Liz: A TMNT Story

Chapter 2

My thoughts as my mom disappeared weren't what I expected. I thought I would feel sad beyond belief, or panicked, or even angry. But I wasn't. Sure, my heart felt like it was being ripped out, but there was no emotion, no feeling... Nothing. My mind shut down. It was a wonder that I was still breathing, I felt like I was no longer living. That, or I was completely brain dead.

Some part of my subconscious willed me to stay put as the Kraang lumbered back into the streets. I laid there, idly playing with my chocolate hair... like my mother's.

Tears stung my eyes, but I bit them back stubbornly. Half of me wanted to just sob there in the bushes, wait until the Kraang found me and mutated me... or just put me out of my misery.

The other half of me screamed to get up and stop dwelling on what I couldn't change. I squeezed my eyes shut as bits and pieces of memories floated around in my head. Another Kraang squeal. My eyes slowly reopened. I couldn't stay here. Maybe it was my instincts kicking in, or that I just didn't want my life to end... or that the twigs and leaves wouldn't cease poking me. But I couldn't stay here.

I slowly made my way out of the bushes, cringing at the distant explosions. The Kraang must have moved their invasion force to the east side of the city. A grumbling stomach matched the constant booms in the distance. My grey eyes searched the street, and I spotted a now-crumbling bakery. I didn't really use any stealth as I hurried out into the open. I could care less what happened to me now. There were still a few people that I could see darting into alleys, but I doubted many had escaped the mutations. I dashed inside, slamming the door shut. The tiny bell at the top of the door frame trilled a few times, and I actually flinched at the sudden high-pitched sound.

Despite myself, I tiptoed around the overturned tables, making my way to the counter and hopping behind the cash register. I meandered through the kitchen, picking up a few scones here and there before spotting a blueberry muffin- my favorite. I wolfed it down and stuffed the scones in my pocket, before grabbing an Italian soda and heading out the back door. I squinted, adjusting to the darkness of the back street I had just entered. I looked up, and faintly saw a cloud of smoke billowing into the air. My heart sank, and I was once again hit with a sense of abandonment. I dropped to the ground, bringing my knees up to my chest, and trying to calm the whirlwind of panic and stress that finally overcame my brain.

There was nothing I could do now. The Kraang probably already had the city surrounded, and even if they didn't, how would I find a way to get out? I couldn't drive yet, not until I got my driver's license, which would be awhile from now. But what did that matter now? No one would care if an underage girl drove out of the city, no one would even notice. Still, the last time I'd tried to drive, I'd totaled the car.

I sighed. I didn't even have the heart to nibble on a scone. My thoughts drifted elsewhere, as they usually did, but this time to memories instead of a make-believe world. I wandered through early childhood memories, tidbits of thoughts from a few weeks ago, before my mind found the events of today. I pushed away the pain, trying desperately to forget. No luck whatsoever.

My eyes snapped open as I heard a strangled yell. I jerked my head up to the rooftops, where another shout sounded. I frowned, glimpsing the fire escape leading to the roof, and wondered...

Whatever, I thought, I'm probably gonna die anyway.

I stuffed the scones back into my pocket and downed what was left of the soda before scaling the ladder and peering out from the top. I realized I must have been somewhere in the warehouse district, since the roof of the building was scattered with crates, and there was what looked like a huge opening in the ceiling of the place.

A chill ran down my spine as another angry cry burst out, and my head whipped in the direction of the noise. I heard the clang of metal against metal, followed by a few robotic clicks and whirs. I glanced up at the warehouse across the street from the one I stood on, and saw a row of guys, all lined up along the edge, wearing identical black and red uniforms with matching ninja masks. My eyes widened in fear as each one tightened their grip on a bow, an arrow already notched in each, ready to let them fly.

I squinted my eyes to see their target, but couldn't find it among the masses of crates. My head darted back up to the army of bows men, and I caught sight of one taller than the rest, donning a wicked helmet with blades sticking out all over his steely grey armor. His bulky muscled form seemed to loom over everything in his path, and my stomach turned somersaults at the sight of him. His whole essence radiated evil.

The armored man pointed to a spot not to far from me, and all the bows were stretched tight. I ducked behind the escape as the arrows flew through the air, poking my head out to see—something— jump into the air and dodge every arrow.

I caught sight of two swords deflecting more volleys of arrows, and the figure jumped near me as more of the masked men advanced toward it. I thought I was hallucinating. This person, he was extremely muscled, and held his swords in a ready stance. A blue bandana was tied around his head, and as he flipped over a ninja soldier, I glimpsed his eyes— startlingly dark blue, like the ocean.

That wasn't what surprised me. This mysterious guy with the swords... he was green. He had green skin, and a turtle shell on his back.