By Kali Gargoyle
***
My name is Karra. I am half human and half turtle. I’m sure some of you have heard of others like me, but I’m not really like them. We look like the same species but the story of how I came to be this way is much different from theirs. For one, I was born human. I always felt weird as a human, like I was wearing a costume I couldn’t get off. I never fit in with everyone else.
For that reason, I got into a lot of fights at school. It wasn’t the teasing that bothered me. I didn’t really care. It was just an excuse to fight. I like to fight. I love the feeling of my heart pounding in my ears, my blood burning in my veins. It was a rush.
When I was about eight, my mother signed my up for martial arts so I could get some control. I loved it, and quickly rose to the top of the class. I went on studying after that summer class. I had found my calling.
Then my entire world collapsed with one word. AIDS. It’s actually an acronym for four words, but work with me here. There was no history in my family, so I figured I got it during a fight when blood was spilled. There was no other way I could have gotten it because I really didn’t care about anything except fighting.
One of the doctors had a long talk with me about an experimental treatment. I jumped at it. I was way too young, and way too stubborn to let this take me down without a fight.
So, here I am, green skin, three fingers, and a shell on my back. The important thing is I can still fight. Better than ever. I’m stronger now, and faster, as ironic as that is. I feel more comfortable being a turtle than I was as a human, if you can believe that.
Of course, it wasn’t all good. Those scientists still wanted to run experiments. As if. I escaped and lay low for awhile. After only two weeks I started going stir crazy. I had to get out.
My first night I come across some punks dressed in black. By the way they moved I could tell they were ninjas. This would be fun.
Usually I wouldn’t give a damn what they were up to but I needed to let out some frustration and these guys were there at the moment. I checked my sashes and tightened my dark mask. I checked the two sai I have strapped to my thighs.
I take out three before the others know I’m here. I’m really enjoying myself when something else joins the fight. Four somethings actually. Remember those others I mentioned before? This was my first encounter with them.
After the fight, I turned to leave. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to face one of the turtles. He was wearing a blue mask and carried a pair of katana on his back.
"You’re a turtle," he said, surprised. I guess they thought they were the only ones.
"Last time I checked," I replied, trying to leave. I was starting to get uncomfortable.
"A girl turtle," one of them cried. "Thank god!"
I rolled my eyes. No matter the species…men are men. The one with an orange bandanna blocked my path.
"I’m Michaelangelo. New in town?" He held out his hand.
"Karra, and no," I said, pushing past him
The one in the purple mask stopped me now. "Where are you from? Were you transformed by the ooze, too?"
I glared at him. "I don’t have to answer any of your questions. I have to go."
Michaelangelo pouted. "Don’t you want to know about us?"
"Not really," I replied. "I couldn’t care less about who you are."
The one in the red mask finally stepped forward. "Why were you fighting then?"
I shrugged. "I was looking for a good time."
"You mean a good fight," the blue masked one said.
"As if there’s a difference," I said. The one in the red mask chuckled. He has sai, just like me.
"We want to help you," the one in the purple bandanna said.
"Look…" I paused.
"Donatello."
"Donatello. The only thing you need to know is that I’m trouble."
The one in the blue mask frowned. "I’m Leonardo and that’s Raphael," he hiked his thumb at the one in red, finishing the introductions.
"Renaissance artists. How quaint." I looked around. "I have to go."
"Maybe we’ll see you around," Michaelangelo said.
I don’t reply. It’s been a long night and I just wanted to get to bed.
Unfortunately, I have a feeling that I’ll be seeing them again.