Chapter One: Ardyn Rheys
New York was the perfect place to completely disappear. The return from Paris was nerve-wracking to say the least, but being in the city made it easier. Her art had been appreciated here by several buyers, so she could check 'income' off of her list of worries. Not to mention the glorious fact that New Yorkers didn't give a single fuck about anything except their sports teams and the effort it took to hail a cab. Her past wouldn't follow her here.
She was counting on it.
What she wasn't counting on, however, was the secrets the city was hiding in back alleys and shadows.
Her neighbor was nice enough. They chatted in passing almost daily, keeping the same odd hours. April O'Neil was a journalist, and a damn good one at that. She regularly invited Ardyn to join her for dinner or drinks, but it wasn't until she mentioned another name that Ardyn decided a girls' night out was a good way to start fresh. She'd even decided to doll-up for the evening.
"A few friends are meeting us there," April informed her as they descended the stairs of the apartment building. "I hope you don't mind."
Ardyn gave an affirmative hum. April had said the names a few times, but Ardyn wasn't entirely sure who these girls were. She supposed the conversation of 'how did you guys meet' would be a good opener when they got to the bar. Ardyn wasn't a conversationalist when she was around new people, and had to make mental notes of things to say ahead of time.
None of them seemed to mind her social awkwardness, and were more than happy to accommodate her presence to make her feel as welcomed into the evening as possible, but she couldn't shake the urge to summon a hole in the floor and just disappear. The alcohol helped to loosen her up, and she even managed to dance when the five others made a beeline for the floor. Despite herself, she managed to have a good time.
But this story isn't about her interactions with humans, now is it?
By the time three rolled around, the bar was set to close. The group headed out. The rest of the girls took different directions, kissing Ardyn and April's cheeks lightly and waving before departing.
They had no luck hailing a cab, so they began the journey back on foot. The late summer evening was pleasantly cool, and neither of them minded the walk. This was the city, after all.
They were coming down from their respective intoxication, letting their laughter echo in the alleys they passed. It made it easier to pass them, and even made the shadows seem less threatening to those apprehensive of darkness.
"That bartender was totally flirting with you," April laughed again.
"That would explain the drinks being so strong," Ardyn put her hand to her forehead. "I swear I'm not that much of a lightweight."
"I could smell the tequila from across the table! I was impressed you could still see after three of those," April bumped her elbow on Ardyn's.
"I honestly don't remember much after the first one," she replied. "Thank the lord for those sliders, though. A few of those brought me back around."
"A few?" April nearly snorted. "I've seen wolves eat less."
Ardyn let out a throaty, drunken ha before patting her stomach, "Drunk me can really put it away. In college, I went to a kegger and ate an entire extra-large pizza before blacking out."
"Sounds like you had quite a night," April laughed.
"I woke up in a pile of football players with a cape and no bra," Ardyn recalled fondly. "Everything else was still on, and to this day I have no idea where the hell it went." She paused, her brows knitting in thought, "Or where the hell the cape came from."
April was nearly in tears, "You just took it off?"
Ardyn was laughing now, too. "I have no idea! It was just gone!" she put her hands to her chest. "Those guys were super cool about it though. They made a wall around me and made sure no one messed with me while I was unconscious."
"Aw," April replied. "That was sweet."
A noise halted their conversation. Someone was in the alley they had just passed. This wasn't abnormal, the city was full of people at all hours of the day and night, but Ardyn felt the skin on the back of her neck prickle. Just in case, she reached into the small purse she was carrying and gripped the knife she always kept.
"They were good guys. Crazy partiers, but hearts of gold," Ardyn continued the conversation, though that noise made her sober up faster than an ice bath.
Footsteps shuffled behind theirs. Ardyn chanced a subtle look back. A few figures were pursuing them.
Don't be so paranoid, she chastised herself. Not every person walking the same general direction as you is a threat.
She gripped the knife tighter, fingers growing cold.
