We're not monsters

By Gen

They were out of the shadows, yet they chose to remain in them. The brothers were celebrating on the statue of liberty since they had received the keys to the city. April and Splinter couldn't be more prouder of them.

Mikey was so happy and excited about the whole experience. After the event that happened with Krank, Bebop and Rocksteady.

A few months had passed, but Mikey, the youngest of the brother. Was starting to have nightmares at night. Talking in his sleep and crying at night. There were nights he couldn't sleep or train like he usually did with his brothers. Splinter could see the changes of his younger son. He grew with worry, as Mikey started to become more serious, secluded. Barely would speak throughout the day, even Raph and Leo were becoming concerned.

Leo, Donnie, and Raph talked with Splinter, Donnie thought they should tell April on what has been going on with Mikey, maybe have her perspective would be of some help to them.

Donnie went to the dojo part of the lair, and texted.

Donnie: Hey April, got a sec.

April: Hey Donnie, what's up?

Donnie: It's about Mikey...

April: What's wrong, did something happened?

Donnie: He hasn't been himself lately, he's doesn't sleep and when he does sleep he gets nightmares, doesn't want to talk to any of us. We don't know what to do. Can you please come over?

April: I'll be later tonight, and tomorrow is my day off, so if you want I'll stay over and keep you guys company and see if I can talk with him. Poor Mikey.

Donnie: See you then. Thanks a lot April.

April: It's no trouble, see you guys then.

Donnie felt more relieved about April coming over to help.

Mikey was sitting in his bed in the dark, alone, his face facing the wall, tears in his eyes. Raph approached his brother's bed, with a paper plate with two slices of pizza.

"Hey Mikey, I thought you might be hungry. Here." he said leaving the plate of the side of the bed for him.

Raph sighed and left. He went to Leo who was polishing his katanas. "It's getting worse, he hasn't eaten in two days."

Leo looked at his brother and couldn't help but sigh, the energy of the room has changed, the lightness and fun Mikey brought into the lair was gone, and things weren't the same at all, and they all needed their sweet loving brother back.

It was a sigh of relief in seeing April coming into the lair. From the look on her face she was worried about Mikey. "Hey guys, what's going on? What's wrong with Mikey?"

Leo and the others sat down with her, and caught her up to speed on what was going on. From what she was being told, she understood. " I think he needs to talk to someone, and let him express how is feeling and dealing with his emotions. I'll try to talk with him." she said leaving to find Mikey.

She found him in his room, laying in his bed, quiet, in the dark, this was not like him at all. April was worried. " Mikey?" she said in a quiet comforting voice.

His head perked up and turned to see her. He was a sad smile, she smiled at him. " Can I sit with you?" she asked.

He nodded and made space for her. She laid down and held his hand. " Mikey, please tell me what's wrong You can tell me anything?"

This is what had broken the youngest brother, his eyes burst into tears, and so he started to vent to her, crying, His voice broke her heart, " They thought we were monsters, and they were going to shoot us, and -and I keep getting nightmares about that night, and we were all killed. I don't want nothing to happen Splinters and my brothers. Then Leo destroyed the purple mutagen and I felt there goes any chance of me being human, or living a normal life. I didn't get to have a say for my future."

April had tears in her eyes, " Mikey, why didn't you tell us anything." she asked.

" They wouldn't understand. No one does." he said sadly, taking April into a hug, he needed a hug more than ever.

"Your not alone in this, you never were. I'm so sorry you have been going through this by yourself. You have been so brave for so long, and you needed to vent and share your feelings. We love you Mikey, I love you Mikey very very much." she told him. Meaning every word of it.

Mikey for the first time smiled and grabbed her into a bigger hug.

"Your going to be alright Mikey, just talk and express what your feelings. Your not alone in this, talk to Splinter, take one day at a time, find ways to focus one thing at a time. Go easy on yourself, and we will help you in anyway possible." she told him not letting go of hand the whole time.

Mikey did take her advice, and there progress again with him, his appetite was returning for Pizza, he was returning to his training routine. April was busy with work again as always, and one day on her way home, she came across a tiny kitten, hungry scared, dirty, and took it into her arms, " I think you will be the perfect little friend for someone I know." she whispered to the little fluffy kitten in her arms who only mewed in reply.

She bathed the little kitten, fed and cared for it, took it to the vet.

In the evening.

She told Donnie and the others that she would come over to the lair, and she had a surprise for Mikey, and to not tell him at all. Mikey was still quiet around the lair, but not so sad like before, when he saw April arrived, he just beamed. "Mikey." she said.

He went to her, but stopped when he heard a tiny mew from her purse. " What was that?"

" I think you could use a new little friend. I found her in the street, and I think she could someone to love and care for her." she told him handing him over the tiny calico kitten. He was gushing over the fluffy little kitten in his hands. " OH my gosh, your so cute, come here you little fluffy baby." he said walking pass his brothers and Splinter. Raph, Leo and Donnie all gave April a hug or pat on the shoulder as they saw their youngest brother light up, and see the happiness on his face and voice.

Mikey was in love already with the little kitten. " I'm going to name you. Cagney."

The end.