CHAPTER SIX
Tim was surprised when Zach did not confront him about the porno magazines. Why hasn't he said anything? Or maybe he was just biding his time…
Zach's punishment was very light because their parents it was Zach's first. His punishment was to wash both cars and wax, plus pull all the weeds out in the backyard. It was not exactly back-breaking work and Tim felt pissed off that Zach's punishment was light.
Time for round two. Tim thought to himself. He went into his bedroom and glanced out of his window. Zach was washing their father's jeep, in the driveway. Even though it was winter, it was a sunny day but the wind was rather nippy. Zach was bundled up in trousers and a thick woolly sweater.
He pulled out two empty beer cans from his closet and hurried to hide them in Zach's bedroom. He stashed them under the bed and made himself scarce.
An hour later, Zach returned to his room for rest. Washing those cars was no easy task-his parents both had Jeeps.
He lay down on his bed when he remembered something. He jumped up and went to his desk where he had put his mini digital camera, still recording. He stopped the recording mode and went through the menu until he found the movie clip he was searching for. He played it back and smiled to himself. It had worked perfectly and Tim had not noticed a thing.
Zach went down to his knees and peered under his bed. The crushed cans were there and he pulled them out. Tim really knew how to play dirty.
" Mom?" He knocked on his parent's bedroom door. It was Leah's day off and she had been catching on some sleep. Zach found her sitting up in bed reading.
" What is it honey? Have you finished washing the cars?"
" Yes, they are drying now…can I show you something?" he held up his digital camera.
" Certainly," Leah said and Zach joined her on the bed.
" I think Tim planted those magazines but I don't have the evidence to prove it. However, I do have this that happened about an hour ago-when I was outside." Zach played the short clip for his mother. Leah went pale and her lips tightened.
" Beer cans? Where did he get those?" Leah wondered, " Oh Zach, I'm sorry for not believing you. I should have known you wouldn't read any porno magazines. Can you ever forgive me?"
Zach nodded and Leah hugged him, " Tim will have your punishment, if you download the movie onto the computer, you can play it to your dad."
" I don't think so…Tim might find it and delete it. It's best if I kept it on the camera." Zach replied.
" All right then," Leah stretched, " It's time I got out of bed and actually did something."
" You don't have to Mom, it's your day off."
" I really should spend time with you kids," Leah protested.
" Tim and I are both old enough to look after ourselves." Zach reminded her.
" I suppose so. Although when it comes to Tim, I'm not sure of anything."
* * *
Tim's plan backfired on him. He was furious. He stormed about in his room, throwing his clothes around the room, ripping up two textbooks and throwing a photograph of his family out the window. He watched with satisfaction as the wind caught the photo and it disappeared from sight.
He was still angry and he glanced around his room looking for something else to destroy, but his room was a mess. It was as if a tornado had hit it.
He stormed out and headed for Zach's room. Zach had made himself scarce once he had given his father the 'proof' and it was a good thing too or else Tim would have pounded him.
He spied the digital camera sitting on its mini tripod. Tim's eyes narrowed as he snatched it up. He pressed a button and a photo album popped up onto the screen-his incriminating video clip was still on it, so Tim erased it, also erasing Zach's other captured photographs. Everything was gone from the memory.
Tim was very tempted to destroy the camera itself, but refrained himself. It might come in handy for his own personal use-because he did not own a digital camera. His parents had bought him the Playstation instead.
He put the camera back and decided to call Steve. He has not seen his best friend since he was grounded.
Steve invited him over for dinner but Tim had to ask his parents first. At first, they refused.
" You are enough trouble already young man," Leo reminded him.
" It's only dinner and I'll come back home soon after-please?" Tim hated begging, he wanted to get out this house badly.
" All right-just this once. You can go for dinner and be home at ten-if you aren't, you'll be in big trouble."
" I'll be home five minutes before ten," Tim promised, " Thanks guys." He ran upstairs to get his jacket and left the house without a backward glance.
Tim breathed in the night air and it cleared his head-and lungs. It felt so good to be outside. He glanced at his watch; Steve said to be at his house by six pm, no later. Tim had four hours of freedom.
" Hi," Steve greeted his friend, " Come on in."
" What are we having?"
" Seafood lasagne-Dad's specialty." Steve told him and Tim's stomach grumbled. Troy was an excellent cook, much better than his own parents were.
" Great, I'm starving." Tim said gratefully, " I've got four hours of freedom, so do you want to do something after dinner?"
" We could go back to the docks," Steve suggested.
" Nah, that place can get pretty boring." Tim paused, " think of something during dinner."
