Leo
I quickly left Finley's office, trying desperately to erase the past hour from my memory-but to no avail. I could sense the familiar feeling of my throat seeming to close before small tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. At first I believed Finley when he told me this happened to everyone, but now I've learned different. School, the elder children, they all taught me the truth, though not in the way they expected. I still went through with it though, otherwise he might have started on Raph, Donnie or Mikey. I wouldn't let that happen. Ever. If I could I would have stopped Finley and ran off with my brothers, go to a new place where no one can hurt us. But I knew that's never going to happen. What could I do anyway?
I was only 6.
Out of the corner of my eyes I spotted a few children, just older them me and my brothers, gang up on a younger boy. Since it happened so regularly I started to ignore it, until the younger child started to look familiar. Once I saw him fully, my blood started to boil in pure anger. He was hunched over in self-defence and had scattered bruises that will take weeks to heal, but there's no mistaking it.
It was Donnie.
I walked over, hands screwed up into fists.
"Leave him alone!" I shouted, slightly amazed my voice went that loud.
The boys dropped Donnie on the ground and turned to face me. They towered over me by a good couple inches, unlike Donnie, who was only just shorter than them.
Despite this I stood straight in an attempt to look taller.
"What do you want squirt?" One asked.
"You wanna take his place?" A slightly taller one questioned.
"Maybe you need to learn your place here." The last one, who seemed to be in charge, stated.
He swung a fist at me, but I dodged it, dropping to the ground and kicking his legs out from under him. As he fell the taller guy ran towards me. I noticed his heavy footing and jumped out the way. My theory worked as he lost balance and tumbled to the ground, next to the first. The last one just stood there a few seconds, looking from his fallen friends, to Donnie and back to me. I lunged forward and he ran down the hall. It was only then that I noticed I had attracted a crowd, who cheered as I helped Donnie off the ground. As I we walked to his room I made a silent promise to myself. I would protect my brothers at any cost.
From bullies.
From Finley.
From harm.