Me- Wow, l can't believe this is already chapter 10!
Mikey- Dudes, that totally calls for a party! ^.^
Raph- We're mutant turtles who live in the sewers Shell head!
Mikey- Dude, way to crush my awesome daydream...not cool...^_^
Leo- We can still have one here if it's okay with Sensei...
Donnie(excitedly)- And April can come!
*everyone stares at him, as he blushes and starts rubbing his neck nervously
Donnie(continuing)-...err...as well as Casey...
Mikey- Can we invite some of WOLFJADE's reviewers?
Me- Hey...we never know...some probably will want to...maybe you can ask again later...now l should probably introduce chapter 10...
Raph- ...and let everyone reading that you have no ownership rights over us...
Me- Dang it Raph! Why must you crush my hopes and dreams with reality and sarcasm?!*pouts *_*
Mikey- Hey...you still have ownership of Rose and Akira...
Me(perks up cheerfully)- Oh yeah..l do own them..
Rose(arms crossed)- Hey! We're not cattle here...
Me(ignoring Rose)-..thanks Mikey!
Chapter 10 everyone!
Rose POV-
Ugh...my head hurts...what happened...,wait a minute! That turtle man...he wore an orange mask l think...why did he save me? He could have died trying to do that...
l felt terrible...here l had been so ready, so willing to end my life, and so quickly, yet a complete stranger sacrifices himself, putting his own life in danger, just to save me.
The last place l remember being was that rooftop, where the Turtle-man had carried me.
Now, l'm lying on what looks like a hand me down hospital cot, in a room full of metal contraptions, do-hickies, whatchamecallem's and whatnot.
Some looked pretty cool, others looked like junk that was trying to be re-used. Okay, whoever works here has to have mad patience levels too put up with that stuff. Me. l woulda tossed it to the scrap heap before you could say 'pass the peas'.
l thought back to what led me here, and that mystery man. Heh, he didn't even realize l had only been pretending to sleep...with my eyes barely cracked open, l could somewhat see his face. It surprised me...his key-lime face was splashed with a generous amount of freckles...and his whole face in general that had a child- like innocence and roundness to it, something l found very intriguing...to be honest, it kinda made him cute.
What surprised me was the warm expression in his eyes...as if he felt...or at least l think he felt some sorta connection with me...or at least wanted to...and was he going to kiss me?
God, l was thankful that he didn't. Even l knew it was way too awkward...not because he wasn't cute or anything, it's just..l mean, l haven't even officially met him yet, not to mention l just went through a break-up less than 5 hours ago. Maybe later on though...
Wait...what the hell am l thinking?! He's not even human, l don't know anything about him, and here l am actually considering starting another relationship.
Yup, then it's official...l'm crazy, bordering the edge of either insanity or desperation...not sure quite which at this point.
l stopped, hearing a hesitant voice in another room ask-
"Umm...Leo...can l see your new turtle pal for a second..."
'Wait, who's Leo?' l wondered...wait a second...l remembered hearing another voice before l passed out...was that other voice Leo?
Hold up...new turtle pal? They couldn't be talking about Akira, could they?
"Aww...why're you being mean to the little guy? He was so happy?" l heard a childish voice protest with a pouting tone that nearly made me giggle as l walked out the door, trying to figure out what was happening out there. Walking out of the lab(at least that was my guess as to where l was), l walked to the edge of a darkened hallway where l peeked around the corner, to see not two, but four turtle men standing in a group. Interestingly enough, they all were wearing different colored masks...guess they had to have something other than names to tell them apart...that fact would definitely come in handy if they didn't decide to kill me or anything.
l nearly laughed seeing the turtle-man in the purple mask trying to hold a small, squirming, turtle...wait, that's Akira...she only does that when she's being stubborn and wants someone else to hold her...it couldn't have been me, so l naturally wondered who, especially since Akira doesn't warm up to anyone easily, let alone men. Maybe it had to do with the fact that these guys were part turtle...
"l'm not being mean to the little guy..l mean,..if it's even a guy..." the purple one trailed off as he tried to examine Akira, who was hiding in her shell, not getting her way...figures...
l love her, but she can act like a child at times.
