Shattered Mind - Part 5 – (Month 1 / Week 3)

Month 1 / Week 3

Lying on the futon mattress that was placed on the ground, covered in blankets April stared at the ceiling, for Donnie's condition required her keeping a close eye on him.

Not risking making him uneasy being in another room, she placed Donnie's lab futon mattress beside his bed in his room.

Donnie room was full of gadgets, trinkets and tools when she first brought Donnie home, it took over two hours to declutter it, in its other condition she barely could get to his bed, and she wanted to take away any dangers that he could hurt him.

Still not speaking and his emotions still waving, most of the time he just stared Donnie's progress was increasing.

He understood simple requests and he had been cuddlier towards her, which in turn when he became to much she let him know to settle down.

With a sigh she got up, another day, the past two weeks the days had been long, but with Donnie's brothers they have been helping much, taking the stress of Donnie's condition off April's shoulders.

Donnie slept in his bed soundly, being only seven in the morning she decided not to wake him, her detailed daily schedule planned out the days fully and with her keeping to it, it has been helping his recovery.

For today she made this day his sleep in day with some open space for any activities that his brothers want to offer.

Heading out of the room the sounds of snoring alerted her that Raph at least was still asleep, shaking her head, she wondered if anyone can get sleep with his racket at all, she was surprised she could.

(I wonder if there is a way to silence him… to bad I can't wear ear plugs, if I did I wouldn't be able to hear Donnie…)

Downstairs Leo was already doing his morning training, Mikey was in the kitchen working on breakfast; to help out she has been giving Mikey a hand whenever she had spare time or when Donnie didn't mind watching them cook.

"What is on the menu this morning?" April asked as she noticed Mikey wearing his favorite apron "kiss the cook", she chuckled every time she sees it for there was no way that was going to happen.

"Eggs, bacon, and toast," Mikey scrabbled the eggs then stirred around the bacon.

"Strawberries?" April went past Mikey heading to the fridge to get the package of strawberries to cut, "You guys need fruit and veggies as well."

Working together April and Mikey put breakfast together, by this time both Donnie and Raph were up.

"Donnie did you wash your hands?" April came up to him leading him to a chair at the table, he presented his hands to her yet said nothing, "That's good I will get your plate made."

Making Donnie's plate and her own everyone sat down to have breakfast, after everyone was done, Leo brought April to the side.

"April I have an idea, I think we should have a mediation session with Donnie and yourself, maybe that will help Donnie to connect more. Master Splinter always taught that mediation helped the mind and soul this might pick some of the pieces up," Leo suggested.

April nodded the idea wasn't a bad one it might help, yet she had to sigh when Leo mentioned Master Splinter for the sadness he got in his eyes; a year ago their father, their Master passed way from a illness that Donnie couldn't even cure.

From what she gathered this put the family including Donnie in a state that was hard on all of them, now with Donnie the way he was, this didn't make anything better, she noticed the way they were especially Raph who in turn took the situation the hardest and sometimes lost his temper, but after the bath situation he was getting better even around Leo.

"What time would you like to have this session? I made today Donnie's free day for any activities. He is fully aware of this and anytime you wish to do this would be fine."

"Would now be a good time?"

"Sure I will get Donnie and meet you in the Dojo," April went to the living room where Donnie was seated watching a cartoon with Mikey, unsure if Donnie actually like the show or not he remained unemotional.

Leaning beside him she smiled at him, "Donnie I know we normal let you watch TV with Mikey for an hour, but today is a free day how about we mix things up. Would you like to go to the Dojo with me? Leo wants to do some mediation, would you like to participate?" without hesitation Donnie got up to follow her, she didn't have to ask, he would just follow, but she been teaching him that he can make his own decisions and doesn't always have to do what she asks of him.

Sitting silently in the center of the Dojo, Leo waited with some candle light to set the atmosphere, it gave a calming feeling, sitting down across Leo, April crossed her legs then indicated for Donnie to do the same, it took him a few minutes to understand but he finally sat down beside her.

"April, Donnie I want you both to shut your eyes and focus on my voice," Leo started off, hoping that if he instructed them both and seeing April listening to him, Donnie would do the same.

Relaxed, Leo voice became faint as April was blanketed by a sense of serenity.

Trying not to fall asleep April tried her best to concentrate, as she felt her body start to doze off, suddenly something seemed wrong, as she jolted awake.

Donnie seemed to be on edge making a low growl similar to the one he made when Raph attacked her at her apartment.

"Donnie?" April said slowly looking at Leo to see if he knew what was going on, he too was as disturbed by the odd behaviour.

