Soft Shell - RISE DONNIE X READER

Captured and Confused

Bright lights.

Burning, bright, florescent lights.

 "Gosh, those lights are bright!" I half-groaned to myself like waking up from a nap. Then I suddenly remembered everything that had transpired since the meeting. Looking around, I saw I was tied to a chair in the middle of an empty room. The place was run down and abandoned, so I assumed it was the restaurant.

"Well, well, well. Looks like someone woke up, huh?" A male voice rang in my ears. He sounded like he was all around me at the same time. 

"Does your voice always sound like that or is it just because of that smoke?" I asked, trying to be kinda funny. I didn't mean to make it sound rude.

Crash

"Don't disrespect me lady!" 

I couldn't believe my eyes. Actually, I could, but it was still surprising. There was a giant, humanoid king cobra snake peering into my eyes. He had scales all along his body and a spiky leather vest, which was kinda stylish to be honest, adorning him. 

I sucked in a breath and quickly tried to respond and lighten the mood. "Hey, sorry! I didn't mean it like that. It's just that I'm kinda tied to a chair and practically kidnapped so..." 

He spun around and started to swipe on his phone. This lizard has a phone! 

"Listen, I'm not getting paid to babysit." He snarled. His eyes were focusing on me and giving a suspicious glare. "So just quiet down will you?" The giant snake proceeded to sit down in another chair across the room and casually watched his phone like it was the most normal thing ever. His tail occasionally twirled around below him, his tongue flicking in and out of his mouth. 

I didn't want to be rude but nothing was making sense. First of all, why were there mutants in New York City? Second, why was I being kidnapped by a giant king cobra? And third, why are there mutants in New York City?

"Excuse me but, can I ask you something?"

He looked up for a second then resumed his scrolling. "Sure."

"Why the heck am I being kidnapped by a giant snake? Why are there mutants in New York City?Who the heck sent me that message? And who are you?" I rattled off the questions with an eager tone. His eyes left the screen as the phone was sat down swiftly, the mutant snake rising to his full height. Slithering across the floor to meet me, his tongue flicked a few times. 

I flinched as he sat down next to me, inches away and capable of biting me with his fangs. His tail wrapped around the chair and he rested an arm over my shoulder. "Look, since ya asked and I'm bored, I'm gonna answer ya. But it's not because I'm being nice to ya. Got that, doll?" He hissed. I somehow liked and hated when guys used the term doll.

I nodded. "Alright."

"The name's Flick. You probably noticed my stunning appearance, huh? Not exactly what I was wanting, but it works." He paused, sharpening a fang with his claw. "Anyways, I do these little flicks for some people. Not exactly my buddies. But they pay well, and that's what I'm looking for. Ya hear me?" 

I nod, trying to smile.

"Alright." He said. I noticed him watching me out of the corner of his eyes. 

"Say, you don't look like the usual people I'm bringing in. Nothing about you screams... dangerous. Not to be rude or anything but, what's a girl like you doing out here making deals with-" 

Bang

The bricks on the wall across from us exploded, revealing a large man dressed in metal and two smaller mutants. One was a rhinoceros, and the other was a wart hog. 

"Flick." A gruff, gravely voice boomed into the room. "Do you have the girl?"

The giant cobra gave me another expressionless look and then turned to the mysterious man, twirling his tail in the air. "Yes, as you requested."

I stared at the tall, ripped dude wearing the full-on samurai suit.

 "This just keeps getting crazier." I mumbled. But the man heard me, somehow from across the room, and his head poked up and seemed to be having a staring contest with me. It was like everyone froze. Nobody moved, silence filling the room. 

I felt uneasy and awkward. Trying to be funny, I spoke up. "So uh, you guys wanna go get something to eat? I hear other places have great food service..." 

The shredded samurai dude just huffed quietly and stepped toward me, trying to be intimidating. "Excuse me girl, but do you know who I am?" 

I shook my head. "I've got no clue who the heck anyone here is, or why I'm here, or why there are freaking mutant animals in New York City!" 

He changed his expression. I couldn't tell what he was feeling because of the metal helmet covering his eyes, but I thought I saw him look away for a moment. "I see." His rough voice interrupted the silence. "I will have Rocksteady escort you back to the-" 

Thud

Crash

A tin can had fallen behind me, startling everyone in the room. It seemed like they were on their toes, almost like they were expecting some sort of monster to burst through the windows. But after the can had hit the ground, I noticed a strange shadow in the corner of the room. It was like a giant... turtle? 

Giant turtles don't make sense. 

Wait... 

"Actually, change of plans." The armored man said suddenly, making everyone stare at him. "I will release you, girl. But you must remain silent regarding our interaction." His eyes were piercing through the helmet, almost eager for me to agree. 

"Ok..." I said hesitantly.

I looked up wearily. In the corner, the giant wart hog and rhino were whispering. Then I noticed Flick was swiftly crawling out of the hole in the wall and into the shadows. Somehow, this all looked completely normal.

Maybe I should take that drug test...

"I will untie you now. Do not scream or make any loud noises." He took out a blade and quickly cut the rope, freeing me. I just looked at him with a confused expression.

 "But why would you-"

"You may go now."

Slowly, my feet lifted themselves up and I began to walk out of the building. Searching the ground for any traps or wires, I saw nothing. Just the dusty, run-down flooring. I couldn't believe they would go to the trouble of kidnapping me only to set me free again.

But right as I exited, I thought I heard a whisper. It was the wart hog. 

Turning to hide myself out of their view, I crouched along the exterior of the restaurant. It was a conversation between the two mutants and the samurai. 

"But boss, why'd you let her go?"

"Yeah! She's gonna go tell them!"

"No, she doesn't even know they exist. It's obvious she's just a confused citizen. I doubt she'll even be listened to. Half these people wouldn't believe it even with evidence."

"But what if she does?"

"Silence! I know what I'm doing. If she does in fact know the turtles, then my plan will work out quite well. That girl is probably going back to her little apartment, and once she gets there, a few friends may come to check in on her. If they are in fact the turtles, my men will have their orders to contain them." 

"Ok, boss."

"But what do we do?"

"Nothing."

The sound of footsteps echoed in the building, alarming me to get away quickly. If what these guys were saying was true, maybe I really did see a giant turtle earlier. 

No wonder it's called the city that never sleeps. How could you after this?