Chapter 4

I awoke to the buzz of voices in the kitchen, the sizzling of food in a frying pan, the sporadic cry of slight discomfort when someone was punched lightly, playfully. Keeping my eyes closed, I snuggled a little further into the cave that were my blankets, soft and warm and safe. Mum and Dad would wake me up when breakfast was ready. Maybe Theo didn't screw up the bacon this time, hopefully. And Leon would probably want to tell us every little detail about his upcoming soccer match, from his position to that one thing the coach told them to pay attention to. Maybe I'd go watch this game. It'd been a long time since I'd done that. Mm, Mum would probably want to join me. Have some mother-daughter time, that would be nice.
"Mikey!"
"What? I didn't do anything!"
"You completely ruined the eggs!"
"No, see, they only look black but I'm telling you, they'll taste-"
"OK, well, then you eat them!"
"What, really? You're giving it all to me? I thought we were making Dana breakfast!"
"Aagh!" Followed by the sound of a foot connecting with wood. Probably the table leg. Poor thing.
"Whoawhoawhoa!" I gasped and shot up, eyes wide open. "What the-"
Two figures, one with a spatula in his hand threateningly raised, with their backs towards me. Which were shells. Attached to green arms and legs and heads. Which were now looking at me in a very unsettling manner. Why are they looking at me like I'm the weird one?
Suddenly, my brains made the connection and it all come flooding back to me.
"Dana? You alright?" A voice, coming from my left. I turned my head, and found dark-blue eyes watching me intently.
"Leo!" I blinked. "Yeah, I'm fine, I just, er-"
"Yeah, you woke up in a weird place," he said, touching my shoulder. "Are you OK now?"
I took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm OK. Sorry about that."
He raised an eyebrow. "What, for being confused when you woke up in the sewers surrounded by turtle mutants?"
"When you put it like that, it doesn't sound weird. Or rude, which is what I was apologising for."
"Don't worry about it, April and Casey had the same reaction," Leo said, face bright. "Did you sleep well?"
I blinked again, taken aback. "Uh, yeah, great, actually. Thanks."
"Hmm?"
"For asking."
He laughed. "No problem. Ready for breakfast?"
"That depends. Was Mikey in charge of everything?"
That put a thoughtful look on his face. "That's a really valid question, you know. You're learning the rules around here."
My eyes widened in realisation. "Shit! What time is it? I have school today!" I scanned the walls for a window, to get a look outside and at the sun. Right, no windows down here.
Now it was Leo's turn to stare at me.
"You know, that thing where people go to get an education so they don't end up on the streets later on in life? With teachers and books and lockers and a lot of shitty people who do nothing but gossip about you?"
He held his hands up in defence. "Yeah, yeah, I know, I just-"
I sighed. "No, never mind, I'm not a morning person. Sorry for snapping."
He laughed softly. "It's OK. Grew up with these idiots, remember?"
"Fair enough."
An amicable silence settled between us, and I found myself wondering how Leo would do in high school. He would either be really popular, getting along with everyone, or be one of those guys who never got the chance to open up to anyone and got labelled as the weirdo of the school. What about the rest? People would definitely love Mikey - cheerleader, brainiac, geek, it wouldn't matter. His would without a doubt be the place where all the parties would be held and where everyone would get along, no matter the differences. Until they'd leave that place, and the students would form their familiar groups again. I frowned. The world would be so much better if everyone was like Mikey, I think.
Donnie would be that much-admired nerd who got such high grades no-one dared approach him for any social events except for doing homework together. Good thing the rest would be there, always dragging him along with them - same went for Raph, his temper was guaranteed to keep most people at a distance, except for a close few. Though he'd probably prefer it that way.
I just couldn't imagine it, four turtles - ninjas, even - casually walking around in the hallway of my high school. Taking books out of their lockers, chatting with friends, complaining about the stupid tests or a particularly nasty teacher that had just been hired. And they'd excel at PE, of course, and they'd probably kick every bully's ass so hard they'd have to crawl back home.
Leo tapped on my shoulder. "Uh, Dana? School?"
"Ah, damnit! Yeah, what time is it?"
"8 AM."
"Fuck, I have to be at school in like an hour. And it's like half an hour travelling, and that implies being able to walk properly."
Meanwhile, Leo had carried me towards the table, allowing me to take the last few steps myself. The smell of bacon - not burnt to a crisp - wafted up to my nose, making my stomach growl in hunger.
Leo, Donnie and Mikey seated themselves at the table.
"Can't you just call in sick?" Donnie said, dishing up bread, bacon, and part of the eggs that he managed to save.
"Well, I could, except that they'll call my aunt and then I'll have my plate full of trouble when I get home."
"Hmm." Donnie tapped the spatula against his chin. "Can't one of us call you in sick? Or does it have to be your aunt?"
