Ok so I wasn't sure when I was going to have time to write this chapter so I had planned for the end of the week, just to be safe. But as it turns out - I was wide awake last night and found this to be a good time to at least get the chapter started. But once again it took on a life of its own and I had it finished before I knew it. So wonderful! Hooray! And Yippee. I'm going to do some editing on the epilogue, make sure it is tweaked just the way I like it and I will post that for sure by the end of the week. Warning for this chapter. This story is rated M for a reason. As I've said before when I first started this story - it is darker than a lot of the other things I've written. You've been warned. That being said - enjoy.
Chapter 25
The next week and half was chaotic for Elizabeth. After being released from the hospital her time was consumed with running back and forth to the hospital with April or Casey to visit Akemi, and at nights getting her fill of Raphael when he wasn't out on patrol with his brothers. The turtles often beat Elizabeth to April and Casey's place because Elizabeth often stayed so late at the hospital trying to get her fill of her daughter. The happiest moment she could ever remember was when she'd been able to hold Akemi for the first time.
Akemi's little body had been so warm in her arms, her bright blue eyes looking up at Elizabeth with total trust and love and her tiny little fingers had wrapped around one of Elizabeth's and she hadn't been able to hold back the tears of joy as they'd fallen onto her daughter's blanket.
April and Casey had been most helpful, driving her to and from the hospital, never getting impatient as the long hours passed and Elizabeth never seemed to tire of being there as long as her daughter was close by. Her ductus had closed, much to the relief of April, Casey, Elizabeth, and the doctors. And except for a case of jaundice Akemi had had no major problems since. In fact as the days had passed, Akemi's doctors had informed Elizabeth that if all kept progressing as it was she would be able to take Akemi home in a few days. Elizabeth had been thrilled.
Raphael and his brothers had brought the crib and some of the things that April had bought for Akemi up to April's apartment. April and Casey had set up the guest room for her and the brother's had put the crib in there, Donatello had even had time to make her a changing table, this too had carved wolves in the polished wood, but these had been painted delicately, their grays and black, shadowed so perfectly one would've thought it was a picture instead of a mere painting. Mikey had been embarrassed when Elizabeth had hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek. Raph had frowned a little, but had cheered up when she hugged him as well, longer and tighter and kissed him on the lips with such passion that his brothers had had to look away, uncomfortable with such a display.
All of the turtles had loved looking at the pictures of Akemi that April had taken at the hospital and brought home for them to see. Pictures of Akemi in the nursery, of Elizabeth holding her for the first time, Elizabeth feeding her a bottle, Casey and April each taking a turn holding her while Elizabeth took the pictures. Raphael had pulled April aside one night and asked to get a copy of the picture of Elizabeth holding Akemi for the first time.
He just hadn't been able to get over the expression on Elizabeth's face, and always wanted to remember that moment. The way her cheeks had been pink, her eyes alight with excitement, the way her lips had been turned up in joy, and the single tear that had been spilling down her cheek as Akemi's fingers had wrapped around her own. Raphael had never seen her look more beautiful than she did in that picture.
And then, at long last. Almost two weeks after Akemi was born, Elizabeth was allowed to take her daughter home. The turtles, and April and Casey had discussed the living arrangements for the next few weeks while Elizabeth continued to take Akemi in for regular visits to her pediatrician and Akemi continued to build up a strong immune system. By mutual agreement it was decided that Elizabeth would stay with April and Casey until Akemi's health permitted her to return to the lair with the turtles, which would probably take a few more weeks. It was also decided that after nightly patrols one of the turtles would always keep watch over the apartment in case Graham or someone else found out where Elizabeth was staying. April and Casey didn't protest this, for they knew that the turtles weren't going to take no for an answer. And Elizabeth, while at first having been upset over the notion that one of the turtles would always be outside despite the weather changes and the dangers that Graham's men had proven to be in the past, she too had reluctantly given way to the turtles' wishes. The turtles had agreed to trade off days so it wasn't always one brother out every night. Raphael had volunteered for the first night's watch, which his brothers had given him knowing that he had been there the most for Elizabeth during her pregnancy. Michelangelo had called dibs on the second night before Leonardo could assign or claim the night himself. He was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet in his excitement. Leonardo had taken the third night, which left Donatello to take the fourth. Everyone had seemed satisfied with this arrangement.