"What do you mean Donnie?" the blue one asked. Okay, purple's name is Donnie...blue sounds a bit nervous, as if he had a guess as to what the answer was, but didn't want to hear it...
l had to admit, it was pretty funny. This one seemed to have a naturally confident and leader-like appearance to him, hell,he was holding two freakin' machetes on his back...umm...shell, but l guess even the strongest can be thrown off in some way, big or small...
"Umm...what do you mean Donnie?" the orange one, Mikey l think, asked. l was a little surprised...l thought he'd figure it out...
"This 'little guy', might actually be a 'little girl' Mikey..." Donnie trailed off, trying to lift Akira up and determine her gender by looking at her tucked in tail...
Guys in general, seem to seem so clueless at times...l wanted to laugh at how ridiculous this scene was, but l decided it might be a better idea to make myself known to them...and 'rescue' poor Akira from this new form of cruel and unusual punishment.
"l could have told you that." l said, crossing my arms, trying to look like l was upset, even though internally l was highly amused. "What are you doing with Akira?"
l nearly laughed at how quick they reacted...definitely surprised, but also guilty...it made me think of a child with their hands caught halfway in the cookie jar...l nearly laughed, but now was neither the time or place.
For a minute, no one moved. The tension and quiet made the orange turtle shift uncomfortably...l was shifting uneasily as well. l didn't like things being completely quiet as well.
This being too much, l decided to break the silence...my mama always taught me that a little friendliness shown went a long way...
So with a deep breath, l mustered up the courage to speak as the four pairs of eyes watched me intensely.
"So...l see you've met Akira...she's my best friend...l'm surprised, since she normally doesn't warm up to anyone easily...but l guess that's a turtle thing."
"You don't know anything about us..." the red masked one with the metal knives challenged. l got the feeling that he used intimidation as a protectione challenged, pointing a sharp knife at me, glaring daggers with full force.
He had two of'em, which kinda reminded me of when Jake and l would use bent metal hangers as door picks...definitely came in handy when we got ourselves locked outta places in the house...the bathroom, for instance...
l think Metalpicks would be a good nickname...either that or l could call him Red, like that cinnamon chewing gum mom used to hate. l actually loved it.
"You know nothing about us...you better not tell anyone you saw us, or else you're gonna find out that l can be way worse than meeting a semi face-to-face!" threatened Red.
Before l could think, l was holding my hands up in a peace offer way.
"Woah there Red, never said l did know about y'all..."
Okay...was not expecting that...but l really didn't want to fight or argue...my head still hurt from earlier, plus l felt drained of energy...but l could sense that he was angry, but also scared... maybe because he saw what happened earlier...
Either way, l could tell that he was trying to intimidate me...if he thought this would make me lose my nerve, he was dead wrong...this sure as hell ain't the first time l've had someone larger than me try to intimidate me before...l was taught and raised to be strong and stand my ground...some may call it headstrong, but l call it knowing where l stand.
"..and you might have yourself a pretty good point or two there Metalpicks...but if there's one thing l'm pretty sure of, its that y'all aren't gonna kill me ...otherwise l wouldn't be standing here in what l'm guessing is your home...by the way, little late for the howdy's and hello's, but l'm Rose..." l said, extending my hand out as a peace offering.
Damn, the last thing l wanted was to fight with them. l was more than willing to be friendly, but Red seemed to have other thoughts. Figures, men.
"Yeah well, now we know you're alive...we shoulda let you die for being stupid enough to stand in the middle of the road with an oncoming semi...what the hell was that for?! You nearly got my brother killed...you and that stupid messed up head of yours-"
He wasn't able to finish, because before l was able to stop myself, l stormed up to him and smacked him with everything l had.
l heard a couple gasps, and seeing the look of pure shock on everyone's face, l'm guessing that what l just did hasn't happened too often before...not to say l wasn't gonna regret it later...well, l was always taught there had to be a first time for everything, but at that moment, l was way too pissed off to care.
Glaring at him, probably in the same way he had done to me earlier, l raged "Well l didn't ask him to, and l certainly didn't force him Metalpicks..." l jabbed my finger into his plastron and snarled "You have no fuckin' clue as to who l am, or why l do what l do, so you better just clamp that bull-shitty mouth of yours before you sink yourself too deep into the -"
"Woah, dudette...calm down...deep breaths..." l felt two hands come try to pull me away gently, but being as riled as l was, l quickly turned around and kicked at the figure, who, fortunately for me, was quick enough to jump back and dodge my fists.
