The Thing Part 12

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   Donnie gasped as he saw the blade come slicing down, seeming to take forever. His heart was beating so fast if it were visible, it would appear to have stopped. He knew this was it. But he couldn't go down like this! He would die fighting, not laying on a floor waiting.

   But before Donnie could move, an almighty roar echoed through the sewer tunnels, and a large shadow jumped out from nowhere and leapt on Don's attacker. He went down with a cry, but it was cut short when a loud sharp crack sounded.
  

M'reagro, injured and bleeding, slowly turned around to face the rest of the Foot, who backed away as one. The gun guy was unconscious and the gun was in the space between them and the beast. None felt like jumping for it.

   They all took another step back. The beast was glaring at them, clearly in pain and very angry. There had been a large chunk taken out of his shoulder. Perhaps he could feel where their stares were directed, because M'reagro suddenly growled and charged.

   The Foot scrambled away, tripping over themselves with the turtles forgotten. Some brave but foolish Foot soldiers tried to battle the beast, and got ripped to shreds before they even hit the floor.

The rest saw what happened to their fellow soldiers and couldn't get out of the way quick enough. M'reagro ran after them up to the end of the tunnel and stopped. He was weak so he didn't bother killing anymore. He had plenty here to fest on and regain his strength anyway.

   He returned to Leo, Donnie and Mikey. Leo was helping Donnie to his feet and Mikey was checking out the gun. They all turned to look at the beast as he limped into view from the dark shadows. Almost all of his shoulder had been blown off, but the beast didn't seem to care. His glowing eyes shone eerily in the dark tunnel.

   Neither turtle knew what to say, but Donnie managed to find his feet and, with the help of Leo, stood up. He looked at the beast.

   "Erm . . . Thanks," Donnie said, unsure whether or not it could understand him.

   M'reagro didn't move or do anything but stare. Donnie shrugged mentally, and continued to stare into those orange eyes.

   "Are they gone? Left the sewers, d'ya think?" Mikey asked, still holding the weapon. If they were going to come back, he didn't want to leave it where they could find it.

   Leo stared at the dark tunnel the Foot had departed down.

   "Yeah . . . For now. I want to know who's giving the orders for all of this . . ." Leo sighed and pulled Donnie's arm around his shoulders. "C'mon. Let's grab some coats and go to April's. Mikey, bring that with you. We don't want them to find it again."

   Mikey nodded, clutched the gun under his arm and came up on Donnie's other side, supporting his brother with Leo.

   "Thanks, guy," the turtle in purple said. He really felt like he could go to sleep right there and then. But they had to get out of the sewers first. He would be able to rest at April's.

   They started to head back to their lair, it was slower than they liked, but poor Donnie was too tired. M'reagro limped along behind them, silently. Blood poured from his wound, but he seemed uncaring for his own being.

   As they reached the lair, Leo's mind was attacked by a thought. While they were packing things from Donnie's lab, such as medical supplies, Leo stood in the center of the lair and asked aloud to any one who was listening:

   "How are we gonna get M'reagro outta here and to April's Apartment? Wait, forget that, he can't come in April's apartment – he's way too big."

   "Yeah but he does do as he's told by Frakly, I'm sure he'll stay still. Besides, he's gotta heal and I'm sure he won't be running around with only half a shoulder," Mikey pointed out. "And Frakly will be happy to see him. He thinks he's dead. We can't just leave him here . . . even though he is a . . . well, he's . . . we can't leave him."

   Leo sighed. "April's probably glad she's at her apartment 'cause he's not there. She'll be a little uncomfortable with a monster in her place. But hey, like you said, we can't leave him here."

   Donnie came limping out of his lab.

   "It is still late in the night remember," he said. "It's dark and hopefully nobody will see us."

   Leo put on his coat and stared at M'reagro. The beast seemed to be waiting for an answer as to whether he could come or stay. Leo sighed.

   "Fine, lets go."

