To say that Donatello felt overwhelmed was a massive understatement. He figured that the presence of his younger brother was the only thing preventing him from breaking down entirely. Seeing me upset isn't going to help Mike, and it certainly won't help me. I can't believe I have to trust these aliens blindly. It's so ridiculous it's almost laughable – or it would be, if it wasn't this serious.
Donny's gaze rested on a sleeping Leonardo for a couple of seconds before returning to the stitches with which he was closing the ugly wound on the back of Ghyath's neck. The golden-eyed elohim hadn't spoken more than five words since arriving and barely flinched under his touch, even though Donatello knew the process was far from painless.
The purple-masked turtle was trying to focus on the task at hand, but his attention was irresistibly drawn to his older brother once again.
"I know you do not trust us," Bahri said quietly. "I cannot say I blame you."
Don looked at the blue-eyed elohim. "Based on the last few hours, trust is more shaken than ever."
Bahri inched up on his elbows. "But you do understand we were not part of this? We did not know the Ruairi were going to betray us."
"Common sense tells me they wouldn't have attacked you otherwise," Donny allowed. "But if the Ruairi meant to kill you, I don't understand why they didn't make sure you were dead."
"We should be," Bahri answered. "With the depth of our wounds, we would have died in a short time. But that is why I carried those vials."
Donny gave him a dubious gaze. "You expected them to turn on you? You just said you didn't know the Ruairi were going to betray you."
"I did not know they would…but I had to be prepared. Full paralysis takes effect within an hour. Then the neurotoxin attacks organs, such as the heart, or the lungs…sometimes the kidneys. The antidote is stable until broken open. Carrying them was a simple means of defense."
Donatello was quiet for a moment. "And you never saw any of this coming?"
Bahri sighed painfully. "There were signs…but we did not put it together until it was too late."
Donny shook his head. "You probably shouldn't keep talking. Rest your head, Bahri. I'm going to finish taping up Ghyath's neck, and then I'll see about what I can do for you."
"Can I…do you mind if I see his injury first, before you wrap it?"
He wants to inspect my work. I suppose that makes sense, given that he has no idea what kind of a medic I am. Donatello took Bahri by the arm and helped him sit up far enough to see the stitches he'd created for Ghyath.
"Your work is good, Donatello. I could not have done it half as well."
The turtle shrugged modestly. "I've had a lot of practice. Do you consider yourself to be a medic?"
"No, I do not," Bahri returned. "If you—" His statement was cut short by a coughing spell that left the elohim gasping.
Donny grimaced. "Are you honestly going to be all right without the cleanser?"
"I think so," he managed. "Like I said…it runs a course."
"Well…let's not aggravate it with more talking. You're my next project, so just try to relax."
The elohim stared at him mutely while Donatello sized up the depth of the chest injury.
"This isn't going to be comfortable," Don warned him. "But I can get the job done."
"I trust you can."
"No talking."
"One question?"
"All right – one."
"Why do you have so much experience?"
"Oh. My brothers and I don't have a lot of options where we come from. Medical assistance has to come from inside our circle."
"Your circle?"
"Our extended family, as we like to call it."
"Are you their only medic?"
"This is turning into a conversation, Bahri."
"I am sorry."
Donatello hesitated as he began the process of sanitizing the surface area of the wound. It might help keep him occupied if I continue talking, he thought inwardly. "No, I'm not their only medic," he plunged ahead. "I have this nasty habit of getting into trouble myself, so I would never have lasted this long. I'm part of a team that includes three other amazing doctors. I don't give myself that title, because I haven't been to medical school."
Bahri's glance drifted to where Donatello was working. "Who…who are they?"
"Eyes to me," Donny said a little sternly before continuing. "They're humans. Luke came along first…our original 'Doc', as we like to call him. He has a strong background in chemistry, but he also acts as a crew chief for us. Luke specializes in trauma, so he's great for emergencies.
