Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created in Glee. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is being intended. However, all original characters belong to me.
A/N: Okay so this story came about b/c while deciding on the next installment for Gaming Gone Wrong I was leaning heavily towards Red Dead Redemption, but I started thinking 'I can't do this game's story or glee characters justice with just 3-5 chapters' so here it is bigger and better. I hope y'all enjoy.
For the most part anything that is spoken grammatically incorrect is on purpose because this AU does take place during the end of the Old West, when 'all them book smarts' were not really necessary to get by day to day. Though Rachel will be very grammatically correct, because that is who she is, and I do not want to break that part of her character.
This story is inspired by the videogame Red Dead Redemption, and will be narrated by Beth in certain points. This has very huge Faberry twist that will take place in the next few chapters. This twist will cause parts to be taken out of order or portions at the end be nonexistent (if you have played the game and finished you will notice what I am talking about).
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Title: Silent Escape
Rating: T – language, heavy violence, strong sexual themes, alcohol, character death
Pairings (in no order): Faberry, Brittana, Tike, others
Friendships: Quick, Puckleberry
Summary: Noah Puckerman, finally at the mercy of The Law, is given a choice. Either he does as the newly formed FBI tells him, and his family lives or, he rotes locked away for all eternity knowing he was the one who ultimately killed his wife and daughter. It won't be until he and Quinn find Rachel Berry, a woman from down south, who comes to their family's aid that they realize they may still have a fighting chance.
Chapter 1: New Friends, Old Problems
The first thing you need to understand is pretty damn simple. I don't come from you're A-Typical like family. Here's why, I know how to read and write. Yeah, yeah I know, I know what of it? The catch is I'm a girl, eleven year old girl to be exact. Second, my Daddy, he didn't marry my Mama because he loved her. Well, that would be a lie, he does love her. He loves her whole hell of a lot. He married Mama because it was the only way to protect her from 'The Old Gang" when I was born. You see, my parents they don't come from the right side of the law, and it's that wrong side of the law that caught my Daddy up in one hell of a mess. Cept it brought someone back into Mama's life that she thought was gone forever.
Mama and I had just been shipped back to the house seeing as Daddy was way down south doin' whatever it was he was sent off to be doin' when Daddy and this woman come riding up over the hill top. The hill top! Both look like they had been chase'n after wild hog and had wild hog chase'n after them. I'd be lie'n if I said I didn't scream, and that scream didn't have Mama running out to see what had happened to me. What I saw at that point it blew my mind, it was like she had seen a ghost, but none of that was important not now anyway. Daddy leapt from his horse kissed Mama and me on the cheek and ran into the house. That broke her from her trance. She ran in the house after him yellin' as the sound of drawers, doors, and pots and pans echoed everywhere. It was like he had never been away. I watched the woman who sat atop what I think was an appaloosa horse. They got those real pretty spotted backsides. Well, I'm about to turn back into the house to see if I can help. When out pops Daddy he has hold of Mama's arm and he is yanking her across the deck when he tosses me the smaller bag of the two he was holdin'. She just keeps yellin' at him like there is no tomorrow then she makes eye contact with that lady again. Daddy hoists Mama up onto his horse and motions for me to do the same on the lady's horse. I do.
And that's where we are now. We are at this real pretty ranch house, its white washed and everything! Mama and me we are on the porch in rock'n chairs with Daddy and his woman friend. Another lady with long blond hair pulled back in a tight pony she sets down a tray with iced tea. That's when Daddy starts to tell us his story of how the lady sittin' here with us, Rachel Berry, and the lady with the pulled back blond hair, Brittany S. Pierce, saved his life.
NOAH PUCKERMAN WAS GIVEN 'ONE LAST TIME' to see his small family before he was ushered off by two men in bowler hats towards the fairy. The shorter of the two wore small thick bottle framed glasses, and the taller man called him Jacob, walked beside him with a strut chest puffed out. Puck knew better though, he knew it was the taller one, the one with short cropped hair, and the constipated baby-face that called the shots. It was the taller of the two, the one called Finn, who cuffed him from behind and kicked the back of his knee this caused Puck to groan. He watched his wife and daughter wince.
