Chapter Twelve: Monsters
AN: THANK YOU TO ALEXLUKE for your continued support and feedback!
AN2: Crazy, hectic two weeks coming to a close. This chapter is a little longer than previous. I hope it turned out well. I was using it as a stress outlet so that's why it's a little extended this time.
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The first thing Donnie knew upon waking was he was lying on the cold tiled floor. He was blind, so that meant his glasses had fallen off.
Second, he was chilly and if he wasn't mistaken, wet.
Weird.
Then he tried to move and every nerve came alive with residual pain. The kind of bone deep pain that only came from the damnable shock collar. Which meant he had been visited by his tormenters. Only, he couldn't remember the visit.
Trying to focus, Donnie concentrated, picking though random images to get a better picture of what transpired. The only thing he could remember was a horrible burning freeze going into his veins…then… nothing.
Whatever happened, he must have misbehaved or else he wouldn't have suffered the electronic reprimand. He groaned, stretching to ward off the aches and twinges. He attempted to rub his throbbing head, but missed his face as his depth perception was off.
Carefully he sat up, scrubbing his face, wondering why his legs were hurting so badly. Usually, it was his neck and shoulders that ached from the shock collar as he convulsed on the floor. But this time, his legs were atrophied. Overtaxed. As if Leo had put him through one of his favorite rigorous workouts. Mustering up energy to get up off the floor, a low moan drew Donnie's attention to his right.
He wasn't alone!
Someone else was there!
Did he hurt someone while he was drugged? One of the doctors, maybe? A guard? Was that why he was shocked?
Everything was just so fuzzy. If only he'd remember!
"Hello?" Donnie called tentatively.
A sharp inhale and skittering of a body told him someone had just realized they were in his room.
"Wh…what, are you?" asked a terrified female voice.
Donnie squinted in the direction of the voice, discerning a pale pink blob against the bland ecru of the wall.
Before Donnie could answer, she let out of a soft scream.
"Oh my god! What's going on?" She muttered the mantra over and over, voice becoming increasingly hysterical. "Where am I? What are you! What is going on?"
Donnie held out his hands, patting the surrounding area in search of his glasses. If he was going to help the human figure out what was going on, he needed to be able to see.
While he searched for the ever elusive things, he spoke, hoping to calm the young woman's fears.
"Calm down. I swear I won't hurt you." Donnie felt around along the floor, glad Raph wasn't there to call him Velma. "My name is Donnie. I'm a turtle, born and mutated in a lab in New York City."
The woman's frantic whimpers faded, listening to her roommate speak. Judging by the way he squinted and how his hands searched the ground, she guessed he was blind. Or at least needed glasses.
Strange. Turtles don't wear glasses.
"If you're looking for glasses, they're on the bed." She answered, drawing up closer to the wall.
Donnie's sightless eyes swiveled toward her voice. "Thank you."
Dimples appeared, giving him a boyish aspect.
Crawling, he found the bed and his glasses, sliding them onto his face and turning to view his roommate.
And instantly froze.
She was naked.
Cowering against the wall, shivering in the cold, legs crossed and arms wrapped around herself to protect her modesty. Her hair was mused, eyes wide and terrified.
Then Donnie noticed the slick shimmer on the floor. And her. And with dawning horror, himself. He hastily covered his tail, shame burning his cheeks.
"Oh..my…God," he breathed heavily, beginning to panic. Heart beating against his eardrums, reality punching him harder than a raging Raph. He clutched his head, doubling over, the world spinning, his stomach threatening to purge every meal he ever ingested. He staggered a couple steps, before dropping to his knees by his bed. "Oh… God… this can't be happening!"
Donnie trembled, his world turning upside down and inside out. Or maybe that his was his shell? It wasn't feeling right. It was…heavier, than what it used to be. Large. Cumbersome. Leaden. Hot as freshly forged metal.
He felt the weight of it steal his breath, cutting off his air supply. He gasped and wheezed, struggling to make sense of what had transpired, but with the lingering cotton in his brain, it was difficult.
Taking several deep breaths, willing his mind to calm down and his heart to stop racing, Donnie's scientific brain threw off the cotton and began to analyze. Take the clues and solve the puzzle.
Both were naked. He was wet around the tail and judging by the glint of overhead light that caught her ankle, her inner thighs were wet as well. Then the tell tale puddle on the floor. He didn't need to be a scientist to deduce what had transpired.
