As the alarm blared, I was pulled from deep sleep. A groan filled the room as the sound was silenced with a heavy hand. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the familiar posters of bands and the bookshelves crammed with novels and trinkets. I sat up slowly, stretching and yawning, still tired from the restless night.

Rubbing my eyes, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and shuffled to the bathroom. Flicking on the light, I squinted at my reflection in the mirror. Long, layered, blonde hair framed a face with dark green eyes that were still heavy with sleep. Freckles dotted my nose and cheeks, and a stubborn piece of hair stuck up in the back, refusing to lay flat no matter how much I tried to smooth it down.

"Get it together," I muttered to myself, splashing water on my face in an attempt to fully wake up.

A quick shower and a change into some ripped jeans and an off-the-shoulder crop top later, I felt a little more alive. After putting on my favorite black cap, I left the bathroom. Downstairs, the smell of coffee wafted through the house, a small comfort in the daily routine. On my way down, I heard a muffled fight.

“Have some cereal, I got to drop you off, Owen!” I heard a voice that sounded like my mother's.

“I want pancakes!” My brother’s voice said.

“Then you should have woken up earlier!”

Sighing, I came into the kitchen. “I can drop Owen off, Mom.”

My mother's lips curved upward in a gentle, restrained smile as her warm gaze met mine. Her eyes seemed to hold an expression of appreciation— and possibly exasperated happiness as she looked at me.

“Would you?” She asked, checking her watch.

“No problem,” I replied, grasping her hand and squeezing it.

Once my mother said her goodbyes, I grabbed my brother’s and my backpack and headed out the door, dragging a whining 7-year-old into my dark silver Ford.

College passed in a blur of lectures and hallways filled with chattering students. By the time the final bell rang, I was so ready to escape the monotony and head to my part-time job at the coffee shop.

The café was a small, cozy place with a steady stream of regulars. I tied on my apron, ready to start the shift. I began the usual tasks—taking orders, making drinks and sometimes talking to the customers.

"Quinn!" a coworker called, breaking my reverie. "Can you take this order?"

“Sure,” I nodded, walking up to the counter. “Sorry for keeping you waiting, sir! What can I get for you?”

The man put his hands on the counter, leaning close to me.

“Hey, pretty lady!” The man grinned a toothless smile at me. “You’re charmin'! Black coffee, thanks. Nothin’ else, girl.”

“Coming right up!” I said, trying to maintain a friendly demeanor.

After a short while, I emerged with a mug of freshly brewed, steaming hot coffee in hand. The creepy dude was waiting right at the cash register. He looked at me and smiled again. Somehow this time, it looked fake.

“Ah- That was fast!” he exclaimed.

“I believe in good customer service. Is there anything else you need?” I asked, flashing a forced smile right back at him.

"No thanks, sweetheart," the man said with a smirk, his eyes lingering on me a moment too long. "I'll be seeing you around."

“Mmmhmm…!” I nodded, feeling way creeped out. I hope not.

At around 6:30, I started stacking chairs. My coworkers and I always hated it when people came in closing time.

My friend, Katie, walked up to me with a broom. “Hey Quinn!” She smiled, her happiness always shining.

“Hi Kate,” I replied offhandedly, focused on trying to lift the chair on the table. “Where are your little sisters?”

“Oh, I found them a daycare now! Much better then bringing them to work.” She laughed.

“Oh I—”

Suddenly, a bullet ran straight through the window, aimed right at me and Katie.

🩵

I know I’ve been doing all these part one, part two things,but I will actually continue this one!! <3

Dad, I can’t believe it was me the whole time. I’ve been blaming Charlie for everything, but it was me. I was the one who made Charlie’s seat fall. I was the one who tried to trick her at the gas station. I was a the one who opened her car door on the highway. Now I’m not even sure if I had my backpack in the front seat the morning we left. Oh geez. Charlie has been the innocent victim, not me. I’ve been acting like a jerk. I need to apologize, but I don’t know how. Help, Dad!

[𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂: 𝙉𝙊𝙏 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙈𝙋𝙏]

𝚃𝚆 ~ 𝙼𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚡𝚒𝚎𝚝𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚎𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗

Maybe everything will be alright At least that’s what I hope

I’m pretty sure that my Depression has been gone

And my anxiety is, Possibly, fading away

I’ve consumed myself in writing And books to stop the memories

When I don’t, my thoughts, They get so overwhelming

Reading at least thirteen Hours a day on my phone

My parents aren’t too happy they Want me to spend less time reading

They claim that it’s unhealthy to spend Thirteen to twenty-three hours reading

But I can’t explain, I’m supposed To be fine, happy as always

And I am, or maybe that’s what I’ve been telling myself

You know what they say, Fake it till you make it

Or fake it until you and everyone Around you 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘴 you made it

I’m supposed to be fine and they’ll Probably be annoyed to find out

I haven’t learned how to cope I don’t want to be a burden

It’s been a couple years, two or three, Maybe more but do you expect a kid To know how to cope

Well I didn’t know and I pushed The bad memories away

Only for when I got older to Get to tired to push them away

Jesus saved me that I know, I just Need a deeper relationship with Him

He can save me again, I just need to put More effort and meet Him in the middle

But for now I’m fine and Maybe everything will be alright

School felt rather quick for Thomas. Maybe it was because it was picking season.

Yeah, that’s probably it.

The last bell chimed, and Thomas was bolting out of the classroom and towards the exits. He saw Holland waiting for him, leaning against the nearby bike stand.

“You ready, Tommy?” Holland grabbed Thomas’ hand and pulled him close. Holland smell was sweeter than usual today; he seemed excited for picking season as well.

“Ye—“

“THOMAS!! THOMAS MEERS!!”

Thomas and Holland turned towards the voice, and saw a small girl with an oversized hoodie dashing to them.

She stopped in front of them, panting, her hands on her knees, and then looked up to greet Thomas right in the eyes.

“Hello, Thomas!” She said, a knowing look in her eyes.

Thomas sniffed her and grimaced; she was a bad fruit. A really bad fruit.

Holland must have seen Thomas’ reaction because he snarled, “What do you want, Penny?”

The Penny’s eyes were an empty blue, her brown hair was ruler straight. Thomas knew her kind. The smell told everything.

He smiled. “Would you like to help us this season?”

The Penny smiled back, pearly, white teeth out and showing. “Yes, yes I would.”

——

Holland

The picking seasons are just supposed to be me and Thomas. THOMAS and ME.

Not: Thomas, Penny, then me.

Thomas never needed anyone expect me before. I don’t know why he’s doing this. That girl could be a snitch, or a spy!

But I can’t do anything now, and it seems my heart has been stabbed by the knifes of anger, sorrow, and fear.

Fear that Thomas won’t need me anymore. Fear that Thomas won’t love me anymore because he has another tool. A new, shiny tool.

“Holland.” Thomas kisses me on the cheek. “Your such a sweet angel.”

I blush and hide a smile beneath my hand. “You say that too much, Tommy.”

“But I mean it.” His face is serious as he grabs my hand. “And I thought that you liked it.”

I nod frantically. “I never said I didn’t! I just meant—“

Penny clears her throat. “Guys,” she says, mostly to Thomas, “we’re here.”

Ah, the old shed.

——

Something was bothering with Holland. Thomas knew this, but he didn’t exactly know what was bothering him.

He’d ask him when he got back from picking off the fruits with the Penny. For now, Thomas continued to sharpen and clean his many, many knives.

——

Penny

One, Two, Three One is dead Two is dead Three will be dead

Holland’s in A little mess Should I help him? Yes I can

But I can leave him By himself To rot In that pit

So I turn Towards the third And chase it To the cliff

Stab Stab Stab Stab

Dead Dead Dead Down

——

Holland

“PENNY! PENNY, YOU BITCH!” My voice is hoarse.

Screaming for about an hour will do that for you.

Sometimes, I wished my parents cared enough to give me stuff. Like a phone. A phone would be so useful now.

