Chapter 3: Acquaintance

The atmosphere changed from a cool night breeze to a warm, indoor odor.  I was on a couch, a blanket pulled up underneath my chin, and more voices coming and going.  I slowly opened my eyes and
saw a blurry, brown face watching me.  As my eyes opened more, I saw I was staring into the face of what looked like a dog or wolf.  It stared back at me.  I know I must be seeing things.

"Ah, yes, my child.  You have finally awoken."

A green face with a purple mask sat down at a small table, across from me.  "The effects of the drug must be wearing off.  Thank God, she pulled through."   He gently pressed his hand against my cheek
I watched him as he moved his hand toward my forehead.  It felt cold and strange against my skin.  His whole body looked strange to me.

"She still feels hot.  Let me try this."

He brushed my bangs aside and placed a thin, plastic strip over my forehead and pressed it gently with his thumbs.  I looked upward, seeing two green arms with wrist bands and elbow pads stretched
against me.  His face had no expression as he stared at the strip.  It was a thermometer to check my temperature.  For the moment, I felt like a small child who was being aided by caring yet odd-looking
strangers.  I shook my head and started to move but he stopped me.

"Wait.  Don't move."

"Yes, Dad."  That made him crack a little smile at me.  I looked up again.  "What does it say?"

He didn't answer.  After a minute, he pulled it away and held it toward the light.

"Hmm, 100.8°F.  Not bad.  But not good, either.  I'll go see if we have some Tylenol for you."  He stood up and left me to look at the furry animal watching me.

"Where am I?"  I sat up a little and looked around.

He smiled warmly.  "You are in an underground sewer passage.  My sons have brought you down here.  You have nothing to be afraid of.  Perhaps I could offer you some refreshments?"

"Got that covered sensei!  Hi, there!"  Another green face popped up wearing an orange mask. "Hungry?"  He lifted a plate of pizza at me.  I stared at the slice of pizza which was covered with jelly beans,
marshmallows and pepperoni, one of the normal toppings of the three.

"Ohhh, Michaelangelo."  The animal placed a hand over his eyes and put his head down.  "The girl is weak and needs nutritional foods."

"Ulp.  Excuse me."  My face turned as green as his.  I pushed the blanket away, bolted up and ran to find a bathroom, clutching my stomach with one hand and the other over my mouth.  I ran past one
wearing a red mask.  He stopped and watched me as I whizzed by.  He smiled and looked at the other two.

"Now who did you say has that effect on people, Mike?"  The gag was old.  Mike rolled his eyes.

I found a beautiful stone bathroom at the far end of the hall, somewhat lighten by a small night lamp.  I didn't take the time to tour it’s beauty.  My aim was the toilet as I headed face-down into the bowl.  I pushed the door slightly closed behind me in fear I would be heard.  Too late.  There was a tap at the door.

"Hey, are you okay?"  One of them slowly peeked in.  I glanced up and shook my head.  He wore a blue mask.  What was it with these masks, anyway?

"Uhh."  I felt another wave of nausea and turned back around.  Please, go away.  He only came closer and knealt down behind me.  I felt him gather and pull my hair out of the way.  I clutched the bowl,
wanting to die.  Not just from feeling this way.  From total embarrassment.  I breathed heavily and closed the lid.  He slowly rubbed my back and I rested my cheek on the cold porcelain cover.  God, I
was sick as a dog.  He came around toward my face.  He could only frown when he saw how pitiful I looked.

"You are all so kind to me.  Why?  I'm a total stranger pukin' in your bathroom.  Aren't you the least bit disgusted with me?"  My voice sounded shaky.

He shook his head.  "Don't be silly.  We've had other people come down here before."

"To puke in your bathroom?"

He laughed.  "No, of course not!  We have outside friends whom are very close to us.  And no, come to think of it, none of them ever had to come in here to vomit.  Congratulations.  You're the first guest."

I looked away.  Somehow, I didn't feel honored.  I turned back now in a serious tone.  "What’s going on?"  My voice was barely above a whisper.  "Who are you guys and why am I here?"

He gave me a look of pity.  "Come on back to the couch.  We have much to discuss."

"Okay."  I said quietly in obedience.

I pressed my hands on the seat to pull myself up.  I felt his hands reach under my arms as he helped lift me off the tile floor.  I flushed the toilet and stepped over to the stone sink and stared into the mirror above it.  God, what a fright.  I turned on the sink and cupped my hands under the faucet to splash water onto my clammy face.  He just watched in silence.  I sipped the water from my hands to get rid of
the horrid taste in my mouth than spit out the water.  I backed away, heading for the door.

