Chapter 22-
\tLeo felt nauseous. Dizzy. Anger fumed like bonfire. Fueling his muscles. His heart galloping in his chest. Like an animal banging against his ribs of its cage, demanding to be freed. Darkness fogged his mind. A demon sitting on his shoulder, feeding him memories of his time captive. Increasing the illness. Also, spawning an almost uncontainable need to hurt Nak’ir. To make him regret. To introduce him to fear. He wanted him on his knees, begging for forgiveness for hurting him. Hurting Raph. Hurting Don. April. Forgiveness he was not going to give. He knew well, the man was too far gone to ever stoop to that level. No matter the pain he endured, but it was a nice thought.
\t“Leonardo. So, glad to see you again. Missed me?” That smokers voice was the stuff of children’s nightmares.
\t“Hardly.” Leo hissed. Admiring the blood that dripped from his blade. He tried hard not to stare at the jacket that hung over Nak’ir’s shoulders, but it was hard not to. That skin. Used to once be attached to his body. Used to be a part of him. Now providing as clothing. He was getting that back from him.
\tAs if to mock him, Nak’ir twirled a lock of skin from the coat around like a little girl trying on a new dress. “You like?” Fear rocked Leo hard. He swallowed down the bile that clawed up his throat. Fighting a wave of panic at the memory’s. He wanted to scream. Wanted to curl in a corner and wail. Wanted to destroy.
\tCool yourself. Control. He breathed in and out, slowly. He wasn’t going to allow Nak’ir to hurt anyone like he did him anymore. His heart slowed. He smiled. “Classy. But I think it looked better on me.”
\tNak’ir’s smile wavered just a bit. Obviously expecting him to have given in to his panic and fear. Poor fool, didn’t know him too well. “Are we done chit-chatting? I would like to get another sliver or two of your skin.”
\tLeo ignored the comment. Bracing himself. He tightened his hold on his swords. Sinking himself into a ready stance. He inhaled. Exhaled. Struck.
\tHis blade sang as it cut through the air. Nak’ir dodging the oncoming attack. Ducking. He backed up against the wall. One cut. Two. The blade bit into that false flesh, his image flickering. One moment revealing greyish-green skin before turning back to cream. He wondered what it would take to reveal the creatures true form. Why wasn’t he using it? Being smaller, lack of claws, and slower than his original form, gave him such a disadvantage. Why wasn’t he changing? Does he not consider him a threat? If he didn’t, he could quickly change that at least.
\tLeo was startled out of his questioning thoughts when Nak’ir spun around after yet, another dodge and slammed his heel into his chest. The air deserting his lungs like a popped balloon. He flew back. His shell skidding against the concrete ground. One of his swords slipping from his grasp as he slowed to a stop and quickly picked himself back up right when Nak’ir reached him. Leo’s sword clutched in his hand and flinging in the air. The blade aiming for his neck. Leo dove to the side, out of his path.
\tNak’ir quickly switching directions and charging after him. That devilish gleam in those amber eyes thirsted for his blood. Leo blocked the attack, the cold metals clashing together in a mighty clang that rattled the old buildings windows. Leo swept the weapon to the side with his own. Swinging it around and into Nak’ir’s shoulder as easily as a hacking brush. The man hardly noticed. Shrugging it off, he pulled the sword up and hammered it down. Brought it back up and struck down. Over and over. Leo blocking each one.
\tFaster than his advances and stronger with the extra weight, Leo managed to keep Nak’ir’s sword a good distant away from him and Nak’ir seemed to realize that as his eyes flashed in a mixture of rage and frustration. Switching directions in a swift, smooth motion and sinking the blade into Leo’s side. He hissed, yanking himself away from Nak’ir’s range. Hunching over as his free hand held the wound. It wasn’t deep, he was relieved to know, but it hurt like a bitch!
