Dear Diary

Chapter 6

Don closed the cell and finally let himself slump into a chair, resting his head warily in his hands. Tonight had been one of the worst nights of his life. His entire body was exhausted and ached from numerous bruises from the fight earlier in the night. But that was the least of it. His oldest brother had almost died right in front of him. Tonight was the closest he and his brothers had ever come to losing another. He had never felt a fear as great as the feeling he felt when he watched his brother's breaths cease. Recalling it even now made Don's breath hitch and caused a lump form in his throat. He knew they needed to get Leo down to the safety of the storage room, and he and his other brothers also had wounds that needed tending, but Don couldn't bring himself to move. His arms and legs felt like lead weights holding him still in his agony.
A light touch to his shoulder roused him from his dazed thoughts. He looked up and saw April looking at him with worry etched on her delicate features. He tried to grace her with a small smile, but couldn't bring himself to fake it. She squeezed his shoulder, then knelt down next to him.

"Is Splinter coming?" She asked softly.

"Yeah." Don answered, surprised by how shaky his voice sounded. "Yeah he's on his way. I couldn't bring myself to tell him how severe it was over the phone, but by his voice, I think he knew."

"Splinter tends to know more than anyone else." April said. "It wouldn't surprise me if he already felt that something bad had happened."

Don let out a pained laugh. "Yeah, no keeping anything from him." He said, the small joke sounding hollow and empty.

"We have to get him moved soon." April said softly.

Don nodded. He knew that, but he just needed a minute to collect his thoughts and let his body and mind rest before being thrust back into the frightening reality of their situation. He allowed himself to scan the room, seeing both Mikey and Raph sitting next to their injured brother. Mike had barely spoken since finding Leo in the ally. Don knew Mikey was terrified, but he still had not been able to be any comfort to him. Raph, Don knew, was devastated by overwhelming guilt. He could see it in his brother's eyes and manors. Raph had still not let go of Leo's good hand and Don had yet to see Raph move his eyes away from their brother's face.

Don let out another long breath. He was trying to be the strong one in Leo's stead. He knew he would have to be the one that kept it together for the sake of his family. But it was hard, especially with the horrible pain and fear that was eating at his insides. He didn't know what to do, something that didn't happen to him very often. He swallowed hard.

Finally he made himself stand and take control once more. He knew if he didn't push his brothers into action, they would sit there all night, not caring about discovery. He tightened his resolve and walked over to his siblings, laying a hand on Raph's shoulder.

"Splinter is on his way. We have to start moving supplies to the basement." He said, trying to hide the uncertainty in his voice. At first he thought Raph and Mikey didn't hear him, but then Raph nodded weakly, and allowed himself to let go of Leo's hand.

Once Raph and Mikey had moved away from Leo's side, Don and Sarah put them to work, instructing them on the materials, medicines, and other things they would need for Don to continue Leo's care. As the boys and April quietly carried the stuff to what would be their new temporary home, Sarah rechecked Leo's vitals, making sure that he was finally stable, at least for now. Leo's face had already gained back some color and his heart rate had begun to slow thanks to the blood given by Raph. She felt comforted in finally seeing some improvement in his condition, but the poor turtle was far from being out of the woods. She bent down to carefully listen to his lungs and heart.

"Leonardo..." a pained aged voice breathed from behind her. She turned and found herself speechless once again as she saw a large old rat, at least four feet tall and dressed in a deep red kimono, making his way, as quickly as his aged body would allow him, to the injured turtle's side. She found herself taking a few steps back in fear, her mouth hanging open as the rat drew closer, but she realized quickly that he only had eyes for the prone form in front of him, taking no notice of her. She heard movement behind her and saw Don had emerged from the basement. He briskly walked over to the rat.