Chapter 8-
\t“Remember my sons; you are only to be going for surveillance purposes. Find out as much as you can from outside the building.” Master Splinter reminded them for the third time again today. Watching his three sons pack numerous weapons and supply’s. Strapping as much as they could hold onto themselves.
\t“Hai Sensei.” Raphael was the first to respond as he threw his binoculars into his bag. As much as he hated having to wait to rescue Leo, he knew they had to be cautious and plan as much ahead as possible. Knowledge, at the moment, was the key to defeating their enemy, and right now, they had approximately zero chances of defeating anybody. He did not want any surprises on their rescue mission.
\tHe clambered to his feet. Throwing his packed duffel bag over his shoulder.
\t“You sure you’re okay watching over Ax alone, Sensei?” He asked, turning to his father as he glanced at the dojo from the corner of his eye. They decided to keep Ax there for the time being.
\tA deep chuckle brought his attention back to the old rat. “You act as if I am not your teacher of Ninjitsu.”
\tRaph gave a wry smile. “No disrespect Sensei, but you should consider getting yourself some hair dye.” He was startled when Splinter released a belly laugh.
\t“I am not that old yet. I can still take full care of myself, but thank you for your concern.”
\tRaph nodded. He wasn’t blind to the signs of old age creeping up on his father. Though he didn’t bother mentioning the times he had witnessed him stumble, or how his joints started creaking, or how slow it takes him to get up and down compared to his usual self. Mostly because that didn’t stop him from overwhelming them during a sparring match. That thought reassured him.
\t“Wait, what did you just call him?” Mikey asked as he joined the conversation. Slinging his own bag over his shoulder.
\t“Ax. Short for Ax’honatain. That’s what I call him now.”
\t“Aw! You named him on your own? I could have come up with something much better.” Mikey’s bottom lip jutted out into a pout.
\tRaph rolled his eyes. “I didn’t name him, doofus. He named himself. It was the last person he disguised himself as.”
\t“Oh. Okay. It’s a cool name then.”
\tRaph glared over at Don who snorted a silent laugh.
\t“Come home safely my sons.” Splinter interjected. Capturing the three’s attention. “I am anxious to bring Leonardo home myself, but patience is of the essence.” The turtles nodded their understanding. “And do not enter the building.” He ordered, his voice capturing a stricter tone.
\t“Have a little faith Sensei. We won’t.” Raph responded.
\tSplinter narrowed his eyes. “I would if the last time I “had a little faith” in you, you four didn’t do the exact opposite.”
\t“Well the outcome turned out good, right?” Raph smiled innocently.
\tSplinter grunted but didn’t return the smile. Instead he swiveled his attention on all three of them again. “Nonetheless, nothing good will come from this. Learn what you can and come home immediately.” The trio nodded in sync, not daring to speak at the serious look on their father’s face. As soon as he nodded his approval, all three immediately turned and ran out the door. Their footsteps undetectable to their exit.
\t“How many Don?” Raph asked through his t-phone that was currently connected with both Don and Mikey.
\t“About three on the south side. How about you Mikey?”
\t“I see eight in total. Five guarding the north and three guarding the east. Raph?”
\t“Four on the west.” He answered. Examining each window through his binoculars for any guards he had missed. Unfortunately, other than the ground level of the three-story building, all the lights in the windows were off. They were certain there was a lot of activity going on, on the ground floor, but Nak’ir would have been smarter in making it less obvious of his location. He hoped there weren’t any other guards hiding in the dark rooms.
\t“So . . . fifteen guards in total?” Mikey’s voice crackled through the speakers after quickly doing the math in his head.
\t“At least from what we can see from outside.” Raph murmured, frowning.
\t“Raph, we’re not going in. Master Splinter gave us specific orders.” Don warned.
\t“Don, do you know if there’s a basement?” He asked, ignoring his comment.
\t“Yeah, there is. Though the pictures of the building were taken four years ago. No remains of pain, death, and suffering.” Don said dryly.
\t“But there is a basement, yes?”
\t“You think that’s where Nak’ir is keeping Leo?” Mikey asked.
\t“I don’t know where else he would. The ground level is way too out in the open. If he’s not here than he’s somewhere else.”