Overwhelmed with her feelings of nervous excitement Elizabeth packed Akemi into her car seat and followed April and Casey out to their aged old van, piling into the backseat and strapping Akemi into the seat next to her. No one took notice of the taxi that was sitting behind them. There were taxis all over the city. April smiled over the seat as Akemi gurgled happily in her car seat and Casey started up the van and pulled out into traffic.
David Sanderson watched from the backseat of the taxi cab he had engaged for the day, having already paid the driver at least three times more than he would make on a normal fare, he knew the driver wouldn't get impatient or start asking stupid questions because he'd offered to double that amount if the driver would do exactly what he wanted without question. The driver, a rather heavy set man, who didn't seem to mind at all sitting outside the hospital while he stuffed cream cakes into his rather large mouth, had been quite cooperative, much to David's satisfaction. After the informant Jacob Bloomingsfield had indeed confirmed that it was Elizabeth at the hospital, David had been assigned to watch and see where it was she was hiding and to report back to Graham with the address. Not that Graham hadn't already hacked into the hospital's records and found the address Elizabeth had given, but he hadn't been stupid enough to believe she would actually be so willing to give up the place she'd been able to disappear to for the last seven and a half months. Graham was not blind, you did not give up your one advantage when dealing with a dangerous opponent, and he knew Elizabeth well enough to know she was smarter than that. And so he had informed David that he was to see who she was with, and where she was staying, by following her in a cab. A company car would be all too recognizable to Elizabeth, but who would suspect a taxi? Taxis were all over the city, and no one would even suspect that a taxi was following Elizabeth back home.
And David had willingly given into Graham's requests when told just how much he would make with this one assignment. It was more than most people would make in a few years of work. It was enough for David to be able to retire from the company and move out of the city with his wife Amelia, who was struggling with her health thanks to the smog and dirt of the city. They'd considered moving to the country for a few years now, but had never been able to afford it. David had always been bounced around from job to job, position to position, none of them much better than the last. But then he'd been taken on by Graham Cooper as a personal informant and the pay, while just topping that of his last job had been secure. Graham hadn't always been the easiest man to work for, and in fact David had despised doing some of the things he'd had to do for the man. But with Amelia's health steadily declining, he had kept the job for the wonderful health benefits that had come with it. And now after several years of hard work, David had hit the jackpot. He couldn't wait to inform his wife Amelia that now they could afford that little cottage they'd fallen in love with in Connecticut.
"Follow the van driver," David said coolly as the van pulled away from the curb. The pudgy driver, picked up his gigantic soda, sipped it, nodded once to him in the rear view mirror, and shifted the taxi into gear. David drummed his fingers impatiently on his knees. Memorizing the van's license plate number in case this incompetent fool lost them. He could at least look up where the van was registered and walk by the place casually later and see if the van was actually there. If it was he would know that he had found where Elizabeth was hiding.
As it was, the cab driver, seeming intent to put a few more hostess cupcakes in his gullet actually kept pace with the van. Casually staying as close as he could without seeming suspicious. Not always changing lanes when the van changed lanes, and letting a few cars come between them. If the van suspected anything, they didn't show it.
David was pleased with the driver's appearing casual approach in following the van. And as promised the driver asked no questions. When the van turned right, the cab driver followed. The van drove a few more blocks and then turned into an alley. The cab driver never broke pace with the traffic. But Graham's eyes were fixed on the van as the passengers, including Elizabeth piled out. "Slow down, driver," he snapped. The cab driver obediently slowed, but not enough for the unsuspecting passengers of the white van to notice. David, already having a pen and pad of paper ready scribbled down the address as the three people, and the new baby walked into the old antique store and the apartment above it. He smirked. "Drive on, driver."
