Race. [TMNT 2012]

052. Caught; Lucy

I quiver with fear and press back against the door. The figure slowly steps closer and the ground seems to shiver with anticipation.

Suddenly, a lightbulb lights up overhead, casting a yellow glow onto the face of our potential murderer. Only, their face isn't the guy I expect it to be. In fact, it isn't a guy at all. She's a girl, and she looks more surprised than angry. However, then I see a sharp object in her hand and immediately get afraid again.

As the teenager got even closer, I can make out her tan skin and bright green eyes. Her hair is pulled back into a messy bun, leaving wild strands all around her face. She looks flushed, as if she was just harassed. We recognize her immediately.

"Elizabetta!" Casey exclaims, startling me. He pulls himself to his feet with a relieved sigh. "Boy, am I glad to see you."

Elizabetta glances at me warily, before she realizes who I am. "Lucy," she comments with astonishment in her tone. "You're alive!"

I smile, thankful that we didn't run into some blood-hungry criminal. I feel a sense of warmth at the sight of an old acquaintance. "Why wouldn't I be alive?" I ask good-naturedly, ignoring the ominous lure to her expectations.

Elizabetta shakes her head to clear her shock away. "You haven't been to visit the turtles' lair," she explains slowly. "And during times like these, I just automatically assumed the worst," she adds a bit reluctantly.

I slowly rise to my feet. I've never been to the turtles' home before, but for more reasons than one. First of all, they've never actually invited me. Second, I don't have the faintest clue where it is. Finally, with Raphael brushing me off every moment he can, I haven't exactly had the opportunity to show my face there. The ideal plan has been to give the turtles as much space as I can- unless I feel like I can help them, of course.

Still, voicing my negative thoughts doesn't seem appropriate for a reunion. Instead, I give a her a sweet smile and reply, "I just haven't had the chance to visit yet."

Elizabetta narrows her eyes slightly, as if scrutinizing my response. "Raph been giving you a hard time?" she finally asks.

I'm taken aback by her knowledge. She must know the turtles pretty well if she knows the exact circumstances I am facing. "Well, I suppose," I admit shyly, then carry on a bit further. "He's still grieving. I understand if he doesn't want to talk to me right now."

Casey lets out a small "hmph" of disbelief. "We're all struggling. He ain't a special case," he growls.

Ignoring the dark teenager, Elizabetta's expression softens into slight sympathy.  "Oh, I know what you mean.  Raph is a tough shell to crack."  She puts her dagger into a sheath on her belt and heads out of the small room.  "Come on out of the supply closet.  We can make you both something to eat in the kitchen," she says over her shoulder.

Tentatively, I follow Casey out of the closet. We follow Elizabetta's shadow until we arrive in a large kitchen area. Multiple stoves and long counters line the room, giving the impression that this isn't inside a house like I first assumed. Spotting a high-class door that leads out of the kitchen, I realize that I am actually in a restaurant. A small, but very comfy, one.

Suddenly, a woman that look very familiar comes up to Casey. Her cheekbones are well-defined, and her graying hair still contains a hint of brunette. Her stature is tall and scrawny, but her brown eyes glow with good nature.

"Well, you're at work early," the woman tells Casey with a gentle laugh.

"You work here?"  I ask the dark teenager.  Somehow, him actually working doesn't seem realistic.  But then again, I've seen a lot of unrealistic things lately.