Forbidden

Chapter 9 - The Beautiful Roommate

After witnessing the horror of what Shredder attempted to do to his own daughter, I was convinced that anywhere within a mile radius of him was dangerous for Karai. The only solution that remained was the most difficult to maintain...

Frank finishes applying the fresh dressing on Splinter's wound, while Karai and I watch in the corner. It's been a few days since the attacks, and Splinter is nearly ready to go home. As for Karai, I feel like it would be dangerous to let her return to her father.

Splinter gently hauls himself off the table, landing gracefully on his feet. He faces Frank, who watches him stand tall and proud for the first time since his injury. "Thank you, my friend." He says. "Your hospitality and generosity have been more than substantial. I appreciate your effort to keep us safe."

Frank nods. "It was my pleasure, Yoshi." He hands him his twisted cane, as he slowly walks towards the exit. As he hobbles along, I can hear a vehicle pulling up outside. Next thing I know, April, Casey, Raph, Donnie and Mikey all enter the room.

"Sensei!" Mikey shouts, throwing his arms around him. "We've missed you!" Donnie, April, Casey and Raph eventually join in the hug as an overjoyed Splinter struggles to keep his arms around everyone.

"It is good to be back, my sons." He says.

Karai faces me, and tucks a stray hair behind her ear. "So, what happens now?"

I shuffle my feet. "I don't know." I say. I watch as Karai's gaze falls to the ground, her face full of uncertainty. I gently grab her shoulders reassuringly. "I do know that I'm not letting you go back there. To that slaughterhouse."

She looks up at me, a small smile forming on her lips. "You think... You think Splinter would approve?"

Without giving it a second thought, I rush over to Splinter. I explain to him my reasons for keeping Karai safe, and convince him that Shredder's lair is no place for a teenage girl - especially Karai. Splinter nods his head, and - full of joy - I walk back to Karai. She fiddles with her fingernails nervously.

"Well?" She says.

I open my arms wide. "Welcome to the family."

She lets out a shrill squeak before throwing her arms around me. I wrap my arms around her little waist, and hold her tightly. Having Karai live with us isn't going to be easy, and keeping our secret safe is going to be even harder. Nevertheless, I'm convinced that we can make it work. After all, Donnie managed to do it with April; and we all know how head-over-heels he was for her!

Leaving Frank's lab and heading into the outside world feels refreshing and new, like I've been locked away for a lifetime. Despite it being your average New York evening, I almost feel as though I've been reborn into a new me. I look around at the glowing city lights, taking in all the senses of New York: the smell of the musty air, the sound of thousands of cabs honking in heavy traffic, the taste of the sweat of the people who spent their days on the sidewalk trying to sell something, the sight of the deep blue sky only illuminated by the traffic lights and buildings that lined each street, the feel of the brisk breeze against my skin.

As we all begin to pile into the Shellraiser, I catch a glimpse of Frank watching us from his laboratory window. We make eye contact, and after a few seconds he shakes his head at me. Ignoring his warnings, I follow Karai into the vehicle.

Karai, April and Casey sit at the back with Splinter, while Donnie is on GPS, Raph on weapons and Mikey keeping everyone company. As for me, I'm the one driving. With a smug look on my face, I rev the engine; looking back at Karai's face to see if she's impressed.

"Don't blow the engines, Leo!" Raph scolds. I can feel my face turn rhubarb with embarrassment as Karai giggles quietly.

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