My mind had been swirling that night when I arrived at the Purple Dragons' hideout. I was scared, sad, and angry at the same time. First of all I didn't know who those men were, but it was obvious that they knew who I was…and who I was with. I was sad because I had run into him…Donatello. After seeing them out in the woods that one time before I joined Hun had caused me so much pain that I wish to never see him again. The feel of his skin had made me long for me to hold him once again, but reality had smacked me upon the head when I remembered her…the strange blue colored woman that I had seen with him and the look in Donatello's eyes as he watched over her.
Also seeing his new condition had made me become worrisome. There were bandages around his wrist and on his arms and plastron as if he had been in some brawl, but with who? No matter how angry I had become inside by the jealousy that overcame me I was still worried for his well-being. What exactly had happened to them? The feelings I couldn't deny. I needed to talk to someone to find answers…and the only person that I could confide in was Lea. I dialed the number to her cell, but quickly disconnected because I also knew that Hun had seen me come in, and there would be some suspicions of my whereabouts that night so if I wanted to call her I would have to wait until the following day.
Like clockwork, Hun had come into my room that night to check up on me. I had already layed down in the bed that night, still wearing my red dress, not bothering to change out of it. I knew he wasn't going to wait til morning to see where I was…he wouldn't give me the time to come up with a good lie. As he entered the room, I saw his brown eyes cast my way as he started to look at me as if he was trying his best to read my thoughts. I held a firm face as I returned his stare, not wanting to look like I was hiding anything. "My men said you returned a few minutes ago…where did you run off to tonight?"
"I went out for a walk for a bit…" I said, giving a fake yawn as I stayed in the bed with the covers over me, hiding my torn dress from the early scuffle.
"For nearly all night?" Hun asked in disbelief as he walked to the side of my bed.
"I didn't realize how late it was…I am sorry," I snuggled against the covers more as I stayed on my side.
Hun stayed where he was, his mountainous form over me. I tried not to cringe. "Get up." He ordered. I knew by the tone in his voice that he didn't believe my story.
"What?" I asked innocently as I glanced up at him some. "What's wrong? It's sort of late and I was tired."
"Now," He bellowed as he reached down and jerked the covers off with me with one quick pull. Feeling the cool air instantly hitting my exposed body, I lifted off the bed and stood before him. My eyes looking away, I knew he would instantly see how torn and messed up my dress was. "Care to explain yourself now? Or do you want to keep lying to me?" He growled. His right hand grasped my arm roughly and he jerked me closer to him. I could feel the pressure of the vice and I let out a cry from the immense pain, judging by how tightly he was squeezing my skin that he was going to give me a bruise.
I knew now was the time to do the crying act…being an over emotional person and feeling the pain in my arm added into it. Tears began to stream down my face. "I was attacked, Hun, I am sorry…"
"By who?" I felt him releasing my arm a little and the heartbeat that I once felt coursing up my arm had went away.
"I don't know…" I continued to cry. "Men in suits…they stole my laptop and tried to kill me!"
I felt him pausing and then he released my arm. "The mob…" He growled. "Looks like they don't know when to quit…change your clothes and go to bed." He pushed me back some and turned to leave. "Do not LEAVE here again." With that he slammed the door with such a strong force that it made me cringe.
A sigh of relief came out of my mouth and I wiped the tears from my face. My left hand reached over to softly touch my throbbing arm. The top portion of the mid section was completely red where his fingers had been. I stood there for the longest time, not sure if I should praise myself for the crying act or curse myself. I had gotten myself out of trouble for the time being and nothing was said about my encounter with Donatello, however, now Hun may keep his guard on me more in fear that the mob would come after me again. "What have I gotten myself into?" I sighed as I walked over to the closet to find one of my gowns to change into.
Seeing Hun getting into a limo that following evening, I dashed off to my room to retrieve my cell. I overheard him tell Jade that he was going to some sort of dedication to Oraku Saki that Karai was holding in the city to speak with her and that meant he would be gone for a bit. I knew it wouldn't be too long, but enough time to allow me to try to call Lea. I needed some answers and I hoped she would be the one to have them. When I first came to New York a month ago, I prayed that I would never have to run into her, but things had changed…and I knew she was the only way for me to find out what has happened. The entire city had changed from how I left it in the summer. Too many changes…complex changes.
