Chapter 3
0110 Hours
Purple P.O.V
Upon waking, Purple instantly realised something was different. For one thing, the pain in his back wasn't as numb as it had been before, indicating that he had been taken off pain killers, but the more alarming thing was that there was now a screen around his bed – blocking his brothers from view. His first thoughts centred around the possibility that he had somehow been quarantined for some unknown reason, however his panic was somewhat calmed when he realised a hand was resting upon his own.
A human hand.
His breathing hitched as the panic came back.
The Master had found him. He was here. He was…
"Shh, Donnie. Breathe. You're safe." A soft voice entered his ears, one he was certain did not belong to that Master. He closed his eyes and he listened to the soothing words, taking one steady breath after another, focusing on the rhythm of his heart as he attempted to calm his fears. The voice was so calming he couldn't help but listen to it. Gradually, as his breath steadied, he opened his eyes again to take in the figure by his side.
A young woman watched him with wide eyes full of empathy, the power of her emotions radiating so strongly the turtle had to force his gaze away.
"Donnie? How…" Her voice seemed to falter.
"April?" He croaked, dredging her name from his pain soaked mind. This brought a smile to the young woman's lips, one which seemed to take the battered mutant from his own suffering and seemed to reassure him. He relaxed.
Suddenly it seemed as if someone wasn't aware of his guilt and betrayal to his family, or at least she seemed to be ignoring it. The sensation was wonderful. He didn't feel so dirty…
"I'm… Sorry…" He whispered and the small hand squeezed his own. Once again he was drawn back into those blue eyes, feeling their warmth.
"Don't." She whispered. "You're blaming yourself for things that were beyond your control. I know you're hurting, but please, you have to hang in there Don… You guys need each other, just keep fighting."
"Purple…" Was all he could think of to reply, his overwhelming self-hatred triumphing over the comfort which was being offered to him. "He said…" But April's eyes flashed darkly making him swallow his words. Such loathing… Was it directed at him? The woman had to sense his uncertainty and shook her head.
"You have a name, Donnie. You can't allow that monster to haunt you." Said turtle gave a weak, humourless laugh at this, biting back a sarcastic reply. "Whatever happened to you guys had to be bad as I can't reach your minds." She explained, offering some relief to the turtle. If her powers were blocked, that meant she couldn't know about his deal… Maybe… Just maybe… He could pretend it never happened? Hide from the pain? The idea was inviting. A day ago he wouldn't have even considered moving on, yet having April's presence here – someone so strong – it made all the difference. It was as if she was sending her confidence to him – and in all fairness that was probably the case – but whatever it was, it was infectious and for once Purple dared to dream of leaving his nightmares behind.
But her next words brought this fantasy crashing down.
"I understand if you don't want to… But what happened? What did this man do?"
Whips, pain, electric shocks, taunts, dehumanising treatments, collars, brands, helplessness, brothers, choices…
The memories rushed through his mind at a rapid pace and his hand pulled away from April's and moved to his neck where he felt the puckered skin raw against his fingertips where the burning metal brand had been pushed against his neck. But as he moved he caught sight of his maimed hand and another memory came fighting back. The image of a red hot pipe tied to his hands. The submission to the Master and…
"Donnie." He blinked and he realised his damaged hand was trembling. The burnt skin had forcibly curled them inwards towards the palm, the skin pulled taunt and smooth where it had been burnt against the metal. "Breathe. I'm sorry." Genuine guilt rested in the redhead's eyes as she took his mutilated palm in her own. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I'm sorry…" The turtle shook his head as he tried to find the words.
"No… It's…" He closed his eyes recalling the shadowed face of the Master. "He knew us… He knew everything…" He couldn't put into words how badly this man had affected him yet he suddenly wanted to explain himself, only problem being, he didn't know how he could do that without revealing his dark secrets.
"So he used what he knew to mess with you?"
"Doesn't even… begin to describe it…" He muttered, the weariness slowly returning. The pain in his carapace was slowly increasing and he shifted a little on his front to try and relieve the pressure, instead only managing to catch his ankle he had forgotten he had broken. He hissed.
"Shall I get you some more painkillers?" April asked, resting a hand upon his shoulder and the turtle found himself nodding into the pillow. There was a sound of movement and soon he felt the pain begin to ease as the drugs made their way into his bloodstream via IV.
