Heart was hammering inside of his head when his conscious was coming back. Feeling like absolute shit Leonardo moaned as he squeezed his eyelids close more tightly, slowly releasing the pressure and allowing his eyes to open.
He saw yellow ceiling, white curtains around him. Peep sounds repeated themselves near his head, annoying him so damn much. But he was too tired and out of strenght to do anything about that infuriaiting sound. On top of it he heard someone walking at the distant, heels loudly clopping against the floor.
Growling Leonardo slowly moved his hands on his ear holes. Make that sound stop! But no, the clopping continued, stopping only then when they reached his bed. Moving a curtain out of way someone sat on the chair next to the bed, warm hand carefully landing on his chest.
“Master?”
The touch already had given the turtle a hint who the visitor was – and relief filled grumpy turtle’s heart and soul. Lowering his hands slowly Leonardo turned his head to see most welcome sight.
“Margaret.”
Old woman was sobbing while smiling sweetly in relief. She tapped Leonardo’s chest gently while wiping her eyes.
“Master, you idiot. Don’t scare us like that. We thought we lost you.”
Leonardo smiled with small chuckle. “I would never. I love you all too much.”
Smile vanished from old woman’s face as she leaned slightly forward.
“I’m serious, Master. You were dead almost 10 minutes right after ambulance got you here.”
Seriousness and shock sneaked on Leonardo’s face as he eyed serious woman by his side. She wasn’t kidding. Not knowing what to say or do Leonardo looked away, sighing his apology. Margaret wasn’t mad at him tho. There was no reasons to. None of that wasn’t Leonardo’s fault. And main point was that Leonardo was okay after all what he went through.
Reached over the turtle Margaret hugged him softly, kissing Leo’s cheek.
“I’m so happy you survived. That is all.”
Rubbing her back with a soothing motion Leonardo closed his eyes, inhaling the scent from Margaret’s hair. It was so nice and familiar.
Pulling away Margaret wasn’t smiling which worried the turtle since he had hoped to see her wrinkled smile again. “What’s the matter?”
“Master, something horrible has happened.”
**
In the meantime in the police station Raphael was rampaging in his cell. He was screaming while pulling the bars, slamming himself against them, throwing what little rocks he could get in his hands from the floor and wall.
Finally, after hours of rampaging, he collapsed on his rear sobbing. Done… He was done for. These cops wouldn’t show him any mercy. They would kill him if they hadn’t go get catchers to take him away and kill him for them.
Rubbing tears away between his tightly shut eyelids Raphael snorted. Why his life was such a big pile of shit? He just wanted peaceful and happy life. To live without fears. Why it was so hard to get it? Was it really only because he was a freak? A mutant?
“Here you go.”
Young officer’s voice made Raphael lift his head as tray of food was pushed in his cell. Not feeling hungry Raphael hugged his legs, giving his shell to the officer.
“I know it’s rough for you, and I wish there’s something I could do, but I must follow the law.”
“Screw ya and your stupid human laws. Ya are the reason why I’m in here in the first place. Ya had ta open your mouth and say I’m the one who killed those catchers.” Raphael mumbled to himself, but the officer heard him still.
“Try to eat something.” Those were his last words before he left.
The food smelled good, but Raphael was paranoid. He didn’t want to take any risk and eat food which was poisoned. So he just sat there hugging his legs, shell towards the food while it’s scent tortured his nostrils and stomach.
**
“You say what?!” Leonardo shouted.
Margaret nodded as she finally finished telling the tail of what had happened after Leo went with Saki. Growling Leonardo tossed the blanket off of him, jumping to sit up.
“Then there’s no time! We need to ---!”
And in that second Leonardo bend over the bed, throwing up heavily on the floor. Margaret jumped on her feet reaching over the bed to rub the back of Leo’s neck.
“Master, please, you can’t make such sudden moves! You are still recovering. Besides doctors still don’t know what poison Saki gave you. You throwing up right now can be a side effect of it.”
Panting Leonardo wiped his mouth on the back of his hand, his blue eyes looking at the woman over the shoulder. There was unspeakable furious flame in them.
“I won’t let that bastard stop me.” Leonardo growled with deep voice. “Get the nurse or doctor. I’m heading to help Raphael.”
**
Raphael had found a small stick on the floor, now drawing Leo’s face on the dirty. He couldn’t stop wondering was Leonardo okay. At the back of his mind was the fear of the worst possible scene, but if that would had happened, Margaret or one of the girls would had come to see him and tell him. Right?