\tLeo ducked when the blade zinged past the area where his head used to be. Straightening up, he kicked. Stepped forward and attempted a strike for his middle. Nak’ir blocked, twirled, and nailed his elbow into Leo’s chin. Leo kicked him away as he shook off the throbbing pain that erupted through his head. Rattling his brain in his skull. Sweat dribbled down both of their temples. Revealing the length of their energy. Leo dropped down and swept Nak’ir’s legs from under him. He took advantaged, pouncing on him. The blade felt good in his warm hands as he raised his sword high above his head. Prepared to strike the final blow. Thrusting the weapon downwards, Nak’ir’s life source spurted from the wound as Leo’s sword pierced right through the flesh and bone of his forearm that blocked his path. Damn it to hell!
\tNak’ir howled in pain and a burning rage exploded from him that should have scorched Leo. He pulled his arm away, ripping the handle away from Leo’s grip. A fist cracking against his cheek, sending Leo sprawling off the body. Rolling a couple times. He groaned when he stopped, slowly rising back to his feet. His brain swimming, his head feeling like it was stuffed with cotton. He watched as blood trickled down his arms and legs and puddled beneath.
\tLeo’s attention jerked up at the screech and roars and other sounds Nak’ir made that he couldn’t quite put a name to. The man pulling out his weapon from his arm. More of that liquefied chocolate blood pouring heavily out of the open wound. The image flickering once. Twice. Another smile crept across Nak’ir’s face, lacking all amusement. The guy was injured and only getting weaker the longer he fought Leo. He had less chance of winning this battle than he did with Raph and Nak’ir knew it. Leo was fully aware though, the guy would take more pleasure in chopping off his own arm himself than throwing the fight.
\tLeo’s eyes widened to a couple of shocked, round, blue globes at what he was witnessing. Backing up a few feet to create more distance between him and the morphing human. Nak’ir had done something. He wasn’t quite sure what, but he had done something to cause his mocha colored skin to flake off as it was now. Muted greenish-blue gravel flesh peeking out between the remainder of the skin. His height growing, growing. His arms and legs stretching longer, longer until his front arms touched the ground. His back sloping downward and antennas popped out of his spine. His stomach tucked in thin, his chest puffing out. Revealing ribs. His head elongating into one similar to a lizard. Snake like fangs peeking between his lips. His fingers and feet molding into two toes and claws curling out till it resembled ostrich feet. A tail grew from his behind in the shape of an eels. Concluding the alien he was familiar with. Leo noticed the others apart of his army began following suit. Most of them alike to the one in front of him, though he spotted a few different species. They all looked deadly however.
\tAn ear-splitting screech brought Leo’s attention back on Nak’ir. The alien was not done with him. Far from it, it appeared. He spat a couple of vile curses Splinter would be unhappy with him for.
\tHe had lost both of his swords. He had bombs but at this range, him and his family would get the same effects as the enemy’s he was throwing them at. Smoke bombs would work only temporarily, but with those antennas, he wouldn’t be so sure Nak’ir would even need eyes to see him. The throwing knives weren’t dependable to inflict actual damage as short as they were. Hold the phone.
\tLeo smothered a smile when he remembered the in-case-of-emergency knife he kept in his boot. It wasn’t as long as his swords, but it was long and durable enough so he wouldn’t have to worry over breaking it. Perfect.
\tHe didn’t immediately unsheathe it. He didn’t want Nak’ir to know he had it yet until the last second. He wanted him to find out about it when it was wedged deep inside him. He took a battle stance. Those same vicious amber eyes shooting lasers at him. The pupils slit like a cats would. His lips lifting in a snarl, showing off those long sharp fangs. Saliva and blood dripping into little puddles on the ground. Nak’ir’s feet shook the earth beneath them as he barreled at Leo.
\tLeo waited for Nak’ir to get closer. Closer. Just a little more, aaaand . . . Now! Leo lunged between Nak’ir’s front legs. Leaping up to cling to that long stick like back leg that held more power in them than they appeared. Reaching down with his free hand to unsheathe the knife from his boot. Immediately thrusting it into Nak’ir’s thigh. The creature shrieked, stamping around the room like an angered bull, trying to knock him off. Leo held on, wrenching the weapon out and stabbing again. And again. Blood spewing from the many punctures. Coating his arms.