April linked arms with Ardyn, quickening their pace without struggling in her heels as Ardyn was. Ardyn cursed herself for wearing wedges tonight. She had avoided heels on the off-chance she would have to run for her life. It only took her three years to convince herself that she was no longer on the run.
Well, so much for that.
Their pace quickened to just below a jog. Ardyn's shins were beginning to burn with the effort, and her ankles were barely holding steady.
Ahead of them, more figures blocked the sidewalk up ahead. Adrenaline coursed through Ardyn's veins. April turned them to cross.
More figures were closing them in, crossing the unlit strip of asphalt that was their last escape route. Ardyn tensed.
April had towed her directly into an alley, the figures forcing them further and further into the darkness. Ardyn sincerely hoped April was smarter than that. She swore a hundred times in her head as their pursuers corralled the two of them. They were speaking a language Ardyn didn't understand, but she knew she didn't like the things they were saying.
The figures took a few more steps in.
Ardyn's knife clicked into place at her sides, and April's eyes darted to her.
"Any one of you touches us, you'll lose fingers," Ardyn threatened, her voice taking on a dark tone that April wouldn't have guessed she possessed.
The figures drew nearer still, causing Ardyn to put an arm in front of April, who was too calm for the situation. A glint caught her eye, and she swore under her breath. These thugs, whoever they were, carried handguns of a caliber Ardyn hoped not to find out.
"April," Ardyn whispered over her shoulder, leaning down to push down the strap on the back of her shoe.
"What?" April whispered in return.
"We're going to have to run for it," Ardyn whispered.
"Are you crazy?" she shot back.
"No," Ardyn replied, stepping out of her shoes. "But I don't want to die standing here."
April saw the handguns in several of the figures hands. Only upon noticing these weapons did she start to appear nervous. She checked her watch.
Ardyn glanced at her as she did this, disbelief crossing her features. "Are you seriously checking the fucking time right now?"
April looked up from the odd-looking watch on her wrist, eyes watching the offending shapes before them. "They're running late."
These guys keep an appointment with her? Ardyn looked back at them. "I didn't realize you had somewhere to be," she bit out, her tone venomous.
Ardyn sprang forward, grabbing the arm of the closest person and throwing the blade at the one behind him whose gun was already lifted. Her hand wrapped around the gun, in one smooth motion setting the safety and twisting the pistol from his grip. His finger caught in the trigger guard and snapped as she ripped the pistol free. She shot the man in the leg and turned toward the others as bullets began to fly.
She shot the first two in the hands that were aiming at her, making them drop their weapons. Bullets flew around her as she dove at April and took cover behind a dumpster.
"Call 911!" Ardyn shouted over the noise.
"Just wait!" April called back.
"For what?! You have a bombing to get to?" she snapped in return.
April just gave her a confused look.
Ardyn peeked around the corner just as the manhole cover blew from it's resting place. She flinched with an exclamation of profanity, hiding back behind the dumpster as the cover bounced by them. When she looked back, four hulking figures burst from the opening. They began clearing the alley, physically throwing or hitting the attackers out into the streets. Ardyn's adrenaline coursed through her, panic trying to worm into her brain. Was this a meeting place for the sketchiest people in the city? What was next, crazies parachuting from the rooftops? She backed against the dumpster again, then checked the ammunition she had left.
"What moron walks into a gunfight with four fucking bullets?" she hissed to herself.
April was just staring at her.
"Stay here," Ardyn instructed.
The dumpster was lifted from behind them. Ardyn's eyes grew wide at the cool breeze that pierced her jacket. She whipped around and pointed her stolen pistol.
The beast that had moved the dumpster had to be brushing seven feet. It's width rivaled that of a small car, and it moved the nearly-full dumpster as if it was nothing more than a bulky suitcase. When it was set down out of the way, Ardyn could see the knife-like weapons on it's belt and the tails of a red cloth tied around the top half of it's head.
She swallowed thickly, grip tightening on the gun.
It's hands shot up, two fingers and a thumb on both, as if in surrender. But a cocky smile on surprisingly white teeth told her it was either bulletproof or knew she was only pointing it for show.