   They all put on their hats, and Mikey helped Donnie into his coat before searching for a good place to hide gun. M'reagro stood patiently for them. Then they grabbed their bags and headed to the ladder that would take they towards April's. Mikey had only just begun to climb when he stopped and looked sown.

   "How's M'reagro gonna climb this?" He asked.

   Leo and Donnie turned to look at the beast, which stared back at them with those spooky eyes. Leo shrugged.

   "He'll have to climb."

   Donnie went second; so that Leo would stay at the bottom in case his brother just collapsed and fell back, and Mikey was at the top, ready to help Donnie up. Leo started to climb as soon as Donnie had reached Mikey. Half way up Leo looked down at the creature who was as still as a statue, watching them climb.

   "You coming?" Leo said, raising his eye ridges. If the monster didn't understand then maybe he would get the hint from his tone.

   M'reagro seemed to get it. He moved, but instead of climbing the ladder, the creature walked over to the wall and climbed that instead. He moved with lizard agility, and smooth moves up the wall, quick and no hesitation about falling. Leo, from his perch on a ladder rung, gawped at the creature as it moved past him on the wall and squeezed into the hole at the top. Leo shook his head and continued to climb. When he reached it, Donnie and Mikey were waiting to haul him up and he spotted M'reagro behind them, waiting just as he had done down the ladder, still bleeding. They all got to their feet, looked back at M'reagro, still slightly shocked at his wall-climbing abilities, and walked on.

   "I hope she's awake," Mike said as they turned a corner. "We don't wanna surprise her with M'reagro."

   "He'll probably go straight to Frakly's side," Leo said, and then rephrased his sentence in his head; I HOPE he goes straight to Frakly's side.

   They continued their walk in silence. They only sounds were the heavy thuds of M'reagro's feet as he limped, dripping water, Donnie's heavy breathing and the running and scuttling of mice and rats as they sensed or heard M'reagro.

   Quicker than they thought, they reached the sewer grate, which was big enough to allow M'reagro to pass through.

   Leo ducked under Donnie arm and slowly opened the grate a little way. He checked the area and motioned with his hand for everyone to be quiet. Human voices could be heard and a young couple strode across the street. Leo watched them turn the corner, then he check again to make sure no other late-nighters were out and pushed the grate all the way open. Leo climbed out, turned and helped Donnie. He and his brother rushed to the safety of the buildings, in a small passageway, while Mikey climbed out. He turned around to wait for the beast so he could guide him. What if he ran off?

   M'reagro behaved and followed Mikey into the passageway where his brothers were. Donnie was almost asleep. His head dropped and his knees buckled. Leo steadied him and motioned for them to hurry. They made their way slowly now, as Donnie was having trouble placing his feet in front of him. Soon they were in front of a familiar and welcoming building. Leo looked at the ladder leading to the roof. It was high.

   "Great, I forgot how long that ladder was," he said. "Donnie, will you be able to make it?"

   Donnie looked up. "Um . . . I think I can . . ."

    Leo nodded and he let Mikey go first so he could help Donnie up. Leo stayed at the bottom, feeling too exposed out there. M'reagro seemed to feel the same. He kept glancing about. Leo kept hoping he wouldn't run off. He looked up a few seconds later and Mikey was giving him the okay thumbs up. Leo sighed and climbed the ladder quickly.

   M'reagro watched for a second, then climbed the wall after them. Leo was surprised when the creature didn't pass him, but kept in pace with the turtle. Blood still poured from the beast's wound and Leo was surprised he hadn't collapsed yet.

   Leo was pulled up by Mikey when he reached the top and M'reagro limped over the side. The two turtles helped their third brother up and made their way to the stairs, which would lead down to April's window. They had trouble getting down the steps, but they made it.

   Luck was with them: the window was open, but it was dark. There were no lights on. Leo smiled and he climbed through first. April must have known they'd come through the window, as there was a chair for them to stand on, next to the kitchen counter. Leo stood on the chair and helped Donnie in through the window and onto the counter. Then he leaped down to the floor and helped Donnie onto the chair. Mikey was behind, helping Donnie stay upright. Leo looked behind him to see if anyone had heard them. He couldn't see any movement, or indeed anything except black shapes.