" Hey, have you heard about the robberies in Darke?" Steve asked him. Darke (pronounced Dark-e) was about twenty minutes out of New York. It was a small, sleepy, seaside town and it is also, where his Uncle Mike and his family lived. Mike used to live in NYC with his brothers, but he and his family opted for a quieter change of lifestyle than the hustle and bustle of NYC. Mike also owned Darke's only pizzeria.
" No, what's happening?" Tim asked, his interest piqued. He always thought Darke was a pretty boring seaside town, where everybody knew everybody else.
" They reckon a street gang from NY is involved," Steve told him importantly,
" Shipment from one warehouse at the Darke docks has been stolen-mostly electronics."
" I wonder if Uncle Don's brands have been nicked." Tim mused.
" It wouldn't matter to him, he'll just build some more. I tell you he's so rich it makes me sick."
" He might even be richer than the President." Tim added.
" Donatello should have become the president." Steve countered.
" A mutant turtle President-that would be a first." Tim shook his head, " it will never happen."
" Why not? The government let the mutants live with humans. They gave them full citizenship," Steve pointed out.
" Let's talk about something else, this is boring," Tim decided. They joined Steve's family for dinner a few minutes later. Steve had two sisters, Stephanie and Tiffany and both were brats as far as Tim was concerned. Tiffany was the bigger brat, always taunting him about his father being a mutant (when Steve's parents weren't around of course). Tim was glad he didn't have any sisters to contend with, just one brother.
After dinner, the boys went to play on Steve's computer-and it just happened to be one of Uncle Donatello's brands.
" This is a way cool computer," Steve said after booting it up, " it's super fast and can hold a lot of memory."
" It's okay, but I've seen better." Tim said, he never thought much of his Uncle Don.
A shadow fell over them and Tim looked up. It was Steve's youngest sister Tiffany.
" How's your creepy father Timmy?" he hated to be called Timmy and she knew it.
" He ain't creepy," Tim, snapped back, " Just different."
" I'd rather die than have a mutant for a father," Tiffany went on, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder.
" There are other mutants in NY apart from my father and my uncles, so lay off!" Tim barked, " and if my dad ever meets you, he'd have you do twenty flips for calling him and his brothers creeps."
" That's bull, he wouldn't dare." Tiffany's brown eyes flashed, " We humans are far more superior than the mutants. And tell your dad never to forget it!" she stormed off then and Tim glared hotly after her.
" Never mind her, she just doesn't understand why mutants are even allowed to live with the humans. She thinks they are diseased or something."
" Well, she's wrong! Dad and I don't get along sometimes, but he's just as human as we are." Tim declared.
" Don't I know it." Steve said.
* * *
Troy was standing in the doorway and frowned thoughtfully. He had heard the exchange between Tim and his daughter. He did not share his daughter's views about the mutants but this was the first time he's about Tim's father. Troy has only spoke to Tim's father over the phone, he has never actually met him because Tim was quite private about his family and now he knew why-Tim's father was a mutant!
What kind of mutant though? Was he one of the turtles Dinah kept harping on about?
" Tim," Troy began as he stepped into the room, " I couldn't' help but overhear what you and Tiffany were saying-"
" Tiff's a brat dad," Steve interrupted, " Can you knock some sense into her? Mutants are here to stay whether she likes it or not."
" I know that son," Troy focused his attention on Tim, " You said your father is a mutant. Not being nosy or anything, but what kind of mutant is he?"
Tim looked uneasy, " Why?"
" I'm just curious that's all." Troy replied shrugging, but he was forming a plan.
" He's a mutant turtle." Tim said embarrassed, " my father is a mutant turtle okay?"
" What's his name again?" Troy asked.
" Leonardo."
* * *
Tim walked home by himself since Steve only lived a block away. He took his time, enjoying the short burst of freedom.
He heard footsteps behind him and he glanced over his shoulder, " Who's there?" he called out, but there was no answering reply.
Shrugging, he continued and neared an alleyway, stuck between two townhouses. The alleyway was a short cut that lead him to his own street-he had to jump a fence, but it wasn't too high.
He did not usually venture into the alleyway because it was home to some homeless drunks, but he decided to risk it anyway.
It was empty and he walked forward, trying to make out the fence. It was so dark, there was no lightning.
He stood still suddenly as he heard those footsteps again. He whirled around,
" Whoever is there, show yourself. I ain't scared!"
Two dark shapes shuffled toward him and he backed up slowly. He was starting to get used to the darkness now and he could see two men in a strange dark uniform.
