Apologies for the delay, my dears. Sometimes life gets in the way, but rest assured that this story will be completed and I am fully committed to it. Also, so many of you left wonderful comments last chapter. I am very pleased that a lot of you like Noelle. I was worried many would consider her mopey, but I am glad that you all are able to understand how she feels and hope for the better for her. Thanks for your continued support. [Also, I am insanely excited to see our boys in their larping gear again!]
Chapter 4: A Hidden Home
She felt like she was trapped in a nightmare.
Her throat tightened. She bit her lower lip from behind her fingers, resisting the urge to break down and sob. She hadn't cried in front of anybody for a long time, and she wouldn't start now. The turtles certainly wouldn't want to deal with her tears.
"I'm sorry we didn't get here in time," Leo apologized. He glared around the chaotic room, feeling disgusted. "The Kraang just don't know when to stop."
Noelle lowered her hand and forcefully swallowed the knot, her eyebrows furrowed together at the unfamiliar word. She turned her head and stared at the leader questioningly. "The Kraang?"
"The idiots that tried to take you away," Raph explained with venom in his voice. He studied her face, emerald eyes narrowed. Noelle felt uncomfortable under his gaze, but she didn't break the eye contact. "Are you sure you or your mom haven't heard of them? Kinda strange they were after you."
He was suspicious of her, and she didn't know why. "I promise you I don't know them. I don't understand why this happened. I just want my mom back." Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, but she did her best to steady it. She didn't want them to have to feel sorry for her, but she also needed Raph to know that she would never trick them in such a way.
"Why doesn't she stay with us tonight?"
The group all looked at a beaming Mikey. "It'll be cool! Not only would we be keeping her safe, but we could also have a slumber party!"
Noelle blinked in surprise. "What?"
Donnie rubbed his chin. "Actually, it's not a bad idea."
"Right?! A slumber party would be awesome!"
The tallest turtle sighed in exasperation. "No, not the slumber party party." He ignored Mikey's pout. " I meant her staying with us. We can't really expect her to stay here tonight when they could come back looking for her. We should probably figure out what the Kraang want with her and her mother."
Noelle raised her hands up and shook her head. "You offer is very kind, but I don't want to be a burden. Besides, what if they come to your place next?"
Raph punched a fist into an open hand. "Then we pummel them!"
"Besides," Leo added with a confident smirk, "our home isn't above ground, so they won't have an easy time finding us."
Now she was really confused. "Not above ground? Then where?"
Raph folded his arms and faced Leo. "So what do you say?"
The leader grimaced and stared down in contemplation.
"We need to help her dude."
"I agree with Mikey. She's in danger here."
"Well, almighty leader?"
Leo exhaled a deep breath. "I guess we don't really have a choice." He peered down at Noelle with a somber expression while she stared back at him nervously. "You have to swear that you won't tell anybody about where we live. It would jeopardize me and my family, and I won't allow it." He knelt down in front of her, his eyes boring into hers. She nearly shuddered from the intensity. "Do I have your word?"
She hastily nodded. "I promise. I would never do anything to hurt any of you."
Satisfied with her answer, he stood and held out his hand to help her up. She took his offer and was pulled to her feet with ease. "Alright, go get your things."
"This is gonna be so awesome!" Mikey cheered as he tossed his hands up in the air. "I love slumber parties!"
"She probably isn't in the mood, you dork." Raph rolled his eyes and turned to leave the office.
A thought abruptly entered Noelle's head, and another surge of panic shot through her. "My grandma! I have to make sure she is okay!" She rapidly dashed out of the room before spinning around and meeting the anxious expressions of the masked terrapins. "They might go after my grandma too, and she lives on the first floor!"
"Go ahead. We'll wait here. If she's missing come get us right away," Leo directed in a calm and steady voice. She nodded and bolted out of her apartment.
"Please let her be okay!" She hastily descended down the stairs and shakily pulled out her set of keys. She willed her hand to stop quavering as she struggled to insert the proper key into the keyhole, almost slamming the door open once she heard the click.
Sandra sat on one of the living room sofas watching a game show while snuggled tightly into her bed rob and drinking tea. She nearly dropped the cup in a startled matter as she watched Noelle barge in looking shaken and panicked.
Noelle almost wept in relief as she sprinted over to the older woman and threw her arms around thin shoulders. "Grandma! You're alright! Thank goodness!"
"Why, of course I am dear." Sandra rubbed one hand over her grand-daughter's back and used the other to pick the remote up off the seat next to her so she could turn the TV off. "Is everything alright?" she asked with a puzzled tone.
