CHAPTER 2: A DAY DIVIDED
"You're kidding, right?" asked Michelangelo. Leo just bowed his head solemnly, staying in silence.
"Oh my god." Raph breathed.
The look of shock was unanimous at the table. Everyone had stopped eating and was deep in thought. Finally, Splinter broke the silence, "Leonardo, stand up." Leo stood and braced himself for whatever was impending. Splinter rose slowly and walked over to Leonardo with a hint of mourning on his face. He flicked his cane and though he knew his son could easily dodge such an attack, it came as no surprise to him when Leonardo made no motion to do so. Leo fell to the ground, allowing his father to serve him the punishment that he himself perceived to be ultimately just.
"You have brought shame and dishonor to this family and yourself!" Splinter vented as his cane descended onto his son again, "You disgust me and have ruined life not only for yourself but also for the pathetic wench you call a lover. The next strike drew blood.
"STOP!" Donatello screamed as his brother began to clutch his head and cry. As Splinter receded Leonardo sprinted to his bedroom, leaving a small trail of blood and a pool of tears in his wake.
"Now," Splinter said to his remaining sons, "I want each of you out of the lair today. Your brother has done a terrible deed and needs time to reflect on that. You may do whatever you wish except go to Apr- I mean woman's house. Do you understand?"
"Yes Sensei." The boys said in unison and in a flash, they were gone.
Leonardo sat inside his own head. He felt weirder than he had last night. He felt completely dead. He had given away his secure and loving life, just cast it away in a single moment. He had given it… to her. I have to see her he told himself I must. I don't even know what she's decided to do about the baby. She may not even want me in her life. But now I have no choice, there's nothing left for me here. She is all I have now, her and the baby. He then packed a small bag of his belongings and stealthily made his way to April O'Neil's house.
Michelangelo also made his way to the surface, for different reasons. He knocked on Casey Jones's door impatiently. By the time Casey had opened the door, Mikey was on the verge of tears.
"Did you hear, Casey?" he sobbed
"Yeah it's pretty intense, Poor April, eh?"
"No. Don't you see if Splinter acted this way about Leo and April, how you think he'll cope with us."
"Don't think about that right now", said Casey, slipping his hand in Mikey's and pulling him close, "we'll tell him when the time is right. Besides, right now, we must support April and Leo. It's their lives that are torn.
"Yeah, I know" said Mikey, kissing Casey's forehead.
Raphael spent the day in solitude. Man, he thought to himself as he punched the bag, how could he do this to me? How could she? Not only are they destroying our family but April is throwing her life away to spend it with Leo! Do I mean nothing to her!? I love her and she knows it! She loves me back, right?! So what does she think she's doin' going all the way with him! He doesn't even love her! Not like I do! Ah! I hate him! These thoughts consumed him until he stopped pounding the bag and walked away whispering "Leo is going to get it. By tonight he won't even be a memory in her beautiful head.