A low growl entered Leo's sleeping mind. His brow furrowed as he tried to flip over and block out the noise but it refused to be forgotten. Leo sat up ready to yell at whatever loudmouth it was but as he opened his eyes, he was met with a pair of yellow slits. He swallowed. Glancing over at his brothers sleeping figures and back at the cold eyes, he quickly formulated a plan of action. The growl deepened with the impending attack.
The wolf charged forward. Leo leapt up, pulling out his katanas.
"Raph! Donnie!" He yelled. They were awake immediately, alarmed by the edge in his voice. Their hands want straight to their weapons as the sleep quickly cleared form their eyes. The wolf pack was on them in seconds, scattering their little band and sending the night into chaos. Leo quickly adjusted to the little light the setting moon gave, dodging a claw to the face just in time.
He listened for the sounds of Donnie and Raph's scuffle. He backed towards the grunts and the clamor of weapons. He blocked a bite to his right and knocked away a charge to his left, feeling his body protest each movement. When his shell connected with his brothers, he felt his shoulders relax a little and his focus narrow in on the enemy. From what he could hear and glean from the glimpses he caught of his brothers, they seemed to be defending well but they were all injured and the pack had boundless ferocity. They'd need a new plan and fast. The pack seemed concentrated behind him.
"Get ready to run. Keep up with me. We'll try to outrun them." Leo knew they wouldn't be able to stay ahead for long but they might be able to use the trees to their advantage and at least loose a member or two of the pack. Rao and Don grunted their consent. "Now!" Leo yelled and sprinted for the light outline of the trees, away from the river. He heard his brothers behind him. He ducked another attack and slashed at the jaws of another. The wolf squealed before hitting a tree with a thud.
Leo's leg screamed in protest but the adrenaline coursing through his blood helped him ignore it. Surviving was more important now.
He heard Donnie's huffing to his left and Raph grunt to his right as they sprinted through the trees. The pack was close behind. He heard a couple clashes of teeth and wood before hearing a yelp from Donnie. Leo took a quick glance and saw Donnie gripping his side. He was still running but slowing down. Leo drooped behind to deflect some attacks from behind. Raph had the same idea and swung to Donnie's injured side, slashing at any wolf that got close enough to his sais. As they continued to run, Donnie's breath became more ragged and his steps more unsure.
"Come one, Donnie. Just a little farther." Leo could feel the wolf pack falling behind. He just hoped Donnie could hold on a little longer.
The sun's rays began to peak over the horizon as Leo heard the last of the wolf pack fall behind. He slowed his pace a little, allowing Donnie to catch his breath. After a few moments, Leo felt sure, by some miracle, they'd outrun the pack. He put a hand on Donnie's shoulder, indicating he could slow to a walk. Donnie visibly relaxed, nearly falling to his feet. He hunched over, eyes squeezed shut.
"How ya doin?" Raph asked, approaching his injured side.
"Nothing major." Donnie waved him away. "I'll be fine." Raph frowned, clearly doubting Donnie's assurances. Leo saw the blood dripping between the fingers that clutched his side.
"We can stop and rest, Don." Leo offered, feeling his leg twinge in agreement. Donnie shook his head.
"We should keep walking. Just in case." He stood up for emphasis. Leo and Raph exchanged a look.
"Ok but first we're wrapping that." Leo gestured towards Donnie's injury. Donnie paused before opening his hand to let Leo take a look.
The gash ran down his shoulder and underneath his arm, stopping at his shell. Leo took the bandages that were already there, holding his brother's injured shoulder, and rewrapped them to also cover the bleeding wound. They would need to get back home soon or Donnie would be in danger of dying from blood loss. Hopefully the bandages would slow the bleeding.
Leo stood, gently patting Donnie on the shoulder and giving him what Leo hoped was an encouraging smile. Donnie weakly smiled in return.
"Alright, let's keep walking."