"I'll be back I promise! Don't you worry I'll be back in no time! No time!" Finn moved him along, this time with a hard shoved to the right shoulder. "You take care of your Mother, Beth, you hear me! I don't want to be coming back home and find your Mama all sick with the consumption. You got that," he yelled across the harbor as he watched the young girl with straw colored hair just darker than the older woman's nod into her mother's chest. "I love you, baby girl!"
The older woman, blonde hair pulled back in a loose bun engulfed the young girl in her arms cocooning her body with the cotton-wool shawl Puck had bought her for her birthday. "I love you!" Emotion never broke the twenty-seven year old woman's face.
"I love you, too Quinn," Puck yelled back with the same valor. Finn shoved him once more within the fairy. Unable to see his family Puck hung his head low; he gave them a silent promise. He would see his family again, before he died, he promised them that.
Pulled from his thoughts he watched the two agents chuckle. "You think you're so smart. Well I'll get yer little errands done, and I'll see my family again. You can count on that! Sir, yes you can!"
"I'll hold you to it then," laughed Finn. He checked his pocket watch. "Okay, Puckerman we have fifteen minutes to the rail station. From there you will be traveling down to Armadillo. In Armadillo there will be a man that goes by the name a Jake waiting for you, and he will most likely be in the saloon. From that point he will be taking you to the Fort where your former gang-mate Azimio Adams and the rest of the Adams gang are held up. You are to capture him alive or dead whichever comes first. Then our Armadillo contacts will pick him up, and bring him back to us." Finn took hold of Puck's cuffed arm swung him meeting one another face to face. "Is that understood?"
"Loud and clear: catch Azimio, wait for yer bitches to pick him up, and then go onto Chris, an' finally Dave. I heard yah before," answered back Puck his face contorting with rage as Jacob played with the handcuffs trying to release him. "Is this yer first time on the job? Taken handcuffs off is a synch if they were in front of me, I'd have'um off in no time!" Puck winced in pain again as Jacob pulled at the cuffs. "You some sort of desk jockey? Quit it you—" He was cut short as Finn pushed Jacob aside snatched the keys and unlocked the cuffs.
Puck rubbed at his wrists as the two men ushered him off the fairy, along the road, and towards the rail station. "Do you we hug goodbye?" Jacob stepped forward in an attempt to do just that. Puck roared with laughter as he stepped atop the cabooses' back entrance. He turned to see Finn fling the small man back two feet, his laugher only escalating form then on.
"Remember Puckerman you're looking for a man named Jake, Jake," Finn yelled.
PUCK GRUNTED AND TOOK AN EMPTY SEAT. He had not pictured a proper coach ridden train ride to be like this. No, he had pictured his first proper train ride to be with his wife and daughter on the way down south to Armadillo so that Beth could see where her mother had been raise. Puck was on his way to kill a man, a man he once considered a friend, so that he could kill another two men in hopes that he would be given his family back. He leant back, tipped his hat over his face, and fell asleep.
…
The train halted causing the car to lurch forward then back rousing Puck from his sleep. It was time, time to have this over and done. The quicker this happened, then the quicker he could move on to the next step. He resituated his hat and rose from his seat, allowing the women from behind to exit before him.
"Such good manners," spoke out one of the women.
"Indeed, Indeed, It is so hard to find a ruffian like him who understands where to place a lady in this the world," agreed the other.
Puck snickered, if they only knew.
Finally out of the car. He stretched his legs and cricked his neck. Puck had to narrow his eyes as he walked the deck of the station out to the old dirt road. His hat barely helped with the sun out here in this place that was certain. "Okay, Jake, where are you." He looked to his left and then to his right. A general store, a gunsmith, and even a doctor, but no saloon Puck blinked right in front of him barely ten feet away stood a large two story hotel. "At least these people are resourceful." He stepped forward beads of sweat trickling down his neck after only mere seconds of sun exposure, and pushed open one of the door flaps.
