Race. [TMNT 2012]

032. Pride; Raphael

As I walk down the night-stricken street, I can't help feeling strange. Maybe it's the way I'm open about my presence and don't have New Yorkers running away from me in terror. Or maybe it's the fact that it feels like something big is about to happen. Either way, I'm not sure I like the churning in my stomach.

It only makes matters worse that Shredder ordered Charlotte and I on another patrol. I suspect he has another plan on his mind for our annihilation, so I ready myself for the worst. I just hope I won't have to blow our covers in the process.

It kills me to see my brothers' bandanas on Shredder's arm. He seems to rub them in my face any chance he gets, and I have to pretend it doesn't bother me. I am forced to give him a grim nod in agreement with his snickers and move on. Though, in reality, I just want to rip his disgusting face off and feed it to the pigeons.

I struggle to hold in a glare as Tiger Claw leads the patrol. I want to take him down along with the Shredder. I desire nothing more than to watch all of them suffer the same way Master Splinter had.

Charlotte seems to sense my annoyance, because she doesn't speak. She just keeps stride with me as we follow the other mutants. Good choice.

Suddenly, I hear a yelp from nearby. Through the darkness, I spot a guy getting pounded into the concrete by the Purple Dragons. The guy os desperately shouting for help with a strained voice.

Instinctively, I race to his aid. "Hey!" I yell at the Purple Dragons. "Let him go!"

The four guys instantly straighten and turn to face me. Their faces are almost pale with surprise, then it fades into respect as Tiger Claw comes up behind me.

"Yes," the tiger mutant rumbles. "Release him."

"Yes, boss," The Purple Dragons' slackened postures make me suspicious. Since when are they under Tiger Claw's command? Then again, he has the whole city in his paws since he's working with the Shredder. There are other things I should be questioning.

Hun uncurls the fist he hooked around the man. The victim collapses to the ground, bruised and bleeding. One of his legs appears to be broken. He isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

To my horror, Tiger Claw fixes his yellow gaze on me and curves his tiger-lips into a smirk. My heart nearly stops beating at his command.

"Finish him."

I swallow the lump in my throat and ignore the urge to back away. "M-me?" I stammer, kicking myself for letting my voice quiver. It's not a time to show vulnerability.

"I'm not looking at anyone else," Tiger Claw confirms. The dark gleam in his eyes almost makes him look crazy- not that he doesn't already sound it as well.

Alarmed, I try to dig my way out of the hole I'm in. "But he hasn't done anything wrong," I point out. There. Even someone as evil as Tiger Claw can't risk killing an innocent man in the public eye. It will ruin his reputation and the Shredder will lose most, if not all, of his support.

Tiger Claw doesn't seem hindered, however. Keeping his chin high, he looks at Hun. "What are the grounds on which you have punished this man?" he questions with a sense of authority.

"We caught him stealing from a jewelry store, sir," Hun replies promptly. For someone so confident, his words are rather shaky.

Tiger Claw returns to staring at me. "He is a criminal. Good enough reason?" His tone is almost joyful. Of course he will be thrilled to watch a vigilante commit murder.

Still, even with this new information, I hesitate. Looking into the man's eyes, I know he had a reason for what he did. Times are tough, after all. He's probably trying to find a way to earn a little extra cash. Perhaps he has a family he is trying to provide for. What he did was wrong, yes, but honor is out of the question when you're helping the ones you love. I know that well.