A week had gone by and life in the mansion had been mostly peaceful. Raphael spent lots of his time in the library, practicing writing and reading – mostly with Leo’s help, but when the other turtle was too busy with his own work, one of the girls assisted Raphael. Usually Margaret.
So quickly she had become like a mother figure to Raphael. That old smile and soft look in green eyes always eased Raphael’s nerves. Even now she spoke with such soft, slow and calming tone as Raphael was writing her name.
“You are marvelous, my dear. You are learning so quick and your hand has become so steady. Leonardo was right when he told me you will have beautiful handwriting.”
Raphael smiled, once again feeling proud and happy of himself. Sure he had lost his patience few times, tossing all supplies on the floor, but Margaret had always sat by his side, wait him to calm down and then kindly asking him to help her pick up the items. Raphael did as he was told, but he didn’t allow old lady to clean up his mess so maid sat still with a small smile, watching Raphael clean.
“Margaret, can I ask something?”
“Sure, dear. What’s in your heart?”
Raphael sighed as he placed pencil from his hand on the open book.
“Leo told me earlier once that someday I will be ready and will leave ta live my own life.” Turning to look old lady Raphael looked so unsure. “What he meant by that? Is he forcing me ta leave?”
“Raphael, dear. No one isn’t forcing you to leave, but this is rehabilitation place and we have helped many mutants and humans before you. It’s natural step for our patients to leave when they are ready, heading out there to live their own lives. That day will come to you too.”
She smiled sweetly, but it didn’t ease Raphael’s mind.
“But why? Why they would want ta leave? Why not stay here?”
“Because they finally had the courage to go and face the outside. Getting their official stamp from Leonardo at the end of their rehabilitation helped them too. They finally had confidence in themselves that they will be fine out there. They were curious, eager, hungry to see the world, explore it, find their place out there. Besides -” She chuckled. “- This mansion can’t hold everyone who we have saved. There’s no room enough.”
Raphael sat quietly, obviously thinking a moment.
“Do you know what has happened ta all those mutants who went ta live outside with their safe stamps? Are they still safe or have they been caught by ‘catcher’s?”
“I haven’t been outside the gates in years and years, dear. I don’t know how the outside world really is in these days. I know it’s bad in poor areas, but everyone in middle class and up should be safe. … Can I ask why you ask so much about this? Are you scared and worried of your own safety?”
Raphael nodded few times.
“The only place what I’ve ever known is that abandoned and empty poor area where Leo rescued me from. If I ever leave this place… I don’t know where else ta go than there. I know it’s not safe place and I know I have nothing there, but – it’s still home.”
Margaret watched how Raphael’s eyes turned moist while he bit his lower lip, staring his handwriting on the paper. This young poor male had no other place to call home and that hurt her heart. He deserved and needed a much better place to call home.
“How about you start to think this mansion as your home? Would it help you feel better and safe here?”
Raphael sighed deep through his nostrils.
“I have told myself not ta get attached on this place, not ta think it as home since I won’t be here the rest of my life. Just like Leo said.”
Margaret nodded as a sign of understanding.
“Can we go back on practicing now?”
“Of course, dear. Would you like to try reading now?”
Turtle nodded. Margaret smiled opening Raphael’s ABC book, slowly starting to read short sentences while pointing the words to Raphael with her finger, Raphael doing his best to read slow with her.
**
Later that day Margaret asked everyone to join her in the dining room where big pile of pancakes, on top of each other in the middle of the table, was waiting them.
“Wow! Pancakes!” Cherry screamed in joy, other girls joining her.
“I thought pancake day would be good. It’s been long when we had them last time.” Turning to look Raphael who sat next to Leonardo, she smiled. “And I wanted to give something special to Raphael. He’s been improving with his reading and writing skills.”
When everyone started to clap at him, Raphael sank deeper in his seat.
“P-please, stop. That makes me uncomfortable...”
Leonardo made gentle chuckle before telling girls to stop. It wasn’t nice to make Raphael feel uncomfortable. Margaret filled everyone’s plates like always, placing 4 pancakes on each plate first, stating they could get more after them.
Leonardo watched how Raphael tried his best to use fork and knife, but it wasn’t very successful. Knife hit the floor and fork was too small for his hand.
“Raphael.”
After getting bigger turtle’s attention Leonardo showed one handy trick. First he spread strawberry jam on the pancake, then rolling it. Raphael watched as Leonardo lifted the roll towards his opening mouth, taking a bite.
“Try it. It’s easier this way.”
Raphael followed Leonardo’s example and was very pleased to notice it, indeed, was easier and better way to eat this damn things. Despite the struggle with the pancake, Raphael was very pleased with its flavor and that strawberry jam – made by Margaret herself – it was super delicious and sweet!
