Much to Donatello's protests, Leo and Raph had insisted on escorting me to
the surface. Because Don was still recovering from his injuries, his
brothers didn't want him taking any chances in case they crossed paths with
their enemy. The Foot had been trying for years to find their lair and in
recent months had increased their persistence. The last thing Leo wanted
was one more defenseless person to protect. That, of course, didn't sit
well with Don. We left the lair with him sulking in his room.
While making for our exit point, I soon discovered that my friends had chosen a home so difficult to find, even a blood hound would be challenged. At one point along the way the rank odors that assaulted my nose would have turned anyone back from looking further. It nearly made me gag. But, once we were passed that obstacle the air seemed fresher. Maybe by comparison, but I think there was definitely a ventilation shaft in that part of the sewer which brought in clean air.
It still would have been easy getting lost with the twists and turns of the sewers that honeycombed under the Bronx. Especially for someone as directionally challenged as my self.
I noticed that my escorts had become edgy once we were passed the rankest part of our trek. At first it unnerved me. While in the lair they were relaxed and chatty. But now they were as quiet as a whisper. I tried to start up a conversation once but the look both Leo and Raph gave me pretty much shut me up. I guess considering that they were forced to be on the alert whenever they cruised the tunnels, talking was a luxury they couldn't afford.
Occasionally they would stop and listen; cocking their heads left to right as they tried to make out the various noises. The drips of water and the scurry of various unseen critters – probably rats – seemed to be all that I could hear. But, more than likely, my friends' could hear past all of that for the more ominous sounds; such as a foot-fall. Fortunately, the sewers seemed to be quiet on this particular day.
We walked for almost an hour through the various tunnels. I was getting a little tired since I hadn't done much walking. The lair was just so big. However my escorts seemed unfazed by it all. Obviously their training had a lot to do with it.
As we neared our exit, I was starting to get quite apprehensive. I thought for sure I would be thrilled to death about going topside again. After being underground for nearly six weeks I was desperate to see some sunshine.
However, much to my surprise just before we would have climbed out of the sewers I had a panic attack.
"Just take a deep breath, Min; you'll get control back soon enough." Leo softly encouraged me. He laid a reassuring hand on my shoulder as I shuddered.
"I gave up having control six weeks ago!" I lamented between gasps. "This is absolutely ridiculous!" I seethed.
I was sitting down on the concrete floor of an alcove where our exit was. My head was hanging between my knees as I sought to regain my composure. I was trying to calm my racing heart.
I had very few of these attacks in my lifetime, but when I had them, they were very debilitating, to say the least. It usually took about an hour to get back to whatever normal was for me.
Looking over at Raph I could see impatience written all over his face. He seemed to get that way a lot.
"If we don't get going, Leo," Raph whispered between clenched teeth, "we'll be tak'n a chance of those Foot goons coming across us." He looked at me and almost seemed disgusted.
I tried to ignore him; the tough approach never did work with me anyway. I only dug my heels in deeper which didn't help whatever situation I found my self in. This particular moment wasn't the first time I'd noticed how much Raph and I were alike.
"I'm aware of that, Raph." Leo replied tartly, "but Min has to take it slow. It's been a while. Just keep alert, okay."
Leo was obviously just as nervous as Raph was, but it would do them little good if I crumbled completely at the worse possible moment.
Raph grumbled disagreeably and I could sense he wasn't too happy about his brother's decision to let me go topside. He had argued the point, reasoning that I should take little steps in that direction rather than head straight for the police department first time up.
But Leo felt that since I had already contacted my old boss I needed to make good on going to the police. Otherwise Bill would start to wonder about why I hadn't shown up yet at the diner. He would probably then go to the authorities if only to alert them that I was still alive. That would more than likely start another search for me which could bring them into the sewers. With the Foot infiltrating the precinct they would be delighted to bring any law enforcement into their hunt for my friends' home. It would only then be a matter of time before they were found out.