The driver obediently hit the gas again and David relaxed against the seat, pleased with himself as he pulled out his phone. "I have the address, sir. I'm on my way to give it to you." He smiled again at the answer on the other end. He snapped the phone shut, pulled out a large wad of bills and handed them to the driver. "Cooper Enterprises, driver. And step on it."
Elizabeth should have known that they would have a welcome party waiting for them. The turtles had come up through the basement entrance and were waiting anxiously for their return.
"Can I hold her? Can I hold her?" Mikey asked dancing around as if he had ants in his shell. He was beaming from ear to ear and his eyes were sparking in anticipation.
Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh at the orange-banded turtle's enthusiasm. "Of course, Mikey." She set the car seat down on the low coffee table and pushed back the top, revealing the little passenger inside.
Akemi blinked up at her strange visitors. The turtles all crowded in around to see her in person for the first time. She had dark brown curls that were half hidden under the cap she wore. Her tiny little hands hidden in the sock like gloves and her feet as well were booted to keep them warm. Elizabeth had dressed her in one of the outfits April had bought for her. A little onesie, white with blue splotches, and a little turtle on the bottom. April had found it online and couldn't resist. Elizabeth had thought it appropriate for Akemi's first introduction to the turtles.
"Come on, sweet heart," Elizabeth cooed as she lifted the baby from the car seat. "There are some people here who want to meet you."
Mikey, still bouncing in his excitement beamed as Akemi looked at him.
Elizabeth looked at Mikey and smiled. "Go sit down on the couch, Mikey, and I'll hand her to you."
Mikey did as he was instructed, sitting down and waiting anxiously on the couch as Elizabeth carried the baby to him and gently placed Akemi in his arms. Mikey's face lit up. It was as if he'd never seen a baby before. And, Elizabeth thought, he probably hasn't. At least not this close up.
"How come she has socks on her hands?" Mikey asked, looking away from Akemi and expectantly at Elizabeth.
"To keep her hands warm – and to protect her from her fingernails. She's too little to know that fingernails can scratch."
"She's so tiny." Mikey said as he held her carefully. He gently ran the back of his finger down Akemi's cheek, touching her soft skin.
Elizabeth laughed a little. "She'll get bigger. She's a good eater for being so small. That's one of the reasons the doctors let her come home so fast."
Akemi blinked up at Michelangelo, her blue eyes locked on his face as if not quite sure what to make of him.
"Hey, Akemi, I'm Mikey. And I'm going to teach you how to do all kinds of things. Like how to do cool tricks on a skateboard, and how to beat the tops scores in video games, and how to like comic books and I'll even let you play with my action figures – as long as you're careful with them."
Elizabeth grinned as Michelangelo's brothers shook their heads in disgust. But Elizabeth was pleased that Mikey seemed so enthusiastic about spending time with Akemi, even if she wouldn't be up to doing any of those things for a very long time.
Mikey looked up. "Someone else want to hold her?" He grinned, and Elizabeth wondered if maybe he was hiding something behind that grin. He looked at his blue-banded brother. "Come on, Leo – you want to hold her."
Leonardo hesitated.
Raphael punched his brother on the shoulder. "Come on, Leo. Ya ain't gonna break 'er like ya do da microwave."
Leonardo's face darkened in his embarrassment but finally he nodded. Elizabeth took Akemi from Mikey and handed him to Leonardo. Leonardo's hold was much stiffer at first, as if afraid she would suddenly explode right there in his arms. Elizabeth had to fight to keep the grin off her face. It was obvious that Leonardo wasn't at all sure what to do with something so small and what he perceived to be breakable. But after a few minutes he visibly relaxed, even as Akemi began to kick her legs up and down inside the blanket she was swaddled in.
Mikey snickered and watched his brother.
"She's really… " Leo suddenly frowned and sniffed. "Uh, Elizabeth? I think she needs a diaper change."
Mikey busted into guffaws of laughter and Elizabeth chuckled and took Akemi from Leonardo. She carried her daughter into the guest room to change her diaper.
"Man you should've seen the look on your face, Leo!" Mikey crowed.
Raph smacked his brother on the back of the head. "Chuckle head."
