Shattered Mind - Part 16 – (Month 6)

Month 6

Staring at the ceiling of the lab, April laid there; deep in thought, the activities for Donnie has been working out so far.

Yet her problems were of her own, she couldn't sleep, the past three nights, no it started sometime after Donnie waking up, she has been having issues getting asleep at night.

At first she figured it was due to the fact she was sleeping in the lab again, considering Donnie was placed back into his room, but to have issues for this long?

Surely by now she would get used to the lab, ok the last time she was in this room alone was when Donnie placed her into that mutation machine… but he wouldn't do anything to her, she was certain on that.

With a sigh, she sat up, stretching as she looked around, it was quiet.

She could go watch the TV that was in the lab or go to the living room, feeling kind of parch; the kitchen seemed the right choice at the moment.

Taking her time she left the lab heading towards the kitchen, the lair was somewhat silent, everyone at this late in the hours of night were fast asleep, being one in the morning, even Raph was home snoring away.

She sometimes wondered why she was even quiet; Raph's noises could override anyone sneaking about.

In the kitchen, April got herself a glass of water, pressing it against her lips, taking a sip she started to choke as Leo startled her.

Sleepily he rubbed his eyes, he looked like he was sleeping on the couch again, no doubt waiting up for Raph, but fell asleep in the process.

Looking her over, feeling a bit guilty for scaring her, Leo gave her a sweet smile, fighting the raging sleep that was trying to claim him, "Sorry April didn't mean to startle you, thought you might have been Raph or Donnie."

When April stop coughing, she took a big breath, "It's ok Leo, fell asleep on the couch again?"

Leo passed her stretching, searching for a glass of his own, "Yeah, by the sounds of it, Raph got home in one piece or Mikey and Donnie inherited the same snoring issues as Raph…"

"I doubt it; he is the only unlucky one… Or is it we are?"

With a light chuckle, Leo agreed, "We are, man, is there a way to, you know, silence it without using force or a pillow?"

Thinking it over, April did hear of some other methods, "There are breathe rights, but I'm not certain that they would work for beaks though."

"We tried that and it made it worse, it sound like a jet went off. It scared us all half to death one night, trust me it was bad," Leo roared on the thought as the memory replayed in his mind.

"Well, breathe rights bad idea; well, I guess the other option is not for him but for us. Ear plugs?" April suggested.

Leo shook his head, "Nah, they feel weird, well I should get back to bed. April are you having problems sleeping still?"

(… So he noticed, why am I not surprised.)

As warmly as she could, she gave Leo a smile, "A bit. Don't worry Leo, it's probably that I am so worried about Donnie, that's all."

Too sleepy to get into it, Leo nodded, taking that as a valid answer, when he was more awake, he might have to press into this issue, there might be something more than April was willing to tell or something she didn't realize that was bothering her sleep.

With a yawn, Leo placed his glass into the sink, sluggishly heading back towards the living room.

Figuring it was best she got back to bed too, April set forth towards the lab only to reach the stairs that led to the top floor, a horrific sound bellowed above, overlapping Raph snoring.

(What… wait, was that coming from Donnie's Room?)

Fear gripped her as she stride up the stairs.

Frantic, Leo, who was not even half way up, jolted wide awake as he scrambled upwards towards Donnie's room.

In all the commotion there within his dark room on his bed, Donnie thrashed about, screaming, growling, the first thing April noticed he had his eyes shut, was he dreaming, well having a nightmare?

In response Leo went forward, trying his best to calm Donnie down, in the mist of the chaos Leo flew into the wall, shaking his head.

Donnie's nightmare escalated, as his growling sounds became more animalistic every second that pass, the air of the room became charged with feelings of deep anger.

April backed up, she didn't want to get too close to him, if Leo couldn't restrain him, how was she?

Suddenly Donnie got to his feet; eyes still shut his nightmare turned into sleep walking.

(Ah crap.)

Before April could do a thing, she found herself pressed tightly against the wall, Donnie beak inches from hers, growling fiercely at her.

Heart in her throat, April could see her life flash in front of her, she felt helpless under his strength, desperately she tried to get through to him, "Donnie, it's me, April, please wake up!"

"Donnie don't!" Leo yelled attempting to get to his feet.

Heavy deep growls came out of Donnie in response, with a huge inhale his nostrils flared, something unsuspected happened, suddenly Donnie place his beak near her neck, starting to chirp at her, his grip turned into a hold, as he started to settle down.

Both April and Leo exchanged looks of disbelief and wonder, neither knew what just happened.

Still asleep Donnie picked April up, setting her in his bed, laying behind her still chirping in delight, holding her tightly.

(…)

"Well… rrr… April is he hurting you?" Leo asked, eyeing his brother who was in complete bliss yet still fast asleep, he wasn't sure what to think at this moment.

"Yeah… Leo, can you help me here, I can't move," April pleaded wanting to get out of the bed, she had the feeling Donnie was fine now, but she didn't want to become his safety blanket for the remainder of the night.

Slowly approaching the bed, suddenly Donnie growled, "Ok ok, I am backing off," Leo put his hands up in defeat figuring the wise choice was not to provoke Donnie especially when he had April.

