It was in the middle of the night when I heard the noise. I sat up and looked at my clock. '1:15?!', I thought to myself. I strained my ears. I just couldn't make out what it was. I got up and left my room. "Up so soon, Leonardo?" I heard my father ask from his doorway. "Good morning, Sensei. I was just going to go investigate that strange sound." I explained. "Hmm. Go, find out what it is. Be careful." he told me. "I will, Sensei." I replied and left, following the sound.
As I got closer, it began to sound like singing. No words, just a calm and steady beat. The tune sounded... sad. It stirred my heart in a way I had never felt before. I was getting close, so I decided to stick to the shadows. The music seemed to vibrate everything. The walls, the water, it even felt like it was shaking my very soul. The voice got louder and the beat got faster. The song no longer only spoke of sadness, but now of pain and anger too. The voice led me to an intersection in the sewers. Under a circular storm drain, in a flood of moonlight sat a hooded figure with it's head bowed. The singing stopped.
(POV Change)
'I know I saw something move.' I thought to myself. 'What ever it was, it looked too big to be another rat. Crap! I came down here to not be heard. I'll wait to see if it comes out.' I felt eyes on me. These didn't feel so much a 'what', but a 'who'. I tried to steady my racing heart. 'What if I've been discovered?' I worried. 'Too late now.' I took a steadying breath. 'Here goes nothing' I began to sing again, but a lot quieter. I tried to keep my voice from quavering, but failed miserably. I mentally pleaded for mercy.
(POV Change)
'Hmm. Definitely female.' I thought to myself as I studied the figure. She wore a long, black hooded cloak. The rest of her was too shadowed to see any details. The singing began again. Her voice was unsteady. It sounded like she was holding something back, but what? I heard a small voice in my head. It sounded like it was begging for its life. 'Huh? Who does this voice belong to? Why does it think I'll hurt it? This is so confusing!' My mind began to race. "Please, step into the light. I want to see my killer." the girl said, raising her head. I saw tears slide off her chin. 'Killer?' I puzzled. "Please, end it quickly." she pleaded. I didn't want to scare her. If her song was anything to go by, she was in pretty bad shape. I didn't see any other alternative. "I'm not here to hurt you."
(POV Change)
I didn't recognize the voice. It sounded male and in his teens. 'Not here to hurt me?' I wondered. "Then why are you here?" I tried to keep the accusing tone from my voice. "I heard your song and decided to see who was singing." he replied. 'Of course.' I thought, rolling my eyes at the common answer. "Step into the light, so I can judge for myself." I heard him sigh. 'You are hesitating. What are you trying to hide?' I thought. After what seemed like forever, I saw two green feet emerge from the shadows. I tensed up, readying my wings.
He slowly emerged. First, two green, two-toed feet. Then a pair of muscular legs with brown knee pads. After that the underside of a shell with a leather belt. Next his chest with his three-fingered hands raised. A turtle. The most shocking part was his face. He wore a blue mask. His eyes were not full of fear, as I expected, but with concern. That surprised me. I stood and looked into his eyes. As I did, I saw fear flash through them before he shuttered them.
(POV Change)
When she stood, the first thing I noticed was her feet. They were bare. We were nearly nose to nose before I could think on it too much. She stared into my eyes. I had no idea what she was looking for. I felt Adrenalin starting to pulse through me before she said, "I believe you." I tried and failed to hold back a sigh of relief as I put my hands down. She started to back away.
Behind me I heard footsteps running toward us. "What the?!" was all I had time to get out before someone pushed past me. My brothers had followed me?! Raph lunged at her. "No!" I yelled. Just before he got her, large black wings shot out from underneath her cloak, shielding her. Raph ran into her, knocking her into the water. "What are you doing?!" I shouted at him. "Saving your life!" he yelled back. The girl got to her knees . Raph prepared to attack. Before he could, she shrieked. It seemed to echo ten times louder from all directions. Raph and I fell to our knees with our hands over our ears. I felt a rush of wings and she was gone.
(POV Change)
Donny and I rushed in to help the others, only to find them arguing... again. "What the shell was that about?!" Leo shouted at Raph. "Um, we thought you were in trouble." Donny answered for him as he took off his night vision goggles. "Yeah, we totally thought you and that other dude were goin' after each other." I chimed in. "Ok. First off, its a 'she', Mikey. And why did you think I was in trouble?" Leo asked, still fuming. "Well, you kind of had your hands up." I replied. "I only did that, because she thought I was gonna kill her!" "Before or after she saw you?" Raph cut across him. "Before I even made my presence known!" Leo shot back. "Come on. The more time we spend arguing, the greater chance she has of getting hurt." he said and silently sprinted off. We followed.
(POV Change)
'Ok, Leo. Focus on the girl.' I thought, trying to calm myself down. Raph has always gotten under my skin. Why should tonight be any different? I heard the sound of wings up ahead, then a splash. I slowed down and stopped. I turned and held my finger to my lips. My brothers nodded. We walked a little farther. When I heard crying, my heart lurched. I turned and gave my brothers a signal to stop. I walked a little farther, until I got to the next junction. I saw her on her knees. She had her wings over face.