Chapter 6
Worriedly, April made her way to the Lair. Casey was supposed to meet her at her apartment over two hours ago. Sure she was accustomed to his fashionably late ways, then showing up with a bunch of flowers to make up for his absentmindedness. However, when she had tried to phone him, she was cut off shortly after he picked up. April knew that if there was any place to start looking for her boyfriend, it would be in the Lair.
"Hey, guys?"she called out as she entered the secret home. "Are you here? Master Splinter? Anyone?" She looked around the seemingly empty room. "Hello?"
"April?"
The red haired woman flinched as the voice filled the air unexpectedly. She didn't even hear the usual gentle taping of the end of the walking stick, or the subtle scratching of his claws against the brick floor.
"Splinter,"she breathed. "Are the guys here?"
Splinter shook his head.
"No, April. They are not. They are still out on patrol." He stepped closer to her. "Is there something wrong?"
April scratched her head. "Well, I don't know. Casey was supposed to stop by hours ago and hasn't showed. I figured he was here and got side tracked with the guys."
"I have not seen anyone for a while. Please sit. Perhaps Casey has accompanied them on their outing."
April sat in the rickety chair Splinter indicated and frowned.
"I don't know, Splinter. I have this feeling that-"
The sound of the elevator doors opening, stopped April in mid sentence. Both the red head and the Rat looked up as the doors parted with a mechanical whoosh. Casey limped out and took three steps before he collapsed to his knees, clutching his side.
"Casey!"April cried, rushing over to him. "What happened? You are covered in blood! Are you hurt? Your clothes are all torn! What on earth scratched your face? Your back! Your chest!" April cupped his face in her hands, brushing a stray piece of his black hair out of his eyes. "Oh, Casey I was getting worried." She leaned in to give him a kiss, but stopped abruptly. Her eyes flew open and she curled up her nose.
"What is that?"she asked. "It smells like... perfume? And lots of it!" She sat back on her heels, and much more carefully, looked past all the blood and scratches. "And is that... lipstick?" She narrowed her green eyes at her boyfriend and grimaced, her pale skin turned a vibrant shade of red.
"April. It's not what you think,"Casey started blabbering trying to save himself from April's wrath.
"Then explain yourself, Mr. Jones,"April demanded hotly.
"I was attacked!"he informed her."There was hundreds of them! It was horrible!"
"Hundreds of what, Casey?"April demanded, anger still blazing in her eyes.
"Women! Girls! They were everywhere! They chased me! And attacked me!"
"A hundred women attacked you?"April echoed, her tone sarcastic. She tilted her head in annoyance and stared Casey down. The burly man squirmed. "That is what I am supposed to believe? Do you think I am that stupid?"
"Yes April."
A menacing growl rumbled in April's larynx.
"Not about you being stupid. You are the most brilliant, and may I add, beautiful girl I know." He smiled hopefully at April, but received the same steely stare. "I meant yes, please believe me that is what happened. There was hundred of crazy girls everywhere! It's the truth! It is like some sort of rebellion or something."
April reached forward, roughly grabbing on to what remained of the collar of his t-shirt. She looked like she was going to do him more damage when Splinter saw fit to intervene.
"Casey. Where are my sons?"
"That's what I came back to tell you, Sensei,"Casey told him. "They are there. With them!"
April let her grasp go and she lowered her hands into her lap.
"So you are telling me the truth?"
Casey nodded.
"Yes, Babe. You know there is only one lady for me." He flashed her his warm smile and winked.
April leaned forward and quickly hugged him before pulling away and smacking him on the shoulder.
"I'm still mad,"she muttered as she rose to her feet. Turning to Splinter, she said, "We better go and find the guys."
Splinter shook his head. "Perhaps it would be best if you two remained here."
April shoot him a disapproving look but didn't argue. Splinter motioned towards Casey as the man hobbled slowly to the couch.
"Casey is unable to return to the surface. It may be advisable if you remain with him."
April folded her arms in front of her chest and sighed. "You think that is advisable?"she muttered glaring at the injured man.
Splinter gave Casey an empathetic look. "He needs to rest,"he reminded her. "I shall be back shortly. I hope." The Rat frowned and added, "I fear we may be in for the fight of our lives."
~TBC~
