Chapter 5
I ran through our house, trying to find my brother and escape with him. Mother was downstairs trying to stop the men from coming up. I ran towards the small cupboard that my brother usually hid in whenever someone came that he didn't know. I flung open the doors and found him. He was only two years old and afraid of almost everything. I grabbed his hand and we ran through the corridor and towards our mother's bedroom. Our mother had a secret passage that led to the street behind our house if we ever needed it. We ran towards the bathroom just as a shot and a scream sounded. We both froze then heard footsteps coming up the stairs. I opened the small cupboard under the sink and pushed my brother into it. I climbed in after him and closed the door. We crawled through the small tunnel, not daring to look back. We made it outside and stood up. I grabbed my brother's hand again and forced him to run away from the house. Whenever he slowed down, I forced him to run. I refused to let him stop until we were far away from the house. We stopped under a restaurant umbrella left outside. I sat down on the cold, hard ground and placed my brother's head on my lap. I heard him sobbing. I stroked his head and felt responsible for what had happened. It was my responsibility as the older sibling to make sure he wouldn't feel afraid or sad. I closed my eyes and felt tears run down my cheeks. I refused to make any noise as my brother fell asleep. I made a promise to do whatever I could to keep my brother safe.
I opened my eyes and found that my cheeks were wet. I then realised that I was crying in my sleep. I quickly wiped away my tears and sat up. I flicked the blankets away from my legs and stood up. I hadn't had that dream for a while. I wondered if my quick visit to my brother's house and seeing him made me think about it. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and walked out of the room. I headed towards the kitchen. I opened the fridge and saw a box of leftover pizza. I grabbed a slice and scoffed it down in a few mouthfuls. I turned around and saw the four turtles were in the training area. I walked over and saw Splinter giving them advice on how to improve their ninja movements. I shook my head a little and smiled as I saw each of them get their butts kicked by Splinter. I then watched as Splinter started to lecture them and how the four turtles were behaved as they knelt on the ground in front of him. I turned away and sat at the kitchen table. I rested my head in my hand and wondered if I could sneak up to the surface for a few moments. I looked back to the training area and saw that the turtles were still being lectured. I grinned and got up. I walked to the entrance and opened it. I looked back before leaving through it. I managed to get to a ladder and climbed up. I removed the manhole cover and climbed out into the lightened alleyway. I walked out of the alleyway and down the street. I kept walking, not caring where my feet took me. I found I had walked to the docks and was standing on a small bridge that connected one dock to a peer of boats. I sat down with my legs crossed and stared at the sunlight bouncing off the water. I heard a few steps coming towards me. I turned around and saw a person in a ninja outfit with a triton head symbol on it. I stood up quickly and held my hands out in a defensive move. The ninja held up a hand in a calm matter.
"I am not here to fight you. I have come to give you something from my master" Said the ninja, in a male voice. I placed my hands to my sides and looked at the ninja.
"What is it that you want to give me?" I asked. The ninja reached into the black sash around his middle. He pulled out a rolled up piece of brown-yellow paper. He walked over to me and held it out. I took the paper and unrolled it. I read the small letter.
Young child,
I have heard that you are living with the turtles. I have read up on you and know that you have a brother. I have gone to the liberty of taking him from his so called home. If you ever want him to be safe again, I suggest you meet me at the old shed behind the channel 8 station. Do not bring any of the turtles with you or I will kill the boy.
I read the letter over and over to make sure that my eyes weren't playing any tricks on me. I looked up and saw that I was standing alone. I looked around and still nothing. I rolled up the piece of paper and tucked it into my shirt. I started to walk back towards the sewers.
I walked into the lair and was met with an angry look from Raph. He had his arms crossed and stood in a very parent-like matter. I was going to walk right past him when he held a hand out and pushed me back a little. I stopped right in front of him.
"Where have you been?" He asked. I frowned.
"What's it to you? I am allowed to go out if I want you have no say in it" I replied.
"Listen, there is a very high possibility that one of our enemies has found out about you, I just don't want to see you get into trouble and none of us would be there to save you."
