Hello guys, sorry it took me so long to update. I had a bit of a pre-Christmas rush with friends over and everything. Anyways, a special thank-you to everyone who reviewed and I hope everyone who sees this has a Happy New Year.

Chapter 2

"Thank you guys for coming."

Leo gave a smile of appreciation as April handed him a steaming cup of tea. He, Raph and Don where sitting around April's lounge, a familiar place to be though not usually at this time of day. The turtles where use to visiting by night, when chances of being spotted where relatively smaller. "I guess Mikey didn't show up then." the young woman observed. She stood tall infront of the three sitting figures who all busied themselves with sipping tea. Various slurping noises erupted from the room. "He's sick." Don took a break to explain, he tried to recall the events that took place half an hour ago in the lair:

"I'm coming too!" Mikey coughed as he struggled to sit up. His three brothers exchanged disapproving glances; they had all ventured into the young turtle's room to tell him the news. Consequently, they'd also cornered him in bed, leaving no space for Mikey to get out. "Maybe you should stay back this time." Leo suggested "We're only checking to see if April's okay, but from what we know, nothing's actually happened to her." It was no use. If there's anything Mikey hated, it's being left out of something. Feeling nauseated or not, he was going to go. "Don't worry, I'll live." he insisted, waiting for someone to move out of the way. No one did. "Mikey, you've contracted a cold." Don began; he took a closer observation by placing his palm on Mikey's forehead. "Looks like you've got a mild fever too, I think you should stay back." Mikey still seemed unconvinced, but was obviously finding it difficult to contradict a medical fact.

"Mikey, just stay back." Raph orded bluntly, his arms where crossed. Infact, their arms where all crossed. Mikey suddenly felt like there was some sort of intimidation technique going on here, with his brothers standing over him like that. "Michealangelo." a soft voice came from behind them, Master Splinter walked through the door "I understand your concern for Miss O'Neil, but I'm sure your brothers alone can handle the situation. You on the other hand need to get some rest." He'd obviously been listening outside for a long time. "Aw." Mikey groaned and slumped back onto the mattress. How could he argue when his whole family was against him? "Fine." The youngest turtle finally answered, clearly not very happy about it. "Just make sure some one tells me what happened when you's get back."

" . . . .So he'd probably be out of commission for a while." Don finished. He brought the cup to his chin and took another large sip; Raph took the opportunity to speak. "April, that Julia whatever girl we heard about on the news. You know her or something?" April was expecting the question; it's what she's been dying to speak to someone about ever since that morning. Ever since she found out Julia was . . .. "We where, almost friends." April answered. Her memory shifted back, back to four months ago, when a strange young woman had moved to her neighborhood.

"Oh, let me help you with that!" April insisted. Without waiting for an answer, she threw herself onto what appeared to be the other end of a giant box. "Thank you." Breathed the person on the other end, her face was covered from April's position, "Please, help me move that to the steps." she said. With some difficulty the box was made to fit into an uncomfortably narrow corridor. "So, just moved in?" April asked, wiping her brow. She smiled warmly at her new neighbor, who (now that they've stepped back outside) seemed a few years older than herself. "Yeah, hi." the woman greeted, she mimicked April's action. "I assume you live around her –uh"

"April."

"-Oh. Oh yes April, would you excuse me?"

April allowed the stranger to pass her. She watched on in curiosity as the woman rushed to her car. She's attending to someone, April realized. A very young boy soon emerged from the back door. Four? Five years maybe? April guessed "Your son?" she asked. "Jamie." the woman finished for her as she dragged the reluctant boy towards April. "Sorry, he's a little shy around new people." The woman added. April laughed as Jamie hid behind his mother at the sight of her. She tried not to look too intimidating as she brought herself down to eye level with him. "Hi, I'm April. Nice to meet you." Jamie gasped and ducked even further, until he was out of sight. His mother started down at him with mild disappointment "Sorry Miss, as I said; he's very shy."

"No worries." April answered cheerfully, checking her watch. "Well, I'd better be going then." She started to leave, but then something hit her halfway down the path. "By the way." she called turning suddenly, "Since it looks like we'll soon be neighbors, can I know your name?" The woman seemed rather surprised at the question, April hopped she didn't offend her in any way. To her relief, the woman gave her a pleasant smile. "I'm Julia." she answered "And I guess I'll see you again sometime in the future."

"So then, did you see or hear anything April?" Leo's voice immediately snapped her back to reality. April had sat herself down on the seat opposite the sofa. She knew the question was referring to the events of last night. "No." she signed tiredly. "Well, sort of. I fell asleep watching TV last night, I think I woke up again at around 12:30."

"You woke up?" Don asked curiously.

April leaned forwards and lowered her tone for a more dramatic effect, "I thought I heard a noise outside; like someone banging on the door or something." She lent back to her normal position, "I'm not sure how long it went on for. But when I checked, I saw nothing." April stopped and considered her own answer. "I guess I was tired." she finished. Leo and Raph nodded, Don thought over this. Of course April wouldn't have noticed anything; the crime scene was a few blocks down from her place, had the murder escaped, he would have avoided the main road as much as possible. But then, what's with the banging in the first place? Or was it totally unrelated?

"See, the reason I asked you guys over." April started in a hopeful tone "Is cause I have a favor to ask, uh" By then the three turtles had finished with their teas and where all looking at her with questioning eyes. Understandably, she felt a bit uncomfortable with the situation, but continued on all the same" –would you's . . . mind spending the night?"

"What, here?"

April nodded furiously. Raph recalled the time when he and his brothers stayed over at April's because of a jewelry store being robbed down the road. It had lead to the Nano incident, which was quite a story in itself. "We'd be happy to." Leo answered before he could. Don obviously agreed "We'll go back to the lair to get some supplies and tell Sensei." he said. "We should be back in an hour."

"That's okay." April replied. She got up and led the three to the backdoor, letting out a silent sign of relief. "I'll probably have some officers over later in the day. They might need to ask me a few questions. Just be back some time before sunset." It was Leo who opened the door; he stood far behind it, out of view then slowly extended his neck for a better look. There was no one in sight. "This way," he signaled his brothers. They followed. "Don't worry April." Don whispered as he exits the door, "We'll make sure nothing happens to you." The young woman gave a weak smile, "Thanks. I needed that." she whispered back.

April stood in the doorway long after her friends had gone. I won't end up like Julia, she thought determindly, retreating back to the lounge. Poor, dead Julia . . . and her son. The front doorbell caused her to jump in surprise. Funny, April thought, startled. I wasn't expecting any questioning this early. With caution, she peeped through the hole in her door. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. No one was there . . .as no one had been the night before. April suddenly felt the urge to call back the guys. Don, Leo and Raph, Oh! if only they hadn't left! No, I'm being paranoid, she told herself, it can't be who I think it is. "Who's there?" she asked out loud. There was no answer.

April gripped the handle,

I must be wrong. . .

she opened the door,

It's a mistake. . .

she stepped outside with frightening suddeness. Still no one. "Hello?" April yelled "Is anyone there?" she paced forwards a little, looking around. Unnoticed, two dark hands appeared behind her.

"Hello? Anyone?"

End Chapter

Okay, that's where I'll leave it. Hope you guys like the story so far!