Chapter 5: Broken Road
Maddy awoke the next morning feeling warm once again. Leo who was already awake, came over and helped her up. "There's someone here to see you." He grumbled. Maddy saw a flash of jealousy in his eyes, and she pulled him back to her. She set his hand on her stomach.
"I am yours." She whispered. Leo's smile grew across his face, and he led her to the rest of the group. She saw a familiar dark haired man stand up to his full height.
"Hello Maddy." He said joyfully.
Maddy walked up to him, and slapped him across the face. "How dare you speak to me, or even come near me? Have you lost your mind?" she yelled, as a startled Leo restrained her by putting an arm around her waist.
"He's leading us to a way out of this dimension." April exclaimed.
Maddy walked up to Jacob again, and put a finger on his chest. "You may be leading us out of here, but you better stay away from me." She hissed, poking him in the chest. Then she stalked off into the forest, with a confused Leo.
Donny put his head in his hands "Here we go again." He groaned.
Ten minutes later the couple returned. Leo had a silly smile on his face, and his eyes were misted over, while Maddy wore a smug smile. "We're ready to leave now." She announced.
Jacob led them through the woods to an old, beaten path in the deeper woods. After hours of walking, they came upon the remains of an ancient village. Stone columns were frequently strewn across the path. This forced them to climb over the roadblocks. The climbs were especially hard for Maddy, and as the sun set, Leo called their group to a halt. "I think we've made enough progress today. We're all tired, and we'll stay here for tonight.
"But the temple is just up the hill!" Jacob protested.
"Can you not see that Maddy is about to collapse from exhaustion?" Leo yelled getting frustrated with this man.
"She wouldn't be if you hadn't gotten her pregnant you freak!" Jacob yelled back. In a flash he was on the ground, and one of Leo's katana was pressed against his throat.
"Take it back!" Maddy screamed, pressing the blade harder against his throat.
"No." Jacob hissed at her. "You gave yourself to a freak, and your child will be a freak. You might as well kill them both now!" Jacob whispered, a hideous smirk upon his face. Maddy removed the sword from his throat, and backed into Leo's arms.
"You're a monster!" she yelled at Jacob. Leo's brothers held their weapons up to him, and he backed away. Leo enclosed Maddy in a comforting hug. He started to walk away, but Jacob was on a roll.
"What a cowardly freak, hiding behind a pregnant woman! I thought you had more guts than that. I bet my grandma could beat you up! But I guess Maddy is the ideal hiding place, she's so fat-" but Jacob didn't finish, because at that moment Leo yelled a battle cry and hit Jacob in the jaw with his best left hook.
Jacob was sent flying, but he got up and with a crazed look in his eye, wiped a stream of blood from the side of his mouth. He punched Leo so hard that Leo went flying. He launched himself off of the tree he was supposed to hit, and kicked Jacob in the chest. Jacob once again got up, but this time he pulled out a large gutting knife from his bootleg. "I'll scrape your pathetic carcass out of that shell of yours." He growled and brandished the knife. Leo pulled out a katana and got into ready position.
Jacob yelled and ran at Leo, who calmly parried his blow. The move looked so effortless, that Jacob pressed harder with his knife. Leo's eyes narrowed and he pushed them apart. They were both so skilled that to the spectators the duel looked like a dance. Leo finally knocked Jacob to his feet, and held his blade to Jacob's neck. He took the knife and tossed it to Raph, who caught it by the blade.
"Mess with her, EVER and you won't ever see the light of day again." Leo whispered dangerously, then he stepped away from Jacob.
Maddy ran up to Leo, who met her eager embrace. They didn't notice Leo's brothers, and Casey drag Jacob away. The couple sat down, and Maddy climbed into Leo's lap. She was shaking badly, and Leo was worried. "You okay angel?"
"Are you?" Maddy looked up at him, "That was horrible what Jacob said and you had to fight him. You don't deserve any of that." Leo lifted up his arm to cup her cheek, but cringed in pain. "Leo what's wrong? Leo… you better not be hiding something." She said, reaching for his arm.
