Run! Run! The thoughts came quickly, and suddenly she was out their home and in the sewers. The girl was running as fast as she could, knowing the the rat would soon be after her. She suddenly skidded to a halt, finding a tiny little crack between two bricks and prying the wall apart, sliding it shut behind her and then running again. She jumped onto a vine covered wall, grabbing one and scaling it quickly, disappearing over the top, and still moving. The little alcove above had been created with time, but it was essential for criss crossing the sewers at a time like this.

The rocky floor gave way to a metal one, and the barefoot brunette slowed down to pad across the old metal pipes. The tubes had been put in a long time ago, but eventually forgotten in the depths of the sewer. The Shadow Girl didn't mind, it had become one of her routes to get around with. The sound of water reached her ears, and she shuddered. She was high up, and knew falling meant certain death. She paused at a precipice, and slowly sat down, feeling the cold metal underneath her. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, and then pushed herself over the edge.

A whoosh of air came flying at her as she fell down the slide, pushing her brown locks from her sweaty face. A smile tugged at her lips, whoever planned this sewer had to be crazy. The pipes curved, for whatever exact purpose was beyond her, creating a slide the Shadow Girl loved to ride. Momentum threw the girl off the slide, but she was ready, hopping to her feet without incident. She almost giggled, but kept her voice hidden.

The tunnels liked to echo.

She couldn't echo...He would find her...

When you live your life in the sewers, you get used to darkness. You learn to trust every other sense you have, touch, sound, smell, and you use it to your advantage. The Shadow Girl didn't need her eyes to know where she was going. She hopped over a fallen pipe, took a right, and found herself in an another alcove. She felt along the wall, found the old light switch, and turned it on. Her little home flickered into being.

It wasn't as elaborate as the Turtles', it was more homely. There was a couch and a bed, a table, a little bookshelf with a few volumes on its shelves, and some odds and ends the girl had used to decorate her home with. She didn't need much more, this was enough for her. The Shadow Girl moved again, quickly collapsing on her bed.

He saw me...He saw me...

The thoughts swirled quickly, panicked, unnerved. What would happen to her if she was found? Would she be forced back to the surface? Would he hurt her? She did know their secrets, she had been spying on them for years. She hadn't meant to meet them, she spotted them on a scavenger run. They were so different, she couldn't help herself, she had followed them home. Ever since then, she had been watching them. It was weird, ninjas being spied on by some girl, but she watched. They never saw her, she was always hidden.

She had created escape hatches throughout their lair, ways to slip in and out unnoticed. She had built many, she could get into almost every area of their home if she wanted. Sometimes, they would have something she needed to survive, and she'd take it. The guilt always plagued her, and in return she did something nice for them. She worried they would figure it out, that someone else was down here, but they really were total idiots. Even the smart one...

How could someone live down here? It was unthinkable to them, that someone "normal" could reside in the darkness below the city. That someone with a choice would choose to live in the confusing, multi-layered, complex system that made up New York City's Sewer System. The Shadow Girl took a deep breath, calming herself. She would have to go back, she would have to know if Master Splinter had told his sons, if they were going to set a trap for her...She knew each of the brothers, and their father, and she dreaded what would happen if they actually caught her. But she had to go back...

~(0)~

Night came and went, the sun rose high above New York City and eventually was hidden by skyscrapers. Below that, a wide, blue eyed girl stood in front of one of her trap doors. Carefully, she unlocked it, pushing it open and pulling herself up. It was a floor door, one she had carved so she would be stepping into the turtles' home, not dropping into it. She carefully pulled herself into the room. This was one of her safest ways in and out, she had built it in a storage closet. Listening carefully, the Shadow Girl opened the closest door to an empty room.

Silence.

No one jumped out at her, no one attacked her, there was simply silence. The smoke of incense was drifting up, but Master Splinter himself was no where in sight. Cautiously, the girl moved to the kitchen where a piece of paper had been left on the table. She knew it was meant for her, who else could it possibly be for?

Child,

I know not why you choose to come and go into my sons and I's lives without ever a proper introduction. I thank you for everything you have done for us over the years, I know it must be you who does the kind deeds. I wish to make your acquaintance, I mean you no harm. Please take what you need, and come when you feel ready. I am not your enemy, I wish you no ill will. I will be waiting.

Sincerely,
Master Splinter

The girl's mind went blank. He wanted to meet her? Why? The Shadow Girl didn't know what to do, and did the only thing she could do.

She disappeared.