" Let's get him before he escapes," one of the men whispered and Tim's blood went cold…
Tim was surprised when Zach did not confront him about the porno magazines. Why hasn't he said anything? Or maybe he was just biding his time…
Zach's punishment was very light because their parents it was Zach's first. His punishment was to wash both cars and wax, plus pull all the weeds out in the backyard. It was not exactly back-breaking work and Tim felt pissed off that Zach's punishment was light.
Time for round two. Tim thought to himself. He went into his bedroom and glanced out of his window. Zach was washing their father's jeep, in the driveway. Even though it was winter, it was a sunny day but the wind was rather nippy. Zach was bundled up in trousers and a thick woolly sweater.
He pulled out two empty beer cans from his closet and hurried to hide them in Zach's bedroom. He stashed them under the bed and made himself scarce.
An hour later, Zach returned to his room for rest. Washing those cars was no easy task-his parents both had Jeeps.
He lay down on his bed when he remembered something. He jumped up and went to his desk where he had put his mini digital camera, still recording. He stopped the recording mode and went through the menu until he found the movie clip he was searching for. He played it back and smiled to himself. It had worked perfectly and Tim had not noticed a thing.
Zach went down to his knees and peered under his bed. The crushed cans were there and he pulled them out. Tim really knew how to play dirty.
" Mom?" He knocked on his parent's bedroom door. It was Leah's day off and she had been catching on some sleep. Zach found her sitting up in bed reading.
" What is it honey? Have you finished washing the cars?"
" Yes, they are drying now…can I show you something?" he held up his digital camera.
" Certainly," Leah said and Zach joined her on the bed.
" I think Tim planted those magazines but I don't have the evidence to prove it. However, I do have this that happened about an hour ago-when I was outside." Zach played the short clip for his mother. Leah went pale and her lips tightened.
" Beer cans? Where did he get those?" Leah wondered, " Oh Zach, I'm sorry for not believing you. I should have known you wouldn't read any porno magazines. Can you ever forgive me?"
Zach nodded and Leah hugged him, " Tim will have your punishment, if you download the movie onto the computer, you can play it to your dad."
" I don't think so…Tim might find it and delete it. It's best if I kept it on the camera." Zach replied.
" All right then," Leah stretched, " It's time I got out of bed and actually did something."
" You don't have to Mom, it's your day off."
" I really should spend time with you kids," Leah protested.
" Tim and I are both old enough to look after ourselves." Zach reminded her.
" I suppose so. Although when it comes to Tim, I'm not sure of anything."
* * *
Tim's plan backfired on him. He was furious. He stormed about in his room, throwing his clothes around the room, ripping up two textbooks and throwing a photograph of his family out the window. He watched with satisfaction as the wind caught the photo and it disappeared from sight.
He was still angry and he glanced around his room looking for something else to destroy, but his room was a mess. It was as if a tornado had hit it.
He stormed out and headed for Zach's room. Zach had made himself scarce once he had given his father the 'proof' and it was a good thing too or else Tim would have pounded him.
He spied the digital camera sitting on its mini tripod. Tim's eyes narrowed as he snatched it up. He pressed a button and a photo album popped up onto the screen-his incriminating video clip was still on it, so Tim erased it, also erasing Zach's other captured photographs. Everything was gone from the memory.
Tim was very tempted to destroy the camera itself, but refrained himself. It might come in handy for his own personal use-because he did not own a digital camera. His parents had bought him the Playstation instead.
He put the camera back and decided to call Steve. He has not seen his best friend since he was grounded.
Steve invited him over for dinner but Tim had to ask his parents first. At first, they refused.
" You are enough trouble already young man," Leo reminded him.
" It's only dinner and I'll come back home soon after-please?" Tim hated begging, he wanted to get out this house badly.
" All right-just this once. You can go for dinner and be home at ten-if you aren't, you'll be in big trouble."
" I'll be home five minutes before ten," Tim promised, " Thanks guys." He ran upstairs to get his jacket and left the house without a backward glance.
Tim breathed in the night air and it cleared his head-and lungs. It felt so good to be outside. He glanced at his watch; Steve said to be at his house by six pm, no later. Tim had four hours of freedom.
" Hi," Steve greeted his friend, " Come on in."
" What are we having?"
" Seafood lasagne-Dad's specialty." Steve told him and Tim's stomach grumbled. Troy was an excellent cook, much better than his own parents were.
" Great, I'm starving." Tim said gratefully, " I've got four hours of freedom, so do you want to do something after dinner?"
" We could go back to the docks," Steve suggested.
" Nah, that place can get pretty boring." Tim paused, " think of something during dinner."