I collapse to the ground, wincing at my twisted ankle, the sharp rocks and twigs stabbing my head like thorns. Thomas will just leave me here. He has another tool anyway. One that’s quicker, faster, he won’t need me anymore.

“Thomas,” I sniff, rubbing at the budding tears in my eyes, “Thoomaasss!”

“Holland, so that’s where she left you.”

“THOMAS!” I quickly stand up only to cry out in pain and go back to tunbling in the ground. “Thomas! Penny—“

“The Penny is none of your concern,” he says. He tosses a rope down then slides down it. Thomas grabs my arm, to pull me up, then arranges me on his back. I twist my legs around his waist and my hands hold onto his shoulders.

Thomas climbs up the rope with ease, even with me on him, and we’re back on flat land on no time. I see that Penny was the one holding the rope.

“Oh, god, what happened to Penny’s ear?”

——

Penny

It hurt It hurt _It hurt _

It hurt

I thought That Thomas understood He does Too much

He understands What I would do To the weak And pitiful people

“I smelled it on you,” He said Thomas can’t be human Thomas is something else

Something to be feared

He took away my ear Chop Chop Chop

With that Sharp Sharp Butcher knife

My ear My ear Gone Just for that creature

And now I can’t leave I know too much

The weak creature stares He stares at Thomas Not in shock Or horror

The creature Bites his lip Love in his eyes “Oh, Thomas.”

For the first time In my life I feel, I am Scared

——

(Thanks for reading, I know it’s not my best, but I was bored and wanted to introduce a new character.)

“Don’t lose yourself again. You’ll never find it, not again. It’s like losing an idea, you might find it once, but can you find it again?” — K.J.

My thoughts are drilled into my head, worse than nails, worse than bolts, constant pain and a constant reminder that I’m different than these dolts.

I’ve drowned in my mind, years and years of experience at that terrifying job. You don’t think I’m serious?

Lose yourself for the first time, I promise you’ll be okay. Finding it at first is easiest because you didn’t fully decay.

But I lost it again, not just my mind. My personality too. It’s not easy to find, remember that, because I’ll be gone within seconds. I don’t want you to be gone too.

Lights flicker in the hallways of the mansion of my brain. Calmly walking, I guess you could say: my best friend is pain and somehow I lost that too.

I’m paralyzed, a deer in headlights, pain’s a metaphor for something you’ll never be able to find. Don’t lose anything or everything, but especially not your mind, your soul, and definitely not yourself.

I may be a hypocrite, ‘cause I lost myself a long time ago.

And I never found it.

TW ED (another excerpt from a book I’m working on)

The stretchy blue tourniquet is tied around my arm. 
The nurse feels around the crook of my right elbow for a vein. She shakes her head, undoes the tourniquet  and ties it onto the other  arm.

She feels around some more, and unwraps the butterfly needle from the plastic.

“I usually only use these on little ones,”
she says, “but your veins are so small.”

Mom puts her head in her hands, shaking slightly.

The nurse has to prick me four times before she finds a vein, offers me a juice box or water multiple times, says it might help my veins, that it might spare me a few pokes.

But I refuse, nothing can go into my body today. Not since I had a handful of almonds today. Nuts have too many calories. Too much fat. 
Maybe it would be okay if I only had one, but I had eight.

Eight.

I’ve always been curious: why do all my friends leave? I know I’m a bit clingy, is that something I should grieve?

I get anxious if a clock ticks, and if a phone rings. I get anxious if a dog barks, and if a door swings.

How much time do I have left? Who could be calling? Does the dog hate me? Should we start talking?

I like to cling to friends I actually have. I’m sorry if I’m anti-social. I’m extroverted less than half.

Every year I make a friend I become that chatterbug. Every year I lose a friend or two. At this point, I should just shrug.

One day I’ll end up lonely. The thought is terrifying. They’ll all deny me. Nobody’s clarifying if I’ll have someone.

My best friend’s distant, my other friends ignore me. My family is okay with it, because it’s always been reality.

I know I’m weird and goofy, and I rotate between never speaking to never stopping. My mind is shrieking.

