Alternate Allure

CHAPTER 11: MOVE ALONG

"I can't believe it."

You're walking home from school through a sketchy alley, glued to your phone. The latest news is crazy: Dr. Falco escaped before his trial even started.

"He totally used the last of his psychic powers to outsmart the cops"

You keep walking, eyes glued to the screen, until a light breeze ruffles your hair.

"Hmm?"

You glance around, but there's nothing.

'Weird. Shouldn't these walls block the wind?'

You shrug it off and keep walking. But then you hear another noise, something definite this time.

'Okay, that wasn't my imagination.'

You squint into the shadows and spot something massive moving on a nearby rooftop. A loud screech follows, echoing off the buildings. You squint again and your jaw drops.

'A giant bird?!'

No time to think. You take off running, pure terror fueling your steps, with no idea where you're headed.

'Okay, MC, think! A giant bird is chasing you... what are you gonna do?'

You dart down a side street, your heart pounding like a boombox at full volume and your breath comes in ragged gasps.

'Why did it have to be something that flies...? Dammit!'

You slap your face a couple of times, trying to snap yourself out of it. Your eyes dart everywhere, searching for a place to hide, until they land on a bank with huge windows.

'That's it--!' You sprint for the door. 'Birds can't see glass!'

You quickly enter the bank, slamming the door shut behind you. Quickly pulling out your inhaler, you take a puff to try to steady your breathing, just as your pursuer crashes through the window, startling you. Even though your body's shaking like a leaf, you step outside to check if the creature is hurt, inching closer. You stumble back as the figure stands up, eyeing you curiously. Up close, it's clear: your stalker is a mutant, a human body with a pigeon head. It tilts its head at you before flying away, leaving you covering yourself with your arms.

"...When I wished for a more exciting life, this is definitely not what I had in mind..."

- - - - - - - - - -

"Check this out, guys!" Donnie bursts into the dojo while Leo and Raph are mid-morning training. He's holding a bowl filled with what look like eggs. "We're about to take our ninjutsu to a whole new level!"

"Cool" Leo grins, using Donnie's entrance as a distraction to deliver a slick roundhouse kick to Raph's legs, sending him crashing to the floor. Red groans, rubbing his backside.

"Last night, I figured out how to make—" Don holds up one of the objects from the bowl, ready to throw it. "—ninja smoke bombs!"

He sticks out his tongue in concentration and hurls the bomb to the ground, which erupts in a cloud of smoke. The next second, he's standing behind his brothers, hand on his hip, wearing a proud smile. Raph and Leo stare at him in amazement.

"MC gave me the idea after the fight with Chris and Xever" He picks up another bomb, showing it off. "So, to make 'em, I carefully drill two holes in an eggshell without cracking it, blow out the contents, let the inside dry, pour in flash powder, and seal the holes with wax—"