For once sleep was not a relief. He felt somewhat lighter from being in April's presence, her easy going nature a relief from the harshness of the Master and the evident pain and pity of Splinter's gaze. It felt good to talk – even if it had brought back the painful memories, but he felt somewhat cleansed. Someone didn't hate him. That gave him hope…
He squeezed April's hand once more as he drifted off again as he whispered final words to her before the darkness claimed him.
"Thank you…"
Her quiet reply left him with a smile, small, but there.
"You're family. You don't have to thank me…"
For once his sleep was easy and not once did the Master find his way into his dreams… Maybe there was some hope for his damned soul after all…
0111 Hours
Orange P.O.V
Unlike his directly older brother, Orange didn't really notice the change in the room or the company of another person until he heard a voice near to his ear which made him jump.
"Michelangelo?"
The turtle froze like a deer caught in headlights, trying to work out who the voice was and what was going on… One minute he had been reliving the memory of the scalding water being dumped on him as a voice from above mocked his weakness and then…
Then the large face of an alligator swam into focus before him.
His heart beat slowed… It wasn't the Master… He was safe… He was…
"My friend? What troubles you?" The turtle breathed out, calming himself. Leatherhead… How long since he had seen the alligator? How much had changed since then… He opened his mouth to talk but quickly shut it again, recalling the way the Master had demanded silence and ensured it was maintained by sewing his lips shut.
A whimper escaped before he could help himself yet instead of harsh words, he felt the large hand of the alligator gently rest upon his forehead.
"Oh my friend… Calming breaths…" Orange heard the mutant whisper, his rough voice full of compassion. A tear slipped past the turtle's control and slid down his scratched cheek only to be wiped away by a careful claw. "I'm here, Michelangelo, I understand…" The soothing voice muttered and the turtle allowed himself to nuzzle into the large palm. Savouring the understanding silence.
He recalled many years ago when he had met Leatherhead, how he had been a beaten creature full of rage and hate. Of course his friend would understand. No words were needed. The one he called father so long ago demanded honour and bushido. Leatherhead merely wanted peace.
Orange now understood why.
He couldn't face the world, not after what the Master had done to him… He wanted to embrace mundane silence without being forced to it. He wanted to forget the shame he had brought upon his brothers through his weakness, and the fact Leatherhead hadn't even mentioned them suggested he understood. For that the turtle was thankful.
Curling his body up to his chest, he wrapped himself into the warm touch of the gator, enjoying the feeling against his battered skin. For the first time he felt safe. Isolated from the disappointment of his family and safe in the hold of a friend.
It was enough for now.
Neither turtle nor alligator spoke for none were needed at this moment in time. Orange trusted his friend. He never judged Leatherhead, not even in his darkest moment, so he wasn't surprised to be receiving the same courtesy from him.
He felt a pair of strong hands lift him from the bed slightly and Orange allowed his head to be rested upon Leatherhead's lap while his long thick tail curled protectively around the turtle's broken body. He let out a slight groan as his broken fingers brushed against the tail spikes, however beyond that he did not complain. He merely closed his eyes and willed himself back to sleep.
The Master wasn't coming for him. He had his Leatherhead watching over him... Soon his soft snores were the only sound from their section of the infirmary, and hours later – when Splinter came to check on the alligator – the two were still curled up together, neither moving from the warm embrace.
0112 Hours
Red P.O.V
"Hey brother." The gruff voice cut into Red's consciousness. He blinked awake, attempting to place the tone.
It wasn't smooth and confident like the Master's.
It wasn't belittling and pitying like Splinter's.
It wasn't proud like Leonardo's…
Red dared to open his eyes, his curiosity aroused.
The sight before him took his breath away.
It was Slash. One of the two beings who – in his time before the Master – were most like him. Slash had been his pet once, yet he had become a true ally and – more importantly – friend.
But now Red couldn't meet his eyes.
Slash was bound to be just like Splinter, calling upon the 'warrior's spirit' that Red used to possess in an attempt to make him fight the negative memories which haunted his dreams and return to his old self.
But the one called Raphael had been crushed by fear. Red just wanted to survive. No call to arms would awake the old warrior and not even Slash could change that.
"Raphael?"
He still didn't respond, silence was safer. He couldn't do anything wrong then. He wouldn't be punished.
"Damn it, Raph. Speak to me." The aggression in Slash's voice made the smaller turtle jump and his instant reaction was to curl up on himself, however as he attempted to do so he felt the jolt of the wounds to his plastron. Oh yeah… He had been stabbed… He'd forgotten.