"Marcus was Luke's friend, and he joined the club next. He's an orthopedic surgeon; one of the best in the United States. Marc is the one who put my knee back together years ago, among many other things. Doc is really strict, and Marcus is…well, he's kind of a push-over. I mean, he'll limit us when he has to, but he's definitely softer than Luke.
"Our latest addition is someone I never saw coming. In one of our worst hours, Caleb was our savior. He not only brought Mike back from certain death, but he provided a solution to a problem that would have killed us all eventually. He's our geneticist. Caleb doesn't have as much hands-on experience with patients, but he's learning."
Bahri's breathing went so silent it startled Donatello.
"Hey, Bahri. Stay with me, okay? Are you all right?"
The elohim blinked rapidly. "Yes. I am trying to be still for you."
"That's great, but you've got to breathe, don't you?"
"I am tired, Donatello."
"If you're going to sleep on me right now, you must have amazing tolerance for pain."
The elohim exhaled wearily. "I feel it of course, but the other pain is worse."
"What other pain? What am I missing? You've got to tell me, Bahri."
"The toxin," he answered. "When paralysis is not in effect, the pain is…it is hard to describe."
"Is there anything I can do about it?"
"No, not under these conditions. Do not fear for us, Donatello. It will pass."
"Do you know that for sure?"
The elohim closed his eyes. "No."
Donny took notice of perspiration that was just beginning to glisten on the alien's forehead and rested the back of his hand against Bahri's cheek. "Your temperature is rising."
"Yes," he said simply.
"Bahri, what about your crystals? Can't we call for help? Wouldn't one of your contacts come?"
"The Ruairi took them."
The mere mention of the aliens was enough to make Donatello's blood boil, but he kept his mouth shut.
"I feel like the biggest failure that has ever lived," Bahri murmured.
"Those are pretty large shoes to fill."
"You cannot imag—" Bahri cut off with a gasp, clenching his fists.
Donny swallowed nervously and braced a hand under the elohim's neck to adjust his position. "Bahri, I don't know what to do for you besides address your injuries. You need another vial, don't you?"
The alien shook his head. "Your brother is in more danger than Ghyath or myself, because he is late in receiving it. You must save the medication for him."
The purple-masked turtle rubbed his temples anxiously. "This doesn't feel right."
The elohim stared back at him bleakly. "None of it is right, and the four of you suffer the most. I am sorry, terrapin, for everything. That we made no attempt to rescue your young woman, that you are even h-here…" He trailed off as he fought for a good breath.
"You're going to have to stop talking," Donatello said firmly. "Do you have experience with visualizations or anything that could take your mind off the pain?"
"I do not think I have the energy for something like that."
"Then I can only suggest trying to sleep."
Ezra cleared his throat as he entered the cavern. "Perhaps he should drink some more first."
Donny glanced up at the Irishman and straightened. Ezra's face and clothes were smudged with mud, giving evidence to the progress he and Raphael had made. Don perused the man swiftly, and was satisfied he was all right.
"I brought you another jug for drinking," Ezra told him.
"Can you wait here for a minute?" Donatello requested, and the man nodded.
"I can help you transfer some water to skins if you like," he suggested.
Ezra held the flasks steady one by one while Donny distributed liquid between them. By the time the turtle got back to Bahri, the elohim had closed his eyes.
Don patted his cheek. "You still awake? Do you think you can drink some more?"
"Yes…thank you."
He helped Bahri sit up far enough to drink, but the elohim shuddered after a couple of gulps.
"I need to lie down."
"Are you sure you can't drink any more?"
Bahri shook his head. "I am too tired."
Donatello sighed. "I wish we had your infusion pump. Getting dehydrated isn't going to help matters." He heard a groan to his right, and realized the Irishman was helping Ghyath lie back down. "Did he drink anything?"
"A little bit," Ezra replied.
"How's Raph? He's not pushing himself too hard, is he?"
"He's not acting like it, and I have some experience in the matter, fortunately. I still feel like I ought to keep an eye on him."
"I'd appreciate that." Donatello dusted off his hands and took another flask of water over to his other two brothers.