After a few minutes Elizabeth returned and Raph and Don each took a turn holding Akemi, but Leo didn't seem too eager to hold her again so soon. Elizabeth had to fight the smile at the way Leo shifted uncomfortably with his brother's teasing with Akemi being so immediately comfortable with him she was able to go to the bathroom minutes after he picked her up. Elizabeth knew it wouldn't have mattered who was holding her. Akemi had to go - so she'd gone. Elizabeth had the feeling that she'd started to go when Mikey had asked Leo if wanted to hold her, and from the grin on Mikey's face he'd known it. Akemi began to fuss and Elizabeth walked into the kitchenette to fix her a bottle.
As Akemi sucked greedily on the rubber nipple Elizabeth saw the brothers talking in a hushed conversation, then Raph broke away and came over to her. "We're headin' out fer a few hours. Gonna patrol fer a while den I'll be back."
Elizabeth nodded her understanding. "We'll see you later then."
Raph smirked and kissed her quickly. There was a chorus of goodbyes from the others and they were gone, slipping out through the side window, and closing it behind them.
Over the next few days Elizabeth had fallen into the routine of feedings and diaper changes that came with being a mother. She found that sleep eluded her most nights, especially when Akemi was fussy and she worried that she and Akemi were disrupting April and Casey as well, though they both reassured her that with midnight calls from the guys and when sometimes all nighters were necessary because of their relationship with the turtles that they weren't at all disturbed by Akemi's crying. April had even volunteered to help with the night time feedings, and Elizabeth had gratefully accepted, desperate to get just another couple hours of sleep.
As promised the turtles took turns watching the apartment after their nightly patrols. Showing up somewhere between eleven and one. Sometimes they'd stop in briefly, and other times they wouldn't. Raph and Mikey both seemed to be the ones anxious to come in and say hello. Raph for Elizabeth and Mikey for Akemi. Leo had taken a very formal approaching, stopping at the window to let Elizabeth know he'd arrived and then staying on the roof and watching the apartment from above. Don had only come in the apartment for a few cups of coffee, he looked rather tired as if he'd been spending the past few nights working late in his lab, and like Leo he stayed on the roof. Elizabeth had a feeling he was pacing around up there to keep himself awake.
It was getting close to ten o'clock when April knocked on the guest bedroom door. Elizabeth looked up from the book she'd been reading. Akemi was asleep in her crib and Elizabeth was taking advantage of the situation to start the new book April had given her. She wasn't tired thanks to April watching Akemi this afternoon so she'd been able to grab a nap.
April smiled at her as she stuck her head inside the room. "Casey and I were thinking about going out and getting a rental movie and some take out. You want anything?"
"Where you heading?" Elizabeth asked as she set the book down on her lap, using her finger to mark her place.
"There's a pizza place a few blocks away, close to the video store. Or there's a Chinese place a block down from that."
"Either is fine with me," Elizabeth said with a shrug. "I'll eat anything."
April suddenly seemed uncertain. "You want to come with us so you aren't alone? Raph isn't here yet."
Elizabeth shook her head. "Don't be silly, April. Raph's already called – he and the others will be finishing their patrol in half an hour and Akemi's asleep. It'd wake her if I got her now – and she's been really cranky the last couple nights. I'd prefer to just let her sleep. I'll be fine for half an hour."
April smiled, reassured by this. "Ok, Elizabeth. We'll be back soon." She closed the door and a few minutes later. Elizabeth heard the apartment door close and lock as April and Casey left. She yawned and stretched again, then slid her legs off the edge of the bed and stood up, walking over to the crib and staring down at Akemi, who was sleeping peacefully, her hands up by her face, balled up into loose fists.
Elizabeth walked out of the bedroom deciding that maybe she'd fix herself a cup of tea. She liked reading a good book with a cup of something warm to drink, it always made it feel more homey somehow. She walked into the living room, but frowned when she heard the knob to the apartment door twist and the lock rattle a little. Had April forgotten something? The deadbolt slowly twisted and the door opened. But it wasn't April or Casey that entered the apartment. It wasn't even Raphael. It was the man she feared the most. Graham had found her.
