Waking
"Sensei, I swear, I had no idea what Raph was planning."
"And you did not even know he had gone out by himself? You are the leader, Leonardo, and you are the eldest! It is your responsibility to know such things."
Taylor's eyes are opening. She wants this to be a terrible nightmare. Please let me wake up. I want to wake up now.
But she's already awake, and the nightmare is real.
One of the turtles - the one in purple - is kneeling a little way away from her. She tenses at the sight of him, gripping her nest of blankets in her fists.
"It's OK. Just don't make any sudden movements. You're injured."
He raises a hand and lowers what look like goggles over his eyes. "I'm just going to scan you, all right?" When he's done, he shifts backwards, still on his knees and says: "She's awake."
Silence falls. Taylor shifts around to see the orange turtle is also close by. The blue one and the rat approach her, and stop at a safe distance.
She tries to keep her breathing calm. She wants to be brave, but she knows they can see how frightened she is.
"First, let me begin by apologising." The rat bows low to her. "I am truly sorry for my son's actions, and for the pain and distress he has caused you."
Taylor can hear the sincerity in his voice. She still doesn't unclench her fists.
He straightens up. "You are perfectly safe with us. I promise you will come to no harm."
But they're not going to let her go, are they? They can't. She's seen them.
"What do you want with April?" Taylor hates the way her voice trembles.
"We will not hurt her either," the rat tells her, "but she is in serious danger from the Foot Clan. I know you have no reason to believe us, but I am telling you the truth." He kneels down so he can look her in the eye. "What is your name, child?"
She hesitates, looking from one face to another. They looks hopeful, worried, serious.
"Taylor."
"My name is Splinter, and these are three of my sons: Leonardo, Michelangelo and Donatello." Splinter gestures at each turtle as he speaks. Each one nods and smiles at her.
"Sorry about Raph," the orange one - Michelangelo - says. He shifts around, unable to meet her eyes. He shouldn't be reminding her of an embarrassed kid.
Then she realises that's exactly what he is.
A tiny voice tells her that if the turtles and rat wanted her dead, she would be.
"We may not have much time, Taylor," Splinter says. "There are some very important things you and April need to know."