Race. [TMNT 2012]

028. Emotion; Charlotte

Song: Untitled - Simple Plan

The food we have the next day is strange. Actually, I'm not even sure if it's real food. It's shaped like a mini sausage, but the texture is hard enough to be some type of plastic. Every bite is a challenge, but it eases the aching in my stomach.

   After spending weeks thinking every meal is our last, hunger seems to have started controlling us. We're like wild animals; even the mutant turtles are acting less civilized than usual. Coming up for air is not an option until our plates are clean. Or, in this case, until our tin cans are cleaned of the odd meat.

   As I let out a sigh of relief from finally chasing off my appetite, Lucy rises to her feet beside me.  She looks down at me, her long blonde hair falling around her face.  She gives me a tiny, white smile; though it's slightly more faded than usual.

   "Want to go for a walk?" Lucy asks as her dog nudges her forward.  "Lilac is killing over to stretch her legs."

   Lilac lets out a bark to confirm her words.

   I nod and stand up as well.  I smooth my top down and follow my best friend out of the cramped and humid cave.  Relief floods over me as a cool breeze engulfs me into the forest air.  The green trees and luscious grass smell of asphalt, giving the illusion that it rained overnight.  A few yellow leaves litter the ground, reminding me that it autumn is just around the corner.  Thank goodness it's not here yet, though.

   Lilac leads the way with her trusty nose, sniffing out any dangerous that may lurk behind the undergrowth.  Her fluffy tail wags, smacking into the occasional tree trunk as she discovers an exciting scent.  Her happiness is almost contagious, though the circumstances don't permit me to be very joyful.

   As I walk alongside Lucy, I become aware of her change in behavior.  She walks stiffly and without feeling, something that is completely unlike her.  Her eyes are unfocused and her cheeks flushed, as if she's been heavily debating something with herself.  Lucy isn't one to argue amongst her mind, so this greatly worries me.

   "Luce, what are you thinking about?" I question as Lilac pauses our group to leap inside a berry bush.

   Lucy hesitates, keeping her eyes on the blue sky.  Then she sighs and says, "Do you think the turtles have bad intentions?"

   I raise my eyebrows, surprised for her to be thinking of something so serious.  Then I remember how hard she had argued about killing the Shredder, and I understand why.  She's concerned about morals.

   "Not all of them," I admit, the ghost of indigestion haunting me as I think of one of the turtles in particular.  "But Raph definitely gives me some suspicions."

   Lucy's head snaps towards me immediately, her light eyebrows wrinkled in curiosity.  "Do you dislike him?" she asks in her quiet, smooth voice.

   I snort.  "Yes," I respond without any second thoughts.  I can't stand a single bone in his body.  He drives me up a wall.

   Lucy narrows her eyes slightly.  She seems to be considering something before she launches into another question.  "Why do you dislike him?  Give me your top reason."

   Instantly, my mind swirls with a dozen responses.  I can stand here all day listing off every small fault that crazy turtle has.  She only asked for one, however, so I pick the first one I think of.