Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Please Speak Mikey

Chapter 4

The lair was silent, not even a blotch of water dripping from the kitchen sink, or even a candle wax scent from the dojo, just a peaceful night in the turtle's household. Splinter resting comfortably on his bedding, his breathing deep but a twitch of his ears showed high alert and scrutiny. On the second floor laid the brothers in their own manner of sleeping. Leo positioned on his side with his hand lingering over the edge holding his Katana and the other hanging on the wall beside him. His face looked calm and relaxed with a soft breathing echoing from his mouth.

In the other room opposite, the second oldest brother, a snoring sound followed by a quiet whistle from Raph, who was lying on his back with his Sais wrapped around his bulky arms cuddling his prize possessions. Donnie whose room is next to Leo's was actually sleeping soundly in his actual bed and not the imaginable one that corrupts his mind every time he sits on his chair drooling on the keyboard. And finally, our youngest member wrapped in his covers snuggling his bear against his chest. The turtle laid asleep his face tranquil and serene.

If only that was the truth for Michelangelo.

Instead, his appearance showed symptoms of a nightmare. His eyes squinting, his mouth whimpering as he tried to hide away from the terror. He mumbled tossing on his side, the duvet hanging halfway off the bed as he kicked his legs to get free. His tattered bear bounced on the mattress before sliding across the floor as Mikey turned on his back. His hands were tight in a fist, his head arched against the pillow muttering in anguish and misery.

"Please stop" he whispered

But they didn't, the darkness overwhelmed him, the shadows coming from every corner unleashing their technique of torture.

Laughter

All around him, they were laughing, echoing, inside his skull. Mikey shut his eyes and clutched his head bringing his legs closer wanting to escape inside his shell. But it will do nothing to prevent their torment and cruelty.

"Go away...Please"

Tears swarmed his eyes when he saw the shadows transforming into his brothers. Their immense sizes circled him, the eyes held no pupils only deep onyx. Their mouths wide open pointing at the orange-clad turtle.

"You are so pathetic Mikey," said Donnie hysterically. "I mean are you trying to get us all killed?"

"Worthless, defective, waste of space is the best description," said Raph smirking coldly, the black eyes widening watching his littlest brother's tears roll down his face.

Mikey was shaking, struggling to breathe while listening to their words of abuse. Was it real or was it all make-believe? His big brothers would never see him as incompetent...would they?

He felt a shiver glide down his back as he heard a chuckle from behind. Slowly Mikey turned his head to see Leo with his arms crossed and head tilted in a mocking way.

"Aww, what's the matter, Mikey? Can't face the fact that you will never be a ninja?"

His heart repeatedly punched with the insensitivity and the callous remarks as they laughed at him once again, vibrating around him in the darkness. Mikey rocked back and forth just wanting to wake up from his never-ending horror. He then flinched when Raph suddenly appeared close to his face.

"You are nothing to us, Mikey, just a mishap in the family. A screw up. Maybe you should just go."

Mikey sobbed repeatedly apologizing that his mind, his heart and soul just weren't worthy. Maybe he should just disappear? Their voices continued hammering the horrific phrases, which then began to reduce as Mikey kept on saying sorry. He then gasped awake, his eyes bloodshot, his breathing rapid, choking him as he gulped for air. He grasped his heart tightly hearing the excessive pumping trying to reach a steady pace, but there was a sharp ache stabbing him in his gut. It was only a dream, an agonizing, atrocious dream, but wasn't real. "Accept it was real". Mikey stared up at the ceiling his eyes almost a dark blue, the feeling was becoming inconsolable. The only light in the room was his clock reading 5 a.m.