I turned my cell on and waited impatiently for the phone to load up to where I could access my Contacts List. I punched the scroll buttons trying to find Lea's name. As I heard the phone ringing, I looked back at the door, paranoid that Hun would come in. Finally after the 4th ring, I heard the sound of air on the other end as someone picked up. "Hello?" A familiar voice asked.
"Lea…I have something I need to tell you…" I replied back in a serious tone, cutting down to the chase, afraid if I started off with regular talk that I would get carried away and not have the opportunity to talk to her about what I really wanted to say.
There was dead silence on the other end for about 10 seconds and then finally she replied, "What's wrong, Mel?"
I took a deep breath before continuing. "What happened to the guys?" My mind instantly flickered to the image of Don bandaged up. No matter how angry I was inside for seeing him with that strange woman, I still ached for him.
"What do you mean?" Lea asked in shocked.
"You are still with them right?" I asked, beginning to wonder if perhaps Lea was still with them or that she was trying to hide their condition to keep me from becoming worried like I always do.
"No…I…I went to my grandparents for awhile."
"You haven't talked to them in awhile?"
"Leo said he and the others were going to the farmhouse weeks ago…but that's all I know. I haven't really talked to him since then. Is everything alright?" There was strong urgency in her voice. Maybe she didn't know herself and now here I was placed in the awkward position. I knew I had to tell her, but I didn't want to tell her over the phone because it may lead to a longer conversation and I didn't know how much time I had left to talk to her. "I need to talk to you, Lea, about something, but not here…when are you coming back to the city?"
Again there was silence and I knew she was planning in her head what to do. "When can you be there?"
I froze and I nearly dropped my cell phone by her question. "I am already here…I came up a few days ago," I lied.
"Melinda…" She started and then hesitated once more. "I'll be there tomorrow. I sold my car so I can take the train in and meet you at Grand Central Station." I could tell by how she said it that there was determination in her voice.
"Okay. I'll meet you there tomorrow around 5pm." I said, trying to roughly estimate when I can be there and how long the trip was for her. I knew it was about an 8 hour drive to New York City from my house in Virginia and she nearly had the same amount of time coming from Buffalo so if she left pretty early in the morning, then she could easily get to the city by then without rushing.
"Alright, sis…" A tone of sadness hinted her voice. "Is there something wrong?"
"I'll see you tomorrow." I cut her off and disconnected the phone. I knew if I stayed on the line with her that I would have given in and just blurted out what I had seen.
I sat there for several minutes on the edge of the bed, my blue eyes staring down at my closed cell phone. Now what I was going to do about Hun?
"I don't like it," Hun replied back to me as I stood there in front of his desk in the large all purpose room. "If the mob is sticking their noses into this mess, they will recognize you immediately if they are on the scene." Earlier that day after the phone call with Lea, I was trying to think of some way I could get out of the Dragons' hideout without causing too much suspicion. I decided to think of another "possible heist" that I could do with the Purple Dragons, but this time a solo mission. Being the quick, innovative thinker that I am, I came up with an idea that I thought for sure would be flawless. I went to where Hun was that evening to tell them of the idea that I came up. I explained to him that the companies wouldn't be prepared for another attack and since I wasn't really involved with their first heist at NeoTech that perhaps I could get back into that place to look around to see what else I could find. Unfortunately I don't think Hun was risking on the mob finding me again. "I'll send few of my men with you." His face kept looking right at me.
I fidgeted with my fingers nervously trying to make myself think on a way to answer it. I knew if I sounded to be unsure, then Hun wouldn't really let me go alone. "No, your men are conspicuous, Master. Let me go alone. If anyone will draw attention, will definitely be them. Like I said, I wasn't there for that heist so no one at that plant will recognize me." I applauded myself internally to sounding so convincing. Hun sat there after I finished my sentence, I knew he was taking in my words in consideration and that pleased me. I knew there was some doubts in his mind still, but not as strong so I continued to strike once again. "You said Ruffington has everything he needs, then why don't you get some for yourself? Be on the tech edge the same as him. With the high tech equipment at your disposal you will knock the mob out of the city for good including."
