Broken Mind

Chapter 14

"Leonardo!" Splinter yelled. He stared at his son's motionless body on the floor. Worry clawed at his heart. He was afraid his healing spell had hurt his son rather than helped him. "Sensei we gotta go!" Raph yelled snapping Splinter out of his thoughts. "We gotta get Leo out of here!" Donnie said. The fallen Foot Clan was beginning to stir. They pushed themselves up ready to resume their fight. Splinter wasted no time scooping his son up into his arms. He held him bridal style. Leo's head lolled back. "Run my sons!" Splinter ordered making his way to the exit. "No! I won't let you win again!" Shredder screamed. The heroes grouped up at the front of the room. The turtles formed a protective barrier around their father and unconscious brother. Splinter's eyes narrowed at the Shredder. A slight condescending smirk formed across his mouth. "You've lost Saki." Splinter stated before his children unloaded handfuls of smoke bombs. The room filled up with thick purple fog. When the smoke cleared the heroes were gone. "No!" Shredder yelled angrily. His screams echoed loudly in the room. Splinter settled his son onto a cot in the laboratory. Donnie quickly grabbed his supplies and checked over his brother. He stripped off all of his armor. It had only been a couple weeks but Donnie noted that his brother was noticeably skinnier. His muscles looked more toned and prominent. As they peeled back his wrappings the family noticed the many bruises littering his skin. The dark purple stood out against the brilliant emerald. Dark circles had formed under Leo's sapphire eyes. "What was Shredder doing to him?" Raph said under his breath. Donnie wordlessly checked his brother's vitals. "Is he ok Donnie? Why hasn't he woken up?" Mikey asked. He clutched his oldest brother's hand. "I don't know. His vitals and everything are fine. I think we just need to give him time." Donnie said setting down his medical equipment. "Well how much time?" Raph asked impatiently. "We must give Leonardo how ever long he needs to heal his mind." Splinter said placing a calming hand on his red son's shoulder. Raph relaxed at the touch. "I know it's just I thought we finally had him back." Raph said sadly. His eyes locked onto the floor. "We do have him back, he's just sleeping! At least he's not with Shredder anymore!" Mikey said optimistically. "But how do we know if he's not brainwashed anymore. Not that I don't have faith in you Sensei." Raph said adding the last sentence at the end quickly. "We will not know until he awakens." Splinter stated simply. "Well what if he is still a Foot soldier and he tries to kill us." Donnie said nervously. "If that happens we will deal with it." Splinter said keeping up his calm demeanor. "I guess we just have to wait." Mikey said with a shrug. The group began to exit the lab, leaving the blue turtle to rest. Raphael lingered behind. He stared at the sleeping face of his brother. "Raphael?" Splinter asked stopping in the doorway. "I'm just gonna stay here a little longer." Raph said over his shoulder. He pulled up a chair and sat down. He watched over his unconscious brother and twiddled his thumbs. Hours passed and he remained in the same position. His eyes looked bloodshot and tired. "Raphael,  you should go to bed my son." Splinter said checking on his second oldest. "But what if Leo wakes up and he's all alone." Raph said frantically. "I doubt he will awaken anytime soon." Splinter said somberly. Raph nodded and shuffled out of the lab. His legs felt like jelly after sitting for so long. Splinter slowly closed the lab door, leaving his eldest son to sleep in the darkness. Raph flopped onto his bed. He stuffed his face into his pillow. "Leo just wake up, please." He said his voice muffled by the thick pillow. He wasn't sure when but eventually he drifted off into a dreamless sleep.