A week passed. As agreed, the three of them are back in River’s lab. The med student sat her down, rubbing her hands as he held them. He looked troubled, and knew the longer he hesitated, the more she would worry. He pulled a deep breath and began, “You have pre-existing heart conditions,” brows furrowed at this discovery, “The mutation made it… worse.”
“According to your medical records,” Ice continued, “You were born with CCHD: critical congenital heart defects.” His pale blue eyes scanned the folder of printouts in his hand, “...With a 69% life expectancy to live up to 18 years,” he ended, looking uneasy. She had three years left before the mutation? He never expected to find out something like that about Rosa in this manner.
“You’re responding well to the antidote, however,” River handed the fifteen-year old a package. It was a month’s supply of the antidote. “The chronic symptoms lessened since you started taking it, so we’ll keep you on a steady course and monitor your progress.”
The taller senior turned back to his laptop. “Any questions?”
She gave it some thought, before finally asking “Are you guys ninjas or something??” She gestured at their outfits, “What’s with all the gear and… rooftops?”
The bigger youth laughed, “We uh… we been trainin’ since we were young in martial arts and shit. My family's in the military and his family's…” he turned to River, “Obsessed with ninja stuff,” Ice leaned in to Rosa to theater-whisper “They're weird, don’t mind ‘em,” he teased, for which he got a light punch on the shoulder from Mr. Weird Ninja Family. “Any questions about yer mutation? ”
Rosa laughed, the atmosphere lightened somewhat as another thought occurred to her, “What decides the type of mutation?” repeating her question from last week, “Like, why am I a turtle?”
The two boys exchanged a look, before River met her eyes, “The leading theory is that people mutate into whichever foreign dna majority was on the person...” he answered, looking guilty.
“OR, interacted with someone exposed ta turtles,” Ice clarified, eyes boring into his Japanese friend before facing Rosa with a gentler gaze, “Have ya... been with any turtles?”
Rosa immediately thought about the Hamatos... Donatello. That must be it.
The olive-toned teen filled her silence, “You can ask River anything if you have any questions about turtles.”
River snapped his head with wide eyes towards his bespectacled best friend. Is he exposing him??
Ice smirked at him as he continued, “He’s been studying them, here at da zoo. We’re also researching mutations for our theses. It’s why we have missions like oozesquitoes as part of our jobs.”
“That… that’s ok,” she replied shakily. “I’m good.” She could ask the four brothers all about it, being the only mutant turtles there were, as far as she knew.
Smirk melted into a concerned expression, the stocky teen cleared his throat, “Uh. O-kay… if that’s all, Imma head out.” He moved toward the exit, “We’re here fer ya, mkay?” and waved goodbye as he closed the door.
After the door closed, a long silence fell in the lab. Rosa stayed mute, staring at nothing.
When River led her to a bench so she could sit, his quick reflexes caught her as she fell to her knees. He sat before her as she clasped his hand on his lap and rested her cheek on it. With his free hand he stroked her head, helplessly trying to be comforting while thankful she couldn't see his tear-stained face. “I won't stop until I find a way to cure you…” he softly promised, haunted by old memories, “Just don't leave me, please.”
If I could I would shrink myself and sink through your skin To your blood cells and remove whatever makes you hurt But I am too weak to be your cure. ” Guernica by Brand New
