"The very definition of an animal. That's all you are"

"And what are you?"

"A human being, I'll have you know"

"What boastful pride"

-Life of Pi, by Yann Martel

Opening his eyes, only one thing registered. Dark, it was dark. Where was he? He felt he should know. How did he get here?

…Who were the two at the door?

The smaller one said something, he couldn't tell what, it didn't make any sense… But…he recognized the two, however fleetingly. They were friends, weren't they? W-what were they aiming at him, though? It interrupted the shadows he'd been born into, startling him with a bright yellow light. Instinct told him that it couldn't be good; and something deep in the back of his mind reminded him that, whenever a human aimed anything at him, it didn't end well.

So…he did what any frightened predator- or even one who wasn't a predator- would do…he charged at them. At first, the pair fled, out and up…but as he followed up the staircase and throughout the...the house, was it?... as he followed, he was knocked backwards, be it with the bristly thing…the broom to the face or the following appliance that hit him in the head.

Traitors! His mind roared at him, pushing him further, urging him to take hold of one of the humans. And finally, he did. It was the larger one, the male, that he caught around the throat…the action was oddly satisfying, but something, the same thing that had supplied the earlier knowledge, screamed for him to let the human go.

He's a friend! Don't hurt him!

If…friends…been betrayed. They hurt…

They're scared…and worried about…us.

Us?

There was no response…but the lapse in concentration caused him to lose awareness of his surroundings. He found himself face down on the ground, and immediately lashed out, leaping at whoever had caused the fall.

Stop!

No. Outnumbered. Need to…

Then run…you beast! Don't… fight a battle you can't win! Don't hurt anybody… if you can help it! …Run!

He hesitated before backing up toward the opening the newcomers had come through, still facing them until he deemed the distance suitable and made a run for it.

What can…I do? My friends are… not friends. They wanted to…hurt me.

Go home.

The whisper from the back of his mind was adamant. It was the clear course of action. He had to go home.

But…where was home?

Know…when you… find it.

And that was the last time he heard the whispering from the back of his mind. He was lost, alone, and the ones he had thought were friends before could not be counted on. There was only one thing to do.

Home.

He had to go home.

"Oh ugly mutated version of my beloved brother Donatello~! Where aaare you~?"

He had to find home.

And nothing would stop him.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything seen/referred to in the above.