Chapter 7
I wish I wasn't so sentimental about it. Maybe if I wasn't so attached I wouldn't count the days that have passed since I left, carving marks into the wall with a tarnished nail. One hundred and forty three days since I left my home for the last time. Nearly five months since I last spoke to Leo, or saw Mikey smile. Five months since Raph gave me a noogie, and my father brushed my forehead, promising he would be back soon.
One hundred and forty three days, and I can barely believe it's my birthday. Our birthday. They're probably all at April's now, arguing over movies and eating pizza. I would give anything to watch Mikey and Raph argue about pizza toppings, or hear Leo laugh about some dumb gag gift he got from Casey. I'd even be willing to get a kiss from April and put up with my brothers' teasing for the rest of the night.
Do I regret leaving? No. But I do regret not being able to say goodbye. My family was my life, and without them, I'm dying.
The cold takes another swipe at me and I can barely stay the shiver that seizes me, although a yawn slips through. That's the other thing about the cold; it makes me constantly tired. I used to try to keep myself awake, but now I've just decided to give in, slipping in and out of a doze for most of the day.
My lids slip closed, and the last thing I think about is lit candles on a birthday cake I'll never see.