That was it: The point I needed to make. A smirk spread across the large man's face as his eyes glimmered. "You make it sound so easy, Melinda." He let out a chuckle and stood up from the desk.
"It is easy, Hun," I insisted.
"And just how soon do you think we could pull this off?" His back was to me as I watched him look out the large window of the room that overlooked the main entrance of the building.
"If you let me go tomorrow afternoon, then we could easily pull it off that night. A sudden strike that they won't be prepared for. You have layed low for awhile from the last attack, they probably think you have everything you need. Their defenses will already be down." I chose my words carefully, and made sure that I said them in a slow rate so he could understand everything that I was saying.
Silence once came from him as he stood. I knew he was contemplating. "You know, Melinda….you have been very useful since you joined the Dragons again. I am actually amazed how much dedication you are putting in…I mean after all from what your past has been like."
I held my facial expression firmly, hiding any emotion that was provoked by his words. I knew he was testing me. His brown eyes looking right at my face. "I have seen what kind of power you have now, Hun, how can I deny it?" I allowed a playful smile appear on my face.
Hun lifted an eyeridge, amazed by what I was saying. I knew he was shocked and pleased at the same time. Though I felt his brown eyes looking at me with another thought in his mind…a thought that made me want to cringe. I saw him start to approach me and I knew I couldn't stay there. I turned away and made my back to the door. "Then it is settled. I will go tomorrow." I walked through the door, not allowing any response from him. I did not want to stay there to see what he had to say or what he wanted to do. What other intentions he had planned for me, I didn't want to be apart of.
After seeking the refuge of my room once more, I let out a sigh of exhaustion. I never lied so good in my entire life and it almost scared me. I glanced over at the window to see that night had settled in for large city. All I could see was the lights scattered about outside from different buildings. I just prayed that what was going to take place that next day would be as easy as I had put into words.
The following day I had stayed mostly in my room, pretending to look over earlier observances of NeoTech plants in the city to try to plan out what I was going to go for. I knew I couldn't take my bag with me because if Hun spot me on the way out, then he may become mistrustful. Spotting the briefcase and purse I had used on another mission for the Dragons, I decided that would be what I would use. I doubted that Hun would take the time to check my bags so firmly pressed down my clothes that I brought with me and stuck them in the briefcase, then I salvaged what hygiene products I could into my purse. Slipping on a pair of beige khaki pants and my light blue short sleeve top, I walked over to the mirror to comb out my hair. I glanced over at the clock to see it was 3:30pm and I still had plenty of time to get to Grand Central station with minutes to spare just in case Lea got there early. Taking a deep breath, I placed the purse's strap on my right shoulder and picked up the briefcase. I only prayed that my outfit would get me out of the Purple Dragons' headquarters and past Hun.
Surprisingly Hun wasn't at the main entrance waiting for me to get there. Either he trusted me that much or he was somewhere else. It didn't bother me because I felt a huge weight off of my shoulders. I waved over at the guard and then walked out of the building, making no changes in the pace of my feet as I walked and headed towards Grand Central Station, luckily both places were in the same direction.
"Mel-chan!" Lea squealed as she ran over from the subway's door and hugged me tightly. I laughed as I returned the hug. It felt like it was another time, a time in the past when we use to see each other on trips.
"Hey, Lea," I giggled some. "Did you have a nice trip?"
"LONG," She laughed and picked up her bag once more from the docking station's floor. "So how are you? Is everything alright?" She looked back at me.
"Yeah. I'll explain it to you in a bit. Let's go to the park," I said as I bent down to pick one of her bags from the floor. I knew what I had to say wouldn't be the best thing to say in such a loud, public area.
The walk to the park was very brisk and Fall wind glided gently across the face of my skin, calming me. Being with my best friend once again in the Big Apple was rekindling a lot of memories, memories that kept my mind directly on what I needed to say to her when we reached our destination. Finally after reaching the entrance of the park from Park Avenue, I sat down on one of the benches and let out a playful sigh of exhaustion. My blue eyes glanced over to see people still bustling around and then the famous the Plaza Hotel in the distance. "That was a fun walk!" Lea laughed as she plopped down beside me, letting her bag drape off her arm.
