(Warning: Torture scene at the end of the chapter. You have been warned.)

(Mayella's POV)

"Mikey, please don't fight me on this."

"I'm not going back, May"

"They're your family Mikey. Your Ohana."

He didn't answer.

"Ohana means family. Family means-"

"No one gets left behind, or forgotten..."

I sighed softly and cupped his cheek, "It's been a month, Mikey. I'm not going to force you to do something you don't want to, but your family must be worried sick about you." He didn't respond and I sighed again, "How 'bout this, I'll go with you to see your family, if things go bad you can come back here." he smiled and nodded, "I'd like that a lot, dudette."

And that is how we ended up walking in the sewers.

Or, more correctly, Mikey walked through the sewers. Before I could even take one step forward, he threw me on his back, saying he didn't want my shoes to get dirty.

Down into the deep, dark pits of hell we go then, I thought sarcastically before another thought hit me.

"Hey Mikey," I asked, "Why did we wait so long to leave?"

"I was waiting for my bros to go on patrol," he said, turning his head, "I wanted to see Master Splinter first." I nodded, nuzzling my face into the crook of his neck, "Okay." I walked for about two more minutes before he cried out, "We're here, dudette!"

My jaw dropped and he set me back on my feet," This doesn't look like something you'd find in the sewers." He shrugged, "It's an abandoned subway station, but," he said before opening his arms wide gesturing to the place behind him, "Welcome to the Lair, dudette!"

"Michelangelo?"

We both turned to see a tall, six-foot rat standing not too far from us, a shocked look on his face. Mikey's face broke into a grin. "Sensei!" he cried out as he ran forward, gripping the rat in a hug. The rat quickly returned the hug, tears sliding down onto his whiskers, "Michelangelo... my son..."

Wait, this is Mikey's dad?... OH SHIT!

After a few moments, Mikey pulled away still smiling, "Sensei, I want you to meet someone." Mikey and Master Splinter turned to look at me and I took that as my cue to introduce myself. I stepped forward and bowed respectfully, "It is an honor to meet you, Master Splinter. My name is Mayella, but you can call me May."

As soon as I finished talking, I stood up straight, Atticus' words echoing through my head. When your talkin', or someone is talkin' you, you stand with your back straight and always make eye contact. The only reason I'm teachin' you this is so I don't become the laughin' stock of wherever we are or wherever we end up.

At first, those rules didn't set in. I would always slouch and look right next to the person's head because I was scared to make eye-contact. Atticus would always catch me and smack the back of my head hard enough for it to sting.

It didn't take much longer for me to learn those skills.

Master Splinter smiled and, much to my surprise, bowed back to me, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mayella. My son has spoken highly of you, in the time he was here, at least." He sent a stern look at Mikey and my heart clenched.

I stepped forward and fell to my knees, "Master Splinter, it's my fault Mikey left. His brothers became angry when they learned the Mikey had befriended me and had not told them. It's my fault all this has happened, I'll take whatever punishment you deem fit."

I had expected him to start yelling or to smack me at least. I was surprised when he placed a hand on my shoulder and helped me stand up. "I am not going to punish you or Michelangelo," he said, pulling me and Mikey deeper into his home, "But I will test to see if Michelangelo has been practising his Ninjutsu. You may watch us if you wish, Mayella."

I glanced at Mikey and after seeing him nod so fast that he could have gotten whiplash, I said yes. He first started Mikey off with doing some of the katas he had been doing when he was staying at my apartment. Next he had him use his Nunchakus to fight invisible enemies.

I smiled softly as I watched Mikey's graceful movements, practising the art he grew up learning. I was glad he was doing something that made him happy. Back at my apartment, he went back and forth between happy and sad a lot. One minute we would be smiling and watching Disney movies, next minute he would be saying how he messed up everything with his brothers and tried not to cry.

I had secretly loathed his brothers for making him feel this way, but at the same time, I wanted them to prove me wrong and show me they really did care about Mikey's happiness. Could they not see how he was hurting? Did they not see how they were hurting him? Did they not see that he just wanted to make him happy? Did they not see that? And if they didn't, how do they think he feels? Almost as if he could sense my thoughts, Mikey smiled and me and waved.