Before Elizabeth could take two steps towards the phone, rough hands were on her, throwing her to the floor, wrapping around her neck choking the life out of her. She felt a sharp blow to her stomach and another to her face.
"You thought you could hide from me! That I wouldn't find you! You thought wrong!"
Elizabeth kicked out, catching Graham in the gut and he gasped releasing his hold for a brief moment she squirmed away, running for the bedroom and snatching Akemi out of the crib. She slid the window open and spotted the fire escape. If she could just get to it…
A hand caught her long dark hair and she was flung backwards, away from the window.
Akemi began to scream.
"No!" Elizabeth scrambled to get to her feet but once again found her hair caught in a tight hold and her head banged into the wall, leaving a smear of blood by the light switch. She kicked out again, catching Graham once again by surprise. He growled and his blow caught her in the middle of her face. She fell to the floor and crawled towards the screaming baby, but a blow to her stomach had her retching and the blood flowing into her eyes was blurring her vision.
Graham reached for the baby, scowling at the tiny newborn. "Is this that creature's? Have you soiled yourself so completely, Lizzy?"
Elizabeth launched herself at Graham, ignoring her injuries. "LET HER GO! LET HER GO!" She beat on Graham with her fists, every part of him she could reach. A blow to the temple and kick to the gut sent her sprawling to the floor again. She could hear Akemi's screams through the ringing in her ears and forced herself to get up again. Desperate to save her baby. It didn't matter what happened to her. She grabbed at the bundle of blankets and Akemi's screams intensified.
Elizabeth felt blow after blow but she refused to release the blankets that held her precious daughter within them. A kick to the stomach so hard it sent her flying into a side table, knocking it over and smashing the lamp on it left Elizabeth winded. She couldn't hear Akemi crying anymore. She blinked the blood from her eyes and watched as Graham carelessly tossed the bundle of blankets roughly to the ground. It thumped with such finality, and yet Akemi didn't cry.
"NO!" Elizabeth ran for her daughter but Graham caught her by the throat, choking the life out of her.
"I gave you everything, Lizzy. All I ever asked was for you."
Elizabeth gasped as Graham's face got closer to her own. She could smell the whiskey on his breath, and she could feel her body bucking, her eyes bulging as her lungs screamed for the air they were unable to get.
"We'll see you in the morning, Raph." Leo said as the brothers stopped a few blocks away from April's apartment. "Remember if you see anything… "
"Yeah, yeah, Leo, I know da drill." Raph grumbled waving his brother off. "I'll call if someting looks off." He shook his head and started the run for April's apartment alone while his brothers slid down the fire escape and into the manhole cover below.
Raph felt as if he could run forever. There was nothing more refreshing or more energizing than jumping from roof to roof in the city. It was just so invigorating. He grinned as he spotted April's apartment and leapt lightly onto the roof, climbing down the fire escape to the top level where April's apartment was. He frowned when he reached the window. It was dark in there. He tried the window but found it locked. Frowning deeper he knocked but was again surprised when there was no answer. Had everyone already gone to bed? He knew Elizabeth was more tired than usual these days, but usually she'd wait for him to at least say hello before going to bed, and she'd known that he was on his way. And where were April and Casey?
Something sent tingles running up and down his back. He pulled out his sai and went to the next window, finding that one unlatched he pushed it open and slipped inside. A darkness seemed to hang about the apartment tonight, a darkness hidden by the shadows that flooded the apartment. His sense of unease built.
"'Lizbeth?"
He frowned when he got no answer. Had she gone out somewhere with April and Casey? But why wouldn't they leave any lights on for him?
Raph's eyes narrowed as he let his eyes adjust to the black apartment. Using the wall and his memory as a guide he followed it in the direction of the light switch. It smelled funny. Kind of coppery – or rusty. Was Casey working on his bike in the apartment? April rarely let him do that – but he hadn't been complaining of any problems with his bike lately.
