April's POV

I was in the lair doing my science homework with Donnie in the main room. Leo was watching TV with Mikey who had just cone back with a bowl of popcorn.

"Hey Guys! Raph and his boyfriend are back from their date!" Mikey jeered as the shouts from his red banded brother and his best friend Casey could be heard coming from the subway tunnel.

I couldn't help giggle at his words but if either Raph or Casey had heard him he'd be so dead.

"Mikey" Donnie shushed as the shouts came nearer.

"Dude! Did you see the way I took that guy out with my taser!"

"Or what about how I threw that purple dragon scum into the dumpster!"

I rolled my eyes. Those two were impossible.

I closed my science book as the boys came threw the turnstiles.

"Hey Case, you wanna stay and play Super Mega Zombie 4?" Raph asked as he jumped over the sofa.

Casey shook his head "Sorry man. I gotta head home, laters!" he called as he skated off down into the sewer at an alarming speed.

One of these days Casey was going to have a serious accident with those skates. Although knowing him he already probably has.

Suddenly a faint buzzing noise could be heard coming from the lair's entrance. Immediately the guys and I sprang to our feet in a defensive stance.

"Stay behind me" Leo whispered as he tiptoed towards the noise. We followed behind him quietly. At the entrance we looked around but I couldn't see anything.

"Hey isn't this Casey's T-phone?" Mikey said as he picked up a shell shaped from saying that it had recieved a text from someone called Sid.

"He must have dropped it when we came back" said Raph

"Wait haven't there been a massive increase in Kraang activity lately" Leo said "What if he gets into trouble ands needs to call us?"

"I'm sure he'll be fine" Donnie said already walking away.

What was that about?

Anyways unfortunately Casey had a way of getting into serious trouble.

"look" I said taking the phone from Mikey "I was about to head off anyways, I'll just drop it off at his on the way home"

"Are you sure? You could stay here and do some more homework." Donnie asked.

I shook my head "No sorry but I should probably get going."

I gave them a wave then headed off down the sewers. I checked Casey's address in my T-phone, to make sure I was going the right way. I'd never been to Casey's home. I don't think he'd ever asked. It was kinda strange actually. He's been over to my place lots of times, usually with the Turtles. I rubbed my temples. I was thinking way to much into this. He probably just lives in a bit of a rough area.

I got to the surface to find myself in the heart of Brooklyn. The streetlights were out as if they'd given up, leaving the streets that indistinguishable as either alleyways or roads, in an eery darkness. I clutched my tessen tightly as I walked past a dozen homeless people backed up against the graffiti covered Walls that surrounded me. Shouts and screams could be heard from all directions as well as a police siren from nearby.

Damn it. Why'd Casey have to leave his stupid T-phone? He's in more need of it than I thought if he's living in a place like this. I knew he didn't live a mansion or anything but I didn't realise he live in a place as bad as this.

"Hey...pretty lady!" I heard a voice behind me shout making me jump. I turned round to see two old men and a women leaning entirely on each other, completely drunk, coming towards me.

"Do ya wan'na drink sugar?" the women slurred before throwing up the contents of her stomach onto her friends. They just laughed an started to touch her, right there in the middle of the street with their disgusting sick covered hands.

Ewwww. How can Casey live in a place like this? Forcing back sick myself I took up a fighting stance knowing that trying to talk any sense to these people would be pointless. A minute later all of them were running away as fast as they could which wasn't very fast at all since they kept falling over.

I walked into Casey's estate past some guys who were eating something that clearly wasn't sherbet. I shiver went up my spine and I hugged my body and tried not to look anyone in the eye. Inside the estate there was people every where. I think someone must have had a party which had over spilled into the entire place. Music was bleating out of every room playing a miss match of songs that sounded painful together. Everyone was drinking, smoking, dancing at a crazy rate. An alien race of a different kind was growing in the corner of all the hallways as were people who were doing things that should require a but more privacy. After some directions from a girl with purple hair I was finally able to find Casey's apartment.

I knocked on the door which opened to reveal a shocked looking Casey ... holding a BABY?!

"Red!" Casey cried "What are you doing here?"

"You left your phone" I said tossing him it "Erm ... Who is this?" I asked pointing at the baby girl who unfortunately had chosen this moment to wake up and start crying.

