HEY GUYS THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS! IT ACTUALLY KEEPS ME WRITING.

8: The Solution

My hair was matted, and my hands and feet were infested with dirt. I had lost all hope for my life days ago. This is day four. I know they'll come for me though. I know their gonna come fore me. Leonardo is probably planning a rescue mission right now. I may have lost hope in me, but I will never loose hope in them. I scratched the top of my head watching as dandrift flaked down.

"Gross." I whispered to myself.

"Oh Erin, someone requested you." Derrick laughed opening my cage.

I've been holding it in all day, and I let it go. Pee trickled down my leg and he saw it. His face was disgusted.

"You did that on purpose you fuckin bitch!" He growled.

"L-Looks like they'll have to request someone else." I sat there in a puddle of my own urine.

I was safe for that week, because the smell would get to my clothes, my skin, I would roll in it before being raped. The tears started flowing again, I couldn't hold them back. This was the worst pain in my life. I just wanted to lay here and die. The only person I could think of to talk to was God.

"Dear God, I'm on my knees and can't stop crying. Look, I know we haven't talked in a long time. But this time I really need you…just please give me the strength cause I'm falling apart. And I don't think that I can do it…" I kept my head bowed.

Do you think he heard me? Do you think maybe he'll send an angel to protect me. I listened hearing voices get louder. They were coming for me, but why.

"We're relocating, come on…"

"Why…" I asked looking up desperately.

"Some unwanted guests have been snooping around here." He unlocked the door and grabbed my arm.

"The guys." I weakly smiled. I started to laugh, and I let it grow louder.

"What's funny?"

"They're coming to save me. I told you. They're hot on your trail." I stared to sound insane.

He threw me in the back of a truck and closed the doors behind me. I stood up to look out of the window and up towards the sky. Just to my luck Mikey was there. I knew it! I started banging on the door. "MIKEY! MIKEY! I'M HERE!"

"Shut the fuck up!"

He pressed the gas pedal and I went flying. "Mikey…" I whispered sitting back in a corner of the truck.


(Mikey's POV)

My brothers and I approached the building we'd been checking out.

"Is everybody ready?" Leo asked.

All of us just shook our heads. We were all ready to save Erin. I jumped down followed my Leo, Donnie, then Raph. We spread out and scoped the area. But it was clear.

"No one's here…" Leo put his Katana's in they're rightful holding places, and noticed skid marks under us. "Donnie how fresh are these?"

Our brainy brother scratched his head before scanning them with some device he had. "According to my calculations, they're fresh. So they must have known we were coming."

"Great now we get to track them again!" I whined throwing down my nunchucks.

"But this time we'll be ready." Leo shot back. "Listen up, we're gonna split up and look for signs to follow, if you find anything you know what to do. Shell Cell the rest of us."

We all ran in different directions. I just hoped and prayed one of us would find her, soon.


(Raphael's POV)

Lookin for 'er was startin ta be quite da work out. I kept running though, 'nd never once looked back. I wanted ta find 'er…not for me. But for Mikey. He seemed ta miss 'er. I ran up 'nd down these streets searching for a sign. I smelt some burnt rubber up ahead 'nd decided ta investigate it. Just my luck I saw a group of guys unloading a truck. Out of that truck came Erin.

"Bingo.." I laughed before taking my Sai's out and swinging 'em.

I know Leo told us not ta engage. We were suppose ta Shell Cell da others, but I felt a little lucky today. Or I thought. I jumped down from da roofs, and landed behind a wall. I peeked out ta see not only that scum bag Derick, but Hun too.

"This is gonna be one shell of a fight…" I let out a sigh, 'nd ran a little closer. "Mikey ya better be greatful." I ran out 'nd of course with one hit, knocked Derick out.

Erin's eyes were scrunched shut. I guess she was scared…I mean I'd be too. But don't tell anyone that.

"You always interfere with my plans!" Hun's voice kinda shook the place. I mean he's a pretty big guy…so I understand that.

He brought his fists down, but I moved out da way quick enough. I went for a quick punch ta da stomach. Which I succeeded in. He went back a couple inches, but not enough in my taste. I ran towards him and did a backflip off his chest. He punched me, sending me flyin into a wall.

"Well that hurt.." I rubbed my head 'nd got back up.

I elbowed him in the jaw, 'nd he hit the ground that time. "Nd the crowd goes wild!" I yell holding my hands together 'nd shaking them in glory.

I looked over at Erin, 'nd she slowly opened 'er eyes ta see me standing there.

"Raphael?" 'I don' think she believed I was there.

"Uhh, yeah." I replied. She looked at me in awe.

'Er eyes grew brighter as she started ta cry. "You guys came for me! I knew you would!"

"Well, uhhh….it's just me. They guys don' know where I am." I rubbed the back of my neck 'nd hesitantly laughed.

I quickly untied 'er but before I could do anything else, something hit me. Something hard. I blacked out 'nd that's all I remember. I woke up in da lair. I wanted ta move, but my body felt heavy.

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed feeling agitated.

