Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Homes, campers, and even the woodland creatures were awaken to the sounds of dozens of troops. The entire upper woods were soon scattered with an army of soldiers bearing the mark of their trusted facility. Guns in hand, the group spread out like wild fires, on the hunt for a man that was no longer a beast.

Leonardo couldn't outrun them if he tried. Daylight was breaking his cover ever so faster than he expected. He flipped his wristband to catch the time.

"8am."

He was back in the surrounding woods once again. Knowing his trail was soon to be followed by men, animals, or whatever finds fault with him, he had to find shelter fast. One thing that kept his smile true, he got Shadow into the hospital where she will be cleaned-up, examined, hooked-up, and anything it takes to keep her alive and healthy.

Leaves rattled behind him. He was not safe anywhere in the surrounding trees and forest. Leonardo crouched down with katanas in hand, waiting to see what it was lurking behind his trail. If they had guns, he was a goner without a sporting chance. That's what these men were. Sport fanatics. If something moves, it's a target. The bigger the target, the easier the aim. Leo kept waiting, wondering why they slowed down on the chase. Why they didn't jump out to greet him with open bullets and shouts of battle cries. Instead, another low cry came from the small bush in front of him.

"Huh?" Leo resheathed the swords and stared down at the ground, eyes widening. Crawling out of the shrub was a limping wolf. By the state of it's weakness, it was injured from sort of previous brawl that occurred that morning. With a quiet awe, Leo got down on his haunches as the creature made it's slow-as-a-snail trek over to him.

"Come on. I won't hurt you."

The wolf's eyes were blinded from blood trickling down in them. It raised it's nose, sniffing the air, then continued to take each delicate paw in careful stride. Leonardo reached out to pet the soft fur on top of it's head. It nuzzled up to him, continuing to whine pitifully. Observing the head, he looked down to see it had a white, diamond-shaped marking.

"Such a beautiful creature...." Blood lifted up onto his glove. "and deeply hurt." The wolf gazed up with her bright, yellow eyes into Leo's soft, brown ones. She seemed to be communicating with him.

I sense no danger. You are a warrior. But one of virtue. Protect my soul, faithful warrior, and I shall protect yours.

Leonardo stared deeply into the eyes of his enemy. Eyes that once shown fear were now showing confidence. He bent lower and cradled her bushy head.

"I won't hurt you. I promise. Do you trust me?" All she could give in response was a lick on the cheek. Leo looked away with smirk. "I'll take that as a 'yes'."

Leonardo let her crawl down from him onto the leaves and shake her furry body. He stood up next and patted her side. She looked up, licking her chops. The forest seemed more dangerous now that it was being searched out by men on the hunt for beastly or unknown creatures. To Leo, everyone and everything was in trouble if it accidentally crossed their path. Slow-walk helped the wolf move along but Leo wanted to move faster. As with Shadow, this girl was far too sluggish for his speed.

Wolves started to emerge all around to watch one of their own kind walking with a turtle. Too injured and too shocked, none did anything to stop them. For they too now sensed that Leo meant no harm against them. He only attacked when they attacked first. The wolf looked to her pack, then walked on. The look of shame was not what she wanted to see on their faces.

"Looks like company has joined us." Leo looked back, then to the wolf whom was staring to the group. "What is it?"

He is harmless to us; he wishes to help. Man is the enemy now. Man he is not.

They stared at her as if listening to her thoughts. Before Leo could believe it, they started to slowly follow behind him. Leo soon felt like he was Moses, leading the pack in the right direction. But he didn't know which way to go. If anything, he could have been leading them right into trouble. His compass sat at home on top of a dresser, not of use to him out here.

"If town was west of here, and I walked east back into the woods, the house must be north west. But if I head to where the guys are, I could run into trouble." Leo paused to think. So did the wolves. He felt like he was going in circles from the identical trees and rocks. Breadcrumbs, paint to mark arrows, anything would work right about now. Leo looked to the wolves.

"Hmm, they might eat the breadcrumbs." The wolves stared questionably. "Nevermind."

Leonardo walked down a path that looked familiar with the pack slowly following behind. He heard the sounds of men approaching his direction. They were two hunters, typical jerks shooting at whatever moved. Those guys he could handle over psychotic soldiers.

