Renaissance

IV

Heph's P.O.V

My eyes burned. You'd think you'd end up sleeping at some point if you lay in one place for long enough, but that wasn't my case. I wasn't sure why I was so apprehensive. Maybe it was sleeping in an unfamiliar place that did it or the fact that my apartment had been effectively run through by a white-eyed maniac riding a car. In all honesty, it was probably the latter.

           Giotto seemed restless too. Not quite getting comfortable at my feet, or in the crook of my elbow, and neither of us benefited from him laying across my forehead like a fluffy ice pack.

            A quick look at my phone told me it was four in the morning.

           Earlier that night, we had pizza and orange crush for dinner--which I learned was Mikey's favourite. It was awkward; I mean, eating with almost complete strangers is going to be awkward anyway but I felt wildly out of place. Classic case of Imposter Syndrome but mixed with some anxiety and the after effects of a concussion. So, go figure.

           I'm surprised I'm not more upset. Maybe it's shock. Or my usual passive exhaustion. How do you differentiate? The one thing that has seemed to stick with me was the...thing. The creature I saw on the hood of the car. I had seen those eyes before and frankly, it gave me a bad feeling. Like any dark figure wearing a hollowed out moose skull would instill. I still remember what it looked like; everything else is all fuzzy and I'm not sure about anything else I conjure up. The moose antlers and the fluorescent eyes behind bone that didn't seem as bright in front of them were seared into my brain.

           Upon asking, I learned that Leo stayed out, patrolling, for hours. He stayed in my mind for a long time, comparing the white eyes I saw when first meeting him and the eyes of the creature. I wanted to write it off as a coincidence but...what if Leo was the creature?

           Upon further scrutiny, I decided they weren't the same shades of white and Leo was innocent. I hadn't even met him for real so how could I even begin to make accusations? I'm an idiot.

           He seemed like a truly devoted leader, and he has my respect. Though, I got the feeling that the others thought it was sort of a joke. At least, that's how they came off. "Fearless Leader" this and "Lame-o-nardo" that. I had never once had a sibling, and I didn't plan on it. But Eterna is probably the closest thing I'll ever have to a sister and we don't talk about each other behind our backs.

           Now, about this creature. I turn to Donnie, wanting to ask him something but my mouth just opens and closes like a fish. Thankfully, he notices and puts his pizza down on a paper plate.

          "Whats up, Hephaestion?" He looks at me expectantly, giving me his full attention. I'm not used to this. Usually, I have to talk over Eterna and assert my dominance, but this is a change that I am really not ready for. So, I fumble a little bit and ignore a scoff of annoyance from Raphael.

           "I was wondering if you know what happened to my apartment? I mean, didn't a car get thrown through the living room?" At this statement, Mikey looks up with an awed look that means he probably wasn't there to see it. Donnie nods, looking off as if reminiscing about something pleasant.

"Yeah, there was glass everywhere and we found Giotto sitting next to you and plaintively wailing, as cats do."

"Was there, like, someone there?" My question seemed to raise eyebrows and I felt out of place again but I keep looking at Donnie for an answer.

"If you mean the Harbinger, then yes. He didn't stay for long."

        "He's been around for a while. He hasn't done anything like this though." Donnie offers an apologetic smile and I nod softly in turn, and look at Raph. He doesn't move or look at me; hardly acknowledging my presence when my weight is shifted.