The Third Deadly Sin (TMNT fan fiction)

The Third Deadly Sin Part 1

Four turtle brothers and their human friend perched atop a building in an aging residential neighborhood in New York City.

Up and down the street were indicators that the area was about to undergo a transformation; several buildings had already been removed, leaving empty grass lots. Still others were destined for demolition, including the one they were currently studying.

The aging brownstone mansion was covered in archaic stonework, the once beautiful and unique artistry now crumbling into ruins. The sidewalk leading to the front steps was jagged and uneven; the areaway in front of the stairs that lead down to the basement was blocked with debris.

A security fence had been erected around the structure to keep the curious, the homeless, and the mischievous out of the dangerous interior. It was no doubt in as much disrepair as the exterior, and therefore wrought with hazards.

"Well, it certainly looks haunted," Mikey said as he eyed the triple story structure.

"I'm sure it is, Mikey," Don said with a straight face. "There's probably a ghost in every room."

"I saw a movie once where there was a ghost in every room of an old house dude," Mikey said, his eyes wide. "They weren't friendly either."

"Can it, Mikey," Raph snapped. "There ain't any ghosts."

"Then how did that rumor get started?" Mikey asked. "Hey Casey, didn't Angel tell you that everyone who still lives around here thinks the place is haunted?"

"Yeah," Casey said, lifting his mask and setting it on top of his head. "Her grandma has a friend who lives nearby. She told Angel ta stay away from the place 'cause ever since the new owner bought it and decided ta tear it down there's been all kinds of weird noises coming out of there at night."

"The police haven't been called?" Don asked.

"They been called all right," Casey said. "In fact, they're getting ta where they don't bother ta come out anymore. Some historical group says the place should be renovated and preserved 'cause somebody famous lived here once. The guy that bought it is one of April's regulars and he says the only way he's gonna get his money back out of the place is ta demolish it."

"And the police think the preservationists are behind the strange noises," Don guessed.

"Ya' got it," Casey said. "The owner says the police should go in and arrest somebody for trespassing but every time the cops show they can't find anyone. They don't much like going inside 'cause ya' gotta stay on these planks they got laid down everywhere if ya' don't wanna fall through the floor. The only time the neighbors hear anything is at night, so the cops can't see shit when they do go inside."

"That means we ain't gonna be able ta see shit either," Raph griped.

"Ever hear of an invention called a flashlight, Raph?" Mikey teased. "We aren't gonna be in there very long anyway, right Leo?"

Leo was staring at the building, his sharp eyes running over every bit of the exterior within his view.

Rather than answer Mikey's question, Leo asked one of his own. "You were supposed to meet the owner here today, Casey? He didn't call April to cancel and he didn't show up?"

"I waited around for three hours," Casey told him. "April kept tryin' ta reach the guy but he never answered his phone. Granted April don't have ta call him that often, but he is one of her best clients and he has a crush on her. He never misses one of her calls."

"But this time she bought something from him, right?" Mikey asked.

"Yeah, she spent a pretty penny on it too. Some kinda chandelier that's hanging in the foyer. He showed her a picture of it and she just so happens ta have another guy who's been trying ta find one exactly like it. It's an antique and if ya wanna know more about it you'll have ta ask April, 'cause all I do is lug the stuff for her."