Four plain white were staring right at Max, their pupils were hidden behind masks they wore. Max kept a hand on her forehead hoping it would stop the blood from dripping down to her face. All stood quite and still only the sounds all the waters that flowed through the sewers were the only thing that kept it from being dead quite. "What Am I suppose to do say hello? I don't talk anymore..." Max didn't know what to do she was curious yet for some reason she wasn't scared she felt safe.
The aura that Max seen emitting from Dr. Stockman was showing itself again but this time these four were emitting a white warm light without that creepy feeling it was more warm safe even. "Why am I the only who sees this?" "Are you okay?" Finally another made his way into the light his color of skin was different than that of the one who carried her unconscious sister. His skin was a mixture between a really light brown mixed in with a really yellowish green. He looked just as bulky as the others his mask a color of purple with a belt strapped around his waist as a stick stuck out on his well shell. Caps covered both his elbows and knees with brown sports tape wrapped around his wrist.
Max didn't respond to the question the answer was quite obvious enough since her hand was still covering her bleeding and throbbing wound. "Are you hurt?" Slowly he began to move closer to her, his steps were careful and cautious as if she was a deer and would run away if felt threatened. However, Max stood still giving him permission to move closer and he did. Max gave him a nod yes.
"You don't have to be scared. We're not going to hurt you." Max simply looked at him she didn't know how to tell him she wasn't scared of him without the use of words. "Don those things might come back. We need to leave." Max looked to the direction of the voice trying to see through the thick shadows that kept them hidden. "Look I promise we won't hurt you. You need to come with us we'll keep you safe I promise we don't mean any harm." He took out his hand for her to take, slowly Max reached out to take her hand in his all though it felt weird considering he only had three fingers.
Max gripped his hand a bit the pain on her head increased it began give her a burning sensation as she applied a bit of pressure to stop the bleeding. "Oh man I can't leave you like this..." Donatello instantly tried finding ways to help wrap the wound with something to stop the bleeding temporarily. Then his eyes landed on her hoody, if he could just cut a piece of it off it could be enough to wrap around her injured head. "Raph pass me your sia." A shadow shifted its position at first freezing before handling over a three pointed blade to Donatello.
"So his name is Don and the other is Raph. But what's with the sia?" Max's face scrunched up in confusion not seeing what he was planning to do. "Okay I'm just going a chop off some your hood so I can use it to wrap up your head. Is that all right?" With a nod, Max turned her back to him giving him her trust. Taking the blade in his hand he began tearing off the fabric of the hoody, eventually coming to a satisfied end to the length. Max turned to face him again removing her hand, with gentle hands he gently wrapped the cloth directly on top of the ugly gash all the way around her head. "Donatello we really need to leave." Donatello took hold of Max's hand again gently tugging her in the direction they were heading too.
Max didn't mind it too much in fact she felt a bit safer now that he held her hand knowing if those things did make a return he'd be there to keep her out of harms way. Still Max wasn't too keen on getting attached she was starting to become frighten at the fact that she might be growing attached to them all ready and that was something she did not want to happen. The direction they were heading too had much better lighting giving
Max the opportunity to get a better view of all of them. The one that had previously spoken to Don was taking the lead out of here. He wore a similar mask to that of Don except his was a blue color and his skin was a little green than the others. However he wore the same brown strap across his chest with elbow pads,knee caps,and brown sports tape wrapped around his wrist. He carried a weapon of his own two blades carried on the back of his shell. The other that walked somewhat closely behind wore a red mask his skin a darker green with the same knees caps, elbow pads, and sports tape wrapped around his wrist. A brown belt wrapped around his waist where it held a sia at each side. The one carrying her unconscious sister wore an orange mask with same attire as the others except for the occasional belt that held his nun chucks in place at each side ready for battle.
The strangest thing to Max was how calm she was to all of this as far as she knew she was aware of how real this was, there was no need to convince her otherwise. She believed it without any hesitation or any reason to feel at war with herself over the events that had occurred. "Man, I wonder how April is going to believe any of this!" Max couldn't help but think about the way her sister would react to any of this.
