Reckless. [TMNT 2012]

Chapter 35; Casey

Song: New Years Day - Black Veil Brides

The rooftop is windy and cold. My fingers freeze the moment I step out into the open. My breath puffs out of my mouth in wisps of fog, revealing to me how low the temperature really is. Despite the absence of snow flurries, the bitter wind is strong enough to kill.

   With ice covering it, the roof is a dangerous place to stand. If I wasn't so good at ice-skating, I might slip right off and plummet to my death. But luckily, it doesn't seem like I will have a problem with that. I can only hope the same can be said for my turtle companions.

   I expected a challenge, but not the kind that stands before me. Tiger Claw already has his claws out and a gun in his hand. On either side of him are Bebop and Rocksteady, who look as angry as non-threatening mutants can. Clearly, they fell out of the window too many times. For once, I find myself genuinely afraid.

   But I must be strong. For Charlotte.

   I whip out a baseball bat and my hockey stick. I narrow my eyes, puff my chest, and peer out of my mask at them. "It ends here, Tiger Ugly!" I challenge darkly.

   Michelangelo, Raphael, and April back me up as Tiger Claw moves a pace closer. They extend their weapons, ready to attack if the mutant puts one foot out of line. I'm not so afraid anymore.

   Tiger Claw curls his lip in a sneer as he looks me up and down. "Let's get this over with," he rumbles. Then he fires.

   I leap out of the way just in time as a laser beam shoots out. It hits the icy rooftop and evaporates a spot of it away, replacing it with a burn mark. Good thing that didn't hit me.

   But my thoughts are almost turned back towards me as Tiger Claw continues to fire away. I have to repeatedly kick my knees high in the air to avoid getting hit by a laser. While in mid-air, I manage to nail Tiger Claw's gun and send it soaring out of his paws. It skids across the icy rooftop and plunges straight into the street below.

   Tiger Claw growls and unsheathes a dagger from his pocket. "You will pay for that, hockey boy," he says angrily.

   Suddenly, he takes a quick swipe at me. I narrowly dodge it, but I don't have much time before he takes another stab. His blows come so fast that my head is spinning in circles. As my leg wound begins to act up again, I know I have no chance at beating Tiger Claw. He is just too strong.

   I back up so much that one of my heels slips off the roof. "Whoa!" I quickly regain my balance, panting as Tiger Claw towers over me threateningly. He hooks his claws through my shirt, scratching my chest in the process.

   I gasp as pain surges through me. Immediately, my other two wounds start to ache in response. Before I know it, I am dangling over the edge of the roof with my head swirling in agony. I can barely see straight, let alone think of a plan. The great Casey Jones is going to die.

   To make things worse, Bebop and Rocksteady have my companions in the same state. Raphael, April, and Michelangelo are in the air; the only thing stopping them from falling are hands on their chests. My previous assumption is wrong; we are going to die.

   I wiggle my feet around, but I only feel empty space below them. Moving around will only get me dropped more quickly, so my only option is to stay as still as possible.

   Suddenly, I see my life flash before my eyes. I watch glimpses of my mother, my father, and Charlotte. I remember meeting Raphael for the first time, and how much fun we had together. Nothing could replace those playfights and video game battles.