Immediately all of Casey attention shifted to the baby. He started to make soothing noises as he rubbed her thumb trying to get her to calm down. His actions were gentle and calm so unlike the brutish attitude he usually appeared.

I took the opportunity to loo properly at the baby. She was about a year and a half old with tufts of platinum blonde hair with freckles sprayed across her nose. And when she opened her eyes they were the same dark brown eyes as a certain hockey playing vigilante I thought I knew.

I looked at the owner of those eyes who's love for the girl glowed off his face. But there was something else there too. Desperation, the kind that only comes from pure fear.

But what could be so terrifying of a baby's cry? What bad could come from that?

I knew there something he wasn't telling me. "Casey" I said tentatively.

He spun his head back to me, looking shocked as if he'd forgotten I was here. Suddenly a loud crash emitted from inside his apartment. This made the baby started to cry louder.

What was that? I tried to look past him to what was inside but he just pushed me away.

"Go! Get out of here!" Casey shouted at me.

I scoffed. There was no way I way go-

"GO!" he yelled before slamming the door.

What was that about? I went to knock on his door again when I heard a loud bellow from the other side.

"WILL YOU SHUT THAT BITCH UP!"

Followed by loud smashes and bangs. I had no idea what was happening but I had to help.

"Casey open up!" I banged on the door but the sounds wouldn't stop and certainly no one was coming to the door.

I only had one choice left. All I had to do was hope Casey didn't kill me for it later. I tried ignore the cries coming from inside as I focused on the weak point of the door and gathered all my energy in my fist.

Well here goes nothing. HIYA!

As I punched the door I felt the wood splinter around the lock. Finally I kicked the door down.

"I'm sorry about your-" I started but as I opened my mouth the stench of the room poisoned my entire body. It stank so badly of beer and vomit and sweat that I could hardly breathe. As I opened my eyes I saw that the room had no furniture and the floor was covered in cans and broken glass.

And that wasn't even the worst part. The worst part was the giant of a man beating up a bean bag in the corner. He was a terrifying sight. I could only see him from behind but from what I could see he had short blonde hair, a build that used to be pure muscle but had now turned into fat and huge dragon tattoos on his arms. He seemed to be in such a state of psychopathic rage that he didn't even notice what I'd done.

But wait what happened to Casey. I hope he's alright. I scanned the room but I couldn't see him anywhere. Then I heard a sickening groan from where that madman wad pummelling that bean ba- wait ... no it couldn't be.

But I could see clearly now. That man wasn't beating up a bean bag. He was beating up Casey, who had curled up into a tight little ball.

A primal roar came from the man as he rained his giant fists on him followed by a deafening crack and a low moan. A red stain started to seep into the carpet beneath the pair. The man who's hands were now covered on blood continued to hit and punch him splattering blood against the walls.

I couldn't move. This man was insane. If he didn't stop then Casey was going to die.

But I wasn't going to let that happen.

Before I even realised what was happening a wave of pure energy emitted from my body striking the man who screamed as the blast threw him against the other wall, knocking him unconscious.

My knees gave way as the mother of all headaches erupted in my head. But I pushed to the back of my brain just like Splinter taught me as I stumbled over to Casey. He was still huddled over so far into the corner of the wall that he was almost part of it. He was shaking with silent tears as he clutched his chest. I stood gingerly behind him so I didn't frighten him. I badly wanted to give him a hug just to let him know that he wasn't alone anymore. But he hadn't yet turned round and I wasn't even sure if he knew that his torture was over.

"Casey" I said. My voice came out as a hoarse whisper.

No reaction.

"Casey" I said a little louder.

"A...Ap...April?" he breathed. I felt my heart snap in two. He sounded so lost, so helpless, like he didn't know what to do anymore. That's when I realised that this was the first time that he'd ever called me April.

I reached out to touch his shoulder but he just recoiled away if it was even possible further into the wall as if I'd just slapped him.

I could feel tears welling up inside me and- No. I wasn't going to cry. I had to stay strong for Casey's sake.

"Casey, please turn around" I begged "That man is out cold. Please, I just want to help you"

After what felt like eons but what could only have been a few seconds he started to shift his body until he faces me. It was obvious that even the tiniest of movements was causing him immense pain.