\t“We’re going inside?” Mikey.
\t“Yes.”
\t“Raph! No!” Don snapped angrily.
\tRaph, again, ignored. Setting down the phone long enough to stuff away his binoculars. He scooped the bag back up and sprinted off his rooftop. “Meet me on the roof.” He ordered.
\t“Raph! Master Splinter said--”
\t“Do you realize you sound just like Leo right now Don?” Raph teased.
\t“See ya there Raph!” Mikey’s voice was the last thing he heard before he hung up. He didn’t want to ignore Splinter’s orders. Honestly. But he just knew they weren’t going to get anywhere with wasting precious time scoping the outside. Every minute counted on Leo’s life, and if this building turned out to be a wild goose chase, he wanted to find the real one as soon as possible.
\tHe would move the moon and stars himself just to get Leo back safe and sound. He would not allow himself, or any of his younger siblings to throw themselves into danger if the risk wasn’t worth it. It was worth it; he was sure of it. He treasured Splinter’s insight but in this particular thing, he disagreed with him.
\tHe landed on the rooftop. His feet slapping against the pavement. Dirt particles immediately piercing into the soles of his feet. Mikey already was there waiting for them.
\t“Don not here yet?” Raph asked as his eyes roved over the surrounding area. No sign of the purple clad ninja.
\t“Nope. Not that I blame him. Splinter would kill us if he knew we were doing this.”
\t“Well aware of that Mike.”
\t“Not that I disagree with you. It’s obvious fifteen guards is the only useful thing we’ll get out of surveillancing the outside. Honestly, I thought there would be more than that. We won’t be able to truly help Leo unless we break in.” Mikey explained. Assurance, support, and understanding gleaming in those couple sky blue eyes. Raph took the time to admire the strength and bravery of his little brother. Goofy as he was, he was one of the best warriors he knew.
\t“I know how much Leo means to you Raph. Way before you even knew it. He’s apart of you and as your guy’s little brother, I’m going to guarantee his return.”
\tRaph swallowed back the urge to point out he shouldn’t make promise he can’t always keep and instead, reveled in his confidence. Allowing it to become his own.
\t“You two never listen to anyone.” Don’s growly voice wiped the smiles off their faces.
\t“You’re one to talk.” Raph narrowed his eyes to Don. Wondering if he was planning to tattle or tag along. If he hadn’t already contacted Splinter. He could see anger and desperation coloring those chocolate brown eyes. Amid the aggression though, he could pin point the fear and anxiety mixed in.
\t“Come on Don. You know as well as the rest of us that we’re not getting anywhere standing out here. Leo’s in trouble and the solution to his rescue is inside.” Mikey stepped forward in front of Raph. Shoulders thrown back and chin lifted in the air, a look of determination rolling off him.
\tDon pressed his lips in a thin line. His expression unreadable.
\t“You have nothing to say?” Mikey suddenly bellowed. Shocking Raph. “Our leader and family member needs our help and you’re standing here debating with yourself whether to take a risk to save him? After everything we’ve been through, this is where you mark your line?” Mikey fisted his hands and grounded his teeth together. A temper neither of his brothers were familiar with the youngest possessing. The fact that Don was now refusing to look at him just feasted his anger even more. Raph couldn’t remember a time where Mikey was angry with Donnie. In fact, he couldn’t remember a time he was genuinely angry, period. As far as he could tell, Mikey was more fascinated with how Don’s mind worked than anything else. He looked up to him. Loved him.
\tRaph grasped ahold of Mikey’s shoulder. Pulling him back behind him. Blocking out the loud objection.
\t“Don.” He called gently. The said turtle stiffened. His body constricting and he could now visibly see the obvious curves of his muscles in his arms and legs. “Look at me Don.” As if that was the trigger word, Donnie slowly lifted his head up. Revealing glassy eyes and flushed cheeks.
\t“I’m not a coward.” He mumbled between trembling lips. His upper lip curled, showing off sharp canines.
\tRaph frowned. “I know you’re not.”