"Look Vern, dozens of wolves."

"Riiight, Sal. But who's with them?"

"I dunno, Vern! Maybe you should ask him? He's a lookin' right at you."

Leonardo stared at the two, unmoving. Vern stepped closer holding his rifle across his chest.

"Howdy, stranger. You lost out here?"

"I can find my own way."

"So, you lookin' to have some fun?"

"No, I'm not."

"What's with them wolves? Looks as though you've got the whole forest following ya. You related to Snow White?" Vern and Sal laughed a goofy giggle. Leo rolled his eyes.

"I don't have time for this. If you'll excuse me, I need to go."

"Go where? To a little cottage of the seven dwarves?" Sal taunted. Again, they laughed. Di growled to them, quickly shutting them up. Leo looked to her, clutching her fur.

"Be careful. She'll rip your lungs out."

"Hey, hey, no hard feelings." Vern raised a hand in defense. "We haven't done nothin' to you."

Leonardo gestured. "You're both holding guns. Wolves don't like guns."

Sal pointed to his rifle. "But you must take a sporting chance with them, friend?"

Leo gritted his teeth. "I loathe guns. And don't call me 'friend.' "

Vern waved next. "Look, whoever you are, these woods are being combed out by these crazy men." Leo looked away, thinking these two were already crazy to begin with it. "If you thought we were bad by hunting down woodland creatures, you don't want to get on the wrong side of them."

"I'll take my chances with them, thanks for the caution."

"I'm serious." Vern clutched Leo's shoulder as he walked by. Leonardo grabbed his hand in return and body slammed him. "Ack! Hey!" Di was at Leo's side, growling.

"Don't touch me." Leo spoke calmly. "I said I'll take my chances."

"Hey, just listen okay." Leo started to walk away again as Vern turned in his direction. "They have an operation here, they're hunting down wolves, uh...as I was told. "They're looking for a man that's no longer a beast."

Leo paused and looked back. "You've seen them? You talked to them?"

Vern started to rise. Sal approached his buddy to help him up.

"They said there's a man that escaped. Uh, he's man now cuz they said it's daylight, but uh...he was a beast at the time of when he took off. And uh...uh....something else. An alien or something."

"Don." Leo whispered. Donatello was the one that was left at an unknown warehouse. He must have been caught but escaped as well as Casey. He then thought of the two officers back in town. One of them contacted someone on his walkie talkie as Leo was taking off. He heard him say that he saw him with his own eyes. First soldiers, now forest rangers? Leonardo suddenly groaned out loud, a groan so loud and deep, it frightened Sal and Vern. The wolf's ears perked up to him.

"The whole damn forest will be hunted!" He exclaimed, wide-eyed. "These soldiers are after the beast and the escaped alien. But two forest rangers from town spotted- " Leonardo almost pointed to himself but groaned again. "They too, saw an alien of some sort. Maybe it's the same one, who knows. But now, it's not safe anywhere. You two are in danger out here!" Leo pointed, scaring them to death.

"Wha....what do you mean, in danger?" Sal gulped.

"You said yourself these men are crazy!" Leo pointed to Vern. He was talking louder than before, with a growl tone. "If the beast is human now and the alien could be in disguise, that means they'll shoot at anything in sight. Anything or anyone! Do you understand?!"

Vern nodded, almost shaking in his boots. Sal was petrified.

Suddenly, not too far away, gun shots went off, making Vern and Sal jolt. The wolves looked left to right of them. Leo looked in the direction of the gun shots, then to the hunters.

Sal started to whine. "What do we do, what do we-"

"Run!" Leonardo took off running with Di at his side. The wolves scattered and the two hunters bumped into each other as they started to run.

Late morning was among them. It was bright and sunny out with the scattered clouds moving across the skies, causing patchy shadows down on the ground. Leonardo was out in the open. Exposed to anyone walking the woods at normal hours of the daytime. Guns fired to the wolves. Leo clenched his teeth, wishing he couldn't hear the sorrowful sounds of them in pain. Casey was full human again. There was no reason to destroy the wolves except for sport or to get them out of their way.

