Lost To Darkness - TMNT 2012 Fanfic

Chapter 5

MIKEY'S DISAPPEARANCE: 3 DAYS

In the chamber deep within the Foot Clan stronghold, Mikey's days stretched into a mix of isolation and uncertainty. Time blurred as he lay confined, the cold stone floor his constant companion. His gaze often drifted to the patterns of cracks on the ground, his mind following their erratic paths. The only sounds that reached his ears were the echoes of footsteps and the occasional drip of water, each serving as a reminder of his captivity.

Moments of restless energy would seize him, and he'd find himself tapping rhythms against the floor with his fingers, lost in his own improvised percussion. His thoughts wandered like balloons, drifting from one memory to another, from the taste of his favorite pizza to the details of the latest comic book he'd read.

He'd ponder the mysteries of the universe, debate the best toppings for a midnight snack, and imagine the daring feats his comic book heroes might embark upon. Amidst these thoughts, moments of sudden and absolute pain would disrupt him, sharp sensations that drew his focus as he'd scream and gasp for breath.

Despite the weight of his situation, Mikey's spirit remained surprisingly resilient. The isolation and uncertainty couldn't stop his ability to find fascination and amusement in the simplest of things. Those moments of wandering thoughts and fleeting focus, he clung to the hope that his brothers would come for him, relying on his way of living to keep his spirit alive.

But then, a sharp pang of hot pain suddenly jolted through his neck and legs, shattering the rhythm of his wandering mind. His fingers clenched involuntarily, his breath catching as he grimaced. He winced, his brows furrowing in confusion and discomfort as the pain radiated through his body.

The chamber's atmosphere grew tense as the door swung open, and the imposing figure of the Shredder stepped in. Mikey's gaze flicked toward him, a mix of defiance and vulnerability in his eyes as he sought to endure the pain in silence. It was a reminder that his captors had not forgotten him, and that his confinement was a battle against both physical discomfort and emotional turmoil.

Shredder's voice, cold and unyielding, cut through the air. "Where is your lair, Michelangelo?"

Mikey's jaw clenched, his resolve unwavering despite the pain that pulsed through him. He met Shredder's gaze with a mixture of determination and disdain. "Like I'd tell you, tin-grin. You'll never get that out of me."

Shredder's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "You will speak, one way or another. Your defiance is futile."

With a subtle, ominous twitch of his hand, Mikey's pain on his legs and neck, the burning pain intensifying to an excruciating degree. Mikey's screams echoed through the chamber, his body trembling as tears streamed down his face. He shook in agony, willpower warring against the unbearable torment that consumed him. Shredder's eyes bore into Mikey's. "Is this pain familiar, Michelangelo?" he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. "Is it not a reflection of the doubts that eat away at you? The fear that you're not good enough, not strong enough?"

Mikey's breaths came in ragged gasps, his eyes locked onto Shredder's. The pain was excruciating, but Shredder's words struck a nerve deep within him. Memories of insecurities he had buried resurfaced, and he struggled to maintain his resolve. "What...?"

"You wonder if you truly belong with your brothers, if you're more of a liability than an asset," Shredder continued, his words a sinister whisper that seemed to magnify the pain. "They might be better off without a weakling like you."