I talked Mikey into getting some lunch with me after my conversation with Leonardo. I would've been more than happy to have eaten by myself if it weren't for the fact that I don't want to be left alone with my thoughts, so his company was very much needed. The orange-banded reptile's continuous blabbering is perfect for tuning out the thoughts coursing through my conscience. I thought I'd get at least 15 minutes to stop thinking about what Leonardo had told me and enjoy a nice, not-so-silent meal. But like with many things, I don't get my way.
For some strange, unknown reason, Mikey refuses to talk. For the very first time since I met him, his mouth remains closed. And although it's only been at least two days since our first encounter, I doubt this is a natural habit. Even as I eat in front of him, his lips don't part, which again, isn't normal in the least because I was there when he 'd scarfed down cookie after cookie not so long ago even when he and I knew he wasn't hungry. Instead, he just sits there, chin resting in his hand, his head tucked into his shell, and baby blue eyes transfixed on the scraped tabletop. This worries me.
I know I said I shouldn't be getting attached to these people because I'll eventually be leaving soon on my own accord, but something inside of me is pushing empathy into my thought process. I'm tempted to ask him what's bothering him. I mean, it wouldn't hurt, right? It's just Mikey, there's no harm in trying to console him.
Yet there is. If I were to actually coax him into sharing what's on his mind, it'll be a form of bonding. And it's bad enough we baked cookies together like regular people do in their spare time (I'm still very much unsure of the normalities of society, so I'm not sure if that's what people actually do), and having yet another hang out session will be too much for me to handle. Even this lunch is pushing it.
We're not friends, we're not pals, we're not buddies. We're not even acquaintances. We're just two people who can't be amongst regular humans for own personal reasons (one being that their physical appearance will freak them out and the other is mentally unstable. Which one is which is for you to decide) and have a knack for reaching for a snack when we're bored.
I try to focus on my meal instead of indulging on my thoughts. I've come to realize just how much I've been missing out on in the woods. Pizza, soda, chips, and most importantly, chocolate chip cookies. How did I live so long without these delicacies? Greasy, gooey, cheesy slices of pepperoni pizza causes saliva to ooze from my mouth. Fizzy, bubbly, chilly Pepsi hits the spot. Crunchy, salty, tasty potato chips are an explosion of flavor on my tastebuds. And sweet, crumbly, chocolatey cookies are as soothing as a bubble bath. I feast upon these foods like I hadn't had a decent meal in weeks, and we both know that this is a true statement.
But they barely delude me of the bothersome thoughts running laps around my cranium as if they're training for a marathon. So many things had been passed between us, Leo and I, some many things that baffle my very beliefs.
Sure, I'm presently living *cough*house arrest*cough* with a quartet of teenage mutants who are half man-half turtle and have a giant rat for an adoptive father and call the sewers their home. Yet involving teleportation, aliens, walking-talking rhinos and warthogs, along with a genius scientist who is in league with a villain who runs his own evil ninja clan in New York City is a bit much. As believable as it may seem, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it.
I mean, seriously? If I didn't know any better, I'd say that this plot would make the perfect story for a comic book loving teenage boy who absolutely adores sci-fi and action-packed, fictional tales of mutants and heroes. Am I right or am I right?
"Hey," He suddenly speaks up. I perk up at the sudden sound. The contrast of the silence of the lair and his voice is startling, like getting shocked by an electric socket. "Uhhhhhhh…" he ventures uncertainly, seeming at a loss for words. That makes two of us. "Sorry. I don't know what to call you."
Right. Because I don't have a name. Yeah, what a pity.
I raise my eyebrows in expectation. "Uh-huh." I draw out.
"Um… anyway. I think I'm gonna go and check up on Raph and… ma-make sure he's uh…"
"Not breaking something?" I finish for him, playful smirk snaking up my lips.
I get a chuckle out of him, the first one in an hour. "Yeah." He stands with a grating squeak of his chair and I watch as he disappears into one of the many rooms lining the compound, thudding footfalls like the thumping of a heart.
