Feel it in the Street on a Day Like This.
She sat on the roof's edge and lay the box beside her. Jessie looked up into the night sky, the moon hanging like a great glowing pearl. You couldn't really see stars over the city; there was far too much light pollution. It had its own beauty, though, the reflections of colors and glitter from skyscrapers and traffic flow.
It had been a good day. She had crossed into Foot territory again, which was far worth it. A good haul, with plenty to spare for the others. Already she had separated out what she would share with Shadow when they could gather again.
In the meantime, though, it was time for a meal.
She smirked to herself. "You know, if you don't hurry up, I'll eat it all myself."
Mike spoke from the roof of the old pigeon coop behind her. "Hey, I had to take a detour. The Foot are everywhere tonight. Did you get them all riled up?" he hopped down and walked over to sit beside her.
She opened the box and handed him the first slice. Pepperoni, mushroom, and extra cheese. "I mean, it wasn't THAT big of a deal. You'd think with all the territory they hold, a few wallets wouldn't matter."
"It's an ego thing." Mike munched happily. "Especially ... .well you know ... .you're a…."
"What? Master thief? Breathtaking young lady?" Jessie grinned, teasing.
"A street kid. You're beneath them; it's a stain on their honor." Mike shrugged, "It's stupid."
This made her grin, and she saluted him with her slice. "How have you been, Mikey? How's everyone?"
"Way cool." He smiled. "Leo's had us doing extra patrols since the local gangs are all uppity lately. I saved a little old lady from a mugger just last night! You are friends with a certified hero." He took a bite. "So, we were moving through the lower east side when Don heard someone yell for help." He told her the story, doing voices for each of the players. When he imitated Raph, she laughed so hard she nearly choked on her slice. He just captured his brother's attitude perfectly.
"There's been a LOT of extra gang activity. Have you heard anything?" Mike asked
"Nothing too far out of the ordinary." She shrugged, "But the second I hear something, I'll let you know. I'll let Shadow know you need our help. They'll scout too."
He looked sideways at her with a slight smile. "How are you going to do that? Tell them your mutant turtle friends need information?"
"No." She returned the smirk. "The others- they just know that Cat owes you a debt. They know your names. They know that I made you part of us. We protect our own no matter what." She took a bite. "That's all they need to know, and they're okay with that. They trust me, just like I trust them. Rabbit's not tellin' either."
"Is she doing okay?" Mike asked. He hadn't seen the little girl since the night he had met her.
"Yeah. She stays with Rover mostly. He's her big brother….but I don't know if that's by choice or by blood. They're both Chinese-American, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're related." She shrugged. "They've never offered up the info, and we don't ask. It's one of our rules. We can give info about ourselves, but you don't ask for someone else's. When Rover needs to go off alone for a while, she sometimes runs with me and sometimes Snickers. Sometimes a bunch of us. It just depends. She calls Rover big brother, but we're all kind of her big brothers and sisters."
She leaned back. "She's doing fine, Mike. As fine as any of us do out here." She smiled. "She asks about you sometimes. She's been at me to take her to see you when we meet up….so we'll have to do that soon, okay?"
Mike nodded, paused momentarily, and she thought he would say something more about it, but he looked at her. "You should come to see everyone. I know Master Splinter would like it. He asks about you sometimes. They all do. Well, not Raph, but I know he's curious too. It's just…you know."
"Yeah?" Jessie smiled softly. "They really do?"
"They really do. Ever since I started hanging out with you, they like all the drawings you give me." Mike said. "Which reminds me ... Master Splinter said to give you this."
He handed her a small, delicate object. It was a small origami figure made from what appeared to be a brown butcher's paper. It was a little rat sitting in the palm of her hand. Her smile widened, lit her face in delight. She looked younger than her years for a second, that simple joy at the gift changing her whole presence.
Mike returned the smile, unable to help himself.
