Minutes to Midnight

Chapter Six

Donatello woke with a start, panic freezing tightly in his chest. The serum! Had Bishop been telling the truth or was this another of his cruel manipulations? If there was any truth in what Bishop had claimed then how long did he really have left and if rescue, escape was at all possible, would it ultimately be in vain? Frustration built throughout his body, overwhelming him and spilling forth in a long anguished cry. Donatello thrashed about in his wooden prison, lifting his head slightly he pounded the inside of the lid with his fists whilst kicking out and hammering the heels of his feet into the base. Minutes passes before his head fell back against the rough wood. He lay still for a few seconds, exhausted his chest heaving and his throat raw from screaming. Tears began to prick at the corners of his eyes again, threatening to slither free. The air, the air was thick now, heavy and hard to breathe. More dirt than air, it clung all around his body, pressing in. A small sigh escaped from his lips as he closed his eyes once more, giving in to the darkness.

It had taken April longer than she had expected to locate the shovels at the back of the store. Picking through endless piles of useless junk, her arms ached from heaving the last one free from behind several bicycle frames and assorted motor parts. She would have to bring the issue of Casey's 'collecting' up with him later but right now there were more important things to focus on. Finally loading the shovels into the back of the van, she closed the rear door and wiped her hands clean on the back of her pyjama pants before sliding into the driver's seat. She hadn't bothered to dress, instead slipping on a pair of old sneakers and throwing her coat on over her nightwear. She regretted that now, there was a definite chill in the air, the kind that blew in off the harbour and cut you down to the bone. Easing herself into the driver's seat she brought the seatbelt across her body before turning the ignition. The van rumbled into life. She quickly tapped out a text message on her phone and sent it, a small click indicating delivery. April reached up to adjust the rear view mirror, catching sight of her reflection as she did so. Had her face always been so gaunt and tired? Had the dark circles around her eye always been there? She twisted the mirror again and gripped the steering wheel.

Why shovels? You only really needed shovels if you were digging. But why would the guys be digging? Maybe they were looking for something that was underground? But what could they possibly be looking for underground that had any connection with Donatel…, a body!

Leonardo knelt in the relative peace of the dojo, somewhere in the distance a subway train clattered, cutting deeply into his thoughts. He shifted position slightly, resting the palms of his hands against the soft leather of his knee pads; he stole a quick glance at the cell phone resting beside him. Exhaling deeply he closed his eyes, feeling his shoulders begin to sag as if they had been placed under an immense weight. He was no longer alone. Remaining motionless he opened his eyes and observed the passageway beyond the dojo entrance.

Michelangelo clung to the shadows by the doorway, nervously creasing a piece of paper held in his hands. Pausing slightly, he coughed softly into his curled fist before walking into the room. He stood and observed his kneeling brother for a few seconds, waiting for him to say something. When no acknowledgement came, Michelangelo broke the silence once again, "I think I've found something." He ran his thumb down the fold in the paper and looked at it before thrusting it towards Leonardo.

Leonardo didn't break eye contact as he took the piece of paper from Michelangelo and unfolded it. Michelangelo shifted uncomfortably, not sure if he should say anything more. Leonardo looked down and studied the untidy scrawl before looking up at his brother's face again. "You're sure about this?"

"Hmm," Michelangelo gripped his wrist behind his back and rocked lightly on the balls of his feet.

"Does Raph know?"

Michelangelo nodded, starting to chew his bottom lip. The cell phone beeped and vibrated against the floor.

"Then it is time to go," Leonardo announced.

April kept the engine running as she waited down by the old storm drain. She hadn't been waiting long when she heard the back doors of the van open and felt the shifting weight as Raphael and Michelangelo climbed in to the back. The passenger door opened and Leonardo slid quietly into the seat, without saying anything he handed April the folded piece of paper. She took it, throwing Leonardo a concerned look before unfolding it and reading it silently. Leonardo watched as her brow furrowed. "This can't be right," she said trying to hand the paper back to Leonardo. He grabbed her hand to stop her.

"It is."

"But these are directions to a cemetery." April turned and looked over the seats in to the back of the van where Raphael and Michelangelo crouched in the darkness. She could see the tears starting to glisten in Michelangelo's eyes despite the lack of light. She returned her attention to Leonardo, "there's something you're not telling me. Is Donnie…"

"No," Leonardo interrupted, he's still alive but we don't have much time."

April blinked back the tears beginning to sting her eyes as she put the van into drive and pulled away.

Bishop smiled wryly has he removed the ear piece from his ear. Soon things would deliciously come together. Divide and concur. He had his maggot wriggling nicely on his hook and all he had to do was wait for something to bite. Soon he would have all four, to toy and play with, to slowly pick apart, strand by tantalising strand, until there was nothing left, except D.N.A.

The van shuddered to a halt, April ran her hands across the top of the steering wheel before gripping it tightly, "I want to help!"

"April, please. It's too dangerous. We don't know what we're even dealing with." Leonardo placed his hand on top of April's, giving it a gentle squeeze. He caught her gaze and held it for a few seconds, 'we need you here."

April smiled weakly. "Okay," she murmured, breaking eye contact. Leonardo returned her smile before opening the van door and stepping out into the night.