In hindsight it was probably a bad idea for me to have called Bill. Now he knew I was among the living and, before too long, so would everyone else. I regretted my actions and, it seemed, so did everyone else in the lair. However it was a done deal, regardless.
But right now I only cared about regaining some measure of sanity. My panic attack didn't stem from how long it had been since the last time I was above ground. It was the 'performance' I was to give to the police that had my knees quaking. Whether I did it now or later, my stomach would still be doing flip flops.
As much as I wanted to see Crazy Bill, going to the police first delayed the visit. We had to think up a convincing excuse why I had disappeared. I had to be good at sounding truthful regarding it.
According to Don, my concussion did provide a reason for my purported 'amnesia'. It would be classified as retrograde amnesia. Simply put, the victim can recall events that occurred after a trauma, but cannot remember previously familiar information or the events preceding the trauma.
That was what I basically told Bill when I mentioned not remember things until I saw his face on television.
Sometimes, though, past memories can be recalled with 'triggers'. It was just my fortune to say as much to my ex boss when I called him the other day.
Don and his brothers then rehearsed with me what I had to say in order to make my story real. The hard part, though, was going to be convincing the authorities that my rescuers were very private and not wanting any attention on the matter. The only ace in the hole that I had was my wanting to express appreciation for their hospitality by not divulging who they were. I was hoping the police would honor me with that and not push for details. Again, the amnesia excuse would help in that endeavor.
"Any better?" Leo asked earnestly but quietly.
"Getting there." was my reply. I was taking deep slow breaths per his advice. It seemed to be helping.
Leo suddenly appeared tenser than he was earlier. I was wondering if maybe he had heard something. My nervousness went up a notch.
We were in a small alcove or niche in the sewer system, just below the access shaft that led to the man-hole cover. Iron rungs embedded into the concrete led straight up about twelve feet. The niche was big enough for all three of us to fit into. However, Raph elected to guard the entrance as a look-out.
If it weren't for Leo's flashlight the alcove would have been pitch black. I was thankful for that light; if only to ward off the monsters in my imagination.
Just as I was about to say something along the lines of being ready to climb the rungs, Leo clapped his hand over my mouth. He pulled me protectively towards him and backed up deeper into the alcove. I was surprised by his strength and apparent urgency, so I decided not to resist.
Just as he clicked his flashlight off, I saw Raph ease into the alcove with us. He backed up as far as he could; pushing against me until I was sandwiched between them.
Let me say this, my current position would not have been my first choice to find myself in. Between Leo's hard plastron behind me and the back of Raph's shell pushing in front, I thought one good sneeze from either of them and I was going to have breast reduction in a hurry! But with Leo's hand firmly entrenched over my mouth, I knew that whatever was happening took precedence over my immediate comfort.
I felt a low noiseless rumbling against my chest as Raph's anxiety vibrated through his carapace. He held himself in check only because I think he didn't want to react with me there. It was the closest I had ever experienced being with either turtle.
I was just a mite uncomfortable, which only intensified when I felt Raph remove both his sais. Something was coming.
I could feel Leo's breath as he held me still; almost sensing his need for me to be quiet. Not a word did either of them say. They were as still and silent as the stone walls that made up the niche. A level of energy seemed to surround us that I had a hard time discerning. It wasn't anything tangible, but it was definitely there. After six weeks of being in their company and listening to Splinter, I believed in that moment my friends were going deep into their ninjitsu training.
Just as I looked over Raph's shoulder to see what I could in the inky blackness, I sensed a form pass by the opening. It was more like several forms, to be honest. None of them utilized a flashlight. But the difference in the kind of dark the alcove provided and the one outside of it was slightly noticeable. The forms were wearing black, as well. Without question I knew it was a group of Foot soldiers. My eyes went wide and almost in that same instant I felt Leo's other hand silently cover my face.
Okay, now how in the world can anyone see the 'whites of my eyes' when it was already pitch black? But, I elected not to argue. In fact, I hunkered down just a little in a surprise gesture of submission. I was definitely out of my element in the lightless sewers. My friends, however, were clearly at home here. They were in charge!
