Leonardo remembered the day that Raphael first ran away. They were seven and Raph had gone into Master Splinter’s room and started playing with an old katana that had once belonged to Master Yoshi. In the process he had managed to break the katana and slash through an equally sentimental tapestry.
He doesn’t really remember how long Raph was gone, only that Splinter went out every night to look for him.
One day, when walking passed Raph’s room on his way to breakfast, Leo noticed Raph curled up in his hammock and Leo hurried to get Splinter. Upon entering the room, Splinter scooped Raphael up in his arms. He did not expect the reaction he go from the young turtle. Raphael thrashed in his father’s arms, causing the elderly rat to drop him.
Splinter was on the ground collecting his son back in his arms, trying to sooth him. The light was dim, but Leo could see that his brother was covered in dried blood and that the hammock was dripping with urine. When Splinter asked him what had happened, all Raphael would say was that he had gotten lost.
For the first few days, after his return, Raphael was withdrawn, wet the bed and woke up screaming. Then one day, out of the blue, Raphael hit Leo. Leonardo can’t remember what he had done to anger his brother only that Raph hit him so hard that a tooth came out. Luckily it had been a baby tooth, but the concussion he suffered afterwards left him bedridden for a day.
That was the first time Raph had ever been violent. He had always been competitive, hard headed, and at times mean, but never violent. One minute he would be kind, happy and playful. The next he would go into a rage at the drop of a hat. He had become destructive, and his brothers withdrew from him.
Over time the nightmares stopped, he no longer wet the bed, and his relationship with his brothers mended. But, there was always that unpredictable anger inside of him.
Leonardo stood in shock as his brother spoke of his abuse. Of how he thought he had turned that abuse on his brothers. Michelangelo’s voice was like a distant echo, “How did you get away?”
The answer, however, snapped Leo out of his trance, “That’s an easy answer. Raphael killed the bastard.” Turning Leo saw Bishop. “Hello, boys”, he said while removing his glasses.
Leo drew his sword, but before he could act Raphael was on Bishop. “What do you know about it, you bastard?”
Bishop met Raph’s attack head on. They grappled. Raphael grunting with effort, but Bishop didn’t seem fazed, “Bradley Garet.” Raphael flinched at the name. Bishop continued, “A man the FBI had been looking for, for five years. One day he is found dead in an apartment here in New York. Upon investigating the apartment strange DNA was found, blood spatter here, a semen stain there. It baffled them. Years later, I meet four mutant turtles. Imagine my surprise when one comes back a match to that long ago crime.”
“You knew?” Raph’s voice was harsh from all the screaming before.
“Yes” Bishop responded flatly.
“Why didn’t you say anything before?”
“The way I see it, you did the world a favor.” When Raphael didn’t respond Bishop continued. “Like I said before, the FBI had been looking for him for five years. They had no idea who he was. He would take boys between the ages of six and eight, sexually abuse them, increasingly getting more violent. Then one day he would kill them, bleach the body and dump it. They had no evidence. No way of finding him.” Bishop paused to let it all sink in. “Do you want to know how many boys?” His voice was a low grumble, “Twenty six.”
Raphael released Bishop and dropped his arms to his side. He staggered back until he found the wall for support. Donnie ran to him and helped him stay on his feet. “What do you want? How did you find us? How did you get past my sensors?” Donnie asked, in a not all that polite way, while guiding Raphael back to the sofa.
Before Bishop could say anything, Stockman chimed in, “Despite how smart you think you are, terrapin, your meager attempts at a security system was no match for my genius.”
Bishop glared at his robotic partner, “Your services are no longer required for the day, Stockman.”
“But,” Stockman muttered.
Bishop interrupted him, “Leave.” Without another word, Stockman left the lair.
“How did you find us?” Donatello repeated, setting Raph down. Splinter took a spot next to Raph.
“Simple,” Bishop said pointing to Mona Lisa, “Her.” Mona stood in shock, her mouth moved, but no words came out. Bishop walked over to her. “Did you really think it would be so easy to escape me?” Turning back to Donatello, “I knew that you four couldn’t resist a damsel in distress. I let her overhear me complaining about you, knowing she would seek you out. I had implanted her with a tracking device. All I had to do was wait.”
“You turned me into this, just to get at them?” Mona shrieked.
Bishop turned back to her. “Oh no, there was more to it than that. I couldn’t afford losing a mind like yours. I did what was needed. You should be thanking me.”
Tears were streaking down her cheeks. “Thank you? I’m a freak! You ruined my life!”
“I saved your life!” Bishop snapped back. Mona looked up at him in shock. “You think I didn’t know?” He continued. “The sadness, the cuts on your arm, you were getting your affairs in order. I wasn’t going to lose a mind like yours to depression and suicide.” He looked down at her. Next to him she looked very small. “You have to admit. The mutation is an improvement.”
“HEY!” Raph’s voice was threatening. He moved and looked like he was ready to jump the sofa to lunge at Bishop again, but Splinter was there to keep him from acting.
“See,” Bishop said gesturing to Raph, “you already have someone jumping to your defense. Men never even gave you a second glance before.”
“What do you want, Bishop?” Leo said through clenched teeth katana still in hand.
Bishop turned to look at him, “I have done a lot of thinking, and I have come to the conclusion that you are a better ally.” He walked over to stand in front of Leonardo. “I have come with an offer of employment.”
“You want us to work for you?” Leo couldn’t hide his doubt and disgust. “Why?”