And of course, at that moment, the hidden Nunchaku blade popped out, slicing open his forehead.

He immediately cried out, dropping his Nunchaku and clutching his forehead, wincing slightly from the pain. My smile immediately turned into a look of concern as me and Master Splinter jumped from our spots on the floor, rushing towards him. "Michelangelo," Master Splinter cried out, "Are you alright?"

Mikey was too busy trying to keep the blood out of his eyes to answer. Master Splinter turned to me and said in a worried tone, "Will you please go find a bandage for Michelangelo?" I nodded and kissed Mikey's temple, "I'll be back soon, angel."

I ran out of the dojo and head towards where Mikey told me Donnie's lab was. A few days after he started living with me, I asked him what his home looked like. He gave me a very good description, if he hadn't I wouldn't have been able to find the lab. I didn't have to look hard once I was in, there was one of the big rectangle band-aids sitting on the table.

I didn't have time to take anything else in, I was too worried about Mikey to care.

I was halfway across their living room when I stopped. Something had changed. It felt small like someone had shifted a pen two inches away from its original spot, but at the same time, it felt huge, like a piercing scream that can cut through a silent night like a knife. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply through my nose.

I knew this feeling. Someone was watching me. Or more specifically, three people to be exact.

I opened my eyes and gathering all the courage I had, I spun on my heel to face the exit of the lair.

Three turtles were standing there, staring at me wide-eyed and looking slightly crestfallen. They were expecting Mikey... they don't want you here, my brain nagged at me as I pushed those thoughts away as I tried to figure out who was who. Mikey had told me all about his brothers and what they look like.

The first turtle that caught my attention was the tallest of them all. He was wearing a purple mask, had a small tooth gap between his two front teeth, and had a Bo-staff on his back. His eyes were wide with shock but underneath, I could see worry as clear as day. Worry that he was now the youngest sibling. Worry that he would never see Mikey again. Worry that he just lost a piece of his Ohana. That must be Donnie, my brain whispered.

My gaze shifted to the turtle next to Donnie and I could already tell that it was Leo. Blue mask, blue eyes, two Katana blades strapped to his back. You could also feel the confidence and calmness come off of him in waves. But I could also feel the worry radiate off of him as well. Worry for his brothers. Worry for his family. Worry that Mikey won't come home. Worry that he lost a piece of his Ohana forever.

My gaze shifted to the final turtle, the one that had caused the most damage to Mikey, the one Mikey looked up to the most. The red mask made his green eyes stand out and the Sais in his belt loop gleamed dangerously in the light. He stared at me in distrust, and the whites of his eyes were red. From crying, I can only assume.

Looking back on it, I should have said hi or that I was a friend of Mikey's or that Mikey was in the dojo with Master Splinter. But before I could get the words out, Leo pulled out his Katanas and pointed one at me, "Get her!"

A shriek left my lips as Raph and Donnie unsheathed their weapons, all three of them leaping at me. I jumped out of the way and then it became a game of dodging anything that was thrown at me, including pizza boxes, ninja stars, and their weapons.

A green arm slipped around my neck and I heard Raph call out, "I got her!" In my panic-induced state, only one thing came to mind that could get me out of this situation: I grabbed his arm and bit him. "Ow," he screamed as he pulled away, "Did you just bite me? You just bit me!"

I ran towards the dojo, doing my best to ignoring Raph's screams about how I bit him. "She's heading towards the dojo," Donnie cried out. "Sensei," I heard Leo cry out in alarm. A piercing pain went through my shoulder and my cheek and I stumbled, gripping my shoulder with a hiss. A sai flew past my face, slicing my cheek and I continued my dash towards the dojo.

I stumbled as I made it in, Mikey and Master Splinter staring at in shock. "Hey," I said with a weak smile, "I got you a band-aid." Mikey jumped up, ignoring Master Splinter's protest and ran towards me. His thumb brushed over the cut on my cheek and pressed me against him, most likely looking at my shoulder, "Flower, what happened?! Who did this?!"