We waited there like that for a good thirty minutes. Raph finally relaxed and eased up on me. He cautiously and silently stepped away to look beyond the alcove. I didn't have a clue how he was able to see, but he returned moments later with a whispered "All's clear".
Leo switched the flashlight back on. Then Raph climbed the rungs first and disappeared up into the access shaft that led to the man hole. I followed him with Leo standing guard down below.
Raph gently lifted the cover and the instant he did, light flooded the tube. I grimaced from its brightness; it almost hurt.
Raph insisted on doing a once over before allowing me to come on up. When he gave his approval I finished ascending the remaining rungs.
There isn't any way that I can describe how good it felt to breath in that wonderful fresh air. Okay, maybe not fresh like in mountain fresh considering we're talking about New York. But comparing that to what the lair offered, it was heaven! I had forgotten, actually, what good air smelled like. It was intoxicating.
"Well, I guess this is it." I said nervously.
I looked around me and noticed that we were in – of all things – an alley. Imagine that. Alleys seemed to be my friends' favorite place to emerge from.
"So, you sure, ah, you'll be all right, Min?" Raph asked. He seemed uncharacteristically concerned; he probably noticed my uneasiness.
"Sure. I have your phone number and as soon as I'm done with the police I'll give you a call! As ordered, I'll meet you back here!"
Raph then warned me, "Be careful, though. The Foot have informants there at the precinct. April discovered at least three and sometimes they work the front desk. Just watch yer back 'sall."
"No problem." I said. "If I end up at the hospital for tests I'll let you know that, too."
Though my friends could have accompanied me by donning trench coats and oversized hats, they decided it was too risky. With known Foot soldiers working within the police department it would have been foolish for them to waltz in there.
"Okay, but if you feel like you're being followed or watched you need to call us. We may have to direct you to a different location further away from here." Raph instructed me.
He seemed to hesitate for a moment as he looked at me. I became just a little uncomfortable with it. The next thing I knew he was grabbing me in a bear-hug and muttered, "Just don't get into any trouble, okay?"
Then he was down the sewer access hole before I could recover from his embrace. Raph hugged me! Now THAT was one for my diary. I really need to start one, all things considered.
While making for our exit point, I soon discovered that my friends had chosen a home so difficult to find, even a blood hound would be challenged. At one point along the way the rank odors that assaulted my nose would have turned anyone back from looking further. It nearly made me gag. But, once we were passed that obstacle the air seemed fresher. Maybe by comparison, but I think there was definitely a ventilation shaft in that part of the sewer which brought in clean air.
It still would have been easy getting lost with the twists and turns of the sewers that honeycombed under the Bronx. Especially for someone as directionally challenged as my self.
I noticed that my escorts had become edgy once we were passed the rankest part of our trek. At first it unnerved me. While in the lair they were relaxed and chatty. But now they were as quiet as a whisper. I tried to start up a conversation once but the look both Leo and Raph gave me pretty much shut me up. I guess considering that they were forced to be on the alert whenever they cruised the tunnels, talking was a luxury they couldn't afford.
Occasionally they would stop and listen; cocking their heads left to right as they tried to make out the various noises. The drips of water and the scurry of various unseen critters – probably rats – seemed to be all that I could hear. But, more than likely, my friends' could hear past all of that for the more ominous sounds; such as a foot-fall. Fortunately, the sewers seemed to be quiet on this particular day.
We walked for almost an hour through the various tunnels. I was getting a little tired since I hadn't done much walking. The lair was just so big. However my escorts seemed unfazed by it all. Obviously their training had a lot to do with it.
As we neared our exit, I was starting to get quite apprehensive. I thought for sure I would be thrilled to death about going topside again. After being underground for nearly six weeks I was desperate to see some sunshine.
However, much to my surprise just before we would have climbed out of the sewers I had a panic attack.
"Just take a deep breath, Min; you'll get control back soon enough." Leo softly encouraged me. He laid a reassuring hand on my shoulder as I shuddered.