\t“I’m not!” He roared. Stomping a foot down on the ground as if he was five-year-old throwing a tantrum. He bared his teeth at him. Chocolate eyes flashing with intensity and fear. Raph stood his ground as Don stomped over to him, shoving him away. He stumbled backwards. Catching himself.
\t“I know things humans could only dream of knowing! I battled wars manifested by solders nightmares! I suffered and survived from the worst of wounds! Seen and battled horrid monsters! Why in the hell am I afraid of one, damn, person?” Don howled in a mixture of fury and hysteria. Those tears that once balanced precariously on the edge of his lids, now dripped down his cheeks and neck irrepressibly. Sucking breaths sharply between his teeth. His hands waving in the air like a crazed person.
\tHis heart stopped and he felt his body go paralyzed when two sets of arms enfolded around his torso. Squeezing him so tightly he started to feel a little claustrophobic. His wide glistening eyes switching back and forth between his two siblings that sandwiched him. A sense of calm splashing over him like a cold bucket of water. So grateful was he to not have been born an only child. He didn’t even care if their purpose was to hold him down in case he’d hurt himself in the middle of his hysteria or if this was just a regular loving brotherly hug.
\tHis body relaxed and his feet returned underneath him, slowly his brothers parted from him. Taking their warmth with them. Both sets of eyes peering at him with concern. “I’m fine.” He reassured them. His voice cracking, wiping away the wetness from his cheeks. Somehow managing to crack a smile despite himself.
\t“Don, you heard what Master Splinter said to me. Don’t pretend like you weren’t listening. He implied it to you to.” Raph poked a finger in his chest.
\t“I know . . .”
\t“I don’t want to hear I know. I want to see you listening.” Raph pinned him back with a strict look. Blinking in confusion when he started giggling.
\t“Sorry. But do you realize how parental you become when Leo’s not around?”
\tRaph huffed. Waiting in silence for Don to recompose himself before continuing. “I meant it, Don. We’ve both been through some real traumatic shit. We’ve both lost things we’ll never get back and yet, here we are, still going when others went insane. Even if I’ve done it myself plenty of times. I don’t want to ever see you beating yourself up for being too weak. You are far from weak.”
\tDon nodded. Absorbing every word he spoke. It amazed him. He kept forgetting how mature Raphael had become from his teen to his adult years. From little tyrant to sensible, level-headed being. Admiring the times he was reminded. Leo would be proud. He was confident of that.
\t“Do you get me or did all of that go into one ear and out the other?” Raph narrowed his eyes on him. Telling him it had better not.
\tHe shook his head. “I got it. Thanks, Raph.”
\tRaph nodded. “Now are you with us or not? I would understand if you wanted to stay outsi--”
\t“No. I’m coming with. Leo’s my big brother as well and I’m not leaving him in our same predicament.”
\tHe couldn’t help it. Pride lit Raph’s features. Relieved he had managed to tackle an important situation instead of screw it up farther. Proud that Don could face his fear. He hoped anyway. He dug around his duffle bag, seizing out three flash lights and tossing one to each of them.
\tSixty or something rooms later and the only things they manage to scrape up from the crumbling building was mold exposure, cobwebs, and lots and lots of half rotten and wrecked furniture. Oh, and of course, the mouse dropplings.
\t“This is ridiculous. Why on earth would he hide anything here?” Raph grumbled. Tossing a ten-year-old motheaten quilt back onto the hole riddled mattress. Piles of dirt wafting into the air and clouding his environment. He hacked, waving his arms around in a futile attempt to clear the air. “He’s obviously hiding everything down in that basement. We haven’t seen one room here that looks occupied by him.”
\tDon sighed, retrieving his hands back that had been digging around in the drawers of the dresser. “We’re not going down there Raph. He is there. Look, I want to save Leo as much as you do, but I am not risking my other brothers lives to do it.”
\t“What choice do we have Don? The only way to help Leo is getting information and we’re clearly not doing that by digging around in elbow deep dust!”
\tMikey made his appearance from the closet. A sweater hanging over his shoulder that once looked comfortable, now caked in dirt. Little bright spots of orange peeking between.
\t“We still got the ground floor to look over.” Raph suggested.
\tDon stared grimly down in the drawer. He slammed it closed and retrieved his flash light off the top of the dresser. “Fine. Fifteen minutes to look around. Then we’re going back. Kapeesh?”
