Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Hey guys. Here's the last and final chapter to the Dark World series. Warning of profanity and disturbing graphics. I promise you're not going to predict what's next. Thank you everyone for following this series and GREAT GREAT applause to my readers and my followers. Thank you for your advice and always keep them coming. Love y'all.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The noise continued as different camera angles switched across the computer monitor. So far there was nothing except miles and miles of concrete tunnels and constant flow of water which contained god know what. Donatello sighed out loud as another beep echoed in his ear. It was annoying noise but it was a comfort he needed. The noise to let him know everything was still working.

The coldness nipped at the back of Donatello's neck while he pulled the collar of the coat tighter. Mental note: Thank Casey for the coat. He placed the file into his mind's profile. Donatello rubbed his hands together before sighing heavily.

A ghost of a smile slipped up as he watched the warm invisible breaths turned into the most beautiful puffs of white clouds before they disappeared. Fascinating. How no one could appreciate such small wonders of life was beyond his comprehension.

It was barely the beginning of October when the New York winter arrived with vengeance on the horizon. Already several feet of snow blanketed the streets. Donatello slowly spun in his chair until he faced out the lab. All the lights were out expect from his lamp and computer screen. There were no arguments, no threats, no TV, and no sounds of working out. Just silence with the occasional sounds coming from the computer.

Donatello sighed once more and rubbed his hands together.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NONONONONONO! OOOOOOHHHHHHEEEEE!

Donatello's body launched back, nearly causing his chair to launch from beneath. Green knuckles now white gripped the edge of the desk. His head jerked towards the monitor scanning the frames as they clicked by. There was nothing. Not a single person, not even a rat spotted. Nothing that would produce such noises. His heart pounded fiercely against his rib cage as if trying to break free. The muscles in his neck and upper arms tightened while he struggled to gather his thoughts.

"No, Donatello. We're not doing this tonight. Don't listen to them," Donatello spoke softly. Then he laughed. What was he doing? Trying to reason to himself? He chuckled once more as he comprehended what he was doing. Was it really that hard to remember how long it's been since he talked to anyone? How lonely and detached he become. No brothers to fight with or mend. No father help guide the obstacle of life. All alone for the last month.

Nononono. Ssstttooppp. Sssccaarrryy. Demon, demon, demon.

The voices began to scream in his mind. The chair shot across the room from the force of Donatello's legs as they stood up. It crashed against the workbench knocking the gadgets and pieces all over the floor. The adrenaline coursed so sudden throughout his body that his hands shook slightly.

It wasn't fear that fed his fire. The raw emotions of anger and frustration seemed to be the conclusion. His face twisted up while the corners of his lips pulled back into a feral snarl. Donatello stomped halfway across the lab as he jabbed his finger towards the wall.

"What the hell did I say?" His voice was cold and soft. Somehow unnerving for him to hear it. "I told you before to shut up." Another pitch. "Shut up. Shut the fuck up or . . ." A low growl escaped his chest. He tumbled back to his desk and grabbed the closest sharp object. "I'll make you shut up."

Finally there was silence. He sighed heavily as he rolled his neck. He could feel every bone crack and muscles unknotting. He rolled his neck once more and looked at the ceiling, enjoying the peaceful moment.

Donatello glanced at his watch. 6:00 p.m. He nodded to himself as he pulled down the coat's sleeve. It was time. He pulled the lab door closed as he walked out. Though no one was around to break in, it was too embedded in his hard drive to devise from it.

He walked across the living room and gently opened the sliding doors. Donatello took a deep bow before heading to the far corner. There was a small table covered with a white faded cloth that reached the floor. Several white candles surrounded the table. Wax gathered in mounts on the floor. A dark gray urn stood in the center encircled by several photo frames and taller candles.

Donatello retrieved a book of matches from his pockets and struck a match. Slow and steady his hand held on lighting each candle. As the flames flickered and grew, the darkness lifted off the pictures. To the left side were pictures of his elder brothers. The one closest to the center displayed a rare affection between the two as they embraced in a hug.

The photograph on the right was Michelangelo making one of infamous faces while Master Splinter smiled softly at his youngest. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he placed his forehead against the cool concrete floors. The photos were the only reminders of the once close knitted family. The one that was lost two months ago when the patriarch became sick.

It was sudden. No sign of the illness until it was too late to attempt a cure. Day by day the fur on his body slowly fell away, showing the saggy skin that hung from his frame. His brothers did what they could to continue on with their lives, continuing on patrol and saving the streets. Raphael stayed gone most of the time to who knows where. The light from Michelangelo was slowly extinguishing while Leonardo remained stoic and quiet like the calm in the middle of the storm.

