Raphael's Heart (2nd book)

6

12/16/19

"She's here because we need her." Leo speaks up.

You turn towards him and tilt your head to the side to display your confusion. "Why exactly do we need, her?"

Leo then motions for you to come closer to him as he crosses his arms over his chest. "Her family can help us fight these guys we've been fighting for two months now." He claims. "They're becoming more aggressive and belligerent every time we meet, and they've been pretty consistent in bothering us."

"We've concluded that they want us for experimentation, and Macy happened to have caught us in action during one of our encounters with the men that are associated with 'SILVER Lab Corporation'." Donnie pauses with a subtle scowl. "She threatened to expose us if we didn't let her in on what we're doing, so we had to comply, but, fortunately she came of use to us."

"How exactly could she be of use to you guys?" You ask with annoyance still plastered upon your face.

Mikey answers with enthusiasm as he comes toward you and grabs your shoulder firmly, "Her family has really cool advanced technology that can be used as weapons! They're so freaking amazing! Right guys?" He gestures to the rest of the people in the room and they nod tentatively. "Yeah, and it's been helping us a lot! I have to show you some of them!" Mikey begins to pull on your bicep, but Leo, who is standing behind him, hits him on the back of the head and Mikey releases your arm in an instant.

Leo sighs, "Right...Jackson and I have been helping Macy smuggle out some tech for us to use since she can't tell her parents, I mean, it's usually Jackson that helps, but I help sometimes." He chuckles wearily, "Anyway—"

"How do they even own all this stuff?"

"They own a company called the 'LIVERS Technology' that creates scientific technology, but the really advanced weapons that they have been making are apparently only in knowledge of the government. Meaning, no one else should know about this except them and...us." Leo replies.

You nod your head slowly as you ponder over his words—your vision tunneling in on nothing particular. Unconsciously, you bring a hand up to your chin and rubs it with the pad of your thumb.
"Can we trust her?"

Leo rubs a hand over his head exasperatedly. "I don't know, to be honest with you. I'm just going by whim at this point." And with that, a sigh leaves his lips.

To brighten the mood, you perk up and place you hands on your hips: "Well... don't worry guys! If anyone can defeat them, it's definitely you guys!"

You watch as Mikey's eyes brighten, and he lifts his hand to instigate a high-five. "Yeah! That's the right attitude b.a.s.e!" He exclaims

You roll your eyes in response to his exclamation, but, ultimately, return his gesture saying, "Sure b.a.b.e!" In the most sarcastic tone you can conjure.

Mikey turns to Leo and Donnie and playfully sticks his tongue out. "See, I told you the acronym would catch on! This is why (y/n) is my favorite."

"Just because base is a word and 'best annoying (fake) sister ever' works with it, doesn't mean it's good or catchy." Donnie retorts.

Amidst the remarks thrown back and forth between the brothers, you decide to leave them alone, and speak with April and Casey.

"So, you guys have been good?" You ask.

"Yeah , everything's been pretty good." April answers. "I've been going to college, taking the gen. ed classes, so nothing too interesting."

You nod in response and turn towards Casey who starts speaking,