I sat in shock staring at my cell phone. I was leaning back against Donatello's work desk up in the warehouse. Leonardo was standing across from me watching me curiously waiting to see what happened. "I can't believe she hung up on me!" It took all my will power not to slam my cell phone against the table hard. I wanted to cry I felt so desperate.
I had woken that morning back in Leonardo's bed and had been very confused. After a few moments it had dawned on me that he must have carried me back up when he had awaken. I had dressed quickly and went downstairs, remembering Melinda had been stirring earlier and was hoping to see her. The night before with Leo weighing heavily on my mind. There was no longer anyway I could deny something was happening between the two of us. A change that good or bad was only going to accelerate further.
I was excited to see him. See how he looked at me, after the soft words and touches we had shared. I wondered if his brothers knew if any of them had seen us snuggled together. As I walked down the stairs I could hear an argument. I paused listening fearing it was about us, only it was something far worst.
I listened plainly as Leonardo and Raphael were nearly screaming at one another about Melinda. It only took me moments to realize she had left again. I stood, horrified, unable to do anything but allow their words to sink in. Mel had never come back from her outing that morning. Everyone seemed very concerned, Don nearly sounded like he was ready to cry.
I stood at the bottom of the stairs just staring at them. After going back and forth about what to do, how to help or not help Melinda, Raphael had stormed off. He pushed past me and it was then Leonardo noticed me. I saw pity fill his eyes. He shifted a slightly nervous expression on his as he realized I knew everything. I could feel tears starting to slide down my face. I didn't understand how Melinda could do this to me again. How she could just leave. Didn't it even dawn on her how much this hurt me? I knew she was in pain, but she could have at least talked to me about it before storming off. Everything she was thinking was wrong.
Mike was consoling Don, the two of them were sitting on the couch talking lowly. Leonardo was watching me, waiting to see what I did. Part of me wanted to talk to him, to seek his strength, but I knew I couldn't depend on him for everything. This was one problem I would have to solve alone. I turned without a word and ran back to the stairs to Leo's room to grab my cell phone. I had seen Melinda leave with hers and I was going to call her and try to reason with her.
That is what had led to the point I was at now. Of coarse Leonardo had followed me when I had stormed off and after explaining what I wanted to do had went topside to the warehouse with me while I called. He was now studying me as I nearly growled at the phone both hurt and frustrated. Melinda had screamed at me and hung up. My patience with her was beginning to wear thin.
"She isn't coming back is she?" His face was neutral; trying to gauge me before committing to what emotion he wanted to show. I was staring down at my phone and thinking.
"She IS coming back…I won't let her destroy herself because she was too blinded by emotion to see the truth." I looked up at him my expression hard, my face set.
"And how are you going to do that?" There was warning in his voice, like he knew my answer and DIDN'T approve of it. I watched his arms crossed as he stared at me. I could see the authority slipping into his figure.
"I'll go MAKE her come back and talk to Don. If the two of them would just speak to each other honestly, all of this could be solved." I mirrored his position crossing my own arms leaning back against the worktable staring right back at him.
"No, you won't!' His words were direct, simply, like the dropping of a gavel. My eyes narrowed. If I had woken up this morning with completely fuzzy warm feeling about Leonardo they were swiftly melting away as he commanded me.
"Excuse me?" My tone was becoming heated. "Sense when do YOU tell what I can and can not do?" I felt my body tense as anger surged through me.
I saw him pause to consider his words, all the time glaring at me. Finally he growled, I could see emotion pouring into him again, but I stood my ground not backing down. "How could you possibly think I could just allow someone I…" He breathed deep, "Someone I care about to just run off into the city without any kind of protection. NO! Lea, I'm sorry, we will wait for nightfall and I'll go and look for her." His tone became final. In his mind the discussion was over.
"Stop me…" There was rebellion in my voice. I knew somewhere in my heart Leonardo had just made a form of declaration about his feelings towards me and I should be more respectful of that, but at this moment I was too frustrated. Mostly at Melinda, but because he was standing in my way it was coming out at him. I leaned forward off the desk and started to walk right past him towards the door. I had a pretty good idea where Mel was and I was going to go get her.