"Raph's up!" I heard Mikey call from behind me.

"Great now he can hear what I have to say." Leo was the first before any to be in my face. "Raphael, you were suppose to Shell Cell us before you made contact with anyone! Even if it was just Derrick and Hun!"

I growled warning him ta back off. But it didn't work. "Your growling isn't going to cut it! What were you thinking! You know if it wasn't for Erin you'd probably be dead!"

"Yeah…yeah…yeah….did you get the number on the thing that hit me though…" I rubbed my head.

"This is no joke Raphael.."

I flinched hearing Master Splinter say my name. I knew he was about ta agree with Lame-anardo.

"If Mrs. Erin had not of called your brothers…you both would have been doomed."

"Yes Sensei." I reply crossing my arms.

I looked up ta see Donnie standing there with a bunch of shit. "Check-up time." He smiled. I groaned. "Alright let's see, open your mouth."

I slowly opened my mouth 'nd he stuck a thermometer in. The thing poked out my mouth as I laid there pouting. I hated not being able ta move. Or I'd shove this thermometer so far up Donnie's… "BEEP! BEEP!"

Donnie took it out of my mouth 'nd looked at it contently. "Well, you're not at your best…" His dorky laugh made me cringe. He then went towards my ankle, from what my observation is telling me, it's sprained.

"If ya touch my ankle Donnie…" I growled at him. He stopped and kinda smiled at me.

"I got to wrap it up…" He took out gauze and athletic tape and began the process.

"Could ya be any tougher?" I asked him as he roughly tossed it around.

"Sorry Raph." He finished up then handed me an ice pack. "Put this on your head, it should help your fever go down."

I grabbed it and smacked it on my head. "Whateva…" Ya know everyone except Erin was 'ere. "Where's Erin?"

Mikey's smile seemed to fade at that question. "She didn't take a hit as well as you did Raph. She's in Donnie's lab hooked up to oxygen."

I just stared at my little brother. I did more bad than good. I knew it! I screw up everything. I threw the ice pack and tried standing up but Leo pushed me back down. "Raphael, you can't stand."

"Don' touch me!" I didn't feel like fighting back, so I just laid back down. I rolled over 'nd grunted. "Nobody bother me…"

I swear, everything I do, nothing good ever comes out! I'm such an idiot! I hurt Erin! I don' even care about myself…hell I'd die for anyone of my family members. But ta hurt someone innocent like 'er…killed me inside. I closed my eyes, 'nd let the lights fade to darkness. I needed sleep.


(Leo's POV)

He's been out for four days now. Nobody knows what's wrong with him, not even Donatello. He's been running tests like crazy. I just sat in a chair beside my hot-headed brother.

"Come on Raph..wake up." I whispered to myself looking at his worn out face.

He didn't say anything, or do anything. He just layed there. Blank.

"Leo, I think I've found something!" Donnie screamed alarming me.

"What! What is it!?" I was desperate to find out, I think everyone was.

"I was looking at his blood cells under my microscope and some of them were bursting like water balloons. Thus, releasing a virus. And he has too many white blood cells, he isn't balanced out."

"Donatello, do you know the virus.." I asked a little worried.

"It's the common case of the flu. But it affected him in a monstrous way." Donatello looked down at our struggling brother and frowned. "He must have got injected or he came into contact with it during his run in with Hun. But we won't know until Erin wakes up."

I just sat there, thinking. Maybe he was sleeping while his body recovered. I mean doesn't that make sense? "Donnie, is it possible that his body is recovering?"

"Oh it's very possible. I'd say that's the likely conclusion. But, I just want to run more tests to be sure. The Flu can be deadly…" And with this words he turned on his heel and left.

Well that made me fell better. I rolled my eyes and went to check on Michelangelo. About a day after Raphael never woke up, he locked himself in his room. I knocked on it lightly and waited for approval.

"Come in.." A gloomy voice called from behind the door.

I opened and there sat Michelangelo on his bed, depressed and torn. "Mikey…" I whispered reaching my hand out.

"You think he's gonna be ok?" He asked as his voice cracked.

"Mikey you know Raphael's a fighter. He'll be fine.." I laughed. I hated lying to my brothers. Cause the truth is, I wasn't sure…but I couldn't tell him the truth. It'd hurt him.

Tears rolled down my younger brother's face. His orange mask was stained with tears on the front. I felt like complete shit. I couldn't help Raphael and I couldn't do anything to bring him back. It honestly sucked. Mikey gave me a hug. Tighter than the last one I remembered. I just smiled. He was getting older and stronger.

"You know Mikey the last time you hugged me I could actually breathe." I laughed as he let go giving me a small giggle. "Tell you what. How about me, you, and Donnie camp out in the livingroom. He might want some company to wake up to."

"Alright!" He was still the same childish Mikey though.

I left him to himself and went to check on Erin. She was still hooked up, and it was Donnie's direct orders to leave her like that. Even if she woke up.