He was horribly injured. There wasn't a part of him I could see that wasn't swollen, bruised or cut.

"Casey?" came a noise from his chest. That's when a noticed the little girl he was holding before clutched tightly to his chest. From what I could see although she looked distressed she didn't seen to have any physical injuries. That's when I realised, Casey had been protecting her from that man. He'd been using his own body as a shield so she didn't get hurt. I felt my heart swell with pride but Casey only looked ashamed.

I took a deep breath. "What happened?" I asked.

He only said one word "Dad"

He couldn't be serious. How could someone be so evil that they'd do that to there own son! How dare he hurt Casey like that!

"why?"

He tried to shrug but it only caused him to take a sharp intake of breath.

"He's been like this ever since Mum died. He starts drinking but he just can't stop. He says he's sorry in the morning and that he's going to change but..."

He never does.

"All those times you came into school beat up and said you got into a fight or were beating up some purple dragons, they were lies weren't they."

"Not all the times" he mumbled.

Oh poor Casey.

I hit my knee in anger. What is wrong with me? How come I never saw this? If I had just realised then maybe-

"Hey" Casey said taking his hand in mine "don't worry about it Red. There weren't nothing you could do."

I shook my head "Why didn't you tell me, or Raph , the others or anyone?"

He let go of my hand "You just don't get it"

"Then tell me" I said

He looked down at the baby and stroked her cheek gently before taking a deep breath and said "Look before my Mum died she made me promise to look out for my Dad. To help him when she's gone. Just after she died he started to drink more often. Instead of a glass every week or so he'd have one every night. Then he'd have two. And then he'd have three. And then he'd have four."

he sighed abs hung his head low " I didn't notice it then. I was still grieving myself. But then one night he struck me across the face with the back of my hand. I was going to retaliate but then I remembered my Mum's promise so I didn't. I just...let him. "

He looked me in the eye "That's one of the reasons I became a vigilante ya know. To protect others because I can't protect...myself"

I couldn't hold back any longer. I flung my arms around him and held him close. I felt him stiffen within my arms and at first I thought that he was going to push me away but eventually he softened and lent his head against my shoulder. His clothed were wet an sticky with blood and sweat but I didn't care. He was my friend and he needed me so I was going to be there for him no matter what. As a rubbed his bak I noticed something white sticking out of his side.

I gasped "Casey!" He looked down to see one of his rib bones poking out of his skin. The salty tang of blood from it made vile rise in my throat.

I swallowed "Casey we have to get you to a hospital"

He tried to brush it off "Nah don't worry Red, no biggie"

"NO BIGGIE! THERE IS A BONE COMING OUT THE SIDE OF YOUR CHEST!"

He true to smile but his face had already turned to an unnaturally pale mix of white an green.

I hooked my arm under his armpit "Come on we are going to the hospital"

He shook his head "I can't"

"Why not?"

He looked at the floor "I don't have any money" he murmured.

"Look it's ok. I'll pay for your treatment."

He shook my arm off him "I don't want no charity"

"It's not charity Casey, I'm your friend and you can pay me back later if you want I don't care I just want to get you to a hospital" I was getting really desperate now. He really didn't look good.

Eventually he nodded "Fine"

Thank God

"But you have to promise not to tell the hospital what happened"

Is he serious? He can't just let this keep happening. Realising that I was going to tell he grabbed hold of my wrist.

"You can't tell them! They'll take Shadow away! please don't tell them!"

"Casey I have too! They can tell the police and you won't have to put up with this anymore. And who's Shadow?!"

He gestured to the baby he was still holding. "This is my baby sister Shadow. If you tell the police they'll take her away from me and put her in one of those orphanages. I might never see her again. Please say you'll promise me."

Oh gosh. I really want to tell the hospital the truth. The last thing I want is for Casey or Shadow to get hurt. His Dad is a monster no matter what he says. I'm sure his Mum would understand. But right now all I want is for Casey to go to hospital. Unfortunately this is a little bit beyond Donnie's nursing skills and I don't want to take a wound like this through the sewer. It could get infected or worse. Casey's lips were pressed in a right grimace trying not to cry out in pain. He could barely stand and in a minute he was going to pass out. I'll make him tell the police eventually but the most important thin now is to make sure he's ok.

"Alright, I promise"