"I said NO!" Leonardo grabbed my arm as I walked past him, grasping it tightly, I cried out in slight pain. I stopped looking at him shocked. He looked very angry. More so than I had ever seen him get at me. I had an idea I had hurt his feelings. Part of me was very ashamed because of this, but another part of me was annoyed because he had the gall to hold me back still.
"Let go of me!" I tugged against his hold. "You have NO right to tell me what to do!" I was breathing hard now, very agitated, scowling at him. He returned my glare, but did as I requested. Dropping my arm out of his hand.
"You didn't listen to me before and look what happened to you, are you really going to run off again. You barely escaped Saki last time, the next time you won't be so lucky." His expression was becoming emotionless again. He was trying to regain control of everything.
"That's a chance I will have to take to get Melinda back I guess." I turned and started to walk towards the door again, trying not to look back at him. I have never felt so guilty in my life. Leonardo had done nothing, but support me and help me and here was I walking out on him again.
"Stupid girl!" I heard him stomping off behind me back down to the lair. I was honestly surprised he gave up and was just letting me go. I glanced back as I pushed open the warehouse door and my heart broke. He looked so hurt; I could see his expression as he waited for the elevator. I turned quickly and left. Knowing I had to go get Melinda and that if I didn't leave right now, there was a good chance I wouldn't go.
I moved swiftly thought the streets of NY, it was near midday so there were many people out and around, but none of them paid any attention to me. I was just one more youth wandering around in the streets. I took the subway and when I got off in Brooklyn it took me a little while to get my bearings. I was pretty sure Melinda had went to that club I had seen her at before. One because I was hoping she was not dumb enough to go right back to Saki and two because when I had tried to call her previous I had heard female voices in the background. I know Casey had mentioned something about her being with girls the last time he had dragged her back so I assuming that was where she met them.
It was difficult trying to decide where to go. The last time I had come to this place I had been following Raphael over rooftops. Walking along in the street everything looked quiet different. It was by pure luck I managed to find my way back to the club I had seen Mel walk out of all those nights ago. Now earlier in the day it looked like an ordinary building. There was no music throbbing out of it and only a few people milling around in front of its entrance. I wondered if I should just try walking in and decided there was no better way for me to go about this.
I hesitated leaning against the building for a moment. I knew I had seen Hun last time I was here so I was taking a chance of running into him again. That thought just scared me more because if I could run into him then so could Melinda and imagine what they would do to her for helping Don and I escape. Leonardo's words came back to me. His warning about not listening to him again. I sighed once again feeling guilty. As much as I was growing to love him, I could admit it I was. Maybe the two of us weren't meant for one another. I seemed to cause him nothing, but grief, he deserved someone better. I wondered if maybe this was some sort of sign. Maybe Melinda and I had out stayed our welcome in the city and we should go home. My heart ached I didn't want to leave Leonardo, not yet, not with so many unanswered questions, but it might be for the best before I hurt him again.
I pushed off from the building and started to walk towards the door of the club. Knowing I could stand there all day and second guess every choice I had made sense I arrived in the city but that it wouldn't change anything now. I looked at the guys in the doorway. I could see all of them studying me. I was certain they weren't to use to unknown faces wandering in. I decided to play innocent, I was small and very young looking I was hopeful I could just get away with looking unsuspecting enough to get by unnoticed. One of the goons stepped in front of the door as I neared.
"What you want, girl?" His grammar was poor; I trained my face to appear scared and impassive. I sniffled as I talked.
"I'm looking for my Sister. I'm pretty sure she came here." I could hear the waver in my voice. I tried to look as pitiful as I could muster. Mostly I just wanted to kick this guy in the face because he reminded me of Hun, but I kept up my act, waiting as he and another goon exchanged looks.
"What's your Sister's name, huh?" They didn't really look suspicious more like they were fulfilling a duty they had to do. In fact the one looked downright bored.