"I don't need help. I can take care of myself; and besides I am already in some sort of trouble." Raph looked at me with a surprised look.
"What do you mean you're in trouble?" He asked. I pulled out the letter and handed it over to him. Raph took it and unwrapped it. I watched as his eyes read the words on the paper. His face became stern then a little horrified. He looked up at me when he finished. "Who gave you this?" He asked, waving the paper in my face. I glared at him.
"I don't know who he was; he was in some kind of suit that covered his entire body. He handed it to me at the docks. He seemed to know exactly who I was when he handed me that letter" I replied, angrily. Raph thrust his hand to his side and turned around.
"Go and get some sleep, I have to tell Splinter about what happened tonight and he'll talk with you in the morning" Raph said. I walked forward and right in front of him.
"You are not my mother," I snapped, poking him in the chest, "I have my own life to lead and you can't tell me what to do." Raph sneered and walked away. He walked towards a room I assumed was Splinter's. I stalked off to my room, ignoring what Michey was saying as I walked past. I walked to my bed and lay face down on it. I felt tears well up in my eyes, but I blinked them away. I felt my breathing become slow and even. I thought about what I should do. I then knew that I had to go, right then and there. I got off the bed and walked out of the room. I peered out of the hallway and looked to the kitchen. Michey and Donny were nowhere in sight. I darted forward and ran straight to the lair's entrance. I opened the door. A hand grabbed my arm and spun me around. I was staring right into the eyes of Raph.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.
"I have to go and I don't care what you say. I have to save him without you" I replied. Raph grabbed my arm and held on tightly.
"I don't care if he is in danger. You are not going. You are not prepared and don't know how you are dealing with nor do you know how to defend yourself" Raph snapped. I yanked my arm back.
"Don't tell me what to do. I am going now and you can't stop me" I said, icily. I turned around and walked through the entrance. I had nearly made it to the end of the end of the tunnel when someone grabbed me and flung me over their shoulder. I kicked and punched, trying to make whoever it was put me down. I was taken back to the lair. I received a few weird looks from Michey and Donny as I yelled and punched. I was taken to my room and tossed onto my bed. I looked up at Raph. He held a glare.
"You are going to stay here until you calm down" He said. He then turned and started to close the metal door that I didn't know existed in my room. I raced forward as the door closed. I didn't make it as the door slammed shut and locked. I hit the door with my fists and yelled.
"Let me out Raph. You can't hold me here. I have to save my brother" I yelled through the door, not sure whether anyone could hear me.
"I'm not letting you out. If you want to be released, calm down and think about what would happen if you were to go" Raph called back. I clenched my teeth and kicked the door, making a loud banging sound. I turned my back to the door and crossed my arms. I pouted a little before sliding down the door to the floor. I sat cross-legged and rested my back against the door. I bowed my head and tried to keep the anger that I had held on for so long back. I clenched my teeth and heard Raph's brothers speaking.
"Raph, what are you doing?" Donny asked.
"She is going to get herself killed, that's what. Read this" Raph replied.
"What!? Did she say where she got this?" Came Leo's voice.
"She said she got it at the docks from a full body suited man. She couldn't see his face." The turtles fell silent.
"Raph please let me out. I have to save him, he is all that I live for" I called out.
"Sorry kid, but I have to keep you safe. Splinter's orders" Raph called back. I put the back of my head to the door and looked at the ceiling.
"Raph, I know that it's Splinter's orders, but what if it was one of your brothers? I think you would do everything in your power to get them back. I was told by someone to keep my brother safe no matter the costs. Not long after I was told that, the person was murdered by men that had come to take us away" I confessed, as tears rolled down my face. The turtles seemed to be thinking it over.
"Who was this person?" Asked Leo. I took a deep breath before answering.
"My mother." I heard nothing come from behind the door. I figured that the turtles had left after hearing what I had said. I buried my face in my hands and doubled over. I remembered the words my mother had said to me that exact day.
Tristan, whatever you hear don't come back for me. Your only priority is to keep your brother safe. Don't let him go alone, he will just be taken and forced to do what others want and he will eventually be killed. Go find him now, I can hear them coming. Go, RUN!
