Part13

Reunion

When Seth got back from morning services, Mike met him at the door with his wetsuit draped over one arm, inundating Seth with a stream of almost frantic banter. "Heeeyy, Seth, m'man! 'Bout time you got home! Got the boards waxed, lunch packed, an' even got the old lady squeezed into her swimsuit, all while you've been sitting around all morning, wearing clothes that itch where ya can't reach... total waste, man! Chuck the book and necktie and grab some shorts, let's hit the road! I've been listening to some heavy crashing surf and it's driving me nuts! Let's move out, peopulll!"

Obviously Devon had been champing at the bit to go, because he startled everyone with one of his heart stopping howls, as he dashed out to his Jeep. "If anyone is ridin' with me they better get their butts movin', I'm outa here!" He started up the Jeep, revved it up, then stared at the house for a full 20 seconds. Then he shrugged, stomped on the accelerator and popped the clutch, burning rubber halfway down the driveway.

"Ah geezum, Devon, "Mike protested halfheartedly. Then he dismissed it with a noncommittal gesture.

Rahab paused long enough to give him a sharp punch in the arm as she got into the car. "Old lady? Squeeze into her suit?" Mike grinned and gave her braid a mischievous yank.

"What's the big fuss," Seth asked Gaele as she hefted a picnic basket in one hand and held Riahna's hand with the other, down the steps to the waiting limousine.

"Daddy's idea... he thought since we were finally all here, we should have some kind of fun and relaxing thing to do together. Everyone is going, too! Amazing, isn't it?" She rolled her eyes and jerked her head at Raphael who was leaning against the hood of the limo, talking to Leo and Don.

Seth had enough time to dash up to his room and change quickly into swim trunks and a t-shirt. Forget footwear, he wouldn't need them... geez, a real event, involving the entire family... When was the last time that happened? Seth had trouble recalling...

When the car pulled up to the end of the beach access road, Mike leapt out, yanking on his wetsuit, and grabbed his board down off the back of the Jeep. He bounded off toward the water and the impatiently waiting Devon, letting out a series of coyote yips, which were answered with a long hoot. Beyond them the waves rose up in long, tapering hills, rising up as tall as a house reflecting the sunlight and breaking in tubes, as smooth and clear as blue-green glass, before they crashed into the sand, making a tremendous percussive sound in Seth's eardrums. Snow white fountains of foam shot into the air from the force. Everyone seemed to be in a festive mood, as they laughed Mike's antics as he and Devon clowned around and ducked each other in the shallow backwash. Then everyone settled into their routine, Rahab and Riahna sunning themselves on their chaise lounges, Gaele rummaging through the coolers that Thomas had brought down from the car... Raph, Don and Leo leaning against the tailgate, talking... it was an idyllic scene. Seth decided to just kick back and watch seagulls and pelicans wheeling above the ocean, enjoying the peace and quiet. He yanked off his t-shirt and stuffed it under his head for a pillow.

He opened his eyes to see a shadow standing over him.

Don. "Am I intruding?" he asked quietly.

"Uh, no, not at all," Seth said, sitting up. "Pull up a seat."

"Thanks," Don said, humoring Seth's joke, as he knelt into the sand beside him. "Nice day, hm?"

"Beautiful," Seth said in agreement. "Then again, every day is beautiful."

"True, " Don said, smiling a little. He looked out over the ocean, and then turned to Seth. "How was worship?"

"Good. Had lots of visitors today. The sun always brings them down this way on day trips..."

"Ah," Don said, nodding. He fell silent again.

Seth sneaked a look at Don. Somehow... in spite of his friendliness, it wasn't like him to engage in small talk. He wondered what Don wanted.

"I apologize for not joining your Bible study last night, Seth," Don said. "I had no intention of snubbing your invitation, only there was some business that needed immediate attention."

"It's all right." Seth then noticed Leo off by the point several hundred yards south of them, wandering aimlessly among the larger rocks. "I hope you can make the next one." He stood up to get a better look. What was Leo doing? Something didn't quite sit right with Seth, it seemed to be one of those 'what's wrong with this picture' games, where things seemed normal, yet... they were not.