Smiling Raphael spread jam on second pancake, rolled it and took a bite. He felt Leo’s eyes on him, but since the gaze felt warm and relaxed, Raphael didn’t bother to look at other turtle. He knew he would see pleased happy smile.
“When you all are done, leave the dishes on the table. I will collect them after I’m back from checking the laundry.”
“I’ll help ya with them.” Raphael said as he stood up, pushing the chair away.
“Thank you, but I can handle it.”
“Please. Let me help.”
Her green eyes met blue orbs, witnessing a nod with a smile. Her eyes returned back on Raphael with a smile.
“Oh, alright. Since you insist and I really could use a helping hand.”
Now Margaret gave slightly strict look to younger girls. None of them didn’t like doing laundry so it was always Margaret’s job. Deep inside she was happy that Raphael offered his help. The pair left the dining room, heading on second level where utility room was. Or it rather was just a small room with one washing machine and one small cabin for laundry detergent.
Raphael held basket while Margaret took clean clothes out of the machine. She would go and hang them out to dry. When the pair was approaching the stairs, which lead from second floor to the first near the entrance hallway, they stopped.
“I can go out and put the laundry there ta dry, Margaret.”
“Thank you, dear, but I can do it myself. You should go study.”
“But ya will have dishes already. Let me help more.”
Margaret sighed. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate help, but at times it did make her slightly angry when people kept pushing their help on her. It made her feel like people saw her only as a weak old woman who should be sitting in rocking chair and knit.
“Raphael, darling. I will be fine. I have done this many times. Besides I like doing laundry.”
“Yeah, but… I want ta help.”
“Not this time, honey. You helped me plenty.”
She gave him small smile as she turned to take a step, keeping her eyes on Raphael.
**
Horrible scream and loud rolling sound filled the house. Leonardo ran to the entry hall with the girls, finding Margaret on the floor at the end of the stairs with laundry spread all around, Raphael standing at the top of the stairs. He had a piece of Margaret’s sleeve in his hand.
Unspeakable fury filled Leonardo as his eyes nailed themselves on other turtle. Girls around Margaret were already crying in panic, calling their teacher, but she was unconscious, her wrist obviously broken since her hand had twisted in unnatural position.
“Raphael. What did you!?” Cherry cried while looking up at trembling Raphael.
“In the carriage, Raphael. Now.”
Leonardo’s voice had reached new level of coldness, just like his eyes. They scared the other turtle. Trembling on his spot Raphael shook his head. He had so bad feeling while looking in those eyes.
“No. I… I didn’t… I...”
“In the carriage, NOW!”
Tears started to run down his cheeks as his trembling legs took first step down on the stair, second, third… All the way down. Raphael kept his eyes on the floor since he was too scared to look everyone. Only one he dared to look was unconscious Margaret.
“I didn’t do it.”
Raphael’s whisper was silent, his voice trembling, but Leonardo felt no sympathy towards the turtle. Escorting Raphael out and in the carriage, which was waiting for them, turtles left the mansion. Ride was silent and air was thick in the carriage. Raphael kept sniffing, strictly keeping his eyes on his feet. He was scared. His stomach had flipped upside down.
“… Leo...”
That voice was begging, hoping, scared but Leonardo was too angry, too hurt. His eyes turned to look scared and reddish yellow orbs.
“We had one simple rule, Raphael. ONE RULE! That you will NOT hurt my girls!”
Leonardo was so cold, so pissed, his tongue slashing with nasty hissing.
“I didn’t… I didn’t hurt her.”
“You pushed her down the stair!”
“I didn’t!” Raphael scream in pain and panic.
“Perhaps she said something to you and you snapped!” Shaking his head Leonardo snorted loud, looking out through the window. Raphael let his eyes follow the direction where Leo’s eyes were looking. Much for his horror Raphael noticed they weren’t on rich area any more. They were… They were heading back to the poor area!
“You know what, Raphael?” Leonardo said after calming his anger some so that he wouldn’t be, at least, yelling to the other turtle. “I never haven’t failed to rehab a mutant or a human. You seem to be the first one. I feel I made a mistake by rescuing you.”
“…. No...”
Suddenly the carriage stopped. Leonardo reached over Raphael, opening the door.
“Get out.” That was the coldest tone what Raphael had ever heard. “And give me your temporary safe stamp collar. I know you have it in your pocket.”
Raphael’s heart was racing, cold sweat covering his skin. No… No. Holding the collar in his trembling hands Raphael slowly let his eyes rose to meet Leo’s furious eyes, hand waiting the collar.
“Give me your collar.” Was icy command.
With trembling hands Raphael placed the collar back in Leo’s hands, Leonardo putting the item in his own pocket.
“Now get out.”