"Don't do that, shorty. You'll jus make me mad," the low voice rumbled with a tone as cocky as the expression it wore.
April's hand laid stiffly over the top of it, as if she was afraid it would burn her. "It's... it's okay, Ardyn. These are the good guys."
Ardyn's icy stare darted from the closest one to the other three quickly.
The closest behind the one in red had on a blue mask, with some sort of sword that it was sliding into a sheath on its back next to a similar one. It's hands went out in surrender as well.
Adjacent were two more: one significantly shorter, probably Ardyn's height, with it's arms out. The other was taller than the first three, but slimmer in build and carried too much for Ardyn to identify in one glance.
"Ardyn," April's voice was still shaky, but she put pressure on the gun still.
Ardyn's eyes darted back to the one in red, still wearing that grin, before she chanced a look at April.
April gave a nod, "They're friends of mine, it's okay. I promise."
Ardyn lowered the gun, but kept her arms locked.
"You upgraded, April," the one in red gave a short laugh. "Last time we met a friend a yours, he had a fedora."
Ardyn pinched her brows.
"Verne'll never live that down," the shorter one laughed.
"They know Verne," Ardyn leaned to April as they stood.
"And they continue to make his life hell," April gave a light swat to the one in red's arm.
"It's just so easy," the short one laughed again.
"He does set himself up most of the time," the one with all the gear chimed in.
"Are ya gonna introduce us?" the one in red crossed his arms over his chest.
"Allow me," the short one stepped forward, completely unaffected by the fact that Ardyn still had the pistol.
"This mountain of green is Raphael, Raph for short. He's like a biiig, cuddly teddy bear," he began. "If big, cuddly teddy bears were incredibly violent."
Raph gave a crooked smile and nodded.
"Over here in blue," the short one continued, "is our fearless leader, Leonardo. Leo's silent but deadly."
Ardyn kept her bewildered expression in full view as the short one made his rounds. She kept her gun low but drawn, adrenaline dying down.
"Over here in the purple we have our technical genius, Donatello, who is, technically, a genius!" he continued, Donatello turning to show the equipment on his back that was a lot less threatening now that Ardyn could look at it.
"And last but never least, I am Michaelangelo, sporting my signature orange. I'm the triple threat: brains, brawn, and an awesome personality. Ladies call me 'Mikey'." He grinned, satisfied with himself.
April sighed good-naturedly. Leonardo put a hand on Michaelangelo's shoulder.
"Are you done?"
"Yea," Michelangelo nodded.
Leonardo immediately turned to April and began talking to her, the other two turning on Michelangelo with their complaints about his introductions.
Ardyn loosened her grip on the gun as the shock died down. Pain coursed through her shoulder as the four turtles continued bickering with Michelangelo about something Ardyn couldn't hear over her own heartbeat. She looked at her shoulder.
Her jacket was wet, the already dark denim darker and warm. The gun fell from her hand and she reached up to touch the material, already shaking from what she hoped not to see.
Her fingers came away red, and blurred in front of her face.
April's voice was nearer now, but it sounded like it was coming through water. Ardyn tried to look at her, but she was out of focus. Before Ardyn could respond, April's silhouette was rapidly backing away. The ground came up behind her and everything went dark.
...
A soft light came overhead. It was cold, but brought on an ache in Ardyn's head. She turned from it, keeping her eyes shut.
"Ardyn?"
That voice.
"Can you hear me?"
Gentle, but familiar.
Everything came back at once. The alley, April, the figures with guns...
The turtles.
One weird fucking dream.
She opened her eyes.
April stood over her, worried features fading to relief.
"You're awake," she sighed.
"Don't let me drink tequila for a while," Ardyn propped up on her elbow. "I had the weirdest dream-"
A green head with an orange mask popped up over her, "Oooh, was I in it?"
No.
Ardyn's eyes widened.
"Mikey," April elbowed him. "Don't crowd her."