But so far, nothing. It was eating big turtle. Perhaps Leonardo was suffering, struggling to fight for his life or something. Raphael cursed as he snapped the stick in half. Why?! Why he was in this rotting box when his place should had been right by Leo’s side!
“Hey, you got visitors.”
A voice, what Raphael had already grow to hate, snapped him out of his anger, yellow eyes raising. Breath got stuck in his throat as he saw Leonardo standing there with shaky feet, heavily leaning on the cane, Margaret tightly by his side.
“You have 10 minutes.”
When the officer left Raphael jumped on his feet, rushing to the door. His hands instantly reached Leo’s face through the cold bars, squeezing those round pale cheeks.
“Leo. Ya are okay!”
Leonardo really wasn’t fully okay yet, but he was alive and kicking at least. Smiling gently smaller turtle nodded, raising other hand rest on Raphael’s.
“I’m okay. How about you?”
Raphael swallowed, his thumbs stroking Leo’s cheeks.
“Better now ‘cause ya are here. Please, tell me ya are getting me outta here…”
Firm blue eyes stayed on worried yellow orbs.
“Don’t worry, I do everything what I can to help you. I already gave them my statement about what happened and so –”
All of the sudden Leonardo pulled himself free from Raphael’s hold, hurrying to a trash can, throwing up.
“Leo!”
Reaching his arms after the other turtle Raphael watched in horror how Leonardo bend forward more, Margaret rushing by his side to support him.
“What the hell’s going on!?”
Margaret shook her head which confused Raphael even more. When vomiting calmed down, Leonardo coughed few times while straightening up. Putting on a brave face he turned to look Raphael once more, smiling at him.
Walking back other side of the door, Leonardo allowed Raphael’s hands land back on his cheeks.
“Ya are fucking pale. Ya shouldn’t be here. Go back ta hospital.”
Leonardo knew all that and he was going to go back to hospital – if nurses and doctors hadn’t noticed his escape already. He hadn’t got permission to leave, but worry over Raphael had been more stronger than worry about his own well-being.
Pressing his forehead against Raphael’s between the bars, Leonardo took a hold on Raphael’s cheeks, closing his eyes.
“I will go back there, but I must make sure you get out of here first. Please, be patient and trust me. I will get you out. I don’t know how yet, but I will.”
“Leo…”
Locking eyes Leonardo smiled once again. “I got you. I will rescue you as many times as I need to. Like I once said, I have never failed to rehab a mutant – and I refuse to give up on you either.”
Raphael snorted softly with tiny smile. Damn this turtle…
“I trust ya.”
“Okay, people, the time’s up.” Second, and more rude, office stated as he approached the trio.
“Margaret, take good care of him for me, will ya?”
“Of course, Raphael. I will be his shadow.”
Leonardo laughed as he stroked Raphael’s cheek one last time. “I will come back for you. I promise.”
“I… Truly hope so. Don’t let them kill me…”
Yellow orbs turned more and more moist as Leonardo released his hold, stepping away before being guided outside with Margaret.
Holding tight on the bars Raphael was shaking, watching tightly after the others even if he didn’t see them anymore. He heard them and it was painful. It was so horrible feeling to be left alone… He hated that feeling.
**
Back at the hospital Leonardo was strictly upbraid because of his escape as nurses helped him back on the bed. Just in case a camera was now being brought to film the turtle so that he wouldn’t sneak out again.
Leonardo wasn’t all that pleased with it, but at the same time he had someone who would do everything he asked to. Turning to look Margaret Leonardo eyed the woman. She looked tired and worried.
“Go home to rest. I’ll be fine.”
“I can’t leave you, master. Besides our home is still a crime scene. Not to mention the destruction of the bombs.”
Leonardo felt silent. He didn’t know how bad the damage were, but he hoped for the best.
“Where are the girls?”
“At the hotel, master.”
“How are they?”
“Shocked, I would say. Unsure what happened and why. Fearing what might come next.”
“Then you really should go and be there for them.”
“But - “
“That was an order, Margaret. I will be fine here.” Turning to look the ceiling Leonardo squeezed his balnket. “Besides, we need to find a way to help Raphael.”
Duo sat in silence for almost 3 minutes before Leonardo jerked a bit, his eyes wide open. Fearing Leonardo had got some sort of seizure Margaret bend above the turtle, looking down in horror.
“Master?”
“… Margaret.”
“Master.”
Turning his eyes towards woman’s eyes, Leonardo whispered.
“I know how we get Raphael out, but I need you to sneak in the mansion. Can and will you do it?”
“Of course. Anything for you, sir.”
