Disclaimer: I don't own the turtles.
Night at the lair is so much different than during the day.
During the day the lair is livily and bright but most of all it's awake. It's bursting with energy and seems to have a mind of its own.
At night though, it's quiet. Dead silent. In fact tonight the only sound I hear is the patter of rain in the distant and the occasional round of thunder. Being alone while the lair is a sleep can be a little nerve wracking at times. Over the years though I've gotten used to staying up alone. No one ever stays up as late as I do.
Well…most of the time.
There are times when Raph will stay out late with Casey, or Leo decides he needs to go clear his mind for while and leaves in the middle of the night. Even Mikey goes out once in a while.
Like tonight.
I've never really asked him about why he leaves. His business is his. I can't help noticing though that everytime he returns he's always distant and cold. Something is just off with him.
The first time I caught him coming back, I thought he'd been attacked because he was so quiet. After I realized he was fine I merely asked him where he went and Mikey immediatly shut me out.
"No where Donnie." He responded sharply turning away to hide his face. "I just went for a walk."
And with that he turned to go to his room.
I couldn't help but notice the shakiness in his voice and catching a glimpse of the tear tracks on his face.
Ever since that night though, I've ignored it when I've seen Mikey slipping out the door late into the night. I've ignored the creaking of the lair's door opening about an hour later and a stunning silence only to follow it.
I don't want to stick my nose where it doesn't belong.
I know I need to do something though. Mikey's obviously upset about something when he leaves. I need to talk to him or something.
The thought of confronting Mikey about it makes me nervous though. Dealing with my brothers' emotions has always been a problem for me. I don't want to upset him anymore. Besides, by morning he's back to normal again. Maybe he just has rough days and needs air to vent, I mean, we all have days like that. He's probably just being a regular moody teenager like the rest of us.
I hope.
My eyes lift from my work only when I hear that click of the front door being open. The creaking of the hindges stops me in my tracks as the sound reverberates throughout my lab. I squeeze the screwdriver in my hand tightly but I dare not make a sound. My mind is racing like it does when I have an idea for an invention. Should I talk to him?
I almost throw the screw driver down and go for the door. I almost run out into the hall to ask Mikey what's wrong, why does he leave. I almost run out there to figure out what has been bothering him.
I almost do.
But I don't.
I'm too much of coward to. I can't even go ask my brother if he's okay because I'm too scared he will push me away. I'm too scared that he'll get upset with me. I'm too scared that I will be the reason why he leaves.
So, being the coward that I am, I turn back to my work and begin turning the screw driver again, ignoring the hollow pad of footsteps in the hall. I don't have to ask him tonight.
I can wait.
I need to wait just a little longer.
Just a little longer…