The slice of pizza that I've just taken a bite of turns to paste in my mouth, glueing my mouth shut. I can't bring myself to eat. It's okay, though. I've lost my appetite, anyway. Yet I shove the rest of my lunch down and stand up to wash the dishes. Can't waste food like that.
It still feels strange to turn the handle of the faucet, the chrome metal cool to the touch and the valve's rasping are a surprising noise to my ears. Even the sound of the rushing water gushing from the spout is alien to me. The simplest things such as a running sink and dish soap makes me feel more of a freak than I could have ever imagined. Being so unaccustomed to everyday household appliances is the very definition of being a psycho, wouldn't you agree?
Now don't get me started. I don't want to hear anyone of you say, "Oh, it's okay." Or, "It's not your fault." First of all, I don't want your pity. As appreciated as it is (gotta be honest, it isn't), I don't need it. And second, I know that it's not my fault that I'm this way. I wasn't the one who wiped my brain and dropped me off in the middle of fucking nowhere and decided to join a band of mutant vigilantes to complete a near impossible mission. I didn't do this to me!
Somone, some dipshit of a nutcase who thought it would be funny to mess with a little girl (such as myself) did this. Some asshat twisted and maniacal enough to brainwash a kid like me and dump me in the middle of the forest did this. Someone who's smart and powerful, enough to have the required materials to clear out all forms of memories of my past life straight out of my skull like a professional scientist, did this. Some sorry piece of shit who has a sick sense of humor and thought it to be funny to do this to me.
I bet they probably went off to tell the rest of their insane psycho friends about their little hobby. I can just see it: "Oh, hey Paul. Remember when I said how it would be hilarious if someone who didn't remember anything had to survive in the woods all by themselves? Yeah? So I did just that and—I don't know who, I just picked someone at random—and I wiped her brain with all that cool techy stuff I'm rich enough to buy and placed her in the woods. HAHAHAHAHA! It was so funny! Can't you just imagine how freaked out she must be?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Goddamn! Aren't I just a little ray of sunshine?
Yet as convincing as that may be, it doesn't quite click in my head.
Nah, that's not how it happened. I had to be brought here for a reason. I have to have some sort of purpose, right? I mean, don't you think there's some good reasoning behind me being lost and alone and suddenly thrown into something this big as saving the city, if not the world? As cruel and perverted as it is, what if it's for the greater good? What if I'm some kind of prodigal daughter meant to save mankind from the wrath of a great being who wants to destroy all that is good and living like a demigod warrior preparing to battle an almighty, evil monster?
Yeah, right. When turtles fly.
The rag in my hand scrapes over the ceramic face of the plate smoothly, the bubbling soap suds tickling the skin of my wrists. The flesh of my hands are red with heat from the steamy water, but I don't mind. I have naturally cold hands so the warmth feels nice on my chilled fingers. It's a prickling feeling, a pleasant sensation like hovering frozen fingertips over a cozy fireplace on a dark, winter night.
A commotion of shuffling and hushed words catches my attention. I look up to see the Red Wonder himself storming his way to where Leo's training with Mikey on his tail. I can tell that Mikey's in a frenzy to get his brute of a brother to stop and turn the other way by the frantic way he pulls on Raph's arm desperately.
Oh, God. What did he do now?
Mikey's attempts to divert his brother's direction barely fazes the red-banded reptile as he continues to march forward. At one point, he can't take anymore of the smaller turtle's pleads and shoves Mikey away in the face. He gasps as he stumbles and falls to his knees, the tangle of beaded chains and necklaces roped around his neck clink together loudly. Mikey doesn't seem offended by Raph's harsh actions, instead he seems even more out of sorts.
"What about our hip hop Christmas album?" He calls out quietly but audibly.
