Mutated Secrets (Sequel to HANT) (TMNT)

Chapter 10: Kirby the Bat pt. 2

I watch in horror as Mikey finally lands a hit on Mr. O'Neil. Kirby begins to fall slowly out of the air, twisting as he makes his way down. Mikey's eyes are wide both in fear and surprise that he finally landed a hit on the bat.

"This way!" April shouts, running in the direction her father fell. Donnie, Leo, and I follow her quickly with Raphael joining us halfway.

"You guys try to chase him around the building, I've got an idea!" Leo shouts, turning and taking off down an alley.

"You heard him! Let's do this!" Raphael growls, swirling his sais as he takes off in a full sprint.

I could sense April's worry as she began to slow down some. I slow to a stop with her as the boys continue forward. I glance up at her as she hugs herself with her arms.

"Are you okay?" I question, breathing heavily as I try to catch my breath. My body was growing exhausted from the long day we've had. From following an enemy to locate mutagen, climbing a building to rescue my best friend, and now chasing her dad... I was tired and didn't even realize until I had a minute to slow down.

I dig my nails into my palm as I wait for her response, attempting to keep myself from yawning during this serious moment. When she looks up at me I notice the tears threatening to spill out of her blue eyes.

"What are we going to do when we catch him this time? Donnie hasn't completed the retro mutagen yet." Her voice is soft as confesses the thoughts running through her mind. My heart clenches as her sadness overwhelms me. I could feel how scared she was and how sad it made her not being able to see her dad again as a human.

"We will figure this out, we always do." I say, unconvincingly. I place a hand on her shoulder as she lets tears fall from her eyes. I rub her back and pull her into a hug as a full sob breaks from her throat. "Donnie will fix this."

After a few minutes, she pulls back and sniffles, "I guess you're right... Come on, let's go catch up with them. I'm sure by now they've gotten him to the warehouse."

I nod, "I know a shortcut. If they haven't caught him yet they should when we get there."

We hurry between different buildings, taking the shortcut that I've come to remember from when I used to go jogging. I miss going for runs. Too bad I couldn't be seen by humans or I would still jog in my spare time. When we get to the warehouse, the boys are already inside putting locks on the metal cage entrapping her bat father.

"Sorry, Kirby. It's only temporary." I hear Leo say as we creep into the abandoned building. Mikey and Raphael are high fiving each other while Donnie is beside the cage with a worried look on his face as he inspects Mr. O'Neil.

"Dad..." April whispers, walking over to the catch. "I'm so sorry. I never should have tricked you into being on that rooftop with me. This is all my fault." (THAT'S RIGHT. I'M MAKING HER TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HER ACTIONS. BECAUSE IT IS PARTIALLY HER FAULT THAT HE WAS ON THE ROOF TO BEGIN WITH.)

"It's all of our fault," I whisper, tugging the sleeves of my hoodie down over my hands. I could feel the guilt radiating off of everyone. Everyone's emotions were so high that I was beginning to feel suffocated by it. What is going on with me? "Don't take all of the blame."

"What are we going to do with him?" Mikey asks, hugging the cage as Kirby cowers back with fear. I guess he wasn't a fan of Mikey anymore after nearly falling out of the sky. Poor Mr. O'Neil.

"We are going to take him to the lair." Leo states matter of factly.

"What?" Raph nearly explodes, his anger dominating his previous sense of guilt. "We can't bring him down there! What if he escapes and leads the enemy right to us?"