I can’t stop thinking and wondering when they’re going to leave me. It’s happening again.

I can’t breathe anymore. My vision’s blurring. I think it’s back, my anxiety’s occurring.

I’m holding on too tightly. Please just let me out I’m screaming, but I can’t shout for someone to help.

My friends have left, and, if not, they’re about to. I’m crying, but they don’t have a clue.

“I’m scared I’ll get too close to him, just to remember that Bella is still in his life.” - Liliana.

—————————

“Lily, do you mind if I run to the restroom for a moment?” Fiona asks hesitantly, one hand covering her mic, “I’d need you to cover for me.”

“Okay,” I say dryly, rolling my chair over to replace hers.

As she hands the headset over, I shake a little bit.

“You alright, Lil?”

“Yeah, yeah. Just new at this,” I reply, adjusting the headset around my blonde hair.

I swivel my seat around to watch as she leaves.

Dead silence on the other line.

Until…

“Hello? Is this Lamb Bay Advice line?” A familiar husky voice rings. I shake it off.

“Yes! What is it you need to be advised on?” I nearly shriek as I realize who it is.

“So, you see, I have a girlfriend…” he pauses.

I try to add in a little humor.

“Always the dating advice…” I add in jokingly.

I hear his rumbling laugh before he begins talking again.

“I have a girlfriend, yet, I have a crush. And, they’re not even close to the same person.”

I get butterflies, but I shrug them off. _It’s not me. _

“As the wise Tinkerbell said, ‘If you have to choose between me and her, choose her. Because if you really loved me, there wouldn't be any other choice.’”

I hear an affirmative noise on the other line.

“I guess so. Should I break up with her?”

“Do what you think would make you happiest,” I tell him, “Don’t do it for the people.”

—————————

[ONE WEEK LATER]

“Lily?”

I sit up, pushing the pile of blankets off of me to stare at the boy in front of me.

“Oh! Hey, Jace,” I greet, a fake smile spreading across my deceitful face.

He gives me a small smile in return, running a hand through his curly brown hair.

His hair looks so soft. I want to run my fingers through it.

I shake my head.

“What is it?” I ask, peering up at his stunning blue eyes.

“I brok—”

I hear a cracking noise upstairs.

“Hang on, please,” I reply, trying to be polite as I stand up.

I hurry up the stairs to figure out the cause of the sound.

Before I could get to the door of the last room, Jace grabs ahold of my wrist. In a smooth motion, he pulls me closer to him just to push me against the wall gently.

“Lily,” he starts, his hot breath fanning my cheek.

I swear I look like a tomato right now.

He’s too close.

Not close enough?

No.

Too close?

Too… not close enough?

“This is killing me.”

I close my eyes and try to lean away from him. Or try to get away altogether.

His grip remains steady.

“Look at me, Liliana,” he forces out, his voice strained.

I hesitantly open my eyes and look up at his hair.

Don’t look in his eyes… I warn myself.

“Jace, please move,” I manage to muster up.

“I know you don’t want me to. I can hear the increase in your heartbeat. I can see the blush along your face,” he shares, before stuttering a sigh, “do you actually want me to?”

His eyes meet mine, and I can almost taste the heartbreak. The sourness eating at my gums.

“No.”

He sighs of relief.

“I’m sorry about how I phrased that— I didn’t mean to sound so harsh. I just wanted you to—”

I tear up a bit at his words, but I have to stop him talking.

I lean forward and capture his lips with mine.

Immediately, he responds, his hands dropping from my wrist to my waist. I smile against his lips.

I feel his mouth open a bit, and I start to pull away.

“That felt too good,” I think out loud, tapping a finger where his lips were a second ago.

Jace laughs a bit.

Oh no…

I swallow, a deep lump catching in my throat.

“Jace— Jace, why did you… what about Bella?”

Follows the prompts idea

I think at least

Purple vines slithered over the ground and on the walls. A hand guided them from the shadows.

