Race. [TMNT 2012]

056. Family; Lucy

Song: Problem Child - Simple Plan

The sadness that swamps the room makes my heart hurt. It's physically painful to see how much Elizabetta's condition affects everyone. It's nice to know how many people- and mutants- cared for her, but it's sad it has to come out in such a cruel way.

I turn to my mom. The wrinkles on her face reveal just how skeptical she is of being in the sewers, especially surrounded by mutant turtles. After the Shredder's reign, it's tough to trust again.

I have some business to attend to. "I'll be right back," I tell my mother softly, knowing she would panic if I just left her.

She's actually a lot more agreeable than I expect. "Be careful," she warns me just as quietly. "I don't trust these creatures."

I can't make myself share her misgivings. I spent a lot of time with them a few weeks ago, so I understand them quite well. They may look scary, but underneath they have big hearts. I wouldn't want to be in any other group.

I leave her side and face Raphael. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" I ask, cutting my gaze to a more secluded area of the room. "Over there?" I add out of the corner of my mouth.

Raphael tears his pained gaze away from Elizabetta to nod. He follows me over to the corner, his feet dragging with ground ungracefully. Once we are out of earshot from the others, I launch right into it.

"We can't be stuck underground with a zombant," I tell him, careful to keep my voice low from any straying ears. I don't want to get attacked for my unpopular opinion. "I don't like throwing people out, but even I know we can't keep her around. We've got to get her out of here before she changes."

"I know," Raphael mumbles.

"You've seen how dangerous those things are. If we're stuck in a room with even just one, we're all in trouble. It'll keep spreading until none of us are in our right mind anymore," I continue, as if I haven't said enough the persuade him.

"I said I know," Raphael growls impatiently. "We need to get Liz to the surface before she contaminates us all. I'll tell Leo." Then he heads straight towards the moping blue-clad turtle.

Well, that was easier than I thought it would be, I think as I follow the short turtle. Maybe I'm finally starting to get through to him. Though, he still won't look me in the eyes.

Raphael grabs Leonardo's shoulder to turn him around. "You know what we've got to do, right?" he questions, more cautiously than I expect him to. "We can't leave Liz in here with us."

Leonardo's blue eyes immediately blaze like fire. "But she might not turn!" he protests.

I feel a pierce at my heart. I admire the turtle's concern for her, but the truth of what's happening is just too much. Maybe if he wishes on a shooting star, she will be healed. But until that happens, we have to take the proper precautions.

Raphael shakes his head. "We can't take that chance," he insists a bit more firmly. "You know we've gotta bring her back to the surface, or we're all zombant chow."

"No." Mrs. Jersey stands in front of her daughter, her eyes flashing with determination. "I won't let anyone take my daughter away. We aren't going to do anything with her until she actually turns. Until then, we assume she's not infected."

"Listen, lady, that's not how it works," Raphael growls, taking a threatening step towards the woman. "She's gonna turn into a zombant and infect us all!"

Leonardo pushes between them to face Raphael. "No, she won't! We've just got to wake her up and she'll never turn," he suggests, though there isn't much hope in his words.