The blonde teenager gazed up with the most somber eyes Sandra had ever seen, and it broke her heart.
"Grandma, somebody kidnapped mom, and they tried to take me too."
The ticking of the kitchen clock was the only sound perceived within the apartment. It seemed like a cruel joke, but Noelle wasn't that kind of person, and the devastation evident on her face was proof enough.
Sandra wasn't sure how to react. Her thin arms quivered as she lifted vein-coated hands up to Noelle's face and gently stroked a boney finger over ivory flesh. "I…how? What happened?"
"Six strange men who were armed approached me, asked if I was Savannah's daughter, and then they grabbed me. Luckily, I was saved by four kind people who heard me screaming, and they came back home with me to make sure mom was okay." She cast her eyes down morosely. "Unfortunately, when we arrived the place was a mess. Mom's office is all torn apart and there are signs a struggle took place."
Sandra's breath hitched, and then the tears came. They poured over her jutted cheek bones and dripped off her chin. "Oh honey, I am so sorry." She drew Noelle in for a tight hug, her heart aching at the loss of her daughter and the danger her grand-daughter had been in. "Do you know why?"
"No." The blonde girl's heart shattered at her grandmother's sorrow. "My new friends are having me stay at their house tonight. They can protect me"
"A-and you trust them? Are you sure?" Wise azure orbs met young verdant ones.
"I'm sure grandma." Noelle gave a small smile to assure the elderly woman. "I think you should stay with Uncle Nick tonight though, just in case they come back or find out you're related to us."
"I-this is just so much." The old woman dropped her head in her hands.
"I know, but this is to keep you safe. We'll be okay, grandma, I promise."
Sandra wiped the wet trails off her face and took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Alright. I'll call Nick in a moment. Shouldn't we call the police first though?"
Noelle sat next to her grandma on the couch. "I don't think the police will help in this case. These men weren't normal, and my friends seem to know a lot more about them. My heart is telling me to trust them, so I think I should."
Sandra was still dubious about the entirety of the situation, but she knew her grand-daughter was an intelligent girl, and she would support her decision.
"What about your father? Have you called him?"
The teen stared down at her hands. "No. I will tomorrow. He's probably busy working again."
Sandra was sorry that Noelle had to feel like this, alone without both parents. Maybe these new friends would help her break away from her daily tribulation.
"Alright. Let's call your uncle."
[][][]
Nick promised to arrive as quickly as possible, much to Noelle's relief. Unfortunately, she knew she couldn't stay, as the turtles were still expecting her to come back and she wouldn't be impolite and make them wait any longer than necessary.
Sandra wanted to meet her grand-daughter's rescuers, but she also knew that she needed to hurry up and pack so she could leave as soon as her son arrived. The two shared a hug, with Noelle vowing to call the next day and give an update on the situation.
And then she was ambling back into her apartment, still in disbelief over all that happened. She was relieved that at least her grandma was out of harm's way, but was disheartened over the distressing news she'd had to give.
She pushed the door to her apartment open, having not locked it on her way out. There really hadn't been any point in doing so. The turtles weren't in the kitchen, so she wandered down the hall and was about to check to see if they were still in her mom's office when she saw her bedroom light on. Curious, she shuffled into her room and saw all the turtles standing around, studying their surroundings.
"I'm back," she serenely announced as she sauntered towards the group. They all shifted towards her, each one with a look of awe on their face.
"Did you draw these?" Donnie inquired as he gestured to some of the hand drawn art work she'd displayed on her walls.
"Yes. I love art, and I also like to hang up other people's art work to help inspire me." She pointed to several pictures of art pieces that she had taped up. Over the years she'd cut or printed out images that instantaneously attracted her or left her stunned by the passion that was hidden within the piece. Sometimes when she lost her muse, she would peruse the pictures and become motivated to bring her own works to life, just as so many before her had.
Mikey's mouth dropped open as he stared wide-eyed at an immense detailed painting of a forest. "Woah! You're like, a Ninja with a paintbrush!"
It was the most unusual compliment she'd ever received, but she found herself giggling. The sound surprised her, as it wasn't one she'd made for a long time. It felt pleasant though, and even made her heart feel lighter, regardless of the circumstances. The orange-masked turtle beamed, looking rather pleased with himself at getting her to smile.
"Noelle, we should probably get going," Leo advised. "Don't bring too much, or we'll be slowed down."