\tNak’ir thrashed, his right back leg hobbling along with him. Along the ride, Leo was about to stab him one last time but found himself flung across the room instead. His shell cracking against the brick wall and falling with a thump to the ground. His knife clattering a few feet away. Oxygen refused to come to him for several seconds. His lungs suddenly incapable of the action. Finally, when panic surged through him, he gasped. Inhaled sharply. Exhaled. Tears burning the back of his eyes at the pain that stormed through his chest and back. His shell had done its job. Protecting him from a throw so fast it could have crushed him against the wall if he had been human. He would have died a quick death otherwise and he suddenly felt grateful he was a turtle.
\tHe opened his eyes and found Nak’ir charging him again. Even past the hissing noises he still couldn’t define, he could hear his same human voice speaking in English.
\t“I’m going to rip you apart!” Instantly recalling his brothers discussing a translator Nak’ir was using.
\tFocus! Leo shook the haze from his head and at the last split second, snatched up the knife from beside him and rolled to the side. Nak’ir slamming headfirst into the wall. Leo scrambled to his feet, his back screaming at him in protest of the movement. He grunted, ignoring it, narrowing his eyes on the pissed off alien.
\tNak’ir shook his dazed head. Stars winking behind his lids. Groaning at the pounding in his skull. The creature huffed out of his nose. Nostrils flaring as he faced Leo. The turtle ran toward him and he followed. Meeting in the middle. Leo lifted the knife to strike for the chest. Nak’ir dodging, bending down to clasp his teeth around Leo’s wrist. He screamed, kicking against the muzzle that shackled him. Leo could feel those fangs seep deep past his skin and touch bone. Sink into bone. He had no idea if Nak’ir was venomous or not, but he supposed he’ll find out here in a few minutes.
\tHis opposite hand clenched the knife tightly, refusing to let go of it despite the red-hot pain that lanced up his arm. He shoved the blade in the top of Nak’ir’s muzzle. Shouting again when Nak’ir shook him like a dog to its toy before throwing him against the wall yet again.
\tLeo collapsed on top of one of the cabinets. His non-injured arm lurching forward in hopes of catching the falling knife. The weapon -just out of his reach- descended to the ground.
\t“Shit.” He growled. He had no time to retrieve it. He would be trampled before he could move. His eyes shot back up to Nak’ir and zeroed in on the antennas attached to his back. A weak point perhaps? It was worth a shot.
\tSlowly, he pushed himself up. His legs trembling beneath him, barely capable of holding his weight. He was going to have to make his winning move soon or he was dead. This had better work.
\tLeo waited for Nak’ir to close the distance some more, to a reasonable jumping length. He dug his heel into the wood and jumped up and over Nak’ir’s head. Landing on his back. His good hand curled around one of the antennas, using every ounce of strength he had left, he ripped it right out. The alien screeched. The noise hard on his ears. He grabbed another and pulled it out. Another. And another. Nak’ir bucked and thrashed. Leo tried to hold on and keep his balance but his strength betrayed him and he found himself rolling off his back onto the ground. He groaned, the agony enveloping him in its choking fist and squeezing.
\tLeo wheezed, gradually rising again. His body was coated in warmth and wetness. His mouth holding a metallic flavor. Everything hurt and he entertained the idea of falling unconscious on the spot. Dipping into that sweet oblivion and being rid of any more suffering he was forcing his body to undergo.
That’s when he heard it. The ringing finally clearing from his ears. Past the shrieks of aliens, he picked out screams of his family. He forced his lids to crack open. In the flurry of the battle field, he could see the aliens stomping around. Slash under them all. Unconscious and vulnerable as he took their beatings. Blood seeping out of his head and exposed limbs. No resistance on his own part. Leatherhead was fighting around him. Protecting him. His scales more red than green now.