I shrugged, smiling sheepishly, "I don't think your brothers like me very much." Both his and Master Splinter's eyes widen, but before they could say anything, the rest of Mikey's brothers stormed into the dojo, eyes completely white and weapons at hand.

I ducked behind Master Splinter but their attention wasn't on me, it was on Mikey. "Mikey!" They all cried out at the same time before rushing forward to tackle him in a hug. Master Splinter smiled before joining them. Mikey tensed at first but finally relaxed, sinking into the hug.

I smiled at the family and took a few photos on my phone to give to them later. The dull pain in my shoulder became an aching throb, demanding attention. I grabbed my shoulder and forced it forwards, trying to see what was causing the pain and my eyes widen when a saw a ninja star embedded in my shoulder.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that it needed stitches.

Aw man, this is gonna suck...

I eased out of the room, not wanting to intrude on the family reunion and made my way towards the kitchen. Once I was there, I grabbed some paper towels and pressed them around my shoulder wound. There was a symbol on the ninja star and for some reason, it seemed very familiar.

My head began to throb dramatically and I let out a soft groan. I heard soft sounds around me , almost sounding like whispers. I strained my ears to listen, trying to make out what they were trying to say.

Missing Ravanger... Tang Shen...

"MAYELLA FINCH, WHERE ARE YOU?!"

"Coming Mikey!" I shouted, jumping up from the bar stool and made my way back to the dojo. As soon as I stepped inside, Mikey jumped at me, wrapping me up in a hug. I grit my teeth as pain flared in my shoulder and I forced my free arm up to return the hug.

"Um, Mikey? Her shoulder..." I heard Donnie call out and Mikey pulled back immediately. "May, I'm so sorry if I hurt you I-" I waved his worry away, "It's okay Mikey, it doesn't even hurt that bad." Before Mikey could say anything else, Master Splinter's voice cut him off.

"That would explain why I had recognized you, Mayella. You are Alexandria Finch's daughter."

I could feel the blood in my veins freeze my muscles tensed. "How do you know my mother's name," I asked inching my way towards the exit. My mother's words ringing in my head, If anyone ever tells you that they know me, be on your guard. I have made many enemies, Mayella. I don't want them to hurt you. Stay safe my little Ravanger...

As if sensing my fear, Master Splinter pointed at my neck, "Your name and that is your mother's necklace." My hand went up to my neck and gripped the necklace out of habit. It was simple, a black cord to hold a metal ring with a design that reminded me of Greek Mythology

It was simple, a black cord to hold a metal ring with a design that reminded me of Greek Mythology

I repeated my question and he pointed at the shelf that was hanging in the dojo. There were two pictures on it. One picture was of a man and a woman holding their child and the other was one that was all too familiar to me.

My mother was in the middle, her arm over Graces' shoulder and her other arm over Diane's. Thomas was giving my mom bunny ears while she stared up at him, looking annoyed but happy at the same time. It had been years since I had seen that photo.

"How do you have this," I questioned softly. Master Splinter smiled as he walked towards me, staring at the pictures, "My wife was close friends with your mother, most likely because they were both Antipaths." I frowned in confusion, she had never said anything about being an Antipaths, "An Antipaths? What's that?"

He flattered before regaining his composure, "You will have to ask your mother for a full explanation. She will explain everything to you when you come of age." My heart clenched tightly in my chest at his words.

Guess I can't do that...

My eyes landed on the photo again and my heart clenched as I stared at my mom's happy expression. Her eye held a twinkle that I had never seen before. She had never smiled like that before, not at me, not at Atticus, not at Tom, nobody. She was always so...

Cold

My shoulders sagged in defeat at the sad truth. Alex had never truly smiled at anyone, her smiles were always fake. And that was when they were lucky to get her to fake a smile. But in the picture, she was so happy. It was like she was frozen in time, no problems able to erase the smile that was on her was. She looked so happy, she was always so happy...