   Mikey climbed through and next it was M'reagro. He squeezed through and leaped lightly to the floor on three feet. His injured shoulder had stopped the bad flow of blood, but it was still oozing slightly. Little droplets fell to the tiled kitchen floor when he landed. The creature quickly rushed round the counter and to somewhere in the apartment.

   Leo, Donnie and Mikey all walked around the counter and looked over at the couch. M'reagro had curled around one end of it, the end on which Frakly was laid asleep. The three turtles looked along the couch to April, who was asleep on the floor with her head resting on the couch. Splinter must be in the guest bedroom.

   Leo and Mikey lay Donnie down on April's couch. Poor Don fell asleep as soon as his head touched the cushion. Leo picked up April, who moaned softly and laid her down on the empty couch she had been leaning on, propping her feet behind Frakly as when Leo laid her down her feet swung and hit the professor on the shoulder.

"D'aaww," Mikey whispered, smiling at April. He looked at M'reagro and found that Donnie wasn't the only exhausted one of the little group that came through the window.

Leo frowned. Something was missing.

"Wassit, Leo?" Mikey asked.

They both turned around to the sound of someone coming down the stairs. They couldn't see who, but they knew it was definitely not Splinter. The figure disappeared into the shadows and a second later the lights flashed on.

   Leo and Mikey shielded their eyes from the sudden blinding light. It must have blinded the figure too as they were turned down to a dim, candle softness. The two turtles looked up.
  

"Hey, where you guys bin?"

   "Raph!" Mikey ran over to his brother and hugged him. Leo smiled.

   Raph seemed more than a little confused.

   "Geeze," Raph said, " I go to sleep for a bit and I wake and find everyone here. Then you come up to me acting like you ain't seen me for days . . . Am I missing something?"

   Leo walked over to him. "How did you wake up?"

   Raph frowned. " I opened my eyes, Leo. Ask Don for a better explanation."

   "Ugh, forget it." Leo smiled; glad his brother was back with them again.

   "Aw, Raph, it's great you're back," Mikey said. "You wouldn't believe what you missed ou-aaaooooowwww!"

   Leo frowned at him angrily and walked away to get a drink.

   Mikey was furiously rubbing his arm.

   Raph was frowning at them.

   "What? Missed out on what? And whadda ya mean I'm back?"

   Leo came back out with a drink, and one for Mikey, who took it angrily.

   "Nah, forget it Raph. Mikey had a nightmare." He glared meaningful at Mikey, who stopped frowning and nodded.

   But Raph wasn't stupid. "Tell me Leo. What's bin happening?"

   Leo started to walk back. Mikey thought he better busy himself with Donnie. He grabbed a rucksack and started taking out bandages near Donnie, on the floor next to the sofa; the drink forgotten.

   Raph followed both of them, demanding they tell him.

   "What? Tell me, you gu - Whoa! What the hell is this thing doin' here?" He saw M'reagro. "How the hell did it get here?! And what the HELL happened to Donnie?!"    Raph stood, horrified at his brother, Donnie, who was still on the sofa asleep. Mikey whimpered at Raph's angry tone. He quickly cleared up Donnie as fast as he could.

   It was then, when he saw Donnie's wounds, he noticed Leo and Mikey's. Raph just stared.

   Leo walked up to his steaming and confused brother.

   "Er . . . the Foot. The Foot attacked us."

   "Why the hell didn't you wake me? Donnie wouldn't have got like that if all four of us were there!"

   "We couldn't wake you!"

   "Why not!?"

   Leo paused, then sighed and shook his head.

   "Why not, Leo?"

   Leo turned around. "Don't blame me, I didn't put you under that stuff." He turned and walked back into the kitchen. He pulled a sheet of kitchen roll off and started to clean up the blood off the tiles from M'reagro's wound. Raph followed and started at him.

   "What stuff?"

   Leo frowned and stood up, facing Raph. The bloodied tissue hung from his hand.