"You're planning to hold others?" Don didn't seem to notice what Leo was doing. Far and few between were the things that escaped Don's vigilant eye, and not for long...

"I had hoped to," Seth said absently. "It depends."

"On what, may I ask?"

Seth sighed, when he noticed Leo had disappeared around the point. "It depends on whether anyone shows up. It's difficult to hold a Bible study alone." Seth stood, wanting to follow Leo, but not wishing to be rude to Don.

"Ah." Don got up and stretched a little, and then stood watching Mike and Devon surf. His ever-present long coat, casually open today, caught the wind and floated back from his shoulders, its bottom edge snapping every few seconds. "I admire how you continue in your convictions in spite of opposition... and not be discouraged because you stand alone in your faith."

"Of course not! But it would make life easier if those I love fully understood my intentions regarding the Truth," he said. "But I don't stand alone. There's the church, and I am part of God's family...There's Christ himself. One is never alone when one has Christ."

"I'm glad you believe that, Seth," Don said softly. Seth found himself watching the quiet Turtle curiously. 'Uncle' was not the word for Don... more of guardian and mentor, of late. Why do I feel I can trust him more than Leo - Father - now that I am home? And what was Leo up to now?

"Seth?"

"Yes, Don?"

"How well do you know God?"

Seth searched Don's face, not really knowing what he was looking for, and found nothing. "Ahh, I try always to understand Him better, but no one can truly understand the Lord, Don. He is beyond our understanding."

Don squinted. He took a deep breath as if about to speak, then paused and shook his head. "Understanding is one thing, but...knowing?" Don looked up to see Mike yelling out one of his best war whoops as he disappeared into the watery tunnel of a huge breaker. "And does anyone truly know God?"

Seth looked sharply at Donatello, feeling uncomfortable. The flapping of Don's coat seemed dismissive now. With misgiving, Seth looked back to the rocks where Leo had now disappeared. He felt waves of anxiety pelting him, like the waves Mike was so expertly slaloming down. "Don, I don't understand- "

"Go." Don held Seth's eyes with utter calm, as though reading his thoughts. "Do what you must."

Seth frowned, when he realized Don had quoted a Biblical passage. Christ sending Judas away, knowing he was going to be betrayed by him... After a moment he backed up and then slunk away, his thoughts turning to Leo. Halfway to the rocks where Leo had gone, Seth realized Don was not heading up the beach toward the rest of the group but keeping a discreet distance behind Seth. His confusion hiked up another notch and he took a few deep, steadying breaths. He had to slow down as sharper-edged gravel and gritty stones replaced the sand. Seth moved steadily toward the larger rocks where the beach bent, scanning ahead, expecting to see Leo quietly cross-legged and meditating on the other side of every turn. He heard the rattle of dislodged pebbles, above the steady rush of the waves. "Father?"

No answer. He couldn't have gotten too far. Seth scrambled higher into the boulder path. "Father!"

Seth gathered himself, and began tracking Leo. Why am feeling this way? A few minutes' absence--cryptic comments from Donatello-- Have I lived so long with Leo that I've become over-dependent on his presence? Too much time alone with his thoughts, making him overly sensitive... feeling he had to watch Leo as though he were a wayward toddler... A single footprint marred a pristine patch of sand. Splash marks from a puddle in a rock. Seth lifted himself over a stone as long and high as the car they'd arrived in. The sun blinded him for a moment, as he stood above the shadows of the rocks. Then he stepped forward and started to jump down onto the sand on the other side, when he found himself looking into Leo's dead gaze. Seth gasped and recoiled, but could not check the momentum of his leap. He lost his footing, his back scraping along the rock's side until his feet thudded against the bottom, where he stood pinned to the stone, head pressed back against it, staring down at his father in horror.

Leo lay before Seth on his back, one leg half-hitched painfully over the other, arms twisted high above his head in an all-too-familiar position. Marks of impact marred his body where he had fallen, his mouth gaping, eyes glazed... He writhed suddenly and groaned in pain, rolling his eyes up so that only the whites showed, causing to Seth cry out in anguish.