Donatello was quite surprised at how the girl made no attempt to flee or even scream at their appearance. She even let him go as far as holding onto her hand to which she still currently clings onto every now and then she'll grip his hand. When he look to see what could possibly be the problem he is only left with a thoughtful expression her eyes weren't even on him they just looked straight ahead without any sense of purpose. Obviously her mind was in another world though he would like to understand why she hasn't spoken a single word. He had tried to speak to her earlier when they had rescued her and April but she hadn't said anything she would only nod or simply give him a blank expression.
There was multiple answers to this issue 1.) She is death which can't be it since she heard what he's saying. 2.) She simply too traumatized to speak. Which also can't be it since she doesn't look like she's in some sort of paralyzed in fear in fact she looks sad. When he looked in her eyes those grey orbs looked sad and alone. Never had he seen a child who was probably about maybe nine or ten look so lost and heartbroken. "I wonder what's wrong with her?" What puzzled him the most was why those Mousers suddenly had a taste for human flesh specifically April's and the girl's. "They know something that can help us."
Michelangelo wasn't a least bit worried about how this whole thing was going to turn out. He preferred to look at the brighter side of this whole issue: he finally spoke to a human without needing to be in disguise yes it didn't turn out as he had hoped it would but what else can he expect they were weird looking. It was only natural for the woman to scream and then faint. He was grateful that the little girl didn't scream at their appearances nor did she faint making it one less unconscious body to carry. Though he founded it odd that she hasn't said a single world she never responded to any of Don' s questions only nodding was her only way of communicating. "She must be shocked in fear or something."
He didn't put too much thought into it what he really wanted to know was how their Sensai going to feel about this. They shouldn't be in too much trouble after all what choice did they have. Of course their father would understand but still their Sensai' s reaction is still one he would not like to see. Then their was the creepy little baby T-Rex of robots roaming in the sewers for a purpose other than limiting the rat infestation and there is also that major detail of those things deciding that it had enough chopping up rats so it decided to taste human flesh instead. "Good thing we got there on time. I don't even want to think about what would happen if we hadn't." April was still unconscious in his arms he truly hoped that she would stay that way until they made it back home. He didn't want to end up dropping her because she moved to much or screamed at him or something.
"Oh this is just great we just exposed ourselves right into then hands of two human beings." Raphael wasn't too thrill about any of this he didn't regret saving them he wasn't heartless it's just doing so risked his family's protection. As of now it was being threatened not only because of those things but also because of April and the girl. Two human beings know they're existence which could lead to a whole new problem since they don't know they can be trusted or not. It's bad enough that Raph and his brothers had to deal with those stupid chopping robots destroying their home and now destroying whatever's in their path. "Oh that Stockman fool is going to get a serious beating."
Leonardo didn't know what to think of all this especially now that they had two human beings who needed a safer place to stay. All this madness all revolving around the Mousers there purpose still remained a mystery. Hoping to find an answer only to be led to a dead end though they did manage to save two lives and April happened to know about those things. "Maybe she knows what's going on." However, this wasn't his only worry or even fear his focus was mostly directed on how their sensai was going to react to this. They were suppose to be remained unseen hiden in secret from those from above or avoid humans in general not only did they get seen but they were taking two human beings to their home. Rules... they broke the most vital and golden rule: Never ever speak or even be seen by a human. "Sensei is a reasonable father. He'll understand we had no choice in the matter. We couldn't just leave them to die that isn't the right thing to do. They needed help and help them we did. That's all that matters." Leonardo just hoped for best considering the circumstances they've been left in.
Max could hardly believe how huge their home was even the way it was displayed gave you that warm, comfortable, and homie feeling. Everywhere held its own place it's own purpose it was simple to navigate through and it didn't take a genius to know where the kitchen or entertainment area were. Although their home was quite a comfortable place for being in a sewer, Max couldn't help but feel like something was wrong with them. Ever since they walked closer to home the more nervous and anxious they seem to have gotten almost as if they didn't want to return.
