Hello, and welcome to my TMNT fanfiction. I've fallen in love with this bunch of turtles, and their friendship with April. I've read a lot of great fanfictions other people have written, and I wanted to add my own touch to the selections.

I take suggestions for the next chapters. If you have any ideas or something you'd like to read, please send me a PM or a review. I'll always read them, but I might not write them. I'll see what lights my writing spark!

And now, let's get started with the story. x

This was so horrible. I was running away as fast as I could from a strange man, who had a gun in his hand. I had been running these New York streets for hours. At least it felt like it. I was afraid I would never get away safely from this. I would never see my school, my friends, or even my family of four turtle guys and a rat. I was basically gone already.

Just when I thought that it couldn't get any worse from this, it did. I stumbled on something in that street. I fell to the ground. I could hear that man laughing behind me, knowing he was about to get what he wanted. My life. I would die tonight, here and now. There was nothing I could do anymore.

I watched, terrified, as the man approached me. He was just maybe five steps away from me now. I could not run away from him anymore. This was the end of April O'Neil.

Then, he pointed his gun right at me. He was just about to shoot the bullet, when suddenly I heard my name being shouted. But it sounded strange. It was from a distance, yet so close, even though I knew no one was here.

"April! April!" The voice shouted again. And I felt like I was shaking. Like someone was shaking me.

The voice was very familiar. A male voice. Someone who was very important to me. But still, no one was around.

"April!" the voice shouted again. But this time, I suddenly felt like my world spinned around, and soon I was completely in a different place. And that made me panic a little. I felt like I couldn't breathe. Then I felt a pair of hands holding me.

"Shh, it's just me. Just me. Donatello."

Finally I recognized where I was. I had been living in the sewers since the Shredder took my father, and I couldn't live alone because it was way too dangerous.

"April, breathe. It's okay, you just had a nightmare."

"Oh Donnie, I was sure I was going to die right there!"

"Come here."

Donnie wrapped his arms around me, and gently held me against his warm chest. I felt so safe there.

"You're safe here. Nothing bad will happen to you. I'll make sure of it."

Just thinking about that nightmare still made me shiver. Like there was no air in this room. And he noticed. Of course he did. He pushed me away a little from his grip, and just took a hold of my shoulders. He looked straight at my eyes, and smiled.

"Hey. Stay with me. Breathe, April. Just breathe. In through your nose, out through your mouth." Donnie started to take deep breaths himself, so I could follow him. It wasn't easy, but eventually I managed.

"There you go. Good job. Now, would you like to tell me about your nightmare? If it still upsets you that much, we can talk about it in the morning. You don't have to do anything you don't want to."

"Just the same old one I'm always having. Running away from a man who has a gun pointed at me, and not being able to escape. I stumbled on something, and just laid there on the ground waiting for my own death." my breathing got a little difficult again. Donnie wrapped me in his arms again.

"It was just a nightmare. You weren't actually there. No one can harm you when you have us, the turtles with you. We will protect you from anything and anyone who even tries to lay a finger on you. And I give you my word for that."

Here, in the sewers, being held by my best friend, I felt so… loved. I finally knew I would be safe.

"You still need to get some sleep." he demanded.

"Can you… stay with me? My head just feels like a mess and my fears take over me when I'm alone and-"

"April. Of course I'll stay with you." he interrupted my panicking, and chuckled.

"Do you need anything?"

"I don't. I'm okay."

"Well then, let's get to sleep."

We squeezed under my blanket, and Donnie wrapped an arm around me as the big spoon. I knew that nothing would hurt me again tonight. I could sleep my night away in peace.

"Thank you, Donnie. You don't even know how much you guys mean to me." I could hear he smiled a little.

"Same goes for you, Ape. Same goes for you."

If you read all the way down here, THANK YOU. I appreciate your time. If you'd like to, write me a review and tell me what you think! Critique is also very welcome.

I wish you a very happy day.

Until next time,

-Jenni