Michelangelo had been so quiet , Don wouldn't have known he was there. His face was deadly serious as the purple-masked turtle leaned over him and Leonardo.
"Will you keep water handy in case Leo wakes up?" Donny asked.
"Am I doing any good here? Should I be helping Raph and Ezra?" his brother asked.
"What with having three patients, I'd rather keep you with me," Don said evenly. And the fact that I don't know if you're completely recovered means I'm not letting you go work your shell off either.
"Does this make me an honorary assistant? Can I get some credentials?"
Donny grinned. "That will depend on the survey Leo fills out on you."
"I'll make sure he gives me high marks. I'll be the best assistant you ever had!"
"I'm sure you will, Mikey."
Ezra got back to his feet. "I'd better return to Raphael before he tries to dig a hole to the center of Zuhur."
After he left Donatello checked on Bahri again, and found the elohim sleeping fitfully. He glanced over at Ghyath and noticed the alien's eyes flicker.
"Ghyath? Talk to me."
"What should I say?" he muttered.
"Nothing, I just…I want to make sure you're okay."
"None of us are okay," Ghyath said flatly. "They left us here. They tried to kill Bahri and me. The Ruairi betrayed us. We were allies, and they treated us like garbage."
"I understand you're upset," Donatello said quietly.
The elohim's eyes opened wider. "Do you mean to say that you are not?"
Donny released a shaky sigh. "I can't think about it right now. You're my distraction."
"I do not have a distraction," he replied stiffly. "We knew something was wrong, and we waited. If we had reacted sooner, if we had done something—"
"Then the Ruairi still would have tried to kill you. Don't start blaming yourself, Ghyath. If anything provoked this…I doubt it was you."
The elohim raised his head, studying Donatello with a judicious gaze. "You tell me not to take the blame, but you are trying to."
Don ducked his head and looked for Mike out of the corner of his eye. It didn't appear that his brother had heard what the elohim said. "I know the Ruairi have a reason for taking Kamryn. Are they honestly capable of helping her?"
Ghyath gave him a pointed look. "You do not believe they are motivated with pure intentions, especially now."
"Too true," Donny said tightly. "But what do they want?"
"I cannot say for sure, Donatello. They must believe she will be of some use to them."
"What use?"
Ghyath shook his head. "I know nothing of genetics, but it probably has something to do with the experiments Yasir did on her."
"They were asking about her medical history, but I don't understand how any of it can benefit them."
The elohim exhaled so wearily that Donny knew he was going to have to let it go for the moment. He doesn't have the answers about Kamryn, but I'm sure he knows other things. We'll have to get to that later.
"Why don't you drink more water and try to get some sleep?" Donatello offered.
Ghyath didn't fight the turtle's effort to get him to sit up, and accepted a few more sips from a flask. Donatello winced at the heat he felt from the elohim's skin. I hope their temperatures don't go too high. I wish I knew how long it will take for the toxin to work itself out of their system. I feel like I'm stumbling around blindly in the dark without a darn clue. How are we going to help them or Kamryn? How do we help ourselves? We have no transportation, and few supplies.
Don paused in thought long enough to realize that Ghyath was watching him. "What is it?"
"You help as if you care about us."
"I do care," Donatello acknowledged. "We consider all life to be valuable." He hesitated for a couple of seconds. "Did you hear Bahri urge me to give the rest of the vials to Leo?"
"Yes," he answered. "You must."
"Why?" Donny asked. "You seem to care more about what happens to him than yourselves. You barely know us, but you went out of your way to help."
"We have to," he said quietly. "Your lives must be preserved."
"But why?" Donatello's tone intensified despite his low volume.
"Because El said…" Ghyath stopped. "It is too difficult to explain like this."
"No, Ghyath. You've got to tell me something that makes a shred of sense."
"We believe you to be the Chosen."
Don's brow furrowed. "The what?"
"I told you it was hard to explain." Ghyath closed his eyes. "If we survive this, I promise we will."
