Part One
Nightlife in Lima was practically nonexistent. There were a few bars and one dance hall, which hosted line dancing and country music. Barn parties were sort of a local pastime for teenagers stuck in a small, quiet cow town. Greg Thorne had invited the entire football team to an exclusive barn party. There were no outsiders allowed, not even Cheerios. It was an annual tradition. Finn Hudson had never actually been before, but he had just made Varsity this year. The ritual was sacred for West McKinley High. The location changed every year and no one knew what day the party was on until someone explicitly invited them. Rumor had it the party always included some kind of initiation ceremony and an epic, well planned prank. Last year they had left a car on the roof of the high school. The year before that, they had glued every door in the high school shut. Finn could only imagine what kind of mischief they had in mind this year.
Everyone was excited for the party. Finn picked up Artie and put his chair in the back of Burt's truck. He had lent it to Finn for the weekend while he enjoyed a weekend in Orlando with Carole. It was some kind of therapeutic trip. The doctors and Kurt pushed Burt into having a good time.
Finn suspected Kurt was simply exhausted from all he did and would likely sleep all weekend. The guy juggled school, homework, Cheerios, Glee, looking after his father's health, and over seeing things at the garage. Finn had no idea how he did it, but he was pretty sure Kurt wasn't sleeping much. He had fallen asleep in Glee practice earlier this week during one of Rachel's solos. Finn wasn't surprised, since she was singing Kenny Loggins. When Mr. Schuester noticed Kurt sleeping, he'd expressed his concern about Kurt's health. However, the soprano just shrugged and said he was 'fine'. Finn planned on swinging by the Hummel house tomorrow and to make sure he was getting some rest.
The Thorne's owned over a thousand acres of land outside of Lima. A spacious farm house complimented the sprawling lawn. Several corrals surrounded the big brown and blue barn. Wheat and corn fields stretched across the hills. It was a nice property. Finn parked the truck with the other vehicles. Climbing out of the truck, Finn pulled out Artie's wheelchair and opened the passenger door. Artie smiled. It was obvious the guitarist was looking forward to the party. He had ditched the sweater vests in favor of a freshly pressed collared shirt.
"I've never been to a real party before," Artie confessed, "except Kurt's sweet sixteen party."
"I didn't know he had party." The only thing Finn remembered about Kurt's birthday last year was the Navigator.
"Matt and I were the only guys there. We ended up wearing makeup and having our toenails painted. The girls had fun dressing us up."
Finn raised his eyebrows at Matt's name. "I didn't know Matt and Kurt were friends."
"Kurt tutored Matt in French," Artie shrugged, "and English. They hung out a lot last year. Kurt's the one who convinced Matt to join Glee in the first place."
Finn frowned. "That explains why Matt was giving me the silent treatment during nationals. I bet Kurt told him about our fight."
"What fight?" Artie looked suspicious and overprotective at the same time.
"Never mind."
Finn didn't want to talk about that incident again. There had been enough grief over his explosion in the basement and Kurt's manipulative behavior. It was kind of settled now, and he didn't need Artie getting upset about it. The barn's big double doors were open. Fluorescent lights burned overhead. It was a cold night, but the barn had huge gas heaters attached to the ceiling. Most of the football team was already there.
Sam, Mike, and Puck held plastic beer cups in their hands. Smiling, Finn wheeled Artie over. Fred Bishop handed them cups. Finn took a sip and grimaced, the beer tasted bitter and cheap.
"This party sucks," Puck declared, "Barn parties are stupid. Sausage-fest barn parties are really stupid."
Sam smiled. "I've never been to a barn party before."
"Rich kids probably have better things to do on weekends." Artie offered.
"They happen every weekend. The stoners have them the most. Those are the best ones." Finn considered calling one of the stoner kids for some hash. "I bet they're having one this weekend. I could use a hit."
"When did you go to a barn party with the stoners, Finn? I thought the stoners scared you. You usually just get weed from me." Puck shook his head.
"They invited me once. I went freshman year. Connie Voss invited me." Finn blushed. "Those guys-Max and Jeff-they said I'm too much of a Transfirmist to understand people like them."
Puck laughed. Sam suddenly found his beer more interesting to look at than Finn. Artie grinned behind his plastic cup and said, "I think you meant conformist."
Finn didn't know what either word really meant. He'd had a huge crush on the fiery brunette for a long time. Connie was totally a hippie, but she was smart and had some badass DJ equipment in her basement. She was his first real crush, even though she had never been interested in him. He still thought she was pretty cool, but he loved Rachel now.
"This beer is horrible," Artie complained, "does all beer taste like this?"
Puck rolled his eyes and raised his voice, "No. This is just cheap, factory brewed stuff. Once you try some of the authentic micro-brewed beer, you'll never drink this stuff again. Unless you're at a lame ass barn party."
