Chapter Text
Casey Jones whooped in excitement as he landed a hard blow with his hockey stick on a Foot-soldiers head.
“Take that, you foot fungus scum!”
Casey cheered, getting ready to clobber the next guy. Casey whacked the robot/foot-soldiers, all that came near.
“Casey, keep them at bay, I’m almost finished!”
Leo yelled, it was one of those rare times they were both alone on a mission, Casey either going with the other turtles or April usually.
“Got it, Fearless!”
Casey battered another wave of Foot men, pushing them back. The adrenaline crashing through his veins could kill an elephant, Casey was basically buzzing and shaking with it, moving erratically and without cause. Just like he normally did. Casey heard Leo sigh in relief from behind him, Casey struck another blow to a foot, he looked and saw him done. Casey used almost all his strength and whamed the robots head off with full force, it flew across the room hitting another foot and making a domino effect, as multiple fell.
“ Casey shoots and he Scores!”
Pumping his fist, he felt a hand touch his shoulder, looking over he saw Leo. Leo motioned for them to leave, Casey nodded following, but not before he hit an explosive puck towards the foot. Casey and Leo ran from the building, as fast as they could.
After they got a few blocks away from the building they were able to take a breather, Casey was still buzzing, hands and basically his body still shaking, a big toothy gap smile plastered on his face.
“Wooo! Oh man! That was just what this adrenaline junkie needed!”
Casey said, stretching shakily, body twitching frantically. Leo sighed, trying to calm his nerves, he looked over to Casey, who was shaking so bad from adrenaline that he could barely put his Hockey stick behind his back, the goofy smile still plastered on his features. Leo worried that if they got attacked, Casey would be unable to grab his weapon from how jittery he was.
“Casey, how about you go home for a bit. Cool down, after you're all calm you can come back to the lair. Or better yet stay there you should probably sleep”
Casey looked at Leo, a bit taken aback. Rolling his eyes and crossing his arms across his chest.
“I’m not gonna die Leo, Chill.”
Leo shook his head, giving Casey a stern look. Casey got the message and rolled his eyes.
“Fine! But you're gonna have to tell Raph why I’m not there and can’t race.”
Casey relented. Huffing as he walked towards the fire escape, going over it and climbing to the streets below. Leo sighed, he wasn’t looking forward to telling Raph.
Casey jumped down to the ground, off the fire escape, Landing on the concrete. Casey started walking home, well more like running, and jumping he was still high off the adrenaline. Casey ran to his house, turning corner after corner until he got to it. Casey went and hid his equipment in its usual spot. Going to the steps and skipping mutable as he got to the door, he took out his key and opened it, it almost slammed but he caught it, his dad was probably out. Casey went and walked up the steps, he listened as he walked down the second floor hall, he heard some noises from Angel's room, he would check on her after he cleaned his face paint off. Casey walked towards the Bathroom, opening the door, closing it slowly, shutting it and then turning the lights on. Casey looked at himself in the mirror, painted white face with black paint akin to a skull. Casey untied his bandana, tying his hair up, he should probably cut it, but he liked the way it fell against his back, and the way it felt to brush it.
Casey grabbed a few wads of toilet paper and put them under water, he started wiping his face, if a few strands of hair got stuck all he did was flick them off, after what felt like forever but was probably fifthteen minutes his face was clean of paint. Casey threw the dirty wads into the toilet and flushed. The face that stared back was his plain face, solid brown eyes, unruly and large eyebrows, splashes of dotted freckles like flecks of brown paint and a few Acne spots.
Casey took his hair out of the semi Ponytail and bent over and put his head under the Faust and turned it on, water went through his hair and over his face. Casey sighed, running his hands through his hair, getting the sweat out. He turned it off after a few more seconds, standing back up, stretching. He walked towards his room, opening the door, it was dark except a random beam of light, Casey walked over and saw he left his flashlight on. Turning it off Casey walked back and shut his door, Casey ripped off his shoulder and knee pads, shoes coming off right after.
Casey slid his Hoodie over his head, throwing it into a pile in the corner, then went to his dirty jeans, same pile, all that was left was his undershirt, Casey peeled it off, sweat making it graft to his skin. Casey sighed, throwing them behind him. He walked over to his closet and grabbed a T-shirt, one of his dad's he stole a long time ago, it was starting to fray at the seams and it was terribly damage but Casey slipped it over his head, and he grabbed a pair of pajama pants on the floor, a hand-me down from his cousins Andres, Slipping those on Casey went towards the door, shimming his socks off as he went. Casey walked down the hall, towards his little sister's room. A light peaked out from under the pink door, Casey knocked, hearing his Sister rush around inside. Hmm, suspicious. Casey kicked it open, making Angel yelp.
“What 's up! Are you doing anything suspicious?”
Casey said walking over hands on his hips, he looked at Angel, she was in her PJ’s ,another Hand-me down shirt from their Abuela, it was big enough it was used as a nightgown, her dark black hair was in two pigtails, she was standing stiff in front of her closet, arms Stretched out. Casey raised one of his bushy brows. Smirking.
“ Are you hiding a crocodile in there? or just another Stray Cat?”
