Chapter 23: The Journal
Don's POV
Sensei's given up.
He declared Leo and Raph dead last night. Eight years of waiting for them to come home…and we finally just give up.
I'm the head of the clan now…the leader.
I can't be Leo…I can't take my brother's place.
I'm in Leo's room right now, sitting on his bed, struggling to work out how, how I'm going to move on.
If I even can.
I fight tears as I curl in Leo's bed, weeping, grieving.
Both of my elder brothers are dead.
I'm so scared.
So lost.
I jump as something clatters to the ground.
I sit up and look down, whipping the tears away as I sniff.
It's a leather bound journal, battered and worn out…but…a journal.
I slowly reach down and lift it up.
This is Leo's…his…his private thoughts…and…and…he's dead…I shouldn't…but he's dead…
I tremble as I open it and a water soaked picture flutters out.
I lift up and then realize that the water stains…are…are from tears…
It's all of us…but Leo…he's not in the picture…he's not there.
I feel an ominous weight settling on my shoulders.
Why would Leo…cry over this picture.
I nervously flip the book open midway through, search for more recent entries and steel myself for what is next.
October 25th,
Happy birthday to me. Sad when no one else cares isn't it?
October 26th,
Still nothing, nothing but bruises and scrapes from yet another fight with Raph. Another broken rib that I have to hide from my family. Another excuse to why I am so distant.
Take a beating for failing everyday of your life and then on top of the bruises from my father's cane and hands…getting nearly beaten into unconsciousness by the brother you wish would simply respect the fact that you live.
I don't think any of them care anymore though…(tear stains)…they ignore me… they simply hate me.
Don flicked through frantically, going to the beginning and then to his horror reading back to where he had been and further through.
"Oh Leo…what did we do to you," Don sobbed as he let the journal fall to the ground.
It fell open to the last page.
I'm so sorry I failed…I'll bring him back, then maybe…maybe I can finally end it.
That I can die knowing I finally did something right…
Reviews Please.