A ringing cow bell interrupted their conversation. The other football players quieted down. Everyone turned towards the barn doors. David Karfosky, Victor Azimio, Greg Thorne, and Josh Turner stood at the entrance. Their clothes were slightly dirty and something red had stained Karfosky's jacket. Greg rubbed at his sore wrist. Josh was the only one standing still. The other three guys slightly swayed as they stood there. They were drunk.
"First, I want to welcome everyone to the eleventh annual West McKinley High football party for the varsity team." Greg slurred out, squinting blearily at the group. "This party's a tradition. When it started in 1989, everyone had to prove their loyalty to the team, even the quarterback. The team came through and they ended up winning a title that year, for the first time in fifteen years."
And the last time they won a title, Finn thought.
"Our team hasn't won a title since 1990," Karfosky started, "even though we have the party. It's not really a loyalty test anymore, though."
"It's become a night of practical jokes." Greg mournfully shook his head. "Nothing more than childish pranks."
"I was extremely disappointed when Greg told me what happens here every year."
The team murmured in excitement as Derek Thorne stepped into the barn. He was holding a long, thick rope. The rope trailed outside. Finn couldn't see what on the other side, but somehow he knew he wasn't going to like it. Everyone knew who Derek Thorne was. He had been the star quarterback at McKinley High and led the team to two consecutive titles. Derek had earned a scholarship to Texas. The muscular, good looking brunette played quarterback for the University of Texas and ended up playing professional football for the Dallas Cowboys. Everyone in Lima knew his story-he was a living, breathing legend from their hometown.
"I know you guys have a new coach. She might be a woman, but she's pretty a good coach. You guys have won a few games already. I want this team to be great again."
"We can win a title this year," Greg piped up, "but we need to trust one another before we can be great again."
"Yeah," Karfosky echoed, "we're going to have a reenactment of sorts."
"We're gonna reenact the Laramie Project!"
"Come here, fag." Greg gave the rope a hard, rough yank. A short, lean figure stumbled into the barn. Finn felt his stomach drop. It was Kurt. The soprano's black jacket was torn. His designer jeans were stained with mud. He had a black eye and a split lip. Tears streamed down his face. Derek pushed him onto the ground. Kurt cried out in pain, fighting against the rope tied around his wrists. Finn could see one wrist was red and swollen. A furious, terrifying rage simmered in his stomach; all he could see was red. He flew at Derek, shrieking at the top of his lungs. Karfosky and Azimio grabbed his arms, twisting them behind his back as Finn screamed in rage.
"Let me go, you fuckers!" Puck sounded pissed. Finn couldn't see him. "You just knocked over a kid in a wheelchair!"
"I'm fine, Mike," Artie said from behind him, "Help Kurt."
"Since when do you care about this fag, Puckerman?" Karfosky glared.
Finn kept struggling against his assailants, but they held him down. Azimio was practically sitting on him. Someone else kicked him in the ribs. Finn groaned and tried to catch his breath.
"We knew you guys in Homo Explosion would try to help the fag out." Greg kicked Kurt in the side. Kurt screamed. Finn saw the terror in his eyes. He started struggling against Azimio again.
"Fags shouldn't exist in a place like this," Derek sneered, "they should stay in a closet, or get the fuck out of this town."
"You can't do this," Mike protested, "it isn't right."
He had no idea where Mike was, but it sounded like the dancer was out of breath. They were probably holding him as well. A few of the players seemed to agree with Mike. But most of them, however, were eager to teach Kurt Hummel a lesson. Finn couldn't believe the things they were saying.
"Fucking Fag!" Someone threw a plastic cup at Kurt. It landed almost a foot away from him.
"Queen!"
"Cocksucker!"
The majority was winning the argument. After a few minutes, no one was protesting anything except the five members of the Glee Club. Finn let out a disgusted huff. The rage quickly turned into fear. They were going to kill Kurt, just like those guys in Wyoming had killed that Sheppard kid. Finn imagined Kurt tied up to a fence post, cold, injured, and scared. They might not let him live long enough to tie him up and leave him in a field. Kurt had never done anything to deserve this torture. Finn felt hot, angry tears running down his face.
"Don't worry, Hudson, we aren't going to kill him." Karfosky smiled, flashing his teeth.
"We're just making him leave town tonight," Azimio laughed, "'cause he ain't gonna go back to being in a closet."
"We'll break his legs and dump in Columbus." Derek shrugged. "You're going to help us."
"Never!" Artie shouted. "You can't make me do that to him!"
"You don't break his legs, we'll kill him." Derek glared at the football team, daring anyone to speak out. No one did.
"Don't even think about going to the cops about this. You try to do something stupid like that and we'll give them the tapes." Finn didn't like the smug smile on Greg's face.