Donnie opens his eyes and stumbles out of bed away from them. Unfortunately, some on the ground wrapped around his ankles and caused him to trip. More wrapped themselves around his wrists and arms to hold him in place.

"Oh deary me, Draxxie, you really did manage to catch one." Big Mama's voice laughed.

"I hold good to my promises." Draxum said.

"You promised me two of the turtly-boos for my collection. I must ask where the other is." Big Mama folded her arms.

Draxum stepped closer to Donnie. "Which of your brothers would you like to join you?"

"How about I ask what you're going to do with me first, huh?" Donnie growled.

"Draxxie here promised me I could have two of you turtly-boos to work among my staff." Big Mama replied.

Donnie glared at Draxum. "We aren't yours to just give away, Baron Draxum."

Draxum flicked his wrist and vines covered the softshell's mouth. "I created you four. I'm pretty sure you are mine to give away. Now, we'll be taking you and the....youngest back to Big Mama's hotel. No complaints."

Donnie struggled against the vines as they forced him up and after Draxum and Big Mama. Draxum pointed some of them toward Mikey's room. They came back with him quickly.

"Dee? What's going on?" Mikey asked.

"No talking." Vines covered Mikey's mouth too.

The trip to the hotel was quick with Draxum's portals. They were in her office in no time.

"You did good, Draxxie. My bellhops can handle it from here though." Big Mama clapped twice.

Two large yokai entered into the room by the elevator. Draxum made his vines unwrap Donnie and Mikey so they could put mystical cuffs on them instead.

"Your part of the deal..." Draxum held his hand out

"Yes, yes. Here's your precious contraption back." Big Mama handed him something.

Draxum closed his hand around it, made a portal, and left.

Big Mama grabbed Donnie's chin suddenly. "Before I put you to work with my other staff, why don't I lay down some rules"

"Like what? No stealing?" Mikey teased.

"If one of you tries to escape, the other will be in for a painful surprise. Try too much, and I have willing volunteers to take you both somewhere much worse." Big Mama laughed.

Donnie and Mikey glanced at each other fearfully.

"Mikey! Pst, Mikey!" Donnie shouted as quietly as he could.

Mikey turned his head in the direction of his brothers voice. "Donnie?"

"Up here!"

Mikey looked up.

Donnie dropped down a rope. "Climb up quietly. We should be able to get out together without Big Mama noticing."

Mikey hurriedly pulled himself up the rope and joined Donnie in the vent.

"This doesn't seem like something you would think of Dee..." Mikey whispered.

"I want to get out of here as much as you do. And Big Mama said that if one of us tried to escape, the other would be in for a surprise. But maybe if we escape together..."

"Then neither of us will get punished! Nice thinking, Donnie." Mikey finished.

"Exactly. Now hush. I think we should be above the lobby right now." Donnie stated.

Mikey peeked through a small hole in the vent. Big Mama's desk sat a few feet away. Something pushed down hard on his shell before he had time to react and the vent collapsed under him. Mikey fell with a grunt on the floor and Big Mama's chair turned around.

"I must say, I did not expect you to fall for that so willingly, turtly-boo." Big Mama laughed.

Mikey glanced up behind him and saw the fake Donnie disappear before turning back to her. "How could you?" he demanded.

"It was just a bimbly test. Don't get so upset." Big Mama chided.

The elevator doors opened and a fox yokai dragged the real Donnie out. Donnie wouldn't stop squirming.

"Get your hands off me, you too-tall piece of-" He broke off when he noticed Mikey.

"That shouldn't count! You tricked me!" Mikey growled.

Big Mama chuckled. "You make Big Mama laugh, orange one. Get the shocker." she told the fox.

"No! You tricked me, tha-that shouldn't count!" Mikey shouted again.

The yokai dropped Donnie onto the floor and grabbed a strange machine leaning against a nearby wall.

"What...happened Mikey?" Donnie croaked.

"Big Mama tricked me, that's what. She somehow had a hologram of you and..." He trailed off and couldn't meet his brother's eyes.

The fox came back and put a foot down on Donnie to hold him in place.

"Take that thing off first." Big Mama pointed at Donnie's batteshell.