Ardyn laid back down and shut her eyes, throwing her arm over them.
"I was totally in it," Michelangelo said smugly.
A smack sounded through the room, followed by a short 'ow'.
Another voice was near her.
"Are you in a lot of pain? Can you look at me?"
Donatello.
Ardyn, please open your eyes," the tone was gentle, but very much a demand.
"Mm-mm."
"Ardyn," a warning.
"No, I'm going back to sleep."
"You can't go back to sleep."
"You're not the boss of me."
Muffled laughter peppered the room.
Donatello was silent for a moment, letting Ardyn process.
She peeked one eye out.
"Are you awake?" he asked patiently.
"I don't know," she answered slowly. "Are you... green?"
"Yes, I am," he replied.
She covered her eye again, "Then I guess I'm awake."
"Does your head hurt? How many fingers do you see?" Michelangelo was near her, waving a hand as she peeked one eye again.
There were three, green as the rest of him, and crystal clear. He made a grunt as he was yanked from her field of view. Donatello filled the space instead.
Ardyn jumped a little, scooting back on the table. Her shoulder protested, and she let out a hiss, sitting up to favor it.
Donatello's hands were out, ready to catch her if she fell, but reluctant to touch her otherwise. They hovered as she gathered her wits.
"Careful!" he warned. "I just finished wrapping it! Don't move it too much, it's still new."
Her head snapped around to look at it. Sure enough, the strap of her tank top and bra sat above gauze and her arm rested in a dark, makeshift sling.
"Shot..." she mumbled, processing.
"You saved my life," April interjected.
"I've never seen them use guns in the city before," Donatello pondered.
Ardyn's eyes snapped to him.
"It's not like them," April agreed. "Even if they could get their hands on firearms, I sincerely doubt they would be high-quality. And all matching?" She shook her head. "That doesn't make sense."
"Guess they're finally upgradin'," a rougher voice added.
Ardyn's eyes shot in that direction.
Large, red mask... Raphael.
"There has to be someone supplying them," April pondered aloud. "Where else would they get... whatever kind they were?"
"Glock 19 Gen3," Ardyn recalled quietly, remembering the feel of it in her hand.
"Police-issued in the state of New York," Donatello added.
Why did a bunch of thugs have police-issued sidearms?
"They could be getting ready for something big," another voice came from the shadows.
Ardyn's eyes darted once more.
Blue mask... Leonardo.
"They've been quiet for a while now. Whatever they were preparing for could happen any day now."
Ardyn's eyes locked with his shocking blue ones, but he was the first to look away.
"The Foot were disbanded after Shredder and Sacks were arrested," April interjected.
"It's only been two years, and not all of Shredder's people have been caught," Leonardo amended.
Eric Sacks?
"Ya think they're smart enough to plan without him?" Raphael questioned.
No. This is impossible.
"You've seen what they're capable of," Donatello reasoned. "Shredder could have contact with them in spite of being imprisoned."
No, they couldn't be here too.
She needed to get out of there. Needed to run. She could pack only the essentials and go back to Paris. The pompous bastard wouldn't reach her there.
"How would he do that?" Michelangelo asked.
Ardyn scooted further from the group as the discussion continued.
"He's got people in his pocket, that's how," Raphael growled.
She slipped off the table as the group drew closer together, the discussion becoming heated.
"They could be planning his escape for all we know!"
"...maximum security prison..."
"...really think anything but a vice would keep..."
She was out the door and padding barefoot on the cement. Glances backward assured her she wasn't being followed, and she quickened her tiptoeing.
She slammed into something solid, stopping in her tracks. Green arms crossed over a wide chest, and a chin below a mouth set with the slightest frown.
Her icy eyes met sapphire ones behind a blue mask.
The tiniest 'oh' fell from her parted lips, and she suddenly felt like a trapped animal.
Leonardo didn't say anything, he simply raised a brow beneath the mask.
"Hey, where'd she go?" a voice echoed in the cavernous room.
Ardyn turned her head.