" Hey, have you heard about the robberies in Darke?" Steve asked him. Darke (pronounced Dark-e) was about twenty minutes out of New York. It was a small, sleepy, seaside town and it is also, where his Uncle Mike and his family lived. Mike used to live in NYC with his brothers, but he and his family opted for a quieter change of lifestyle than the hustle and bustle of NYC. Mike also owned Darke's only pizzeria.
" No, what's happening?" Tim asked, his interest piqued. He always thought Darke was a pretty boring seaside town, where everybody knew everybody else.
" They reckon a street gang from NY is involved," Steve told him importantly,
" Shipment from one warehouse at the Darke docks has been stolen-mostly electronics."
" I wonder if Uncle Don's brands have been nicked." Tim mused.
" It wouldn't matter to him, he'll just build some more. I tell you he's so rich it makes me sick."
" He might even be richer than the President." Tim added.
" Donatello should have become the president." Steve countered.
" A mutant turtle President-that would be a first." Tim shook his head, " it will never happen."
" Why not? The government let the mutants live with humans. They gave them full citizenship," Steve pointed out.
" Let's talk about something else, this is boring," Tim decided. They joined Steve's family for dinner a few minutes later. Steve had two sisters, Stephanie and Tiffany and both were brats as far as Tim was concerned. Tiffany was the bigger brat, always taunting him about his father being a mutant (when Steve's parents weren't around of course). Tim was glad he didn't have any sisters to contend with, just one brother.
After dinner, the boys went to play on Steve's computer-and it just happened to be one of Uncle Donatello's brands.
" This is a way cool computer," Steve said after booting it up, " it's super fast and can hold a lot of memory."
" It's okay, but I've seen better." Tim said, he never thought much of his Uncle Don.
A shadow fell over them and Tim looked up. It was Steve's youngest sister Tiffany.
" How's your creepy father Timmy?" he hated to be called Timmy and she knew it.
" He ain't creepy," Tim, snapped back, " Just different."
" I'd rather die than have a mutant for a father," Tiffany went on, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder.
" There are other mutants in NY apart from my father and my uncles, so lay off!" Tim barked, " and if my dad ever meets you, he'd have you do twenty flips for calling him and his brothers creeps."
" That's bull, he wouldn't dare." Tiffany's brown eyes flashed, " We humans are far more superior than the mutants. And tell your dad never to forget it!" she stormed off then and Tim glared hotly after her.
" Never mind her, she just doesn't understand why mutants are even allowed to live with the humans. She thinks they are diseased or something."
" Well, she's wrong! Dad and I don't get along sometimes, but he's just as human as we are." Tim declared.
" Don't I know it." Steve said.
* * *
Troy was standing in the doorway and frowned thoughtfully. He had heard the exchange between Tim and his daughter. He did not share his daughter's views about the mutants but this was the first time he's about Tim's father. Troy has only spoke to Tim's father over the phone, he has never actually met him because Tim was quite private about his family and now he knew why-Tim's father was a mutant!
What kind of mutant though? Was he one of the turtles Dinah kept harping on about?
" Tim," Troy began as he stepped into the room, " I couldn't' help but overhear what you and Tiffany were saying-"
" Tiff's a brat dad," Steve interrupted, " Can you knock some sense into her? Mutants are here to stay whether she likes it or not."
" I know that son," Troy focused his attention on Tim, " You said your father is a mutant. Not being nosy or anything, but what kind of mutant is he?"
Tim looked uneasy, " Why?"
" I'm just curious that's all." Troy replied shrugging, but he was forming a plan.
" He's a mutant turtle." Tim said embarrassed, " my father is a mutant turtle okay?"
" What's his name again?" Troy asked.
" Leonardo."
* * *
Tim walked home by himself since Steve only lived a block away. He took his time, enjoying the short burst of freedom.
He heard footsteps behind him and he glanced over his shoulder, " Who's there?" he called out, but there was no answering reply.
Shrugging, he continued and neared an alleyway, stuck between two townhouses. The alleyway was a short cut that lead him to his own street-he had to jump a fence, but it wasn't too high.
He did not usually venture into the alleyway because it was home to some homeless drunks, but he decided to risk it anyway.
It was empty and he walked forward, trying to make out the fence. It was so dark, there was no lightning.
He stood still suddenly as he heard those footsteps again. He whirled around,
" Whoever is there, show yourself. I ain't scared!"
Two dark shapes shuffled toward him and he backed up slowly. He was starting to get used to the darkness now and he could see two men in a strange dark uniform.
" Let's get him before he escapes," one of the men whispered and Tim's blood went cold…