User blog:Leofan13/A Clash of Two Worlds: Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine: The Stuff of Nightmares

I carefully crawled through the broken window to avoid catching the broken glass. I ducked my head as I maneuvered my hands and shoulders around the sharp edges. My torso went through with relative ease. However, when I began to move my legs through I scraped my shin against a particularly jagged edge. I hissed in pain as the glass pierced my skin, ripping my pant leg, and traced a long line down my leg.

Looking down at my leg, I noticed the blood was already oozing out. Great, I thought. ''Two seconds in and I've already injured myself. Nice going, Lauradane.'' Still, I needed to stop the bleeding somehow or else this was going to get ugly. I thought quickly and decided to start with my already torn pant leg. I ripped it more and kept ripping it around on my leg until one edge finally met the other and a large portion came off in my hands. Remembering the tegaki I had used to climb up the building (It was easier than trying to use my sword right now), I grabbed one and used one of its sharp spikes to slice down the length of the piece of my pant leg creating two long strips. It wasn't much, but one piece could serve as a temporary tourniquet.

I looked over my leg to try and determine where I had been cut deepest. That's where I would need to apply my "tourniquet" to stop or, at the very least, slow the flow of blood. I decided on an area just below my shin that seemed to be the bloodiest. Taking one of the strips in my hands, I positioned it right behind my leg. Then, wrapping it around my leg, I tied it as tightly as I could. Then, I wrapped it and tied it until I was satisfied that it was tight enough, wincing each time I tied it. This has to be done, I kept telling myself. After I had finished with my tourniquet, I grabbed the other piece of pant leg and did my best to wipe the blood off the rest of my leg. I felt confident that I had succeeded in stopping the blood flow. Just in case though, I tore a section off my other pant leg and stuffed it in my pocket. Then, I grabbed the tegaki and stood up. I felt a little dizzy, but I shook my head in an attempt to make the feeling go away. Then, piercing a section of the wall closest to me, I climbed down into the room.

When I reached the bottom, I turned to face the room. My eyes widened in alarm as I took in the sight. The walls were adorned on all sides with the symbol of the Foot. I looked down at the floor and noticed that I was standing on an aisle that extended all the way to the front of this massive room. Looking up, I noted how high the ceilings were. A cold shiver ran down my spine as the realization struck me that this room looked just like the one in...

"My nightmare," I whispered in shock. As I walked, my legs suddenly felt like lead. Each step was heavier than the last. I finally stopped moving, exhausted from the effort. In between breaths, I said to myself, "Pull it together. This is no time to panic. Your family needs you." I attempted to move, but no such luck. I sank to my knees and did the only thing I could think of to do. I prayed.

"Um, what's up with that?" Mikey asked in a hushed voice.

"I don't like this," Leo stated worriedly.

"Let's bust in there and get her out," Raph said, ready to pounce. Leo stopped him, saying, "If we go in there right now, it will jeopardize the whole mission."

"Leo, are you KIDDING ME?!" Raph asked incredulously. "What if she's hurt?"

Donnie piped up, "Guys, I think she is panicking. After she had looked around the room, she just froze. Then, she-"

"Guys, look!" Leo suddenly said, interrupting Donnie. Raph, Mikey, and Donnie looked over to see me standing up.

I stood up slowly after I had prayed. I took a deep breath and started walking again. The steps were easier now and I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of me. I reached the end of the aisle and saw some movement. I strained my eyes to see and then felt a strange wave of emotion wash over me. It was a mixture of relief, happiness, and fear. I saw them, my family! They were all there at the end of the aisle. They were restrained, but seemed to be unharmed. I began to run to them, saying, "Hold on! I'll have you free in a moment."

I started to draw my sword, but was suddenly knocked back. I looked up to see none other than Shredder! I gasped at the mere sight of him. He was much larger in person than I had ever imagined. Now, here he was, standing between my family and me.

Sensing my fear, he just laughed. Then, staring at me with eyes as dark as night, he began to speak. "I knew you'd come, Lauradane." The way he said my name caused me to shudder. He continued, "So predictable. Threaten someone you hold dear, and you come running. It's like leading sheep to the slaughter." He smiled evilly.

I looked over at my family just then. They all looked so scared. Following my gaze, he noticed what I was looking at. Then, he made his next move. He grabbed my younger son and then turned back to me. He laughed cruelly and then gave me a cold stare, saying, "You have fallen for my trap by your weakness, the love of family." He chuckled, then continued, "You have something I want. I know that you know about the Turtles and Splinter. You know where they are. Tell me!"

I didn't answer him. My gaze never left my son. I could only stare as he tightened his grip on my son causing him to cry out. The sound of my son's cry pierced through my heart.

"NOOOOOOOO!" I cried out. "Please, he's just a boy! Don't hurt him!"

"Tell me where they are!" Shredder roared and raised one of his sharp claws, preparing to strike my son.

From outside, the Turtles watched as the scene unfolded before them. They were able to see and hear everything. Raph was getting angrier by the second, muttering, "He's just a little kid! RAHHH! Now can we bust in there and get them out?" He was wound as tightly as a coiled snake ready to strike. Leo was wound just as tight as Raph. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Now we bust in there."

To Be Continued...