During his mindless state, he had forced himself upon a helpless woman. One who remained pressed into the opposite wall, terrified of him.
And for good reason.
Bile rose up in Donnie's throat.
How could someone DO this to her? To him? How could someone be so cruel? So lacking in morals and ethics they would allow such a dishonorable and dastardly thing?
Point!
Bishop!
Those…men!
He turned his wrath to the observation window, fists unclenching to cover his shame. "What in the hell have you done!"
The room was empty, devoid of audience.
Donnie growled an oath, sneering at the window. He wanted nothing more than to find the loathsome humans and tear them limb from limb. How dare they do something so heinous!
Donnie rose, hastily snatching the blankets off his bed, draped a sheet around his waist, and carried the other two to the cowering woman. She flinched as he neared, no doubt mistrusting of him. And for good reason. Not wanting to cause her further trauma, Donnie tossed the linens and turned his back to allow her some privacy.
For what it was worth.
"I am sorry for everything I have inadvertently done," Donnie said, lowering his head. Humiliation made his cheeks burn and his shell ache. (when did it become so heavy?)
He was lower than low. He was scum. Lower than that. He was the floor of a New York taxi.
Even Shredder wasn't dastardly and sick enough to rape a woman. Kill them? Yes. Rape them? No. There were levels even he wouldn't stoop. He may be an egotistical psychopath but he still held a sense of honor.
There was no honor in forcing oneself upon another. There was only disgrace.
And a certain level of hell awaiting Donnie for what he had done.
"The last thing I remember was an injection. Next thing, I woke up here. Now." Donnie could hear her rustling with the blankets, no doubt trying to find a way to completely cover her nakedness.
"Believe me, I would never intentionally hurt a woman," Donnie continued to explain. "I know there isn't anything I can say or do to excuse what I obviously done to you, but I hope you can accept my sincerest apology. I totally regret this vile and horrible thing I have committed. I will do everything in my power to make it up to you, doing whatever you deem as restitution for the wrong I have committed against you."
"You…you can't…remember?" she asked, bound tightly in two blankets. She still kept to the wall, not trusting this huge speaking turtle. She crossed her legs as her womanhood throbbed. No doubt he had been a brute.
Donnie chanced a peek over his shoulder. When he realized she was covered, he turned, holding up his hands in defeat.
"Ma'am, I assure you, I would never intentionally harm a woman. I have no recollection of what transpired." Donnie rubbed his neck, tugging on the silver collar. "I remember being injected with something and after that…nothing."
"What's that?" she asked, motioning to his neck.
"Shock collar," Donnie explained, wondering if the blasted thing had shrunk. It felt tighter. "Shocks me until I pass out."
"And they…shocked you?" she asked, making no move toward him. Her narrowed eyes sized him up a bit more closely, trying to determine if he was truly a threat.
Donnie touched the side of his neck where a needle had been jammed, probably when he was blacked out. To his consternation, there were several puckered marks, as if he had been given a series of injections instead of the single one he recalled.
How long was he out of his mind?
"They give me injections but I'm unaware of the contents."
"They're keeping you prisoner?" she asked curiously.
"For experimentation," Donnie admitted softly. "I would never choose to be held captive and tortured like this."
His words struck a cord. Her expression softened a little.
"Why don't you escape?"
Donnie noticed the empty observation room and dropped his voice. "I have every intention of doing so." He glanced to her, "are you being held against your will as well?"
"In a manner," she said slowly, glazing to her sheet wrapped form. Between her legs still mourned. Determination darkened her features. She stared resolutely at Donnie.
"I never wanted this." She motioned toward the puddle on the floor from their obvious sexual encounter. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. Her voice was broken. "I never… wanted… this."
Donnie noticed her shaking and stepped forward, causing her to gasp and huddle near the wall again. He paused, taking a moment to hold her gaze before speaking.
"You have my solemn oath, I will never hurt you. I am truly sorry for the abhorrent and cowardly act I have committed. I find myself morally repugnant and rest assured, I will accept whatever fate you believe to be fair justification for my crime."
She stared, stunned by this strange talking…turtle. He was something altogether new and different. Judging by the needle marks on his neck and shoulder, he had been injected many times. Much like herself. And the shock collar. A horror all unto itself. There were metal bands around his wrists and ankles, no doubt to make his torture more heinous.
Slowly, her fear melted away. It was strange, seeing and conversing with this mutated turtle, walking upright as casually as any human. It was obvious he was intelligent, and held a sense of honor and respect, which was displayed when he gave her the bedding to cover her modesty and turned his back to allow her privacy.
