Leo.

"He's going to kill you for that."

"He'll get over it."

Leo and Mike went in as Shadow found a heavily clothed figure walking rather fast.

"Unca Raph!"

Raph paused and turned fully around to see small articles of clothing running down the road toward him.

"Looks like the closet monster emerged." He mumbled. "So, you finally decided to join the world of the living?"

Shadow nodded. "Yeah. Up, up!" She jumped up at him.

"Up what?"

"Up!" She reached for him.

"Oh, fine!" He lifted her into his arms. "Better?" She sniffed his breath and slid down to the ground, shaking her head.

"Noooo. You smell smoky."

"I had a cigarette."

"What for?"

"So, that I won't pound your Uncle Leo."

"Why would you do that?"

"Cuz he makes me angry at times."

"The cigett make you happy?"

"Sort of. It calms me down."

"Are you calm now?"

"I'm chillin.'"

"I'm cold, too." He couldn't help but smile to that. "What else make you happy?"

His smile got wider. "Pounding your Uncle Leo, anyway."

"My dolls make me happy."

"Yeah, they should make Bad Mood Barbie and have her be able to smoke a cigarette. I'd definitely buy that and we'd smoke together."

Getting down to the end of the road, he paused to the open two-way street. There was not a car in sight. He continued to walk down to the open road, holding Shadow's hand tightly. A car could come whipping by and hit her by accident. Didn't want to take that chance. Now, he was enjoying the morning with an informative six-year old. How much worse can it get for him?

"Horseys!"

The narrator spoke too soon. Coming up the road on the other side were two people on horseback. The riders were bundled in heavy coats and the horses snorted puffs of smoke from their nostrils. Raphael knew the smoke wasn't tobacco. But even horses have moods, too.

"Uh, huh. Hey, there!" Raph waved to them as they walked by.

"I wanna see! I wanna see!" Shadow managed to pull her hand away from his and started to run across the street.

"No, stop!" Raphael ran after her just as an RV was speeding around the bin. At lightning speed, Shadow was in his arms and brought to the shoulder safely. Raph put her down and took a step back, wiping his brow with a sigh of relief before giving her a stern look. "Damn it, Shadow." He sighed again, watching her blink up to him. "No horse is worth losing you. We'll go see them but from now on, you never cross any street without someone with you. Got it?" She nodded to him. "Good. Now, come here." Shadow obediently returned to his side. He took her hand and looked both ways before crossing the street to the riders. "Hey, guys. Nice morning, huh?"

"Hi, there!" The first rider pulled on the reins and looked behind her. "It's lovely today."

"Yeah, we felt like taking a walk in the early morning."

"That's nice. You guys from around here?" The second rider twisted his horse toward their direction.

"Nah, we're from New York but have a house out here that we come to visit for certain occasions."

"I wanna see, I wanna see." Shadow whined to Raph quietly.

"Okay, okay, we will, we will! Sheesh, ya little beggar!" Raph started to walk to the first rider. "My niece here loves horses and she wanted to see them up close."

"Oh, sure. Let me get Augustus around." A small tug and the horse spun around while nodding it's head as if approving her command.

"Pretty." Shadow reached up to pat the chest area. The horse nodded it's head to her.

"I think he agrees with you." Raph scratched the soft muzzle.

"So, what's your names?" The second rider came over slowly.

"Oh, I'm Raphael and that's Shadow. The beggar."

"I'm Tom." The second rider pointed to his chest. "And that's my sister, Kate."

Kate waved after the introduction.

"Nice to meet you guys. We're kinda new around here after moving up from Tennessee. We needed to find a decent stable for our handsome steeds here." Kate patted the side of Augustus.

"This one's Augustus?" Raphael also patted his side.

"Yeah, we named him after the little boy, or I should say big boy, Augustus Gloob from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This guy eats so much, we figured the name suited him well. Not to mention I love that movie a lot."

Raphael thumbed to Shadow. "This one knows the dialogue by heart."

"We try to think of names for our horses that associate with an interest we have. Like this one is named Blondie because of her light color, and, well....I'm an eighties nut. That Deborah Harry gal was something else. Mmm, mm."

Kate pointed a finger to her brother. "Don't let Nicole hear you say that."

Raphael looked to Tom for an answer. "My wife."

"Ah!"

"Can we ride the horses?" Shadow asked boldly. Raph shook his head.

"No, we can't. Your father would kill me."

"Pleeeeeease!" She started to do the botching of the eyes act. She then looked to Kate whom was smiling. "Please, can we?"

"Hey, don't ask her! I'm the one lookin' after ya!" Raph felt totally embarrassed.

"No, it's alright. She can ride with me if she wants. The stable's not that far and we can show her around."

Raphael wanted to ride with Kate but chose to say nothing. Instead, he looked to Tom.

"It's fine with me, sis. Hope aboard, Raphael."

Shadow got her way. Usually. This was just a minor thing. Nothing serious. If there was a phone at the stables, he'd call to let the others back at the house know where they were.