"I gave up having control six weeks ago!" I lamented between gasps. "This is absolutely ridiculous!" I seethed.
I was sitting down on the concrete floor of an alcove where our exit was. My head was hanging between my knees as I sought to regain my composure. I was trying to calm my racing heart.
I had very few of these attacks in my lifetime, but when I had them, they were very debilitating, to say the least. It usually took about an hour to get back to whatever normal was for me.
Looking over at Raph I could see impatience written all over his face. He seemed to get that way a lot.
"If we don't get going, Leo," Raph whispered between clenched teeth, "we'll be tak'n a chance of those Foot goons coming across us." He looked at me and almost seemed disgusted.
I tried to ignore him; the tough approach never did work with me anyway. I only dug my heels in deeper which didn't help whatever situation I found my self in. This particular moment wasn't the first time I'd noticed how much Raph and I were alike.
"I'm aware of that, Raph." Leo replied tartly, "but Min has to take it slow. It's been a while. Just keep alert, okay."
Leo was obviously just as nervous as Raph was, but it would do them little good if I crumbled completely at the worse possible moment.
Raph grumbled disagreeably and I could sense he wasn't too happy about his brother's decision to let me go topside. He had argued the point, reasoning that I should take little steps in that direction rather than head straight for the police department first time up.
But Leo felt that since I had already contacted my old boss I needed to make good on going to the police. Otherwise Bill would start to wonder about why I hadn't shown up yet at the diner. He would probably then go to the authorities if only to alert them that I was still alive. That would more than likely start another search for me which could bring them into the sewers. With the Foot infiltrating the precinct they would be delighted to bring any law enforcement into their hunt for my friends' home. It would only then be a matter of time before they were found out.
In hindsight it was probably a bad idea for me to have called Bill. Now he knew I was among the living and, before too long, so would everyone else. I regretted my actions and, it seemed, so did everyone else in the lair. However it was a done deal, regardless.
But right now I only cared about regaining some measure of sanity. My panic attack didn't stem from how long it had been since the last time I was above ground. It was the 'performance' I was to give to the police that had my knees quaking. Whether I did it now or later, my stomach would still be doing flip flops.
As much as I wanted to see Crazy Bill, going to the police first delayed the visit. We had to think up a convincing excuse why I had disappeared. I had to be good at sounding truthful regarding it.
According to Don, my concussion did provide a reason for my purported 'amnesia'. It would be classified as retrograde amnesia. Simply put, the victim can recall events that occurred after a trauma, but cannot remember previously familiar information or the events preceding the trauma.
That was what I basically told Bill when I mentioned not remember things until I saw his face on television.
Sometimes, though, past memories can be recalled with 'triggers'. It was just my fortune to say as much to my ex boss when I called him the other day.
Don and his brothers then rehearsed with me what I had to say in order to make my story real. The hard part, though, was going to be convincing the authorities that my rescuers were very private and not wanting any attention on the matter. The only ace in the hole that I had was my wanting to express appreciation for their hospitality by not divulging who they were. I was hoping the police would honor me with that and not push for details. Again, the amnesia excuse would help in that endeavor.
"Any better?" Leo asked earnestly but quietly.
"Getting there." was my reply. I was taking deep slow breaths per his advice. It seemed to be helping.
Leo suddenly appeared tenser than he was earlier. I was wondering if maybe he had heard something. My nervousness went up a notch.
We were in a small alcove or niche in the sewer system, just below the access shaft that led to the man-hole cover. Iron rungs embedded into the concrete led straight up about twelve feet. The niche was big enough for all three of us to fit into. However, Raph elected to guard the entrance as a look-out.
If it weren't for Leo's flashlight the alcove would have been pitch black. I was thankful for that light; if only to ward off the monsters in my imagination.
Just as I was about to say something along the lines of being ready to climb the rungs, Leo clapped his hand over my mouth. He pulled me protectively towards him and backed up deeper into the alcove. I was surprised by his strength and apparent urgency, so I decided not to resist.