The yokai nodded and tore it off quickly. Donnie sucked in air and his back stung. The fox clicked a button on the machine and it buzzed to life. Electricity crackled through the tip. Donnie flinched and closed his eyes as it came down. All Mikey could do was look the other way. Unless...

Mikey quickly leaped toward Donnie and managed to get in between him and the machine. It came down on Mikey's arm and he felt the electricity crackle through his body.

"Mikey!" Donnie shouted.

Mikey closed his eyes and couldn't move. The fox stopped the machine and Mikey gasped for air.

"Mikey, what were you thinking?!" Donnie quickly sat up and rolled Mikey off.

Mikey coughed. "You were...too vulnerable without it on..."

"That could have killed you, Mikey!" Donnie told him.

"But it didn't." Mikey retorted.

"And what if it did, huh? What would the others say?" Donnie growled.

Mikey couldn't meet his brother's eyes again.

Donnie's gaze fell on Big Mama. "Is that it? Can we go back to our jobs now?"

"No, I don't think so. My rule was if you escaped too many times, I would hand you over to someone much worse. But, I'm changing that now. Good luck turtly-boos. Bring them to the main lobby. The takers should be there already." Big Mama told the fox.

Donnie twisted against the mystical cuffs binding his hands as the fox pulled him and Mikey down the steps of the main lobby.

"You're going to need all the luck you can get, turtles." the fox tossed them closer to the three silhouettes at the door.

Donnie backed away as quick as he could. Metal arms reached out and pulled him back.

"No getting away from us this time, Donnie. Or his brother either." Kendra's voice mocked him.

"You stupidly well-dressed freaks. I'll always find a way to get out of your traps. And leave Mikey out of this." Donnie growled.

"Not this time you won't." Kendra laughed. "We're leaving. Tell your boss we'll bring by our part of the deal later." she added to the fox.

Donnie desperately tried to free himself the whole way to the Purple Dragon's lair. Once they arrived, Mikey was put to the side.

"Make one wrong choice, von Ryan, and we'll squish you like a bug. Now, bring us that tech of yours will you. We'll be needing it later." Kendra commanded him.

"You may think you're tough, but I'm not bringing it to you." Donnie grunted.

"Then how about we give you some incentive? Jeremy, get the devices on him." Kendra snapped.

The biggest of the trio walked forward and started clicking devices onto Donnie's ankles, wrists, and neck.

"What the heck are these even supposed to-"

Jeremy clicked a button on the remote he was now holding and Donnie felt it immediately: the shock through his body.

"You can shock me all you want Purple Dragons. I will not give you my tech." Donnie growled.

Jeremy hit the button again. Donnie choked back a scream.

"Just call your tech here and we'll stop. Simple as that." Kendra smirked.

Donnie slowly got to his feet. "And I said I wasn't giving it to you."

Jeremy hit the button a third time. Donnie's weak legs collapsed under him. He grunted when the floor hit him.

"Donnie!" Mikey quickly rushed over to him. "Are you okay, Dee?"

"I'm fine." Donnie growled.

"Just give them the tech Donnie. Your body can't handle much more of this." Mikey fretted.

Donnie pushed himself up. "They're never getting my tech. But I can give them this."

He hit something on his wrist tech and a red dot on the screen appeared. Then Jeremy hit the button a fourth time. Donnie shuddered and when it was over, his eyelids fluttered.

"Give me that tech, kid. I won't hurt him again if you do." Kendra told Mikey.

Mikey glanced at his brother then down at the wrist tech. "Sorry, Dee." He slowly removed it and slid it over to Kendra. "Now you can't hurt him again."

"Oops." Kendra hit the button again. "I tripped."

Donnie screamed. His body shuddered with the shock.

"Donnie!" Mikey covered his mouth and Donnie's eyes closed. "No..."

He held his brother up and glared at Kendra. "How could you?!"

"My mistake. Thanks for this though." She stomped on the wrist tech and left with the two boys.

"It's okay, Dee, we can get out of this. Just...hang on. Please." Mikey whispered.