“Good. Listen carefully. I just remembered I have hidden surveillance cameras in my office. One in each corner and one in the middle of the ceiling. They are super small, but extremely effective, recording every area inside the office. I’ve had them for so long I had forgot about them.”
Looking at the ceiling past Margaret’s gaze, Leonardo continued.
“I need you to sneak in my office without police noticing you. In one of the drawers of my desk, lowest one on the right, is a hidden hatch. It’s quite small so look carefully of it. It is right at the back of the drawer. Inside of it is a key which you need to take.”
Taking deep breath Leonardo looked at human beside him.
“You following?”
“Yes.”
“Good. After you get the key, go in the cleaning room. Behind all the stuff is small hole on the wall.”
“Ah, that one, yes. I have seen it over the years many times. Is that where the key comes?”
“Yes. Open that secret door and you step inside of small monitor room. My cameras records all the time so take VHS tape out of the recorder after watching it. It’s important you watch what happened so you can help me to help Raphael.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you. After watching the tape, copy it just in case, and take that to police officer. Make sure you don’t give it to that dick who we met when we left. Ask to meet the chief and give the tape to him. If possible ask if you could watch it with him. If not, think something out so that he would let you see it too. It’s important you are there with him. We don’t want him to destroy the tape or anything.”
“I understand, sir. What else I need to do?”
“If you are allowed to meer Raphael, tell him about this.”
“I will. Should I leave immediately?”
“As quick as possible. I don’t want to make Raphael wait for too long and who knows how those cops really are…”
Margaret sat quiet a moment, before bending towards her master, whispering.
“Do you think they work, or worked, for Saki?”
“There’s always a chance.” Leonardo whispered back, his eyes hard.
Margaret sat back in her seat, staring Leonardo a while. His hands were pale fists as they were trembling, his eyes staring at the ceiling with so strong and hard gaze.
“Well, then. It seems you are doing better so I take my leave, master. I will go and check on the girls. Anything you want me to tell them?”
“I will be back. They don’t need to worry. I will make sure everything will get back to normal.”
Margaret nodded as she stood. However she didn’t got far when Leonardo’s voice stopped her.
“I have another secret.”
Turning to look down at the turtle Margaret waited patiently.
“I have another place. That mansion wasn’t our only place.”
Now old woman was surprised, but she didn’t move.
“Really? Why you never said anything?”
Leonardo sighed.
“Just in case, back in the days, if something would had gone wrong. None of you accepting me and so on. I had to have a place where to escape and hide. After I get out of this bed, and we have Raphael back too, we will go there.”
“Do you want me to tell that to the girls too?”
“If you want to. It might bring them some hope and happiness. I don’t want them to think they are homeless since they aren’t.”
Margaret nodded once as a sign she heard every word. No further words were said as old maid left to do her mission, leaving Leonardo lay on his bed, buzzlings and peeps from the machines torturing him.
**
In the same night Margaret sneaked back in the mansion. Luckily there was no cops on guard or anything. However, she had to be sure not to touch or move anything in the office when she got in there.
With soft steps she went to the desk, squatting down to reach lowest drawer. Moving the items out of the way she finally saw something suspicious. It was a hatch. Opening it Margaret saw a key, taking it. Moving items back as they were in the drawer she stood and hurried in cleaning room.
It took some time before she had cleaned the way to the back wall, spotting the hole. Pushing the key in she turned it, hearing small click and the door opened. Stepping in she gasped. She saw this secret room for the first time ever. How she could had been living there all these years and not know about it?
Her eyes focused on the screen which showed empty office. Rushing to it Margaret went for the tape, making sure she found the right one. When she found it, she sat on the chair which was there, watching the whole thing.
There were moments when she jumped and gasped, already going to head in the office to help Leonardo and Raphael, remembering she was watching past events. When the torture was over, she copied the tape, taking it with her.
Double checking she had locked the door and put everything back on their right place like they were before she touched them, old maid hurried out of the mansion, hopping in the carriage which was waiting her. Sitting in the carriage Margaret whished they would had owned a car since it was faster than horses, but only police officers and ambulances were allowed to have cars. Normal citizens, no matter in what class, weren’t allowed to have them.
**
At the police station in the next day Raphael was as grumpy as ever. He hadn’t slept in previous night at all, simply being too worried about Leonardo and the others. Sure he was scared of what would happen to him, but more worried he was about his friends, his family.
Hearing heels clopping softly against the floor Raphael slowly stood, coming to stand behind the door, his arms resting on the iron bars. His eyes brightened when he saw smiling Margaret coming towards him.