"Got to contact April again." Leo pulled out his communicator and turned it on. "April, it's Leo. Pick up, April." April didn't answer. "April! Answer, now!" He groaned and put it back to his belt. "Must have it turned down. Damn it!" Di looked up to him, questionably. "They're probably still at that warehouse. Casey's out here somewhere. But what about Don?"

Leonardo paused when he saw the farmhouse at a distance. Di panted hard, almost falling over from weakness. Leo pushed a branch away to get a clear view of the area. The house looked the same far away. It was upclose that worried him. The door was closed but it still didn't feel right. If soldiers were looking everywhere, they'd knock on each of the neighbor's door for questioning. Donatello would definitely not return here. Leo tried contacting April again, still getting nothing. He reached the front porch, then walked to the side of the house. Too risky to go in now. Di panted at his side.

"No one's here." He said aloud. "Where would Casey go? Wait a minute." Leo thought for a moment, then got an idea. "This way, come on, girl." Following the trail, he started a fast pace. Di growled and started to run after him.

I'm weak, turtle. He's going to kill me from all this running!

Casey and Jack sat at a low table, sipping broth. The sun rays attempted to shine through the thick curtains of the dirty window. Jack was a man that kept his business to no one but himself. Now with a new friend sharing the same fate, he decided to open up to him.

"I feel like eating a deer." Casey grumbled to the thin liquid.

Jack laughed. "You'll be feeling that way for a long time, I'm afraid."

"Is it true?" Jack frowned next. "Is it true you are...what you say you are?"

"Very true, friend. Been one for almost a year now."

"I can't live with this. I just can't." Casey pushed the bowl aside, reaching for a large piece of turkey meat from a plate.

"You seemed to do fine on your first night." He looked away. "Other than me finding you naked and freezing."

"I got caught, Jack!" Casey raised his voice. "Caught and treated like a fucking lab creature!"

"It's expected to happen, Casey! You lived, that's what counts. You got out of there alive without being seen of your true form. Your human identity still remains a mystery to them."

"My family knows." He muttered through chews.

Jack's eyes widened. "You told your wife and kid?"

"I had no choice. I showed all the signs and they saw right through me." Jack nodded to him as if he knew how that felt. "Plus, some so-called friends know."

"Friends?"

"Um..." Casey waved a hand. "Friends, more like family members. Sort of. They're trustworthy. I think."

"You sound skeptical of them."

"They knew what I was before April and Shadow even..." He looked up. "I mean, before, my wife and...oh, damn! April! Shadow! Yeah, that's their names. No secrets there." Jack shrugged to that.

"I'm not a cop in disguise, either, if you must know."

Casey nodded. But, he still couldn't give away whom his friends really were.

"They knew I was bitten and that on the night of the full moon, I'd be a danger to my family. So, they took me out for a long walk and as I transformed, I freaked out and...." Casey closed his eyes. "I turned on them, losing control. I couldn't help myself."

Jack nodded. "They knew but were prepared for your attacks?"

"They're trained in martial arts, Jack." Casey glared, almost in shock at how fast they were able to fight him off. Jack stared back, also surprised. "They whipped my ass and tied me down. Mostly to protect myself from harm." Casey paused, then looked to him. "So, what's your story? How did you discover you were.....a werewolf?"

"Hmmm, well, I told you my wife left when she notices the changes in me." Jack looked away. "That was a cover-up story, Casey. I didn't want to tell you the truth." Casey frowned and leaned in. "The truth is, I was attacked by wolves and left for dead. They never found my body. I was hurt badly, too weak to make it on my own. I came to this shack where an old couple took care of my cuts and bruises."

Casey looked around. "You mean, this place once belonged to someone else before you?"

Jack nodded. "I had no worries untill the next full moon, when I discovered....my problem." He closed his eyes briefly. "Will never forget the old man's eyes. He branded a rifle at me and I reacted, slitting his throat with my-" Jack looked to his hand. "With my claw. The woman screamed and fainted while I left out in the open woods. Rangers came by to see what happened and by morning, found me bare naked and cold. One of the rangers, Robert I think is his name, said he'd keep my secret safe with him. Can't understand why he'd do that for me. But, for anyone else, I couldn't go on, transforming all the time. Before the next full moon, I went to a psychic and told her my problem." Jack closed his eyes, remembering the visit vividly.

