The School

Donnatello Wakes Up

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YES! Here it is! The chapter you've all been waiting FOR!
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Donnatello's POV:

I felt pain everywhere, literally. I felt something in my nose push air into my lungs.

I was gratful, I might not have had the strength to breath on my own. Considering how weak I felt.

I opened my eye's expecting to find out where I was. But instead my ears were the first to find the answer.

"DONNIE! OH DONNIE YOU'RE AWAKE!" Raph exclaimed.

I cried out in pain as Raph hugged me, it felt as if he was crushing my skeleton. He suddenly let go. I gasped as the pain slowly eased away.

"How ya doing budy?" Raphael wipped his eyes.

Had he been crying? The turtle of steel, crying?

I smiled weakly. Leo, Mikey and Master Splinter appeared in my line of sight.

After Raph's shout I'd expected all of New York to appear.

"How are you doing my son?" Splinter laid his hand gently on my head.

I tried to answer, but a tight pain in my throat made me remember what TigerClaw had said and done.

I made the "Thumbs Up" sign and winced as my arms screamed at me to stop moving, I laid them back down.

"What's wrong, can't you talk?" Mikey asked trying to get a closer look at who-knows-what.

I shook my head carefully, then pointed to my throat. Trying to indicate that there was a problem there.

"OH, OH, I know this one!" Mikey started jumping up and down.

"Is it... Pizza!?"

Everyone looked at Mikey confused.

"I told you not to be stupid you moron." Raph flicked him in the head.

Mikey dramatized Raph's flick by whimpering in a high pitched voice.

(Sorry couldn't help this direct quote from the show. It was too funny and cute... And it fit this chapter.)

Raph smiled slightly at Mikey's reaction.

I smiled as well at the cuteness and silliness of my brothers.

I sensed everyone looking at me. I tried to sit up, but I was still too weak.

Raph came over and sat me up, sat down himself and then had me lean against him. He laid his arm prospectively around me, helping me keep my balance.

I'm having trouble with my balance? And I'm only sitting? That can't be good at all.

There was a long silence broken by the machine and my attempts to breath on my own.

"So... whoever did this to you, made it so you can't talk?" Leo asked voicing the current problem.

I nodded. I heard a collective sigh. It wasn't that loud, but I still heard it.

They're disappointed in me... Maybe if I can get to my lab, I can somehow take it out and keep my voice box intact!

Master Splinter must have sensed my thoughts.

"We must let him rest a little longer, to collect his thoughts and strength." He began to walk off.

Raph set me in the corner of the couch, so the arm and the back supported me. He stood up and walked to Mikey and Leo.

My brother's whispered amongst each other. I caught some of their conversation.

"-Keep an eye on Donnie while the other two train?"

I looked down at the ground.

They have to take turns watching me... someone will have to miss training and patrols!

Speaking of which I had no clue what time it was, I needed to find out ASAP.

"I will." Mikey volunteered.

There was silence.

"What? It's not like he's going anywhere. Plus I can make dinner!" He smiled

My brothers agreed and went their separate ways including Mikey. He went straight to the kitchen.

A couple of minutes passed. I decided to make my move.

I carefully crawled to my lab and grabbed two strong sticks. Wrapped some cloth and used them as crutches. I made a carrier for the breathing machine.

I left the sewers to find the rooftop I needed. Every single movement sent waves of pain throughout my body, but I needed to get there or my family would be killed.

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Hours passed, yet He did not come. I saw the bug, they apparently could fly. I opened my mouth and swallowed it like a pill.

That was a mistake.

I held my stomach in pain as I felt it move around, trying to find the place it was programmed to find.

After it had settled I stood up and headed home.

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No one had noticed I was gone. I set my crutches and carrier in my lab and made it to the couch before anyone noticed.

You'd think they would be more paranoid after I've been gone for a month... But hey, if it helps me do my job I'm fine with it as long as I can keep my family safe I'll keep waiting for him to show up.

I laid down and closed my eyes...