In the meanwhile, Raph had been running through the sewers without knowing where he was going. It was only when he was completely out of breath that he stopped and took a look around. That's when reality hit him: he had run away from his family only because he was afraid of having to face his brothers. And now, he was lost in the sewers. Great, just great he thought now what? He took a moment to catch his breath and then decided to walk back in the direction he came from. If he had come from there, the lair must be that way, right? He walked, and walked, and walked… But with every step he took he got further away from his home… And from his family
While Raph was trying to find his way back home, the others had gone out to search fort heir lost brother. Because Leo didn't dare to leave Donnie, he asked if master Splinter could go with Mikey. He agreed and they each took a different direction. 'When someone finds Raph, call the others with the shell-cell, Ok?' Leo asked. Everyone agreed and they left. Mikey and master Splinter ran off. For an old rat, he still is so full of energy Leo thought with a small smile on his face. Than he went back concentrating to the matter on hand: finding Raph. Don walked with his crutches, but his face showed that he was still in some pain. Several times, Leo asked if he needed a break. But Don declined the offer. After the 10th time, Don was sick of it 'Would you stop it!' he suddenly yelled 'I'm not a baby anymore Leo! I can take care of myself! So I don't need your concern'.
Leo was shocked at this reaction, especially coming from his silent genius brother. He never yelled, really: never! Not when he was a kid, not when he was angry… that was just one of the things he didn't do. Like Raph didn't leave without a fight or like Mikey wouldn't stop playing pranks on his brothers. What happened with him that changed him so much? Leo wondered in silence.
After Don's outburst, they walked for another thirty minutes. Then , Don sighed: 'I'm sorry, Leo'. Leo looked at Don's face and saw a genuine expression of sadness. Leo just smiled and patted his brother on the shoulder. 'It's okay, Donnie. Everyone needs to let off some steam every now and then'
Don smiled back. He could barely believe that Leo wasn't even angry at him. He had reacted so completely over the top, much like Raph would have done. It seemed that when one of the four brothers wasn't around, his place was filled by someone else. Like now.
'I really hope Raph is okay' Don said quietly. 'Hey, you know him', Leo said 'he is able to take care of himself. Nobody will be able to hurt him. Who would be crazy enough to try anyway?'
'…That's not what I'm concerned about' Don added. Leo stopped walking and gave his younger brother a confused look. 'Well', Don explained 'I don't think that he will be atacked or even if he would be, he would indeed be able to take care of his attacker. My biggest concern is that he is blinded by complete panick and that he won't be watching his steps. I told you last week about the new part in the sewers I found. It's quite a distance from the lair, but still…'
Leo's eyes widened with fear 'Are talking about that part that's so old that it could collapse any minute?'
Don nodded 'And this part is connected to the river. So if it collaps…' 'Raph will get all the water in the river on his head' Leo finished the sentence. 'Indeed' Don answered.
'Do you think you can find this part again?' Leo asked. 'I think so', Donnie answered 'But we would have to run to get there before Raph does' 'I'll call MIkey, maybe they have got him. And if they don't, they could come to the old sewer part' 'Yes' Don added 'they can follow the signal of our shell-cells. I've installed a GPS, so that every one of them can be tracked down' 'Don, you are awesome!' Leo declared before he called Mikey.
'Yes' Don said silent 'if you need my technology, I'm awesome…'
While all of this was happening, Raph had indeed gotten to the old part of the sewers at the river. 'Weird' Raph said 'I've never been here before. It looks so old…' He took another step forward, but at that moment, the floor started to crumble below his feet. 'O shell!' he yelled 'not good! Definitely not good!'