"Your wife never did find out did, she?"

"No, she thinks I'm dead. We never disputed. We loved each other very much. I miss her. And my son."

"So, were you one last night as well?"

Jack shook his head, lifting the trinket necklace to him. "The psychic said there is no cure. But this, this keeps your form stable at all times. I get very wild and uncontrollable every full moon but I remain human throughout the night. This medalion blocks whatever it is that changes your body."

Casey stared at it, wide-eyed. "I need one of those. Where is this psychic?"

"In town. That was a year ago, I'm not sure if she's still there anymore. A year, Casey. Think of all the full moons are in a year. This has not failed me. I would give you mine but, I share the same fate as you do, and would be lost without it."

"I'll fight you for it."

Jack stood up. "Casey. Don't do this to me. We both know that's not the way to handle things." Casey inched further, just as a faint knock came to the door. Jack paused and stared to the front, then to Casey. "Who is it?" He said aloud.

"Casey, if you're in there, open up!"

Casey ran to the door and quickly opened it. Standing on the porch was Leonardo, holding a limp wolf in his arms.

"Leo?!"

"Casey." Leo said with a slight pant. "We don't have much time." He paused when he saw Jack come closer. "You must be Jack."

"Yes." Jack sized Leo up and gestured him to come in. "Who are you?"

Leonardo put the wolf down on the couch, turning to Casey whom stared wide-eyed at the wolf.

"As I said, we don't have much time. We're not safe anywhere. We have to go right now."

"Go, where?" Casey examined the wolf carefully. "What the hell is going on?"

Leo walked over with hands gesturing.

"In a few minutes, a war will be going on." He looked to Jack whom frowned. "That warehouse you were at has sent out an army of soldiers. They don't know who the beast is in human form. Everyone will be questioned." Leo continued to glare at Jack. "Everyone."

"So, we'll just hang low. Right, Jack?" Casey looked to Jack, whom looked scared. "Jack?"

"That warehouse is nothing but trouble." He whispered. "We're in big trouble no matter where we go."

"But what about her?" Casey pointed to the wolf. "I'm not leaving her."

"Casey-"

"No, damn it! I'm not!"

"Casey, the others need help." Leo bent lower. "They went to find you when you were taken to that warehouse. Don't tell me you're bailing out on them."

"I don't bail out on anyone!" He stood up pointing a finger. "If anything, you guys were the ones that bailed out on me! You left me tied to that tree!"

"We had no choice. You would have been a danger to us, Casey. To your family. To yourself-"

"Oh, that is bullshit! I would never hurt my family. You know that!" He looked to Jack for help but he backed away to stay out of it.

"Casey! You don't know what you're capable of doing when you're not in control of yourself! Yelling at April, repremanding your daughter for no apparent reason, wondering off to God knows where, taking your anger out on us. You've hurt us for long enough and I won't stand for it anymore!"

"Oh, so I've hurt the leader once again, is that it?" Casey rattled his head to Leo. "You know, if you worried less and took more action, you wouldn't be so much of a pain in the ass to deal with."

"The only pain in the ass I've learned to deal with is you." Leo said with gritted teeth.

Jack looked to the two, then to Casey. "Is this one of your trustworthy friends you mentioned, Casey?" Leo looked up to Jack.

"Yeah. Sort of." He stared at Leo for a moment. "Why did you come here? To aggrivate me?"

"No." Leonardo shook his head and turned to the door. "To inform you that your loved ones might be in trouble. I'm going after them. With or without you. I came here for help, but I'm obviously not going to get any from you. It's your family, too. Remember that."

"Leo!" Leonardo was halfway out the door before turning around to Casey's frowning face. "I just can't. I mean, face them, that is. I want to help but, it's different now."

"Nothing's different, Casey."

"Yes it is. I'm a werewolf, Leo. They won't accept me anymore."

Leonardo looked to Jack, knowing the man is aware of bizarre things, and removed his hat to show his green head.

