Non-Mutation (Book Four)

Chapter 18: Ruby

The ruby symbolizes love, energy, passion, power, and a zest for life. Like no other gemstone in the world, ruby is the perfect symbol for powerful feelings.

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The next night, Raphael decides to get out of the lair the first chance he gets. After the latest revelation, the stress levels in his family went up and it's difficult for anyone to relax. Leonardo hardly looks at Raphael and spends more time in the dojo, meditating alone. Destiny tries to distract herself with reading, but she's read every book she owns and her gaze constantly switches from the page to the dojo. Raphael notices that she keeps reading the same page over and over again.

Donatello and Sarina hardly leave their lab, trying to put the pieces together in hopes that doing so will make everything better. Sarina shorts out at one point, her fingers and joints sparking as she shuts down from exhaustion. Donatello stops working to plug her in, too drained to do much else until she wakes up again.

Michelangelo calls April as he sits on the couch near Raphael.

"Hey April?" he asks. There's a pause. "Can I hang out with you? Everyone's...bummed out." There's another pause as he listens to the redhead's response. His face lights up. "Really? Thanks, April! You're the best!"

He hangs up, calling out a quick goodbye before dashing out of the lair. Raphael listens to his footsteps disappear and lets out a heavy sigh, slumping back in his beanbag chair. He stares at the silent lair. Destiny is half texting Diaval, half watching for Leonardo. Donatello massages Sarina's shoulders and back in an effort to help her release stress. She still twitches and sparks every now and then, but less so than before.

Seeing his chance, Raphael gets up and heads out of the lair.

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Taylor is sitting with her legs dangling off the edge of the building when he arrives, her gaze distant and her shoulders stiff. Raphael approaches slowly, silently.

"I didn't think you'd show up," she admits.

He settles down at her side with a shrug. "I had to."

They linger in the silence for a while. She swings her feet and hums bits and pieces of songs to herself as she fiddles with her hair. He listens to her, eyes closed, wind toying with his mask tails. Sirens echo across the expanse. Car horns honk. The skyline glitters with life.

"Taylor..." he starts.

"I don't want to talk about the Purple Dragons," she interrupts. "I want us to act like two normal people, that's it."

He nods and shifts over to rest his hand on hers. She shuts her eyes, hiding their pretty hazel colour from his view.

"We can just...talk," he suggests. "Not sure about what. My family is basically all I've got." She manages a weak smile and his face gains hope. "Could...you tell me about your family?"

She smirks. "Well, I think you've reached level five friendship. Felicitaciones, you've unlocked my tragic backstory!"

She wiggles her eyebrows and he laughs. A teasing glint reappears in her eyes, but before he can enjoy it further, it flickers out and she takes a deep breath. Her sneakers kick at the open air.

"So...I ran away when I was fourteen," she starts. Her voice is soft and already she's shaking. Raphael's hand tightens against hers. "My mamá and papá divorced when I was ten and she went off to live in Segovia with her new husband, had new kids. She moved on with her life. I felt...abandoned. It was like she didn't care that papá and I had been her family. I spent years being angry at her, but I was glad that I had papá. He made sure I didn't miss out on anything."