DISCLAIMER – Hey there! Guess what? Don't own them; never did. This story's just moving right along, isn't it? Yeah, love it when the muses keep dishing it out. Wish they would do this with my other meanderings. SIGHS…yeah, wish I had more money, too. Ah well. This chapter deals with the 'here and now', as far as this TMNT universe is concerned and as far as how it opened. Thanks for all your reviews and for your patronage. I know that not everyone will be drawn to this story, as it's more for me anyway in my exploration of the 'what if' syndrome. Be blessed.
CHAPTER 7 – They're Here!
Earlier, she had sensed someone 'different' coming into the nightclub. Although a wall separated her dressing room from the staging area, with the drapes there for added soundproofing, she could tell that someone familiar was sitting out in the lounge. Where she habitually kept her senses alert, anyway, she had noticed it almost immediately the moment 'they' came in. In spite of the fact that she rarely found anything serious to be concerned about, the difference tonight was quite distinct.
Therefore, it instantly grabbed her attention.
She tried to dismiss it, though, adding it up to delayed paranoia; something she battled with from time to time. It resulted from having to move about the way she had over the past several years, keeping herself on edge far longer than was healthy. Enduring sleepless nights, incase she had to be on the go again, only added to her mild psychosis.
Just the same, since moving to Fairbanks, she had enjoyed almost a year without such concerns. It seemed as if she was truly safe now. After being on the run for five years, it was a welcomed relief, too.
However, this evening, she felt the difference in the audience, and so her interest piqued considerably.
Even with her lengthy reprieve from the chase, she would never be so relaxed where she would drop her guard, not even once and most certainly not tonight.
Yet no matter how she tried to ignore it, though, the familiar tingling along the back of her mind now niggled at her curiosity. It was a feeling she had not felt in a very long time.
Sitting there in her private dressing room, now, she tried to focus on preparing for work. Applying more of the pale theater make-up to her face, she made sure she covered every inch with a liberal amount. No one, yet - other than Marie at home, knew what she truly looked like, a feat worthy of her heritage, although she was loathed to admit it. Although she always prepped at home to save time when she arrived at the nightclub, Gabby made sure to apply even more of the pale foundation just before stepping out on stage.
Performing as she did often generated a good amount of perspiration, even in an Alaskan lounge. She just could not afford to allow even a shadow of her true coloring to melt through.
As she worked on her eyes, tracing around them with a thick black line and fingering it out to darken her lids even more, the tingling in the back of her mind finally subsided – almost abruptly, in fact.
"Hmm…" she muttered to herself, "That's odd." She stopped what she was doing and turned in her chair to look towards the door of her small dressing room. She focused a bit, just a little. Where she had reason to be concerned, she knew that a forced mental check of her perimeters would alert anyone with like abilities. As far as she knew of, though, there were only a few in the world that were as gifted, and Alaska was just too cold for them to be here.
At least, that was her original belief.
With her half-human heritage, Gabriella had an advantage. Her daughter faired even better, but her son, Jordan, suffered more.
She worried about him. A lot, in fact. He seemed unable to adjust to the arctic temperatures, even with all the coats and sweaters she would pile onto him. His snout was constantly runny and he was sleepier than he should be. Gabby knew that her father and uncles hibernated through the New York winters when they were very young, but she could not recall how old they were when they stopped sleeping through the colder months.
Nevertheless, when Fairbanks' weather began to get chillier and Jordan's normal hyperactivity slowed down, Gabby had seriously considered contacting her family and arranging for them to pick him up. He needed a warmer climate more than she did, or her daughter, Mindy. That was not to say that they all wouldn't fair better in a more temperate climate, but her need to hide outweighed her personal preferences.
Consequently, Alaska had become Gabriella's perfect refuge. Yet despite her youngest child's struggles with the weather, she had decided to tough it out, hoping that after a time, Jordan would adjust. Even with that, however, she had recently entertained the thought of actually calling Gaele and meeting her somewhere south, maybe in Prince George. There, she would be happy to hand Jordan over to her, if it meant keeping him healthy.