"I'm a mutant turtle, Casey. Seems as though you, April and Shadow accepted us just fine. We would do the same for you if you give us a chance." Leonardo hung on the door, watching his expression. "Please, Casey. Come with me. Two have a better chance at it than one."

"Three." Jack reached for his rifle. Leo shuddered at the sight of the weapon. "I don't know no martial arts so I rely on the bullet effect."

"Fine, Jack, just don't expect me to ever use that thing." Leonardo looked back to Casey again. "Let's get this over with. As a family."

Casey finally nodded at last. Di was placed in Jack's bedroom upstairs. Casey feared the place would be broken into by soliders. Leo felt putting her outside in the woods would be far worse for her.

"She's weak, Casey, and would slow us down. Just leave her here for now."

Casey shook his head. "If anything happens to her, I'll kill them all." Leo smirked to that.

A sink that was once the color of porcelain white was now stained with a shade of dark red around the drain. The blood continued to seep out from Lark's cuts without stopping, giving Don something to frown about. The area they were located in was nearly deserted, giving the two a chance to relax as well as take care of a minor accident.

"Ow.....ow!"

Donatello squeezed out the remaining glass shards in her hands. "Almost got them all out."

"Let me know when you're done. God, that....owwwwch!"

"Shhh!" He smiled again. "You're such a baby, you know that?" Lark looked to him with tear-stricken cheeks. "Hey, that was a joke, okay?"

"Ha, ha."

"You know, I'm beginning to see a pattern that these people don't like unusual creatures. Ones on the loose, that is."

"Like them? We try to help them!" Don's upper lip curled with surprise. "I mean those that are hurt and defenseless. But the ones that seem a threat to us are taken care of.....well you know."

"Right. This makes two attempts on my life. Two times that I've been shot at-"

"Once, Don." He frowned at her. "I saw the whole thing. They shot off the gun, yes, but not at you. Harris wouldn't have allowed that."

"Ohhhh....How generous of him." Don's tone was dripping with sarcasm.

"What you felt was one of them knocking you out from behind....um to make you think you got shot, and then the bullet went straight into the ceiling instead....um, did you say something?"

"Hmm? Oh, well, it's just that, he's not who you think he is."

"What do you mean?"

"Harris! Kelvin Harris is what I mean!"

"What about him?"

Don groaned as he pat-washed her palms with a now stained white washcloth. "Don't watch much TV, do you?"

"Well, no-"

"Read the newspaper?"

"Um..."

"Lark! Listen to me. He's an escaped convict! Wanted in dozens of states nationwide! Is that starting to ring a bell?" Donatello stared deep into her eyes. Her glazed, slanted eyes. "They've poisoned your mind in this place. You have no idea who that madman is, do you?"

"No...." Lark whispered, her lip trembling. "I don't remember anything like that at all."

"Shh!" Don looked to the door, then back to her. "I think the place is half-evacuated. It got quiet all of a sudden."

"That means they've started a..." Her voice squeaked higher when he touched an opened wound. "....search party! Ohhhh, hoooo...."

"If he's human form by now, he'll be more harder to find."

Lark looked to him, then down to her digital watch. "It's daylight outside. Doesn't the spell end by sunrise?"

"Curse. You mean curse. And I believe it does. He'll return to human form until the next full moon." He gave her a side glance. "Anyone who has seen movies or read books on werewolves knows that."

"I don't watch too many movies or read books. I never have the time."

"But, you must have studied about werewolves, right?"

Lark shrugged. "I never studied the real thing. Fantasy and reality aren't in the same book."

"Then, you've got a lot to learn about me and my family, I'm afraid." The remark had a grin with it, but Don meant his statement to be serious. "Let's clean you up." Lark sucked in deeply as the the cold water stung like painful razor blade nicks. He watched her face while applying antibacterial soap next. Lark was about ready to either hit the roof, or pass out on the floor.

"Ow!"

He smiled sympathetically while wrapping her hands in thick gauze. "All done. Let's get going."

The two were silent down the dark corridors. Only Don's small wheezing and Lark's high-heeled shoes were enough to sound off a guard within ear-range.