"Okay, you win this round, little beggar."

Kate shifted back in her saddle as Shadow was lifted up to the front. Kate held the reins high in the air and wrapped her arms around her tiny waist, holding the reins at Shadow's chest. Raphael went over to Tom's horse, Blondie, and was up in the back in a matter of seconds.

Tom led the way back along the country road where Raph could see faint horse tracks from the previous steps. He kinda hoped Kate would ride in the front so that he could keep an eye on Shadow. He was getting just as bad as Leo being overly protective. But of course, if anything happened to her, Casey would definitely kill him. Dead. Stabbed. Murdered. Never find the body.

"Okay, can you run that by me again? This time much more slowly if possible."

"Mike, if I talk any slower, we'd be here till midnight."

Michaelangelo crossed his arms, swinging carelessly on the backyard swing. Leonardo rested a foot against the root of the tree.

"It's cold out here. You said we can talk inside."

"I didn't know Casey would be up."

"Well, if this involves him, then he's bound to find out sooner or later. Whatever it is."

"Mike, he already knows what's bothering him. It's us that need to find out. Don't you get it?"

"Nope. Don't think so. I...." Michaelangelo stood and turned around; his eyes widening. "I....I. Tell me I'm not seeing this."

"Huh?" Leonardo followed Mike's gaze. Toward the front, Casey was heading for the woods, several wolves in the distance spinning and frolicking around the forest. He'd shoo them away then continue on his brisk walk.

"What the hell? Leo, look at the wolves. Why are they so infatuated with him?"

"You're asking the right one, Mike. Raph knows something. But I can't get him to spill it."

"I don't get it. And for me to not get something is....." He smiled to him. "No surprise there, huh?"

"Mmmm. You catch on fast, Mike. Only when given the proper information." Leo headed for the house. "We'll talk later."

"About Casey?"

Leonardo paused, taking in a long breath. "Like I said, you catch on fast."

Standing alone, Michaelangelo blinked several times.

"I wish I knew what I was catching on to."

April paused in her pacing to catch Leonardo slip through the back door.

"Hey, Leo. Did you see where Casey went off to?"

"Mike and I saw him leave down the trail."

"Oh. Did you talk to him?"

"No. I don't know if you've noticed but there have been several wolves hanging around the house lately."

"I have noticed. So has Don. We just think they're curious about the noises."

"Can you explain them being curious about Casey the most?" April sat down, staring out in deep thought. Leonardo sat across from her to catch her in view. "April?"

"I.....I was just thinking." She swallowed, leaning back in her seat. "He told me something last night. While we were in bed." She remembered her promise of not telling the others about where she and Don found him. But it was getting to the point of having to confess to someone else to hear their thoughts. Leo seemed trustworthy enough. "Oh, sorry." She moaned softly. "I lied to you, just now." Leonardo frowned as she looked away. "He told me something last night. Right here at the table." He said nothing to that. Maybe she didn't have to confess. "Um, Casey feels he was bitten by a werewolf. That must sound ludicrous to you." She swallowed again. This is was making her ill to think about. Pausing, she looked up for a response.

"A werewolf." Leo's voice echoed. He ignored the last sentence about it sounding ludicrous. Even he has seen weirder things in his life.

"Please, don't tell anyone I told you this. We can't be fully sure whether it's true or not."

Closing his eyes, he nodded to her. "Okay, April. I promise." Opening them again, he stared at her. "But, what did you mean by, you lied to me?"

The kitchen phone rang out, breaking the silence. Saved by the bell April thought. Getting up, Leo followed her movement toward the wall phone.

"Hello? Raph? Hi, where are you? You're where?" April eyed Leonardo whom stared at her. "Uh, huh. Really? Well, just be careful with her, Raph. Yeah- huh? Yeah, I know. Mm, hmm." Donatello came in to the kitchen followed by Michaelangelo re-entering from the backyard. "Riiiight. You'll be back for lunch, right? But, Raph! You hardly know these people! You can't just invite yourself and..." April looked to see the three of them staring at her. "Kate who? You don't even know her last name?" April sighed and turned away from the eyes watching her.

"Where did Raph say he was going?" Mike asked Leo. His answer was a shrug.

April continued with half the conversation heard.

"No, Casey's not here. Maybe. He didn't say where he was going exactly. No, I won't tell him you let Shadow ride a horse." She heard someone gag and cough behind her. "I shouldn't even be hearing this. Like I said, be careful with her." April shook her head and turned back to the three, lifting the mouth piece upward. "Don't choke on your coffee, Don."

"Excuse me." He grinned embarrassingly to her.

"Well, I think you should come home. Yeah, now! No, don't give me that, Raph! If you don't want Casey to know.....well, that's just it. I don't know when he'll be back. He didn't give me a specific time. Just come home, okay? I don't wanna have to send out your brothers after you. Yes, I would if I had to." April waved her hand in the air like she wanted to have a fit. Then, she smiled calmly to the Turtles. "Right, so I'll meet this Kate person? I'm so jazzed. Fine. Just come home now, alright? Groovy. Bye, Raph."

