Alternate Allure

CHAPTER 24: FROM THE START [Part IV]

"Alright, Mikey, I need a symptom check" You press your T-Phone against your ear. "What's going on with Raph?"

The Shellraiser rattles violently as it speeds through the streets. Donnie grips the wheel, laser-focused on the road, while you sit cross-legged on the floor, carefully measuring out ingredients for Raph's antidote. The tension is thick in the air. Not just because Raph's life depends on you getting this right, but also because your arm—still sore from your last fight—is making your hands shaky.Every bump sends fire shooting through your shoulder, and you have to grind your teeth to stop yourself from yelping.

<<Uh... well, he keeps telling me I'm the smartest guy he knows>> On the other end, Mikey's voice crackles through.

"...Okay. Okay, he's delusional" You mutter, already grabbing a vial. "Haloperidol. He needs Haloperidol" You measure fast, shaking less from nerves and more from pain. "What's his color looking like?"

<<Green, dude. And I mean way more than usual>>

"Shit! Okay, I need to start over"

You toss the flask aside and dive for another vial, fingers trembling as you try to keep a steady hand. Deep breath. Focus. Just—

The van takes a turn that makes you lurch forward, nearly knocking the flask out of your hand. That's it.

"Shit—fuck—Donnie, I need help! Now!"

His eyes flick to you on the monitor, then down at your shaking hands, the way you're trying to hold yourself together. He immediately makes a decision.

"Hey, Timothy" Donnie calls, already unbuckling. "You know how to drive?"

"You kidding?" Tim scoffs, waving a hand. "I've been driving an ice cream truck all summer!"

"Good enough" Donnie shoves him into the seat and jumps over to kneel beside you.

Tim blinks. "Wait—"

"Just drive!" Donnie snaps. Then, talks softer, to you. "Tell me what you need"

You exhale shakily, trying to keep your mind on the task. "I need Sodium Chloride instead of Dextrose solution as the base"

Donnie nods, grabbing the vial and carefully pouring it into the mix—

SCREEECH!

The Shellraiser makes a sudden, violent swerve, sending both of you sliding sideways. The liquid sloshes wildly in the beaker, nearly spilling.

"WOAH! Watch it!" You yell, grabbing at the floor for balance.

Donnie whips his head up. "Timothy! You said you could drive!"

"I can!" Tim yells back. "I just usually don't go over eight miles an hour!"

Donnie groans. "Just hold it steady, okay?!" He turns back to you, steadying the flask. "Base is in. What else?"

"Okay, uh... ascorbic acid and N-acetyl—"

Another aggressive jerk of the Shellraiser cuts you off.

Donnie gets thrown forward, his palm slamming against the wall for balance, while you get flung back straight into Raph's bunk. The air knocks out of your lungs, only for Don to end up practically caging you in, his arms braced on either side. Your eyes meet, both of you slightly wide-eyed, startled, and very aware of the awkward proximity. Donnie's lips part like he wants to say something, but then—

Another turn. A bad one.

This time you go flying together, straight across the van. You smack into his chest with a loud thud, both of you crashing to the floor. Your palms land against his plastron, your cheek mashed against him, and holy hell you can feel his heart pounding like a jackhammer under your skin. Heat rushes up your face so fast it's embarrassing.