She tucked the little figure in one of the inner pockets of her jacket and looked at Mike. "I'll come to visit. I promise. Not tonight, but soon." She paused. "It's just…well. Weird. Been over a year. It's just…you know. I'm surprised they were okay with you starting to meet up with me regularly. "Jessie pulled a small notebook and pen from one of her jacket pockets and worked for a few minutes as Mike finished off the pizza.
"Water under the bridge, dude," Mike said as he savored the last bites. "No one's holding a grudge. I promise." He smiled a little "Not even Raph. He hung up that little picture you made for him, the bowing cat one. He'd KILL me if he knew I told you that. But it's in his room. It's cool, Jessie. I promise, okay?"
"Okay," Jessie tore off the page and gave it to Mike. "For Splinter." She smiled. She had drawn the little cat she had sketched many times before, sitting under Alice's Mushroom. It was raining, but she was sheltered, looking down between her front paws with a little sweet smile at the paper origami rat nestled there.
"Tell him it made me very happy," She said.
"You got it. Listen, how about Tuesday night? I'll meet you at the Mushroom at eight, and we'll go down together. Okay?" he smiled.
"We'll have to. I'm not sure I could find it again, even if I wanted to. Donny was right…I was never sure I could find you again even if…well…."
Mike smiled slightly. "You weren't ever going to, Jessie. I knew it, even if you didn't." He gently punched her shoulder. "So no wallowing in what if's okay? We're only doing what IS," he said.
That made her grin. "Now YOU'RE starting to sound like Splinter."
Mike gave her an alarmed look "That's the first sign of the end of the world!"
They both cracked up, and Mike stood. "Ready to start?"
"You're still going to kick my ass." Jessie followed his lead.
"You've got moves." Mike grinned. "And you're learning, right? "
"Yeah, my best move is to get out of the ninja's reach."
Mike laughed. "Okay. Come at me."
The pickpocket nodded, and the lesson began.
Jessie pulled the cup back, aimed, and let the metal ball fly. It hit the bottle straight on, shattering the glass. Dingo grinned. "Pretty good, yeah? And it folds up perfectly for a jacket pocket."
She smiled, satisfied, and lowered the slingshot. "It's perfect. Much better than my old one. How much?"
"Fifty. That's a titanium steel alloy. Strong and won't rust or break." Dingo said, "Not like your last. Told ya I'd find you a good one."
Jessie handed over the cash gladly. She slipped the slingshot and the long plastic ammo vial into one of her jacket's inner breast pockets. It fit right next to the paper rat.
"I owe you one, Din…." She was cut off as Snickers appeared around the side of the mushroom statue. Even in the fading twilight, Jessie could tell something was wrong as soon as she came into view. Snicker's mouth was drawn in a stressed, tight line.
Dingo and Jessie rose from the bench to meet her. "What? What's going on?" Dingo asked.
"I got something for you, Cat," Snickers said. She stepped close to them both. "Asked around a little 'bout why tensions are up. Apparently, a bunch of kids have gone missing. "She paused. "Not kids like us. Little kids. Eight, nine years old, that kind of thing. Bones got a bunch of Purple Dragons out for info 'cuz his son went missing last Friday. Kid's six."
That gave them pause. Bones was the leader of the Dragons and a mountain of a man. You did not get on his bad side unless you really didn't like being alive. It was why he called himself Bones- because when you messed with him, he broke all of yours.
"They're cranked up, beating people up for answers, but nobody knows anything. No one's taking credit." Snickers continued.
Dingo looked disturbed. "Like….trafficking?"
"Maybe. But it's all weird. When Bones' son went, he was with three other Dragons, all adults. Word is they looked away for like a minute, and he was gone. Traffickers don't act like that; too risky. They'd wait till he was alone, right? And then….." Snickers paused. "Man, this sounds crazy…."
"What?" Jessie asked.
"People are seein' things. Weird things. Late at night, in the dark. Especially here." She motioned to the park.
"Like what?" Dingo asked.