"Wonder what's up with them?" They began to slow their pace as they walked toward the middle of their home dragging as much time as possible no words were said just silence. Max feeling the sudden nervousness and fear spreading into the air began to grow inside her own heart causing her to still hold onto Donnie' s hand and walk closely behind Don. Max looked to see if her sister was still in good hands with relief she was okay still in a unconscious state but alive. A dark figure still hidden in the darkness of the room he currently came out of made his way toward them. That dark figure was a walking and most likely talking rat. "What has happened?" His dark black eyes flickered to an unconscious April and a shocked Max who stared in awed. "There are more of them?"
His eyes took a deadly glare that a spread a rush of shivers down Max's spine she felt like she just got caught doing something wrong even though Max hasn't done anything. Instantly she gripped Don' s hand squeezing the life out of his poor hand she moved closer to him not liking one bit that she was being cut down to size by a mere look of intimidation. "Master Splinter we can explain." Leonardo was the first to make his way through already prepared to begin their story of being discovered. "Not that I don't agree with you Leo. But I need to clean up her wound and April need to be put on the couch. If that's all right with you Sensai." Max felt a breath of air fill into her lungs she didn't realize she was holding her breath. Master Splinter' s eyes changed to a more calming expression a look of patience he let out a sigh. "Yes of course. Please do."
"Come one you can sit over here." Don led Max to the entertainment area sitting her down on a small couch that was only capable of holding one person. April was placed on the other longer couch diagonal from where Max sat. "Wait here I'll get the medical supplies okay." Max just gave him a nod then he walked away to retrieve the needed supplies. She was left alone with the three others and her unconscious sister who still hasn't awaken from her sudden slumber. "So what has happened?" The rat spoke once again his eyes trained Leonardo waiting for an answer. It wasn't long until Don returned with the needed medical supplies. "Alright this might hurt a little okay?" Max simply gave him a nod signaling him an okay to go a head.
Don grabbed the alcohol pouring it onto the cloth just enough to clean the wound. Don honestly gave his best efforts to try not to inflict any pain but despite not wanting to hurt her anymore than she already is the alcohol will surely burn since it cleaning her wound it didn't help that he had to apply a bit of pressure.
Max flinched as soon as the cold liquid touched her open wound feeling the burning sensation wash over her nasty gash. "Sorry..." Don said with sympathy he honestly wanted to some how take 're pain away or at least try to distract her from. As his brothers explained to their sensai of the events that had taken placed, Don figured he should just talk to the girl after all his brothers didn't need him to explain anything they had that covered.
"Okay maybe I should try talking to her I mean I don't even know her name. She doesn't even know mine..." "I know this might be a little late to say this but my name is Donatello." Even though his eyes were primarily focused on her wound he still gave her a friendly smile. Max remained quiet not sure on how to respond without using any words so she did the only thing she always did she just nodded and gave him a smile in return.
"Well she smiled at me but I wonder why she hasn't spoken to me?" Don finished cleaning the wound the only thing left was to wrap it up in bandages. "Can you talk?" Don felt bad for sounding so blunt as soon as those words left his mouth but really he didn't have a choice the girl hasn't spoken to him. Hear only response was a shook of her head: No. No was her answer she either couldn't speak or didn't want too he had no clue whatever the answer was it was going to make things complicated to getting answers since she could only answer yes or no questions. With gentle hands he wrapped the bandages around her head covering the wound whole.
As soon as he was finished, Max took off her book bag fishing through her bag for an object that could help in this predicament she was in. This object was just an ordinary white board with a erasable black marker that included an Eraser on its cap. Donatello was already well aware of her intentions she was going to use the white board to communicate with all of them.
Max quickly began to write on the white board when she was done she flipped it over: "My name is Max-Anne O'Neil. Just call me Max." He read the words out loud though not loud enough to disturb the conversation between his brothers and their father. "Well it's nice to meet you Max." Donatello smiled finally relieved to have learned the girl's name at last. That feeling was sadly short lived when his brain decided to come to realize this girl was younger too young which meant she has parents...parents who are probably out worried sick for their missing daughters.