"Sorry, I fainted."  I shrugged at him.  "It's just I've been feeling a little lightheaded."

He smiled and shook his head.  "It's okay.  We get that reaction all the time.  It wasn't your fault anyway.  We're just glad your awake.  And alive."

He placed an arm around my shoulder and guided me back to the couch.  On the way, I eyed the area around me.  It appeared to be an abandoned subway station that had a style from the turn of the
century.  Beautiful stained-glass windows covered the ceilings overhead.  A small train car laid rusted in the center as we approached back to the familiar area.  The one with the purple mask walked up to
us, one fist clenched and the other holding a glass of water.

"Oh, there you are!  Are you okay?  You look more pale when I last left you."

"I threw up."  I told him plainly in a rigid tone.

He frowned.  "Oh.  Well, I got you some Tylenol so it can bring the fever down.  It's possible the night air made you sick.  Hopefully, you can take this and keep it down."

I opened my palm and he dropped the yellow and red coated pills in the center.  I took the glass and was guided back to the couch.  I swallowed both pills and drank the water slowly.

"Atta girl!"  Came a gleeful voice from the one in the orange mask.  The blanket was then placed around my shoulders as I sat upright.  These guys were definitely pampering me.

The dog greeted me and I got a better look of what he was.  A rat!  A giant rat!  The four creatures including the rat sat around me.

I placed the glass on the table and smiled with a tired look.  "Tell me I'm not in Oz.  Because I left my ruby slippers behind."  The rat laughed quietly as he started to talk.

"First, my dear,"  the rat began.  "Let’s start with who we are.  My name is Splinter.  My sons have brought you down here because you were in danger.  We know a lot about you and want to help
you in any way we can."

I stared at Splinter with interest.  "How do you know me?  How did you find me?  Where did you-"

Splinter raised a finger to silence me.  The others watched him closely.  "In due time, you will learn all that.  For now, allow me to tell you a story of how we came to be."

The story was long and intriguing.  His voice was deep with a huskiness and strong Japanese accent.  I could only nod at his brief pauses.  The Turtles, as they were known to be, sat very quietly,
watching me at all times.  At some point, Splinter announced each of their names.  He motioned over to the blue-masked turtle and calmly uttered:

"Leonardo."  I looked over and smiled.  Leo returned the gesture and slightly nodded his head.

Splinter went on to the red-masked turtle.  "Raphael."  Raph let out a small yawn as I watched him.  He looked over and winked, his broad mouth grinning wider.  Splinter noted it and sighed. "Michaelangelo."  My gaze turned to the orange-masked turtle.  Mike gave a wide grin and waved.  I smiled back.  Splinter then said the final name.  "And, Donatello." Don looked up and nodded
as well with a shy smile.  He waved with a closed hand, which held a screwdriver.  Then returned his eyes to his hands which held some sort of gadget with the wires sticking out.  It looked like
a remote control.

"I’m . . . Jewel."  I quietly began.  I had the feeling they already knew that.

"Like the singer, right?"  Mike added.

"Actually, her last name is Kilcher."

Raph started to hum, Who Will Save Your Soul.

I rolled my eyes.  "Oh, stop.  My name is Jewel and that’s that."  I couldn't help but smile.

"Yes," Splinter started again. "Jewel Cranston, daughter of James Cranston.  The news came out that you and your husband, Edward, were in a serious accident in your apartment building.  An explosion
from a bomb found in the lower basement was discovered and whomever placed planned to have you killed.  Your father, James, used to be a scientist at T.G.R.I., an industrial plant located in Bayonne,
New Jersey.  A chemical spill occurred at that plant nearly twenty years ago."

"That must have been the same spill you mentioned earlier that transformed you all!"  My eyes widened as I figured it out.  They only stared at me with perplexed expressions.  I was right. Slow, but right.

"Um, are you sure you’re a natural blonde?"  Raph teased as he pulled up a strand of my hair to check for dark roots.

I pulled away and made a frown.  They must of thought I was a real ditz.   Splinter saved my neck.

"You are correct, my dear." Splinter glared at Raph, then continued.  Though the spill wasn't discovered until fifteen years later, a team of scientist learned more about the toxins in advanced research
back in 1989.  Your father was one of those men who seems to know much about these chemicals through written notes and a small tape recorder.  Several of the men have gone through witness
protection and can no longer be detected through personal identity.  Upon his discovery, James was hidden as well that same year and had his name changed to William Langford.  He was then sent
to live in Europe in a small town of outside of London.  That was 10 years ago."

I sat stunned, wondering how they knew all that as Splinter took another pause.  "I remember my father telling me he was leaving on business."

"More like a permanent vacation."  Michaelangelo mumbled.