Donnie didn't move or make a sound, but Mikey could see the slight rise and fall of his chest still. Mikey looked around desperately. There had to be something that could help.

"Maybe..." Mikey cautiously left Donnie's side and headed toward a strange pile of boxes.

When he turned back around, Donnie had vanished. Mikey panicked and looked around. He spotted one of the guys dragging him away.

"Hey back off!" Mikey rushed at him.

Something flew out from behind the guy and pinned Mikey beneath it.

"What's the big idea? Where are you taking him?" Mikey shouted.

"Somewhere. I don't know, Kendra just sent me to get him." the guy continued on.

The giant dragon-like mech followed after him a few minutes later. Leaving Mikey all alone.

"They better not hurt him." Mikey growled to himself. "If they do, they'll be in for a painful surprise."

Donnie woke up in a strange empty room. With Mikey nowhere around.

"Where's-" his body felt weak beneath him. "Where's Mikey? What did you three do to him?"

A TV popped out of the wall on an arm. "We didn't do anything with him. He's probably gone by now, or looking for you."

Donnie put his hand against the wall and tried standing up but his legs were like jelly. He glanced down at his arm and was reminded of the shock devices.

"If your brother is still here and ends up finding you, don't expect to get out so easy, still. And if he gets caught by any of our security along the way, not only will you be shocked, but some of our drones will be released into that room you're in." The screen went back into the wall.

Donnie sagged against the wall. Mikey would find him and they would get out of this. He knew it.

Suddenly a faint whisper sounded in his ear. "Dee!"

"Mikey?" Donnie sat up. "Where are you?"

"One of Kendra's buddies gave me an earpiece to talk to you. Do you know where you are?" Mikey asked.

Donnie glanced around. "I don't. I was out cold when they put me in this strange room. Sorry Mikey."

"Did they happen to say anything through a TV or something?" Mikey wondered.

"They did. Be careful Mikey. Kendra said if you were found by their security, I would be...shocked and some drones would be released into where I am." Donnie whispered.

"Brace yourself, Dee." Mikey said back.

"For what-" Donnie barely supressed another scream as the shock went through his body.

Three panels on the walls opened and drones flew into the room. Donnie backed into a different wall.

"Mikey, I don't think I can take any drones. Be extra careful now, please." Donnie whispered.

Static crackled in response. Donnie growled. The drones flew closer to him and started firing lasers. He rolled away from some but one caught his arm. Donnie flinched and forced himself onto his feet. He launched himself at one of the drones and managed to smash it down. Another fired a laser and hit his softshell. He took one of the downed drones arms and shot it at the other drones. Donnie threw the arm down and took deep breaths. Mikey better be closer to finding him or he might survive this.

Mikey leaped at the arm again. He snatched the earpiece back again and put it back on his ear. He flashed out his kusari-fundo and swung it at each of the arms and drones in turn.

"Dee, are you okay? I got the earpiece back. Dee?" Mikey said.

"I'm still fine Mikey. I managed to take the drones down this time, but I don't think I'll be able to again. Stay out of sight." Donnie told him sternly.

"You can count on me, Dee. I'm the best at staying out of sight." Mikey whispered.

Mikey slipped behind a wall and looked around. He spotted Kendra and her boy followers on a floating platform a few feet away. Mikey stealthily ran his way over to a place behind them and whipped his kusari-fundo out and made it wrap around them.

"Gotcha now!" Mikey exclaimed.

"Big mistake. Good luck saving your brother from this. I might as well tell you he's on the other side of the wall now." Kendra smirked.

A bunch of drones flew around both corners and surrounded Mikey in seconds. He growled.

"Mikey?! What happened to being the best at staying out of sight?!" Donnie shouted through the earpiece.

"I found Kendra and the two guys! I thought I could take them!" Mikey shouted back.

"Well now you're just going to get us both killed!" Donnie's voice broke off and static crackled.