"Melinda… I think she came here this morning." Fake tears brimmed in my eyes now. I just wanted them out of my way. More looks where exchanged. The one leaned in to whisper to the other. I stood, trying to keep myself looking scared and slightly panicked while inside I wanted to scream for them to just let me inside.
"Okay, she's on the second floor." The goon stepped away seeming to have made up his mind that I was unthreatening. I tried to look very grateful.
"Thank you!" I stepped past them quickly. Moving inside. I saw their eyes following me and to my disgust I realized they were checking me out. Inwardly I cringed, once again hoping I wasn't getting myself into anything I couldn't handle. I moved swiftly up through the club. There were lack luster people there, playing cards and video games. I shook my head wondering if any one of them had a job or would even try to get one. I spotted the stairs and moved towards them. I noticed a few people glance at me, but so far I hadn't had any issues, I was pleased.
Once I reached the second floor I grew tense. It looked like it was almost all private rooms. Places for people to go to do whatever they wanted to keep prying eyes from I guessed. I didn't want to just start knocking on doors, I wasn't sure I wanted to know what was going on behind most of them. Instead I grabbed one of the kids wandering around. He paused and looked at me surprised as I grabbed his arm.
"Have you seen Melinda?" I kept up my desperate act. I liked everything that I was dong to fit together in case anyone asked any questions later. The guy looked at me confused for a moment, before realization crossed his face.
"You mean Amanda and Tina's friend?" His voice was deep, his grammar too poor. I nodded.
"Yes, I'm her sister, I need to talk to her, it's urgent!" He seemed to consider this for a moment, before accepting my words.
"Go to the end of the hall on the left and knock, she should be inside." I dropped his arm and quickly thanked him as I walked away. I didn't want to hesitate anywhere too long. I figured the more quickly I get out of this place the better. I found said door and knocked, all the acting, the shy, sacred demeanor melted away. My eyes narrowed as I heard someone approach the door. I was now pissed.
A smallish girl with mousy hair opened the door; she kind of looked at me baffled. "What do you want?" She didn't sound pleased about being interrupted.
I glared right back at her. "I want to speak to Melinda, I know she's in here." The girl seemed taken aback. She looked at me with a guarded expression.
"Who's looking for her?" She tried to block the door from me. I could hear a voice in the background.
"Tina, who is it?" It took me seconds to realize it was Mel. I pushed Tina hard, knocked her back and out of my way and stepped into the room looking around, shutting the door behind me.
I saw Melinda gawking up at me shocked, sitting next to another girl, the one who must be called Amanda. Amanda looked very pale, almost sick; from the bandages on her wrists I could guess why. My heart had become stone. I couldn't fathom that Melinda had left all of us to come to a place like this.
"You stupid bitch!" I saw Tina regain her footing and start to come at me. I held my ground I would knock her down again, if I had to. I had no respect for her so I had no qualms.
"Tina, Lea…STOP!" There was a plea in Melinda's voice as she spoke. She stood trying to get between us. I stood staring coolly at Tina over Melinda's shoulder. I wasn't afraid and I wanted her to know that. I saw Tina's eyes widen as Mel said my name, I was certain it was a surprising confirmation that I was indeed who she thought I was.
"So this is why you left us, Melinda?" I couldn't stop the disgust from leaking out of my voice. "This is why you screamed at me and hung up the phone, this is why you hurt Don's feelings?" I pointed right at Tina. "Dirt like this."
Tina's face took on a look of pure rage. Melinda stumbled over her words, I could tell at the moment she was uncertain what to say. I wasn't sure if she had ever seen me this mad. Tina, on the other had seemed to have plenty she was ready to tell me.
"Why can you talk? I know you love one of those freak monsters. You can say what you want about me, but at least I am not into bestiality." Tina glared. I saw a hurt look cross Melinda's face; my own took on a look of rage.
"What pray-tell would you know about ANYTHING, you uneducated little twit! I'm certain YOU have been selling your body sense you were old enough to walk right. The child of a bastard family with parents who taught you no morals. You work for the most evil being in the universe and YOU'RE going to try to give ME a lesson in morality. Please don't make me laugh." I could hear the arrogance in my voice. The loathing. She could insult me all she wished, but once she started on Leonardo, making such horrid accusations, I reached my limit.