I looked down to the floor.  "I was only 9 at the time, almost ending school for the summer.  I wanted to go with him but he said it couldn't have been possible.  I never saw him after that."

"So, this brings us to today."  Splinter resumed.  "A news broadcast was released a few days ago about the explosion of the apartment building and my sons went to investigate."

"But why?  What’s in it for you?"  I could tell they were becoming a bit irritable with my questions.

"Look, doll,"  Raph sat up and leaned over.  "We hate to admit it, but it’s our job to protect innocent people in dire needs.  We knew nothing about you till now.  And what’s more important is what will
happen to you if we don’t watch our backs with stronger precautions."

I looked at him, blinking.  His low eyebrows eased up a bit and he leaned back.

Raph turned to Splinter.  "You were saying, sensei?"

Splinter cleared his throat.  He knew Raph had a point but wished he weren't so abrupt.

"Yes, my sons were out on their roundabouts when they heard the explosion had occurred.  Upon arrival, they witnessed strange men were emerging from the rubble, carrying a young woman to a
black stretched limousine.  Your husband was taken away by the ambulance and while the police and fire fighters scouted the grounds, the Turtles turned their attention to the limo and went after it.
It was way too fast to catch on foot.  Luckily they got the license plate number and returned home."

Mike smiled at Leo.  "Yeah, old Eagle Eyes caught the number before that limo broke all speed records."

"It was an odd license plate number for New York."  Leo looked away as if in a trance.  "The plate's lettering style looked foreign, like from England."

Don stood up and crossed over to where I was sitting.  He moved the glass away and sat down at the table across from me.  He leaned closer with a serious expression.  It was almost uncanny.

"This is where we learned about you."

I glanced at Don and felt as though he knew more about me than just my name, which was the only information that came from my lips.  I could only lower my eyebrows at him with a questioning look.

"Whomever knew your father and so desperately tried for years to find him and his notes, checked the files like I did and also found his status.  All they did was look you up, went to the apartment,
and hit the jackpot.  When we got back home, I immediately went to work to check up on internet for the license plate number and about the history of the apartment complex."

"So what does all this have to do with me?"

Don grinned and pulled back.  "Well, I was just getting to that.  Once on the internet, I hacked through archive files of the building and discovered a James Cranston had lived there, the same James
Cranston whom worked at T.G.R.I. before becoming an alias.  I also learned through personal status that this man had one child.  A daughter."  He paused and watched my reaction.

I only swallowed a lump in my throat and continued to listen as he resumed.

"When Mr. Cranston left for London with his wife, Gloria, you remained at the apartment with a Hannah Jacobs or what the notes said was your legal guardian.  Soon, you reached 18, married and took
over the apartment and Hannah moved out into a large house on Long Island.  That's how we learned about you."

"And my personal status."  I added.

Don grinned again.  "We only looked up what we needed to know."

"Yeah, sorry ‘bout that hair thing back there."  Raph gave a shrug.  "Guess you are a true blonde."

"And I’m sorry for acting like a dumb blonde."  I smiled back at Raph.

"On the contrary,"  Don started.  "I checked up on your school background just to kicks.  You got a high school diploma in science and physics.  Majoring in advanced computer technology and
mathematics."  He looked pleased.  I looked shocked that he said that.  Out loud.

The others stared in silence.  Suddenly, I felt like I was on spotlight again and my face grew red.

"Whoa!  Nerd-alert!"  Mike quoted from Austin Powers.

Leo looked at Mike.  "Yes, a very smart nerd who will make a damn good salary."  I sighed.  Thanks Leo.

I was still pondering the thought of their help.  "So, why are you really involved with this situation?  I could just turn myself in to the police station, report these guys and have major body guard protection."

Raph gestured to that.  "We are your body guards.  Minus the cops.  We do this line of work on our own.  Plus we got involved cuz you're such a gorgeous babe."

I blushed.  "Oh?  And what if I was a man?"

"They're not our type."

Leo waved a hand to him and groaned.  "Jewel, we are considered body guards to you and as I said before we have made friends with other people.  Men and women.   We help all walks of life,
regardless of sex.  Even if you were a man, we'd still help you out."

"It's just more interesting with women."  Raph grinned at me.

I crossed my arms over my chest.  "Interesting?  How?"

"I dunno.  I'm no expert.  They're just so weird and emotional.  The ones I've met in the past, that is."

"You think I'm weird?"

"And emotional?"  Mike added.

Raph stood up and pointed to me.  "Hey, don't take it personal!  Half the majority of women out there are like that."

I remained calm, challenging him.  "And what about me?  When did you start to become an expert on women?"