Donatello took the responsibility of caretaker, becoming isolated and somewhat detach from his brothers. He watched over day and night with little to no sleep to do whatever was necessary to keep his Sensei from any further discomfort.

He remembered that night like it was moments ago. No one around except him and his father. Splinter's fragile hand slowly and gently stroke Donatello's cheek as he did what Donnie was a child. His yellow eyes sunk in his head. "Promise me you will do everything to take care of your brothers. Please don't let them get hurt in their moment in grief," Splinter whispered. His breathing became more ragged and shallow.

Blinking back tears, Donatello nodded. "Yes, Father, I promise. I will no matter what." With the final words, a peaceful smile crossed the ancient rat's face before he breathed one last time.

AHAHHAHAHAEHHEEHEHEHHEOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODAAAAAAA AAAAAHHHHHHHH!

"THAT'S IT!" Donatello screamed as he slammed his fists in the hard concrete. He stood up ready to deal the voices when the alarm sounded off. He ran full speed into his lab and gazed at the computer screen.

His finger clicked the keyboard checking each camera. Nothing showed up on the first two cameras. Then a glimpse of red disappeared into the corner of the screen. Shit, Donatello thought to himself. His fingers slid down the side of his face.

As if on cue, the knock echoed throughout the lair. Donnie swore as he stood there in the lab staring at the main door across. Maybe if he didn't answer, she would go away. A small chuckle reached his throat. That would never work.

Just send her away. It's too dangerous. For her own good.

Finally Donatello broke out of his spell and headed for the door. His hands trembled as they twisted the knob. There on the opposite side was April's angelic face. Her red hair pulled back with a green hairband that matched her coat. Her face split into two with her smile. Her cheeks reddened from the winter wind. He had forgotten how beautiful she truly was.

She reached forward wrapping her arms around his neck as his found their way around her waist. He silently prayed the voices would be silent. April drew back from the embrace and pushed back a strand of her hair. "Hey Donnie, long time," she began, licking her chapped lips. "I haven't seen you in forever. How are you?"

Donatello shoved his hands in his jacket and nodded slightly. "Decent." It was the only word he could truly described the matter at hand. It had been so long since he talked to anyone he began to giggle uncontrollably. As April's brow rose up, he cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. Please come in."

The warmth of her smile signaled that everything was back on track. April walked across the lair until she reached the couch. She shivered slightly as she forgot how cold the sewers became this time of the year. She turned to her best friend and shocked by his appearance. His mask was gone, showing his once warm brown eyes hollow and dull. Darkened bags hung below them along with the hardened lines that now defined his face.

"How have you been?" April asked. "Leonardo told me about Splinter." Donatello shook his head in silence. "I'm sorry, Donnie. If only. . ."

GGGGGOOOOOO, AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHAAAAA

Donatello stiffened holding his breath. He balled up his clammy hands and bit the side of his cheek. The coppery taste of blood sipped down his throat praying the voices would go away.

She can't know. It's too dangerous. Don't let her know. It'll ruin everything. Donatello closed his eyes as reasoning bombarded his conscious. He sighed as he opened his eyes. Then there was the look. April's eyes were very wide like a deer caught in headlights. He slowly exhaled as her face began to relax once more.

"Why are you here?" His voice sounded darker than he tended. April watched as Donatello shifted position in the worn armchair. Her mouth became dry like cotton. Something felt off. Maybe it was nothing. After all she was at the safest place she could be.

"I haven't heard from you in a while. I tried to call but no one answers the phone anymore," April explained. "I miss you and the guys. I wanted to make such everything was okay." Donatello casted his eyes down to the floor, unsure what to say next.

AhahahahaAHAHAHAHHAAHHHHHHHEEEEEELLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPP PPPPPPPP! DON'T LISTEN TO ME!

Donatello slammed his hands down and dug his nails in the seat. Those damn voices couldn't have come at a worse time. Puzzled, April slowly glance towards his laboratory door. "Donnie, what was that?"

"What was what?" he asked as he lifted his head up. Before he knew it, April jumped from the seat and ran to his lab. "No, April, wait," Donatello tried to warn. There was no urgency in retrieving the red headed woman that barged ahead. It would be too late.

The door was slightly ajar to the dark room. April stole a look back at her friend who still sat in the chair. She took a deep breath and slowly pushed it open. It was barely visible inside except the flickering monitor. With trembling hands she fumbled along the wall until she found the light switch.