Rockwell was being tossed around like a rag doll. Pigeon Pete and Don trying to fend them off. Mikey was nowhere in sight; concerning him. And Raph . . . Leo felt his heart stop. Raph was alive and still awake, but he looked far from well. His skin was coated in his own blood. Chunks of meat was stolen and he was limping. A gouge in his side, cracks along his shell. He was the perfect image of the undead. They were tearing him apart!
Leo wanted to scream for him. How he hindered himself from doing so, was a miracle. However, he knew if he screamed, Raph would get distracted and a distraction was the last thing Raph needed when he was walking up deaths driveway.
Body’s littered the ground; foot soldiers and alien’s, dead. A lake of red and brown underneath it all. It was a grisly picture. Sickening.
Leo felt something clamp down on his ankle and yank him off his feet. He hit the ground hard. His chin knocking against the floor. His brain ricochet against his skull. He felt his body dragging, then weightless in the air, and then crashing against the wall in the sudden stop. He crumpled. His strength, gone. He felt paralyzed.
Nak’ir morphed back into human form before him. That same crazy smile pinning the corners of his lips. Splitting his cheeks. His teeth, brownish-red. His body looked like he bathed in blood. His back shredded. His hair was tangled in clumps on his head as he walked with struggled limps over to him. Amber eyes round, wild, and victorious.
Nak’ir grabbed him, rolling him onto his shell and Leo gave zero resistance. He sat on him, straddling his hips as he landed punch after punch on him. Leo raised his arms in a worthless attempt at protecting his head from the persistent rain of blows. Black stretching from the corners of his sights. Tunnel vision slowly closing in on him. The pain suddenly fading away from him as warmth swam through his veins. The ground no longer underneath him. Nak’ir no longer above him. He felt light. Pleasant. He dropped his arms.
A rushing sound drowned out the background noise. Reminding him of the waves crashing on the shore of New York harbor. The last of the light nothing but a distant speck in the middle of his vision. The last thing he heard was a rage filled roar that he recognized but couldn’t put a name to before that too, was drowned out. Replaced by a single, clear tone. He welcomed it with open arms.
Sharp pain gnawed on Leo’s nerves as he slowly plummeted back to the land of the living. Reminding himself that he didn’t want to be here. He preferred remaining unconscious where he floated carefree. He wanted to crawl back into his dark little hole and die there. A much better plan. A less painful plan. He decided. Allowing the darkness to overwhelm him once again.
“Leo, don’t you dare.” Don’s voice. “I know you can hear me. Wake up.”
Leo groaned, his voice raspy and he swore he gargled sawdust. Light cracked between his lids before he could stop it. Brighter. Brighter. So, bright. Don came into view. His expression stern. His chocolate brown eyes filled with concern. Big purple bruises took territory on Don’s forehead, above his left eye and right temple. His bottom lip, swollen. A tight bandage wrapped around his right shoulder. More of those bruises peeked out from under the fabric. He could feel his brother’s hands curling around his arm and supporting his shell. Aiding Leo to sit up where he was sprawled on the floor. Wincing at the movement, hissing between his teeth. His body was stiff and achy.
He took in his surroundings. They were still in Nak’ir’s building. The laboratory was destroyed. The cabinets, counters, and everything they held was smashed to pieces on the ground. The blood that soaked the floor and caked the walls were now dried and crusted. The room now emptier than the last time he remembered. The foot soldiers that survived had already returned to Karai, taking their dead with them. He assumed the other aliens had retreated. Taking their own dead.
The Mutanimals laid on the far side of the room, tending to their wounds. Slash was still unconscious and Rockwell the worst of the bunch.