"They're saying monsters, ghosts, that kinda thing. I dunno ….but it's all at the same time." Snickers shook her head. "I've seen nothing like that, but King said he saw something a couple of nights ago. Something really tall and really white, kinda floating in trees. He got outta there because he thought maybe it was a movie being made, and he didn't wanna get caught, but….I dunno. Maybe it was something else."
"You did good, Snickers," Jessie said. "Pass the word around. We'll keep an eye on each other, especially at night."
Dingo nodded. "We meeting tonight?"
"Everyone that can come, you get to the place on the edge of Washington Heights. Sleep there tonight. Get the word to Rover and make sure someone stays with Rabbit all the time." l want her there tonight." Jessie said. The abandoned apartment building she referenced was fairly safe, considering it was condemned. Occasionally other homeless people also camped there, but they left Shadow alone, particularly because they had numbers to protect them.
"You coming?" Dingo asked
"Nope. I got to follow a lead tonight. Don't worry, I'll be with friends." Jessie said.
Snickers smiled slightly. "Okay. Someday you'll have to introduce us to the artists- I mean, they're part of us, right? Can't call for us if we don't know who they are."
"It's complicated, but I will. When they give me the okay." Jessie smiled.
Snickers nodded, and the three headed their separate ways.
However, Jesse hadn't gone far toward the nearest gate before she paused and listened. She thought she heard bells in the growing darkness faintly for a second. Even at night, the park was never empty, some parts busier than others. But bells?
She listened, and the early October wind lifted her hair and made her shrug into her jacket closer. She saw nothing but the occasional flash of red and orange as the tree branches danced in the wind. Another week or so, and there wouldn't be any green left, just the colors.
She frowned a little and turned to look the other way. As she did, a young woman came into view, walking up the path, who gave her a warm smile and a polite nod. A beautiful woman of Asian descent. Maybe 25? She was breathtaking, like a model. And dressed very well. She walked in a way that was somehow both delicate and commanding. Her long black hair swayed, and her mouth was colored with a dark red lipstick that was striking on her pale features. When she smiled again, the color only helped it stand out in its gentle, kind curve.
Jessie had the overwhelming urge to go to her, to stay in her presence. It was a simple, primal emotion, like seeing a sunset that you never wanted to end.
Most people knew better than to be alone in the park when you wore enough rings to cover every finger, not to mention that fur coat. Maybe she was a tourist? She might be going to a Met event. Someone needed to help her. The woman was young, but her smile was warm and maternal. She smiled like Jessie's mother had smiled at her. It was beautiful. It was a miracle.
She called out, "M'am? Do you need help? Mets that way," she pointed. The woman looked the way Jessie indicated and tipped her head "The Met?"
"The museum." Jessie frowned, concern flooding her. The poor woman was so lost that she didn't even recognize her destination's name. The woman needed protection.
There was another small gust of wind that made her shiver a little. The woman didn't even seem to notice. "Oh. It's such a strange thing, isn't it? This place- a wild land in the center of a city. It's a reminder that nature will be here long after men no longer dwell here." She smiled warmly. "Ah, well. Maybe you could walk with me and show me the way to this Met?"
Jessie wanted to. Of course, she would just guide the beautiful and kind soul safely through the night. Distant in her mind, a taste of fear also crept. She dimly thought something was terribly wrong here. But that was far away, and she knew she could protect herself and this lovely person, who was so warm and wonderful. She was skilled, and she was armed. Almost without thinking, she reached inside her pocket to touch the slingshot to be ready to defend the gracious lady from any dangers. Instead, her fingers brushed the little origami figure Splinter had made for her. It was smooth and warm. She thought absently how nice the texture felt, almost like fur.
All at once, the desire to go with the woman collapsed. She was a beautiful woman, but just that. There was nothing like her mother in that woman's face; how had she seen that? The smile was polite and cool- almost arrogant.
Jessie stepped back. This was very wrong, and that thread of fear was suddenly sharp and cold in her mind.
As if somehow reading this, the woman frowned slightly, suddenly looking annoyed.