April flung the phone back in it's cradle with a quick 'brriiiing' from slamming it too hard. "Damn, him!" She looked back and smiled again. "Raph will be home soon."

"Uh, huh." "Oooookay!" "Sure, thing!" The group quickly got up to occupy themselves in different parts of the house. They didn't want to hang around when Raph returned. No, sir.

Casey walked down the trail and reached a neighbor's house he'd never seen before. The exterior was similar to his house except the chimney stack was built on the outside of large and odd-shaped rocks with cement. On the wooden porch sat a scraggly-looking man rocking back and forth on a rocking chair.

"Howdy!" The man waved to Casey as he got closer. "I'm always finding someone out here. New to these parts?"

"No, just haven't ventured this far before on foot." Casey looked around. "Actually, I'm from New York."

"Ah, city folk! Never cared for that type of living."

"Neither do I but my job is there. So's my home. And my wife and kid."

"So, what brings you out to these parts, stranger?"

"My feet." The man groaned. "Seriously, I just felt like walking. Lately, I've been disliking being cooped up indoors."

"Who likes that? Not me. I travel as much as I can without the use of wheels. Mostly at night. It's lovely at night."

"I've seemed to have grown accustomed to the night hours, too."

"Maybe we should walk together, then. Unless your wife and kid mind you doing that."

"Doesn't matter to me what they mind or not." Casey got closer. "Name's Casey Jones." He extended his hand.

"Oh, like the Railroad Hero?"

"You got it."

"Nice to meet you, Casey." The guy shook his hand. "Name's Jack. Jack Russell."

Casey looked away. Why does that name sound familiar? "Oh, like that Wishbone dog, huh?"

Jack frowned. "Who the hell is that?"

"Ummm...." Casey suddenly felt dumb. "Oh, it's a show my daughter likes to watch. The dog is a Jack Russell terrier named Wishbone."

The guy looked skyward. "I see. The things kids watch today are unbelievable."

"I'm just thankful she never got hooked on those Teletubbies." Jack frowned again. "Never mind."

"Well, Casey. Perhaps, you'd like to tour the homestead." Jack stood up with a stretch. "And have a drink, yes?"

"Hey, it's your stash. Lead me to it." Once Casey entered, the place seemed eerie. On the walls were several photos and paintings of wolves. Sculptures of the creatures lined against a wall unit, coffee table and fire place mantle. "I see you like wolves, Jack."

"Hmm?" Jack looked up from pouring two glasses in the kitchen. "Oh, they come around here every so often. Getting bored with myself out here, I started painting them and taking photos of those beautiful guys. Sometimes they come right up to my door and pose right in front of my camera. It's pretty amazing." Jack met Casey on the couch and placed the glasses on the table.

"Thanks." Casey took a sip, making a frown. Water? Jack looked to him and Casey smiled to be polite. "It's good, um, water."

"Just got a Britta container." Casey was not amused. "I drink water more than any beverage that I have in my ice box."

"So, you live here alone?"

"Yup." Jack glanced around. The two started to walk around in different parts of the house. "Well, I used to have a wife but we had our differences. I had an accident and she noticed some changes in me and couldn't cope with it anymore. She decided to pack up and move to live with her parents in Tennessee."

"Now, I see why you hate city folk."

"Nah, it's not that. It's the life-style they live that I don't care for." Jack stared at his unmade bed. "Ever since I left, I've had that sense of freedom lurking around here."

Casey nodded to that, knowing his freedom would be lifted without April in his life. But his life would also seem empty. The laughter. The tears. He couldn't bear to lose her. Smiling to Jack, he caught a strange medallion around his neck.

"Say, Jack? That's one hell of a trinket you've got around your neck."

Jack looked down and stuffed it inside his shirt.

"Oh, that old thing."

"It wasn't from Sears, huh?"

"I don't recall how I got it, but I never take it off. Even when I shower. It's like become a part of me somehow."

"It was from your wife, huh?"

"I'm not really sure. I think you should go now, Casey. We'll talk again, later, how's that?"

"That's cool. It was nice meeting you, Jack."

Casey walked downstairs and out the door. The guy didn't even see him to the exit. How strange. On the trail, Casey was greeted by a family of wolves. They were brave enough to come right up and sniff him curiously.

"Go away, shoo!" A wolf yelped when he pushed it aside. It started to bound around him freely. "What is it with you things? Leave me alone!" The wolf paused in half a circle, yelping to him. "Yeah, same to you. Jeez!" Another wolf pounced him from behind, making playful growling sounds. Casey thought it was fighting with him and punched it hard in the stomach. "Stupid shits! I said leave me alone!" The wolves backed away with perked ears. Casey now was getting pissed. "God, I swear. I'm like a goddamn magnet to them."

And to the wolves, he was like their god.

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