Mikey sat beside him, leaning against the wall, his eyes blood shot and half lidded warily. Looking just about ready to fall asleep at any moment. His head was wrapped, his mask removed. His right arm was currently wrapped and supported in a sling. Nevertheless, Leo could tell the bone had been broken passed the layers of cloth. His gaze travelled farther down, his eyes widening when he saw one of Mikey’s feet missing. He wanted to curse but decided against it. One; because it required too much energy, and two; because he didn’t want to remind his brother of his loss. He looked content now. Casey was on Mikey’s other side. Clearly dead asleep. His wounds bandaged as well but he felt relief when nothing was missing or unfixable. April would have killed him.
“What happened?” Leo finally asked. Turning back to Don. “Where’s Raph?”
“The rest of the aliens retreated. Lucky us. We weren’t winning.” Not the question he wanted answered most. The last thing he could remember was getting beaten up by Nak’ir. Despite all he had done to the guy, he had still been moving. Slower. But moving. Unlike him. He had been lying on the ground, paralyzed. Nak’ir above him, pounding his face in. Then, he fell unconscious.
Leo pursed his lips as he tried to remember anything else. Raph. He heard Raph yelling and then the weight left him before he had sunk into oblivion. He recalled the image of Raph the last time he saw him. Broken. Bleeding. He was practically dead from the looks of him. Panic surged through him. He grabbed Don and shook him.
“Where’s Raph?” He demanded more anxiously. The turtle knew better than to deny him. Leo’s eyes followed along where Don pointed to the other side of the room. The room was dim and he could barely see exactly what he was pointing at. Not listening to whatever Don had to say, he pushed himself up, clenching his teeth at the pain that stormed through him. Don popped up to assist but Leo swatted him away. Starting forward. He needed to see that Raph was okay. He needed to hold him. If he was dead . . . if he was dead . . . Apart of Leo seized and died. Panic suddenly spreading through him like wild fire. The adrenaline pumping in his half empty veins got his feet moving faster. He refused to accept the assumption. Life without Raph in it was just plain meaningless. He balanced him perfectly. Kept him sane. He was the light in his darkness. His hope in a destroyed world. His peace. His happiness. His joy. All wrapped up in one beautiful, sexy package. The reason he awoke every morning. The reason he smiled.
He wondered if Raph even knew that. Was he even aware of how much he meant to him? He had told him he was fond of him. Nothing more. Though he said it in a teasing manner, he never missed the small flash of disappointment when the “L” word didn’t come out. He wanted it to come out. Past all his doubts, in the far corner of his soul, he knew the truth.
He would never forgive himself if Raph never gets to hear that.
A silhouette form came into view past the flash and flickering of the lights. Raph. He was standing. Shell away from him. Alive. Leo slowed down. His panic fading. He took him in with relieved eyes. He was no longer bleeding. Covered in blood, yes, but none was seeping out of his wounds. He was wrapped just as heavily as the rest of them.
Leo’s heart stopped as his eyes took in what laid at Raph’s feet. Nak’ir’s alien body laid prone on the floor in a large pool of brown liquid. Puncture wounds shredded his side. Long drained out of blood. Raphael’s sai was still buried deep in Nak’ir’s chest. He was dead. He could hardly believe it despite the evidence before him. Nak’ir; the giver of pain and suffering, was finally gone. It didn’t take a detective to know what had happened.
Leo’s eyes fixed back on Raph and felt warmth envelope him. A smile curling his lips. He stepped forward, encasing his arms around Raph’s abdomen from behind. Just as he wanted. Burying his face into his neck and inhaling his musky scent of sandalwood and citrus.
Raph didn’t say anything but Leo could feel him stiffen under his touch. Raph’s hands searching and finding his. Weaving their fingers together. The body soon relaxing. He didn’t even want to think about his life of never being able to hold Raph like this. His doubts be damned. Whatever they had coming for them, he refused to face them without Raph at his side. If they had a fight and ended up parting, he would toss his pride out the window and beg for his forgiveness. On his knees. He couldn’t live without his other half. It was just unthinkable.
