Saying Goodbye
Saying Goodbye: One of our characters is dying, and instead of just telling the other, they take them on a whirl wind travel tour - ticking off things on their bucket list with their best friend.
“Donnie, is that what I think it is?”
The scientist smiled, paying his brother a side glance as he continued through the museum, lit by only a few sparse lamps that illuminated the lifeless figures of famous politicians, historical figures and celebrities.
“Yep!” the scientist confirmed as cheerfully as possible, careful not to trip an alarm as he hoisted his blanket-wrapped brother back up on his shell piggy-back style, trying not to let the weight of the sickly turtle slow his pace “Madame Tussauds! The most famous wax museum in New York city!”
It had been hell figuring out how to get in here. Altering the security system was one thing, getting through town square without being seen was a whole different story. He was so used to going through the darkened low-class corners of the downtown, getting into a tourist attraction uptown without being caught was a whole different ball game. However, he made it. By some miracle he found a way
... considering that he couldn’t figure out how to save his little brother in time, it was the very least he could do.
“it’s underfulway! ustjay the ayway I always imagined it!”
Mikey boasted his newly learned pig latin with as big a voice as his energy level would allow, his once vibrant high pitched (slightly annoying) voice reduced to an awestruck mumble as he peeked up from the blanket with starry eyes. The two turtles had barely made it half way through the main corridor, however, when Mikey began to fall limp again.
“Don?...” he whispered, face pressed against his brother’s shoulder “what are you doing?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about” the scientist smirked innocently, just to feel his younger sibling shake his head in denial.
“Sensei would never agree to any of this. I mean the pig latin thing was totally legal... but the movie premier?... and the carnival?...”
Now those two were a little easier, seeing as at those points Mikey still had enough remaining strength to walk. They snuck into the darkened theatre in trench coats and fedoras, and seeing as there were plenty of costumed people at the carnival it was just a matter of applying the right face paint and playing it cool.
Leo and Raph were left out of it for the most part. They thought that further exertion would just kill Mikey faster, but Donatello knew the exchange was more than worthwhile. He was in charge of Mikey’s health after all, and seeing how bleak things looked this could very well be considered ‘doctors orders.’
“Don... are you going to find me a mummy? and then we’re going to start a hiphop group in a golden UFO?...”
“Heh, maybe eventually” the scientist chuckled, still unsure as to how he was going to pull off that particular stunt. That, and reconnect with Renet, were the two most tricky things on the list Donatello had scanned from the journal he had snuck in and out of Michelangelo’s room “but hey, a new pharaoh exhibit opens in the downtown museum on Friday! Maybe we can try your luck there?”
Again, silence. Silence and stillness that lasted so long that Donatello felt panic begin to rise up in his chest. Trying his best to steady his voice, Donnie jostled his shoulders as to nudge his motionless brother
“Mikey. Mikey, you awake?”
“You didn’t have to keep it a secret Don”
Immediately, the scientist felt his blood turn to ice. His stomach twisted violently and he felt tears rising to his eyes“Wh-… Mikey… I’m sorry I-“
“If I’d known we were going to a wax museum I would have brought a camera. I know you wanted it to be a surprise, but sometimes I gotta prepare for these things.”
Donatello, after a long pause, let out a sigh of relief and smiled quietly to himself despite the tears that continued to prick at the corners of his eyes. Letting out a gentle chuckle, he continued to walk through the corridor after shifting his brother so that he was better balanced on his shell.“Sorry about that. I’ll make it up to you though... which wing first? The movie stars or presidents?”
“Movie stars!” Mikey replied enthusiastically before he was choked by a frog in his throat, his consequential coughs echoing through the empty halls of the wax museum as Donatello continued his journey, face averted in order to hide the tears that had now begun to spill down his cheeks and drip off his chin.