Mikey threw the earpiece off and narrowed his eyes. He unwrapped the trio and swung the kusari-fundo around at all the drones over and over. One fired a laser before it fell and knocked Mikey's weapon out of his hand. Mikey spun around and lunged for it. He grabbed the tip of the handle and flashed it around at more drones.

"Your drones are nothing to me!" Mikey shouted.

Broken drones covered the floor. Kendra growled.

"You just got lucky. Why don't we give you front row seats to your brother's end?" Kendra laughed.

A screen clicked out of the wall and Mikey turned around. It displayed Donnie and the same large dragon mech from before. The mech hit him and tried blasting him with a laser.

Suddenly, a loud explosion blew a hole in the wall to the left.

Mikey rushed toward it and looked around inside desperately. "Donnie?!"

He spotted a scrap of Donnie's mask poking out from under a chunk of the wall.

"No..." Mikey felt a tear run down his face. "Donnie..."

"That's too bad. Too bad you were caught." Kendra laughed.

Mikey turned his head to her in a glare. He leaped at her and grabbed her collar. "You killed him! It's because of you he's dead!"

"No, you were the one that got caught. He warned you. It's your fault he was killed, not ours." Kendra retorted.

Mikey felt the tears come in streams now. He backed away from Kendra and released her shirt. He stumbled back over to the hole and fell on his knees.

"It's my...my fault." Mikey sobbed.

"Can't get rid of me that easily." A hand reached up and grabbed onto the floor.

Donnie pulled himself up and smiled at Mikey. Mikey wiped his tears away and helped his brother up the rest of the way and hugged him tightly.

"I should've listened to you. I should've been more careful." Mikey whispered.

"It's not your fault, Mikey. If..." Donnie sighed. "We're both alive. That's what matters the most."

"While this moment is...whatever, I just don't like how you got out. That mech should have actually killed you." Kendra growled and snatched the remote away from Jeremy.

She pressed her hand down on it. Mikey managed to keep Donnie from falling.

"No more of that. He's out, it's over." Mikey growled.

"It's not over until I say it is!" Kendra snapped and hit the button again and again.

Mikey whipped his kusari-fundo around and knocked the remote out of her hand, smashing it against the ground.

"How's that for over?" Mikey teased.

Kendra growled louder and ran. Jeremy and the other guy quickly followed.

"Donnie?" Mikey looked back at his softshell brother. "What's wrong?"

"Nothings wrong, Mikey." Donnie croaked. "I just need these things off and something over all the cuts."

Mikey noticed how bad of shape he was in. A large part of his mask had been torn over his eye and left a scar. Burns covered large parts of his legs and arms from lasers. And other tinier cuts and bruises other places.

"That's easy. Leo or Splinter can patch you up when we get home, easy-peasy." Mikey stood them both up.

Donnie grunted and leaned into Mikey a little. "You always know how to cheer a brother up, Michael. Thank you."

"It's my specialty, big bro. Now let's get you home." Mikey started toward the end of the hallway.

"I have a feeling Draxum won't be so happy about this." Donnie whispered.

"Well he can fuck off. We're going home and we're staying home. Until you're better."

Donnie glanced at his brother. Draxum had it coming. Once Mikey was pissed, he was pissed.

He watches me from his hiding spot in the shadows. Fear creeps through me, spreading like a vicious cancer. It seeps from within the depths of my being and sinks into my bones. I want to run, but I'm frozen—paralyzed in a state of motionless shock. The feeling of dread washes over me, suffocating me with every breath. My stomach churns in violent knots as sweat beads trickle down my forehead.

Suddenly, I remember a PowerPoint I watched one time in Health class about fight or flight. So I ask myself: Will I run away like a coward? Will I stand here frozen and do nothing? Waiting like a fool for the inevitable? My answer is no. With one swift motion, I retrieve the weapon I had tossed aside last night onto my bedside table. I move quickly, advancing carefully to deny him the opportunity to lunge at me. Splat!! That dreadful spider meets its demise under the vengeance of my book. "Yuck," I mutter to myself with a frown. I grab a Kleenex, wipe its guts off my book, and place it neatly back on the bedside table. Like a boss. ☠️