"Do you need to call your parents? To make sure they know your okay?" Instantly Max's grey eyes turned hard like a raging storm swirling inside those grey orbs her eyes showing the only emotions that stood out that could be easily read was pain, anger, and sadness all warped into a raging storm in her eyes. Donatello immediately regretted asking he has never seen so much emotion go through ones eyes before especially from some one so young. Max wrote rather quickly she hated this she absolutely hated having to explain that she was a parent less child a child who lost her parents by a stupid drunken driver and the worst part is she was the lone survivor of that crash. "No I don't. It's only me and my older sister April."
The words were short and to the point there was no way she was explaining how she lost them so she hoped he wouldn't ask why after-all Max felt she made it clear in her own way not to ask. Donatello responded with a simple "Oh." He didn't know how to respond to that message of course the don't ask why vibe was indeed made pretty clear so he didn't push the subject further.
Silence settled its way between them feeling he offended her in some way even though it was completely unintentional. He wanted to know what she and April knew about those Mousers but he felt maybe it was best to wait for her sister to awaken rather than accidentally mailing her upset again.
Max had taken notice of the silence that filled the room and it wasn't just between her and Don the others were now done talking. Currently they were looking straight at Max as the giant rat made his way towards her gesturing for Don to move so that he could be right in front of her. "How are you feeling? Are you alright?" He spoke with a kind gentle voice which was a drastic change from the way he was earlier he no longer showed any hostility towards Her. Max grabbed her marker and began to write.
Master Splinter was taken by surprise by her actions confused as to what the child was doing. Just before he can even ask her anything, the white board was turned over showing the message: "I'm all right." Master Splinter was still baffled over the fact that she was using this method of communication however he did not ask why whatever the reason may be for her lack of use of her words was hers only To know. "Well I am glad you are all right. My name is Splinter and these are my sons as you may have met them already." One by one they each came to introduce themselves at last giving Max the knowledge of their names now knowing what to call them if she ever spoke again. "My name is Max-Anne O'Neil." Once again Max introduced herself again.
"Can you talk?" Michelangelo blurted out the question catching Max off guard. Quickly erasing the previous message she wrote: No. "Why?" Again he pressed further into the subject he was pushing it Max could tell it was just in his nature to press on completely oblivious to how Max in a way was trying to tell him: I'm not going to tell you so that's that. But unfortunately for Max he didn't seem to catch on with the memo.
"Mikey stop pestering her. Look you don't have to answer that. We just want to know what you know about those Mousers and why they were after you and your sister?" Oh how thankful she was of Don for saving her from explaining the reasoning behind her refusal to speak or utter a single word to anyone. Just before Max could begin to write the sound of rustling and mumbles came from the red head who was currently on the couch. "I will go and make tea some thing tells me she will not handle this very lightly." Splinter made his way into the kitchen leaving the others with both Max and April.
April continued you to stir in her sleep, Max stood right in front of her hoping it would somehow make this whole situation more real to April. April slowly opened her eyes her first sight was Max as of right now April hadn't gotten a full grasp of her surroundings just yet. "Oh man you wouldn't believe the dream I had Max. Talking turtles fighting robots. Did we stay up late watching TV again? I mean seriously what were we watching it was the weirdest...thing... I've...ever...seen?!"
April slowly came to realize that this was not only her room or even home but four other figures stood behind a bandaged Max who stood giving her a "please don't scream or yell." smile. Panic was itching it's way in the more she stared at them the more delusional she made herself think she was. Poor April was beyond of any words she was more than freak out by the whole thing it didn't help that one of them pushed Max gently to the side as he came close but not to close to her face to say hi. To which she responded with a scream rather than a warm greeting in return causing him to shriek as well. "Please don't do that. I almost jumped out of my shell." Mikey clutched his chest taking in deep breaths as he spoke. April could hear Max giggle at his reaction to Max it seemed like he overreacted just a bit. Her attention was then drawn to his hands staring at what seemed to be only three fingers causing more panic to flood into April's body.
