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The room was eerily quiet. The only sounds in the med bay were the quiet steady breathing of the sleeping turtles around him and the rhythmic beeping of a machine. Casey wanted to sleep. This was the longest day of his life running from one fight to the next. He finally had a moment to rest, and yet, something stopped him. Staring at the broken teen in front of him, he grabbed the red-eared slider’s hand. This turtle’s hand used to swallow his own with ease. It carried him since he was a child.
He’d never get to see that version of Leo again.
Falling back into his seat, he watched the young turtle breathe. Did Sensei end up looking this beat up after throwing Casey back in time? Of course, he did. At least this Leo was still alive. But Casey was a stranger to him. He was a stranger to all of them. A stranger to his own family. But they weren’t his family. Not anymore. Not anymore.
Curling in on himself with a shutter, tears threatened to spill. He didn’t want to fall apart. Not here. Not now. He couldn’t. He couldn’t stay here, but he couldn’t leave either. Not when they needed him. Did they really need him? They’re okay right now. He could step out for just a moment. Just a moment alone. But he didn’t want to be alone. He wanted to be with them. He wanted his family.
They’re gone.
Hot tears streamed down his face as his body fell into wracking sobs. Mourning the loss of those already gone and the two he just lost less than 24 hours ago. His home. His friends. His family. Everything was gone. This city was too bright, too loud, too much. Way too much.
Despite being surrounded by familiar faces, he’d never felt more alone.
