Silence. Darkness. The sewer burned her throat. A bag still over her head, she couldn't help but think it had been an insane start to her life in New York.

Suddenly the bag was whipped from her head and she squinted in the dim light to take in her surroundings. Sure, she was definitely in the sewer, but it seemed that someone had made a home down here. Complete with TV.

Hope realised that she was being watched and three figures stepped towards her. No, she wasn't dreaming. These were not men. Not real men. Creatures, green and scaly. Like mutants.

She stared, transfixed at the sight before her. The three surrounded her as she gawped.

"Uh… Are you-" She started.

"Turtles?" The one to her left said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah…" She trailed. She wasn't tied up, she noticed. Not a prisoner. Turtles? What was this? Some sort of crazy dream? She stood up from her seat and turned slowly taking in all the details of the turtle men enveloping her. She came face to face with one, the one who had stated their identity. He was indeed a turtle. Feature unmistakably that of the reptile, hard shell on his back, orange mask covering his face.

"I'm going to attack you now." He said softly and before Hope had a chance to think, he lunged at her. Hope instinctively blocked his punch and dove to the right. Then another one, wearing a blue mask, aimed a kick at her, again she blocked him with her arm and backed into the last turtle, donning a red mask. He came in to grab her and she dodged, landing back in the chair. Fear ripped through her, as the three edged inward toward her.

"Please, don't." She pleaded and shut her eyes tight, tears streaming down her cheeks. Waiting for pain, death, worse, she held her breath.

Then, laughter.

"She's perfect!"

Hope's eyes shot open and gazed at the sight of the three laughing turtles before her.

"Huh?"

"Sorry, we just had to see how you'd react." Said the blue masked turtle. He lent in and offered a three fingered hand. She nervously took it and he pulled her up.

"My name is Leonardo." She stared at him and slowly shook his outstretched hand.

"And these are my brothers: Raphael and Michelangelo."

The red masked turtle, Raphael gave her a curt nod.

The other, Michelangelo, threw himself towards her and pulled her into an embrace.

"Welcome to the family!"

"What… What… Family…"

"What's your name?" Asked Leonardo.

"I'm Hope."

"Well Hope, We have a lot to share with you."