Remember. [TMNT 2012]

Chapter 41; Raphael

Song: Right There - Disciple

"What exactly did you dream of?"  I ask irritably as I follow Elizabetta down the dark streets of New York City. It's night and the sky is clouded over. It makes it even harder to see than usual. But I am grateful for that, since it provides me with extra cover from curious citizens.

    Elizabetta seems to know where she's going. She knows which turns to take and never once have to double back. But I still haven't heard the whole story to why we're on such a strange adventure. And I have never been considered 'patient' by anyone.

   The girl seems to fluster a bit, like she doesn't want to tell me the truth. "It was of my brother," she finally answers.

   I stop in my tracks. "You mean, your dead brother?" I question further, narrowing my eyes.

   She pauses as well, facing me with an embarrassed expression. "Yes."

   "Great, so we're on a wild goose chase," I groan, throwing my hands up.

   "Raph, you don't get it," Elizabetta says, her eyes pleading. "It wasn't just a dream. It felt real. It felt like he was actually there."

   "That doesn't matter!" I retort. "We're out here in the middle of nowhere, risking my discovery for someone who's dead!"

   Elizabetta flinches. I feel a pang of guilt; she hasn't accepted her brother is gone yet. She's still grieving.

   "I didn't mean-" I start to apologize, but she interrupts me.

   "I didn't ask you to come with me," she suddenly snaps. "If you want to go back to the lair, then go. But I have to do this. I have to know for sure if he's gone." She goes on without waiting for a reply.

   I can easily turn around and head home. But I can't leave her alone, especially if she's going mental. She needs a trained ninja to look out for her, whether she agrees with that or not.

   I give into my better nature and run to catch up with her.

   We walk in an awkward silence for several more minutes. I can sense waves of annoyance rolling off of Elizabetta. I really upset her.

   The problem is, I'm not good at sounding remorseful. So I stay silent, knowing that I will only make things worse if I talk.

   Elizabetta seems to be following an invisible leader. The confidence in her steps and the way her eyes look straight ahead convinces me of that. Did she dream which way to go, too? Or does she know something I don't? Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't lead us straight into trouble.

   Suddenly, I feel a change in the atmosphere. It has nothing to do with the rain clouds above. It's something around us that seems to shift.

   I look at Elizabetta. "There's someone around," I warn her, but I don't have to. She's already aware.

   "I know. I can feel it." Her green gaze scans the area, stopping on an alley entrance a few feet away. "They're down there." Her voice drops dramatically.

  I tense and grip my sais tightly. "Stay here. I'm gonna go scope it out," I whisper.

   "No way!" Elizabetta hisses softly. She steps in front of me and disappears around the corner.

   I growl in frustration. Females! Not having a choice, I slink after her, stealth mode taking me over.

   Elizabetta and I linger in the shadows. We creep towards the back wall in silence, until we're close enough to spot a figure. It's a human curled up in a ball, clutching a leg to his chest.