I don't know what all of that's about, but something is about to go down and I'm not gonna miss out on it. However, I probably should respect their privacy for the sake of reverence, but considering that… well…
You know what? To hell with it! I don't give a flying shit what they say or think about me watching them bicker. While I live under their roof, I have a right to know what exactly is going on at any given time. Not sure if that's how it works when guests visit your house, but it doesn't matter. My mind is made up.
I drop the rag and turn off the faucet before following Raphael in hot pursuit. He hasn't seen me or knows that he has a tail, which is fine with me. We come upon Leonardo who busies himself with sword practice.
I wouldn't call it sword practice, per say. It's more like ninjitsu mixed with acrobatics and gymnastics. I'm sure that your average, ordinary karate kid couldn't do a double backflip while throwing a spinning katana up in the air and catching it midflip without slicing his head off and then swinging the blades around your body while still flipping around like an airborne baton until your nothing but a floating blur of silver and green.
I stop mid step as he continues to perform this feat of athleticism and talent.
I can't even do a cartwheel and here he is, more than qualified to join the world's greatest circus for their most dangerous daredevil act and come out of it unscathed.
"Pop Quiz," Raph calls out to the leader in blue. Leo's head swivels sharply as he takes a quick break, katana blades clutched in his hands, bouncing on the balls of his feet, focused on his younger brother. "What are the three most important traits of the ninja?" Raph asks rather calmly.
What? Why the hell would he ask that?
Yet Leo doesn't seem to find the question odd in the least. In fact, he looks to actually like it.
He smiles crookedly. "Speed." Leo answers, swishing the steel swords in front of him, more for show than actual training. "Stealth." His breaths come out short and whistle through his teeth as he thrusts his swords to and fro, almost as if tisking. His chest heaves slightly, the rugged plates of his plastron flexing handsomely. Sweat gleams on his leathery skin, pronouncing the dark, green pigment of his muscles.
I'm not saying anything about his physical appearance, as magnificent and goddamn hot as it is. I'm just stating facts.
"And honor." Raph interjects as he steps onto the platform where his leader stands. Leo stops and turns to his counterpart completely, blue eyes meeting green. "Where's the honor in keeping secrets from your brothers?" The red-banded reptile grins mockingly. Leo's cerulean orbs flicker in a perplexed manner, but it's small and almost unnoticeable, but from where Raph's standing there's no doubt that he picked up on it.
Secrets? What secrets? Is there something going on around here that I'm not aware of, aside from hunting down Shredder and his Foot Clan along with two giant mutant criminals and stopping them from whatever scheme they're planning in the shadows?
"I don't know what you're talking about." Leo says, shrugging his shoulders innocently and rotating his position so that he no longer faces his brother. He tries to resume his training, but Raph remains on the podium, not quite ready for his little interrogation to be over just yet.
"So now you're adding lying to the list."
"If you're referring to what Donnie told me about the purple ooze," Leo states, sheathing his swords above his head. "It's called compartmentalization of information." He turns around again in another attempt to ignore the second turtle on the platform. Leo starts throwing practice punches, staring straight at me. Whether Raph doesn't see it (as obvious as it is) or he's wanting to put up a fight, he stays where he is. Either way, it just proves that he's still as stubborn as an ox.
Secrets. Purple ooze. Donnie… Oh shit! He knows! He knows about what Donnie had discovered in his lab and what it can do!
Dammit! That's not good!
But how? He had to be there in order to know, and if not him then someone else. But you'd have to be super stealthy and quiet to-
Oh my God! You've got to be shitting me!
They're fucking ninjas, for crying out loud! You know; sneaky, silent, stealthy ninjas. Of course they would've figured it out one way or another. I imagine it's hard to keep something a secret for long in a house full of trained ninjas who were raised for such acts of furtiveness.
But… wait! Why is it such a big deal that he knows? I remember Leo being so strict and making it clear to not tell his fellow brethren of the purple ooze's abilities, and I think I may know why, but how come it has them all riled up about it?