"It only has three fingers!" April squeaked gripping the pillow over her head trying to wake herself up from what she believed to be the craziest dream in her life! Revealingly trying to convince herself that she was asleep rather than awake. Max let out a huff and walked to her panicked sister tapping her shoulder. April stopped with her odd way of waking up and stared at her sister the only normal thing in this weird dream until... A sudden light bulb moment struck April on the head she was now convinced that her sister was merely pranking her right? It had to be the only real solution to all this she wasn't crazy no it was Max messing with her head as always.
"Of course! Max how the heck did you do all this?" Max gave her puzzled looked not understanding the question however April didn't take it too lightly she glared at her younger sibling. "Max you aren't fooling anyone. This is all just a big prank right? Well it isn't funny anymore!" Max shook her head no repeatedly no desperately trying to prove her innocence to her sister. Rushing back to her original seat she grabbed her white board quickly scribbling down "THIS IS NOT A PRANK NOR DREAM. THIS IS REAL!"
In big bold letters showing the urgency in her words. Noticing the seriousness in not only in Max's writing but also her face didn't hold even an ounce of deceitfulness. "So this has to be a dream right?...Yes this is a dream that's the only logical solution! I'm asleep and dreaming that for some reason I can't wake up from!. Max your right your not pranking me." Max slapped her hand against her forehead causing her to wince in pain because she slammed her hand against her wound.
Max shoved her white boards into her sisters's face trying hard to convince her this was reality. However April didn't seem to catch on refusing to beleive that any of this was in fact real. "Look this is just a dream a weird dream. I'm seeing four talking turtles because I want Max to talk and make friends. that explain why Max is also here!" April continued to talk to herself trying to come up with reasonable explanations on why she was seeing all these weird people or turtles.
"This isn't going very well." Don said. "Come on, we haven't had much practice talking to humans! It's going to take a little time." Mikey said trying to sound optimistic about the situation. "Max can't you talk her? Or maybe somehow prove to her were not your imaginary friends?" Mikey asked a frustrated Max. She let out a frustrated sigh looking at him with a hopeless expression shrugging her shoulders. Raph felt that maybe he should take the initiative to just ask her what she knew there seemed to be no point in trying to convince her they were real so why not just get to the point? "Hey you.." "What?"
"What you know about those Mousers robot things?" Raph asked. "Well first I thought they were cleaning up the city's rat problem. But then I got suspicious when Dr. Stockman said..." As if a giant brick had landed on top of April's head she came to understand that she was literally talking to them. "Oh no I'm talking to it." Leo looked at her weird asking "What?" "I'm talking to it. To you! Okay April calm down these are Max's new strange friends. You should definitely talk to them because that would be the polite thing to do. Soon enough you'll wake up from this crazy dream. So everything will be just fine. Hello Max's new friend!" April proceeded to play along to her dream hoping the more and more she pretended it was real the more likely she'll wake up from this weird yet freaky dream.
Leo not wanting April to panic even further he simply played along as well returning the greeting even asking her how she was doing. "Oh I'm fine! Everything is absolutely great. Isn't everything just wonderful Max? Max aren't your friends just great! Hahahaha." April continued to laugh that is until she saw Master Splinter thats when things went from back to worse. "Then perhaps you are ready to answer some questions." "Your a..." And once again Max's beloved older sister has now just fainted and it only took a few words from Master Splinter! Max slapped her white board against her face not caring if it caused her wound pain she was simply too frustrated with her sister to care. "You sure have a way the ladies Master Splinter. Now what do we do?" Don asked. "Max do you think you can get your sister to relax or something?" Max sighed there was only one way her sister would wake up again and frankly April nor the guys will like it.
"Why don't we just nudge her or something?" Leo suggested. "I'll snap her out of it." Raph said. "Raphael No!" Master Splinter protested against his son taking matters into his own hand knowing full well of the outcome. Michelangelo grew tiresome of the situation he held no ideas to solve the conflict so he might as well chill and deal with it at hand when April awoke again. "Somebody get me when she wakes up." Mikey laid on a beach seat relaxing at the sound of loud tunes blaring in his ears.
