Chapter Two

Donnie

I opened my eyes and picked my head up off the desk. I groaned at the stiffness in my neck. I tilted my head toward my right shoulder and then to my left shoulder in an attempt to relieve the strain. It only minorly helped. Pushing the chair away from the desk, I stood. After lacing my fingers together I lifted my arms over my head, stretching the muscles. It helped even more and now I could think clearer.

I didn't understand how I woke up in here. I know I spend a lot of time in my lab inventing useful items for the guys to use, or creating an antidote when one (or most) of us are affected by something, but Leo will usually find me and make me go to bed. Then, he'll remind me the next day about the dangers of falling asleep in my lab. Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing Leo at all last night.

That's strange, I thought to myself. I tried thinking back to yesterday. I remember that after training, Leo went to talk to Mikey. Then, I remember Raph getting into the middle of it and Raph and Leo getting into an argument, again. Not wanting to be involved, I had come in here. I don't remember seeing Leo after that. He and Raph have their share of fights, but they usually work it out after a while and apologize and forgive each other. To not have that happen this time...

I got a very uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Turning on my heel, I sprinted out of the lab, not even bothering to close the door. I did a quick search of the living room and the kitchen, but no one was there. What time is it? I thought. Glancing at the clock above the stove, I saw that it was 6:30 a.m. This only caused my uneasiness to grow. Leo is usually up by now. The dojo! I thought excitedly. He must be in there with Master Splinter! Making my way over to the dojo, I peeked inside. Master Splinter was there silently meditating, but Leo wasn't there with him.

I frowned with worry at this, wondering what could have happened to Leo? Was he sick? That would certainly explain why he was nowhere to be found. Leaving the dojo as quietly as I could to avoid disturbing Master Splinter, I decided to check up on Leo. Crossing the lair, I came up to Leo's room and knocked lightly on the door.

"Leo?" I asked gently.

No answer.

I knocked again, only louder this time.

"Leo, are you okay?" I asked; again, a little louder.

Still no answer.

I tried the handle and was surprised to find it unlocked. When Leo wants to be alone, he usually locks the door and it's like trying to get into Fort Knox when we try to come in. Something was wrong. I could feel it. Nervously, I twisted the handle and opened the door. I was greeted by an empty room. Everything was in order. A stack of tactical books as well as one about Japanese history sat neatly stacked on a shelf to the right side of the room. On the left side of the room was Leo's bed, neatly made. Placed directly in the center of the bed where the pillow meets the mattress was a small, white envelope.

This is not good, I thought as I tentatively reached for the envelope. Glancing one more time around Leo's room I noticed something. While his room had the appearance of order, something was glaringly causing disorder. Leo's katanas were missing.

I drew in a shaky breath as I turned my attention back to the small envelope I held in my hand. I peeled back a corner and then tore open the envelope. Inside was a pale blue piece of crisply folded paper, a note. I removed it from the envelope, unfolded it, and began reading.

For once in my short life as a genius, I couldn't make sense of what Leo had written. What did he mean? I was suddenly reminded of Leo's and Raph's exchange from yesterday. I gasped and narrowed my eyes muttering, "Raph." With note in hand, I left Leo's room. Marching over to Raph's room, I pounded on the door.

TBC

R&R