And he was blind, needing glasses to see.
How very…human.
It wasn't so much his words but his down trodden expression that eased her misgivings. Obviously he was childish, possibly a teenager. He certainly gave off the vibe. Maybe it was his boyish charm or his sorrowful expression, complete with dimples and soulful eyes, but she knew he was speaking the truth. It wasn't in his nature to be the brutal monster she feared him to be.
He exuded gentleness. Easy going. Peaceful. Going by his lanky appearance, and his glasses, he was equivalent to a human nerd. Mild mannered and socially awkward. She wouldn't put it past him to be into the scientific field, including the fictional variety.
Once the initial shock wore off, she realized he wasn't a typical 'monster' as they're portrayed in the movies. This green skinned, shell backed being had a timid soul and tenderness that only comes with innocence and youth.
Not that he was totally 'innocent,' but if she was honest, she wasn't herself at the time either. Neither was unable to give consent. And judging by his panic attack upon realizing what happened, and his obvious anger when shouting at the vacant window and timid submission to whatever restitution she deemed fitting, it wasn't in his nature to be so vile.
The shock collar and drugs took away his choice, turning him into a mindless drone that had only followed basic instincts.
Could she blame him? She didn't exactly demand he stop. A ghost of pleasure made her shiver.
And he was suitable ashamed, visibly upset by what had transpired. Though he couldn't remember the event, he took no pride in the act.
Not typical behavior of a gloating male over a conquest.
"Donnie?" she asked hesitantly, finding it strange he had such a human name.
"Donatello, officially, but you can call me Donnie or Don," he said, bashfully meeting her gaze.
"I'm Sable," she said, nodding politely.
A ghost of a smile flitted across his face, but it was short lived. He adverted his gaze, cheeks darkening with lingering shame. The color change did not go unnoticed by Sable, who was still observed him with a critical eye. She was a great judge of character, and everything about this strange and otherworldly being standing before her, told her he was a kind and gentle soul.
Her eyes drifted from him to the pane of glass that he peered into, then to the sexual stain upon the floor. Absently, she spoke.
"Why would someone do this? What kind of sick, twisted bastard would throw an innocent woman to a…a…"
"Monster?" Donnie added softly, heart deflating.
No matter how many humans he met, there was always a sense of danger and mistrust due to his appearance. Shame bowed his head and drooped his shoulders. She had every right to label him a monster. He had committed a terrible, evil act.
He was worse than the lowliest coward to walk the Earth.
Sable sputtered, backtracking her train of thought as she took in the defeated posture of her roommate. He looked so sad. So… broken. Guilt was eating away at him. He was truly repentant for what he'd done.
"I mean, what kind of sick bastard drugs people and makes them do things against their will?" Sable asked, following Donnie's example and joining him at the glass. "What kind of facility is this? Where are we?"
"I'm afraid I don't know," Donnie admitted, trying to ignore how close Sable was standing. The clock on the wall read 9:06. "I was captured in New York by a scientist, Mr. Point, who has been performing experiments on me. Apparently, he's attempting to advance the human race with his scientific research." Donnie motioned toward Sable. "And it appears he has included humans in his research."
"Oh, no," Sable breathed, stumbling to lean against the wall for support as her legs threatened to give out. This was like a bad dream, or a typical cheesy movie. Only it was all too real. And more than a little overwhelming.
Human experiments? Her? She wanted to throw up as scenarios played out in her head like old movie reels, each one more sinister and brutal than the last.
"This is sick," she panted, near panic. "What government agency would sanction such a thing?"
"I think this is a freelance operation," Donnie said, omitting the fact the lead doctor worked for Eric Sacks. He tapped on the glass of the observation room, though it was completely empty. Not even a lab coat draped over the back of a chair. "Privately funded."
"Can you get us out of here?" Sable asked, regaining her composure to stand next to Donnie, less than a foot of space separating them. She went up on tiptoes to peer through the glass.
She barely reached his shoulder in height. And now she was closer, Donnie could detect her pale honey blonde hair with matching brown eyes. Her skin was a ghostly pallor dotted with freckles. And much to Donnie's concern, there were green and purple bruises from numerous injection points along her arms.
It appeared he wasn't the only victim of experimentation.
"How long have they kept you here?" Donnie asked softly, nodding toward her pockmarked arm.