"Runnin' off already, shorty?" Raphael leaned on the makeshift railing.
"I'm sorry to tell you, Ardyn, but you have to stay here until we figure out what to do next," Donatello called to her.
"I already know what I'm going to do," she gestured to herself. "So if you'll just excuse me..."
Leonardo blocked her path again, arms still crossed.
"They could still be out there," April reasoned. "Your best bet is to stay here until the sun goes down, then we can make sure your apartment is safe."
"Look, I appreciate the medical attention and-the, the throwing of bad guys into the streets and everything, but I'm perfectly capable of taking care of things from here," she turned back to Leonardo, "so I'll just ask you nicely to get your disapproving frown out of my way."
"You really think wandering barefoot through the sewer is a better alternative to waiting four hours for the sun to go down?" Leonardo finally spoke.
Ardyn's shoulders dropped, "We're in the fucking sewer?"
He nodded.
She made a brief expression of disgust and swore in French before straightening up, "I've been in worse, and gotten out of it just fine. Now, if you don't mind, I did say 'excuse me'."
Leonardo wore an unreadable expression. "I heard you."
Ardyn put a hand on her hip, "And?"
His mouth pulled slightly up on one side, "I'm denying your request."
...
Ardyn crossed her arms, sitting Indian-style on Donatello's examination table. She'd tried to escape twice, both times running into Leonardo and being thrown over Raphael's shoulder and carried back to the lab. Now, Donatello was fussing over her low body temperature.
She was buried beneath a pile of blankets, pouting, with a thermometer between her teeth. She knew already that her body temperature was low, she'd long given up fighting it. At this point, it was simply another reason to avoid a doctor's office.
Donatello could feel her glare on the back of his head, but was too engrossed in whatever the hell he was doing to really care that she was irritated. Leo had said she had to stay until sundown, whether she wanted to or not, so Donnie busied himself with the puzzling dynamics of their newest guest.
He turned around with a swab, "Okay, open wide."
Ardyn tried not to crack the glass thermometer between her teeth, "If you try to shove one more medical tool in my face, I will bite your fingers off."
Donatello quickly retracted the swab with wide eyes, "Loud and clear."
Ardyn sighed, moving the thermometer around with her tongue.
"I'm sorry about the tests, I just can't seem to figure out whats wrong with you," he said more to himself than to her. "Your body temperature is far too low to be healthy, your shoulder is barely hurt despite having a bullet pulled from it less than ten hours ago, and your eyes. I just don't understand it."
Eyes. Dammit.
He had seen her eyes. He had seen what they can do.
Or had he?
"What about my eyes?"
Donatello turned back to her, "What?"
"What's wrong with my eyes? I thought they were just fine," she repeated, feigning offense.
He quickly put his hands out, "No, nothing! Well, I mean they were a bit strange... I mean, what they did was strange, not that they're strange-"
"Donatello."
He gathered himself, "They changed. Your pupils were a different shape, and the iris was significantly larger than normal."
Yep, he saw.
She leaned in and lowered her voice, "Donatello."
He came closer, listening.
"If you promise that everything you find out about me stays in this room, I will let you take a sample of your choice," she offered.
His eyes widened, "Anything I want?"
Ardyn nodded tiredly.
He whipped around so quickly that a loose cord to something on his back snapped her in the face. Anxiety bubbled in her. No one was supposed to know anything. The fact that Donatello had already deduced something was up with her was dangerous. She needed to keep him quiet. Her exhausted mind seemed to think keeping him busy might do the trick, but even it knew taking a leap of faith with how the turtle could keep secrets was a stupid gamble. She had done better than this at keeping herself hidden. Now she was in far too deep. But, considering he was a giant mutant turtle living in the sewers below the city, how big of a network could he really have?
Donatello had evidently settled on what kind of sample he wanted, turning around with a syringe and a wide, goofy smile on his face.
Ardyn's eyes were wide as saucers, "Anything except a needle."
Donatello stepped forward, "Maybe I could use an assistant. Leo would be very interested in this."
