In The Eye of The Tigress (T.1)

Chap 10

~LEONARDO~
Abandoned warehouse, Manhattan, New York

I really don't know what to think about this girl!

Night had fallen over New York, and the cool breeze swept through the dark alleys. I stood on a rooftop, leaping from one to another as I made my way across the city to meet the others, who were probably waiting for me. The twinkling lights seemed far removed from the reality I knew, one full of dangers and mysteries. My encounter with that girl had been haunting me. It wasn’t just curiosity that bothered me, but also the unease she stirred within me.

And besides, she’s kind of cute too! … DAMN IT, I NEED TO STOP!

I've always been wary of strangers, and this girl was no exception. Yet, I couldn’t deny she had something special. Her bravery, her audacity, even her sense of humor struck me. But the mystery surrounding her was very real. The Kraang weren’t just a threat to me, my brothers, and April; it seems we might have a new enemy, on top of the Kraang and the Foot Clan. As I kept thinking, a familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts.

-“Hey, Leo!” I turned to see April approaching, clearly out of breath, with the others right behind her.

-“What are you doing here?” I asked, concern evident in my voice.

-“We were wondering where you were, since you weren’t answering!” Raph chimed in from behind her, arms crossed. “Where the hell were you, anyway?”

A shiver ran down my spine. How do I explain that I went back to that building to try and find this girl again?

Oh well, screw it!

-“I went back to the abandoned building from the other night,” I told him, trying to ease his suspicion.

-“But why did you go back there? There’s nothing left to do there; we handled the Kraang just fine!” added Mikey, sitting in a yoga pose on the wall next to Raph.

-“Well, that's not really why I went back…” I started to explain, as if each word was a battle against fear.

-“Wait a minute, don’t tell me you went back there to find that girl?” Donnie finally realized, tilting his head slightly, eyebrows furrowed.

-“Uhmm… sort of,” I eventually admitted, trying to end the interrogation.

And judging by the look on Raph’s face, I’m in for it...

-“Wait, what?? You went back to that old building to find that little snoop who’s working with the Kraang??” Raph growled at me.

-“For one, lower your voice, you’re hurting my ears, and two, who said she’s working for them?” I snapped back, raising my voice too.

-“Who are you guys talking about? What’s this about a girl?” asked April.

-“Oh, last night we ran into this girl, and she was so cool! And really pretty too!” Mikey added in response.

Suddenly, April went silent, thinking for a moment, as if she had heard something similar before. What’s going on with her?

-“April, are you okay?” Donnie asked, a little worried.

-“Oh, yeah, I’m fine. It’s just… what does this girl look like?” she suddenly asked us.

Huh? Why is she interested in this girl?

-“Well, if I remember correctly: tall brunette, slender face, long hair in a braid, golden eyes, and a pretty athletic build,” replied Donnie. “But why are you asking?”