In The Eye of The Tigress (T.1)

Chap 11

~JANE~
New York's Rooftops, Manhattan, New York

The smell of iron and dust lingered in the air as I held the device my uncle had made in my hands. I had always been fascinated by his inventions, but this one was different. It seemed to pulse with its own energy, as if it had a will of its own. With a mix of excitement and apprehension, I activated it, hoping it would lead me to some answers.

I always wonder where he finds these kinds of metals to create such machines!

The machine emitted a faint beep, and a screen flickered to life, projecting a radar of the city. I aimed it ahead of me to intercept the signal more clearly. Suddenly, a bright spot blinked on the map, catching my attention. My heart raced when I realized the point was close—just in the abandoned alley beneath my feet.

Maybe it’s worth checking out!

After a few moments, the machine stabilized, and following its directions, I looked down at... a manhole cover. Seriously?

Well, here goes nothing. I mean, who lives in the sewers anyway? 
I crouched down, lifted the cover, checking the surroundings to ensure no one was watching. And off I go! 

New York sewers, what secrets do you hide?

~****~

I kept walking through the sewers for what felt like ages while my uncle's radar continued beeping. Okay, if you're still beeping, I must be close, but I've been walking forever!

As I walked, I thought about my brief conversation with Leo earlier. I still didn’t know what to make of him. 
Was he really sincere, or was this some “ninja technique” to deceive me? 
Then again, neither of us had given good reasons to trust each other, and his brothers probably saw me as a full-on ally of those damned robots.

Speaking of which...

I still can’t shake the feeling that I know them, that they seem so familiar. And on top of that, those new nightmares that began last night...

I'm starting to wonder if they're even nightmares at all...

Just as these thoughts crossed my mind, my radar signaled that I had reached the destination. I now stood in a train alley, facing what looked like an old subway entrance.

What the heck?

This place seemed lived in, and a faint light coming from a room at the end caught my attention. 
I decided to move closer, stashing away the radar, getting into stealth mode. Showtime!

Inside, I discovered a large space filled with everyday items, pretty well-organized. It looked like some sort of underground hideout. I moved cautiously, exploring every corner. My heart was racing with curiosity pushing me to wander everywhere: a small TV in the center of a two-step platform, a punching bag hanging in the middle, an arcade game.

Whoever lives here has a pretty sweet setup!

-“Whoa, what the—” I whispered as I almost tripped, only to find a small turtle in my way.

-"Hey there, little guy! What are you doing here?" I asked, offering my finger to pet it, which it happily accepted. I’ve always had a way with animals!

I picked him up and placed him on my shoulder before heading to another room in this lair. What I found there was a sort of dojo, with a tree in the middle.

Mhhh, my theory is really starting to take shape now...

I wandered around a bit more, the little turtle still on my shoulder, munching on a leaf. I stopped in front of something that caught my eye: a framed photo on a shelf. I leaned in to examine it more closely. It was a family photo, showing a wise-looking man, presumably with his wife and child.

Who are they? Why is this photo here?

-"Hey, little buddy, do you know this man? Is he your owner?" I asked the turtle, who looked at me with what seemed like a little smile.

-"I don’t know who he is, but he’s got a nice little family, though I still wonder why they live in the sewers," I continued, speaking aloud.

-"Why don’t you ask him yourself?" responded a calm, deep, slightly authoritative voice.

I jumped, startled. I turned quickly, my heart pounding, to find… a rat standing there, his sharp gaze fixed on me. 
Really, turtles, now a rat—at this point, why not? 
The atmosphere was tense, and I sensed a mix of suspicion between us.

-“Who are you? And may I ask what you’re doing here?” he inquired in that same calm tone.

-“Well, to be honest, even I don’t really know. I ended up here by accident. I was using a device my uncle made for my little research, and it led me here,” I answered truthfully.

The rat observed me for a moment, then slowly nodded. I wasn’t sure if he believed me, but I tried. Besides, I didn’t really want to fight or attack him.

-"You are brave to enter here," he said, circling me, observing.

-“Mh, can we really call it bravery? I’d say it’s more like… let me think… reckless curiosity, unintentional though!” I added a bit of irony, hoping to lighten the mood—for both of us.

He kept watching me. Well, I don’t know what he thinks of me, but I can’t blame him!

-“Listen, Mr. Rat… I don’t want any trouble. I didn’t mean to end up here, so if you want me to leave, or if you plan to kick me out, you can—" I interrupted myself, dodging a sneaky trip he tried with his tail.

Nice…

And surprisingly, he... smiled? Then he stepped closer, his eyes filled with wisdom.

-"Good reflexes! It’s as I thought—you don’t seem to have bad intentions," he said, standing upright.

-“Whoa… Did you read my mind with your ‘sensei wisdom’ to figure that out?” I replied, a little sarcastically but with a small smile.

To my surprise, he smiled again. Well, I guess he likes me!

-"I’ve heard about you, young lady. You must have much to tell me," he said.

So my suspicions were right!

-“Let me guess: a turtle with a blue bandana came to his sensei to talk about the first girl he’s ever met?” I replied, knowing exactly who he meant.

He didn’t even need to answer for me to know I was spot on. But he didn’t seem bothered.

-"That’s more or less correct. But now that you’re here, I’d like us to talk, and I’d like to know more about who you are!" he said, sitting cross-legged and inviting me to do the same.

-“No problem! But how about a 50/50 deal: I’ll talk, and you share some info with me too. Deal?” I said.

He gave me a genuine smile, nodding in agreement. I sat down with the little turtle still perched on my shoulder.

-“Looks like Spike has made a new friend!” he added, referring to the little animal.

Spike? So that’s his name? Cute!

I had a feeling I’d get along with this rat, whose name I still didn’t know. But hey, there’s always a first for everything. 

Even for potential friendships.