"If there's even a chance that ooze can turn us human." Raph growls, voice straining with arising anger.
Oh. That's why.
"We're turtles, whether you like it or not." Leo remarks without looking back at Raph. His gaze remains on me, pleading for help to break this up.
For some odd reason, I decide to lend a hand and do my best to disperse an oncoming argument. But… lets just say I'm no professional when it comes to lying.
"What's going on here?" I ask, announcing my presence.
Raph wheels around and does little to nothing to hide his disgust at the sight of me. "None of your business, that's what." He barks.
Alright. Point taken. Let's try again.
"Easy there, tiger. I just want to know what's going on. Maybe I can help."
That's what they want, right? For me to help them with everything that's going on. That's the whole point of me being down here. They said so themselves.
"Yeah, right." He scoffs. "Either you want to help out around here or you're just here to watch the show."
Uck… no. That's, like, so not true.
…
Shut up, reader!
"No. I'm not." I lie, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Of course, that is unless you wanted to watch us argue and report it back to your master Shredder." Raphael rants, his grimaced face scrunching together as if he just lick the inside of a lemon. "Going on and on about how pathetic we are and how and your Foot Clan buddies are going to squash us like bugs in battle."
Okay. That was a bit much. Not gonna lie, I'm starting to get a little pissed off here. But it's okay, it's okay. Just gotta keep my cool.
"Cool it, Raph." Leo bites.
Guess I'm not the only one who is getting peeved by Big Red.
Raph disregards him and suddenly flashes his teeth in a devilish grin, a mischievous glint in his moss green eyes. "Or did you just come in here to make googly eyes at my brother."
THAT'S IT!
"Why you sorry son of a bitch!" I hiss through grinding teeth. I advance in a fiery march of spite, my vision clouded by a red fog and my face burning with pure rage. A gurgling snarl rises in my throat like the roar of a lion and I am just about to pounce on him when (as per fucking usual) Leo intervenes. His hand grabs my shoulder, his fingers digging into my trapezius muscles, thumb pressing into the hard bone my collar. I try to make another move on him again, this time with my clenched fists at my sides screaming to start swinging.
I can just see it. My balled fist will arch upwards and slamming into the soft meat of Raph's nose, a spurt of blood exploding from his slitted nostrils. He'll lumber backwards, cursing and croaking as he caresses his face, the athletic tape of his hands spotted with the red blood that'll match his mask.
I'm gonna slug that sorry smirk off his sorry, stupid face for his sorry, stupid comment and beat the sorry, stupid shit out of him! I'm gonna slug him right in the nose just like he deserves!
That is until Leo places another firm hand on my right shoulder, his grip more painful than the first. I come to find that I can no longer take another step. My knees are locked and my feet are flat on the ground, and the pressure Leo presses on me forces them to stay that way. I might as well be trying to take a step out of hardening cement. Leo's hold on me is so powerful that he literally has me grounded with his bare hands. I try to swat them away. I push and pull at his tethered hands to lift his iron grip off of me all the while swearing and growling like a rabid dog.
I'll beat the fucking living daylights out of his sorry excuse of a noble brother.
That… that… ASSHOLE!
That sorry goddamn asshole! How dare he?! HOW DARE HE?! Why I oughta…
"Let me the fuck go!" I screech.
It's Leo's turn to act out of anger. "Stop it! Right now!" He buzzes, heated with annoyance. His hands tighten and squeeze my shoulders, threatening to bruise and crack a few bones.
A part of me knows that he wouldn't hurt me or anyone in a million years if not necessary, but even if he would I still would be fighting him to tackle that smug, shit face of a turtle known as Raphael.
"You're not helping!" He continues. He finally lets go and pushes me back gently, but firmly. The look in his eyes is enough to light a pile of firewood and start a campfire in a flash.
Thank God I have enough nerve stay where I am before I take another whack at attacking the crimson-banded reptile.
"It's not about what I like," Raph speaks up, grabbing Leo's attention back to him. "It's about what people are willing to accept."