"Couple weeks I think," Sable answered, using a sheet to cover her bare arm. She realized how closely they were standing and took a step back. "I was really sick so I was transported here via ambulance, but I have no clue where."
"Have you seen anyone else being experimented on?" Donnie probed. He wouldn't leave if there was a chance innocent humans were being used as lab rats.
"There were three others on my floor, but they didn't survive treatment," Sable admitted.
Donnie thought it odd she used such a term, but let it pass. Now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
"Have you seen any other turtles, like myself?"
Sable's jaw nearly hit the floor. "There are more things like you?"
Donnie flinched as if struck.
Sable immediately realized she said something insulting. Tentatively, she reached out a hand to his arm.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."
Donnie withdrew from her touch, shifting nervously away, unable to meet her gaze. "It's okay. Don't worry about it."
Sable knew he was bothered by her words but was trying to hide it. She decided not to press the issue. "No, I haven't seen any other turtles. The only people I've seen are the doctors that took care of me and…" she trailed off as something clicked together.
"What?" Donnie prompted.
"Soldiers," Sable said slowly, brow creasing as she stared up into Donnie's face. "It just occurred to me, the past couple days, there's been… soldiers. I thought they were only security guards, but when I think about it, they had guns. Machine gun type guns. That's not standard for hospital security."
"Oh, they're definitely military trained," Donnie supplied.
"Oh, no," Sable whimpered. "What are we going to do? I don't know how to fight!"
Donnie offered a tiny smile. "I do."
Sable eyed him dubiously.
Donnie knew she was assessing his lithe nature and huffed, affronted by her assumption.
"I'll have you to know, I'm trained in martial arts. I may not appear to be a threat, but that is an incorrect assumption, I assure you. I can fight with the best of them." Donnie said, earning Sable's disbelieving scowl.
Sable highly doubted his boast, but if they were going to get out of this hellhole, she would have to put her faith in him. She knew without a doubt, if she stayed, the scientists were likely to continue experimenting on her.
If they gave her to him, robbing both of the ability to consent, then what else was hidden in this wretched and horrible place? What other dastardly plan were the doctors concocting? What creatures were they hoping to pair her with?
The thought made her stomach twist in knots.
"I need information," Donnie said, drawing Sable from her terrifying thoughts. "If we're going to get out of here, I need your help. Do you know how many floors are in this facility? Do you know the layout, namely any exits? How many soldiers have you seen?"
Sable groaned. Wracking her brain, she tried to remember any detail that could aid in their escape, for she had every intention of going with the turtle and leaving this horrible torture chamber.
"I don't know where we are," she said slowly, eyes squeezed shut to focus. "I was unconscious when they brought me in here, as I've been sick. But the treatment center I was staying was a single story. At least, the few times I left my room, I was on the ground floor. Reminded me of a nursing home actually."
Donnie rubbed his chin. "Not much to go on, but it does narrow down my options."
"I can't remember anything else," Sable admitted sadly.
Donnie wasn't paying attention, his scientific mind was running calculations as he began to pace. "So, less risk of multiple floors and potential resistance when we escape. We're either in the same facility or buildings that are close together. Meaning if we're in another building you were unaware of, there could be several floors and even more soldiers than what I anticipated."
Sable nervously wrung her hands, eyes darting between turtle and observation window. Donnie was still muttering to himself, weighing options and ghosting over his plan.
"It's a risk, but I think we should chance it."
Sable nodded vehemently. She didn't want to stay here any longer than she had to.
Donnie returned to the glass, checking the clock on the wall. The time was 9:28.
"A guard usually comes by after 10 to make sure I'm in my room." Donnie tapped the glass to emphasis his point. "He doesn't stay long though. Got tired of watching me sleep, so he leaves after checking on me. I need to lure him in here to get the control box that operates the shock collar. Any ideas?"
Sable perked up. "I can pretend to be in pain and when he comes in to help me, you can overpower him."
"Cliché, but might work," Donnie scoffed. "They believe me to be docile and easy to control. The guard won't be expecting me to attack."
Sable shifted from foot to foot, worrying etching her features. "I'm scared."
Donnie offered a tender smile, one that made his green eyes sparkle and dimples appear along his cheeks. "I'll protect you. No one will lay a hand on you. I promise."
Sable stared at the stain on the floor, shivering from its meaning and the abject sadistic nature behind such an act.
"I just want to get away from here. They're… sick, making us…" she trailed off, holding the sheets protectively. "I never wanted to be stripped and used by perverted doctors for sexual …research."