"Seth?" Don's voice was an electric shock, jolting Seth into action, and he leapt up the rock again, calling as he moved. "Don! Over here! It's Leo! Something... is happening to him..."

Don scaled the boulder with easy strength, then followed Seth's gaze to peer over the edge at Leo. Don stared in silence, then slowly turned away.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"I am going back."

"What, and just leave him lying there like that? You have to DO something!"

Don met Seth's wild look with the same calm, detached expression he'd shown earlier. "Am I my brother's keeper?" He turned away again and disappeared among the rocks. What was that supposed to mean, Seth wondered as he realized Don was quoting the Bible again.

How can he just walk away like this? Doesn't he even care? I thought I could trust you, Don. Seth shook himself. So then, it was up to him...

He dropped back down into the sand, kneeling beside his father in the gritty shadow of the boulders. The edge of barnacled rock bit into his knees and he wished he had thought to wear his leather kneepads... but why wear them to the beach? Shaking off the distracting thoughts, he cradled Leo's head in his hands. Leo moved his head a few inches, muttering something unintelligable from deep in his throat, in a voice that wasn't his. He had bitten his lip, and Seth wiped the blood from his chin with the back of his hand.

"It's all right, father. I'm here." Seth leaned forward and laid a forefinger at the base of Leo's throat. An arrhythmic pulse, out of control, setting Seth's own heartbeat into overdrive. Leo exhaled heavily under Seth's touch, writhing a little, his arms eerily twisted up in that tortured pose, as though he were held in invisible bonds.

"Father, what's happened? Talk to me..." He slid forward, and pulled at Leo's wrists. But Leo stiffened, resisting Seth's efforts. "Please, father. You're not in that - nightmare place, you're HERE. Come on relax, you can do it."

Dear God, give me strength. Give us strength...

Seth tugged again, and this time the arms relaxed enough for him to pull them down across Leo's chest.

Thank you...

"Hold on, father. Don's getting help. Try to breathe slower," he said. After a minute, he reached to get a pulse again, but as his fingers touched Leo's neck, his father's body shuddered as though struck, and his arms scissored up again, as though someone powerful were stringing them up again.

Seth's heart went out to him. "Dear God, it's the Turtle on a stick..." he breathed.

"Jeezus," Raphael 's voice behind him. Seth leaped up. Startled. "Relax, kid. We'll fix him up." Raph squatted down by Leo's head and lightly ran his fingers around his brother's neck, then down and over all of Leo's body. "No darts. You see anyone around when you found him?"

"No." Seth glanced around, embarrassed that he hadn't thought of any possible outside attack. His father's pain had seemed so private. He realized he was embarrassed for Leo, too, that others should see him in this way.

Raphael felt for Leo's pulse, and his eyes widened. "Aghh. Ahright, Leo," he said with sudden impatience. "Time to come on back." He reached for Leo's wrists, then caught himself and turned to Seth, with an intent expression. "Did he ever do something like this back at that dump you guys were holed up in?"

"You mean - the monastery? N-no. Not that I saw. He went off sometimes, though, so I might not have - "

"Yeah, okay... whatever." Raph firmly took hold of Leo's wrists again, and carefully moved each of Leo's arms down to his sides. Leo's eyes fluttered and his mouth silently formed words, but his arms were now relaxed. Raph looked up at Seth in annoyance. "Go see where Don is, willya?"

Seth pulled himself back atop the long rock and stood tall, looking out over the beach. Mike and Devon's shouts carried over the water as a breaker moved them in - Mike balancing on his knees, clutching the side of the board with one hand and the other raised in a triumphant fist. Rahab was at the waters edge, frantically waving them in. Seth then caught sight of Donatello near where the cars were parked. He watched as Don stared at something at his feet, then bent, as though picking up something, before going to the limousine. "Ah, Don's at the car and everybody seems to be milling around-" he relayed. "I guess they know about this, huh?"

Raph ignored him, busy snapping his fingers in front of Leo's eyes. "Leo." Snap, snap. Raph clicked his teeth in frustration, then gently swatted Leo's cheek. "Hey, c'mon, snap out of it, bro." Seth didn't think the pun was intended. Raphael then growled, and furtively glanced around as he yanked Leo up from the ground. He lifted his brother easily and slung him across his shoulders. Taking the long way around the rocks, he splashed through the shallows until he reached the beach. "Yo Donnie! Let's DO this!" he shouted across the expanse of sand.