She nodded her head and went to a grab a backpack she usually used on the rare occasion she stayed at her dad's place. She heard the sound of Mikey whimpering in protest, as he wanted to continue looking at everything. Raph grunted a "come on" as he at last dragged the orange-masked turtle out, and then they were gone.
It didn't take long for her to pack. She grabbed pajamas, a small sketchbook with a pencil, a clean shirt, a hairbrush and hair tie, tooth paste, a tooth brush, and soap and shampoo in case they had a place for her to shower. As she flipped her bedroom light off she entered the hall and glanced sadly into her mom's office, knowing how devastated she'd probably been at the sight. She dismally turned away and entered the kitchen.
The turtles were standing near the open fire escape exit, allowing a pleasant breeze to glide in. Leo was already outside against the railing, looking down and seemingly keeping watch in case those Kraang creatures decided to return. Donnie leaned against a counter with his thick fingers drumming against the side, his head tilted down toward the floor as Raph stood parallel from him with his shell against the wall. Mikey was pacing around the middle of the kitchen floor, clearly unable to remain as motionless as his brothers were. He paused and observed Noelle with a grin when she arrived.
"Sweet! You're ready! Now we can go home and you can meet my kitty and we can watch Super Robo Mecha Force Five while eating piz-ow!"
Raph drew back his hand while Mikey rubbed the back of his head with a pout. "I don't think she cares about that right now genius."
Leo rolled his eyes from his position, turning his head around so he could face the others. "We need to get going. Noelle, you go ahead and get on Mikey's back again. Remember, you absolutely cannot tell anybody about where we are taking you."
"I won't," Noelle once again promised.
Mikey crouched down in front of her, allowing her to easily climb onto his carapace. "Alright! Time to show you our secret lair!"
His brothers vaulted up and Mikey pursued, earning a startled gasp from the blonde girl. She still couldn't comprehend the fact that they were able to soar up like they weighed nothing, or that she was on the back of a talking turtle. They sped across the roof tops like before, pushing their feet off cemented surface to reach higher roofs and dropping down to access the lower ones. She couldn't even begin to fathom where they were going or how they were doing all this with ease, but it was something they clearly did often, and she wasn't going to question their methods now.
They suddenly plummeted down to the street below, and she found herself gripping on to the edge of his shell even tighter as he burst out laughing.
"Don't worry girl! The Mikey-nator's gotcha!"
"Still one of the dumbest nicknames I've ever heard," Raph mumbled when they smoothly landed on their feet. They were standing in an alley Noelle didn't recognize, but she presumed they weren't too far from her place.
Mikey crouched down again, and she took this as her cue to climb off. She was a bit baffled as to why they had landed in this specific location, and it only increased when Donnie walked forward and lifted up a manhole cover before he jumped into the sewers below, followed by Leo and Raph.
That's when it dawned on her.
"We don't live above ground."
A sewer. The turtles lived in a sewer.
"That's where you live?" she asked in disbelief.
Mikey grinned. "Yeah! Pretty neat, right? "
She wasn't sure if neat was exactly the right word, but it certainly was interesting. She didn't want to appear rude, and it was definitely the safest place for her to be at the moment, so she instead decided to radiate her gratitude with a smile. "Yes."
"Wait until you see our actual home though. It'll blow yo mind! Go ahead, and I'll cover the entrance behind you." He leaned in closer to her and held up a hand to cover the side of his mouth as he lowered his voice to a whisper. "Don't want anybody to discover our amazing hideout."
She chuckled before she roved over to the entrance and cautiously descended down a ladder. Her smile promptly vanished as an unpleasant smell infiltrated her nostrils.
"Yeah, you'll get used to that," Donnie reassured her upon seeing the squeamish expression on her face. "You don't notice it after a while."
"I'm sorry, I'm not trying to seem insulting to your home," Noelle swiftly apologized as Mikey dropped down behind her. She didn't want to seem like an ungrateful snob who felt like the place was beneath her standards. "It's just different for me, that's all. I really am grateful to you all for helping me out."
"Don't worry about it," Leo waved it off as he advanced ahead. "We have a friend who acted the same way when she first came here."
The others trailed after him. "Yeah, wait until you guys meet! April is pretty rad!"
Raph shrugged. "She's alright."
"She's amazing," Donnie added on in a dreamy voice.
It was a rather odd coincidence to Noelle that April just so happened to be the name of the girl she'd met earlier that day, but she decided to brush it off. After all, there were probably several Aprils in New York.