Gabby might have runaway for fear that the clan would train her children to be cold-blooded killers, but the fact remained that they were indeed cold-blooded. Harsh winters could be a death sentence to such physiologies.
No way would she put her children in danger.
Now, satisfied that her earlier sensations were only her paranoia, the girl turned back to face the mirror again.
Once she had finished applying her eyeliner and mascara, she gave one more critical look at herself. Then, with her red tresses pulled back tight in a bun and now her face almost white from the pale makeup, she picked up a tube of red lipstick from the table. Leaning in towards the mirror, she drew lips along the top and bottom line of her mouth, filling them in completely. When she was done, she smiled at her reflection.
"I'd make a great Geisha girl!" she quipped cheerily.
The bright red against the almost white backdrop of her face, along with the overstated eye makeup, was quite striking – and perfect for hiding behind. If not for her obvious snout, small as it was, she could have probably performed without her headgear.
Rising up out of her chair, she unhooked her costume from the portable valet and slipped it off from its hanger. A multi layered collection of purple and lavender silk material created the sheath dress that would covered her from neck to toe during her performance. The garment was lightweight, with various lengths of fabric swishing and swaying as even the faintest breath of air moved it about, adding interest to her overall appearance. Sewn into the neck of the garment along the back, a lined yet lightweight head covering that kept her scarlet hair from showing through. The piece had overlaid pieces of the same material as the dress that hung down in the back, with extra scarves held in place with decorative pins. The scarves wrapped lightly around and down along her neck to further hide her skin coloring.
Yet, the lacey veil that crossed under her eyes concealed her most dominate feature – her turtle-like snout. Although it was far more human than her father's was and not as pronounced, it still was not human enough to ignore.
It would just give her away.
Considering what happened nearly nine years earlier in Carmel, Gabby knew that the moment anyone in the lounge learned of her true heritage, news about her would spread like a roaring forest fire.
She just could not afford to let that happen.
Therefore, the audience would see only her eyes and absolutely no one would ever know she was Gabriella Angelo, wife of Seth, daughter of Raphael, and niece of the great Don Tello.
However, just as she was about to step into her costume and only seven minutes away from her performance, another familiar tingling whispered to her. She instantly recognized it.
"Seth?"
Gabby whipped around, her heart beginning to race just a little. She dropped her costume, although she hardly noticed. Then, she felt another 'voice', almost strangled in its intent as it tried not to be 'heard'.
"Mom?"
Now, Gabby began to panic.
In all the years that she had been on the run, she had never felt her mother's presence. Not even once. She missed her terribly, of course, and Gabby would often hear phantom voices or see people that reminded her of Cassie. However, this one was stronger, more telepathic, as if her mother was close by. It felt 'excited' and 'tired', maybe even a little 'expectant'. There was an edge to it as well, as if it was somewhat irritated.
Yet as Gabby 'tasted' the feeling and thought about it, the irritation seemed more directed towards someone else and not towards her.
However, before she could ascertain it any further, it went away, almost as if someone had flipped the 'off' switch.
Almost like someone had shut their feelings down.
Now, Gabby was certain. She picked up her costume from the floor and hung it back on the portable valet stand. She saw that her hands were shaking now. Licking her reddened lips nervously, she turned around and eased over to the door, slowly opened it up, just a little. Quirking her head so she could peer out with both eyes, she saw that the backstage area was vacant. Tricia obviously hadn't arrived yet, to give Gabby her five-minute warning. However, the girl was always prompt and Gabby knew that her 'window of opportunity' was slim at best.
Opening the door wider so she could slip out, Gabby closed it quietly behind her. She quickly eased down the short hallway and around the wall that separated the rear stage area from the dressing rooms. She now faced the back of the upstage curtains. She knew that the darkened dais on the other side would prevent anyone from seeing her if she peaked between the draperies.
Just the same, however, if her feelings were true, then she had to be extra careful.
Mentally shutting herself down, she strode noiselessly over to the softened barrier that separated her from the audience beyond. Keeping herself subtly alert for Tricia, Gabby slowly worked the velvety split in the curtain. Running her index finger down along the inside of where the two parts met, she gently and slowly made a break in the material.