"True acceptance only comes from within." Leo wheezes out as he strikes a few more punches, making an effort to restart his training. But the blows are shaky and tense, no longer graceful with the tranquility he had possessed once before.
"Don't give me that fortune cookie muck!" Raph snaps. "You should consult with us before deciding to do something like that."
"I consulted Donnie and her, and we decided-"
"Wait!" Raph interrupts. "You told her," He indicates to me, "but not us!" He looks mortified at the fact that I knew before he did, that I knew such valuable information.
Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to get involved in this.
My ears tingle with an unpleasant warmth, very much unlike the blissful faucet's hot water. Is this a form of blushing? And if so, why am I blushing?
I'm frustrated? Yeah. Yeah. That's why. No other reason. That's it.
"Where does your loyalty lie, Oh-Fearless-Leader?"
"It's not like tha-" Leo tries to defend, but Raph continues his ranting spree.
"And what about Mikey?" He pushes Leo forcefully."He don't get a vote?"
Leo snaps like a rope suspended over a candle, the flame scorching away the braided ties rapidly turning into splintered, charred twine. It was only a matter of time before he broke.
"There's only one vote that counts in this family. Mine."
Ouch.
The two stand still, face to face, eye to eye. Each one as stiff as a board as if waiting for the other to spring into a brawl, both of them taunt like the string of a bow preparing to release a deadly arrow. The tension in the room thickens to pudding, dense and heavy, and emanates from the two fuming turtles.
"Leo!" Donnie cries out from a short distance. It's hard to say if he and Mikey had been there the whole time or just showed up because I haven't cared to note their whereabouts. It doesn't really matter, though. I'm almost positive that they heard the whole thing without being at the scene. "An alarm just triggered at the Hayden Planetarium. We gotta go."
Leo steps off the platform with a thunderous thud that vibrates through the floor, fists curled at his sides and lips pressed into a tight line. "Gear up, Donnie." He stomps to the other side of the room, each stride like a pounding beat of a kick drum. He rudely bulldozes Mikey out of his way, and like he had when Raph had done so not too long ago, the younger turtle doesn't seem too disturbed by it.
Is he used to this kind of treatment? I mean, they're all boys. They pick on and bully each other constantly, whether as a joke or in offense. Yet I'm pretty sure that both times were by no means meant as a laughing matter.
"You two stay here." The blue cad mutant commands. He points to me. "You're coming us."
Wait! What? I'm going with them? Like, up to the surface? On an important mission?
I'm so flustered at his strange orders that I start to trail behind him on instinct.
"You're benching me?!" Raph yells, clearly insulted by his leader's choice.
"Call it what you want!" He yells back. I continue to follow him to the exit.
Not just a day ago I was trying to run away from this place and these creatures who basically kidnapped me for fear that they would harm me in some way. Now, a full day later, I am now escorting them above ground on an important expedition.
My my, how the tables have turned.
"What did I do?" Mikey bellows after us, just as upset as his hot-headed brother.
Donnie catches up to us after a quick apology to the other two. I look back to do the same, but the way they look at me causes me to whip my head back around. Raph looks like he's about to explode like Mount Vesuvius. With all the lava and spewing fire and smoke, the whole enchilada. I could've sworn his face turned red with the fever of his temper.
And Mikey… Mikey looks anguished. Despaired at the circumstances that his own brother had picked a stranger over him. That Leo had, in fact, consulted me before him.
A sickening twist of my stomach almost makes me double over at the thought, but I keep walking. I will not give into regret and guilt because I was picked over two brothers who had every right to know first. One way or another, I was going to betray him. I just didn't think I'd do so in this way.
Author's Note: For those of you still reading this, I want to thank you for your commitment. Trust me when I say I know what it's like to wait on a story that is still not finished. So for your patience and tolerance with my lack of productivity, I applaud you. Thank you for your support and comments. It means a lot to me. and stay tuned!