\tDon didn’t feel any brighter at the smiles flashed his way. Nonetheless, he swallowed his tartness and dragged himself behind his brothers as they tromped down the next flight of stairs to ground level. Four guards awaiting them in the first hall. The first sign of life they spotted in this wasted structure. Other than the dozen cockroaches they’ve seen.
\t“No attacking the guards.” Raph promptly ordered before they could round the corner. “I don’t want to leave any sign of our presence.” The three trailing close behind him nodded without questions.
\tThe sneaking part was the easiest out of their tasks. Hardly a creak was made as they slinked soundlessly from room to room. Unfortunately, the apartments held as much excitement as the upper two floors.
\tTwenty-nine empty apartments later and long past fifteen minutes and they found themselves in the south hall, still on ground level with the same outcome as before.
\t“Watch. It’ll be the last room we haven’t checked yet.” Mikey grumbled. Tossing away a pair of mismatched socks from a drawer. Grinding down the urge to slam the drawer. He followed his brothers out of the room to the last remaining door. They no longer worried about the guard’s as they prowled through the shadows. All of them were always distracted with something else and not paying a shred of attention to their surroundings. Making their jobs that much easier. Such crappy guards. Mikey mused as he watched unconcerned as the guard chatted it up with the other. Completely lost in their conversation to notice them.
\tA click brought back his attention to Don who finished picking the lock. Most doors had either been too rusted or rotten away for the locks to even function properly. Occasionally though, they encountered a door that had somehow survived the abuse of years of age and weather and had to pick it. Which took less than thirty seconds thanks to Don’s skill.
\tThey opened the door just enough for the three of them to slip in.
\t“Pay dirt!” Mikey grinned at the layout. Though the room was still covered in a thick layer of dirt and the floor boards half caved in. Wallpaper peeling and stained, not to mention the broken pipes hanging out of whatever was left of the ceiling. The place had been refurnished.
\tA red velvet Victorian couch sat on the right side of the wall. It’s arms wooden and stained a rich dark brown. Lions heads carved on the ends of it. Sandwiched by two side tables of the same color, both holding a lava lamp that was surprisingly working. One red the other purple. An old 1967 vintage television set was placed on the other end of the living room. In between it all, a ludicrous coffee table of a wood carved sumo wrestler holding a slate of glass. Different alcoholic bottles and cans stashed on the table top. A children’s light fixture with colorful planes dangling off the end pieces hung from the ceiling and lit the room in a soft blue glow. Little stars shined on the walls and floors.
\t“Seem alien to you guys?” Raph muttered. His eyes dancing across each of the unique furniture pieces.
\t“The random style screams foreign to me.” Don nodded in agreement.
\t“Dudes, can I have this coffee table?” Mikey piped in. Walking over and brushing his fingers over the sumo wrestler’s hands.
\t“No.” Both Don and Raph said in sync.
\tMikey pouted. Separating himself from the furniture. “I can agree with the alien part but this doesn’t seem very psychopathic.”
\t“He didn’t look very psychopathic when we first met him either. Besides, if he bothered to hide in an abandon apartment building. He wouldn’t leave evidence around in plain sight.” Raph answered. Sinking deeper into the ungodly room. He immediately started opening drawers and flipping the couch cushions for signs of . . . well, anything that could help them.
\t“What I can’t understand is how the electricity is working.” Mikey spoke as he stared at the lava lamps in wonder. They were both plugged in but the outlet covers were hanging off and the wires looked frayed.
\t“He’s an alien Mikey.” Don retorted. “If he can find a way to travel millions of light years away in his life time. Surely he can find a way to power a couple of lamps.”
\tMikey groused at Don. Waving him away and continuing in his wanderings. Other than the incredibly tasteless style of the room, the place was semi-reasonable. No trace of psychopathic tendencies. Except the fire hazards of the power outlets.
\tThe group split. Don searched through the bathroom. Raph hunted the bedroom. Mikey travelling into the kitchen. Raphael looked through the area. Careful not to disturb many objects. He looked under the bed. The closet. The dresser. Through the nightstand. His heart racing as piles of papers popped out of the drawer. He grabbed one out, reading the small text on it, recognizing it as a receipt.