   "Frakly's a doctor. Use your brain and guess." Leo threw the tissue in the trash can and walked to the sofa where Mikey was finishing with Donnie.

   Raph stayed where he was, but turned to Leo as his brother walked past.

   "But I only went to bed for the day. It's night time right? Yeah, and I went to sleep around two O'clock. You're not telling me this all happened in them hours of the day?"

   Leo sighed heavily. "No, Raph. I'm telling you this all happened in two days."

   Everything was quiet. Mikey readied himself to drive for cover.

   " . . . Two days . . . ?"

   Mikey began to move away. Leo waited for an outburst.

   Raph just frowned and looked at Frakly. He stormed over to the professor, fist balled.

   "Raph!" Leo warned, and restrained his brother's arm.

   "Donnie could have died because of him -!"

   "Yeah and so could you! He saved you if you think about it."

   Raph stared at his brother, then at Donnie. He growled and strode over to the kitchen window.

   "Where are you going?" Leo demanded.

   "Out!"

   Leo rushed and grabbed his brother. "No you're not."

   Mikey rolled his eyes. This sounds familiar!

   "Mikey . . .?"

   Mikey turned around to the voice that had said his name. Leo and Raph stopped glaring at each other and looked at the awakening April.

   "April," Mikey said. He kneeled down beside her.

   April sat up and grinned at him. " Mikey! You're okay! I knew you'd be alright!" She threw her arms around him and hugged him.

   Leo looked at Raph and then joined Mikey on the floor.

   April looked at him as he sat down. She hadn't noticed Raph.

   "Leo! I was so worried. The Foot had a gun didn't they? That worried me to hell. I'm glad you're okay. Where's Donnie?"

   Mikey pointed to the couch. "He's gonna be fine. He was just really tired."

   April swung her legs down and hugged Leo and Mikey.

   "I'm just glad you're okay. All three of you. And . . . M'reagro?" She spotted the creature.

   Mikey grinned. "Not three anymore. Four!" He looked at Raph, who was still stood watching everything. April followed his gaze.

   "Raph! Oh my God, you're awake," April got up and ran over to him. She wrapped him in a hug. He stared at her, totally unsure what to do.

   Mikey grinned and heard a shuffle from the couch. Frakly was stirring. He opened his eyes and looked at them all. He saw his pet and sighed happily, knowing he was okay. The beast, though expressionless, seemed happy also. Frakly smiled, but saw Raph and made a quick face that said 'ut oh". Leo shrugged. He wanted to know how Raph had woken up. Frakly obviously forgot to give him some stuff.

   "How long have you been up?" April broke away from Raph and looked at him.

   Raph didn't answer; he seemed to be swallowing continuingly and breathing heavy. He swayed, slapped a hand to his mouth and started to retch. He fell to his knees.

   April panicked. "Raph? Oh God, what's wrong with him!?" She dropped to a crouch beside him.

   Leo and Mikey ran up to him. Frakly cursed and ran up as well. M'reagro strode over as well but kept to the back of the kitchen.

   "It's the side effects of the treatment I'm giving him," Frakly said. "That's why I didn't want him to wake too early – his body isn't strong enough to cope. Michelangelo go get my suitcase!"

   Mikey dove back to the couch and grabbed a case. He stopped. There were two bags. He grabbed both and brought them over. Frakly dived into the second bag he had picked up and brought out a syringe.

   Mikey had to look away. He hated needles as much as Raph; something that they shared.

   Leo knew Mikey would turn around. He wanted to but he stayed for his brother. Raph was still heaving, and choking now. Leo winced as Frakly hurriedly shoved the sharp point into his brother's arm.

The professor emptied the contents of the syringe into his brother and stuffed the cap back on. He stood up.

"Leonardo, I'd back away if I were you." Frakly warned.

Leo hesitated, and then did as he was told. A few seconds later Raph spewed, coughed, spluttered and fell to the floor.

Frakly shrugged. "At least that bit's over."

Leo frowned at him. "What do you mean that bit?"