Let Me Save You (A TMNT fanfic)

Chapter 8 - The Mutagen

I do not own 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' nor any characters affiliated with the series.

Chapter 8 - The Mutagen

*Dani*

As I opened my eyes I felt a dull ache in my arm as well as in my temples. I sighed heavily and sat up, but too fast. The room suddenly did a cartwheel and my hand flew out only to be grabbed by another to help steady me.

"Dani, deep breaths." Splinter said through the spinning. I did what he told me and took three slow and deep breaths and shortly after the spinning stopped. I stared into Splinter's eyes and my shoulders sagged in relief that the spinning was over. My stomach was twisted into knots, making me feel as though I would throw up. I swallowed shakily and tried to ignore the feeling.

"How are you feeling?" He asked softly.

"Besides my arm aching and a small headache, I'm fine." I said simply, disregarding the nauseated feeling in my stomach, and looked to the brothers who stared at me in shock. I looked down to the hand that held mine and instantly blushed to find out it was Raph's. I quickly pulled it away and began fiddling with my fingers, keeping my head down.

"So I guess they all know now?" I asked Splinter quietly. He nodded in response and I sighed quietly. I kept my gaze from the brothers, slightly ashamed, as Leo spoke up.

"Now we know what? What are you two not telling us?" His tone seemed frustrated, but he was more confused than anything.

"I have no right to give you the explanation of what has happened or why it has happened." Splinter said in response. "It was Dani's choice to keep it secret in the first place it is again her choice to tell you the truth if she so desires."

I instantly felt the hard stares of the brothers and I continued to avoid them. I had kept my healing ability a secret from the brothers for all these years. The only reason splinter knew was because he was the one that aided me when Leo had accidentally cut the flesh above my collarbone. My wound healed in a matter of hours but not without leaving a scar. I sighed and pulled my knees up to my chest.

"Big deal, my wounds can heal faster than normal... There's nothing special about it..." I said quietly, still avoiding their gazes.

"But why didn't you ever tell us?" Donnie asked softly. In his tone I could tell he was offended, and I understood why. Out of all the brothers I was closest to Donnie and I hadn't even told him.

"Because I felt I didn't need to!" I said honestly. Now I looked to the brothers. "Telling you wouldn't have changed anything, so I didn't see the point of doing so. I'm not going to apologize for something I felt I didn't need to do!"

They all went quiet and looked away from me. My cheeks were warm with frustration and I turned back towards Splinter.

"How did you get the ability?" April asked, finally speaking up.

I pursed my lips and let out another sigh. I still wasn't comfortable around her, but I couldn't be completely rude. "Back when I was younger, Erik Sacks had kept me in a cage in his laboratory, using me as a test subject for his mutagen. He wanted to see if I could prove quicker results than the turtles and test the mutagen on a human. I guess the results he got were more than he expected. Countless nights he would be testing his discovery of what the mutagen did for me. It gave me the ability to heal. He would use me as a lab rat, abusing me to see how long the healing ability took. The more mutagen he gave me the faster I seemed to heal so every morning it was another injection and ever night was another of pain." I was reminded every day of those painful years. They were not easy to see, but faint scars covered my back, taunting me, reminding me of the fact I was nothing but another lab rat.

"Erik Sacks?" April asked in shock. "How did he keep you hidden?"

I scoff in response. "Sacks isn't exactly the stupidest person you'll meet. He knew how to shut me up. I'm still questioning how the hell Sacks' partner knew he had me hidden away..."

April suddenly stiffened at the mention of Sacks' partner. "Wait a minute... How again did you escape from the laboratory?"

My eyes widened slightly at her question. I hadn't exactly told her about it before but I'd tell her now. "Well, I remember there was a lot of smoke, but I couldn't see the fire. Then suddenly a man showed up and told me to get out, to go to the police and find safety. Then as I ran I saw the fire and before I got out of the building I thought I heard a gunshot and then that was it. I was out of the building and I was free... All because of that man..."

April's eyes had saddened and her head dropped. "That man..." she said with a slight voice crack, "was my father..."

My eyes widened in shock. "What?" My mind reeled. This girl's father saved me from that fire... Was I the cause for his death? "April, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize."

She lifted her gaze and shook her head. "It's fine. You couldn't have known." She sighed, her breath shaking. "I'm just gonna go off on my own... I need to clear my head..." Without acknowledging anyone else she went off on her own down one of the hallways.

I looked back to the brothers and I noticed Donnie watching after her with worry. I coughed softly and he looked to me. I nodded my head in the direction she ran off and he gave me a grateful smile before sneaking off. A small smile tugged at my lips and I swung my legs off the side of the table. I couldn't keep sitting on this table much longer. With a deep breath I carefully pushed myself off the table, going slowly until I felt my feet plant firmly on the ground. My hands still clung to the table for support, my arms shaking slightly as if I wasn't ready to let go yet. I took another deep breath and let my hands fall to my sides then took a small step forward, but my leg gave way beneath me and I fell to my knees.

"Dani!" I heard Raph yell and shortly after I felt his arms around me helping me stand up. I leaned against him gratefully, my legs shaking slightly.

"I'm fine... I just need to rest." I said as calmly as I could.

"Raphael, take her somewhere quiet." Splinter said, his voice taking on a hint of impatience and worry.

Raphael nodded and scooped me up into his arms before I could protest. I felt my cheeks warm as I pursed my lips to silence a sound of protest.

"You didn't have to carry me..." I said quietly, staring down at my hands as I twiddled with my thumbs.

"Would you stop the stupid protesting?" There was a slight growl in his voice with a hint of frustration. It didn't surprise me he was getting angry.

I pouted and my eyebrows furrowed. "It's not stupid... I'm perfectly capable of walking. I'm not some weak damsel in distress."

Raphael stopped and I felt his gaze move to me, but I continued to stare at my thumbs. "Can't you just accept a little help?! Can't you just let me help you for once?!"

I flinched and hesitantly looked up at him. His voice had raised dramatically and it was surprising. I scowled slightly at him. "I get you're trying to help but you don't understand the fact that I don't need your help!"

Raphael huffed and shook his head. "Fine." He lowered my feet to the ground. "You want to walk by yourself, be my guest." Once my feet were firmly on the ground he let go of my shoulders and I noticed the slightest moment of hesitation before he backed away. I huffed quietly and turned my back on him. I could feel my legs shaking slightly and I was a little scared to take a step. I could feel Raph's eyes watching my every move, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of helping me out.

"You don't have to watch me like I'm a helpless child." I said curtly and a little more harshly than I would have liked.

He didn't respond but I heard him sigh in frustration. I took a small breath and stepped forward. A few spots appeared in my vision, but that was all. No dizziness or nausea. I felt fine. I smiled triumphantly and took another step more confidently. Then another, and another. I was walking with ease again and it felt good. I could still feel Raph's gaze on me and I knew he was still tempted to stop me and help me.

"Looks like you really didn't need my help." He said through a clenched jaw.

I smirked and turned towards him but was surprised to see he had disappeared. I frowned and sighed. "Stupid ninja tricks..." I began walking again to my destination so I could rest up and return to the brothers later.