Legacy Mutation (Book Eight)

Chapter 53: Slipping Through The Cracks

Elisabeth walks into the lair, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The home is a little more alive than usual, seeing as it's the evening and everyone is home from whatever they were doing. There was a sleepover planned for tonight, hence why Elisabeth and all the other friends are there.

Copeland sits on the bench in front of the TV, petting Tiki while he's in his dog form. The fluffy black and white animal cuddles against her, giving her a rare sort of comfort. Dakota, Lukas, and Asher sit together on sleeping bags that are laid out on the floor, Dakota between the two boys. Mitch and Nixie play Pokémon on her handheld gaming system, groaning or celebrating when the need comes. Venus and Blake play Tic-Tac-Toe on their own sleeping bags, the boy still relatively silent.

For a moment, Elisabeth remembers the sleepover that they had back in grade nine when they were all just becoming friends. With her cheeks heating up a little, she remembers the Spin the Bottle game that earned her her first kiss.

Tiki makes a little barking noise and he bats his paws on Copeland's plastron.

"What?" she mumbles.

He sits down on his haunches and tilts his head, narrowing his eyes at her.

"You got me out here, be happy you even got that," she huffs. "I was just going to stay with Dean."

Tiki sighs heavily, returning to his human form in a flash. He adjusts his hat and brushes his clothes off, wrapping an arm around his friend's shoulder.

"You need to find some way to cheer up," he tells her gently.

"Then get Dean to wake up. Simple," she answers briskly. "Let's watch cartoons or something. Anything but Space Heroes."

The other friends look up at her briefly, their faces falling. Nixie nudges Mitch, trying to distract him with her game again. He manages a weak smile.

Elisabeth turns and heads down the hallway, wanting to see Dean before she joins in on the hanging out. As she nears his room, the sound of someone's voice reaches her. She stops outside the door, which is slightly ajar, peeking in through the small crack.

Leonardo kneels next to Dean's bed, holding his son's hand with his forehead resting on his chest. Soft cries shake his body, his tears soaking his mask.

"I'm so sorry, Dean," he whispers. "I'm so sorry I gave up on you. I'm sorry that I'm a terrible father." He looks up, watching the wolf-raven's still face. "Please...please wake up. Your mother and I...we're already on thin ice with each other. Losing you will be that final push off the edge...and I'll lose you both. Venus...she needs her big brother to be there to help her fight. Your cousins need you to be their leader. We...I...I just..."

He breaks down further, sobbing into the mattress. Elisabeth pushes the door open gently and inches towards the distraught turtle.

"Mr Hamato?" she whispers.

He jumps, looking over his shoulder. Upon seeing the girl, he sniffs hurriedly and snorts unattractively in the process as he gets to his feet.

"Uh...h-hey Elisabeth. I...I didn't see you come in," he mumbles. "I'll go."

He moves past her, and she reaches out and gently touches his shell. He stops, his muscles tightening reflexively.

"Copeland told me about everything that's been happening," she murmurs. "You and Destiny fighting...almost turning off the machines..."

"That was a mistake," the blue-masked turtle says thickly.

"What kind of a father are you?" Copeland's voice echoes in his memories, making him cringe.