Chapter Text
Mikey spots a lot of people further up the road. He wonders what they’re all celebrating. All the shouting and cheering causes the tot to become just as excited! Although, a clammy palm in his right hand feels otherwise. Glancing at his brother’s jittery face, sweaty arm and back at the crowd, the little tot thinks to himself: ‘’Oh! Leo must be nervous around new people! Maybe, I can lead him for once!’’
His grip on Leo tightens.
Yeah! He can do this. It’s the least he can do for his brother that has been guarding him all this time!
Mikey’s steps quicken as his brother is dragged along. Filled with certainty, he steps into the buzzing crowd. He observed the people’s movements as best he could, trying to clear a path for his brother.
‘’This way, Leo!’’ He shouts, though the loud chatter quickly drowns his voice. The brave tot makes a left, another left, then a right- His feet fly over the ground. It was going well! Pride is welling up inside his chest. Up ahead, he spots glass shards of a beer bottle all over the ground. He knows what to do! That’s not getting him! He swiftly moves around it while avoiding the many legs that nearly push him into it.
‘’Leo, Leo! Did you see-!’’ Turning his head makes the turtle get a shiver down his spine.
His hand is empty.
‘’L-Leo?’’ Opening and closing his hand in disbelief, he slowly swivels his head around. ‘’Leo?’’
How can this be? He was right behind him! There’s no way he lost him! Right..?
‘’Leo!’’ His hands now curled up against his chest, he turns his head faster and faster. He feels the pride in his chest getting shattered more and more with each attempt to find his brother. As intense fear takes over, all the people blur together into one big dark mass of legs. Heels clicking on the ground increasing the ba-dump of his already fast heartbeat.
‘’W-What do I do..?’’ Mikey’s voice cracks, tears welling up. He looks up, his hood falling off his head. ‘’I’m alone..’’ He sniffles. ‘’I should’ve never gone into the crowd..’’ Mikey drops his head, his tears falling on the concrete. ‘’Leo would know what to do.. He always knows what to do..’’
He lets out a heartbreaking yelp before rolling up into a ball. Even though he can’t see, he feels the crowd closing in, surrounding him. He’s small, not even on the radar of the people anymore. Sobbing loudly Mikey keeps replaying the mistake he made. If only he went around the crowd. If only he had asked Leo if it was ok first. If only-
‘’Remember the rules, little bro?’’
Words echo through his head. That’s right- the rules! There were three of them. The first one was being a ninja. The second one was-
‘’The hood!’’ He quickly covers his face in a panic. ‘’I have to hide my face!’’ He takes a quick breath, though he can’t stop his hands from shaking. He stands back up, knowing he has to move if he wants to make any progress in finding his brother again.
‘’Hey, little guy? Are you lost?’’ A woman’s voice reaches the tot’s ears.
Mikey opens his mouth to speak up but shuts it right after. He covers his mouth with his hand and mumbles.
‘’Rule 3, don’t talk to strangers. Can’t talk to strangers.’’
The little soldier marches on, squeezing through tight gaps amidst the crowd. That is until the entire flow of the group seizes. Mikey bumps into a wall of people, tumbling backward. Looking back up, all he can see is an immovable obstacle. They all cheer louder than ever before at the appearance of what seems to be celebrities.
‘’Oh my goodness! Is that F.A. Mousse?!’’ A woman squeals, bringing out her cell phone to film.
‘’And her husband pop singer U. Larry?!’’ A gentleman shouts out, trying to gain their attention.
Everyone is captivated by the two’s charm, making any attempt to take pictures and gain an autograph.
At a loss, Mikey stares at the mass. What now? He can’t go through it.. If only he were a ghost right now. The tot shakes his head. No! There has to be a way! A ninja way!
Mikey ponders, trying to remember the lessons his brothers taught him. He puts both his hands on his sides, imitating a certain older brother: ‘’When you can’t find a way out, smash your way out!’’ He then reverts to his normal self, shaking his head again. ‘’No, that won’t work. I’m not strong like Raphie.’’
He changes his persona once again, raising his index finger. ‘’Find something you recognize!’’ Mikey takes in the environment once more, but he can’t see anything but people, even if he stands on his tippy toes. There must be something! Something that can help him get out.
Mikey taps his head, digging deeper into his mind. ‘’Oh!’’ Mikey smirks, copying a chuckle.
‘’When you don’t know what to do,’’ Mikey bends down, getting down on all fours and his eyes locked on the wall ahead. ‘’Try something crazy!’’ He hops forward like a bunny, his hood barely staying on his head.
‘’Woof, woof! Bark, bark!’’ Mikey uses his dog hoodie to make the crowd believe he’s a little pooch.
And what do you know? It actually seems to work! The wall opens up, concerned voices speaking aloud.
‘’Aw, poor thing!’’
‘’It must be looking for its owner! Everyone, make way!’’
The orange tot howls with joy, dashing as fast as his little feet and hands can handle. Light breaks through the dreary view, revealing a circle without any humans. When his eyes get used to the brightness of the blinking street light, his eyes widen.
‘’Leo!’’