He stepped in something sticky and warm. Ugh. He fumbled around on the wall until his fingers found the switch. He flipped it up and it flooded the apartment with light revealing the horror that it had been hiding until now.
"'LIZBETH!"
Raphael rushed over to the limp figure of Elizabeth. Her face was pale her lips blue and swollen, dark bruises in the shapes of hand prints had already covered her swollen neck. Blood had pooled beneath her, and to Raph's horror he saw it had been her blood he'd stepped in. He'd left several bloody footprints as he'd made his way over to the wall to turn on the light.
In a split second Raph's phone was in his hands and up to his ear. "DONNY!" He didn't have to explain further the sheer panic and the way his voice cracked was enough to make Don understand that something had happened.
Raph didn't hear his brother's answer. His phone had dropped from his numb fingers as he'd pressed his fingers desperately against Elizabeth's swollen neck, hoping for a pulse. Her skin was cool underneath his fingers and her head turned slightly from the pressure he was putting on her neck.
Raph couldn't breathe properly. Couldn't think. Couldn't move.
"RAPHAEL!"
"Raph?"
"Raphie? What's the big… RAPH!" Mikey's joking tone disappeared fast and his usually bouncing mannerisms vanished.
Leonardo rushed across the room, pulling Raph off Elizabeth's body. Donatello knelt down next to her, pushing his fingers against her neck. Leo could see from Don's grim expression that things were bad. If the pool of blood wasn't a good indicator, her pale complexion and blue swollen lips were. He could feel Raph's muscles trembling under his hands and gripped them tighter.
Leo saw from the corner of his eye Mikey picking up the small bundle of blankets. He saw the baby's head dip back crazily and swallowed hard. Her neck was obviously broken. Akemi was gone. Mikey's mask was wet with tears as he held the broken body to him.
Leo looked around the small apartment. Whatever had gone down here had obviously been a violent struggle. There was blood on several of the walls, blood on the floor, a smashed lamp and overturned side table. Leo had no doubt on who had done this – but how had Graham found her? And gotten past Don's extra security measures?
Don sat back on his heels then slowly got up, he turned to look at his brothers with empty eyes. "Raph… " his brother's name sounded empty, quiet. Don's face pained.
"NO!" Raph growled he pushed Leo off him and dove for the window.
"RAPH! DON'T!" Leo called, but Raph was gone. Leo growled and turned back to his other brothers. "Stay here! Wait for April and Casey! I'm going to make sure he doesn't get himself killed! Have April and Casey call the police – then get out of here!"
"Ok, Leo." Don said quietly.
Leo's eyes snapped to Mikey for a brief moment before he too dove out of the window and ran after his brother who was already far ahead.
Graham turned on the sink in his personal bathroom, washing the dried blood off his hands. The water turned pink, swirling almost lazily down the drain, washing the last bits of Elizabeth from his life. He pulled the wedding band off his finger and flushed it down the commode.
He glared at his reflection in the mirror. He had a black eye forming and a split lip. Those were going to be hard to explain away - unless he told them he'd been mugged. Yes that would work. The other bruises would be easier to hide. Elizabeth's hits hadn't been strong enough to do any real damage, and the bruises would fade in a few days.
He smirked. How pathetic. Putting up such a fight to save a freak's offspring. If he hadn't known better he would've thought the thing was actually all human. There was no trace of mutant in the baby. But Graham hadn't taken any chances. He'd felt the baby's neck snap like a chicken bone before he dropped the disgusting thing onto the floor and finished Elizabeth off. He'd made sure there was no breath of life in her when he'd left the apartment.
She'd been careless, she'd never really cared for him, and she'd assumed she'd be safe with those people, whoever they were. Graham had been patiently waiting them out, hoping to catch Elizabeth alone, and tonight he'd been lucky. He would be eternally grateful to David for informing him of his late wife's whereabouts and he'd already paid the man handsomely for it. Too bad David had quit after receiving the money, claiming his ailing wife had had her heart set on moving to the country and now they finally had enough to do it. Graham was sorry to see him go. He'd been a good employee, but he was replaceable. They always were.