“It would be with me, not for me. I was there when you defeated the Demon Shredder, and I am aware of the whole Winters incident. I know that you currently patrol the streets, fighting gangs. You are capable of so much more, more than simple tech support, or birthday party entertainers, or physical laborers.” Turning to April, “Even your expertise on ancient artifacts, Mrs. Jones, is a resource I would love to have on hand.”
“Why should we work with you?” Leo interrupted.
“Think of what I can offer you. This part of the sewers will never be considered for further development, no worker, contractor, city employee will ever step foot near here.” He turned to Donnie, “The resources that will be made available to you, new technologies and research all at your disposal.” Then he turned to Splinter, “Peace of mind, knowing that if anything were to happen, the best doctors will be made available to you.” To Raph, “Even a top notch therapist, if you desire.”
“Pass.” Raph growled.
“You would be safe. Only the president and a few government officials would know about you. And, you would be paid.”
Donnie sat on the sofa, next to Raph. “Well, it will have to wait. We’re going out of town.”
“That’s fine. I will know where you are.” Bishop gestured to Mona.
“We’ll be off world.” Leo stated.
Bishop walked over to Donatello, and handed him a small black device. “A trans-dimensional communicator. Just attach it to any laptop or computer, or use it on its own. Its battery life is a few decades, so you don’t have to worry about being close to any power supply.” A smile spread across Bishop’s face. “Don’t break it trying to figure out how it works.”
“We’ll have to get back to you with our answer.” Donnie said examining the device in his hand his voice trailing off. Technology has always been Donnie’s weakness.
Putting his katana away, Leo approached Bishop, who turned to meet him. “IF we decide to do this, we retain the ability to turn down any assignment you bring to us.”
“Fine, but I’m sure you would not pass up a chance to prevent Karai from bringing her father back.”
Leo crossed his arms across his chest, “If it ever comes to that, we will come to help.”
Bishop turned back to Donatello and paced a hand on his shoulder. “Your mind is another asset that I would love to have at my disposal. With that device you can access files in my lab and work directly with Stockman.” At Donnie’s scoff Bishop laughed. “Not the best way to persuade you, I know, but three great minds working together can accomplish so much more than one alone.”
Donnie was so wrapped up in the device in his hand that it took him a while to register what Bishop had said. “Wait,” Looking over his shoulder at Bishop, “three?”
Bishop pointed to Mona, who was sitting on the floor in a state of shock. “You will soon discover the brilliance in her.” He considered her for a moment. “Make sure she doesn’t do anything to herself. She may still be a little unstable.”
“That’s enough.” Leo said, grabbing Bishop’s arm. “It’s time for you to leave. We’ll contact you with our answer when it’s convenient to us.”
Bishop pulled out of Leo’s grip and put his glasses back on. “Very well. I hope to hear from you soon. It will be difficult to arrange a secure meeting with the president and other officials, but I would like to make this arrangement official as soon as possible.” Leo led Bishop to the door. Once they were there Bishop stopped and leaned in close. “I also discovered something else with my examination of you four.” Bishop got right up to Leo’s ear and whispered. “I did a swab of the inside of your tails. I know you are not blood related, but are you really that desperate?” His eyes flicked to Mona. “I guess you should also be thinking me.” With that Bishop was out the door.
Leo shut the door behind him. “Bastard.”
Raph was off the sofa and at Mona’s side. “Don’t let what he said bother you.” He kissed her on the head.
Mona leaned into him grabbing on to him. “I did want to kill myself.” She whispered.
“It’s okay. You’re not alone anymore.” He said pulling her close. “It’s okay.”
She sighed. “He’s right. He did do me a favor.” She laughed a little. “I look better now than I did as a human.”
Leo reached out his hands to them. “Come on,” he said helping them up, “we better get going if we are going to reach the farm at a reasonable hour.”
“Yeah,” Raph patted Leo on the shoulder, “let me go get my things.”
“Okay.” Leo kissed Raph on the cheek and the hot head gently nudged his leader in return. Raph made his way up stairs to his room. Leo turned back to Mona. “I believe April said that she wanted to fix your hair.” Mona nodded and Leo smiled, “I think we have enough time before we have to go.”
April reached out and grabbed Mona’s hand and guided her back into the kitchen to sit. Donnie was engrossed in his new gadget, so Leo turned to Splinter. “What do you think?”
The old rat closed his eyes in thought. Leo patiently waited for his father’s take on Bishop’s offer. The snip of scissors could be heard coming from the kitchen, along with the chatter of April and Mona.
After a while Raphael rejoined the group carrying a bag. Michelangelo had come out of the lab and was sitting next to Donatello on the sofa. “Can I see it?” Mikey said reaching for the device.
“No” Donnie slapped his hand away.
Splinter sighed and opened his eyes, “If Bishop is genuine in his offer, then I think it would be wise to accept it. However, we must always be on our guard when it comes to Bishop and Stockman.”
April entered the living area followed by Mona Lisa. April had managed to even Mona’s hair out a bit and it was now just below the nape of her neck. Leo had no idea what Mona looked like before she was mutated, but she was kind of cute now. She was shorter than the turtles and petite, with beautiful amber eyes.
Raph noticed Leo staring and came in close to whisper in his ear. “I’m not claiming her all for myself, Leo. I’m hoping our relations will be open, like it is with us.” Leo turned to look Raph in the eyes. “Just give her time.” Raph continued. “She’s still a virgin, and I don’t want to frighten her. She knows about us and all, but I would rather let her approach when she’s ready.” Leo nodded in agreement.
“Okay guys,” Casey announced, “Let’s hit the road. We’re losing daylight.” There was a shuffle of noise as everyone gathered their things and headed to the door. Leo couldn’t help but think that the ride to the farm was going to be a long and awkward one.
