Poisons Of Fear

Chapter 16

"So when are we leaving tomorrow night, Fearless Leader?"  Raph asked as he finished up his last bite of spaghetti.  

Leo shrugged as he grabbed Haley's empty bowl with his own, placing them in the sink.  "I was thinking around eight.  That way we're not out too late but will still get in a few hours.  Sound good with you guys?" He asked as all the brothers nodded quietly.  

Haley swallowed her sip of water, confused at the conversation she was listening to.  "Eight?  Isn't that a little early for your guys to go on patrol?"  

Donnie smiled.  "We're not going on patrol tomorrow," Haley just looked at him confused as she turned to the other brothers, looking for answers.  

"It's Halloween!" Mikey screamed excitedly.  "Best night of the year!  Mutants can walk around and get free candy without anyone screaming or running away!"  

"Oh..." Haley said quietly.  "I had totally forgotten about Halloween." 

Raph looked at her as he stood up from the table.  "You're going to come with us, right?  You haven't left the lair since you got here."

Haley let out a sigh.  "I... I don't know.  I haven't really been out on Halloween in years.  Plus, I don't really feel like dressing up or finding a costume.  You guys should go though.  I can just stay down here and watch a movie or something."  

"You sure?  It's a lot of fun.  We only go to the parts of town that are safer, just so we don't risk running into the Purple Dragons or something," Donnie said with a soft smile.  

"...Yeah," Haley said quietly as she stood up.  "I just don't feel up to it," She sighed slightly as she looked at everyone.  "I'm going to go get ready for bed.  Goodnight everyone."

Everyone said goodnight quietly as she walked away.  Leo let out a sad sigh as he started scrubbing the dishes in the sink.  Raph cleared his throat.  "So Leo, are you going to try and get your girlfriend to come out tomorrow night?"  

"She's not my girlfriend, Raph," Leo said with an annoyed tone in his voice.  "Also you heard her.  She said she wasn't feeling up to it, and I don't want to pressure her into going to the surface until she's ready."  

Mikey let out a sigh.  "I was hoping she would come.  At the very least she could get some candy to cheer herself up.  She always seems so sad."  

"She just lost her family, Mikey," Donnie said quietly.  "I think she's honestly handling it better than most people her age," He then looked back at Leo.  "But, I do think it would be good for her to get out of the sewers for a few hours at least.  She can't hide down here from the reality of what happened forever, and I think waiting would just make it harder.  And if anyone has a chance of getting her to come out with us tomorrow, its you, Leo."  

Leo nodded as he turned around from the sink.  "Why me?"  

"It's obvious she likes you, bro," Raph said with a slight smirk.  "And I would think you would want to go on a cute little Halloween date with her too." 

"I already told you we're not together.  Even if I wanted to take her on a date tomorrow, I'm not doing it with you three trailing behind us," Leo rolled his eyes.  

Mikey walked up to Leo now.  "C'mon, bro.  The worst she can say is 'no' again.  Just try and get her to come out with us.  It will be a lot of fun."  

Leo rolled his eyes.  "You guys are not going to stop until I ask her are you?"  He watched as all his brothers shook their heads.  "Ugh, fine," Leo said as he walked past his brothers and out of the kitchen.  

Leonardo slowly made his way through the lair, listening to his feet padding against the smooth brick flooring.   He gulped slightly as he walked up to Haley's door.  It was closed, and it was quiet behind the door.  He sighed as he knocked three times, "Haley?"  He spoke quietly, hoping he wasn't waking her up. 

After a few seconds though, he heard footsteps come to the door.  It slowly opened, showing Haley already in her pajamas.  "Hey.  You caught me just in time.  I was just about to get into bed."

"Sorry," Leo said awkwardly.  "If you want to go to bed, you can.  It's nothing important." 

"Don't worry about it," Haley said as she walked back into her room, leaving the door open for Leo to follow.  She sat on her bed, turning to face Leo again.  "What's going on?" 

The blue-clad turtle gulped slightly.  He didn't know why he was nervous, but he couldn't help it.  "Honestly... the guys wanted me to ask you again about coming with us tomorrow."  

Haley's eyes got wide before she sighed again.  "Leo, I don't know.  I really don't think leaving the lair is good for me right now."

"I know, but honestly... I think it would be good for you.  I know that down here it feels safe, like you escaped the world where something terrible happened to you.  But, I also know that you can't hide down here forever.  You have your entire life ahead of you, and it can't be spent down here," He let out a sigh.  "I'm not saying you have to spend the entire day wandering around the city.  It would just be for a few hours.  Plus, we'd see April and Casey and the kids.  The guys would be there..." He paused.  "And I'd be there to make sure nothing happens to you.  And if it becomes too much and you want to come home before everyone else, I will bring you back."  

Haley gulped slightly.  "Do I have to dress up?" Leo shook his head.  "Just for a few hours?"  Leo nodded this time.  "And we won't go to the crowded areas where everyone is partying and being stupid?"  Leo shook his head again.  "Okay, I'll go, but just for a few hours." 

Leo smiled.  "Okay, just for a few hours," He stood up.  "I'll go tell the guys," He said as he started walking to the door.  However, he retraced his steps and went back to where Haley was sitting.  In a second of bravery, he bent down and placed a small kiss on her forehead.  After that, he left before he could see her reaction.  

Haley just sat there, wide-eyed, wondering if she had dreamed that.  She couldn't help but smile slightly as she leaned back onto her pillow, staring at the twinkling lights hanging from her wall.