Mike had handed his board to Devon, and was now pelting toward them, kicking up sand at every step. "Raph! What the hell happened?"

"Don't know yet, Mike, we're just taking him home," Raphael snapped, as he trotted up the incline to the cars. Don pulled on Leo's shoulders to slide him into the car, and Mike ducked through the door, to help lever Leo into a more comfortable position on the broad seat.

Seth went to follow Mike through the doorway, but Raph barred the way. "Hey, let me through!" Seth protested.

"You go on and ride with your sisters."

"I'm riding with my father."

"I DON'T think so."

"Get OUT of my WAY!"

Raph almost smiled as he stood his ground. "I think you'd best turn your little tail around and hike it for that Jeep if you know what's good for ya..."

Seth set his jaw as he glared at Raph. "NO. I know he needs me."

Mike, perched just by the door, looking out at the two in surprise.

"Don't gimme that bullshit, now get MOVIN'," Raph growled as he took a step toward Seth, a dangerous glint in his eye.

Seth began a grinding comeback, but Rahab's angry words overrode him. "Leave him alone, you big idiot, can't you see he's upset? What difference does it make who he rides with?"

"Hey, come on, chill out, guys... let's just get going," Mike finally cut in, looking with dismay at Raphael. The tension between Raphael and his mother was almost tangible, and Seth stood in the sunlight, suddenly feeling very unsure of himself.

At that moment, Don leaned out and met Seth's eyes - still with that steady, distant gaze. "Seth, please. I would appreciate your calming presence in any car that Devon is driving... don't worry about Leo, he's going to be fine. We'll take good care of him." Don then nodded at Thomas, who immediately started the car.

Oh God, Seth prayed with agonized intensity, keep my father well! He had time to wonder why he hadn't been praying for Leo the whole time, before Don was gently closing the door behind Raphael's disappearing shell. Then Seth was racing for Devon's Jeep as the limo pulled around, deceptively slow, for the lot exit. He ignored the bite of sharp stones under his feet, as he vaulted into the back of the already moving car, and settled beside Riahna. Gaele shot him a concerned look from the front seat as Devon revved the car to beat out the limousine.

"Wahoo!" Devon whooped as he yanked the wheel and led the way up the ramp to Route 1. "This ain't gonna be one of THOSE boring days!" Seth shuddered and continued his prayer for Leo, holding on to Riahna as she hugged his arm.

When they reached the house, Seth jumped out of the jeep in time to see the passenger door of the limo burst open, and Mike and Leo slide out onto the ground. For a second, nothing happened, as Seth sprinted toward them. A question rising to his lips died when he heard a chilling, unearthly scream rend itself out of Leo. Mike grimly lay on him, and pinned his arms down as Leo thrashed like a beached shark, trying to free himself. Don had leaped out, and helped Mike hold Leo down, as Rahab slowly emerged, eyes round in shock.

"Mother..." Seth went to her, and held her steady. "Are you all right? What happened?"

She didn't speak as she stared at Mike struggling in a wrestling hold, as Don pulled out a length of leather cord and quickly hogtied Leo.

"Mother?" His grip on her upper arms tightened.

"He's..." she formed the words slowly, in a half whisper. "He's possessed..." She turned to stare blankly at the interior of the car. "Or something... he tried to-"

Raph climbed out through the doorway, looking very shaken. He stood a moment, rubbing at his throat, and seeing Leo immobilized, sat weakly down on the threshold of the car's door, and lowered his face into his hands.

"You okay, bro?" Mike limped over to Raph, favoring a badly scored shin from the fall out of the car. Raph swallowed experimentally, and then nodded. Seth slowly approached Leo, who was lying belly down in the driveway, panting like a dog, eyes rolling, unseeing, in their sockets. The muscles in his arms and thighs knotted and bulged, trying unsuccessfully to break free from the ties.

"Get AWAY from him!"

"I KNOW what's-" Seth turned to see who had shouted at him.