She kept up with the group as they strolled through a dimly lit passage that was echoing with drops of water and Mikey's soft humming. The walk was rather peaceful and silent, making Noelle feel awkward. She wasn't sure if she should say something to break the hushed atmosphere, or just not say anything at all. Situations like these weren't something she felt comfortable in, so she decided to just concentrate on Mikey's tune.
Luckily the walk was rather abrupt. The corridor wasn't protracted, and all they had to do was turn a corner before a considerable area of light disrupted the darkness. The ground below had turned into subway tracks once they'd exited the main tunnel, and when Noelle saw the row of turnstiles up ahead she realized exactly where they were heading.
The turtles were living in an underground abandoned subway station.
It was almost eerie, but in an exhilarating way. She'd heard of deserted subway stations before, but had no idea where they were located or even seen pictures of one. She wondered what caused it to be vacated, but supposed it was lucky for the turtles so that they could have a place to live.
"Sensei, we're home!" Mikey called out as he excitedly bounded over the mini barricade.
"He could be meditating! Don't interrupt him!" Leo scolded as he and the others hurdled over. Not trusting herself to surmount without falling on her face, Noelle merely pushed the spinning bar, cringing at the rustic squeak and pondering over who this "Sensei" person was.
"And who do we have here?"
Noelle flinched at the intuitive male voice that that seemed to have arose out of thin air. Her eyes widened when she looked in front of her and saw what appeared to be a rat looming over her. She really shouldn't have been shocked after having been rescued by four talking turtles, but it was still surprising. Just like Mikey though, he had kind and compassionate eyes that made her feel calm and safe.
"Sensei this is Noelle!"
"Michelangelo, perhaps you should allow her to speak," the mysterious rat admonished with a raised brow.
[Avengers Age of Ultron – Farmhouse]
Noelle's mouth dropped open. "Mikey is short for Michelangelo?"
"Indeed. I named all my sons after the great Renaissance painters."
"That's amazing!" The apprehension in her spontaneously dissipated for an instant. It thrilled her to know that somebody else besides her grandmother could appreciate the masters she looked up to. "That is my favorite time period of art!"
He looked thoroughly appeased. "Really? And who is your favorite?"
She beamed. "Michelangelo! The David is my favorite work of art. It's my dream to see it one day."
"Oh yeah son!" Mikey cheered triumphantly. "She said I'm her favorite!" He rocked his hips from side to side while rhythmically popping his hands in the air like he was listening to upbeat music.
Donnie rolled his eyes. "Actually, she said Michelangelo the artist is her favorite. "
"I can do art! I've got some skills!"
"Like being impossibly annoying?" Raph growled.
"I am Splinter. Forgive my sons for their petty arguing. They seem unable to have civilized conversations." He glared at the turtles, who immediately grew tight-lipped and silent, before he returned his focus to the girl in front of him. "Now, what troubles have befallen you, my child?"
Her bashful nature reappeared as Noelle found herself to be the center of attention. She couldn't just dwell in his home though without offering some sort of explanation, so she swallowed her nerves and forced herself to speak. "I was on my way home from Central Park when these guys that all looked alike corned me in an alley and asked me if I was the daughter of Savannah, my mom. When I asked why they wanted to know they grabbed me and started taking me away. I screamed for help, and I guess your sons heard me."
"We did," Leo confirmed.
She continued. "They saved me, and were about to leave after asking if I was okay when I suddenly begged them to help me. I felt like these strange men were going after my mom, and I wanted to make sure she was safe. Mikey and the others kindly agreed to do so, and took me back to my apartment. When we got there though-" her voice hitched and the knot once again squeezed into her throat. "-she was gone."
"It was the Kraang. Those jerks just don't know when to stop," Raph informed his Sensei through clenched teeth. He hated it when their enemies succeeded, especially when it involved hurting other people.
Spinter sighed. "I see." He placed a hand comfortingly on Noelle's drooped shoulder. "I am sorry for what you have gone through. You are welcome to stay here as long as you need to."
Overcome with gratitude, Noelle respectfully bowed her head. "Thank you sir. I apologize for the inconvenience."
"On the contrary; it will actually be nice to have somebody here who can also respect the arts." Splinter smiled and lowered his hand before turning to look at his sons. "Give her April's old room. There is plenty of space in there for the both of them in case April stays over again. Make sure she is comfortable."
"Hai sensei," the boys replied in unison, hastily bowing their heads as Splinter walked off into a separate room.
"Ooh! You want a tour first?" Mikey asked while bouncing on the heels of his feet.
Donnie shook his head. "Let her rest first. She's been through a lot today."
