Race. [TMNT 2012]

21. Discovery of the Forest; Raphael

Casey somehow manages to locate the Party Wagon. We use it to escape the grasp of New York City without being detected. I'm not totally sure how a multi-colored van goes unnoticed down the streets. Then again, it's probably best not to question it.

   The moment we arrive back to the farmhouse, I get a sick feeling in my stomach. I don't want to go back to the place where so many bad memories lie. That disgusting plant thing, The Finger, April's 'mom', those crazy frog mutants, Dream Beavers, Speed Demon, and Turducken. I really don't want to face any of them again.

   As we make our way to the front door, I can't help being reminded of the inner struggles we faced as well. Leonardo was fighting to heal his leg. Donatello and Casey were trying to overcome their rivalry. And the rest of us, well... We were just pained to see how much the others were going through.

   I don't want to have to sit vigil beside the bathtub again, but I will if that's what it comes down to. I am there for Donatello until the end, even if I don't understand what he is saying half the time.

   Casey, however, sees it fit to lay Donatello on the couch. Just as the turtle's shell touches the cushions, Donatello flickers his eyes open.

   "Donnie!" April and I exclaim simultaneously.

   Donatello looks around, his eyes full of confusion. "When did we get here?" he asks. He sounds exhausted.

   Ignoring his idiotic question, I sit down beside him and punch his arm affectionately. "I thought you were gonna be out for months, just like Leo," I admit. I try to push away the weird feeling it brings me to say the blue-clad brother's name- I am still mad at him.

   Donatello smiles weakly and rubs his arm where I had punched him.

   "Do you need anything?" April asks anxiously. "Water? A blanket?"

   "Actually, I'm a bit hungry," Donatello confesses, a light pink blush on his cheeks. He's obviously enjoying the attention from the red-head.

   April thinks for a moment. "The food here has probably gone bad by now. We'll have to stop by the drugstore to restock the fridge."

   "I'll go down there," Casey volunteers. "I just hope that shopkeeper isn't still a wacko."

   I smirk a bit at Casey's words, amused. "I'm going with you," I say. I'm not worried about being spotted around here. Besides, I can't stand being in the farmhouse any longer than I have to, even if Donatello is alright. Too many awful memories.

   Casey nods and glances at April. "Wanna go with us, Red?" he asks.

   April shakes her head. "No, that's alright. I'll stay with Donnie," she answers, but Leonardo retracts her words almost immediately.

   "I'll stay with Don," the blue-clad turtle says simply. He takes a seat in an armchair and relaxes into it.

   I'm not sure if Leonardo is trying to help, or if he just doesn't want to do anything. Either way, I'm not going to trust him with Michelangelo.  I decide to take the little turtle along with me and leave Ice Cream Kitty in the freezer.

   "I'll keep an eye on Leo," Elizabetta
promises, though she's not in any better shape.  Still, that's better than nothing.

   As I return from putting up Ice Cream Kitty, I hear Casey asking Charlotte if she wants to tag along. Ugh.

   "Sure," Charlotte says with a shrug. I understand that Casey is just trying to keep an eye on her, but can't I have five minutes without her? I can't seem to catch a break when she's around. It's wearing me out.