"It's nothing Angel I'll be fine." He lied as Maddy grabbed his arm and scrutinized his injury. There was a small but deep slash in his arm, and blood was gradually seeping out of it.
"Donny, first aid kit please!" she yelled, not taking her eyes off of Leo's arm. Donny ran over with a small first aid kit he always kept on his person.
"Here you are Maddy." He handed it to her, and Maddy got some antibacterial, and put it on a small cotton ball. "Be careful, Leo can be pretty stubborn when he's sick or hurt."
"Alright babe this might sting a little, but I need to put it on ok?" Maddy said, she looked to Leo for confirmation and he nodded silently. She wiped the antibiotic on his wound and Leo tensed and clenched his teeth. She then wrapped it up tight to stop the bleeding.
Leo smiled at her when she was done, and they lay back down. "You sure you're okay?" Maddy asked, once they got settled.
"Fine." Leo traced small circles on her swollen stomach. The peacefulness he radiated helped Maddy drift off to sleep. When she was dead to the world, Leo smiled and fell asleep right along with her.
The next morning Master Splinter woke them up. "My son." He whispered. Leo stirred and opened his eyes gradually.
"Father?" Leo whispered groggily
"I wish to speak to you my son." Leo managed to get up without waking Maddy.
"Is something wrong Master?" he asked, but before Master Splinter could reply, Maddy awoke from the lack of warmth her fiancé radiated.
"Leo?" she mumbled, propping herself up on her elbow.
"What's up angel?" Leo asked.
"What're you doin'?" she asked sleepily, struggling to stand. Leo and Master Splinter assisted her.
"I was just discussing something with Master Splinter." Leo answered steadying her as she swayed.
"She may join the conversation my son. It is of great importance that we discuss this matter." The couple nodded and he continued, "We must keep our guide, Jacob. We cannot afford to lose him."
"What? But what about all those horrible things he said to Leo, and their fight!" Maddy protested.
"My child we must get you of all people out of here." Splinter said.
"ME?-" Maddy fumed.
"Yes, you and your unborn children." Splinter cut in, and Maddy stopped short. "It would not be fair to them if you doomed them to a life in this forsaken jungle for all eternity.
"I know." Maddy sighed, grabbed Leo's hand, and looked up at him. Leo smiled warmly down at her, and put a hand on her stomach.
"For the babies they said simultaneously.
The three of them returned to the rest of the group. Jacob's eyes were full of remorse, but when he tried to get up Raph drew his sai, and motioned for him to take a seat.
"Well we're ready to move out," Donny said, "lead the way." Jacob rose to his full height, and silently led the way up the hill. When they reached the top Maddy leaned against Leo, and was breathing heavily. A large broken staircase led up to a gigantic temple. The peak of the temple was glowing. Grudgingly the group made their way up the stairs.
When they reached the top of the temple Maddy just about collapsed on Leo. Leo, who was very worried held her up, and tried to send some of his energy to her. After she recovered, Jacob led them to the source of the glow. It was a jewel floating above a broken pedestal.
"There is a complication to you leaving." Jacob announced, "The portal can only be opened by one connected with two."
"What the heck does that mean?" Mikey said, scratching his head in puzzlement.
"It means I can open the portal." Maddy said softly.
"Huh?"
"I'm pregnant with twins I am the one connected with two." Maddy explained. She walked up to the pedestal and picked up the jewel. Everything disappeared, and it was just Maddy and the jewel.
Where do you wish to go? Asked a mysterious voice.
Maddy visualized the lair, and the voice continued. Who do you wish to take with you?
One by one, Maddy visualized the group. She debated on whether to bring Jacob, but she knew it would just end in disaster.
I grant your wish said the voice. The voice disappeared, and the lair, and her group came into her view. They were looking at her worriedly. She felt Leo gripping her hand, and she turned to him.
"Where am I?" She whispered to him. Leo's eyes brimmed with tears.
"You're home angel."