"Well, Erin at least he was able to save you…" I laughed to myself. I was about to walk out when I heard a groan. I looked back and she was trying to sit up. I quickly and gently laid her back down. "You shouldn't get up Erin. You're in bad conditions."

"Where's Raphael?" She weakly asked.

"He's…he's just a little sick at the moment."

She tried her best to smile through the oxygen mask. I could barely see it, but I knew it was there.

"Lay down and get some rest. I'll tell Donnie and Mikey you're up."


(Donnie's POV)

Between trying to treat Raphael and making sure Erin was stable, I had my hands tied. When Leo finally told me she woke up I was a little relieved. Mikey was hovering over her with excitement.

"Mikey could you give her some space please? How you doing Erin?" A cheesy typical doctor line...I know.

"My body hurts a little, my breathing is a little short. But other than that…I'm fine."

"Well you did get knocked a little hard, and the breath shortage will go on for maybe a couple more days. But, let me look at your chart." I shuffled a couple papers around on my desk until I found my clipboard. "Sorry about the unorganization…" I hesitantly laughed. I took a brief look at it, then marked some things down. "Well everything looks good. The best thing you could do is get some rest."

"Thanks Donnie. I don't know what me or the guys would do without you." She smiled.

"It's no big problem. It's what I do. But could I ask you something?"

"Sure Donnie, what is it?"

"When Raph fought Hun. Did anything weird happen? Did Hun have something?" I really needed this answer.

"He didn't knock Raphael out with his fists. He knocked him out with some pen. He jabbed in the leg and injected something into him. Raphael lost all color and fainted."

I nodded my head before exiting with Leo.

"Donnie I promised Mikey we'd all camp out in the livingroom with Raphael. Are you up for it?" Leo asked.

"Sure. I've got nothing better to do. Besides…it'll be a lot easier to run some tests." I smiled at the eldest and took a short trip to my room.

I shut the door behind me and looked at a picture on the wall. It was of me, Mikey, Raph, and Leo. It was the last picture we all took together. It was probably only a year old. We had made it for Master Splinter…but I made a copy for me. I just smiled at it. But my smile faded when I saw Raphael…

"You're gonna make it bro. I promise." I sighed and flipped the paper on the chart to reveal his papers.

They weren't too bad. But, he could get worse if he wasn't medicated and under a watchful eye. And to be honest, that's the only reason I wanted to be in the living room. Not to run more tests. But to study his behaviors, his patterns, and to make a medication for him.

Later that night, Mikey, Leo, and me grabbed some blankets and laid on the floor. They both looked tired, but I wasn't. I had to stay up and observe him. He tossed and turned. He was broken out in a mild cold sweat, and you could clearly hear the rattling in his chest from decongestion when he breathed. Is started mixing some solutions and testing them on the samples of blood I obtained from him. Some of the cells would slowly turn back to red, but I didn't need slow. I needed fast. I needed a here and now solution.

"You seem very patient with your work my son…"

I looked up and Master Splinter stood there with a warm smile. "Yes Sensei. It's better to be patient and focus then it is to rush through it. It's the only way to make Raphael better."

"That is very much true. All good things take time to develop."

His words always brought wisdom. I nodded my head before looking back in the microscope only to sigh again.

"Yes Sensei."

I bowed before returning to my work. This was gonna be harder than I thought. But I guess that's what it's like to have responsibility. When it all falls on you.

The next morning came, and I was still awake. Mixing ever solution possible, and I still didn't find an answer. I rubbed my head. It was all so frustrating. But I wasn't ready to give up. Not that easily anyway.

"I can't do this on my own…" I whispered before grabbing my Cell Shell and calling April.

"Hey Donnie, what's up? You do know it's one o' clock in the morning…right?"

I nervously laughed. "Yeah, sorry about that April. It's just I've been up all night trying to find a solution to cure Raphael's flu."

"You need help?"

"Please?"

"Ok well, let me look something up real quick." I could hear the typing on her keyboard. "Ah ha! Alright Donnie, are you ready?"

"I've been ready April." I grabbed a piece of paper and was ready to write down whatever she was about to say.

"Okay you need two thirds of a cup of black elderberries, three point five cups of water, two tablespoons of fresh ginger root, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, half a teaspoon of clove powder, and one cup of raw honey. You got any of that?"

"Actually I got all of that. You wouldn't believe what Mikey brings home to try to put on our pizza." I laughed before thanking April, and hanging up.

I heard a moan and looked up to see Raphael tossing and turning on the couch. I had to get the supplies, and start this thing up now. Before he got worse. I grabbed all the ingradiants and started to slowly mix them in a beaker over a medium heat.

"This has got to work." I whispered slowly watching it cook.

After a couple minutes of letting it boil, I put some on Raphael's sample of white blood cells and it worked! Some of them turned back to red, balancing out the sample under the microscope. I was more than excited. Thanks to April I finally had the solution to curing Raphael. I poured some into a syringe and injected one shot into his arm and another in his leg. He'd be back on track soon. I was sure.

Mikey and Leo began to stir but I finally closed my eyes to catch some sleep.