Where it was a nightclub, the lighting was subdued. Because the drapery was set farther back from where she would be performing, she was able to see beyond the stage area and into the audience unobserved. She waited, holding her breath as she gazed out.
Everything seemed to be fine. The tables were filling up and more people were filing in through the front door of the nightclub. Gabby smiled; it would be a good night. Her agreement with the proprietor gave her ten percent of what they took in. The more people that came and drank and ate appetizers, the more she earned. It was enough to keep her housed, her children fed and clothed, and allowed Gabby to purchase a car from a private party.
Although she didn't have a license, where getting one legally would mean allowing her family to find her, keeping to the back roads along the outskirts of town put her below the radar of the local authorities. Working at night helped, as well, too. She was mindful of the road rules and never did do anything that would draw attention to her. The fact that the registration on the car was good through June helped her as well. When that day came, Gabby was sure that Marie would be willing to add that to her resume' as well.
Where her caretaker had all bills put in her name, Gabby didn't have any trouble paying them. Where her small two-bedroom rental was located east of town and in a depressed area of Fairbanks, by that measure alone it provided a perfect cover for her. No one from the family would ever suspect she would willingly move into such a low-rent area as she had.
As Gabby finished scanning the tables, she next studied the booths. One by one, she inspected each half-round and over-stuffed niche, quickly ascertaining the kind of people who sat inside. However, the one in the far right corner, the one situated deep within the shadows there, caught her attention.
"Why did they snuff out the candle lamp?" she wondered silently. All other tables and booths had a small, candle-lit hurricane lamp. It added a soft glow around the room, giving the nightclub an intimate feel. It was possible the candle had gone out at table eight, but Gabby thought it odd where the servers always prepped the lamps before the evening crowd began filtering in. She also knew that the candles were good for at least a five-hour burn time, and it had only been a couple of hours since they had opened the lounge up.
It was very strange.
Like a whisper, Gabby allowed her senses to reach out – just a little. She focused on the deeply shadowed booth, barely brushing along the minds of those sitting there. She was nothing more than a stray thought, a random idea, a gentle memory. It was then that she 'counted' six coated figures around the table – and they all had their hoods on. However, she could not determine who they were; it was almost as if they had their own personal force shield around their minds.
Yet, the fact that they were still in their outerwear gave her pause.
"It's plenty warm in here, why would they need their hoods and coats on; sourdoughs or not!" she pondered suspiciously. Then, her eyes went wide, "Unless they're not from around here and they're hiding – or - terribly cold."
Gabby narrowed her expression and mentally pushed a little more. There, she heard it!
Voices, subtle, but definitely subdued talking.
She had learned this technique from Seth, how to distinguish voices in a crowded and vocally busy room. However, these voices were almost hushed, as if they did not want to be overheard. Just the same, she did hear one comment, in part, "…knock it off. Not here, 'kay?" Soon after, Gabby heard the sound of a cell phone going off. It was soft, as if on low, so that only the owner and anyone sitting close by would hear it. What the call was about, the girl could not say, as its volume was too low for her to discern.
Then, she heard a gruff "Aunt Roady!".
Gruff? Her father had a gruff voice. Although it had been years since she had last heard it, five years in fact, his grating voice was hard not to recognize.
"My father's here?" she whispered fearfully, swallowing back the bile that threatened to erupt from her. In that moment, Gabby felt truly sick. The more she probed, the more alarmed she became.
"They're here!" she declared silently and then suddenly panicked, "They're all here."
Now, mentally shutting herself down, she quickly scurried back to her dressing room. Shutting the door quietly behind her, she began to pack, grabbing her costume, her gloves, and anything that was traceable to her. No way, no how would she be performing tonight or leaving clues behind. If her family was here in the nightclub, it was certain that they had someone else – possibly Thomas –already at the house with her children.
She had to get to them.
She knew, now, that those in the nightclub were only a diversion.
"Mindy, Jordan!" she choked, nearly allowing her emotions to overwhelm her.