(This isn't good, is he asleep, awake or what?)

Eyes closed Donnie stood, cautiously April got to her feet with Leo following her lead, eyes now fully opened Donnie seemed unresponsive yet anger was burning in them.

"Donnie are you…," before April could finished her sentence, in a flash she found herself slammed against a wall with Donnie hands wrapped around her throat, startled she struggled gasping for air as he choked the life out of her.

"D…Doonnnie…," she managed to get out as the room was starting to go dark.

(Donnie please don't do this, wake up, your dreaming, please wake up…)

"Donnie stop!" Leo screamed trying to force his little brother to let April go, in a heat of rage Donnie managed to kick him away still keeping his grip on April's throat, growling at her in disgust.

(I…can't…breath…)

Tears filled her eyes, as she dangled helplessly at Donnie's mercy as her head became light, she felt like she was swimming, the room turned hazy as the blackness swallowed her up.

Yet deep within the darkness a voice called her, it sounded like static, like someone trying to find a station on the radio then slowly it came into focus, "April wake up! Please April WAKE UP!"

(What… huh…)

Hesitant at first she took her time opening her eyes as she saw Mikey kneeling beside her, his face was wet, he was crying, "April are you ok?" he put his hand on her shoulders his eyes were full of worry and disbelief.

"Where is…Donnie," April jumped up to her feet not thinking it over, the room started to spin out of control, while a sharp pain reminded her that her throat was hurting, and of what had just occurred.

"Whoa give it sec April you were just choked," Mikey panicked trying to prevent her from making any sudden movements.

Coughing she gasped for air shaking her head, "I don't care, where is Donnie?"

(I have to find him, if he snapped back to reality and realizes he hurt me, he might just retreat back into his shell. I have to tell him I'm alright and he didn't do anything wrong, it wasn't his fault.)

"When Raph pulled him off of you, Donnie suddenly started to panic when he saw you lying on the ground; he pushed Raph away and then ran to his room locking himself inside."

(Oh no I have to talk to him right away.)

Ignoring Mikey's protest of her moving, she ran out of the Dojo making her way towards Donnie's room.

As she reached the top of the stairs, she noticed the door to Donnie's room was indeed shut, while Leo and Raph stood in front of it pounding on the door, trying to get Donnie's attention.

"Come on Donnie it wasn't your fault!" Raph yelled through the wood hoping Donnie would comply.

"April? You're up? You should be resting," Leo pointed out as she approached them, Leo looked frantic trying to get the situation under control, yet he seemed more lost then anything.

(I have to get inside regardless of what has to be done.)

"Break the door down," April commanded the two brothers.

"What?!" both stared at her like the lack of oxygen to her brain scrambled it.

"I said do it now," April demanded, she didn't want to argue with them; she needed to get inside, then and there.

Looking at each other Raph sighed with a shrug, then busted down the door, quickly April pushed pass the brothers entering into the room.

Dark within, the only light that shone in was through the door; April could make out a shadowy figure shaking in the far side of the room in the corner.

Donnie with his hands over his head shook like a leaf; she could see the tears running down his arms and plastron.

"Donnie… its ok, you did nothing wrong, I am fine see," she approached him.

Uncertain Donnie looked up at her staring at her neck, then it hit her she must have marking from his attack, "Someone give me something quick to cover my neck!"

In seconds Leo passed her a yellow woman's sash, giving it an odd look she raised her eyebrow at Leo, Leo feet shifted, "It's Mikey's he went through a faze…"

"Huh… ok I'm not going to ask," April wrapped it around her neck to cover the bruises, "See Donnie I am fine please stop blaming yourself, it wasn't your fault."

Donnie just looked away still crying heavily.

(I have to get him to notice, to realize…)

Suddenly she went forwards and wrapped her arms around him, unsure he just sat there, "Donnie please believe me, I don't blame you, I will never blame you. I am sorry you had to go through that, please don't shut yourself up to me or your brothers again. I can't bare the thought of losing you, and having you go back to the way you were when I found you, neither could your brothers if you did…," tears ran down her eyes as she tried not to cry.

Slowly Donnie hugged her back as little sobbing chirps came from him, he laid his head on her shoulders as she could feel the wet tears run down her skin, rubbing his head she kissed it.

"See everything is fine, why don't we go have some ice cream, I believe we still have some in the freezer," she suggested as he nodded in response.

(Donnie I promise no matter what we will get you well again, just hold on and don't give up, for I will never give up on you, regardless how hard or messed up things get.)