The crooning of a high-pitch piano sounded while a tone death woman sang atop the stage. "Can I help you with anything sweetheart?" Puck turned to owner of the voice which had just whispered in his ear. Smiled a red lipped Latina woman in a tight-fitted black, red, and white bodice dress her breasts spilling out over the top. "Can I help you with anything," she asked again in her sultry voice her well groomed hand trailing its way along his vest to his trousers.
Puck took hold of her hand, he tossed it softly away. "Um…" Puck paused not knowing what to call her. "I'm looking for a man named Jake."
"Santana," she offered in reward for his unusual and kind refusal to her advances. "He's over there." She pointed in the direction of graying bearded man covered by two prostitutes.
Puck nodded his thanks to have Santana only shake her head in disbelief. "Jake?"
"Wha'," gargled the man.
"Your name Jake?"
"Yeah, what's it to yah!" hiccupped the man.
Puck placed his gloved thumb and forefinger on the bridge of his nose and shook his head. He was dead defiantly dead with this man as his guild.
"'M here to from Blackwater?"
"Puckerman, Noah Puckerman? That's what they call you right?"
"Sometimes."
The old man grinned beside himself convinced he was the one to have made the connection first. "Well 'm the man your friends from Blackwater hired to help you out with that Adams gang." He smiled a toothless smile.
"They aren't my friends, but yeah—"
"We had better get a move on I have two horses tied up front for us. Come on!"
Puck followed the man through the push doors, never noticing the curious look which passed Santana's face. He took hold of the horse's reins, grabbed hold of the saddle and lifted himself onto its back. "Come on now," Puck spoke out to the horse.
"Alrighty Mr. Puckerman, lets get." Puck followed Jake along a dust trail. "So it's Fort Mercer you want to visit?"
"That's right."
"I ain't taken nobody up that way in a long time. Strange place for a good fella' to want to visit, if you don't mind me sayin'"
"Who said I was a good fella'?"
"People around these parts say the fort was built during the Mexican War." Puck cantered his horse up closer to Jake. "All sorts of soldiers around this place back then."
"Why'd they leave?" Puck looked to the left pulling his horse ever so slightly over to the side. The gang of cyotes was none the wiser and went back to their deer. Once again turning his attention back in the direction of Jake, Puck applied pressure to his horse "He—ha" they galloped together and back to a steady pace with Jake.
"Oh I don't wells know. Maybe they went up North to go fight all those Indians. 'R maybe they decided to go west. You know how things is around here." Jake smacked at his lips then pushed some loose grey hairs from his face as the two continued to ride along the dirt trail. "So what has you going all the way up to the Fort?"
"I'm just stoppin' by to visit a friend."
"A friend you say," asked Jake both he and Puck made eye contact before turning their attention back on the road ahead. He let out a throaty high pitched laugh. "Well, ain't none my business how you folks handle yourselves out here."
"Well, to be fare, we ain't been friends for a long time," answered Puck that as far as he was willing to go.
The ride continued on in quiet, until once again Jake broke the breeze with his own verity of small talk. "You planning on staying in Armadillo any time? Because let me tell you, these are some the finest ladies you'll ever find around these parts."
"Not this time I'm afraid," answered Puck. "I would like to come back her with my wife and daughter one of these days. My wife's from around these parts. I think, well at least she yaps about this place a good deal of the time."
Jake's laugh began to echo throughout the dessert once again.
"Y'know I do have a question for yah if you don't mind."
"Shoot Mr. Puckerman, It will help keep the ride from gettin' quiet that's for sure."
"How'd you get this job?"
"Yeah, so it was the Marshals who hired me. Mike Chang and Sam Evens, you know 'em?"
"I think I heard their names before."
"Says they got a telegram from those friends of yours up in Blackwater big bugs askin' for a guide, and here I am."
Puck growled, "I told you, they ain't my god damn friends!"
Jake held out his hands before quickly placing back atop the knob of the saddle. "Only answerin' the question Mr. Puckerman. Only answerin' your question." The horses continued to carry Jake and Puck along the dust trail, the sun beating down causing sweat to appear in places Puck had forgotten existed. "Almost there Mr. Puckerman, the Fort is just over this hill!"
