I own nothing related to TMNT. This is for pure fun and entertainment to those who read it.

~(0)~

I always knew we weren't alone down here.

My sons and I call these sewers our home, but we were naïve to think we were its only inhabitants. I never really saw her, she came in the shadows every night my sons went out to patrol the city. She never came in unless she was certain I couldn't see her.

But I knew.

She was a mystery. She came in the night, and she would take things from us. Usually, it was only food. A blanket every now and then. But for what she took, she would leave double. Many a morning my sons and I would awaken to find breakfast on the table, a cup of tea by my bedside, Raphael's punching bag resewn. My sons always believed the other, or me, to have done the courteous deed, but I knew there had to be something more.

I knew there was a living shadow in the sewers with us.

I always wanted to thank her, to meet her...But she was gone before I ever had a chance. It was like there were escape hatches throughout my home for her use. She would disappear into a room, and when I would investigate the occurrence, she was gone. But I knew she was like us, she wouldn't want to be discovered, although she had found us. I wondered if she was homeless, or lost, or how long she had resided below the surface, but I knew I couldn't pry. It wouldn't be honorable.

I knew I wouldn't like someone to stick their noses in my business.

So whenever my sons disappeared, I knew she would come. It was always safer then, with only one being left. My sons were younger than I, they had more energy, they could catch her if they wanted to.

I was older, I couldn't catch her.

And I didn't want to.

I tended to wonder if she knew that I knew, if she would one day come out of the shadows and speak to me, face to face. Such a foolish wish, I knew she would never be so bold. Still...

A little while later, when the four brothers had gone out patrolling, and Master Splinter was meditating...

I was at peace. Breath in, out. Calm yourself, find your center. My eyes were shut, my blind blank, and then there was a creak. My eyes opened a fraction, the sound of a door being shut sighed inside the lair. I turned my head slowly, watching the Living Shadow. Her hair was a matted brown, covering her eyes. She was wearing dirty jeans, a hoodie, her skin was pale, and she moved quickly, barefoot, across the main floor.

I stood up, and suddenly she stiffened, her wide, frantic blue eyes startled as she saw me. She gasped, a shocked look on her face.

"Hello." I murmured.

She didn't speak, and suddenly she bolted, running across the lair and disappearing into Michelangelo's room. The door slammed shut behind her, and I walked toward my son's room, knowing it would be empty once I got there. I opened the door, and all that was inside were Michelangelo's video games.