I Don't Need to be Saved (Sequel to 'Let Me Save You') ON HOLD

Chapter 2 - Going Home

The old studio was musty and dark, but once I stepped into it I felt as though a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I walked to the center of the studio and sat on the floor. Normally I would meditate, but tonight I just felt like...being. I laid back onto the wooden floor and stared through the darkness up at the ceiling. My hands rested on my stomach and the gentle rise and fall of them calmed me further. I stayed like that for a few moments, my mind wandering. Suddenly, images of the studio flashed in my mind again, but it wasn't the same, no, something was very different. I could hear music in the distance, my body felt light and free. I shook my head and sat up, hugging my knees to my chest. This had been going on for some time. Moments popped up at random and I couldn't figure out where they came from, and when I shook myself awake from them I was only more confused.

"Damn it," I muttered as I reached up towards my eyes. They began to burn and I quickly removed the contacts I was wearing. Once they were out I rubbed my eyes and blinked a few times then tossed the contacts off to the side. I sighed heavily and rested my chin on top of my hands.

"What the hell?"

I shot to my feet and turned to face the owner of the voice. Hiding in the shadows was a large figure who I couldn't completely make out.

"You..." the figure said before charging at me.

I had little time to react before I was slammed onto the ground and a large mass was on top of me. Once I caught my breath again I looked up at the figure. I froze and felt my lips turn down in a scowl. It was the turtle from earlier that day.

"Why are you here?!" His grip tightened on my arms as I struggled against him. I grunted and then flinched as a flash of moonlight hit my eyes. I felt him freeze above me, but he didn't loosen his grip.

"Dani...?" His voice had gone soft.

I froze in horror as he said my name. How did he know it? "Get off of me you stupid turtle!"

"Raphael!" Before I could attempt to see who had come into the studio as well, everything went black.

My senses rushed back to me and I sat up with a loud gasp. I took a few deep breaths trying to calm my heart. The new space I was in was dark and smelled of sewage. I tried my hardest not to gag as I stood up and walked the space.

"Dudes, I think she's awake."

I followed the sound of the voice, my hands outstretched. I stopped myself as my hands hit a metal door.

"Mikey, shut up will you?"

I recognized the second voice, its gruffness was becoming all too familiar in one day. I clenched my hands into fists and banged on the door.

"Let me out!" I screamed. There was some whispering on the other side and I heard a lock click. I backed away from the door and got ready for whatever was about to come through.

Light poured into the cell and I squinted to see better. A man-like rat stood in the door frame, his hands clasped behind his back. I lunged towards him, but two turtles stepped around him and grabbed my arms, pulling me back.

"Thank you my sons, but I merely need you to stand guard at the door. Do not let her get into your head, she will do everything she can to get out of this cell, but we cannot let that happen."

The turtles loosened their grip, but I could tell they were extremely hesitant. I smirked and let out a small giggle.

"Some brave heroes you two are." I looked at both of them and took note of the color of their masks. Purple and orange. I looked back to the rat and rolled my eyes. "You couldn't even bring in the two decent ones? Do you really think that little of me that the weaker two could protect you?" Out of the corner of my eye I could see the orange masked turtle flinch slightly and I was proud to know I hit a nerve.

"Leave us," the rat said. His voice had gotten lower and more forceful. Deep down I actually felt a ping of fear, but I quickly masked with the idea of how proud Master Shredder would be of me if I escaped and brought him the rat as a prize.

The turtles finally let me go and left the cell. I crossed my arms over my chest, my smirk still on my lips. "So what now? You try the tough guy thing on me or we fight it out? I have a master to get back to and I know he would just love if I brought your dead body to him."

The rat stared silently at me and I could feel my anger starting to bubble in my stomach. Why wasn't he reacting to my threats? Surely I was hitting a nerve... Then i realized it. They all knew me, but from some time else. I remembered a few nights when I'd be patrolling Shredder's lair and I'd often overhear the scientists discussing my progress. I had been one of the rat's pupils, until Shredder took me to where I truly belonged. I grabbed my head and bent over, faking a grunt of pain. I forced my eyes to well up with tears and then looked at the rat. 

"Help me, please! I can't take this anymore. It hurts, there are...there are memories that I can't reach and I need help." I faked a few panicky breaths to try and remember the rat's name. "Splinter please! Shredder is using me as his pawn and I need your help!" I could see the rat beginning to cave and he moved towards me.

"Dani, I will always help you. Just breath, we will get Donatello and we will fix what Shredder has done to you again," he placed a paw on my shoulder and moved to help support me.

"It's so painful," I said as I pushed out another round of sobs as he began to guide me out of the cell.

Donatello appeared in the doorway, ready to help guide me along. Once we reached the doorway, I shoved my body against the rat and slammed him into the wall. I had little time to pause, I spun around the turtles and took off running. I could hear them bickering and one started after me, but I was faster. I knew where they were now, oh how proud Shredder would be of me.