“I love you.” Leo murmured. His heart thrumming against his chest so erratically he could swear Raph should feel it through their shells. He could feel the turtle stiffen again. Suddenly jerking out of his hold to whirl around. Looking astonished at him.
“What did you just say?”
Leo smiled, tenderly. “I love you.” He repeated.
“No. You did not just say that! Not now, while I’m soaked to the top of my head in blood! Not instantly after you scared the shit out of me because I thought he was going to kill you! I had full plans of yelling at you for that!” Leo couldn’t help the grin that pulled on the corners of his lips at the outraged look Raph gave him. Oh yes, he loved this turtle so very much.
Leo shrugged. Amusement flashing in his eyes. “I did.”
Raph snarled. “Take it back.”
Leo laughed. “No way. No take-backs.”
“I was supposed to make love to you first. You were going to tell me this after I wooed you. For fucks sake!” He flung his arms in the air. Making the most adorable scene.
Leo chuckled, sliding his hands up along Raph’s chest and shoulders. Wrapping his arms around his neck. He nibbled on Raph’s lower lip, the turtle involuntarily shivering in response as he attempted to remain mad. “You’re the one who said romance if for pussy’s.”
Raph snorted. Sliding his hands over Leo’s waist. “It is.”
Leo laughed again. Raph taking complete control of his mouth and he loved it. That was definitely the correct word for it. He loved everything about Raph. Every single detail; from the top of his head down to his toes. Inside and out. He adored what he did to him. How he made him feel. How his body instantly reacts to his every touch. How he’s suddenly lit aflame when he walks into the room. He loved how possessive Raph was. How angered he gets when Leo does something he dislikes. How he takes control. He loved his strong, hard, hot-tempered, warrior who’s willing to do anything to protect his family. Being with Raph made worrying a lot harder. Seriously, he could just go on all day about him.
Leo clung to Raph like a life line, tugging and pulling demandingly on his mask tails. Raph pressing him up against him. Holding him so tightly he could feel every ounce of his strength. Heat from his lust mingling with his own.
Raph pulled back first with a gasp. Gently licking the split on his lip. Soothing the sting. Leo moaned.
“I got a bone to pick with you.” Before Raph had the chance to ask, Leo shoved him back. “You are never leaving me behind again. Understand?”
Raph momentarily appeared stunned. He raised a single eye ridge. Pointing an accusing finger at him. “You are the one who nearly got yourself killed. I should be yelling at you. Do you even realize how badly you scared me? I had to fight through five freakin aliens just to get to you before Nak’ir could beat you to death!”
Leo crossed his arms over his chest. Chin raising stubbornly in the air. “Which would have been you if I didn’t come. Not to mention the rest of our family being dead if I also didn’t think to bring backup.”
Raph growled, looking like he was going to shout again, but thought better of it. He sighed. “To which I’m grateful for, but still Leo. You were flirting with death. If I had been a minute later, Nak’ir would have given you brain damage. Or worse.”
Leo pursed his lips, staring at the grief and worry in Raph’s eyes and it came damn near breaking his heart. He didn’t mind throwing this fight. Raph was going to learn, one way or another, he was never being left behind again. “Fine. You can spank me as punishment later when we get home.” Leo gave a sly smile. The anger vanishing from Raph’s face a moment later. Shock and desire swirling around in those twin molten pools of emerald. Raph groaned.
“So does that mean you guys are officially a couple now? Like the lovey-dovey ones in the movies?” Mikey’s voice brought both turtles attention away from each other. Their brothers had caught up with them. Mikey being supported by Don, both smiling at them.
Raph opened his mouth to retort but Leo quickly beat him to it. “Yes.”
He knew Raph would only deny it to be spared the teasing no doubt Mikey will take up, but in truth Leo hardly minded it. They were a couple now and he was not going to deny he was crazy in love with Raph. Besides, Raph started this. This was the consequences he was going to have to pay. To add to the problem, Leo sauntered over to him. Grabbing a mask tail, he pulled Raph over to smack a wet loving kiss to his cheek. There. Now he knew how it felt being on the other end. Raph blushed. Looking even sexier than before. If that was possible. Mikey burst out laughing.