Only to be startled by the blue-eyed one in the orange mask smiling at me, as if l'd just woke up with a ton of barbeque sauce on my face.
"Wow...remind me not to make you angry...you got some power to your blows!" the orange-masked(Mikey?) turtle man said, raising his hands in surrender. l'm not sure if he was trying to make me laugh at his mock-surrender, or trying to offer a peace gesture to calm me down, but l settled for both, making him smile as l lowered my fists and began laughing.
"Awful sorry about that...ummmm..." l hesitated, not knowing his name for certain. l heard different names, but they all were mixed in my mind- l didn't know what name went with what turtle, and I'd be hogtied to a rodeo clown before l was gonna make a fool of myself before them...
"Mikey...Michelangelo actually, but Mikey's easier to remember...plus it's more awesome!" he said, smiling wide.
As much as l didn't feel like it, l found myself smiling, despite my temper and awkward situation. l couldn't help it- it was almost like seeing an excited puppy. Well, in his case, turtle.
"Well, Mikey, l'm Rose...pleased to meet ya!" l said, holding out my hand for a handshake.
Instead, he grabbed my hand in both of his, and flipped it repeatedly, startling the crap out of me. Had he never seen a hand up close before?
"Dudette, you sure this is your hand? It's so small!" he said, smiling.
It's beautiful...like you...
l jumped as l heard those words pop up in my head. l knew l could read thoughts, but l always had control over that. l had never picked up thoughts like that.
I looked at him in confusion, wondering whether it was his thought, but before l could say anything about it, l was interrupted by none other than Red...
"Mikey...she's obviously has a smaller hand...she's not a freak like us.." he said, staring holes through me, as if trying to intimidate and warn me to back off. Huh, if he thought l was gonna run like a coyote with tail tucked in between my legs, he had another thing coming.
"Don't know what got into your pie to make you such a crab-apple sour puss..." l stated, looking him dead on in the eye, causing him to growl as Mikey laughed, and the other two turtles smiled, but l continued "...but l sure as hell ain't gonna
let you be such a stubborn jack-ass while l'm actually trying to be nice".
"You gotta excuse Raph... he's the family hot- head...it's nothing personal."
said Blue mask, stepping forward.
" l'm Leonardo...Leo by the way Rose...you met Mikey, and Raph..."the one in the blue mask said, stopping as the purple masked one stepped forward to introduce himself.
"l'm Donatello...or Donnie...whichever you prefer..." he said.
Rose looked from each of them, wondering if she was imagining this, or whether they were really dreaming. For all she knew, she could have very well been in a science fiction movie, but no one would have supported that one- this all seemed too real.
'You gonna just keep staring at us, like we're freaks?! Got news for you- life's tough enough as it is without having stuck-up people like you invading our lives!'
Not even thinking about the consequences, Rose turned on the only turtle who truly looked angry and ignorant enough to say something like that- Raph, who stood glaring at her with his arms crossed.
"Look Raph, l can't begin to imagine how difficult your lives must be, but you can be sure that l ain't trying to put y'all in harms way! Hell, l didn't even want to be saved- IT JUST HAPPENED THAT WAY! I wasn't snooping into your lives- if anything, you guys threw yourselves into my life! l never asked, and you never stopped to consider that maybe l had enough!"
"Well, that's some way to thank us for saving your life!" Raph yelled at Rose.
"Maybe l don't give a damn what you think!" l yelled right back, heading straight back for the hallway that promised a temporary avoiding of Red Bull...hmm...that actually fits him.
Mikey POV-
Meanwhile, as Raph and Rose were yelling at each other, l felt like an exploded water balloon. I hadn't even stopped to consider the possibility that she'd be mad at me for saving her...that was so not what l was aiming for. l wanted her to like me, not be mad at or hate me. l got enough of that from my bros. l didn't need it from her too. lt was bad enough that she was mad at what l did, but for her to have a shouting match with Raphael...there was no way this was gonna end well.