"I just told you!  I'm no expert, okay?!"

"Well, duh!"

The others snickered a little.

Raph paced the room, then turned back into my face.  "Look, I'm no freakin' expert, but you know it and I know it that what I said is true."

"Fine.  It is true.  But don't go judging me right away before knowing how I really am.  I can't stand men like that."

"When the hell did I start judging you?!  I was talking about other women!"

I looked around, feeling terrible.  "Oh.  I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"Well, damnit, you should have known!"

"Raph, let it go, already."  Leo placed a hand on Raph's shoulder.  He pushed it off him.

"Can we please change the subject?"  Michaelangelo cut in.

Leo agreed.  "Exactly.  Jewel, do you have any friends or family that can be trusted for you to stay with?"

After the argument, I tried to switch back to normal conversation.

"Uh, I think so.  But, you still haven't told me who was after me.  And where was I when you four discovered me?"   I changed the subject knowing I felt safer staying with them.

Splinter finally spoke after being quiet for awhile.  "I regret to tell you that we don't know who is after you, my child.  My sons informed me that you were found at a closed encampment way in the outskirts
from the city.  We feel the government is involved with top secret agents and hired hit men hoping to find any piece of evidence in regards to the toxins that were revealed at T.G.R.I."  Splinter took a long breath and paused for a bit.  "While you were sleeping, Donatello noted someone gave you lorazepam, a drug which affects the limbic system of the brain or the part that controls your emotions.  Luckily it wasn't a heavy enough dose or it would have possibly put you in a coma.  The drug makes you hallucinate, cause confusion, clumsiness, and drowsiness.  You were also found tied at the wrists, gagged and blindfolded within a small air-tight room.  Once they released you, a strong battle was in progress through the midnight hours.  You've been asleep almost all day.  We were worried you wouldn't wake up."

Don summed it up.  "We found the encampment because they were using internet access on I guess portable laptops.  They kept in contact with other members within the city where I, anonymously,
got a hold of information about the area you were brought to.  Plus, I got through someone's celluar phone and jotted down the location.  It wasn't easy.  But then again, the life of a ninja is never an easy job."

I looked at the clock.  It was 4:48 in the late afternoon.  Days, I thought to myself.  The explosion at my apartment was like three days ago.  I stood up and glared at them.

"What about my husband?  I got word that he didn't make it.  Is that true?  Do you know if he's still alive?"

The Turtles and Splinter looked at me in sympathy.

Leo slowly began.  "We were able to find out which hospital he was taken to but haven’t checked on him since yesterday.  From what we last heard, it doesn't look good. I’m sorry, Jewel, but, he
had internal bleeding and severe head-injury with multiple fractures to the skull.  It’s only a matter of time."

My heart sank as I slowly sat back down on the couch.

"No....oh, God, no..."  I placed a hand to my mouth, feeling the urge to throw up again.  I sobbed quietly instead and placed both hands into my face.  I felt a hand from behind pat my back gently.

I looked up to Raph whom stood near the train car.

"Is this what you meant by emotional?"

He shrugged, also looking at me in sympathy.

"I'm not saying you should never cry or that it's a bad thing.  It's understandable how you feel about your husband and you have every right to get upset."

"Every right as a woman."  Mike looked at Raph.

"That too."

Don turned behind him and pulled out a tissue from the Kleenx box on the table and handed it to me.

I laughed and took it from him.

"Thank you.  You guys are too much."

"We try our best.  If there's anything we can do for you now, let us know."

The room got quiet as if they waited for an answer right away.  I thought about it, then looked up at them.  "I want to see Edward."

Don looked skyward and stood up from the table.

"Uhhh, I'll let you handle this one, Leo."  He tapped Leo's shoulder and stepped over to Mike with arms crossed.

Leo looked at where I sat, then to Don, doing a double take between us.

"What?!  Why, me?"

"Cuz you do it soooo well!"  Mike spoke in a deep tone next to Don.

Leo frowned at the two then slowly went over to the couch, stepped across and sat down beside me.  I smiled a cute girlish smile at him.  He started to speak, then turned away from my face.

He gave in.  "Um, okay, but if it's alright with you, we'll have to go later.  After dark.  But you're still getting over being sick so I don't think it's a very good idea."

"Oh, honestly!  You treat me like I was 2.  I'm doing fine.  I'll be alright.  Please, I have to see him.  Besides, Don just said you'd do anything for me."

Mike nudged him.  "That's right, Don, you did say that."

Don looked away from Leo.  "Whoa.  I'm in trouble."

Leo closed his eyes and nodded slowly.  "Fine.  But you will not go alone.  We will come with you."