"Yeah…I so needed the exercise," I said as I nervously played with the ends of my hair, I felt my heart racing. The words to what I needed to say to my friend were on the tip of my tongue, but I felt like there was a barrier there that was pressing me back.
"So what's going on, sis?" Lea pursued. Her eyes locking directly onto mine.
I sighed and turned away for a moment to gather my thoughts, trying to keep myself calm so I wouldn't stutter from the nervousness. "Lea…I ran into Casey a few days ago…and he took me to see the guys…something happened….Casey said about a month ago or so they took on the Shredder by themselves…they really got messed up…Casey and April took them to the farmhouse…he said…they almost died…," I felt myself choking some as the thought of Don being killed entered my mind.
"What…?" I saw that the words had pained my friend more than they had me. Perhaps it was because jealousy had clouded my mind. "Are they okay? Did you talk to Don?"
"No…," I shook my head. "I…never got the chance…he was with someone else…" I said quickly as I rose up from the bench. "Let's get moving. We'll go by April's and see they are back yet." I started to walk, not waiting for her reply.
"Someone else?" I heard my friend hurry after me as the sound of her shoes collided with the asphalt of the pathway. "What do you mean!"
"He was WITH someone…I don't know…I didn't know who she was," I sighed hard and kept walking.
"Are you sure? I mean it may have been just their friend like April is, Mel…" Lea's words pleaded for me to reconsider my assumptions.
"I don't know, sis." I sighed hard, not really wanting to have this conversation. "Hopefully they are back now so you can meet up with Leo." I stayed silent as I walked down more into Lower Manhattan to head over to where Soho resided. I glanced down at my watch to see that it was nearing 7pm.
"Yo, Melinda. Where are you going? Master Hun is waiting on you to return with the information we need for the heist tonight!" A voice called after Lea and I as we reached Soho. I cringed at the words and wanted to hide away. My cover had been taking off and now my friend would learn the truth about me.
I slowly turned around to see 3 of Hun's men approaching us. The look on their faces appeared to be confused and fairly new, which I praised because I was sure that these lackies had no clue who Lea was. I quickly glanced at my friend, not wanting to look her in the face. "Master Hun? Melinda…?" Lea asked as she looked over at me.
I cowered down some more as I stood there with my friend. "Look…" I said nervously as I moved away from her and approached them. "Can't we talk about this in a bit? I need to discuss something."
"Who is that?" One of them asked, motioning to Lea.
"Discuss what?" The other asked.
"Master Hun is waiting on you. We need to be going back. He sent us for you." The final one stated.
I kept my attention solely on them, dreading to have any eye contact with my friend. "Fine…" I sighed. I started to get the gears going in my head to try to think of some kind of false data I can give them. "Let's go over to that alleyway and talk them. If we stay out in the open, someone from the mob may spot us since we are near their turf." I said as I hurried over to where I said, knowing that most of the mob resided in the neighboring area of Little Italy. I heard the 3 Dragons following me, leaving my friend standing there in confusion.
"So what you got for us?" The first Dragon spoke up.
"Full camera security," I spoke softly, making sure Lea couldn't hear me. "Easy stuff." I started to recall the images I had in my head from the information I looked over earlier that day. "Nothing has changed that I know of, but tighter security. The guard wouldn't let me get past the lobby."
"Sis? What is going on?" I heard Lea persisting. She had cut the distance off between us and now was standing near the men, trying to listen in on what was saying. Her facial expression was very demanding.
"Who's this?" The second Dragon motioned to her. "She looks too scrawny to be a Dragon." He chuckled. My eyes went wide from the insult and glanced quickly over to my friend to see her glare at them.
"Look I don't know who you are….but my friend doesn't need to be near people like you…" She hissed.
"Oh you gonna give us trouble now?" The third one asked as he turned his attention fully on my friend. I cringed. I knew a fight was about to break out. He reached out and grabbed her arm. "You better be glad that we don't knock you down right now."
"Tell you what…" A sinister voice beckoned from the depth of the darkened alleyway. "I'll give you 5 seconds to let go of her right now before I DO something to you…I can't stand the Purple Dragons…especially the ones that HURT my family…"
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