Donnie's jaw tightened. Yes, the prospect of the scientists leaving Sable with him, being drugged and robbed of their ability to consent, pissed him off as well. Who knows what the scientists had in mind for the couple. Or if others were being prepped for a similar fate.
It was a horror beyond imagining. Donnie would do everything in his power to shut the facility down. Permanently, if he could pull it off. Everything hinged on what he was able to gleam from the computer residing in the observation room.
"I might be able to hack the system and get a schematic," Donnie said, nodding toward the computer. "It would give us a fighting chance."
"You know computers?" Sable asked in awe. Yup, she totally called his nerdy nature.
"I'm quite adept in technology and science,' Donnie said, irked she'd assume he was a dumb animal. "Had a passion for the sciences since I was little. It's served me well." He glanced about the room that had been his prison for the past month. "Until now. I hate it when the pure beauty and majesty of science is bastardized into something vile and destructive."
Sable smiled. "Hey, you're pretty smart."
Donnie blushed again, staring at the floor, cheeks coloring a darker green. His dimples were a little more pronounced. The clock read 9:35. He cleared his throat and mustered his courage to look her in the eye.
"We need to be ready. I'll watch the glass. You be ready to act hurt or sick. With any luck, he'll come in to investigate."
"And if he doesn't?" Sable whispered fearfully. She didn't want to imagine the experiments the scientists had in store for her and Donnie.
"Then you're a terrible actress," Donnie quipped to lighten the mood.
It worked.
Sable's jaw dropped in stunned silence. Then she noticed Donnie's dimpled grin and laughed softly, tension and anxiety dissolving dramatically.
"We need to get ready. He'll be stopping by within the next 20 minutes," Donnie said. Blushing, he tugged on the sheet around his waist. "Regrettably, we need to appear as if we never woke."
He laid next to the puddle, positioned toward the door, and removed his sheet, piling it up beside him and turning away from Sable. He heard Sable move around and assumed she was doing the same thing.
Such courage, Donnie thought.
She was a remarkable human. Strong and beautiful and unworthy of being placed in such a situation. Donnie waited a moment for her to settle and turned to look at her. She had lain down opposite, further away from the door, past to his feet. She opted to lay on her front, blankets shoved over to the side out of the way. She gave him a thumbs up, though her eyes reflected fear and apprehension.
Donnie offered the warmest smile he could muster and added, "Be ready to roll away from me so I don't accidentally hurt you during the fight."
Sable gulped but nodded understanding.
Pride filled Donnie's chest, but he hid the emotion. It wasn't wise to allow such things to cloud his judgment. He must stay focused. Their success relied upon his ability to follow through with his plan. Something else darkened his thoughts and softly, he spoke.
"Please, don't hate me for what I'm about to do."
Sable's brown eyes became watery, the white tiles of the floor washed out her appearance, giving her a ghostly pallor. "What are you going to do?"
Donnie had to pull his gaze away, lest he mentally travel down a dark and dangerous path. He focused on the glass. "Whatever is necessary to ensure our escape."
Sable read between the lines. He was willing to kill the soldiers to make sure they got out alive. Was he even capable of such a thing? He proclaimed to be trained in martial arts, though such a thing was absolutely ludicrous, but he was her only hope at escaping the clutches of villainous mad scientists (Lord, had her life become such a B movie?) so she gave a resolute nod of understanding and acceptance. She was putting her life in his hands.
But it was either him or the men who drugged and placed her naked in his room.
Something told her to put her faith in the turtle.
She only prayed her faith wasn't misplaced.
"Be ready," Donnie said, poised, ready to spring the attack that would either lead to their escape, or their deaths.
There was a shadow on the ceiling in the observation room signaling the opening of a door. The night watchman coming to check on the captives. Donnie turned his head away so the guard couldn't see his face and whispered.
"Now!"
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Okay, hope that takes the sting off the whole concept. Got a handful of concerned notes about making Donnie into something he's not, so I hope this clarifies things a little better.
Please, don't be mad.
I'm guessing that most of the backlash I'm getting at the moment is due to the impact of Vigilance and the tragedy of it, but let me assure you, this fic won't go down that particular rabbit hole. YES there will be some death, destruction, and I plan on all kinds of fun twists and cliffhangers, but rest assured, one love lost was plenty. It was heart breaking for me as well, but it sets up the angst and friction for this story.
As always, feedback is appreciated… I know I'm doing my job when you get emotional. Lol
