Chapter 5:Wander

It had been nearly three days since the explosion and Mikey had yet to return home. He was trembling, eyes brimming with constant tears as he grieved. He had roughly bandaged his burns and cuts, even so fever from infection had started to set in. He whimpered as he stumbled and dropped to his knees.

He wanted to go home…but what if…what if the others found out?

He was so scared.

So alone.

So desperate, desperate to turn back time.

"Oh my gosh," I woman gasped.

Mikey turned his head a little and whimpered softly, struggling to get back on his feet.

"No don't, you're hurt," the woman whispered, gently placing a hand on Mikey's carapace as she knelt.

"No," Mikey whimpered.

"Shush, you're hurt," she whispered.

Mikey sobbed, utterly terrified and confused.

"Why?" he managed, again struggling to pull away.

She held him gently as she gave him a worried look over.

"Shhhh, I'll help you. It's ok, just trust me," she coaxed.

If she is tricking me its what I deserve…I killed my brother anyway.

With tears streaming down his cheeks he slumped to the ground, sobbing softly.

~*~

Raph had dozed off next to Leo's still form. Leo was clinging to life, abet just barely.

Raph jerked awake as weak coughing caught his attention. His eyes widened and then he scrambled forward when he saw.

Leo was coughing up blood, body straining, desperate to breathe. The coughs were shaking him violently.

"DONNIE!" Raph screamed, scrambling forward and attempting to prop Leo up more to ease the cough.

Don came scrambling and flinched, quickly pushing his panicking brother aside and helping Leo sit up.

Raph hovered behind, amber eys brimming with tears as he watched helplessly.

Leo finally stopped coughing and sagged against Don.

"Is he-?" Raph broke off, panic etched into his features.

"I'm sorry Raph…I forgot to warn you…he's been coughing up blood since the first night…you were out looking for Mikey…and I just never got a chance to tell you," Don mumbled.

Don gently eased Leo back and stood still, trembling as he covered Leo back up.

"Is he goin' ta' make it Don?" Raph whispered.

"He's still here isn't he?" Don managed weakly.

Raph simply nodded.

"Go get some rest…I'll stay with 'im," Raph murmured, gently placing a hand on Don's exhausted frame.

"I'm so scared Raphie…he…he's so weak," Don sobbed suddenly.

Raph dragged him into a hug and cradled his brother gently.

"I know…I'm scared too bro. I'm scared too. But he is a fighter…we'll get up tomorrow and he'll be meditatin' or something'," Raph whispered.

Don sniffed, nodding a little.

Reviews PLEASE!

Sorry guys I haven't had time to type for a while. Life and Homework got in the way.