Reckless. [TMNT 2012]

13. The Ever-Lasting Disease; Casey

Song: Wasting Time - Red

"Casey, over here!"

A familiar voice rings out as I jog around the corner. There, peering through the shadows, is a pair of gleaming white eyes. In the distance, four more sets of eyes study me as they try to figure out if I'm a threat.

"Raph, buddy," I greet the first stealthy figure. As I approach him, he slips out of the darkness to reveal his green skin and matching eyes. He wears a rather large grin, a rare expression for someone as hotheaded as him.

We're interrupted by a newcomer. "Casey!" Michelangelo bounces forward and body-slams me. He engulfs me in a tight hug and nearly takes me off my feet in the process. "Did you hear what's gonna happen? We're gonna get Lizzy back!" he answers his own question as he releases me from his death grip.

I shrug the little turtle off as Leonardo and Donatello materialize. Both of them look eager, though it's obvious the blue-clad turtle is the most enthusiastic. Lucy follows the turtles more uncertainly, her gray eyes shooting me her usual suspicious looks. Finally, April approaches with a twinkle in her blue eyes.

I can't stop myself from letting their excitement contaminate me. "Well, where's Lizzy?" I demand as I eagerly glance around.

"We can't bring her to the surface until she's cured," Donatello responds promptly. "We have to give her the medication in her current habitat to minimize risks."

"Whatever, dude," I brush him off with a wave of my hand. "Let's go down to the sewers, then!"

Leonardo leads the way as we jump down into a manhole. The turtles go first, followed by April and I. Lucy is the last one, and the only skeptical one at that. Raphael has to coax her down the ladder.

The sound of nasty, angry groans fill the tunnel the moment we drop to the ground. Noises bounce off the walls and confuse me so I can't tell where they originate. Lost, my team and I are forced to wait for the creatures to come to us.

And it doesn't take long. Within mere seconds, shadows of limping figures are cast onto the walls. The disconcerting moans grow louder as they round the corner. The creatures appear in the most unattractive manner, with drool and other unidentifiable substances hanging from their jaws.

Immediately, the group of zombants fix their glowing, black eyes on us. Each of them look familiar to an extent, but the mutant in front is the most recognizable. Her skin has been morphed into a dark, dirty pink. Claws and overgrown teeth jut out of her body, along with fragile legs. Despite her lack of humanity, however, there is no mistaking Elizabetta's fiery spirit as she guides the other zombants.

"Is she their leader or something?" I question as the zombant stench slaps me across the face. I wrinkle my nose and take a step back.

"I suppose it's possible," Donatello responds. "Creatures like these tend to pick the most intellectual member to take charge. Since she has previous experience in the sewers, they might have 'elected' her leader since she seems smart down here."

Leonardo's blue eyes flash with admiration. "That's my girl," he mumbles.

"Let's change her back and get out of here," Raphael grumbles loudly. "It smells worse than Mikey's bedroom."

"Don't pick on my natural scent!" Michelangelo complains, which causes the zombants to turn their attention on him.

I push my way in front of the others with my hockey stick guarding them. "Do what we came to do and let's get out of here!" I say sharply.