Race. [TMNT 2012]

16. United at War; Raphael

Michelangelo leads me to his hideout. It's nice place compared to the small garage. The front entrance is a hole in the wall, hidden behind a tall trash can. The building is placed perfectly behind a larger structure, out of sight from any strays.

   As we climb inside, I realize the place is much bigger than it seems. Three old couches decorate the area. A fireplace is off to the side, providing light for the lonely place. Also, a beat-up refrigerator is on the other side of the room.

   Michelangelo takes Ice Cream Kitty's carrier from me and walks over to the fridge. He tugs the freezer door open and pats her head after placing her inside.

   "Aw, who's a good little kitty?" he coos as she rubs against his fingers. He licks an ice cream drip off of her cheek and shuts the freezer.

   Leonardo is the first one to catch my eye. He is spread across one of the couches, staring blankly at the ceiling. His arms and legs are splayed out awkwardly, which is strange for a form-obsessed freak like him. It's as if his life doesn't have meaning anymore.

   I cautiously approach him. "Leo?" I say quietly.

   The blue-clad turtle slowly turns his head to look at me. He's silent for a long time, and then he finally says, "Oh, you're back." He sounds uninterested.

   I am slightly offended. While I was out crying over missing my brothers, he had been lying around without a care in the world. It's as if he had wanted me to die at the hands of the Shredder.

   I was already starting to get angry with him for his monotone behavior, but that crosses the line. Anger flares up inside me and I prepare a sharp retort.

   But I never get to unleash it, because Elizabetta  suddenly pulls me away. "Don't, please," she warns me softly. "He's got some issues to work out."

   "Oh yeah?" I grumble, rubbing one of my arms to hide my embarrassment. "Well, I'll gladly give him some more issues."

   Elizabetta's sad expression makes my anger subside, however. I can't yell at Leonardo in front of her. She's been so worried about him ever since his grief started. He barely even notices her anymore, so she must be hurting. I decide to give it a rest.

   But that doesn't stop my heart from hardening against our once-great leader.

   A familiar dog races up to me, her icy-white eyes gazing up at me.  Her fluffy tail flows side to side with happiness as she watches me.  She lets out a tiny yip to get my attention.

   Confused, I take a step back.  I really don't like dogs.  They have too many devilish thoughts crossing their mind.  Then again, maybe we aren't much different from each other after all.

   A short, blonde girl steps up beside Lilac.  She's just below eye-level with me, but I can still make out the joy in her gray depths.   "You're alive," Lucy breathes in relief.

   "Why do you care?" I grunt, experiencing a wave of uncomfortableness.  I had only cared about finding my brothers, not Lucy . It feels weird to know that Lucy was worried about me, regardless of the fact that she drives me crazy.

   Lucy blinks, her face shifting to a slightly sad expression.  "In times like this, it's easy to get attached to those that you hardly know.  I couldn't face losing someone else," she answers solemnly.

   I'm taken aback by her words.  I guess she's right; it is very simple to become worried about people nowadays, especially if they're in your own survival group.  I know her caring is nothing special, but a slightly warm emotion rises up my spine from it.