Looking through the open door Raphael sobbed fast and loud, tears blurring his vision. He couldn’t believe he was back here. Back in this hellhole. Taking one last pleading look of Leonardo had no any effect. When Raphael started to rose from his seat, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. It was pure torture to get up from the seat, take few small steps, then two bigger ones while getting out of the carriage.
When he was out, the door slammed shut. Spinning around he faced, for the last time, those icy eyes. Leonardo’s eyes looked at the trembling figure, those eyes so full fear. He had no other choice. Raphael broke the rule and it had serious consequence. None had ever before laid their hands on Leo’s girls so it really pissed Leonardo off when Raphael had.
Turning to look straight Leonardo said; “Let’s go.” and the carriage took off.
Helplessly standing still Raphael turned to look after them, crying heavier and louder. His nightmare was back, everything he had started to hope for to achieve in life… Gone. Everything was gone and he was back to hide and run for his life. All the stress, fear, hunger, sleepless nights… Collapsing to sit on his spot Raphael covered his eyes. Why he just couldn’t die right here and now? Or just disappear?
**
Margaret woke up in her bed a little later. Somehow girls had managed to carry her there. Looking at her arm resting on her stomach she noticed how it was in plaster. Lucy. Lucy was only one of the girls who knew how to do it and how to take care of serious wounds and injuries overall. She had been a nurse in the past for 10 years or so.
Margaret was about to sit up and go search Leonardo and Raphael, when the door opened and group of women stepped in.
“Praise the Heavens! You are awake!” Bella screamed as she ran to the bed, carefully giving a hug to older woman.
“We were so worried about you. How do you feel? How’s your arm?” Lucy asked while sitting on the bed, her long black hair loose. Few other girl sat on the bed too while others decided to stand.
“Enough about me! Where is Leonardo? And Raphael?”
There was obvious panic and great worry in old woman’s eyes as she eyed her students. They all looked unsure and like they were hiding something.
“Where are they!?”
“Well… Master took Raphael with him and left. He hasn’t return yet.”
“Oh no… We have to get Master back as soon as possible!”
“I’m right here, Margaret.”
Everyone turned to look at their master, bowing at him while stepping out of the way so that he could come to Margaret freely. Leonardo sat down, placing his hand on hers.
“You are alright? You gave us all so horrible scare.”
“Where is Raphael?”
“You don’t need to worry about him.”
“… What have you done?” Old woman’s voice was trembling as her eyes filled with tears. “What have you done?” She whispered again while squeezing her blanket.
Leonardo was speechless. He wasn’t quite sure why his oldest friend was reacting like this.
“I took him back where he came from. He broke the only rule.”
Sobbing Margaret shook her head.
“He never broke the rule.”
Leonardo’s expression turned strict as he let small snarl out.
“He pushed you down the stairs.”
“No! No… He didn’t.” Margaret said firmly as she pushed herself up to sit. “It was all on me… I didn’t see the stairs from my laundry basket and laundry in it. I was talking with him. We got too close the stairs. I forgot them completely. I was smiling at him, looking at him when I took a misstep, falling down the stairs. I felt it how he tried to grab a hold on me, but it ended up ripping my sleeve.”
Looking deep in Leo’s eyes, Margaret placed her hand on his, squeezing it.
“You took him back to that hellhole…” Her voice was trembling and small as she cried, talking between sobs. “What if he gets caught and killed?”
Dropping her head tears rolled down on her nose, falling on the blanket.
“It’s all because of me… He is innocent and he gets killed because of my stupid old legs, which took a misstep. I… I can’t live if he dies because of me...”
Lifting her begging eyes to meet Leo’s eyes, she tightened her hold on Leo’s hand.
“Please, go get him back. He is a good boy. A very, very good boy and you know it. He didn’t hurt me. He tried to save me.”
Leonardo was slowly realizing what he had done, shock and guilty taking strong and tight hold on his heart and soul. Shit. Standing up Leonardo growled at himself.
“You’re right. I made a mistake. I judged him instantly without even thinking a chance of accident. It just… We never haven’t had anything like this happening with anyone else. But things started to happen instantly when he came here so… I’m… I’m sorry.”
Turning to look his other maids Leonardo gave them direct order;
“I go look for Raphael, hoping it’s not too late. You all stay here and take good care of Margaret. I doubt Raphael will come back here on his own, but if he does, let him in. Tell him I’m sorry. And… If I don’t return either alone or with Raphael… You guys move on.”
“Don’t talk like that, that you wouldn’t be coming back.”
“I just want to prepare you all to the worst, just in case.”
“But why?”
Leonardo sighed. “Because while sitting in carriage while going through the poor area, there were so many catchers. So many. I think they are still hunting those who are still there hiding.”
“But you have the stamp. You are safe.”
“That’s true, but I’m not taking any risks still.” Turning around Leonardo walked away, saying his last words; “You all are extremely dear to me. I’m so proud of you all.”