Thing is though, Raph kept yelling even after she walked out. This needed to be stopped.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" I yelled, causing everyone to stare in disbelief...well, Raph was that and annoyed, but everyone else stared as if l had just grown another head.
For some reason, l didn't care what they all thought of me at the moment. l felt like l needed a friend to listen. Who better to go to than a turtles best friend- ICE CREAM KITTY!
I walked straight to the kitchen, opening the freezer door. As expected, a very happy ICK was eagerly reaching out for me. That was expected.
What wasn't expected, was the sound of light footsteps coming up behind me.
"Mikey, why did you save me?" a southern accent asked softly, as if almost scared.
"You could and should have left me to suffer-.."
l wasn't gonna listen to this garbage. She needed to know what l thought.
"Look, l'm sorry l saved you...l couldn't bear the thought of someone giving up on life so easily...not when there can be so much to live for!" l pleaded to Rose, looking straight into her shocked face. Ignoring the reactions of my brothers, l continued "..my brothers and l are stuck living our lives hiding in sewers, saving people who will either reject or torture us for what we are...no matter how much good we do, we'll always be stuck in these sewers, with no one besides each other...you have a whole list of options and things you can do without a second thought whenever you want, and to see you throw that away...it didn't seem right..." l trailed off, turning back facing the freezer.
"Mikey..."
l didn't even turn around. l merely scooped up Ice Cream Kitty and walked out, brushing past the guilt-stricken girl, feeling too upset to talk to her. The last thing l wanted to hear was-
"Mikey...l'm sorry..."
Wait, hold up! What did she just say?
Forgetting my original resolve, l turned to face her. She was holding Akira, who was looking very content, and nudging her palm as she hesitated to continue.
"Mikey...thank you for saving me...l was so overwhelmed by...well, things that have been happening, l didn't see any point in being alive...but thanks to you, l see l was wrong."
l gulped as she came up and hugged me. l wanted nothing more than to hug her in return, but l held back, feeling that may be too much at the moment...feeling that and a sharp bite on my upper arm.
"OW!" l yelped, as Ice Cream Kitty growled at Akira, who looked very pleased...entirely too smug.
"AKIRA! You little...that was mean of you..." Rose scolded, holding Akira up to her face and looking the evil turtle in the eye.
l watched her facial expression as she stared at Akira. Something seemed a bit off...l watched as Roses' face changed from scold mode to embarrassment.
"Akira...you are evil, you know that?"
Akira smiled- not kidding, actually smiled, as Rose rolled her eyes and gently shook her head, walking out of the hall, leaving me confused as to what just happened.
l mumbled 'What just happened?' as l watched her walk away.
Whatever this mystery was, l was going to find out.
Me- Well, hope y'all weren't too disappointed...definitely not my best chapter, but it's better than nothing...
Raph(smirking)- In your case, nothing would have been preferable...
Me- Yeah, well, l wasn't asking that ugly mug of yours was l?
Donnie- If any of YOU awesome readers have any ideas, we're posting an imaginary 'HELP WANTED' idea ad for this story...as you can see, WOLFJADE28 is in desperate need of them!
Me(gasping)- YOU TRAITOR!
Mikey- Dudette, you totally do need them...
Me(relenting)- Ok, ok...l do...sending you an SOS here people...hey, Donnie, what is that?
Donnie- A list of all the supporting reviews and PM's that have been stored to your email...thought l'd organize them...
Me- Aww...thanks Don...oohh...LADYOFSOULS is back and kicking in full gear...
Donnie- This RBBH one seems to come out quite a bit...
Me- Ah, yes, she's awesome...'Baptism of fire'...that could be a great song title...
Mikey- Dudes, l think my favorite is BILLIEPAGE...
Me- is that because he has been reviewing and PM-ing a lot?
Mikey- No...it's 'cuz now l have a new song inspiration...
*Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" music playing, Mikey sings a mash-up
"BILLIEPAGE, is like no other...
he's a cool guy, who say's that l am the one-
the one to kick Rahzarrs a-"
Me(alarmed)- Okay! Watch your language! Besides, there are so many more reviews and favorites have saved in my account...wish l could say all of them by name, but l need to go to bed now so l can work on "Wishing Stars"...
Read and PLEASE don't forget to review folks! l could really use the help 🍕🍦