Max thought of only two options: Option 1 consist of Max screaming and acting like she was in grave danger which will surely wake April up and snap out of it or option two she can wake her to loud noises such as music. Both options will get April to snap out of it but it just might get her in trouble that until she realizes it was just a way to wake her up. Max decided option two was much more preferable since it didn't include Max screaming and it won't give her sister a heart attack.
Max didn't tell them of her plan since they were too busy coming up with a plan themselves. Max made her way toward Mikey poking him out of his little trance . His eyes peeked open noticing the girl looking down on him. "What?" Mikey didn't need to put the volume down you since she didn't speak and would only write what she needed you to know. Neverless , Max didn't seem to write anything on her white board she only pointed to his music player. Giving her an unsure look, he took off his headphones and pointed to his music . "You want this?" He asked. Max nodded. "Um okay." Mikey handed her his music player before he could even ask her why she went straight to April.
Ten pairs of eyes stared at Max curious as to what she was going to do. Squeezing her way in, Max placed the headphones in April's ears and put the music player as loud as it could possibly go. "Max, what are you..."Don didn't finish his question when Max pressed the play button and April suddenly woke up throwing the headphones off. April looked way beyond furious from the looks of it wasn't the first time Max had done something like that. "Max what the heck was that for?"
Max just gave her a sweet innocent smile . It wasn't long before April again realized four giant turtles and a rat standing right behind Max. April eyes shifted to her sister and then the turtles and the rat it seemed to go that way for few seconds until her eyes stayed on her sister. "Okay I'm still dreaming right?" April asked. Max shook her head no. "This HAS to be some kind of joke or I'm in endless dream loop." Sitting next to April, shook her head no again then pointed to her bandaged head. April confused at first then catch on as a memory of those Mouseres chasing after them had managed to land a strike on Max. She touched the top of her head recollecting the moment she fainted and right before she did she saw a giant turtle.
" You really aren't messing with me are you?" Max sighed looking at her older sister with annoyance. A cup of tea was given before her to take hoping it would sooth her panic state Master Splinter made just for her. "Here it will help." Master Splinter said. April mumbled a thank you grabbing the cup in her hands and staring at her reflection still debating rather she was in reality or maybe in coma or something.
Several Hours later...
Max can still see the swirling inner conflict in April's green eyes so she took the white board and began to write. The message read: Friday at 7:05pm.
April read the message while the others looked in confusion April knew exactly what it meant. It was the time and day of the car accident that took her parents life. April sighed finally believing that this was no mere dream it was reality and reality had just got a lot weirder. "So this is really real. And I'm not dreaming."
She blew over the hot tea taking small sips careful not burn her own mouth. "Are you alright now?" Leo asked. "I think so... I mean I think I'm starting to believe this is real and the weirdest thing that ever happened to me or I'm in a dream that I just can't wake up from." April turned to her sister looking at her straight in the eye and said "Max-Anne O'Neil this better not be a prank." Max gave her a blank stare nodding her head No. April let out a deep sigh she trusted in Max's word well her nod besides Max hasn't tried to prank her for the longest time its been a year since the last time Max has ever pulled a prank on her.
" I don't need take you to the hospital right?" April asked a bit more concerned. She just realized that those things had managed to take a bit out of Max. Max nodded her head No. "Are you sure?" Max again shook her head No. "So are you okay then?" Mikey asked . "Yeah I guess so." April said. "Do you need to contact your family or anyone to let them know your alright?" Leo asked. April right away looked at her sister worrying about her sister's emotional state however she was met with only her head hung low as her long bangs covered her eyes completely and her lips placed in a straight line.
"No I...we...lost our parents about a year ago so its only Max and I." April said. "I'm sorry to hear that . I didn't mean too..." April cut Leo short. "NO its okay you didn't know." She gave him a reassuring smile. Master Splinter grabbed a couch placing himself on the seat in the middle of the entertainment area right in front of April. Leo sat on his knees next Splinter while Raph stood right of Splinter. Don stood near where April sat while Mikey stood where Max sat . "April... Max, We have something most important to discussed..."