The door opened up, but I refused to move. I heard someone kneel down beside me and felt a hand be placed gently on my shoulder.
"Tristan, I will find your brother and help return him back" said Raph's voice. I took my hands away and looked into his eyes.
"Please, let me come with you. I know my brother and where he would hide if he escaped" I replied. Raph shook his head.
"Sorry kid, but I have my orders to take care of you. I know how much it means to protect your brothers, but you have to stay safe for him" Raph replied. He stood up and I followed suit. "I'm going to leave the door open, but you have to stay in the lair where Splinter can take care of you" Raph continued. I looked down at the ground.
"Alright, but if no one is back before tomorrow morning I'm coming after you" I said. Raph smiled.
"That's the spirit, I'll have some friends come over and keep you company if you want."
"No, I'll be fine. Just give this to my brother if you find him" I said, taking off my necklace. It was a black chain with a symbol of a half moon on it. Raph took it and placed it in the sash around his middle. He turned and walked out of the room, leaving the door opened. I turned around and watched him leave the room. I walked to the entrance and peered out just in time to see him and his three brothers head to a large opening in the wall. The doors closed and a whirring noise started. I put my eyes down and wandered whether I should ignore Raph and go. I decided against it and wait for their safe return. I walked towards the couch and saw Splinter sitting down watching some show that seemed really dramatic. I sat beside him and vaguely watched the show. I glanced at Splinter. He seemed really interested in the drama. There were a few cups of tea on the small coffee table in front of the couch. I reached forward and grabbed a cup and sipped at it. The hot tea washed down my throat and hit the pit of my stomach. I continued to watch the dramatic show and actually found myself getting interested in it.
By the time morning came, the four turtles hadn't come back yet. I glanced at Splinter. He had fallen asleep on the couch at some point during the night. I stood up and walked towards the entrance. I glanced back before opening the entrance and walking out. I went to the surface and looked around, trying to locate where the channel 8 station. After getting my bearings I ran towards the station. I made it after roughly fifteen minutes. I still had a lot of breath after being on the streets for so long. I continued to walk until I reached the many old sheds behind it. I remembered the one my brother and I had always lived in and walked up to it. I pressed my hand to the old door and taking a breath, opened it. I stepped into the darkness lurking on the inside. I stopped right at the centre and lights flooded the building. I blinked and looked around. Inside it were many people wearing the same clothing as the man that gave me the letter. A clapping sounded and I looked to it. Standing before me was a man in a metal armoured suit.
"Welcome to the last place you will ever see. Your brother is right here and now you have a choice to either save him or save yourself" The armoured man said. He waved a hand and two of the suited men walked forward carrying a young man. He had light brown hair and brilliant green eyes, the same shade as mine. He had his hands tied behind his back. The two suited men threw him down to his knees and the young man looked up. I held a look of fear. It was my brother. I looked back to the armoured man with anger coursing through my body.
"How dare you bring him into this?" I asked, pointing to my brother. The armoured man walked over to me and looked right into my eyes. I felt my anger disappear and fear replace it.
"What do you chose? Do you wish to save your younger brother that hardly knows you, of do you wish to save yourself to live another day like you have been doing since leaving him at another's house?" He said. I looked to my brother.
"I...I chose to save him as I have done so many times in the past. Do what you will to me, leave him be" I replied, turning back. The armoured man flicked his hand again and one of the suited men untied my brother. My brother rubbed his wrists then looked at me like he didn't know who I was. The armoured man raised his arm and I saw that he had installed long spikes onto the area covering his knuckles. He thrust his hand forward and inserted his spikes in my stomach. I gasped as pain flooded through my wound. The armoured man then took back his hand and I doubled over landing on my knees, clutching my stomach. I heard silent drips and I looked down. I had blood gushing over my fingers and dripping onto the concrete ground. I looked back up to the armoured man and he looked to one of his suited men, which then handed him a sword. The armoured man then walked closer until he was right in front of me. He raised the sword above his head. I bowed my head and my hair slipped down over my shoulders. I clenched my body as I heard the sword come swinging down.