Before she had me...

"Ummm, Sensei, do you think I could...stitch up her shoulder, it seems to be bleeding a lot." Master Splinter nodded, "Please help our guest, Donatello. Miss Mayella, could you please follow my son so he may stitch up your shoulder." I follow Donnie numbly, Mikey trailing behind us and he stared at me in concern.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I felt the cold air from Donnie's lab hit me. I shivered, the pain in my shoulder flaring slightly."Go take a seat on the table. I'll be right there." I made a bee-line for the table, my body running on auto-pilot.

My hands began to shake horribly as I felt Donnie pull the Ninja star out of my shoulder. "May um, well i-i need to stitch up your shoulder, but y-your shirt..." My mind still lost in space, I pulled my arm out of the sleeve and out of the neck hole, giving Donnie enough room to stitch up my shoulder. As soon as the needle pierced my skin my vision went black. I groaned internally, Come one, not now...

The darkness around me seemed to shift, revealing images I didn't want to see.

The white walls were unnatural, they were too white, too clean, too fake. So were the crisp white sheets, the white pillows the white clothes, they were all too white, too clean, too perfect, too fake.

But no matter how white they painted they painted this place, they couldn't cover the screams of trauma.

As if one que, another scream cut through the silence. It didn't shock me, there was always someone screaming here. Sometimes they would beg to be let out or they would scream for a loved one to save them. But I knew better, no one was coming to save us.

We were on our own...

The scream cut through the air again and I recognized it. Only one person could scream and for only one reason. "Rachel..." I whispered, my breathing started speeding up dangerously. The door was thrown open, 'The Doctor' storming in. I cowarded away in the corner, trembling in fear at the person in front of me.

His skin was dark like his hair and his eyes, that were usually wild with range, seemed to be more calm. Soft footsteps echoed behind him and a little boy, looking almost identical to 'The Doctor' peaked from behind him, looking at me curiously

"Baxter, I would like you to meet Patient 683. Her father sent her here to get better-" he glared at me before continuing "-unfortunately, she is one of our more stubborn patience, refusing to show any signs of improvement, so we are forced to punish her." I glared at him, "Go fuck yourself."

He backhanded me, causing me to hit the wall as my cheek began to sting. Dr. Stockman glared at me, "Take her to the box." Baxter scrambled out from behind him and grabbed me by the arm, dragging me down the hallway. I turned my head and screamed at 'The Doctor,' "Burn in hell, you monster! You're a disgusting piece of a human being! BURN!"

I didn't see his reaction, but I did see him clutching his arm, almost as if someone had burned him...

I turned and looked at his son, "If we weren't in this situation, if things were different, do you think we could have been friends?" It was weird to ask, given that I was seven and he was thirteen, but I wanted to know. He didn't say anything as he continued to march down the hall, dragging me along.

We passed room 011 and I could hear her screaming inside. "Rachel!" I screamed, pulling away from Baxter. His grip tightened on my arm and pulled harder, "Let me go! Let me go, I have to get to her! PLEASE!"

He gripped my arm tighter than ever, "Stop it," he hissed, "don't make things any harder than they have to be." Ignoring my protests, he dragged me to room 013. My heart stopped when I saw what was in the middle of the room.

The Box.

It box was almost like a coffin. It was just the right size for my head to touch the ceiling and for my feet to touch the floor, one you were laying down, you couldn't move at all, it was just too small. I felt a needle pierce my arm and my body went numb. I would have fallen to the floor if Baxter hadn't caught me. He set me down on the floor and attached a tube to the bottom of the box, which was attached to another box, filled to the brim with spiders.

I shivered, already feeling them crawling up my lags and trying to crawl into my mouth. Baxter picked me up bridal style off the ground and set me in the box. A few tears started rolling down my cheeks, "Please...don't do this." He looked at me, his eye filled with sympathy and pain as he grabbed the lid, preparing to close me in. The last thing I hear before he does is, "Yeah...I guess we could be friends..."

Oop, sorry...