Alternate Allure

CHAPTER 13: DEMONS

Your eyes snap open, and you take a big, deep breath. You're almost blissed out by the idea that your mom's letting you sleep in—until reality comes crashing back like a tidal wave.

'Oh. Right. She's gone...' You groan, stretching out every limb in your body, trying to shake off the morning fog. The movement sends a cascade of papers—your half-finished blueprints—flying off your bed.

'Ah, shit...!' You scramble to grab them, rubbing your eyes like you're trying to erase the sleep from your brain. 'Did I pass out mid-design?'

You glance at the doodles and squiggles that were supposed to be genius blueprints, but look more like a toddler's first art project. You sit up, groaning and stretching your arms like a sleepy cat.

'I really need to stop pulling all-nighters... But damn, making your own blueprints is hard! I don't know how Dee does it'

Dragging yourself up, you toss the plans back on your bed for another look.

'Hmm... maybe I should add a blade so it can double as a naginata, like Donnie's current staff' You tap your chin, trying to figure out how the heck you're going to make that happen.

'And if I want this thing to actually work and not fall apart, I gotta use some high-end materials. Something that won't snap easily... Maybe Grade 5 Titanium?'

You stumble your way to the bathroom, still in autopilot mode, and start brushing your teeth with half-closed eyes.

'Maybe I should get a part-time gig... Wonder if Murakami needs a kitchen assistant? Nah, I can't even boil water right... Maybe I could try waitressing'

Your gaze shifts to the wall clock as you rinse out your mouth. 'Wait, has he already opened? What time is it?' You spit out the water, almost choking in a panic.

"Crap, crap, crap!" You drop your toothbrush and frantically race around your room, hunting for your shoes. "I'm gonna miss the Space Heroes marathon!"

- - - - - - - - - -

"Sorry, guys!" You stumble into the lair, hands on your knees. "I totally zonked out! So, what chapter are we on?"

When you finally look up, you're greeted by a sight that stops you dead in your tracks. Your jaw drops as you spot a massive, unconscious mutant alligator sprawled out on the floor, with Mikey hugging it like it's his long-lost plushie. Leo and Raph are standing around, looking like they're trying to figure out whether to be angry or concerned.

"...Okay, what the hell did I miss?"

"See? Even MC thinks this is a bad idea!" Raph throws his hands up in disbelief. "I can't believe we let Mikey talk us into this."

"Aww, come on, just look at him!" Mikey chirps, nestling his teddy bear between the giant gator's arms. "He's so peaceful..."

"That's because he's out cold!" You point at the massive reptile, waving your arms around like you're directing traffic in a hurricane. "Can someone please explain why there's a mutant alligator in the living room?! I came here for a Space Heroes marathon, not—" You gesture wildly at the reptile. "—whatever this is!"

"Don't worry, MC" Donnie says, striding into the room with a heavy chain in his hands. "I'll explain in a sec."

"Whoa." Mikey eyes the chain like Donnie just ate the last slice of pizza. "What are those for?"

"We can't keep him here unless he's chained to something really big"

"That's so wrong!" Mikey huffs, glaring at all of you before flinging his arms around the mutant's massive shoulders. "He's not gonna hurt us! We saved him!" Just as he says this, the reptile's eyes snap open, solid white, and unblinking. The room falls dead silent for a moment. "See? He's perfectly calm. I bet the first thing he's gonna do is thank—"