Reckless. [TMNT 2012]

30. The Evil of Tiger Claw; Casey

Song: Walk Away - Black Veil Brides

Apparently, Christmas break is the best time to study for anatomy. As New Years creeps around the corner, I catch up with all the work I missed. By some miracle, Evelyn is able to help me understand the basics, though I still struggle with most of it. Oh well; a little knowledge is better than none. I just need to pass. I'm not looking for an A+ by any means.

   The limited daylight hours are spent with Evelyn. She drills me until the sun sets. Then we goof off until I have to head back home, which is pretty late into the night. It's silly, but I desire to spend every minute I have with her. Even if it involves stupid anatomy, I still want to be around her.

   My nights are used to patrol the docks. I bring some snacks, hunker down in a hiding spot, and wait to see if Tiger Claw shows up. Most of the time, I barely even notice the cold because I am too focused on scoping out my enemies. I just want to put an end to their plot so we can fix the zombants and everything can go back to normal.

   I know that they aren't going to be back at the docks until New Year's Eve, but I'm too stubborn to accept that. Tiger Claw is so sly that I won't put it passed him to pick up his shipment early. So, hanging out around the pier on late nights is the perfect plan. Well, almost perfect, if I didn't run a risk of getting frostbite. In addition, nights are long and boring. And cold. Very, very cold.

   Unfortunately, the mutants never show themselves. They just stay in their hideout like a bunch of cowards. While they're locked away, I bet the skin off my back that they are concocting an even more devious plan than just explosives. I don't even have to guess what their motive is for all their madness. Once a criminal, always a criminal.

   Occasionally, my patrols lead me right to the turtles. Sometimes, Lucy will be skirting along with them. She can't help with the skillful part of their missions, but she quiet enough to tag along without getting them caught. Though even if she stomped louder than an elephant, Raphael's demeanor proves that he would still find a way to get her to tag along.

   The jealous feelings I got when I saw Raphael and Lucy together before have faded away like dew in the afternoon sun. In fact, I feel warm around them. They bring back fond memories of snowflakes and hot chocolate, Evelyn's tiny smile and the twinkle in her eyes. My heart smacks into my chest and snaps me out of my thoughts.

   On New Year's Eve, I meet up with the turtles again. As a team, we head for the docks, the chilly air swirling around us. My skin has hardened against the winter atmosphere, however, and I press on without a problem. The snow offers no surprises for me.

   "No, Brock used an Onix in the fourth episode!" I argue, flashing my eyes at Michelangelo and daring him to fight back.

   "Who cares?" Raphael growls as his gaze passes protectively over Lucy, who is walking silently at his side.

   "Brock wasn't even in the fourth episode, dude. He wasn't on the show yet," Michelangelo protests and shakes his head. "Don't you know this stuff?"

   "Yes, he was!" I insist. I kick an icy pebble and watch it slide down the sidewalk.

   "This is about Indigo League, right?" Donatello asks quizzically as his russet eyes glow through the darkness. It's the first time I've seen him out of the laboratory since Christmas, and he seems excited at the prospect of his freedom. He had finally come up with a concoction that might cure the zombants.

   "Yeah," I say, annoyed with Michelangelo's disagreements. Why can't he just admit I'm right?

   "I'm pretty sure that Brock didn't make his debut until episode six," Donatello observes as he taps his chin.