"Yeah!" Mikey piped up, "I could so pretend to be your brother! Or," he suddenly lowered his voice, "I could be your Dad!"
Leo punched him in the head. "Not cool, Mikey." The youngest sibling just gave his brother a blank look, then suddenly became really small, shoulders drawn up in guilt.
"Sorry, Dana," he whispered. "I didn't-"
"It's OK," I said, then patted him on the head. "You didn't mean to, I know. Besides," I added, "I'm way too fascinated by how fast your mood changes."
"My moods do not swing! Mood-swings are for old ladies, who can't decide-"
My laughter was shared by Donnie and Leo.
"What's so funny?" Raph announced his arrival, dragging himself into the kitchen. "And what's that smell?"
"Mikey ruined the eggs."
"Again?"
"Hey!"
As they quickly erupted in a heated discussion, I threw Leo a glance. "Is he always this cranky in the morning?" I whispered, though there really was no need with the others shouting at each other.
"Nah, just when he's had a short night."
"Hmm?"
Leo hid a yawn behind his hand. I'm barely startled by the fact that it's green and has three-fingers. You really can adapt to anything. Just didn't expect it to happen so fast. "We took turns."
That just earned him a quizzical look from my side.
"Watching you, I mean. Or rather," another yawn interrupted him, "sitting on the couch next to you."
I looked at him in disbelief. "You did that all night?"
The blue-masked turtle shrugged. "Yeah, of course."
I leapt at him from my seat and wrapped my arms around him, a lump in my throat preventing any words from leaving my lips. I didn't care about the awkward position I put my ankle in, half-suspended in the air. Then I swung around towards Raph, and threw my arms around him, too, his expression funnily frozen when I interrupted his rant on Mikey.
And since I was on it anyway, I gave Donnie and Mikey a hug as well.
Have I always been this touchy?
Some hugs were a little more hesitant than others, some a little more awkward but nevertheless, they each returned my embrace, never saying a word, just tightening their grip for a moment before loosening it again.
What the heck, hugging is good. If all else fails, I'll just become a psychologist specialised in hugging therapy. Fuck society.
A grin tore across my face, then laughter bubbled up. They just looked at me, faces happy and lit up - Mikey like a Christmas tree, while Raph resembled a flickering light bulb, and Donnie and Leo were more like a warm campfire.
Until Leo assumed his responsibility as eldest sibling again. "Didn't you say something about school, Dana?"
"Fuck!" And then swatted him on the head for ruining the moment.
And proceeded to lower my head unto my arms with a groan. "Fine, I'll go."

Swearing under my breath, I slowly made my way across the street, clutching the crutch lodged under my armpit tightly. No-one looked up, just walked around me as if I were some kind of obstacle, like a lamppost or a trash can. The joys New York has to offer sometimes.
Occasionally, I looked up. Sometimes, I saw a flash of green disappear behind a wall but most of the time, I didn't spot any of the four brothers following me across the rooftops. They'd insisted on 'bringing' me to school, in their own weird, being-a-mutant, ninja way.
The school building slowly crept into view, its brown doors familiar and a little depressing. I liked school, except for the people. They were either dumb or obnoxious, and usually both. Well, most students. There were a few with whom I got along but really, all we did was spend the lunch break together. We probably had the potential to be a close group of friends but no-one seemed to want to take that first step, that first attempt all friendships required. Or relationships in general, even - someone had to be the first to cross the line between a vague acquaintance to a friend, or family, or lover. To initiate the change from someone you would greet in passing but not turn to for any advice to someone you felt comfortable enough around to share your problems or sit in silence, just being together. Simply existing next to each other, and being content with it.
But taking that first step was scary. Opening yourself up, becoming vulnerable - it was a sacrifice of sorts, and it was not one someone in our strange little group seemed inclined to make, including myself. I wondered why.
I miss my family, it suddenly burst through my head.
Maybe that was the difference. When family was concerned, you formed that bond from your earliest years, unconsciously. It didn't take any effort, or sacrifice - it just happened. You didn't need to think about it, you didn't have a choice. You were simply thrown into it, and that was that.
I dragged myself up the steps, and took a quick look to make sure no bullies were hanging around. They weren't that many at my school, and they usually left me alone - my whole year seemed to know I was poor - but precautions had never hurt anyone.
The sound of something hitting the wall startled me, and I jumped back a little, staring at the throwing star embedded in the stone. Why am I even surprised they have no idea how much trouble this could put me in if anyone finds this? There was a note attached to it. I quickly plucked the deadly thing from the wall, hoping no-one had seen it. Good thing there were no cameras hanging around. As far as I know.
I folded open the piece of paper, and found a series of numbers. Phone numbers. Underneath it was written You can always call us if you need us in neat handwriting. Or if you wanna hang out, you were awesome! was scrawled in big, sloppy letters to the side. I smiled at the thought of Mikey insisting to write that down, while Leo was pulling his serious leader face and Raph was angrily telling them to hurry up.
