Through An Artist's Eyes - Book 1 - Raphael x OC x Leonardo

EPILOGUE

...A WEEK LATER...

The night was cold and crisp when I returned to New York City. I only heard the sirens in the distance and fine raindrops that splattered on the ground. After I last saw the turtle brothers, I took off to the countryside for this past week, living in the abandoned barn my family owned and left behind. It was nowhere near the farmhouse I grew up in, but it was the closest thing to comfort I could think of. I only scavenged for food from the berry bushes, apple orchards and fish in the lake. And for my hygiene. I went to the lake for a swim.

I walked along the streets and saw one of the big screens highlighting a report that was done by April. 'Finally, she is living her dream'. I smiled proudly at my brunette friend and went to the subway station to reach the apartment. When I got to the door of the loft, a familiar gingerhead welcomed me. Excited, I ran up to Jakey.

"Jakey!" I jumped into his arms and held him tightly. Hugging him and taking in his scent. He smelled like burnt ochre, vanilla and amber. Trying my best to burn his scent and features into memory.

"Hey, my goth!" Jakey smiled brightly and warmly. He knew today would be difficult for me, and he knew when I needed him.

I opened the apartment and went straight to the array of DVDs on the shelf. After taking out "Orphan" and pressing play, I got the buttered popcorn and beverages ready for me and Jakey. After I handed Jakey his bowl of popcorn and his beverage, we were fully captured in the movie.

While we were watching the movie, I absentmindedly took my phone, which I placed on the charger port. I switched it off when I left for the countryside so that Donnie wouldn't be able to track me. I needed a moment or a couple of days to myself.

The phone switched on and I saw the string of notifications and messages displayed on my phone screen. Most of them were the turtle brothers and April who tried to reach me but I ignored the messages and concentrated on my time with Jakey.

After the credits started rolling, also about the fifth jump scare and girlish scream from Jakey and me chuckling at him like an idiot, he jumped up and gestured with his hands in a 'no' motion. "I never want to have kids! Why do you like watching horror movies with kids, Alley?!" Jakey screamed, and this made me laugh harder at him.

"Oh, come on. It wasn't so bad, Jakey. And I so want you to be the godfather if I ever have kids," I answered with a huge grin on my lips. Jakey's eyes went wide like dinner plates and he was shaking his head back and forth, gesturing 'no'.

"There is no way in hell I am going to have kids or be a godfather!" I snorted even more and chuckled at his response. I needed this. The way Jakey and I bicker and joke. I held my stomach. Because of how much I was dying of laughter at my best friend.

"Especially if they are like you. Sass, hot-headed and being pint-sized as well," he finished his explanation while brushing away his ginger locks. "That will scare the shit out of me."

"Awww, thank you so much for the compliments, Jakey!" I pressed my hands to my chest, covering my heart. I laughed all the way and chuckled at his facial reaction.

Then Jakey erupted with laughter as well. We went to the kitchen and topped up our beverages. A serious look crossed Jakey's features. His green and blue-colored eyes looked even darker than usual.

"I am so glad you are laughing like you used to. Before Mom..." Jakey said solemnly while he gazed out of the window into the distance and looked back at me.

The atmosphere changed to tense. Very palpable and thick. After biting my lower lip and looking back at Jakey. "I know, Jakey. After Mom," I sighed deeply. "Nothing has been the same since she passed."