"GET AWAY!" Mike grabbed Seth by an arm and yanked him backward. "Give him space, he's friggin' dangerous. Even like that. Just stay away from him, okay?"

"He is death," Rahab said quietly, but clearly audible. She had a faraway look in her eyes as she stared at Leo.

Don was looking intently past Seth. "Gaele, Devon, take your sister inside, please."

Devon, unusually subdued by the macabre scene, obediently pulled on Riahna, who had been watching the action with great interest. Her eyes were bright, almost feverish. She suddenly went rigid, pulled away from Devon, and skipped over to Leo to peer into his face. She then leapt up, arms extended outward, stiffly over her head, like a cheerleader. "SAKIIIIIEEEEE!!!" Everyone froze at her sudden, shrill cry. Seth's heart jumped. Riahna began to spin, moving slowly around Leo's prone form, looking blissfully into the sky, her arms swinging out from the momentum.

Raph had stood up. "Saki!?" He stared at Riahna as though she had turned into a monster.

"Riahna... how did you know?" Seth heard himself say, as he approached her.

"How did YOU know?" Raph's eyes were now on Seth, with an expression of dread growing on his broad features.

Seth moved as though underwater, toward his pirouetting sister, the movements she was making were matching... matching... her eyes...they were... He sucked in his breath with all his might. "RIAHNA, NO!" He grabbed at her, and she stopped her dizzying dance. She stood as still as ice in his grip, her eyes glittering with a foreign light. She grinned stiffly, and let her breath out in a long, slow hiss. He shook her, trying to bring her back. She snarled in a voice that wasn't hers, slashing at him in protest, and he slapped her across the cheek. "SAKI!!! LEAVE HER ALONE!" She nearly fell from the force, but somehow kept her footing.

"What the hell are you doing?" Raph protested, coming at him. "Don't HIT her-"

He stopped short in confusion when Riahna giggled and looked almost coyly at Raph. "Ah ho, I shouldn't worry," she said in a clear voice. "This will be of no great consequence to her idiot mind....compared to what will happen to all of YOU...."

She looked around at the others, who were gaping at her, with the exception of Don, who watched with narrow -eyed, almost cold detachment. "What isn't of consequence, Saki?" he asked smoothly.

"She is HARDLY worth the energy it takes to end a life..." she said, sighing.

"You'd best not-" Seth gathered himself. "What do you want?"

"I've come to take what is MINE," Riahna said in a matter of fact tone, as she gazed almost lovingly at Leo's unconscious form at her feet. Her face twisted suddenly as she kicked Leo hard, turning him onto his side. "Look at him now, your great warrior brother, bound like a goat for the SACRIFICE." She threw her head back and laughed shrilly.

Mike and Raph had drawn together, staring at Riahna with varying looks of wariness. Don hadn't moved.

Riahna snapped her head around, as though sniffing a change in the air. She slowly turned her searing gaze on them. "You dare to strike down one of your own?" They looked at each other, obviously at a loss.

She smiled triumphantly at them, and then stalked to the edge of the driveway to pick up an enormous chunk of granite, that lined the garden. Normally this would have been impossible for Riahna to lift, but she hefted it easily, and returned to Leo, her face alight with homicidal glee. Mike had reacted first. He leaped at Riahna, shoving the rock away, out of her grasp. She rolled back with the force and delivered a wicked kick to his midsection. Even with his natural armor, he folded and went down, gasping for breath. Riahna was on her feet again, about to deliver the death strike to her father's throat, when Raph jumped on her. She twisted and slung Raph off of her like he was nothing more than a windblown paper bag. He landed hard, and lay stunned. Don had calmly removed his coat, and was watching the scene as though it were little more than a sparring match. She rose like steam, giving him a baleful look from under her brows. "Next?" she drawled, demurely pulling a lock of hair out of her eyes.

"No thank you, I think I'll pass," Don said.

"Then you are perhaps wiser than the rest," she said, and disdainfully turning her back on him, looked around for the fallen rock. "Which isn't saying much for you mortal dullards..."