Noelle was thankful to Donnie for speaking on her behalf, but she felt a little rueful when she noticed Mikey's pout. "If you'd like you can show me around tomorrow."
This seemed to lift Mikey's spirits. "Yeah! And wait til' you meet my kitty! She's the most awesome thing in the history of ever!"
"Mikey, that doesn't even sense," Leo chided with narrow disapproving eyes. "Noelle, follow me."
She was guided down a hallway that wound around the left corner near a set of stairs, where there were a pair of doors hidden. One door had a sign on it that read "Ladies", indicating that it was a restroom, and the other one was blank. Leo opened the blank door and flipped on a light switch to reveal a modest-sized room with a bed, dresser, and bedside table. It was a homely setup that would be more than enough to accommodate her stay.
"It's nothin' fancy, but it'll work, right?" Raph had entered the room and leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.
"It's wonderful," Noelle sincerely replied. "Thank you all again for everything."
"No problem. Let us know if you need anything," Leo offered.
"I will."
She bid the brothers good night and observed as they exited the room. Mikey was the only one who remained, as he seemed to be contemplating something. When he finally snapped out of his little trance, he turned to her and coyly smiled like he had just come up with the best idea ever.
"Hey, are you hungry?"
As if answering, Noelle's stomach grumbled, her cheeks tinted pink in embarrassment. "I didn't eat dinner yet, so I suppose I am."
The youngest turtle grinned, apparently delighted with her answer. "Sweet! Be right back!"
She watched in confusion as he suddenly bolted out of the room, not even bothering to close the door behind him. Noelle decided to unpack her things while she waited for him to return, which didn't take long at all. She had laid her last item out on top of her dresser when he reentered her room holding a plate of steaming pizza and a glass of water.
"This is the plainest piece of pizza we have around. Sensei just likes his with extra cheese, which I guess might be a rat thing, unless this was how he ate as a human too." He smirked and held out the items.
Noelle smiled and took the plate and cup from him. "Thank you." She sat on the bed and began eating the slice, being careful not to get any grease on her or the comforter.
Mikey plopped down beside her. "So do you play any video games?"
She set the half eaten slice down and waited until she'd properly swallowed her food before speaking. "Not typically, but I imagine they are quite fun."
"Wanna play tomorrow? We have a bunch of them, and a really sweet arcade machine too. It'll be fun!"
"Sure." The answer came out much less cheerful than she anticipated. She was jubilant that somebody else willingly wanted to devote time with her, but at the moment it was hard for her to feel content about anything except for the fact that she'd met some good people that day and her grandmother remained safe.
Mikeys's lips turned down, understanding just how uneasy she must feel. He recalled how troubled he and his brothers were when they discovered that Master Splinter had disappeared because of the Rat King's mind control powers. They had been able to get their father back in a timely manner, but Noelle's mom would be absent for a while until they figured out where the Kraang could have possibly taken her. It was far worse for Noelle right now, and he knew that she would need friends to help her out.
Noelle finished her slice and drank the rest of her water. "Thanks for the food. I really appreciate it."
Mikey reached over and took the dishes from her. "Me and my bros are here for you, you know."
"I know." Her voice was soft and sad. "I'll be okay. I'm just tired."
She wasn't just tired and he knew it. "We've got your back. We'll find your mom." He stacked the cup on top of the plate and used his free hand to pat Noelle on the head. "Ninja honor."
Noelle forcefully smiled. "I know. Thank you Mikey. You've already done so much for me."
He winked. "Like a turtle do! Good night!" He marched out of her room, cheerfully waved, and closed the door behind him.
She tranquilly sat in silence for a moment before she decided to change into her pajamas. She placed her dirty clothes in the top dresser drawer and brushed her hair before she turned the light off and climbed into bed, isolated with her thoughts.
Her heart ripped in half.
She cried hysterically into her pillow, trying to keep her mouth pressed against the material so nobody could hear her. Her body shook as tears streamed down her face. Where was her mom? Why was this happening, and could the turtles really help? What if they came after her grandma next? It was too much for her to bare, so she let all her troubling emotions pour out of her.
"Mom. Please come back mom," she whispered, her lips trembling. There had been so many moments in her life when things seemed hopeless, but tonight would always stand out as perhaps the worst day of her life.
Mikey was positioned outside her door, his eyes cast down and saddened. "I knew she wasn't fine." He wanted to go in and help her, but he knew that right now she wanted to be alone. He forced himself to walk away from her room, hoping that in the future she would be comfortable enough to go to him or his brothers when she was distressed.
Because nobody should ever have to cry alone.
[+]