"I can't do that, ma'am. If you need help, there's a police station that way." Jessie said but didn't step closer. Her eyes were on the woman, and her hand closed over the slingshot. Her knife was in the opposite pocket, but she wanted to stay far away.
The wind came again, and Jessie realized that despite her hair being tossed a bit, the woman's curtain of silky black hair wasn't moving an inch.
"So disappointing. Leaving a lady to wander alone." The woman said, "What a naughty little cat you are."
The wind jumped into a full gust, and a handful of fallen red leaves whipped past her vision, making Jessie wince and squint her eyes against them.
When she opened them, as the wind died, the woman was gone. Jessie had heard nothing, not the woman's heels on the pavement or the rustle of the furs she wore. She was just gone.
Jessie stepped back, turned, and bolted for the nearest part of the wall. She didn't even head for a gate; she just vaulted over it and onto 5th Ave.
She looked back only when she was in the crowds walking the sidewalk. She had no idea what had just happened and only knew she was deeply unsettled.
She had to meet Mike at the statue. She headed down 5th Ave. She'd jump the wall lower down and rush to meet him closer to 8 pm. For now, she would stay near the park but not go back in.
Mike's smile fell the moment he saw her. "What happened? Are you okay?"
Jessie touched his shell and guided him into the tree line. A large storm drain emptied out near the Reservoir; it would be the easiest way in. "I'll tell you as soon as we get out of here. I… don't think this is a safe place right now." She almost growled the last words. The Mushroom was their place, it had always been their safe space, and now…something had taken that.
"Okay," Mike said. He took the lead, and they could see the Reservoir to the right in just a few minutes. They headed around a small grove of trees and found the drainage pipe.
As they entered the tunnel, Jessie glanced behind her. "We never got burner phones. Just didn't want to waste the money. Damn it, I wish I could text the others right now…"
Mike nodded and took her hand as they moved. "Don't want you getting lost."
She smiled slightly despite her mood. "I don't know how you guys do it. It all looks the same to me."
"I'm gonna teach you." Mike smiled, "So you can find us if you need us."
She glanced at him. "The ... .the others are okay with that?"
"We took a vote. Unanimous." Mike grinned.
She smirked, "Did you actually vote?"
"Some secrets will go to my grave," Mike replied solemnly.
He felt her stop outside the main entrance to the lair. He turned, looked at her, and saw she was looking past him into the room. She took a small breath and squared her shoulders. Mike didn't have to meet her eyes. He could see what was on her face. The last time she had been here, she had run into the night, afraid for her life. It was hard to leave that behind, even with his reassurance.
He squeezed her hand gently. "I promise, Jessie." He said softly, "Nothing will hurt you while I'm here."
She looked at him, and she smiled. It was a little thin, but it was true. "Yeah," She said, and then "Same goes for you, Mike. I got your back."
He nodded and gently pulled her forward. As they entered the main room, he said, "Hey, Bros! I found a stray! Can we keep her?"
Jessie laughed and lightly pushed him from behind, playfully making him grin wider.
Donatello was on the sofa reading a book. He rose and headed toward them, his face breaking into a wide, warm smile that Jessie couldn't help but return. She stepped forward, and Don clasped her briefly by the shoulders. "Hi, Jessie. It's really good to see you again."
"Same, Donny." She smiled, putting her hands on his upper arms in return. She turned her head as Leo appeared from the kitchen.
He smiled slightly as he approached and held out a hand. She chuckled, let go of Donny, and shook his hand. "Hello, Leonardo." She said,
"Leo, actually." He smiled a bit more.
She blinked, and then her smile softened. "Hi, Leo." She said, "Thanks for having me by."
"Jessica," Splinter spoke from behind her, and she turned. The old rat slowly entered the room from a doorway she hadn't seen the last time she was here. She met him halfway across the room. He smiled gently and studied her for a long moment. Her face was serious and respectful, and she folded her hands at her waist and bowed to him. "Hello, Sir." She said,
"You are taller, I believe," he said, chuckling a little. She straightened up and smiled. "I guess I am." She said,
He reached out and took her hands gently. "Welcome, child," he said, bowed his head to her. "Our home is open to you. It is very good to have you with us again."
