Broken

Chapter 15- Tattoos

POV: Leonardo
I woke up to a warm fuzzy feeling covering my legs and a sweet, delicious aroma trailing from the kitchen. I tried to open my eyes only to see darkness. I panicked for a second, but I realized cm you arm was covering my face. I chuckled to myself as I rose from the couch into a sitting position. I got up and stretched, feeling my muscles and joints in my arm and legs pull and my bones pop. It felt good. My injured arm was still in the sling. I had forgotten to take it off last night. I remember passing out right after Raquel went upstairs. I was startled to find a fuzzy leopard printed comforter draped over my legs.
Sweet Ray, she must've came back down during the night and covered me up. I smiled at her thoughtful gesture.
After stretching, I got up off the couch and drowsly walked into the kitchen to be greeted by two bright smiles as Raquel and Kendra were moving back and forth from the counter getting breakfast ready.
"Morning Leo."
Ray's voice was always so joyful when she was happy. I never fails to send warm tingles through my body.
"Morning."
"Ey, mornin' big guy!" Kendra walked passed me with a small solute.
Raquel was busy over the stove, flipping the two slices of bread in the egg yolk that was splattering in the pan.
My senses tingled, as the yummy smell of homemade French toast filled much nostrils. I couldn't help a sigh of delight pass through my lips.
"The plate over on the table is yours."
Ray pointed over the the dinning table. I noticed a big plate of French toast already prepared for me with a glass of orange juice to the side.
I took a seat and started devouring the toast in huge bites. Kendra sat across from  me, watching me scarf the food down.
"Geeze boy, slow down." She said through a hiped chuckle.
I was kind of embarrassed. I normally wouldn't be so rude as to hog my food down like an animal, but hey, I haven't eaten in two  days and damn the food was delicious.
"Sorry." I tried to speak and crumbs slipped out of my mouth.
Raquel laughed and took a seat next to me.
"Don't worry about it. When your at Kendra's house, you're allowed to pig out."
"Amen! " Kendra raised her hands in the air before she stuffed toast in her mouth, munching loudly to prove her point.
I laughed.
There was a long pleasant silence between us while we ate. By the time the girl's were half way done with their breakfast, I was already taking my last few sips of orange juice. I leaned back in the chair and drew a satisfied breath, allowing my eyes to close.
"Feel better?" Ray side glanced at me, taking anoher sip of her coffee.
I hummed softly in response.
I noticed we where the only ones in the kitchen so far this morning, Jackie never came in yet.
""Where's Jackie?"
"Mom's at work." Kendra answered, "She won't be home until 8:00 tonight. I don't now how she does it. Working at Geisinger is a tough job I think."
I nodded, thinking about where to go from here and what to do next. Just the thought of my brothers being trapped and tortured just waiting on a miracle for a rescue weighed me down.
Then I remembered...
"Raquel? Do you still have that paper with you with the info on my brohers?"
"Yeah, it's still right here in my pocket." She tapped her hand on her jean pocket.
That gave me some relief.
"Well," I put my hands flat on the table and slowly got up from my seat. "If you ladies don't mind, I'm gonna hit the shower."
"God, I was wondering when you where going to do that!" Kendra groaned.
I turned to her with a raised brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You both stink!" Kendra exclaimed, she couldn't contain the laughter she'd been trying to hold in as she laughed, resting her head in her arms on the table.
My cheeks flushed red as well as Ray's, but even she was laughing at her friend's comment.
"Offended!" Ray placed a hand over her heart drastically as if she'd been struck.
"Oh shut up." Kendra stuck out her tongue.
Raquel turned to me and smiled. "Good ahead Leo, after you I'm next. I can't remember the last time I took a hot shower."
"Hehe, I'll be quick then."
I quickly scurried toward the bathroom out of utter embarrassment. I caught a qlimpse of Raquel talking to Kendra before I turned the corner and closed the bathroom door behind me.

* * * * *

POV: Raquel
Me and Kendra were having an intent conversation about the plan that she so desperately wants to be a part of now.
"...When me and Leonardo snuck into the TCRI base, I managed to hack I to their computer system and check their files. I wrote down some information I found about Leo's brothers." I rummaged through my pocket and pulled out the crumpled paper and showed it to Kendra.
As she read, I continued.
"All three of his brother's never left New York like Leo did. I'm betting they're being held captive at Sacks' estate.
"Leo's came all the way from the city that never sleeps?"
I nodded.
Kendra handed me back the paper.
"So...I'm guessing this new planning of yours is to go to New York, find Eric Sacks' TCRI company and bust his brothers out of there and call it a day?..." Kendra nodded,  "Seems legit. "
"Trust me, after the last plan I came up with, it got us captured. I don't want to be too over confident about this. You made is sound easy, but there's more to it. We just need to figure out how we're gonna do it."
"When do we leave?"
"As soon as possible really. I thought we could stay another night, for Leo's sake, he needs the rest, then we'd leave."
"I told mom about what you plan on doing, though I didn't know the full vendetta. But she agreed to help. We can use the truck."
I brightened up at that. "That's perfect! Ha, leave it to Jackie."
"I know right? Trust me, my mom is a good addition to this team, she kicks ass."
We laughed.
"You're turn."
I jumped at bit at Leo's sudden presence in the kitchen. I noticed he was wearing the new clothes I bought. He looked like a new man...er...turtle,  wearing an egg white long sleeve t-shirt and camo cargo pants. A bright smile ion his face, his oceam blue orbs sparkling.
"Ya look good."
"Thank you."
I studied him for a moment. He was no longer covered in filth. His green skin shined.
Kendra smirked at him. "Fell fresh as a daisy eh Leo?"
Leo only shook his head and turned away with a slight grin on his face.
"Nice tats!"
Leo stared down at his right arm. That's when I realized his arm wasn't in the sling.
"Leo, where's your sling?"
"Oh um, I don't need it right now. I made sure not to get my bandages wet."
I looked at him concerningly, but he didn't show any signs of pain so I just let it go.
"Who gave you those tattoos?" Kendra asked, she was still focused on his right arm.
He looked down at the ink design and smiled.
"Mikey did, he's a pretty talented kid."
"Is he one of your brothers?"
"Yeah. We all have tattoos...well except for Donnie, he believes he should keep his body pure."
"How many do you have?"
Leo smiled and rolled up his sleeve to reveal the full tattoo to Kendra. She got up from her chair and hovered over his arm, fascinated by the detail of the skin art.
"Donnie sketched out all our tattoos and Mikey drew then on. Me and Raph had some input on the designs. My father was opposed to us getting them at first but..."
As he continued to talk, I could tell Leo was taking a lot of pride in taking about his family. He must adore them so much. It must truly leave an empty hole in his heart to be without them. They were a team, a family, and to have them just randomly stripped away...
"It seems like you carry your brothers with you everywhere you go."
I traced his smile as it dropped but his eyes remained on his tattoo, gently rubbing his thumb over the permanent stain.
"Yeah, yeah I do..." He turned back to me with a sad smile.
Kendra beamed up at Leo.
"Well I think it's cool!"