Legacy Mutation (Book Eight)

Chapter 54: Road to Recovery

"Dean!" Copeland exclaims, engulfing him in a tight hug as the tears start streaming down her face. "You're alive. I knew you'd come back. Oh Dean...I'm never letting you do anything stupid and reckless again, you idiot."

He gasps, coughing and weakly returning the hug. "Co, you're crushing me," he wheezes. "And...you hate hugs."

"I love hugs. Shut up."

She loosens her arms a little as she buries her face in his shoulder. He manages a feeble laugh and returns the hug.

"I missed you," he murmurs.

"We all missed you more," she cries softly, finally pulling away and letting him sink back into the bed. "Thanks for saving our lives though...shielding us from all that rubble."

"Someone had to," he returns, his eyes fluttering shut momentarily.

They shoot open after a moment and he lurches upwards, barking in pain as he grips his abdomen. Copeland immediately lowers him back down as he tries to calm his quaky breathing.

"Who...who set off the freak explosion at the end?" he asks, his face genuinely curious.

The turtle girl doesn't answer, looking away. "Um...I'll go get the others."

She dashes from the room. Dean narrows his eyes a little at the weird response. He slowly pushes himself up, feeling his wings and legs ache horribly. He tries to flap his wings, but the feathered extensions on his back only move weakly before sending flaming agony through his body. He grits his teeth, looking down at his clothing and his body. His shirt buttons up at the front, but none are fastened. Electrodes and wires are pressed onto his pectorals and abs, attaching him to a nearby heart monitor.

What his eyes focus on are the ugly gashes crossing his chest from Shredder's blade. They've gotten dark, healing over and becoming smooth, but he still looks at them in disgust. He raises his arms slowly, looking at the scratches and faint cuts lining them as he tentatively clenches and unclenches his fists.

His eyes flicker to the clock on his bookshelf, his eyes widening when he notices that he's been unconscious for almost three months.

"DEAN!"

He yelps a little as his ears flatten against his head. Venus leaps onto him and secures her arms around his neck as she plants kisses all over his face. He ignores the pain she caused by her weight landing on him, only returning the hug as he enjoys the warmth of his sister.

"Hey Vennie," he whispers.

"I love you so much," she returns, her pretty green eyes sparkling with joy.

He presses a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I love you too, little sister."

Outside the room, Copeland bursts into Destiny and Leonardo's room. She races to the wolf-raven, grabbing her shoulders and shaking relentlessly.

"Auntie Destiny! AUNTIE DESTINY!" she shouts.

She wakes up, groaning and blinking slowly. "Huh? What?"

"Dean...he's awake! Come on!"

Copeland turns and races from the room to get Leo. Destiny is out of bed in a flash.

"UNCLE LEO! UNCLE LEO!" Copeland shrieks.

Leo squeaks in surprise, accidentally rolling off his makeshift bed on the bench in the process. He groans as he sits up, holding his head.

"Copeland? It's two in the morning, what are you-"

"DEAN'S AWAKE!"

He's racing towards the bedroom before she can utter another word.