Casey joked. Walking over bending to be face to face with his sister. Her face reddened in embarrassment, she slowly lowered her arms, sticking straight against her side fist balled, head down. Casey snorted, rubbing her head.
“It’s okay Baby Angel, I won’t tell Padre.”
She looked up at Casey excited, but he had more.
“AS LONG, as you show me what it is.”
Casey said crossing his arms, Angel sighed exasperated, but defeated.
“Fine. You Win this time.”
she stepped aside, opening the door, a scrawny and honestly the most butt ugly cat he’d had ever seen walked out. Casey physically reacted.
“Ugh!”
He said, leaning away from it. Angel smacked his shoulder.
“Don’t be mean to him!”
She said, giving Casey a dirty look. Casey sighed, standing up. Looking at Angel with a expecting look. She knew that look.
“But he doesn’t have a home!”
She cried, eyes getting damp, Casey didn’t relent.
“Yeah? And what are we gonna do, huh? Feed him, you and I both know we can’t, we don’t have enough for ourselves a lot of the time. He would be happier and would probably be able to get more food if we left him in a rat-“
a shutter from Casey.
“Infested warehouse. We can’t take care of him, he probably wants to leave. Look.”
Casey pointed to the Butt-Ugly Cat as he scratched at Angel’s window, mewling, it sounded if a trash compactor and on of those Brain looking Kraang dudes had a round of hot Sex. Casey immediately got that imagine out of his head, turning to Angel giving her a look. She sighed, miffed and still upset about It. She picked him up and walked out her room door, Casey followed her arms crossed, a look of expectation and amusement on his features. Angel opened the front door and placed the cat down, shutting the door looking away from it so as not to feel regret. She started sniffling and she placed her hands over eyes, making crying noises. Casey didn’t buy it, they had done this enough times that he knew she was acting. Casey groaned and placed his hand on her head.
“Come on, let’s go to bed before dad gets home, you know how he is.”
More sniffling.
“ I’ll read you a story if you want?”
She immediately stopped crying, looking up at him, eyes sparkling. Casey took her hand as he led her back to her room. Angel skipped as they went, when they got there she grabbed a book from her shelves, it was one of the tattered ones, the cover held a picture of a elephant, the title read “Biggie and the journey of selfishness” Casey recognized it as a really old book. Casey sat on Angel’s bed as she laid next to him, Casey took the book and pulled the covers over her. Casey opened the book, seeing it didn’t have pictures, he cleared his throat.
“Once upon a time-“
“Why do books always start with Once Upon a Time?”
Angel asked, Casey shrugged, having not paid enough attention in Language Arts.
“No idea, now are you gonna let me read this thing?”
Angel shut her mouth, Casey chuckled ruffling her hair, she giggled. Casey looked back at the book.
“I’ll start over. Once Upon a Time, Biggie the Elephant lived in a jungle, a large forest, with gargantuan trees—big trees, really really big trees Angel—One day a Vulture told the Elephant that the biggest tree in the world was in the forest and whoever climbed it and picked the brightest fruit in the tree would rule the whole world. Bit suspicious, am I right? Anyway, Biggie nodded and started towards where the Vulture said the tree was, Biggie walked across a desert, he met a coyote, the coyote was drinking water, seeing Biggie who was dying from thirst they decided to share, but only if Biggie left some, Biggie thought about it and decided he need the water more. Biggie drank all of the water, and left, leaving the coyote with nothing.”
“What a bitch!”
Angel cried, Casey laughed, wiping a tear out of his eye. Nodding, agreeing with her.
“I know right! Anyway, Biggie left, and then he came across a river, a deep river almost five hundred feet deep- sounds like a lake or a inland ocean to me- Biggie saw a beaver, who had a raft, they were about to cross then they saw Biggie, they took pity on him, calling him over telling he would let Biggie use his raft, if he didn’t leave without the Beaver. Biggie thought and decided that he deserved it more, since he would become the king of the worlds soon enough. Biggie took the raft and started over the river without the beaver. Who yelled at him from the shore.”
“WHAT A BITCH!”
Angel yelled, Casey laughed, about to agree but he heard the front door slam. Casey and Angel stayed silent. They both heard footsteps walk around the down stairs, then coming up the stairs, the hall, stopping in front of Angel’s door. Casey and Angel stayed silent, knowing if their Padra heard them he would yell and throw things. The footsteps kept going, both sighed in relief when they heard his door shut at the end of the door. Casey looked at Angel and gave her an apologizing look, tucking her in and kissing her forehead, whispering in her ear a goodnight as he got off the bed, placing the book back on the shelf. He looked behind him as he was about to turn the lights off. Angel was watching him, a worried look on her too young features, Casey gave her a reassuring smile. Turning the lights off and stepping out of the room, shutting it as slow and carefully as he could, it only made a click, but that gave Casey a smidge of fear. Casey sighed in relief. Casey was about to walk to his room, making it a few steps before a force hit him from behind, sending him to the ground. Casey yelped in pain and shock, looking up seeing his dad, drunk and standing at the end of his hall, Casey looked over and seeing a bottle realizing that's what hit him.