Just as he clicked his flashlight off, I saw Raph ease into the alcove with us. He backed up as far as he could; pushing against me until I was sandwiched between them.
Let me say this, my current position would not have been my first choice to find myself in. Between Leo's hard plastron behind me and the back of Raph's shell pushing in front, I thought one good sneeze from either of them and I was going to have breast reduction in a hurry! But with Leo's hand firmly entrenched over my mouth, I knew that whatever was happening took precedence over my immediate comfort.
I felt a low noiseless rumbling against my chest as Raph's anxiety vibrated through his carapace. He held himself in check only because I think he didn't want to react with me there. It was the closest I had ever experienced being with either turtle.
I was just a mite uncomfortable, which only intensified when I felt Raph remove both his sais. Something was coming.
I could feel Leo's breath as he held me still; almost sensing his need for me to be quiet. Not a word did either of them say. They were as still and silent as the stone walls that made up the niche. A level of energy seemed to surround us that I had a hard time discerning. It wasn't anything tangible, but it was definitely there. After six weeks of being in their company and listening to Splinter, I believed in that moment my friends were going deep into their ninjitsu training.
Just as I looked over Raph's shoulder to see what I could in the inky blackness, I sensed a form pass by the opening. It was more like several forms, to be honest. None of them utilized a flashlight. But the difference in the kind of dark the alcove provided and the one outside of it was slightly noticeable. The forms were wearing black, as well. Without question I knew it was a group of Foot soldiers. My eyes went wide and almost in that same instant I felt Leo's other hand silently cover my face.
Okay, now how in the world can anyone see the 'whites of my eyes' when it was already pitch black? But, I elected not to argue. In fact, I hunkered down just a little in a surprise gesture of submission. I was definitely out of my element in the lightless sewers. My friends, however, were clearly at home here. They were in charge!
We waited there like that for a good thirty minutes. Raph finally relaxed and eased up on me. He cautiously and silently stepped away to look beyond the alcove. I didn't have a clue how he was able to see, but he returned moments later with a whispered "All's clear".
Leo switched the flashlight back on. Then Raph climbed the rungs first and disappeared up into the access shaft that led to the man hole. I followed him with Leo standing guard down below.
Raph gently lifted the cover and the instant he did, light flooded the tube. I grimaced from its brightness; it almost hurt.
Raph insisted on doing a once over before allowing me to come on up. When he gave his approval I finished ascending the remaining rungs.
There isn't any way that I can describe how good it felt to breath in that wonderful fresh air. Okay, maybe not fresh like in mountain fresh considering we're talking about New York. But comparing that to what the lair offered, it was heaven! I had forgotten, actually, what good air smelled like. It was intoxicating.
"Well, I guess this is it." I said nervously.
I looked around me and noticed that we were in – of all things – an alley. Imagine that. Alleys seemed to be my friends' favorite place to emerge from.
"So, you sure, ah, you'll be all right, Min?" Raph asked. He seemed uncharacteristically concerned; he probably noticed my uneasiness.
"Sure. I have your phone number and as soon as I'm done with the police I'll give you a call! As ordered, I'll meet you back here!"
Raph then warned me, "Be careful, though. The Foot have informants there at the precinct. April discovered at least three and sometimes they work the front desk. Just watch yer back 'sall."
"No problem." I said. "If I end up at the hospital for tests I'll let you know that, too."
Though my friends could have accompanied me by donning trench coats and oversized hats, they decided it was too risky. With known Foot soldiers working within the police department it would have been foolish for them to waltz in there.
"Okay, but if you feel like you're being followed or watched you need to call us. We may have to direct you to a different location further away from here." Raph instructed me.
He seemed to hesitate for a moment as he looked at me. I became just a little uncomfortable with it. The next thing I knew he was grabbing me in a bear-hug and muttered, "Just don't get into any trouble, okay?"
Then he was down the sewer access hole before I could recover from his embrace. Raph hugged me! Now THAT was one for my diary. I really need to start one, all things considered.
