Please don't mistake me or try to make me
the shadow of anybody else
I ain't the him or her you think I am
I'm just trying hard to be myself
Oh, society's goal is to be part of the whole
That may sound good to you, not to me
l
Let me be, let me be
To think like I want to
Let me be, let me be
That's all I ask of you
I am what I am and that's all I ever can be
-"Let me be", The Turtles (1965)
Prolog
New York was never silent, but tonight the only things apparent was that of passerby's on the street and ongoing car alarms roaring in the distance. The night beamed a gleaming green hue throughout the underground of the city. The ruckus from the tunnels echoed deep below the mudded bricks and would leave the surface slightly vibrating from the grating motions of the sewer's chaos. Most people wouldn't notice it at all, paying no attention to the ravaging battle that took place underneath their feet. And if they did, they would surely regret it.
...
Donnie didn't know how long he had been running, the only sound being the splash of water from his steps and the heavy breathing escaping his gap tooth like a tiny whizzle. He didn't know how long it took him. Sure, he was able to drive the mousers away from Mikey, but what about the others? Were they safe? Did they take the pill? Did it work? How were they gonna find each other now? All these questions and all Donnie could do was keep pondering them, heart beating heavily in his chest as he reached the nearest roof, trying to focus.
"Guys? GUYS?! Any…one?" He called, hoping to god that they would answer their T-phones, but no one seemed to respond. Trying to figure out what to do, his head suddenly and without warning began to hurt, aching like it was slowly detaching itself from his shoulders. And as if that wasn't enough, his limbs became numb and it was like he lost all sense of balance, shell tightening horribly, like it was slowly crushing him, and the blurry vision threatened to leave him in complete darkness. No… no it c-an't be… how? Did I miscalculate the serum? Is this supposed to happen? Is it a side effect? It hurts… What have I done? Oh, god, what have I done...? He tried to stand, his legs failing him as the burning sensation in his skull only grew and grew, until he couldn't contain his scream. It was like a million different waves crashed over him at once, frying every nerve in his body and rendering him unable to think properly. He tried to call out for help, for his brothers, for Sensei, anyone, the thought of his own pain only making him fear theirs even more.
But in the end, as he lay there bruised and burning inside, all that came out was a pained scream filling the night. By himself, all alone, no way of knowing if the plan worked. If his family was safe, instead letting the ache in his bones crumple together, along with the blood in his veins boiling up inside, lights flashing and his conciousness fading.
Safe to say, New York didn't stay silent for long.