“Not so funny now being on the opposite end of that kiss, is it?” Leo sniggered against his cheek.
“No, it isn’t funny. I’m painfully aroused because of you and I’m going to have to wait before I can do anything about it.” The comment came out blunt and flippant and Leo heard Mikey’s laughter turn into a guffaw. Practically rolling on the ground now. Leo might have joined him if Raph hadn’t given him that look he could feel straight into his bones and shoot blood into is groin, that was anything but funny. He supposed he would never be bored with Raph.
“How goes the bomb Don?” Raph’s attention shifted off Leo. His face not revealing a single hint of any more arousal. Stepping away from Leo. Damn him.
“Defused. While you were pummeling Nak’ir; Rockwell and I got into the wiring system and severed the connection between the detonator and the bomb. It’s not going off anytime soon.”
“Good. How are the other’s?”
“Alive. Nothing they won’t recover from in a few weeks. Leatherhead told me they were going to carry Slash back to their place. Where ever that is. He said they’ll keep in touch.”
“Oh yeah. Leo, I wanted to ask you, how did you find us and how did you contact the foot clan and get them here so fast?” Mikey interjected.
Leo shrugged as if it was no big deal. “I followed you guy’s shortly after you left. Found out where Nak’ir has been hiding and called Karai up for a favor. She owed me.”
“But wasn’t Karai rebuilding the foot clan in Japan?”
“She was. She’s been back for two weeks after you guys brought me back. I had been keeping tabs on her since she left. She said she was planning a return visit after she heard what happened.”
“You’ve been keeping tabs on Karai this whole time without telling me?” Leo didn’t even try to hold back his grin at the obvious jealousy that sizzled in Raph’s voice. He had assured Raph many times that he had no feelings for Karai and did not fantasize about her. Ever. He had stopped bothering him about the subject, but it was clear he would never truly be convinced every time Leo reminded him of her existence. Maybe at one point, he had a small crush but that was far in the past before Raph captured his heart. It meant nothing to him now.
“Hey, she is our sister. Besides, we weren’t a couple then. I didn’t have to tell you anything.”
“Got you there.” Don smirked.
“We tell each other everything. We agreed to that.”
“First; you never asked and it wasn’t about me so I didn’t tell you. Second; you don’t make stupid agreements like that in a real relationship. You do it willingly.”
Mikey tried hard to suppress another laugh. Raph popped his jaw.
“Well, we are now, so you will tell me next time.”
Leo snorted. “Sure.”
“What about Casey? He’s supposed to be out of the state with April and Evie.” Don asked curiously.
“He called me. He said he’s been trying you guys all day, but when no one answered he tried me. He told me he came to help since they were safe. By the time the foot arrived, Casey had caught up too. I warned him about April’s wrath if he gets hurt. He ignored me so I let him tag along.”
“Typical Casey.” Raph rolled his eyes. Muffled sirens could be heard passed the half rotten walls. Red and blue lights flashed through the dirt stained windows. Here comes the cavalry. Ten minutes late as usual.
“Raph, help me grab Casey. We should get out of here.” Leo ordered.
“Wait. What about Nak’ir? It’ll be all over the news.” Mikey pointed to the slaughtered monster in the corner.
“Doesn’t matter. You can hardly tell. Besides, their blood is mixed with others. It’s too corrupted for them to get anything important.” Don pointed out.
It was better than them sticking around for all to see. They were too weak to do anything about the mess. Besides, the police would probably be too distracted by taking care of the kidnapped people before they reach the lab. Hopefully.
Leo grabbed onto Casey’s shoulders and Raph grasped his ankles. The man didn’t even stir as they hauled him off the ground. The two following behind Don and Mikey up the stairs and out the back exit of the ground level before the cops had a chance to enter.
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