She blinked at me a few times, I had to chuckle, I think my words were a bit too much for her small brain. I watched Tina's eyes narrow, she was trying to think what to say back to me. Melinda looked between us, I could see so much hurt on her face, but still I was so angry, so hurt myself at being left alone by her I was able to keep up my tough image.
"Melinda, you are coming back with me NOW! You owe me at least the ability to discuss all of this with you and you owe Don a goodbye before you simply take off." It was the mention of Donatello's name that brought Mel back to reality her eyes darkened.
"Why do I owe him anything? He's a bastard!" I moved back like I had been slapped. I snapped, annoyance at this whole situation getting to be too much for me.
"Are you really SO stupid, Mel, that you can't even see the whole situation here. There is NOTHING going on between Don and April, everyone seems to know that he is in love with you, but YOU! You're being pig headed and stupid and you made me hurt Leonardo's feelings to come here and get you back before these idiots do something horrible to you…" I gestured towards Tina and Amanda, Tina gave me a murderous look. "I am just asking you to be fair. You saw what their Master is like, I have scars to prove what kind of person he is, and do you really want to associate yourself with that?" I looked at her with question. Hoping she would see some form of sense in my words.
"Listen, you stupid bitch, how dare you speak about our Father that way!" Tina had found her voice again; she was trying to get around Melinda at me. I glared at her with no fear.
"Your Father…has no honor, you disease."
"Yeah well your BOYFRIEND is a fucking freak turtle, you bitch, who are you to judge anyone!" She was nearly spitting on me her words were so vehement. I stood there calmly, looking at her like he was an insect. I turned to look at Melinda again.
"Are you REALLY happy knowing you are associated with this? Are you saying they are better friends to you than I am?" I saw her cringe at my words. I had hit the spot I needed to. I knew she couldn't deny the two of us were good friends and that I had never betrayed her. Melinda seemed very drawn, I could see she was trying to decide what to do, I waited.
"Fine, I'll go back with you, but only to talk and if I am not happy with the results I am leaving again." I could see Tina and Amanda look at her with horrified expressions. I nodded, I couldn't ask for anymore than that. At least now she was willing to listen.
"Fine, but I ask if you leave, you go home instead of ending up back here." I tugged on her arm. Impatient to leave now that it had been decided. Melinda gave apologetic looks to Tina and Amanda, but I didn't allow her time to speak to them, I pulled her from the room. My eyes never leaving Tina the two of us warring between one another.
"Don't go, Mel!" I could hear Amanda's light plea, but I didn't even allow Melinda to hesitate, I pushed her out the door and turned.
"Don't even TRY to get her back here. I'll hunt you down and kill you both. I don't care WHAT it takes" I growled at them. Tina stormed towards me.
"You and your freak friends will pay for this, just wait!" I could see she was very likely going to try to stop Mel, I scowled at her.
"Bring it on!" I promptly slammed the door right in her face. Grabbing Mel's hand I dragged her from the building almost afraid to look back. Having a feeling that Tina was going to try to get someone to stop us. Melinda seemed quiet and confused and just let me lead her away. She looked guilty and I could think about one hundred reasons why she would feel that way.
"Thank you, Melinda, for at least listening to me." We exited the building; she was walking next to me down the street. I could see her look off. She didn't really want to discuss this yet. I could see this whole situation was going to be difficult. I sighed, wondering briefly if we would even be welcomed back into the lair when we arrived. We had pretty much ticked everyone off. Up until this moment, I hadn't even thought of that.
I moved Mel swiftly through Brooklyn stopping every once in a while to check to see if we were being followed. I was thinking that maybe we actually got out of the building and away before anyone was alerted. We stepped off the Subway into Manhattan and I felt ten times better. I felt safer, knowing we had put a good distance between us and them. Melinda still had a distant look on her face. I was beginning to worry. I hoped once we reached the lair she would talk.