"Casey is a good guy." Don explained. "He snapped at you because he's confused. Once you get to know him, you'll like him. I think."

You still didn't tell me who Leo is."

"Ah...heh, if I know my brothers, and I do..." He chuckled. "They should be arriving here, or should be here now, to rescue my poor, defenseless, shell."

"Your brothers? You have brothers?"

Donatello nodded. "My family and my life is what keeps me going. I know they wouldn't let me down."

Lark stepped out and looked down the hallways.

"The path is clear for now. So, you mean to tell me there's more than one of your kind?"

"There's three more of my kind, actually."

"Wow. Humanoid turtle-beings. That's incredible."

"I know." Don smiled. He liked to hear the awe in someone's voice when he mentioned things of interest. "I wish I could study myself but I'm terrified of needles." Lark smiled curtly back as if she knew something. "Ah....from your face, you wouldn't believe me if I told you I hate getting shots."

"I would. See this?" Lark pointed to a reddish mark on her left cheek. Don nodded, then frowned. "You don't have to tell me. I already found out the hard way." Donatello rubbed her cheek softly with a flat hand. Lark briefly closed her eyes before coming to her senses.

"I didn't mean for it to happen as it did."

"It's all right. If anything, I deserved it."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because...it's true."

"First off, you didn't deserve it. And second, it wasn't me who hit you."

"Wha- yes, it was!" Lark realized her volume and dropped her voice lower. "As I inserted the needle, you raised your fist and aimed right at my cheekbone! It was you!"

Donatello stiffened and could feel his jaw tremble.

"That's not what I meant. When I say it wasn't me, I meant that at the time it happened, I was highly drugged and very confused as to what was going on. All I could remember was a needle approaching and the last bit of strength to fend it off. Of all the apologies you've given me, I return one to you for what I have done without knowing I've done it."

"I forgive you." She spoke solemnly. "And I'm sorry-" She paused to see him purse his lips and squint his eyes. "Aha, um, that is, all that has happened is forgiven."

"And forgotten."

"Well..." Lark touched her cheek. "More like unforgettable."

"Arms ready! Get ready!"

Lark and Donatello looked up to see shadows of men searching in a room close by.

"Get back, Don!" Donatello backed against the wall as Lark walked forward to a opened room full of guards. "What on earth are they doing?"

April and Kate held each other tightly, Raphael gritted his teeth, and Michaelangelo slowly handed the cage to Splinter. The knob slowly started to turn.

"Halt! Stop right there!"

"Sir?"

More footsteps walked around the room.

"Who said that?"

"I did! Both prisoners are outside the grounds."

"Sir, are you sure-"

"Affirmative! We don't have time to check the interior. The beast has escaped in the woods. Sector 2 has assembled a search party."

"But, what of the mutant?"

"We've also received a report that a green alien has been spotted around town. Assemble your groups and meet at the front entrance. Quickly, now!"

Don looked to Lark, whom returned the same gaze. A mutant in town? It wasn't Don they saw, he was right there!

"It has to be one of my brothers they spotted. Leo, is my guess." He whispered to her. "He was the last one I talked to before-"

"Move out!"

Lark backed against the wall, once again blocking Don's body. Nobody stopped to question her this time. She nodded with a quick salute before carefully inching toward the room the guards were previously in.

The contents of the closet fell dead silent. The room also got quiet beyond the door. Splinter slowly turned the knob and stuck his head out, waving a hand behind him. Raphael and Michaelangelo followed him out to the empty room. Everything was exactly the way they left it. April and Kate came out last, sucking in as much free air as they could.

"They have gone." Splinter checked the hallway. "Gone from the room, and gone from the facility."

"All of them?" Kate walked over to Splinter but he waved her away. Raph took her arm and pulled her towards them.

"Back!" Splinter told them. "Some still remain here. They are lingering around the main halls. However, the guards have left this section to look for Casey."

"And Don!" April squeaked. "You heard what they said. They spotted a green alien in town!"

"But Don was here." Mike said, thinking logically. "How could he make it to town so quickly?"

"He didn't." A voice said from the hall. All four looked up to see Don and Lark enter the room. "That green alien they spotted was Leo."

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