A spice that represents stability and soothing warmth.
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"I know you," the scientist says, eyes on the only true Purple Dragon in the room. "You're Taylor. You got the serum tested on you when you came in more dead than alive."
Taylor frowns a little, one eyebrow arching as she gets to her feet. "Han...Hanovitz?"
The woman nods, making her ponytail swing. "Yes." She looks to the others again, lips pursing. "Oh, I know you two," she says to Destiny and Sarina. "You're here for the turtles and the rat, aren't you?"
"If you try to stop us, it won't work," Destiny growls, spreading her wings as she bares her teeth.
Hanovitz's eyes narrow. "I'm sure it won't, Destiny," she murmurs. Her ageing face seems to soften and she reaches into her pocket, causing a few flinches around the room, but all that comes out is a set of keys. She hands them to Taylor. "Here. They're on the fifth floor, all except red. That's the fourth floor. The keys are colour coded with their masks."
"What?" Sarina asks.
Hanovitz blinks. "I'm very forgetful about keys, so—"
"No, not that. That's very useful and I applaud you but...aren't you one of them?" she asks, eyes flashing.
"Yes, but that does not mean I agree with everything that is happening." She brushes a strand of hair from her forehead. "If you succeed, fine. I'm clocking out now, so Sabrian will never know that I had any involvement. If you fail, well, then you squandered your opportunity."
Casey curls his fingers into his palm. "This has gotta be a trick," he mutters.
April shuts her eyes, fingertips at her temple. "No...she's genuine."
Taylor raises her eyebrows. "You can sense intentions? Why couldn't you do that with me?" she asks.
"I did. Why do you think I went along with your plan?" comes the smooth retort. Casey smirks. Taylor's nostrils flare as she lets out a little huff.
Hanovitz reaches for the door. "Good luck," she says. "Also, word of advice, security guards make their rounds in two hours, so make it quick."
She disappears, the clicking of her shoes fading away into nothing as she moves down the hallway. The teenagers look amongst themselves in silent confirmation that yes, that just happened. Taylor stares at the keys with wide eyes, then slowly looks back at the others. She smirks and spins them around her fingers.
"Told you I'd get the keys," she says.
"Shut up," Destiny retorts.
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Casey and April walk down the long hallways, brown keys clutched in Casey's hand. April keeps one hand on her forehead, sensing her way to Splinter. She finally gets a clear image of a door labelled "Reflexes 1" and she gasps as she rounds the corner. Sure enough, she spots the door and her and Casey go racing towards it.
They push it open. Inside, they find Splinter in a large cage that most closely resembles something you would get for a rodent at a pet store. His eyes are drooped with exhaustion and his kimono has been reduced to shreds, tied in strips on various parts of his body. His fur is matted and in desperate need of a wash.
Casey hurries to the cage and unlocks it while April retrieves a spare lab coat from a nearby bin. Casey slips inside and kneels next to Splinter, reaching out to shake his shoulder.
"Splinter?" he asks. The rat's ears perk and his body slumps with relief when he sees who's next to him. Casey helps him up. "Hey, stay with us."
Splinter leans against Casey as they hobble from the cage, meeting April there. She drags the lab coat over his shoulders, her expression downtrodden. Splinter's knees wobble but Casey stays strong.
YOU ARE READING
Non-Mutation (Book Four)
Fanfiction"You're weird too, Raphael. But...I like weird." Her anger has built over the years, festering inside of her like a disease with no cure. It is dragon fire with a heat that nothing can extinguish. She sees red, the colour that has always fuelled her...