She squinted.
"Or maybe April," Donatello continued. "April likes this kind of thing, and I'm sure she would be thrilled to help me figure you out."
"You slimy little reptile," Ardyn breathed.
"Or maybe Mikey. He could give you a physical," Donatello smiled widely, enjoying the upper hand.
"Make it quick, egghead," she snapped.
He nearly skipped over to her, stripping away the layered blankets to access her arm.
"Not a peep," she reminded him.
He made a zipping motion across his lips, pulling over a tray.
...
It was finally dark now, and Ardyn had been given her shoes back. She cursed them as the turtles and April lead her through the seemingly-endless tunnels. Her feet were killing her now, but to complain would only slow down the process of her getting the hell out of here, so she kept her lips sealed. Mikey was rapping somewhere up ahead, and Donatello was whispering in Ardyn's ear all the questions he had.
"Does this mean you've come in contact with a mutagen? What DNA did it enhance? Are you partially reptilian? Your body temperature still puzzles me, but I'll figure it out once I analyze that sample further. How do are you able to control certain physical features? Is that a gene?"
"Donatello!"
The others looked back at her briefly. Leonardo's gaze fell over her, quizzical before turning back around. Mikey continued his song.
Ardyn lowered her voice. "Just chill, okay? No more questions."
"Okay."
He was silent for all of three seconds.
"Are your eyes the only thing that change?"
Ardyn groaned, "Not now, Donatello."
"But I have so many questions," he protested.
"Tomorrow," she said firmly, eyeing the two swords in front of her warily.
"Pinky swear?" he held up a large, green digit.
Ardyn eyed it. She sighed, taking it in her own, "Pinky swear.
He nearly skipped beside her, content with the promise of more information.
Leonardo's hands alternated between clenched and relaxed as they walked. Ardyn watched him nervously. While the other turtles had flocked around her, not shy at all, Leonardo seemed reserved. Ardyn wasn't sure if it was just his way or if he disliked strangers.
Or perhaps that his first impression of her was her squatting behind a dumpster with a stolen firearm that she pointed at his brother.
Up ahead, a manhole cover slid aside, letting a little more light into the dim tunnel. Michelangelo was the first to ascend to the topside, followed by April being hoisted into his arms by Raphael. Leonardo didn't say a word to anyone as he jumped and pulled himself through.
"Alright, shorty," Raphael called to her.
Ardyn's gaze was torn from the ceiling to the red mask, then down to the outstretched hands he offered.
"What?"
"Ladder broke a while back," he answered. "I don't s'pose ya can jump that high."
Ardyn looked up again.
I have, and absolutely could, if it weren't for these fucking shoes.
She reluctantly gave him her hand, his own swallowing the tiny appendage. He laid hers over one of his and lifted her off of the ground.
He was showing off, lifting her with a single arm as if she weighed as much as a jacket. She gripped tighter, trying not to slip as her hand breached the surface.
Just as her hand appeared over the wet asphalt, it was captured by someone up top. She was being pulled to the top just as April had been.
Another arm wrapped around her torso as she was pulled up, allowing her to step onto the asphalt when her legs were high enough. Cautiously, she stepped away from the manhole, fearing the shoes might send her stumbling back down. The arms that had pulled her to the top had released her then, and her chest clenched when she saw who they belonged to.
Leonardo seemed as unaffected by her touch as he had been by her presence, saying nothing and passing her to help his brothers up. Ardyn felt ridiculous for letting his presence take a toll on her, but she wasn't about to ignore her gut feeling. Something was off about the silent leader in blue, yet her curiosity seemed to be an equal rival to her uneasiness. She wasn't sure she would describe him as a threat, per se, but she would hesitate to call him an ally just yet.
"We should check the apartments, just to be sure," he spoke firmly, but with little emotion. "We still don't know if you two were targeted or victims of chance."
Oh, jesus.
"Does this mean piggy-back?" Michelangelo beamed excitedly.
"Yea, Mikey," Raphael answered.