I looked up, searching the roofs, and found them easily. They must have anticipated my reaction, for they were almost in plain view. This must be giving Leo a headache.
They waved, Mikey with a huge grin plastered across his face, Leo trying to suppress a smile, still in leader stealth mode, while Donnie was smiling a little sheepishly, and Raph already had his back turned to the street, though he was looking over his shoulder, hand held up in goodbye.
I never thanked them properly. I didn't even say goodbye to Splinter.
I waved, and the brothers turned and left.
I hope I get to see them again.
I looked down at the note, now slightly crumpled in my hand.
Then again, that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

The bell rang. I groaned.
"Finally," Rose said, voicing my thoughts. "Felt like a much longer day than normal."
"Yeah, agreed," I said, rolling my shoulders, trying to get rid of the tension that had built up there. Stupid body, being so tense I felt like I was carrying steel instead of muscles around.
"Your neck bothering you again?"
I nodded. "A little. Nothing too bad, though. I should probably see my physiotherapist again."
Rose studied me for a moment, her brown curls bouncing a little when she cocked her head. "Money?"
"Bull's eye."
"Sucks."
"Yep."
She stood up from her chair and swung her backpack over her shoulder. "Won't you aunt help out?"
I barked a laugh. "As if. I bet she's not even gonna offer any help when she sees me like this," I said, gesturing towards my ankle.
"Yeah, how did that happen? And what about your eye?"
I raised an eyebrow. "I told you, I tripped and twisted my ankle. The pavement didn't think that was enough and decided to give me a black eye in the process."
"Yeah, but who patched you up?"
"What's this, an interrogation?" I grumbled. Great, Dana, not overreacting at all.
"Well, there has to be a reason you're dodging questions. Am I right?"
I didn't respond, instead shouldered my bag and reached for my crutch.
"I told you, there was this woman who was a nurse. She offered to help me."
I fingered my hair, evading her eyes. "I think she knew I didn't have money to go see a doctor."
Rose said nothing, then shrugged. "Whatever you say. See you tomorrow." And walked out of the classroom, leaving me alone.
I bit my lip, shook my head a few times, then stumbled out of the room.
It could be so different.

I fumbled with my keys, cursing my injured ankle, this day, the rain, and the entire universe while I was at it. You know what, fuck everything.I finally managed to jam the key into the lock, and let myself in.
Home.
I walked down the hall and entered the living room. A dining table with four high-backed chairs stood at the front. Beyond, a dark-brown and black leather couch, positioned opposite each other. Both had clearly seen their fair share of years. The walls were painted a deep shade of red, matching the love seat that was between the couches and facing the TV- making a sort of square. Not home. Not mine, in any case.
Having enough of crutches for one day, I dropped them on the black couch and hopped past it towards my room. It wasn't very big but large enough to fit a bed, a desk and a medium-sized closet in it. I didn't really need more. I'm just glad my aunt gave me my own room. I would die without a space of my own. I breathed in the familiar scents of the various plants I'd put in my room. I didn't know their names but I deemed that knowledge obsolete anyway. They were beautiful flowers and they smelled nice, that was all I needed to know.
I took out a watering-can and took care of the plants. Closing my eyes, I absorbed their smell, and was transported back to our old house, to our garden where these plants grew in abundance. My Mum had loved gardening, and spent every free moment in her little paradise, taking care of her plants like she took care of us. Diligent. Gentle. Caressing, and most of all, loving. Am I really comparing myself to a plant?
I put the plant with the red flower back on the window sill and nodded to myself. Apparently, yes. Oh, well.
I walked over to my closet and opened the door. There was a mirror on the inside, tall enough to see myself from head to toe reflected in it. I studied myself for a minute, brushing my dark blonde hair back with my hand. There were bags under my green eyes, dotted with brown flecks. Like a frog, as David loved to say. He would make so much fun of me now, with my eye being almost swollen shut.
Balancing on one foot, I raised my shirt until most of my ribcage was exposed, then gingerly prodded the flesh there.
I flinched. Ouch. Still bruised, huh?
I looked in the mirror, and saw the bruise spreading out over the left side of my torso like spilled ink on a blank sheet of paper. I rolled up my shirt a little further, and saw the bruise dive under my bra. How the hell did that happen? How did she manage to hit me there?
I lowered my shirt and leaned my head against the mirror. "Damn, Dad, how did you get such a violent sister?" I mumbled to the empty room.
But the silence gave me nothing, not even consolation. It gave me nothing at all.
No, worse than that. It even took away the spark of life, of zeal, I had felt yesterday. That flame I had felt this morning. And I know exactly who are responsible for that.
I collapsed onto my bed, throwing my arms over my head.
The fire the turtles seemed to have brought back to me had already been extinguished again.
Fuck.