(Oh come on, really… I can't believe this is happening.)

Hearing all the commotion, Raph and Mikey rushed in, only to be stopped dead by Leo's arm, that prevented the other brothers from going over the invisible line that Donnie has created.

"What the hell is going on?" Raph huffed, not sure what or how this happened or what was happening.

"Donnie had a nightmare and started to act upon it, some reason when he got close to April, just being close to her calm him down, and well the rest you can tell," Leo explained the best he could.

"Is he awake or sleeping?" Mikey questioned, not to snicker, he thought this was quite amusing.

"SLEEPING," April spat glaring at Mikey to hold it or else, for she wanted someone to help her not laugh at her.

"Ok, why are we just standing here watching, lets help her and get back to bed," Raph moved forward, then Donnie responded to his attempt with a warning growl.

Quickly Leo grabbed Raph by the shell, pulling him back, "That is why, every time I got close to Donnie, he became aggressive."

"And every time I try to get out of his hold, he holds me tighter," April added.

"Wow, its like a dog with it's bone," Mikey pointed out with a chuckle.

Overly annoyed by Mikey's view of the situation, April sighed, "I am not sure what is worse, you referred your brother to a dog or me to a bone…"

"Well, anyone have any ideas how to get through this road stop?" Leo asked to stop Mikey's dog comment turning into something that would get him killed over later.

The room fell silent and no one could figure out a way to solve this without making Donnie go complete bat shit.

For sure no one wanted to deal with that or the aftermath of how Donnie would react to his actions after words.

"Why not just leave April as is?" Mikey peeped up breaking the silence.

"That is not a solution dumb ass," Raph barked, back handing Mikey.

Rubbing his head Mikey glared at Raph thinking his idea was stupid, "Yes, it is, Donnie isn't doing anything really wrong to April, only holding her. It's not like he is hurting her. She stays put he might loosen up his grip and maybe she can get free. Or wait for the morning when he wakes up, either way one of us stays here for the night to make sure Donnie behaves."

All eyes were on Mikey, he had a point and it was the most peace keeping idea, and April wasn't in any real danger.

Sighing April laid her head down, feeling defeated, she got comfortable; it was going to be a long night.

"I will take first watch then," Raph volunteered.

Leo shook his head in disagreement, "No, get some sleep Raph you're scheduled to watch Donnie in the morning, I will keep an eye out."

With a huff, Raph opened his mouth to argue, then shut it again when he realized April was still in the room, he couldn't start saying anything about the schedule, he might get grief from her, and he didn't want her to be mad at him.

Surrendering Raph left, grabbing Mikey shell, pulling him along, "Oww owww oww, Raph I can walk to my room on my own!"

"Like hell you can, I know you wanted to stay put and make more fun of this!" Raph voice became distant as he was moving away from the room.

Looking at each other, Leo shrugged, finding a place to sit comfortably, that still had a full view of both Donnie and April.

Figuring Donnie wouldn't do anything male like to April since he didn't so far, he wanted to be sure he could catch any new mood swings out of him, which could indicate the violent dream coming back.

"Never a dull moment… Though I have to admit, this is the first time I have seen one of my brothers take a girl hostage because he is sleepwalking…" Leo chuckled trying to give himself a calmer perspective on what just happened.

"Yeah… Leo… Do you think my scent is the reason he came docile?" April wondered, she was still understanding this scent thing, that she been noticing more, as a human she never had it so, so overpowering.

Thinking it over Leo leaned back, "I wouldn't be surprised, I mean my brothers and I use all our senses, but even then we restrict ourselves on how we use them. Donnie is using his to its full potential. By smelling you might hit him as something calming, secure, he might recognize your scent as someone that protects him, keep him safe when he is scared."

"… Really, I can see that, everyone does that, like some people it is a flower or food that brings backs memories of good times and they start feeling better. I guess we can take the aggression towards you and Raph was more on the fact he feared you were going to take me away, his safety blanket…"

Crossing his arms with a yawn Leo nodded, "Yeah, I thought the same thing, for if he did think of me or Raph as a real threat he would have protected you and attack us with no end. Even with me in the room, he doesn't care as long as I don't get too close."

(… I wish he would just wake up, considering the amount of noise in the room, from just the talking, he should have. It's not like neither I, nor Leo has been quiet, he hasn't even shown a sign of awaking. He must be deep in sleep.)

Shifting a bit, Donnie let her get more comfortable, but still kept her where she laid, then a ring came from the other end of the room.

Startling him, Leo jumped up realizing it was his shell cell; quickly answering it, he left the room.

(Who would call this late at night?)

To answer her questions Leo returned to the room fully equipped, for he had his katana put away before hand, his face was grim with worry.

"Sorry April, something has come up and I have to leave with Raph and Mikey, there is no way I can leave one behind, to help you with Donnie… I really…"

With a nod, April understood whoever was on the other side of the line must really needed Leo and his brothers help for him to insist that all three to go, "Don't worry Leo, I will be fine. Just leave a shell cell on the night stand. If Mikey is right, Donnie will let me go eventually. I am not worried, just go and please Leo, be safe."

With a sigh, Leo left in a flash, leaving April stuck in her position.