\t“Don!” He called out, scooping a couple of handfuls of receipts from the drawer. Taking note that some of the lettering were foreign languages.
\t“I’m guessing you found something?” Don asked as he came out of the bathroom.
\t“Yeah. He’s been purchasing materials.” Raph handed one of the scraps of papers to Don.
\t“Ax did say that he was building something.”
\t“Do you know what?”
\tDon shook his head. “I might be able to find out. I could translate a few of these.” Raph nodded. Quickly stuffing away the loose papers in his duffel bag. Leaving the other half in the drawer in hopes Nak’ir wouldn’t notice the difference.
\t“Come on. We got what we need. We should get out of here.”
\tDon nodded. Gathering his own belongings and following Raph out of the bedroom.
\t“Mikey, we got something. Let’s go.”
\tAn eerie silence of the dusty room the only thing that answered Raph. “Mikey?” He casted an unsettling glance to Don, who, unsurprisingly returned the same expression. The two started towards the kitchen. Repeatedly calling out their little brother’s name. No response for either of them.
\tRelief momentarily swept over Raph when he found Mikey standing unharmed on the other side of the kitchen. Quickly diminishing when the sense that something was wrong increased in the air. Mikey still hadn’t responded to them. Didn’t even look or appear to have heard them. He moved in closer, shining the light to his face and realizing he was in shock. His blue eyes round and terrified. His body trembling and his jaw hung slack.
\tHe flashed the light source over to what spooked Mikey. Finding a large freezer room. The door hung open, showing off its contents. Big clouds of icy mist rolled across the floor and kissed Raph’s ankles. Bodies. Lots of human bodies hung by their feet like skinned pigs at a slaughter house. Some were chopped up remains stacked on the shelves and crates. Separated by their parts. Some were whole.
\tA curse unconsciously flew from between Raph’s parted lips. His eyes as big and round as his two brothers beside him. Both him and Don were aware of what Nak’ir liked to do with his victims and kept trophy’s as any other psychopath. Human or alien. However, that didn’t stop his stomach from performing acrobats at just the sight. Nothing could ever make him get used to such a picture.
\t“Oh my god Raph.” He heard Mikey whimper on his right. Snapping him out of his own horrified state. He automatically moved in front of him. Cutting off his view of the freezer. He embraced him tightly. He did not want Mikey to witness this. He should have known it was inevitable when they entered this building. Nevertheless, Mikey was the last of his brothers that hasn’t yet experienced Nak’ir’s wrath and he would like to keep it that way.
\t“The head . . .” He felt him mutter against his shoulder. Trembling in his arms.
\t“Mikey . . .”
\t“The arms . . .”
\t“Mikey, look at me.”
\t“Oh god, the legs!”
\t“Mikey!” Raph snapped. Grabbing his shoulders and shaking him. Finally, his head jerked up to meet his gaze.
\t“There are fingers and eyeballs in jars Raph! In jars! I’m never going to be able to eat pickles again!” The turtle wailed.
\tRaph cringed as Mikey vented out the image he just witnessed in detail. His arms waving around in the air. A mimic of what Don was doing a couple hours before. He grasped ahold of his wrists and forced them at his sides.
\t“I know Mikey. I know.” Raph whispered soothingly. He felt like he was about to choke on his own tongue.
\t“What kind of sick person does this?” Mikey shouted. Shaking his head. Squeezing his eyes shut. Seeming to attempt to wipe the picture from his memory. Raph glanced over at Don to see if he was freaking out to and was grateful when he found his attention now solely nailed to Mike. More concerned and saddened than panicked. Perhaps he was too immune to this to freak out now. Just as Raph guessed was the same concept for him. Maybe that event with Nak’ir ripped them completely of any biliousness towards such things. Either way, he was grateful for it now. He couldn’t imagine how chaotic this room would be with three panicked turtles.
\tAll three heads jerked up simultaneously when they heard a creak of floorboards and a click of a lock. They froze in their places as a white light flicked on. Shining a path from the living room doorway into the kitchen. Voices slowly rising in volume the closer they got. Raph involuntarily shuddered when he recognized one of them.
