A/N: Special thanks to my beta, Ravenshell!

Chapter 50

Closing the door behind me, I sigh as I hang my coat on the coat rack. Most of my classes were cancelled today due to the investigation of Gary Lawson. I was bombarded with another round of questions, shown pictures of manipulated mutagen serums and had to lie and say I had never seen them before. I denied any knowledge of the mutagen, Kraang, and mutants. The less this EPF agency knows about April's and my unfortunate involvement with mutants and the Kraang, the better. Conversations with Agent Sage are like trying to avoid stepping on triggers that will set off a domino effect of traps. If April's psychic abilities were discovered, they would no doubt have her wired and attached to all kinds of horrific devices, the dream of any mad scientist—a scene worthy of a science-fiction horror thriller. First it was mutants, now it's federal agents that I must protect April from.

My mind can't help wandering back to my missing friend. Aside from the marked medicine bottles I confiscated, something seemed 'off' when I snuck into Gary's apartment last night. Then it dons on me—the glass. When I slipped in through the broken sliding glass door, the glass was scattered outside, not inside. This means that nobody broke into Gary's house. Whoever attacked Gary knew him—he had let them in. No one broke in, Gary was trying to break out in a desperate attempt to escape. I roll the medicine bottles around in my hands. What are you trying to tell me, Gary? Did you get away? If you did, where did you go?

Massaging my temples, I make my way upstairs. The strong scent of sugar cookies stops me at April's bedroom. I suppose she and Simone enjoyed their time together as I hear snores coming from the room. Hopefully some time with With padded feet I tiredly make my way to my bedroom, glad that my daughter is safe and sound.

I groan. My head is throbbing. Opening my eyes, I'm greeted by fluorescent lights, but not the kind you find in a hospital. Hospitals don't have visible pipes in the ceiling. It takes me five seconds to remember I'm in the lair and two seconds for my brain to show me the most horrific flashbacks ever.

"Donnie!" I sit up in the makeshift hospital bed and instantly regret it as the room spins and pain pulses in my skull like a sledgehammer against concrete.

"Drink this. It will help ease the migraine." Fur brushes my fingertips as a cup is pushed into my hands. Master Splinter's presence offers some comfort as I take several swallows of the spiced tea.

"Thank you." I hand the cup back to Splinter and behind him I see Donatello in the medbay. I would have thought the worst had I not seen the slow rise and fall of his plastron. "How long?" I whisper.

"You have both been unconscious since our venture to the spirit world yesterday."

Yesterday? I look at the clock on the opposite wall. It's 10 a.m. The fact that my father hasn't come storming down here means Simone's plan actually worked. She actually pulled it off. I owe her big for this one.

"Has he woken up yet?" I ask hopefully.

"No. He was fitful most of the night. However, I believe he is finally sleeping peacefully now." Donnie's lips part into a whistled snore as if to agree with his father.

"I couldn't save him, Sensei," I confess as a tear breaks free when I blink.

"Our encounter was not in vain, child. We have acquired knowledge."

"Yeah, we found out that thing is untouchable because it's a part of Donnie now." I don't try to hide the tremble in my voice. "It was horrible, Master Splinter…That… that monster consumed him.… What if there's nothing left to save?

"We must have faith in Donatello. Things are not always as they seem; when the time is right we will use this to our advantage." I nod, not truly understanding how any of this information is beneficial.

"April! You're okay!" I am suddenly crushed into a bone-creaking hug as my sight is filled with the tails of an orange mask.

"I'm glad you're okay too, Mikey." Awkwardly, I pat his shell from my restricted position. "…But I need to breathe."

"Heh, sorry. I'm just really glad you're awake. I thought you really lost it yesterday. It was like Carrie versus the Dark Phoenix in the lair."

"What are you talking about?" I squint at him, puzzled by his words, which is actually pretty normal when it comes to 'Mikey-talk.'

"Everything was flying tornado-style in the pit. It was like being in a humongous blender," he says while spinning around in a circle. "You've got some heavy psychic mojo, dudette."

"Was anyone hurt?"

"Yes," he sniffles.

"Oh, no…" Leo and Raph…what have I done?

"The TV and arcade game have gone to the big entertainment center in the sky. They will be sorely missed." I pull him by his mask tails and pop him on top of the head, finally seeing the justification when Raph does it. "Ow!" He smiles sheepishly.

"That's not funny, Mikey," I reprimand, even though I can't help but smile at his attempt to lighten an otherwise dreadful situation.

"Michelangelo. I think you should return to the den and finish helping your brothers clean up." Mikey gives a pretend pout as he trails out of the lab and promptly (and very loudly) announces that I'm awake to the others. "In the meantime, perhaps you will benefit from additional meditation for your new…. abilities." It's my turn to look sheepish as I consider the disaster I created in their home. I look back to Donatello's sleeping form. I need to have better control over my powers if I want to be of any help to Donnie.

"A little meditation couldn't hurt."

TBC

A/N: Hope you guys have enjoyed the last few dramatic chapters. Next chapter is a bit more light-hearted. Figured you guys could use a bit of a break between the drama and action ;) As always please leave a review. I love hearing from you guys!

See you next chapter!

Poetique