CHAPTER 8- Jessa's Nightmare.

Jessa used to stay hidden in her closet until the voices went away. Eventually though, she began spending all her time she was home in there. She had a lightswitch she did her homework by and a pillow with a ragged blanket she found in a dumpster once.

The girls at the high school teased her because she wore the same clothes a lot. She couldn't help it though. It wasn't as if she had a lot of money to spend, and she would never lower herself to being a thief like her parents.

She didn't like her bed. It smelled and made her sick. The closet was big enough for her to curl up in and sleep… barely though. It didn't matter though. It was her sanctuary and she would never leave unless forced.

School work was her only release. She couldn't be herself anywhere else. It was safe. She loved school. Then one day, she came home. Her parents were quiet, which was always cause for alarm. Without checking on them, she hurried to her closet.

The voices rang in her ears louder than ever. "We just don't have the money. Over half our clients got busted with the foot clan getting arrested."

A raging voice made Jessa whimper. "I do not care! You are past the payment day. You don't get something for nothing!"

"WAIT!!" Jessa's mother cried in despair. "We might be able to pay you."

"Honey, what are you talking about?" Confusion was evident in her Father's strung out voice.

"W-what about Jessa?" Jessa's jaw clenched. Surely they weren't talking about what she thought they were! She waited for her dad to reject the very thought of using his daughter to pay his debt.

He didn't. Jessa shivered. The voices quieted now. Soon, though, Jessa heard footsteps coming towards her. She shrunk back as far as she could, gripping her notebook to her chest as a weapon. The light nearly blinded her, but she recovered quickly.

A hand reached out to grab her, but she leaped away just in time. She darted past her surprised parents and ran out of the room.

She heard her mother's cry of rage behind her. "Harold! Don't just stand there! GET HER!"

Jessa bit back a sob as she tried to exit the living room. A man dressed in black stood there menacingly. She 'd seen him before. He was only known as 'Ricky'. He was the biggest drug lord on the coast.

He reached to grab her, but she dodged him. Her parents made another appearance. Instead of going towards her, Ricky lunged for them.

"I'm sick of this. If you can't pay in cash… you'll have to pay with your blood."

Jessa gasped. Her parents were awful, but they were still her parents. Her folder slammed across his head hard, causing him to fall. Her parents looked at her in shock.

"What have you done?" Jessa was frightened. "What? I just saved you. I-"

"GET OUT! You always were a burden and now we have to cover this up." Her father towered over her menacingly.

Jessa couldn't believe it. Her parents were abandoning her! How could they do this to her? She was their daughter. Jessa bit back a sob. Their daughter… Her eyes turned hard as she looked up at her so called parents.

"You're right, I am a mess. Always have been."

Her mom sighed, relieved. "Finally you see it our way. Now do you have anything to say for yourself."

Jessa nodded. "Yeah. Somebody as messed up as me? Personally, I blame the parents."

She ran away and never looked back. Well, she ran away. After Angie had found out Jessa was homeless, she invited her to stay with her for a while. Unfortunately, soon after Angie took ill and Jessa had to leave.

Meeting Sarah and Adele was an answer to prayer.

Don Looked at her, bewildered. "Geez, Jessa. I didn't know-"
"How could you? It's not like I wear a sign on my back."

He grinned a little at that. "Seriously though, if you need to talk-"

"What I need is to get out of here. The smell of gasoline is making me loopy." Jessa smirked, trying to shake the tears out of her eyes. Donny noticed. He hugged her gently.

"I'll think of something."

Splinter exited his room to find the lair strangely quiet. "Where could my sons be? Surely they would not be so foolish as to take our guests out. That would be dangerous."

He shook his head and went to make himself some tea. He looked at the clock. "Ah, time for my stories.

Sarah's stomach growled loudly. Mikey laughed. "You hungry?"

She nodded, blushing. "There's just something about pranking people that takes it out of ya."

Mikey nodded. "I think there's pizza in the fridge."

Sarah's face lit up. "Really? That's perfect. Let's get it, then we can finally let the guys out. I think it's been long enough."

Mikey nodded in agreement. They climbed off the bed and went to the door.

"Um, Houston? We have a problem."
Mikey looked at her. "What?" Sarah blushed furiously.

"Um, I think we're locked in…" Mikey's eyes widened. "WHAT?! How-"

"I don't know! Now WE need a way out…" Her eye caught sight of the ventilation shaft. "Hmmm…"

Mikey shook his head. "No way! It's gross in there."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Of course you aren't going in there. You're too big. I'll go, then unlock the door. Kay?" Mikey nodded. "I guess."

"Cool." Sarah stood on her tiptoes and gave Mikey a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back soon." Mikey blushed. "Um… yeah. Cool dudette."

Jessa frowned. "This is ridiculous. You can't blow up the door! There has to be another way."

"This is a good idea."

Jessa put her hand on her hips. "So, every time you're working on something, you won't mind if Mikey waltzes in at any time?"

Don froze. "That's what I thought… Oh look." She pointed to the ventilation shaft. "I'll go through there, get out, then I can come and let you out."

Don's shoulders sagged. "Fine."

Jessa gave him a hug. "Good and DON'T blow up anything while I'm in the vents."

Don gave a mock salute. "Will do Ma'm."

Angie frowned at Leo. "Are you sure this is gonna work? I don't exactly feel comfy crawling around in the air vents."

Leo gave her a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry. It should be fine."

"Should be?!"

Leo chuckled. "It will be fine. You are the only one small enough."

Angie frowned. "Lucky me… alright. Here goes."

Adele rolled her eyes at Raph. "Yes, we gotta get out. I'm hungry."

Raph had an annoyed look on his face. "Yah, but do you gotta go in da air vent? I mean, why do we even have air vents in da sewer?"

Adele shrugged. " I dunno. It's your home."

Raph frowned. "Are you sure the vents will hold you?"

Adele glared at him and put her hands on her hips. "Are you calling me fat?"

"Wha-? No of course not! It's just that the vents are probably old, and-"

"Save it. I'll be fine. It's not like there'll be a whole lot of people crawling around in there. It'll just be me."

Raph frowned. "Alright… fine, but be careful."

"Aw… you really do care." Raph rolled his eyes as Adele hugged him.

"Hm. Don't spread it around." Adele rolled her eyes as she turned to crawl into the air vent. Two large hands stopped her and spun her to face Raph. She raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?" He grinned and kissed her again. She pulled back, smiling.

"What was that for?"

He shrugged. "I dunno. I jus felt like kissin ya. You gotta problem wid dat?"

She smirked and placed both hands on Raph's chest. "Not at all."