\t“You said you heard something in here?” Nak’ir’s voice. As deep and rough as he remembered.
\tRaph muttered something abhorrent under his breath. Scoping the area around him for a hiding place. Old blonde wooden cabinets reached to the ceiling. Some doors hanging off their hinges, some completely pulled off. Displaying empty shelves. A wood burning rusted stove was set on the left side of the room in between two countertops. A refrigerator across from it and another door that Raph guessed was the pantry.
\tHe dashed over to it. His pulse pounding in his ears. His legs suddenly holding strength he didn’t realize he had. He swung the door open and felt another stream of curses fill his head. The pantry was not walk in. The shelves taking up what little room there was. Certainly, not big enough to hold even one turtle.
\tShadows crawled across the tiled floor. Holding the shape of a person. Reaching for his feet.
\tThinking quickly, Raph grabbed up the fallen bags and shoved his brothers into the freezer. Holding Mikey’s mouth closed as the turtle thrashed in protest. Screaming in his palm. Another light flashed over their head through the little window, chasing away the shadows into the corners. Mikey suddenly going still in his arms. He could hear muffled voices as shadows loomed past the window. His heart thumped so violently in his chest, he was surprised they couldn’t hear it through the metal door. He could feel Mikey quaking against him on his right. Don pressed up uncomfortably against his left. Trying to get as far away from the door as possible. Raph jerked up his legs when he felt something cold and soft press against the skin of his calf. Fighting the acidic bile that quickly clawed up his throat. His imagination forming an image of the source.
\tThe door swung open, nearly hitting Don in the process. Light illuminated the horrors of the freezer. He felt Mikey jolt in his hold, kicking away a nearby corpse. Raph tightened his grasp across his mouth. He didn’t know if Nak’ir was deaf or luck was finally on their side but the muffled scream had not registered to him. Instead, the door slid closed. Leaving them alone in the darkness.
\tRaph’s body automatically relaxed. His muscles unclenching as his hands released their death grip on his little brother. Don as well, fell limp against him. Sighing in relief. Mikey however, jumped up to his feet and yanked open the door. Surprised that he didn’t take the handle with him as he raced out of the freezer. Raph followed, albeit slower than Mikey. His legs felt like jello as he stumbled out. Don in tow.
\tRaph stared in pity at his youngest sibling who was hunched over a metal sink. The sound of retching inspiring his own stomach to do the same. Don was at Mikey’s side without him even realizing he had moved. One hand sliding comfortingly across his shell up and down as he checked him over.
\tRaph surveyed the rest of the apartment. Double checking to make sure Nak’ir wasn’t still lingering around. Luckily everything was left as it should be. It wouldn’t be for long he knew. They were given just enough time to escape. Raph shivered as a frozen chill ran up his spine. Goosebumps rose over his arms. Only now realizing how cold he was.
\tTwo minutes passed before Mikey had finally managed to separate himself from the sink. Beads of perspiration slid down his temples. Dark bruises appearing under his eyes. “You okay Mike?” Raph asked in a hushed tone. Don grabbed his own and Mikey’s bag to lug. Mikey nodded. A grim look locking his features.
\t“Let’s go.” He ordered. Anticipation fueling his energy enough to escape this nightmare. A nightmare Leo was still stuck in. He had felt himself on the brink of insanity the longer they stayed there. How much longer would it have taken before he teetered over the edge? Had Leo?
\tJust the thought of Leo faltered his steps. He didn’t want to leave despite the evil that haunted this place. He despised the thought of being so close to Leo right now and having to turn his back on him for freedom. He felt horrible for leaving Leo to endure this horror on his own for even longer. If he just turned that last corner and went downstairs. Could he find him? Could he rescue him and bring him home? Right now?
\tHe stopped. Turned.
\t“Raph?” Don. “Raph, what’s wrong?”
\t“Leo’s here . . .”
\tDon frowned. He must already know what he was thinking. “I know. I don’t like it any better; but we must. For his sake and our own.”
\tHe shook his head. “I can’t leave him alone again . . .”
\t“Listen to me Raph. We can’t help him right now.” Don said. He continued to shake his head in denial.
