Epilogue

I stare at the small purple light in my hands illuminating my enclosed space. This bubble within my aura is just large enough to keep the surrounding darkness at bay as I press my knees to my chest. I know for now I have to stay in here because….because….

I can't remember…..Why am I here? How long have I been here? Sometimes I forget.

I cup the glowing light in my hands to grasp at the memories that keep me going, the memories of a family….of a father, of brothers... what are their names again? I look down at the light, holding it close and letting the warmth of memories envelope me.

Yes…. Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo….my brothers. I have to keep remembering, I can't forget.

My beastly mutation is no longer a part of me, it is me. It keeps me safe when bad things happened; it makes me forget. It's important to forget when the men with tazers and needles come for me. If I forget, I don't have to remember the bad things they do to me. I have to forget those things just so I can bear the pain.

I don't know how long I've been here waiting….what was I waiting for what again?...

My family, that's right. They're coming for me, to take me home.

The men are back. They wear white and ask me questions that I pretend not to understand. I let the beast answer for me with growls and snarling bites. For now I must sacrifice my memories for survival. I will use the beast to survive. He can endure the suffering.

I've tried not to forget for a really long time, but I think maybe I was wrong before. I don't need to remember, I need to forget.

I'll go deeper, deeper so the men in white won't destroy what's left of me. I have to go deeper, hide deeper. I need to bury these memories so deep that I forget them, but only for a little while; only until my family finds me.

I'll go deeper, hide deeper. My light of memories grows dim until I am surrounded by a cloak of darkness in my mind. I will bury myself here and when my family comes for me, I'll climb out of this self-imposed pit and I'll remember, I'll remember everything but for now I'll go deeper and forget. I don't want to forget, I really don't, but it's the only way to remember later. So I will forget, saving my strength while the beast protects me from the needles and electric pain that courses through my body daily. The beast will stay strong and fight, I will rest. I will forget.

A/N: Logic of the Soul has been a long ride but it has come to a much deserved end. A huge thank you to all of my readers for your support. To everyone who reviewed, added this story as a favorite, nominated it for a TMNT fanfiction awards, and gave me words of encouragement, thank you so very much. I have a lot of supporters who showed their love so I don't want to start calling names and accidentally miss someone, but all of you are awesome!

This was my first multi-chapter fanfiction and even though in my mind I always knew how this story would conclude, getting to that conclusion was another matter. It took a lot of writing, editing, revising, patience from my beta (you're the best, Ravenshell) and tons plot talking and building (Lydja-chan you are amazing). Even though Logic of the Soul was meant to have a sequel from the beginning, it's a great feeling of accomplishment to know that I finished part one of what I started.

There were many unanswered questions left at the end Logic of the Soul, but rest assured there is a work in progress sequel entitled, "Reasoning of the Heart". I think many would agree that it's time for a break from Logic of the Soul storyline. I have some other creative projects (both online and in real life) and it's time to start pursuing them. It will probably be a year to possibly a year and a half before I start posting Reasoning of the Heart chapters. In the meantime, I will still write TMNT fanfiction (mostly one-shots).

It's been a long four years, but it has been worth it to prove to myself that I have potential as a writer who is capable of learning, growing, and becoming an even better writer in the future.

I couldn't possibly conclude this author's note without giving thanks to the person who sparked the initial idea for Logic of the Soul… Novus Ordo Seclorum. Novus, you are a phenomenal writer. Your writing isn't the only thing that makes you such an amazing person, but the fact that you take the time to encourage amateur writers like myself to rise to the occasion even when I was uncertain of my writing skills and capabilities. I don't know if you are still on but if you are, know that your genuine interest in my creative growth will never be forgotten.