Suddenly, a knock at the door almost caused her to scream out in surprise, but she caught herself in time.
"Miss A, you're on in five."
It was Tricia. Aside from waiting tables, the girl had become Gabby's assistant and close friend when she worked at the nightclub. Although she was not privy to what the mutant singer truly looked like, Tricia was still sweet and caring. Gabby had also seen the girl on more than one occasion sitting out in the audience along the fringe, mouthing every word to every song that Gabby would sing.
Tricia was probably her biggest fan.
An idea finally came to her and Gabby knew the girl could be trusted.
"Tricia, are you alone?" she asked her.
"Y-yes, I am, why?" Tricia asked.
"I need for you to come in here, AND, I need for you to put your hand over your mouth before you do," Gabby instructed as she quickly snuffed out the one candle on her vanity, turned the mirror lights off, and then stepped back into the shadows opposite from her dressing table. The wall sconce provided the only source of illumination, now washing the walls with a soft inviting glow and creating deep shadows in the corners.
"Okaay…sure, whatever," the girl replied as she slowly opened the door. As instructed, she had one hand over her mouth as she entered the room, but then she stopped. She squinted in the subdued lighting, flicking her eyes left and right as she asked in a muffled tone, "Where – are you?" Looking around she didn't see any trace of Miss A. "Are you hiding?" Tricia inquired through her hand, a bit amused. She kept her hand over her mouth, though, as asked, all the while looking around the room for her friend.
She then spied a darkened figure in the far corner.
Suddenly, that figure spoke.
"Yes, I am." Gabby responded softly. "Now, listen to me very carefully. I need you to do something for me; it's a matter of safety for me and my children."
"You – you have kids?" the girl asked in obvious surprise.
"Yes I do, and there are people out in the audience right now who want to take them from me." Gabby paused to let her words sink in before continuing, "I've been hiding out in Alaska, just so they won't find me. But, it seems they have anyway."
"Why are you hiding and why would they want your kids?" Tricia innocently asked.
Gabby sighed, saying simply, "Let's just say we didn't agree to disagree. Now, I'm aware that you know my program and that you have lip synced to my songs."
The girl's eyes widened ever so slightly as if she were found out, a sin committed and now no longer a secret. "How, did you know?" Tricia finally whispered.
Chuckling a little, Gabby answered, "I come into the bar on my off nights now and then, just to relax. However, you would not know, because I wear a cloak and hood. It's rather convenient that they have recorded my performances, though. I find it interesting to hear myself sometimes."
Tricia nodded, "I – remember someone coming in occasionally, dressed like that. Didn't know it was you, though."
"No, you weren't supposed to. Can I trust you not to say anything? I can trust you, right?" Gabby asked.
Nodding eagerly as if now apart of a wonderful secret, Tricia replied as she smiled, "Oh, yes, of course, yes. Just between me, thee, and that lamppost, as my grandmamma used to say."
"Good." Gabby whispered. "Now," she began, "I need for you to remain calm. I am different from you or anyone else here, except for those who want my children. I'm going to step out from the shadows, so try not to yell, okay?"
Tricia was unsure what exactly Miss A was implying. Immediately, she feared that the woman was horrifically disfigured and end up scaring the girl half to death. She thought just a little about that DVD she saw a few years ago, The Phantom of the Opera. Yet, at the same time, she was a might excited about being the first to see Miss A, The Enchantress, without her costume.
In that moment, Tricia felt like a modern day Christine.
However, when Gabby stepped out from the darkened corner and exposed her true self to the girl, Tricia's worrisome frown slowly turned to a smile that grew wider by the second. So much so, that she couldn't help but remove her hand from her mouth as she grinned.
"You're – one of them!" she gushed in a near whisper and then almost too loudly, "Oh my god, you're one of those reptile people!" Her eyes danced with excitement, as if Christmas had come early for her. "I've heard about your kind, and, and – you can sing, too?" She giggled a little as she went on, clasping her hands in front of her, almost bouncing on her toes, "This is so cool!"