Graham took off his bloodstained jacket and ruined shirt. He'd have to destroy them when he got home. Taking them to a dry cleaner would bring up suspicious questions and Graham had no time for such nonsense. Besides, like his employees and his late wife – they were replaceable.
The slightest whisper of wind gave away the arrival of his late wife's defender. The father of the spawn no doubt. Graham turned and grinned at the angry, crouched mutant turtle. Twin fork like weapons in his hands.
"And to what do I owe this great honor?" Graham asked as he reached for the bottle of whiskey on his desk. "Come for a social call have we? I'd offer you a drink – but from the looks of things you aren't here for pleasantries."
Raph growled, his hands clenching the handles of his sais tighter. "Ya killed 'er!"
Graham looked thoughtful for a minute, as if pondering this bit of information for the first time. "True, but you had to realize it was inevitable. I would have found her sooner or later. She got careless, sloppy. Neither of which help anyone survive in this city."
Raph launched himself at Graham and Graham ducked, flinging the whiskey bottle at Raphael. Raph turned and the bottle shattered harmlessly off his shell. He whipped his sai around catching Graham on the cheek with the end of the of his sai. Blood spilled down Graham's cheek. Graham frowned and touched it, he seemed surprised by the blood as if he'd been convinced he couldn't bleed at all. Raph launched himself again, and once again Graham ducked, catching Raph in the stomach with a sharp kick. Raph barely felt it. He landed, spun and launched himself again. This time catching Graham around the middle and knocking him clean off his feet.
Graham laughed as Raph raised his sai. "Do you think killing me is going to bring her back?"
Raph growled angrily, pressing the tip of the longest blade of his sai to the man's throat, watching as blood began to trickle down onto the carpet.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't!" Raph growled through bared teeth.
Graham laughed, as if he found this situation the funniest thing he'd ever been in. It made Raph's blood boil. The tip of the blade pressed deeper into his neck.
"RAPHAEL!"
Raph didn't even bother to look up as Leo's voice rang throughout the room. All he could see was Elizabeth's lifeless body, thrown carelessly on the floor, and now the scum who had killed her was laying here, laughing about it as if it were all a big joke.
Leo rushed to his brother, wrapping his arm around his brother's bicep and jerking it up and away from the man's throat. The blade ripped through flesh and more blood spilled but it was nothing fatal. "Raphael!"
"Get off me!" Raph tried to jerk his arm way but Leo held fast.
"Raphael, this is not the answer! His death will solve NOTHING!"
"I ain't gonna let 'im 'urt no one else! We shoulda done dis a long time ago. 'Lizbeth would still be alive if we 'ad!"
Graham laughed harder at this.
Leonardo growled and with a swift move the man was unconscious. Leo turned his attention back to his brother. "Raph, Elizabeth wouldn't want you to do this! She wouldn't want you to lower yourself this way!"
Leo watched as something inside his brother seemed to break. Raph jerked his arm out of his brother's hold and walked back towards the window. Leo sighed and rolled Graham to his side, tying his hands behind his back. He looked up at the sound of the sirens blaring from outside and knew that April had told the cops where to find Elizabeth's killer. He walked quietly over to his brother and touched his shoulder gently. Raph shrugged it off, his hands still clenched on the handles of his sai, but his mask was damp with tears.
"Come on, Raph, we have to get out of here before we're spotted." Leo said quietly.
Raph didn't say a word but disappeared out of the window, with Leo ghosting him. They watched from the rooftop as the cops stormed the building and a few short minutes later Graham, handcuffed and looking rather bruised was pushed into a cop car, the sirens blared again and then they were gone. Raph said nothing as he walked slowly away from his brother. Leo let him go. He knew Raph wouldn't be coming home tonight. His brother needed to be alone so he could grieve in peace.
A/N Continued: Now before I get tons and tons of hate mail and death threats sent to me. This was a really hard chapter for me - I didn't enjoy doing what I did in this chapter, so please don't think I did but this was the chapter I've been building up to. This was the way I'd always intended for the story to sway. I had never intended for it to end any other way. And I will explain why when I post the epilogue.