Drowned By Darkness

By: Phoenix Ride

Ch.1: Missing Edge

Raph's POV

I didn't know where I was, only that it was black. Pitch black. Seriously, you couldn't see two feet in front of your face! I don't why or how I was brought here, but that was the least of my concerns. The question was, 'who' had brought me here?

Sounds started to seep out of the surrounding darkness, hissing and snarling like a prowling beast. I turned my head, trying to determine where the sound was coming from. But it's hard to get a good lock on something when your completely surrounded by darkness.

Suddenly, something sharp hit my backside and kicked me to the floor. Growling, I got up to see who had blind-sided me, only to see a single pair glowing red eyes floating up and staring at me.

"Alright chump!" I said getting up, and grabbing my sais " come out and face me man to turtle!"

A evil laugh answered my threat, as the figure slowly walked out of hiding, stepping into the only small spot of light in the room. My eyes suddenly widened in fear as I beheld my enemey. My hands shook and my sais fell to the floor.

I knew this face. I had seen it before in a nightmare not to long ago. A monster had peered into my mind and pulled out my deepest fear. And now that fear haunted me wherever I went.

"Stay back!" I yelled to my nightmare, which was still approaching " Stay back! No!"

Without warning, the blades came, and I descended back into darkness.

Normal POV

Something was wrong with Raphael today, Leo could sense it. Dark bags could be seen under Raphael's eyes, as if the turtle hadn't gotten to much sleep. His reflexes were slower than normal during pratice sessions. And worse, Raph wouldn't talk to anyone about what was bothering him.

Leo had tried. So had Mikey and Don. But the red-masked turtle refused to say a word. Watching from a distance, Splinter watched these events with a solemn expression on his face. This unnatural change in Raphael's behavior had been going on for three days now. Splinter knew something had to be wrong with Raphael, but could do nothing to help unless Raphael was willing to talk to him.

"He always bares the pain of the world on his shoulders" thought Splinter, as he watched Raphael sulk to the kitchen for dinner " when will he admit to himself, that he needs help carrying that weight?"

At dinner, more eyes were on the table than anywhere else. Raph was slowly stabbing at his plate with his fork, and silence hung heavy in the air.

"Raph, are you sure you're okay?" asked Donatello, cautiously, hoping to break the silence.

For a moment, it didn't seem like Raph had even heard Don, until the purple-masked turtle called out his name again.

"Hmm" said Raph, finally looking up " I..I'm fine,"

"You don't seem fine dude" said Michaelanglo, crossing his arms " for the past few days you've been locked into this zombie-like trance. We're getting worried about you,"

"Leave it alone Mikey" said Raph " there's nothing you can do,"

"Not unless you decide to share on how we could help you," said Leo, crossing his arms and glaring at Raph.

"Back Off Fearless Leader!" said Raph, suddenly standing up " keep your nose out of my business or else!"

"Raphael!" yelled Splinter, stopping the turtle's tirade. Raph immediately dropped his shoulders and relaxed.

"I'm going to bed," said Raphael, storming out of the room.

Once he left, silence gripped the air around the table again, until Mikey decided to speak.

"What are we going to do Sensei?" said Mikey, looking towards Splinter " I know Raph's usually a crabby guy, but this is weird even for him,"

"Agreed," said Leo, with Don nodding in agreement.

"I don't know what is wrong with him my sons" said Splinter, looking down at his palms " I fear something evil has penetrated Raphael's mind, and he is forcing himself to try and face this enemey alone. I'm afriad until he asks for our assistance, we cannot help him in his fight,"

Later that evening, everything was peaceful and quiet in the turtle's lair, until a horrifying scream split through the darkness. In a flash, Leo, Mikey, Don, and Splinter found themselves running into Raphael's room.

The red-masked turtle was frantically twisting and turning in bed, the look on his face plastered with pain and fear. No one had ever seen Raph like that, and it was painful just to watch.

"Raph!" shouted Leo, shaking Raph's shoulder " Wake up! Wake up!"

But his efforts proved fruitless as Raph refused to wake. Leo's hand got pushed away and Raph continued to scream.

Thinking that enough was enough, Splinter took two of his fingers and stabbed some of Raph's pressure points, paralyzing the red-masked turtle's body and knocking him out cold.

"Master" said Don, looking to Splinter " something must be done,"

"I fear that the only way to end Raphael's pain" said Splinter, his eyes filled with concern as he looked at the unconious turtle " is go inside Raphael's mind and destroy the demon within,"

"Go into his mind?" said Mikey, scratching his head in confusion " how are we going to do that?"

"Sit down my sons" said Splinter, taking a lotus position and closing his eyes " and concentrate on Raphael's mind,"

Shrugging their shoulders, Leo, Mikey, and Don followed their Sensei's lead and focused on Raph's mind. No idea of what they would find once they got there. Just hoping to end the torture once and for all.