A hand on his arm froze his thinking and his face was forced to meet Slash's own. The larger mutant's eyes blazed with a fury, yet Red couldn't turn away.
"Raph…" The voice broke a little, leaving the turtle confused, "Please… I know you must hate me… Why else wouldn't you look at me?" Red felt his eyes widen, both at the use of his old name and at his old friend's thinking. With a shake of his head, Slash went to stand, but Red forced himself to put a hand to the larger mutant's arm. He didn't know why, it was some innate reaction, but he felt as though it were the right thing to do.
"Don't go." He whispered. It felt wrong giving an order. He would be punished for it later, he had to be… "Just…" He closed his eyes as the image of his Master flashed across his face, yet Slash as back by his side, his bulk like a shield between Red and his memories.
"We'll get through this, Raph." The smaller turtle could only nod, his strength fading as quickly as it had appeared. He was scared, he didn't want to slip back into darkness, he didn't want to sleep… But Slash was here, he told himself, he could protect him… If only he could trust him enough to…
"I'm here for you, brother. Don't forget that." Slash muttered and Raph finally allowed his eyes to close, his hand still gripping his friend's tightly. He would awaken… He wouldn't slip away in his sleep… Trust him… Just allow him in…
For once, sleep took him without a fight.
0113 Hours
Karai P.O.V
Following the – albeit limited – success her allies had seemingly experienced with the other turtles, Karai stormed into Leo's area of the infirmary, a fierce look in her eyes. As she entered the curtain, she saw his hooded eyes snap close as if he were faking sleep. The woman cursed silently. The bastard who did this was going to pay dearly for doing this to her adopted brothers, and when his time came, Karai hoped it would be her sword piercing his heart.
"Oi, three toes, I'm not an idiot. Wake up." She snapped and grudgingly the turtle obeyed. Karai was taken aback by how dull his eyes seemed, the usual light behind them had been diminished leaving a beaten and broken look.
It was one the young kunoichi recognised all too well. It was the same look of defeat she herself had seen reflected in her eyes after her falsely self-appointed father, the Shredder, had beaten her down ruthlessly in training or claimed her abilities were too weak to be of use. It was the look of a broken warrior. One who had lost their drive.
She sat down by his side and met the broken gaze.
"Let's address the elephant in the room." She kept her anger in check as her real father had taught her. "You think you're worthless, broken and a failure. We all know you don't back down without a fight so whatever you all went through must have been hell. I'm not expecting you to bounce back but you need to stop beating yourself up and allow us to help." She tenderly placed a hand upon his bandaged one only for it to be drawn away. Her face dropped and her control over her emotions vanished. "You know what," her tone lowered dangerously, "fuck this crap. I'll be blunt. Grow up, Leo. You're only destroying yourself and in turn your family by beating yourself up. Be the leader we know you are and grow some balls." Her harsh words made the turtle flinch, but she saw a spark of recognition in that too distant gaze. She mentally patter herself on the back but continued on her spiel. "When you're ready to talk – I'm here, but do whatever the hell you feel like. See if I care. It's not like I've been the prisoner of a psycho and forced to bend to their will." She left the sarcastic thought hanging in the air for a moment, waiting to see if Leo responded. After what seemed like an age the turtle opened his mouth to speak.
"I failed… I let them down… I…" But before he could continue, his mouth continued moving but no sound came out. His eyes widened and a hand shot to his chest before they rolled backwards into his head and he began to shake. Karai watched in horror as the turtle's body began trembling violently and blood began to trickle down the side of his mouth. This threw Karai into action.
Quickly she held his body down on the bed so not to aggravate his wounds more than he already had.
"ROCKWELL! GET YOUR ARSE IN HERE NOW! HELP!"
In an instant there was a rush of people, various screams and a blur of activity. Through it all Karai just held her brother's wrist, feeling the flutter of his heartbeat gradually growing fainter until it disappeared altogether.
That was when she finally allowed the tears to fall.
"Leo…" She whispered, "No…"
... Oh dear... Don't kill me...!
So there's progress... But how much?!
As always thank you so much to you amazing people who have reviewed. :)
So...
- What's happened to Leo?
- Will the various people get through to the turtles?
- Who will make the first step forwards?
I'll try and get one more chapter in before christmas.
LL99 Out.