Don slowly approached Riahna, as she bent again to pick up her crude weapon. "Why do you do this, Saki?" She grunted and straightened, her eyes locked suspiciously on Don's. "From what I understand, you wanted him alive to torture, is that not it? Surely you know that in killing him, he will be free of you?"

Seth swallowed the knot in his throat. Don.... knows?

Riahna grinned horribly. "And in so doing, perhaps deprive you all of his shining presence?"

Don gave her a lopsided smile in return. "That confirms it then... he's healing."

Her grin faded, as the boulder thudded to the ground.

"Isn't he?"

She swayed a little, her face uncertain, then her mouth curled down as though she were going to cry. Don reached to steady her, and her hand lashed out and grabbed his wrist, savagely turning it in the wrong direction. Her opposite foot slammed into his ribs, and Don gasped at the sickening snap. She struck him smartly on the side of the throat, and his legs buckled, sending him crashing to the ground. She planted a foot on the back of his neck, still holding on to his arm, and continuing to twist it cruelly. "Seems you have a bit of healing to do yourself, now," she crooned. Raph and Mike meantime approached Riahna in a half crouch.

"Don't attack her, " Don groaned, his face pressed into the rough surface of the driveway.

Mike looked with anguish at his daughter. "Then what do we do, Don? Watch her toast you?"

"Time to ...form a retreat," Don mumbled into the pavement. "Form... a retreat," he repeated slowly. Mike sighed noisily, and Raph grabbed him by the shoulder to turn away from Riahna. Seth could now see them clearly, as a fleeting look of understanding passed between the two brothers. Don must be speaking in some sort of code...

Devon stood dumbfounded, holding Gaele, who was covering her face with her hands. Rahab was leaning back against the car, watching with an odd detachment, and it was then that Seth noticed Thomas, who had been standing meekly beside her, now edged out from the car, making an almost imperceptible movement with his right hand.

Riahna jerked in response, and then scratched absently at her neck, as she released Don. She opened her mouth, then her eyes unfocused and she dropped to the ground. Rahab cried out, and started toward her.

"Stay back," Don warned, as he scrambled to his feet. He carefully moved away from Riahna's sleeping form, tentatively clutching at his arm. Seth noticed with horror that it no longer looked properly attached to him.

"Jeezum, Don!" Mike went toward him, to lend a hand. "How'd she..."

Don ignored Mike, as he closely watched Riahna.

"Who the hell is Saki?" Devon finally spoke up.

"Shut UP," Don suddenly snarled at him. "Take Gaele into the house, NOW! If you had just done what I asked you the FIRST time-"

Devon's mouth opened in surprise at Don's outburst, but he obeyed without another word.

Don glanced at Rahab. "Go on with them, will you?"

She didn't respond, until Thomas' gentle grasp on her elbow stirred her into action. She looked back at Riahna, still lying on her side in the driveway. Raph was bending over her.

"Raph... wait," Don said.

"If that fool wants to jump into ME," he muttered as he gently picked her up. "I'll show him what hell REALLY means."

"Don?" Leo was craning his neck to look at them.

"Father!" Seth started toward him, but a warning look from Don stopped him.

Leo strained half heartedly at his bonds, but relaxed when Don approached him. "Did I... do that?"

Don looked sadly at his arm. "No." He knelt by Leo's face. "Listen, it's time you involved everyone in this, now. It has become the most dangerous of times."

Leo closed his eyes. "I... realize I waited too long. Again, in my arrogance... thought it should be my own battle. Forgive me..."

"Save it, Leo, we have our work cut out for us." Don stood slowly, grimacing with the effort, and walked somewhat unsteadily toward the house, allowing Thomas to support him. Mike had approached and promptly went to work untying Leo, and when finished, sat back on his heels, coiling the rope in silence, watching as Leo sat up, flexing his shoulders and wrists. They exchanged looks, and then Mike stood. "I guess I spoke too soon, uh?" Leo didn't reply.

After a long silence, Mike shifted, and sighed, then walked to the house, without looking back. Puzzled, Seth stood still a moment longer, then went to Leo, who didn't resist when Seth took him into his arms. They laid their heads against each other's shoulders.

"I should not have come back, " Leo said quietly.

Seth14,end

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