"OH MY GOD!" April screamed. There before her eyes was a horrific sight. Three chrome tables lined up against the wall. A small metal pole stood beside each one with a bag of clear liquid and tubes that seemed to appear from everywhere. On the table laid each of the missing Hamato brothers strapped down securely by restraints across their bodies and legs. Raphael's was the first one. His head twitched from side to side while white foam dripped from the corner of his mouth. "I'm Mikey, silly. Where's Raphie boy at? Oh Raph, where are you, big brother?"

In the middle was Leonardo. His face looked panicked and pained as his glassy eyes constantly shifted side to side. "1, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 3, 4." His fingers drummed against the table, keeping steady with his counting. At last, April walked over to the last table. There Michelangelo was humming a song and staring at the wall. "Am I too last to be saved? So lost. Too lost," he sang softly. There was something about his face that seemed so haunting.

"What the hell? Oh, Mikey," April whispered as the tears stung her eyes. She knelt beside the youngest turtle and stroke his head. "I don't understand. Why? I don't. . .DONATELLO! What did you do? Why? How could you do such a thing?"

"You don't understand, April." His approach was silent and stealth that she jumped at the sound of his voice. Donatello leaned against the now closed door. His face blanked from emotions as his voice grew cold and monotone. So different from the warm, gentle genius she once knew. "You shouldn't have come."

April pressed her back against the wall and began to creep behind the desk as Donatello walked over to Raphael's table. His jacket slightly fluttered behind him. He picked something off the table and shoved into his pocket. "How could you?" Her voice was shaking, displaying her fear.

A sinister smile spread across his face. "Do you remember when my father became so ill? No one saw it coming. I didn't see it coming. As his health declined, they each became worse. Then after he died, they became more reckless in their actions, more irrational. Rushing into whatever battle they saw fit. Not to fight for the greater good but to fight the void that was in our hearts. I promised my father that my brother would never get hurt. That I would take care of them."

Donatello shrugged as he finally reached Mikey's table. "They never listened to me. To my warnings especially Raph so I took matters into my own hands." April's eyes widened in shock as Donatello pulled out a syringe from his pocket. The yellowish green liquid seemed so ominous. On cue, the other three began to scream and laugh as the nightmares replayed inside of their heads. Donatello's grin grew wider as he cranked his neck, listening to the sweet sound of his work.

April slowly slid around the desk from his approaching form. "You see fear and an unstable mind keeps them safe from themselves and out there," Donnie spoke as he jabbed his finger at the computer monitor. April dashed from behind the desk towards the door. His fingers dug into her arms as he pushed her to edge of the counter. His hands placed firmly on each side of her as the darkness clouded his face.

"You're insane. You're FUCKING INSANE!" April yelled as the tears streaked down her face. The truth was there staring her in the face. Donatello, her Donnie was gone. Completely gone.

Donatello remained still. "It was the only way to save them. You should've stayed home. Not come here. Now I need to finish." April reached behind her looking for something, anything. She needed to get away from this place. Suddenly something sharp brushed on her fingertips. April snatched it up and plowed through one of his hand. A burst of adrenaline coursed through her as she slipped under his arms and headed to the door.

She pulled on the door to open it. Lock. The crazy son of a bitch locked it. She began to sob hard as she spun around pressing her back to the door. There Donatello stood sighing and shaking his head. He slowly pulled the scissors that impaled his hand. There was no screaming or yelling. The pain was nonexistent as the numbness now consumed his body.

Blood tumbled down his arm almost like a stream. Rather a beautiful sight. The door lock somehow found its way into April's hand. She jerked to the right and opened the unlocked door. April ran through the lair keeping her eyes on the jarring main door. She could make it. She needed to. One foot was out the door when something pricked her neck. Everything began to spin around as she crumbled to the floor.

Donatello watched as her eyes rolled back. Ever so gently, he lifted April off the floor and carried her back inside his place of solitude. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. I'm sorry it came to this, April, but I promise you'll never be alone again. You'll be safe here." He quickly strapped her down to the empty table next to Mikey and waited. A few seconds later, a blood curling scream escaped April's lips as it joined the choir of his brothers.

He smiled as his eyes shifted to everyone in the room. "See, Father. I kept my promise. I'll keep them safe and sound. They'll never be hurt again. Forever and together. No more dangerous tasks. Now to fix the cameras in the tunnels."

An upbeat whistle poured from his lips as Donatello tossed his duffel bag around his shoulders. He paused briefly before he headed down the sewer tunnel.

No, Mikey, no, stop! One, two, three, four. I'm finally free, finally free. No, Donnie, don't. Donnie!

Finally the screams were silenced as the lair door slammed into place.

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