"Whoo!" Michelangelo slung April onto his back, "Dibs!"
He began climbing, April clinging to his shell and laughing loudly.
Ardyn swallowed.
Three sets of eyes turned to her.
"Don't s'pose you can climb that by yourself, either, huh?" Raphael smirked.
Ardyn's head tilted back as she watched Michelangelo climb higher.
"I can walk," she squeaked, turning to walk out of the alley.
She bumped into Leonardo again.
A curse in French fell from her lips, "Stop doing that!"
"Stop trying to run away," he replied.
"Run? In these?" she gestured to her feet.
Raphael's low laughter rumbled behind her. Suddenly she was pulled from Leonardo's disapproving expression and thrown over Raphael's shoulder.
"Hang on, shorty," he bellowed. "It'll be a long way down."
Ardyn was about to retort about his method of carrying her when he began to climb with her dangling on his shoulder. She straightened and gripped the strap on his back for dear life. The ground was already ten feet below.
Twenty feet.
Thirty feet.
Oh, god. I'm going to die in an alley wearing these stupid fucking shoes.
Raphael laughed. Had she said that out loud?
"I won't drop ya," he assured. "And the shoes ain't that bad."
"Comforting at it's finest," she managed.
When Raphael reached the top, he paused. Ardyn was grabbed from his shoulder and pulled onto the roof. She slapped at the hands as they set her down.
"Quit manhandling me, already!" she growled. "I'm not a fucking child."
She turned to push away whoever had picked her up, seeing Leonardo's flash of amusement before he hid it.
"Far from it," Raphael smirked as he thudded by her.
She gave him a look, then turned her gaze back to Leonardo.
He nodded his head in the direction the others had gone, telling her to follow. She sighed and complied. Her feet complained now that they were back on solid ground. She had to be bleeding. Whoever had made these shoes hated feet and wanted them all to perish. The dull ache in her shoulder wasn't serving as a distraction, either. She took a few more steps, internally screaming, and feeling Leonardo's eyes watching her uncomfortable hobbling.
She stopped at the edge of the roof with the others. Without a word, she pulled the shoes off and peered over the edge. Just below was a dumpster.
"Perfect."
Leonardo reached for her shoulder, fearing she might jump. Instead, she dropped the shoes. The smile that warmed her features as they descended into the pile of trash was damn near comical in his eyes.
The cold cement of the roof was heaven, and a sigh escaped her lips.
"Wait here," Leonardo instructed. "Raph and I are going to make sure the coast is clear."
Ardyn put her free hand on her hip.
"No more running off," he lowered his voice to her, sending chills up her spine.
She rolled her eyes over to him, then mocked a salute with all the attitude she possessed. "Yes, sir."
He barely caught and smothered the look of amusement before he and Raphael leapt off the roof.
"Aren't you going to need those?" Donatello asked from beside her, pointing to the final resting place of the godforsaken heels.
"I think it might be more comfortable to walk on Legos," she muttered in return.
"What about protecting your feet?" he reasoned.
"From what, the cold?" she remarked sarcastically.
"You don't feel it, do you?" he whispered.
Ardyn shook her head, "I'm just not as affected by it."
He filed the information away greedily, "What about heat?"
"I burn just like everyone else," she answered.
"Fascinating," he touched his lip, tapping it in thought. "Have you-"
"No, Donatello."
"But-"
"I said tomorrow," she hissed.
His shoulders sank, "Fine."
...
Leo had to jimmy the lock on Ardyn's window to get in. The woman was strange. Too jumpy for someone who was obviously trained to defend herself. They had all witnessed her disarm the man in the alley with Donnie's drone-cam. She hadn't even noticed when she was shot, only concerned with getting April out of the line of fire. Her anxiety upon meeting Raphael was understandable, with that much adrenaline pumping through her and Raph's abrasive nature. He was honestly surprised she hadn't shot the brute. Not to mention her several attempts at escaping.
Her apartment was sparsely decorated, no excess of pillows or throw blankets on the couch or knic knacs on the shelves. There was plenty of art hung on the walls, however. And books.