They rode the rest of the distance, the weight of what Puck was sent here to do finally taking hold of him. He followed Jake in silence, slowed his horse to a stop when needed, and like Jake looked out into the distance at the old dilapidated Fort.
"Listen, mister," Jake motioned for Puck to come closer. He waved him in with his hand. Both men leaning to the side of their horses he began to whisper. "This here's what's left of Fort Mercer. Some gang rode in and took the place over."
"So I heard."
"This is where we part ways friend. You have yourself a good time." Jake motioned his horse gave his high pitched cackle and road off back in the direction they came.
Puck sat in silence atop the horse, it was time. Better to deal with it now, than wait and have Azimio realize he was here. He dismounted his horse a ways from the Fort's entrence, he took a breath and continued to trek along the desert floor to his 'old friend'.
…
Puck stopped in front of the towering wooden gate. He took a breath. "Azimio! Azimio, I've come for yah!"
Nothing all that could be heard were the crickets signaling the sun was soon to set. "Azimio Adams' I have come for you, you come out here right now!"
"Go away now, Puck. Don't make me kill you." A heavy set black male around the same age as Puck, appeared through the opened stucco window above the Fort's towering wooden gate. He had his rifle at the ready pointed in the direction of Puck's head.
"Nobody needs to kill anyone, Azimio."
"You must think I was born yesterday. You always did think I was an idiot."
Puck stood tall, eyes locked with Azimio. "That ain't fair Azimio and you know it! You were my brother. I've come to try to save you."
Out from behind the Fort's front two pillars, appeared two of Azimio's new men, men from the Adams Gang they each wielded rifles as well. "Do it look like I need savin', Puck?"
"Azimio please, they want to kill us all, I can help you," Pleaded Puck.
"Well, you never tried any of that saving before. You only seem to save yourself, that whore, and that dumbass kid of yours."
Puck glowered, though he knew it pointless. "You leave them out of this they done nothing to you," he yelled at the top of his lungs. "I implore you, think about this."
Azimio burst out into laugher. "Y—you implore me? You implore me?" He ended his laugh with a standoffish growl. "You were always one for fancy words!" He released one hand from the rifle still keeping it trained on Puck's head. With this free hand he lifted it into the air. "Well, things are different now, Puck!" He took hold of the rifle once again and screamed. "Now I'm in charge! No more Dave, and no more you!" He looked from one of his men to the other. "Implores, I implores you to go back—go back and tell them. Tell them to send someone just a little bit more impressive, next time!" He grinned wild and stepped back.
"Well…"It was too quick. Puck pulled for his weapon, only to have the two Adams men who accompanied Azimio to open fire from the Fort's roof tops. Puck groaned out in pain as the bullets entered his body. He fell back into the dust.
Azimio laughed hysterically. "Poor, Puck," he uttered before disappearing into the confines of the Fort once again.
PUCK LIED BLOODSTAINED AND MOTIONLESS across the desert ground; at least it had taken two men and three rounds to render his body helpless. The red liquid continued to pour from his body creating a trail, no doubt to attract those damned coyotes about a mile back, and he would be damned if he let those animals be the ones to finish him off. His right hand trimmed across thr ground taking hold of his fallen artillery. One bullet would be enough. Barely a week and he had failed. Noah Puckerman had promised his wife and daughter he would return, and they would be whole once more, only to have failed. His vision splotched and began to blur the sun had begun to shadow.
"This way Brittany hurry up!" spoke out the voice of a woman. "Help me lift his body. I can barely hold on to his legs." The two women who shadowed over the sun lifted Noah Puckerman's body into a small wagon. "We will need Santana to tell us if he is the right one—" All went black; Noah Puckerman was out like a light.
I hope you all enjoyed Chapter 1. Please let me know what you think. How soon should Quinn and Rachel reunite? Will Puck become jealous of their past and newly blossoming relationship? Stay tuned for more!