“Margaret. I’m so happy ta see ya. How’s Leo? Where is he?”
“He’s in the hospital, dear. Last time he was here he escaped from the hospital so he’s now grounded.”
Raphael didn’t believe his ears. Leonardo had escaped from the hospital!? He would lecture and spank the other turtle later for that.
“But listen, I’m here to tell you some news. Master figured a way which, hopefully, will get you out of here.”
Raphael listened, nodding at times, as Margaret told him with silent whispers what Leonardo had told her and how she had followed the orders given to her.
“So what now then?”
“Chief is currently calling to his superior in bigger office. While I watched the tape with him, I noticed how he looked shocked at times, his hands shaking. Tho I don’t know is that a good or bad reaction. I just hope they don’t think it’s a fake video or something.”
“I’m screwed if they do, eh?”
“Pretty much so, yes.”
“Great.” Raphael huffed as he turned on his heels, walking to lean agains the back wall of his cell. “So I’m gonna die here.”
“No, you aren’t!”
Margaret hissed, taking a hold on the bars. Raphael watched in surprise into those old eyes which were digging deep in his. Damn, none had never looked at him like this!
“You won’t die here, you hear me? Master and I won’t let that happen. We all love you dearly and you are part of our family. We are not give up and neither are you.”
“Ma’am?”
Pulling herself straight Margaret looked at the chief who had come to see her.
“Would you come with me, please?”
“Is there an issue, chief?”
“Would you just, please, come with me?”
Margaret didn’t like the sound or the tone of the man’s voice, but she followed him back in his office. Raphael watched after her, sighing. This would never end, huh? He would be given hope, still taking it away.
However big brute knew Leonardo and Margaret were true to their words. He just had to trust. Trust, trust, trust. Something what was more or less difficult to him. He trusted his friends, yes, but he didn’t trust the system or outsiders.
It took probably an hour and a half, or two, before Margaret came back with the chief. Seeing how the turtle tensed while the chief opened the door, Margaret signaled Raphael to calm down. It was easier to say than done.
“Okay, turtle, here’s the thing. Without a doubt you have taken lives during your life, latest few days ago when you killed Oroku Saki.”
“It was for self-def---”
“Listen to me first. Then you can talk.”
Raphael hated to shut up, but he fought to keep his mouth shut and avoid more problems.
“We are fully aware you have taken lives of the catchers during your life. It has been for self-defense from your part, but it’s still a crime because you don’t have a stamp. However – while we know this, we don’t have any physical evidences about it so from that part, you are clean. But what comes on taking Saki’s life…”
Raphael swallowed nervously, his hands shaking as he played with his fingers.
“… We have evidence, a video tape, that you killed him.”
Raphael turned pale, his eyes darting towards Margaret who stood still without having any expression on her face. S-shit… This was bad. He was done for!
“S-sir, please… It was self-defense and ta protect the girls, Margaret and Leonardo…! I never take a life for fun like those catchers! I –”
“You are free to go.”
“H-huh?!”
Chief smiled as he fully opened the door, stepping out of the way.
“We have a tape where we saw everything. How your master entered the office with Saki and how he, suddenly, attacked on your master behind with the syringe. We saw the fight between them until you showed up. It’s all on tape.”
Raphael was confused, not being able to move. Was this real or was there a trick of some sort? Margaret smiled at her friend while stepping past the chief, entering the cell.
“Come now, dear. We are going to hospital to see Leonardo.”
Still stunned Raphael just watched how Margaret wrapped her arms around his, starting to escort him out.
“Is… Is this really true? I can… just walk away?”
“Yes. You are free to go. I had to call my superior and explain everything to him, tape included, and he told me to release you. And what little records we have about you, information gathered from catchers too, you have been living pretty good so far.”
Closing cell’s door when Raphael was outside, old chief turned to look at the turtle.
“To be honest I’m amazed. You don’t have a stamp, you have go through who knows what kind of hell and still – here you are. And in most best care around here. Leonardo and his girls have good reputation here so I’m glad they took you in. You have bright future in front of you.”
Stunned and out of words Raphael couldn’t do more than just stare as Margaret, finally, started to escort big turtle out. When they finally stepped out, Raphael visibly relaxed with deep exhale. Smiling Margaret rubbed his arm.
“It’s alright now. You are safe.”
“It feels unreal.”
“But it’s true. Come now, I’m sure Leonardo will be overjoyed to see you.”
Leonardo. Yes, him. He didn’t know Raphael was free and going to see him would be good surprise.