“WHY AREN'T YOU IN BED! ARNOLD BERNID CASEY JONES JR!”
Casey felt all his nerves jump, fear hitting him like a bucket of ice water, Casey tried getting up, staggering a bit as he stood. Looking back at his dad Casey held his stuttering breath.
“I needed to go to the bathroom-“
Before Casey could finish his Dad marched over to him and gave him a whack. Casey jumped back hissing.
“Don’t lie to me boy, I know the bathroom is the other way!”
The dad yelled, shouting in Casey’s ear, making it ring. Casey stood stiff like a board, his body clenching expecting another hit. His dad grabbed his wrist with force, enough to and probably brusing it.
“I saw you leave your sister's room! You both know you're supposed to be asleep! I don’t want to go home to do more work!”
He said, smacking Casey again. The smell of alcohol on his breath made Casey queasy, the feeling of bile coming up his throat made Casey hold his breath, trying to stop the possibility of it coming out.
“Now go to your room, or you’ll be getting a more harsh punishment. I’ll come around to check, but I first need to deal with your sister.”
A feeling Casey usually associated with someone hurting his friends or threatening his home surfaced in his chest. Casey grabbed his dad’s arm, holding it tightly.
“You won’t do shit! Don’t lay a hand on her!”
Casey yelled back. His dad stared at him for a bit, then a furious look crossed his face. He raised his fist, about it hit Casey with full force, Casey closed his eyes, turning his face, waiting for it. Then a crash sounded behind his dad, both looked over and saw Angel had kicked open the door. She stood their shaking, her fists clench, fear in her eyes but also determination.
“Y-you let go of him!”
She yelled, standing as tall as she could, which wasn’t that tall for an eleven year old.
“Don’t be Nosey, Angel! Go back to your room! I’ll be there to talk with you in a moment!”
Angel shook her head viciously. Tears pricked her eyes, her bottom lip trembled. Casey’s heart cracked, he didn’t want this for her, if only his dad would just quit!
“I-I’m not gonna go back to my room, stop hurting Casey!”
Casey’s Dad was positively burning with rage, he let go of Casey pushing him away, he started stalking towards Angel, Raising his hand.
“You listen here!-“
He was about to hit her when Casey ran past him, pushing him away, blocking him from Angel.
“GET AWAY FROM HER! IF YOU TOUCH HER OR EVEN THINK ABOUT TOUCHING HER YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING EVER AGAIN!”
Casey yelled. His dad didn’t like that. Growling and hitting him instead, Casey didn’t move though, he stayed still taking the hit and blocking his sister from his dad.
“You need to learn respect, and it seems the only you’ll learn is if I beat it into you!”
His dad yelled, Casey’s nose started to bleed with the next blow. His dad grabbed him by the shirt, and threw him into the wall. Casey’s back smacked into the hard wall, he screamed in pain, falling to the floor.
“CASEY!”
Angel yelled, tears falling from her eyes. Casey took gasping breaths, his father stalked over grabbing him by the neck this time pulling him to his face.
“ You need to learn to follow my rules! If you don’t you’ll be punished! You’ll both be punished! Now go to your room, you're not going to school tomorrow Casey, you're not even leaving the house, you’ll stay here and do extra chores, Angel you’ll still go to school, but if you mention any of this you’ll also be punished.”
He said sternly, letting go of Casey, making him drop like a stone. Casey groaned, delicately touching his neck. Casey got up without a second thought, looking over to Angel, her eyes red and puffy, horror making her tremble. Casey smiled at her. It was a little stranded, she didn’t seem to feel better but she started slowly to her room, looking behind her as she went. She walked into her room, as their dad shut the door. Casey sighed, dropping the smile, walking over to his room.
“Remember Casey, you aren’t allowed to leave the house tomorrow.”
Casey stood stiff at his voice, then a hand touched his hair ruffling it. Casey couldn’t help flinching, but the Hand still finished its ruffle before leaving his hair. Casey quickly walked into his room, closing the door. Casey laid his back against the door but he hissed when it made contact. Casey slowly moved to the mirror taking off his shirt, turning around and looking, a nasty giant bruise was forming where he hit the wall. Casey walked over to his desk grabbing a Med-Kit he left for easy access after Hockey games or situations like this. He sat down on his bed opening it grabbing the ointment and bandages, he put some of the ointment on his arm where his dad grabbed it, then he looked up into the mirror putting it on his face where the bruise was, he turned around putting it on his back, then he put some on both of his hands delicately and gently putting it on his neck, after he was done he put it down. Unrolling the bandage, he wrapped the bruises. Casey hissed every time he put pressure on them, but he gritted his teeth and continued. When he finished he pulled his shirt back on over his head. Then, grabbing a wad of tissues in the first-Aid he stuffed his bleeding nose. Casey sighed walking over to the light switch turning it off. He dragged his feet over to his bed.
“Just when the night was starting to get good…”
Casey said, voice monotone. He got into his bed, laying on his stomach to not touch the bruise. Closing his eyes Casey tried to drift. His nerves were still racing but he was so tired that he fell asleep in a few minutes.