((Ok this is where the Raph torture starts..heh..dontcha love it?))
I stayed awake for quite awhile after Mother closed the door to my room. I listened for the inevitable argument between her and Dad, but no matter how much I strained, I couldn't hear anything. Finally I just closed my eyes and let sleep claim me.
"Quiet, you'll wake him up."
"Yeah right. Kids his age sleep like the dead."
"And you're basing this on your many years of dealing with children, right?"
"I've dealt with you for almost 30 years ain't I?"
I woke up to a cool breeze on my face that told me I was outside, but I was too scared to open my eyes. I only recognized one of the voices and it was Raphael.
"Where are we meeting?" This came from the person I'd never heard before, but not the one carrying me. Which meant that I was now in Raphael's hands. I tried not to tense at that thought, because that might give away the fact that I was awake. If I could feign sleep just long enough so that he will put me down, I might have hope of escaping.
"The train yard," Raphael answered and shifted my weight in his arms. "Damn, what has Leo been feeding him? This kid weighs a ton."
"You think he'll stay asleep until we get to New York?"
I got so scared; I didn't even hear Raphael's reply. 'New York?' I thought. 'That's like four states away.' It didn't take me too long to figure out that I was going to be a hostage. If my dad wouldn't go along willingly, they were going to force him.
I really had no plan. The only thing I did know was that I wasn't going anywhere with Raphael. I waited until he shifted me around to a more comfortable position again and then turned and bit his arm as hard as I could.
"Ah! Shit!" he screamed in surprise and pain, then dropped me. But I was ready for that and I landed on my feet running. I had no clue where I was at or where I was headed, but I saw the train yard they had been talking about up ahead. Figuring I had a better chance of hiding than running, I went straight for it.
"Gotcha, ya little brat!" Hands grabbed me around the waist and lifted me up I the air. I screamed and twisted trying to get away, but my mouth was covered so I couldn't call for help.
"Didn't your dad teach you anything about defending yourself?" Raphael asked pinning my arms to my side.
"Raph, you got the poor kid scared to death." Raphael turned so I could finally see who the other voice belonged to and my eyes widened in surprise. It was another almost duplicate of my father—this one being a bit shorter.
"He's lucky I don't knock his damn teeth down his throat," Raphael snarled. "He drew blood!"
The other turtle shook his head and then smiled at me. "I'm your Uncle Michaelangelo, Ren. Raphael will let you go if you promise not to scream or try to run away."
I shook my head violently even as Raphael said. "The hell I will."
Michaelangelo sighed and looked at Raphael in frustration. "He's nine, what's your excuse?"
I was carried into the train yard, kicking and fighting all the way. I think I heard Raphael say something about knocking me out, but Michaelangelo quickly disabused him of the idea.
There was a train resting on one of the tracks nearby, but it looked deserted for the night. It didn't look like a passenger train; it looked more like for hauling things. I realized that they were going to stow away on the train, but they couldn't if I was making too much noise. That was why they were hoping I would stay asleep! I stopped struggling. Better to conserve my strength until morning when someone would be around to hear me.
"There you go," Raphael said. "Now you're being a good boy. Can you keep being good so that I can let go of your mouth?" I bristled at his tone. He was patronizing me, treating me as though I were a baby. I'd show him.
I nodded in answer to his question and as soon as he moved his hand I growled, "Screw you!"
The two of them were shocked into silence by my outburst and then much to my embarrassment, they actually started to laugh.
"So Leo's boy has some spunk?" Raphael smirked. "Who'd ever thought it?"
Michaelangelo climbed into one of the train cars and Raphael lifted me up to him. Though more gentle than Raphael, Michaelangelo kept a firm hold on me as well. Raphael closed the car door as soon as he was safely inside and I was finally let go.
"I'll take first watch, Mike," Raphael said. "Get some sleep."
"Yeah, ok. Wake me in a few hours and I'll take over for you." He pulled a small satchel from the corner and got out a blanket before turning to me. "Come on, Ren. You need to get some rest too. It'll be a long trip tomorrow."
I gulped, but as much as I hated to admit it, I was tired. Michaelangelo held out his hand to me and I took it reluctantly, fighting back tears. I curled up on the blanket next to him, shivering from the cold and fear.
Michaelangelo looked at me with pity and I hated him for making me feel weak. "Don't worry, Ren. No one's gonna hurt you. Things will look better in the morning. I promise."
I looked over at Raphael who was leaning against the door wrapping his arm where I had bit him. I smiled briefly and fell asleep feeling enormous satisfaction.
I must have drifted off because I heard voices muttering around me again like they were talking through some thick fog.
"Where the hell is he? The train leaves in ten minutes."
"Yeah I know. Things can't always be easy. Besides, it's more fun that way."
It wasRaphael and Michaelangelo talking. When I opened my eyes, I could see the sun starting to rise through the partially opened door. Ten minutes. I had ten minutes to come up with a plan and get away. Michaelangelo turned away from the door and I quickly closed my eyes.
I heard him looking for something and then he said, "I'll be back."
I opened my eyes and saw Michaelangelo dressed in a trench coat and fedora jump off the train. Raphael sighed and closed the door before heading toward me. I squeezed my eyes shut as tight as I could and felt him leaning over me looking for something. A quick silent prayer and I opened my eyes. It's funny the way fate works. I couldn't have asked for a better target. I kicked him between the legs as hard as I could and jumped up.
In my whole life, I've never heard anyone scream like Raphael did when my foot connected. He fell to the ground cursing and yelling, but I wasn't about to hang around to make sure he was ok. I pulled open the train door and jumped to the ground.
I hadn't taken two steps when I ran straight into a trench coat clad figure. I was lifted off the ground again as I heard Raphael.
"Where is that little brat? I swear I'm gonna kill him. He's just like his god- damn father. Where is he?"
I buried my head into my captor's shoulder, hoping for some sort of protection. Michaelangelo had always tried to be kind to me.
"What's going on?" I heard Michaelangelo ask coming up beside me. "You're making enough noise to wake the dead, Raph."
"First that little prick bit me and now he kicks me in the groin! Leo, haven't you taught your kid a damn thing about manners?"
I looked up confused. If Michaelangelo was beside me than who was…who had me now? Did Raphael just say…? I watched as the trench coat figure reached up and pushed the hat back a little to reveal his face.
My dad smiled at me. "So, are you having fun with your uncles, Ren?"
