Reckless. [TMNT 2012]

23. Return to Research; Casey

Song: Spinning - Disciple

"RUN!"

   At Raphael's command, he and I turn to climb the ladder out of the sewers. Unfortunately, more zombants have already collected around the exit. Their glowing teeth and sharp claws glint in the darkness, revealing a soulless expression in their eyes. In the midst of them stands a creature that I can only label as one thing: a zombant dog.

    I shudder as I take multiple steps backward. A jolt of pain shooting through my body reminds me of my injury. I groan softly and place a protective hand over my abdomen, distracted by the agony.

    "Casey, move!" Raphael grabs my arm just in time to save me from a pair of relentless claws. Before I can regain my balance, the turtle pulls me down an empty tunnel and into blinding darkness. Raphael leads me to pipe after pipe, arch after arch. The painful adventure never seems to end.

    Finally, I collect my strength and tug myself out of Raphael's grip. We both stop, doubled-over and panting.

    More disturbing moans split the silent air. Another patrol of hungry zombants leak in through a sewer pipe, eager to sink their claws into us.

    "Seriously?!" I complain around my heavy inhales. "Why can't we catch a break?"

    "Come on," Raphael growls. As one, he and I bound off into a different tunnel at a slower pace than before. He limps along with a hand around his bruised throat, while I carry on with a lean to one side.

    "Where are we going?" I question as my friend and me round a corner.

    "These tunnels go right to Lucy's place," Raphael responds as he dodges a swarm of rats racing passed.

    "Ahh!" I scream and leap onto Raphael's back to avoid the creatures, my heart pounding faster than light.

    After the rats disappear and the zombant moans grow louder, Raphael throws me to the ground. "Get off me, big baby," he snaps. Then, after a swift glance over his shoulder, he tears off down the tunnel again.

    A ladder gleams at me through the darkness. Raphael and I take flying leaps onto the metal and start to ascend to the surface. Haunting groans follow us upward, and continue to do so even after I slam the manhole cover down. Chills linger on the back of my neck.

    Panting, I rise with my gaze connected to Raphael's. "Wicked," I choke out around my excessive breathing.

    Raphael nods in agreement.

    We both shake ourselves out, our injuries becoming the center of attention, and hobble toward Lucy's front door. We keep each other propped up as we burst through the door. As we step into the building, we both fall flat on our stomachs.

    "Whoa!" Michelangelo, who is walking by with a stack of DVDs in his hands, drops them all in surprise. He stares at me with wide eyes as I pant on the ground in front of him. "What's going on, dudes? You look dead!"

    Leonardo and Donatello, who are sitting around the main room, stand up with equally astonished looks on their face. "Yeah, what's the problem?" Leonardo questions in a more concerned tone.

    "Docks," I get out around my desperate need for air. My injury has left me breathless. "Tiger Claw. Crates. Something bad."

    "That's comprehendible," Donatello remarks sarcastically as he looks down at Raphael and me.

    Leonardo silences his intelligent brother with a stern look. "What do you mean?" he asks me.

    I open my mouth to attempt to explain again, but Michelangelo prevents me.