She suddenly realized she had tears in her eyes, the words going straight into her core. "T..thank you, Sir. I….." She swallowed. "I think about all of you often, but…I just didn't know if you'd want me to….I mean….after what….."
"Kid, you think too much," Raph said from the kitchen doorway. He was leaning on the frame. "Whatta teaching her, Mikey? She's too soft."
Splinter let go of her hands and looked at his son with a small smile. "I wager she might surprise you, Raphael. Your brother is an excellent teacher when he is focused."
"I'm EXCELLENT," Mike said, puffing up.
"Hi, Raph." Jessie smiled slightly, "I'm happy to show you what I've learned any time. ""Ohhhhhhhhhhh," Mike laughed. "You hear that, Raph?"
Raph came from the doorway and came to stand face to face as if he meant to start something with her. "Yeah? I might take you up on it sometime." He said and then smirked, "You….uh…look good, kid. Is stuff okay up there? You doin' okay?"
That made her look around. "Yes…no. I mean, I was. But something's going on, and I wanted to ask you all about it. I need..help trying to figure it out."
Raph nodded. "Let's talk. And eat. You look like you could use a good meal."
After the meal of subs and iced tea was done, Splinter brought them all a tray of hot green tea to sip as they sat in the common area.
Jessie started with what Snickers had told her about the children vanishing. She paused, obviously uncomfortable with continuing.
"Tell us, child, without fear," Splinter said gently.
"I was on my way to meet up with Mike and…this woman came out of the woods, following the path, but…." She paused again and then described the whole encounter. "It was...I can't explain it. Until something….snapped me out of it…I really was ready to follow her anywhere. She was…..the most wonderful person I've ever seen. Beautiful and kind, like a goddess. This doesn't make any sense…she was Asian….only in her twenties, but…..the way she felt when she looked at me. She was like…..my mother. She was my mother. I just wanted to be at her side so much, to protect her, to have her love me and take care of me. It was like being in a dream. I wanted to be ready to protect her so I reached in my jacket and then something happened…I reached for my slingshot and…..." She shook her head. "All at once, it was gone. My head was clear, and suddenly, I understood how wrong and weird it all was. It was…" She looked around. "Terrifying, and I can't explain any of it. Maybe she hypnotized me somehow; I don't know."
"What happened when you reached for your slingshot?" Raph asked.
"I….don't…..know, but then it was like she knew I had woken up. I…..swear it was like she called the wind to get me to look away for a second, and then she was gone. Just gone. I didn't hear a thing."
Leo shook his head. "That's the strangest thing I've ever heard, and I'm a mutant turtle."
"I know. It's like a…ghost story." Jessie said. She suddenly sat up. "Before she disappeared, she called me a naughty cat, like someone scolding a kid. I've never seen her before, but come on. She called me Cat like she knew that was the name I go by."
"I am ... .troubled by this." Splinter said, "There are stories that speak of such things."
"What are you thinking, Father?" Leo asked.
Mike looked at Splinter. "Are you saying something ... .haunted Jessie?"
Splinter looked at the young woman. "You fear for the child in your pack. The Rabbit."
Jessie nodded. "I do," She said, not ashamed to admit it to them. "Even more now…..that I saw that woman. I don't think she was what she looked like. I don't know what she was, but she was bad. Really really bad."
He nodded. "Bring Rabbit to us. We will protect her. In the meantime, my sons, you will watch and guard. Help Jessica find out what is happening. Something is happening now, and I am uneasy."
She nodded at him. "I'll come back with Rabbit in the morning, okay?" she said
Mike smiled, "I can meet you back at the mushroom near dawn."
She nodded. "Sounds good." She looked around. "I don't….really know what I believe. But thank you for helping me. For helping Rabbit."
Donatello smiled. "What are friends for, Jessie?"