He had dreamt of this moment every second of their captivity.
Their first taste of freedom…
He had envisioned laughter, frantic talking, all interlaced with embraces and tears. Yet that was not case. Raphael had Mikey's remaining arm over his shoulder and held him by his shell. Donnie moved beside him, supporting him when Raph's strength faltered.
Donnie had never thought he would wish for the darkness but having gotten his first glimpse of Mikey's metal affixed shoulder…he did. He would fuss more when they were home, safe.
Home…Safe..
Two words which would never be stated with the same ease again.
Mikey had awoke somewhere about ½ block from the sewer entrance and had helped Raphael by moving his feet. They were all dragging but they could contend with the aches and the pain. They had no walls and no dreams, it was more than a fair trade.
They continued on in silence, stopping when one or the other fell and was forced to rest. When they were nearly their home and broken pipes began to look familiar their pace quickened. They found within them some gut drive to keep moving, it was close. They could taste it.
Suddenly Mikey froze, his eyes looking down a sewer run off. The remaining pair paused and looked from him then into the darkness he now peered.
Donnie spoke for the first time in what felt like days.
"What is it, Mikey?"
"I- I thought I saw something."
"Where?" Raphael's gruff tones entered into the conversation.
Mikey raised his hand and pointed but there was nothing to see in the looming darkness. Something in the shadows caused them all to shiver. After a moment longer and a gentle nudge from Raphael they began to move forward.
Mikey's eyes kept looking back at the looming darkness. As if it threatened to drown him in it. So busy was he watching his back that he did not see the piece of rubbish on the ground, which had washed up when rain flooded the sewers.
He stumbled forward and went shoulder first into the ground.
He screamed.
A sound which tore his dry throat in two. His hand clinched over the cold metal which sealed the spot where his arm once was. As the agony slowly subsided he noticed his brothers had not come. For one horrid, terrifying second he thought it all another of Bishop's plan. Perhaps he had never been free at all.
After all in his dream, they hadn't come. They had been gone. He was alone…He is alone. His eyes still shut against the pain threatened to leak the moisture behind them. A panic that was soaring to life was deflated with a single touch of a warm hand on his face.
They hadn't left him. They were still there. He remained on his knees doubled over as he was able to slowly push the pain from his mind. When it had subsided he carefully opened his eyes and looked forward.
In front of him stood Raphael and Donnie, looking nearly teal and wide eyed.
Wait, … If they were there, then who was…
He felt the fear again threaten to consume him, a shutter shook his tense frame until…
"Quiet, my son. You are safe."
The most gentle tones he had ever been grateful to hear.
He spun, probably faster than he should have. Yep… dizziness…shouldn't have done that. But at that moment he could care less. His sensei, his father was kneeling beside him. A quiet but pained look on his old features.
Though they had only been gone for a few weeks, his master seemed to have aged years. The grey along his muzzle had spread and his eyes seemed to lack some of their strength. He felt the warm hand on his face, and noticed the smallest of tremor to it.
The old rat smiled softly before lifting his gaze to the two of his sons who were present, but unmoving.
He held out his hand to them.
He had always done that. To beckon them to an embrace as children, or a sparring match as teens. It was a simple gesture but one so wholly of their father that it broke the two from their fearful starring and sent them to his side.
Donnie hit his knees and threw his arms around his sensei and less than a moment later Raphael joined in. Forget pride…it had no place in moments such as these.
Even though their lair was a few yards away, containing their beds and other things of importance. In that drainage pipe, amid the bugs and the music of dripping waters, they had found it.
Home.
A/N Yes I know it's short and I'm sorry for it but that just seemed like such a perfect place to end it. I actually got sniffley myself as I wrote it. Thank you so very much for all my wonderful reviews! Its so great to see them! I've never had so many reviews, its so close to 100 that I can taste it. So that's my new goal, my first fic to reach 100 reviews - care to contribute? J Love you all and thanks again!