\t“I need him . . .”
\tDon pressed his lips together. Heart wrenching with pain Raph was feeling. He knew Raph must be thinking he was betraying Leo by leaving and honestly, he felt the same way. But he had others to think about. Mikey was losing his mind remaining here. He was in no shape to continue anymore. He felt exhaustion starting to weigh on his limbs. No doubt Raph was feeling as sick and tired as they were. They couldn’t take anyone in this condition.
\tHe reached over with the hand that wasn’t supporting Mikey to gently nudge Raph the opposite direction. The turtle reluctantly complied. One foot moving in front of the other as they journeyed the halls back up to the rooftop.
\tFresh air cleansed their lungs of the years old dust and mold. Don would not be surprised if they all come up with some disease. Mikey was hunched over, panting. Gasping in gulps of air. His body trembling but he was still holding up his own. A good sign. Raph had his t-phone in hand. A troubled look on his face.
\t“Splinter’s expecting us.” Raph answered Don’s unspoken question. Slipping the device back in his pocket. He wondered just how many missed calls he had from their father. He wondered if all of theirs held the same amount.
\t“What do we tell him?”
\t“Is he asks. Which he will. Tell him the truth.”
\tNot something he expected Raph to want to do but he nodded without protests. As much as he feared the outraged reaction on their father’s face, he didn’t want to lie anymore. Not to say he wouldn’t if Raph made the order.
\tAnd outraged he was.
\tDon couldn’t remember a time when Splinter was this mad. Even the last few times they had gotten in trouble with the Shredder, it hadn’t put the volume as high as his was now.
\t“You deliberately went inside the building right after I strictly ordered you not to?”
\tHe hadn’t said anything the entire time Splinter ranted and paced in front of them. Raph had been doing all the talking and if that wasn’t amazing enough, he appeared perfectly calm. Each word controlled and calculated. His face was devoid of all emotion. His stance confident and stoic. The stance he generally saw Raphael take when he was battling an enemy. He hardly recognized him now.
\tMikey on the other hand was the true example of how he expected all three of them to be. He to, hadn’t spoken a word. His head hung low. His eyes staring off into the distance and seemed to have glassed over. Don knew for a fact he was thinking about the latest event that took place. Concern overshadowed his shame as he stared at their once bright and happy brother. Splinter’s raving now into the far distance.
\t“Yes we did.” Raph answered. Tone steely.
\t“Do you know the risk you have taken upon your brothers Raphael?” Splinter boomed. His attention once on all three of them, now locked onto Raph alone. It was clear to Don he was taking the brute of the punishment himself.
\t“Yes, I did.”
\t“Do you have nothing else to say for yourself?”
\tApparently, he did. “Yes, I risked my team’s safety. Yes, it was foolish of me. But I wouldn’t have done it if I wasn’t positive it would be worth it. And it was.” Before Splinter could open his mouth, Raph had dug out the receipts and shoved them at the old rat. His ebony eyes quickly scanning over one of the papers. His eyebrows knitted together.
\t“These are receipts of materials Nak’ir purchased. Don can possibly piece together what it is he is building. I think it was worth it.”
\tOnce Splinter drank his fill, he handed the papers back to Raphael. Staring hard at his son that waited patiently for him to voice his punishment. Instead, he sighed. “You’ve done well finding this information. This is helpful. Under any other normal circumstances, I might have figured a suitable punishment for your disobedience. However, I believe you boys have suffered enough for one night.”
\tRaph blinked but that was the only indication he was startled at this news. He nodded, bowing respectively to his father before turning to leave. Dragging Don with him.
\t“Michelangelo. I would like to speak to you really quick before you head off to bed.” Was the last thing Don heard before he was hauled into his lab. Raph shutting the door, trapping him in. Raph turned to Don and thrusted the bag of receipts into his hands.
\t“Do what you can Don.” Raph murmured. Distress and uncertainty shining between the cracks of his barrier he had built around himself. Nearly crushing Don’s heart in the process.
\t“I will Raph.”
\t“Get some sleep.” Raph ordered, nodding. Don watched his brothers shell turn on him and walk out of his laboratory.
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