Broken Mind

Chapter 8

Splinter sat in the dojo sifting through a pile of boxes. Inside were many old books and wrapped up scrolls. He scanned each one searching for an answer to fix his oldest son's predicament. The silence in the room was shattered by the sound of angry stomping outside. Splinter threw open the sliding door to see his red son making his way to his room. "It is very late Raphael! Where have you been?" Splinter asked demanding. The worry that had been clawing at him over loosing another son subsided. "I said I was going for a run." Raph answered stepping into his room. "That was hours ago!" Splinter continued to scold his son. "I'm fine Sensei!" Raph shouted before slamming his door. Splinter let out a tired sigh as he ran a hand down his furry face. He slowly slid the door shut as he reentered the dojo. His eyes caught his shelf of trinkets from the past. He stared at the face of his late wife, Tang Shen. "I am sorry my love." Splinter said as his lip gave a quiver. He bit down on the inside of his cheek in a futile attempt to stop his tears. He delicately picked up the photo and hugged it close to his chest. "First I lost our daughter and now our son as well. I am a failure of a father." Splinter choked out. He could feel tears falling down his cheeks dampening his fur. He truly felt like a horrible father. He'd let not only one but two of his children fall victim to the Shredder. The same man who slaughtered his wife in cold blood. And now his three remaining sons were suffering as well. He didn't know what to do anymore. He felt so lost. "Please help me my love." Splinter said his voice sounding broken. He knew it was a pointless request. A request that would fall on deaf ears. Suddenly a scroll tumbled to the ground. It was almost like a gust of wind had blown it down. But that was impossible in the closed off room underground. Splinter turned around at the sound of the paper hitting the floor. He lightly set the family photo down before walking over. It almost felt as if the piece of paper was calling out to him. Splinter hesitantly picked it up and unrolled it. He let out a soft gasp as he read the worn writing. It was a healing spell. Meant to fix the effects of harmful magic. It might just be exactly what he needed. There was still a chance it wouldn't do anything but it never hurt to try. At least now there was hope that his son could be saved. Splinter turned back to face the photo of his wife. "Thank you my love." He said in an almost whisper. He could feel a positive energy in the room. Leo was busy sparing against a Footbot. Tiger Claw observed the match. Leo's mind kept wandering back to his fight with the angry red turtle. That stupid hothead thought he knew him so well. Leo grit his teeth as his body filled with rage. The bot tried to attack Leo but he swerved behind it and sliced the robot clean in half. Leo's breath came out heavily and he wiped the bead of sweat off his forehead. The destroyed bot sparked at his feet. Tiger Claw watched him skeptically. "You seem distracted cub." Tiger Claw said with suspicion light in his voice. "I told you not to call me that! And I'm fine!" Leo said stabbing his sword into the ground. Tiger Claw smirked slightly at his response. Seeing the once calm demeanor turtle loosing his cool was quite entertaining. "Your training is done for today. Go clear your head." Tiger Claw ordered. Leo scoffed at him as he exited the Foot dojo. Leo splashed more icy cold water on his face. "Stupid turtle." He muttered to himself. He stared at his katanas hanging on the wall nothing more than to stab them through that red idiot's throat. He grabbed the hand towel and dried the water off his face. The fabric felt rough against his skin. He flopped back onto his bed staring blankly at the ceiling. He suddenly felt like he was being watched. He hadn't heard the door open or close. He sat up ready to snap at Tiger Claw or some other mutant who somehow slipped in but he was met with something different. It was a woman but she looked so flowy and ethereal. She looked blue and almost transparent. It looked like Leo could just stick his hand right through her. Leo pushed himself back against the headboard trying desperately almost to melt into the wall. "Woah." Leo let out a shaky gasp. Things just got really weird.