Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT in any way shape or form.
Hello everyone! Thank you for clicking on my little story here. This is my first attempt at writing a fanfic, but I hope you enjoy the story nonetheless. I know this chapter seems rather short, but I promise there is plenty more to come.
I am always looking for feedback and constructive criticism so please, feel free to comment! Thank you!
His brothers looked at him with sad smiles on their faces.
"It's not your fault Don. You're alive and that is what matters."
He shook his head tears streaming down his face.
"No! I would never abandon you!"
His brothers' sad smiles turned into grimaces of pain.
"Sorry Don, but you already did…"
"NO!" Donnie cried, reaching out to grab hold of the fading images of his brothers.
Donatello woke to the sound of shattering glass, his hand reaching out across the table. He had fallen asleep in the lab again. Blearily he wiped his bloodshot eyes and looked at the clock.
4 a.m.
Resigned, he got up and began to pick up the broken shards of the beaker he had knocked off the table. The dreams were getting worse. Ever since he had returned from that parallel universe Draco and the Daimyo's son had sent him to, he had been the victim of nightmares.
"They died because of me. Because of my stupid plan."
He had been able to hide his pain from the others, but could feel his composure slipping. His family had asked what had happened to him many times, but Don wouldn't say a thing. His brothers didn't need to feel this. To experience endless sleepless nights. The crushing guilt. Only he deserved that.
Raphael watched his exhausted brother dump the glass into the trash. He had heard Don's scream and was watching from the doorway. This was the fourth night in a row his brother had had nightmares. Raph started forward as Donnie sat down at his workstation. The numbskull was going to start working again!
"Donnie, what the shell are you doing?" Raph said. Immediately he regretted his harsh tone.
Donnie turned wide, tired eyes to Raph. How long had he been there?
"Look Raph I'm just finishing up a few things ok? You should go back to sleep."
"Like I could sleep with that look on your face," Raph said. "Ya look dead on ya feet."
Don caught a glimpse of his reflection in his computer screen. He did look dead. Dark circles hung under his eyes, and his skin was pale and clammy. But he couldn't stop working now. He was so close.
"Don't worry about me Raph," he said with a sigh. "I promise I'm only going to work for another hour or two ok?"
"Donnie. Please. Ya can't live like this. Talk ta me bro," Raph pleaded. There was something in his brother's eyes that scared him. A bottomless grief, and Donnie was drowning.
"Raph, I can't do this right now," Donnie said turning away to his computer. "You don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine."
Exasperated Raph threw his hands up. "Fine man. Ya want ta keep doing this ta ya'self? Fine. I ain't gonna stop ya."
Donnie listened as his brother's steps faded away.
If only Raph knew. He was doing this to save them all.