Lots of books.
Some were in another language. French, if he had to guess. Paintings showed different scenery from Paris, alongside some of the ocean or the trees. Leo made his way into the bedroom.
It was kept neat. The bed was made, also without an excess of pillows or throw blankets. He spotted a lock box just under the bed, and a knife tucked under the mattress. Was she simply being prepared, or was she afraid of something? When he checked the walk-in closet, he found a small safe that was locked, and clothes that had been organized by color, but no reason to believe anyone but Ardyn had been there.
"Clear," he called to Raph.
"Good over here," Raph called back.
...
"That's the signal," Donatello nodded in their direction.
Ardyn leaned over the edge to see around him, then nearly leapt back.
"Hey, shorty," Raph greeted with a smirk as he climbed up. "Need a lift?"
"For fuck's sake, can't we just-"
She yelped as she was thrown over Raph's shoulder, and he leapt from the rooftop. She grunted every time his feet made contact, shoving his shoulder into her gut. She gripped his strap for dear life and swore in between grunts, mingling English and French over Raphael's bellowing laughter.
When they all landed on the rooftop, Raphael set her down. She pushed him away with the little strength she could manage as she collected her breath. The turtles were laughing at her now, and April tried to suppress her own snickers.
"Shorty's got a mouth like a damn trucker, Mikey," Raphael laughed.
"I could hear her from across the street!" Michelangelo returned.
Ardyn shouldered by them and yanked open the roof access door. She didn't particularly care that she was being rude, and she was too tired to think that she should thank them for getting her home safely. All she wanted to do was collapse in bed and be dead to the world for a few blissful hours.
Leo didn't say a word as Ardyn shouldered past Raph and disappeared behind the roof access door. The rest didn't seem to notice her absence, continuing to laugh and joke about the events of the night. He felt bad in a way, he knew she probably had a lot to work through. What he didn't like was Donnie's budding friendship with her. Donnie was absolutely fascinated with Ardyn, Leo knew. He also had overheard their little deal about the sample. It was possible that Ardyn was dangerous, and Leo really didn't want his brother involved with her until he could figure out just what kind of a threat she posed to them.
Raph was fond of her, as well. Though, his fondness was a little more superficial. He liked Ardyn's feminine physique and how easily she became flustered by him, not to mention the familiar fire she used to retaliate him. She was an amusement, one that Leo hoped would fade out like last night's stack of pizzas.
Leo himself wasn't sure what to think. Ardyn certainly didn't look like a threat. She was a bit taller than average, perhaps, with shoulder-length dirty blond hair that was as wild as she was. Her face had gentle features, but her eyes were a piercingly-cold blue. He had to remember to not stare when she looked at him, they were almost hypnotic. She must've known the venom they carried with the way she used them. Even when Donnie had opened them to check her pupils and they had both seen the mutation, Leo was captivated. He would have to pay close attention to Donnie's findings.
"Where did she go?" Mikey looked around.
"Inside," Leo answered.
"She's probably tired," April supplied. "I know I am."
"Get some rest, April," Donnie told her. "I'll be by tomorrow night to check on you both."
"Me too," Raph butted in.
"Me too!" Mikey added.
Raph shoved him back and followed Donnie to the edge of the building.
"Night, Angelcakes!" Mikey called as Raph hauled him back.
"Night, guys," April called as three of them jumped out of sight.
"April," Leo stopped her.
She met his serious expression.
"Be careful," he advised.
She gave a knowing look, "You don't trust her?"
"Trust is earned."
"She took a bullet for me last night," April reminded him. "And she's not bulletproof like you are."
Leo pressed his lips into a thin line, "I'm just being cautious."
"I know you are, and you're very good at it," she said. "But it's possible that she needs us."
"We don't even know her," he reasoned. "How can I trust someone I don't know?"
"I'm not asking you to trust her," April answered. "I'm asking you to trust me."
He sighed, unconvinced, but deciding to pacify.