Smiling in relief, Gabby shook her head, "And I thought for sure I'd cause you to pass out. Well, at least we don't have to worry about that." Then, stepping noiselessly over to the girl, she placed a gentle hand on Tricia's shoulder and looked her straight in the eye, "Now, this is what I want you to do. You know just about every song I sing, don't you?"
Nodding enthusiastically, Tricia gushed almost breathlessly, "Oh yes, I do and I even try to mimic your moves and expressions and the way you extend your notes and…"
Gabby placed a hand over the girl's mouth to quell her twittering, "Okay, okay, I believe you, but I want to make sure you have the excitement and it – ah – well, it seems you have a lot of it, actually. Now, since the club has most of my repertoire already recorded with the music and you know so much about how I perform and we seem to be about the same size, this is what I want you to do for me."
COMMENTS
RAMICA – Oh, my, are you going to be surprised! LOL Or, not. Yeah, in 'Gaele', the story that Wendy Peabody wrote about Mike's oldest daughter, Devon rebelled at one point and thought he'd irritate his mom and step-father by getting tattooed. Mike thought it cool, Rahab was mildly amused, Raphael practically crowed in delight, leaving poor Devon utterly confused. I thought it an enjoyable part of that story. Just the same, though, one needs to know what buttons to push if irritating the parents is one's goal. LOL Well, there it is – your escape to let Rama find romance in her world, or not. How she'll come to that understanding is entirely up to you, of course; that is if it's an area you want to explore. Yes, I'm collecting chapters like we did with RR. Where I tweak and twiddle each, I find them getting longer and longer, which allows me to break them up a bit into separate updates. Works for me:0) As I think about it, maybe the trick about this thing called 'writing' would be to just write the story from start to finish and then find chapter breaks after 'The End' is written. Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing. Be blessed.
LUNAR-NINJA – Raph is closer to 63 in this fic. It's based on Wendy Peabody's RAHAB, SETH, and GAELE STORIES. Anyway, older men have a problem with 'holding their water' for a goodly amount of time. Arthritis is part of that wonderful package called 'old age', too. The 'counting ceiling dots' is what I used to do in cars when the driver was less than capable. Seriously, it distracted me enough to where I didn't suffer from a heart attack before getting to my destination. Actually, in the movies one and two, it was April's family farm, the 'farm before time', was what Casey called it, or something like that. This TMNT universe is based on that. Ah, well, I've been drunk enough times…no, I really haven't, but there's enough examples on television and such that I only had to remember what certain words sound like when uttered by someone inebriated. Hmm…found who? Gabby? That still remains to be seen, even with the hint at the end. Bwahaha. Glad you enjoyed Windows. I certainly enjoyed writing it:0) Thanks for reading and reviewing. Be blessed.
PACPHYS – I didn't have a clue what LOTR was about and the first movie was incredibly boring. The only thing that made it worth my while was the cinematography. The scenes were breathtaking. As far as Gabby going overseas with the kids, who said she did? Her family was following leads sent to them by trackers. Even Raph wondered about how they were getting paid – "by the hour or by the clue?". So, with that said, y'all have to wait and see what she really did! LOL I have NO clue what you just said. :0) Show off. LOL The Philippines did not want all our boxes that we brought with us on our Missions trip last year. Held us up for about an hour, haggling with our pastor, breaking into some of the boxes, checking to see if we were bringing drugs into their country. Life sentence, btw, no questions asked. BTW, Devon got his tattoos in 'Gaele', but I forgot about that when Ramica and I were writing Reflected Reality. This was my way of making up for not including that little known fact. I think Rama would have liked them, though! LOL My in-laws were Lutheran, but when they moved to southern California, they became Baptists. I was baptized as such, but now my family's worshipping at an Evangelical Free church. Personally, it doesn't matter what church you belong to, it's not the church that's important, but where one puts their faith. Can't put God in a box, no way, no how. 'Seth' is a tough read; very philosophical. Wendy Peabody is a Christian and can get very deep with her theology. Her reason for writing Seth was to see what would happen if a member of the clan became a Christian and what affect it would have on a family that practices bushido. Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing. I truly appreciate your faithfulness. Be blessed.