Chapter 8

"That was awesome movie, my sides are still sore from laughing." Mikey told April as she was just pleased to see her friend back to his normal self but worried, how long will that last. Stood up and took the cups, plates and unfinished food with her to the kitchen when Mikey quickly followed and offered his assistance.

"I can wash those." He smiled.

"Thankyou mikey. Feeling better?" she replied.

"Yes, I'm feeling better." He answered, happily. Leaving it as that, she didn't ask no more questions and prayed that next time, he'd ignore the bullies and do what she suggested to do if happens again. The window opened, and three terrapins climbed inside. Raphael was first then followed by Leonardo and finally, Donatello.

"April, do you mind if I have a bottle of soda?" Raphael asked. April looked back and answered, permitting the request as she received an gratitude in return as he took out a soda can from the fridge and flopped himself in the couch. Leonardo went to the cupboard and grabbed a glass, grabbed some ice then asked for some water.

Taking the glass, and filled it with cool water over the ice and handed the glass back to Leonardo as he said his thanks then joined raphael in the living room. Donatello was the last to enter the kitchen but didn't want anything, he was more concerned about Mikey and asked April to speak in private.

She nodded and walked with Donatello and went downstairs, leaving Mikey at the kitchen sink and the others in the living room watching television.

"Did you get what was bothering Mikey?" Donatello lowly asked.

"I did, Mikey said that there a lot of people on Facebook, Deviant Art and fanfiction were bullying him. On what he drew, wrote and said to defend that were also bullied."

Donatello folded his arms and exhaled, softly as he felt disgusted and disbelieved this would happen but remembered informing that there were some may behave like that.

"Thankyou April, now I know what the problem is. I can work on making cyberbully security system on his accounts with some information that cyberbullying is not acceptable."

"I think that would be a wise decision. But I suggested that he deactivate the accounts and keep the ones that he wants to stay on and block also report the bullies." April informed Donatello as he immediately replied.

"No, I have a better idea. As I will do some research on this topic and create post that states it is not allowed and inform others to copy and paste, as a back up booklet to protect themselves for future purposes."

"That is even a better idea. Never thought of that." April said, surprised. Donatello smiled, and chuckled.

"Well, to out smart a bully. Have to look into the root of the problem and be smart about it without causing more grief or drama that could or will bring even worst consequences."

"I agree. well anyway, good luck and let me know how it goes." April requested and walked back in the room together as his brothers were waiting. "Come on, Brainiac. Time to go home. I want my hammock." Raphael wined.

"Alright, I'm coming raph. Keep your shell on."

"My shell is on. Was that meant to be funny?" raph answered, confused. Donatello chuckled and replied. "Not really, but it did sound funny though."

"Alright, that is enough." Leonardo told them, mikey hugged april before leaving as he said his thanks then hopped in the van. Leonardo sighed, and looked to april with a smile. "Thanks April."

She winked and answered. "Welcome, Leonardo. We are family and that is what family is for."

Leonardo smiled, nodded agreeably then waved as they drove out of the alley and down the street, returning home. April returned the wave as she too, returned to her apartment.


My experience of the bullying on Deviant Art was when I confronted a DA user, using the word to label and bring down a fellow DA user that is a good artist through technology and digital art. And what got me angry was this bully called my friend an 'autistic idiot' just like I had written in the story as I stepped in and confronted this bully by asking how could he find it funny and call someone autistic.

This had gotten me as my children are autistic. It is a constant struggle raising two children with the disability. Some days it is greatly draining, to deal with but I fight to remain calm as much I can to help them and look for as many ways on the internet, local library and specialist to help me in the area to make things better for me as an parent with autistic children. As there is so much to deal with from behaviour to mentality to eating habits and worse of all, unprovoked violence from the child.

When I saw that comment used to bully my friend. I immediately snapped and the heat turned onto me, degrading my morals and skills a parent and questioning whether I was telling the truth or not about my children's disability because this bully knew nothing and said openly that he would never have no children anyway as children disgusted him or her.

Well, not only I said things I shouldn't had. But I allowed my anger get the better of me, which had blinded my judgement as I believed in that no one should be bullying any one no matter who they are, or where they come from to empower themselves in bringing down others especially using their victims children as a tool to bring them down. As that is just downright sickening to me and felt pity for this bully's parents as I only could imagine what hell, they could be enduring with this person. Which dreadfully sad.