"What tapes?" Puck demanded. He sounded winded. Finn wondered if someone had kicked him too.
"Fight Club tapes," Greg rolled his eyes, "everyone here has been to fight club. Except Evans and Abrams, but I don't think anyone would believe you two if tried squealing."
Finn closed his eyes, suddenly feeling faint. Greg was right; everyone on the football team had gone to Fight Club at least once. Some of the guys participated and others just gambled, but getting nailed for something like that would damage all of their lives. They all knew Fight Club was illegal. Finn didn't know what kind of charges people got when they were caught, but he knew it probably wasn't a slap on the wrist. Shit. They had planned this. That disturbed him more than anything else. Derek Thorne was supposed to be a hero. Someone every kid in Lima could look up to.
"That's right, boys," Derek gloated, "you're looking at some serious charges, prison time, and a permanent stain on your record if you refuse. Are you willing to go through all of that for some stupid queer like Hummel?"
The barn was silent. Kurt sobbed harder. "I didn't think so."
"You're up, Hudson."
Karfosky and Azimio released his arms. Finn fought down the rage and leaped onto his feet. Greg held out a baseball bat. "You've got two choices, Hudson. Break his legs, or we'll kill him."
Finn's stomach lurched. He looked around the barn, trying to find someone who was going to stop this. No one would meet his eyes. Puck was still thrashing against the five guys holding him down. Sam was pressed into the wall. Mike was on the ground next to Artie, wheezing for breath. They couldn't help him. The assholes in the barn were actually going to make him break his almost stepbrother's legs. He couldn't believe this was happening. Suddenly, he wanted to apologize to Kurt for not letting him sing a duet with Sam, because talking him out of it hadn't saved anyone from this.
A loud click broke the tense silence. Twenty-five heads turned to stare at the slender, dark haired guy pointing a shotgun at Derek. It took Finn a moment to realize he knew him. Jeff Tremble was on the Track team. He had broken Puck's nose on the first day of school last year. A few of the football players had cornered him and tried to throw him in the dumpster. No one realized the flippant transfer student was a black belt. He never saw the inside of a dumpster and Puck never bothered him again. Finn had a few classes with him.
"Let him go, Thorne." Jeff aimed the shotgun at the man's head.
"What are you doing here, you freak?" Karfosky demanded, taking a step towards the runner.
"I saw you guys in the parking lot at the Home Depot, discussing your plans," Jeff explained, "and I saw Kurt in the back of your BMW. It's a small town."
"You don't have the balls to shoot us," Derek said, "You're trespassing."
"I don't think the cops will care."
"He's got proof." A short brunette walked into the barn, waving a cellphone. It was Connie Voss. Finn couldn't believe this turn of events. "He taped your dumb assess!"
"Fucking bitch."
"Fucking moron," Connie snapped back, "think daddy's money is going to save you this time?"
"Let Hummel go," Jeff demanded, "and the other Glee Club guys. While you're at it, help Artie back into his chair."
The jocks stared at each other, unsure how to handle this situation. Finn bolted forward and shoved Derek away from Kurt. The big man barely flinched, but he reluctantly released the rope. Kurt desperately clutched at his shirt, hands shaking with fear. He needed a knife. Puck roughly pushed some of the football players as he hurried over and sliced the ropes with his Swiss Army knife. Finn was grateful his friend always felt the need to look like a bad boy. Crying into his chest, Kurt curled against him. Sam and Mike helped Artie into his chair and pushed him towards the doors.
"Fuck you," Sam swore, "I quit."
"So do I," Puck spat, "only pussy's torture a kid half their size."
"Tell Coach Bestie I'm out too." Mike flipped off the entire team.
Artie just shook his head and stared at Kurt. "Jesus. Look what they did to him."
Blood had caked and dried in Kurt's hair. His wrists were raw and bleeding; the left one was puffy and swollen. His right ankle was even more swollen than his wrist. It was probably broken. Finn couldn't see any other injuries, but he didn't know how long they had Kurt before dragging him here.
"Fuck you, Tremble!" Someone hurled an ax at Jeff's head. The handle hit him in the head. Derek took advantage of the distraction and rushed him. Jeff dropped the shotgun and barely managed to dodge him. Connie shrieked and tackled Greg.
"Get Kurt and Artie out of here!" Puck yelled as he swung his fists at both Azimio and Karfosky.
Sam let out a furious roar and jumped on Richard Willis. Finn didn't want to leave them. It wasn't a fair fight. Four against twenty wasn't fair, even if there was a black belt on their side. He didn't really have a choice. Once he got into the car with Mike and Artie, he'd call the police.
"We have to get Kurt out of here, Mike," Artie pleaded, echoing his thoughts, "we have to leave them."
"I know," Mike grimaced, "but this sucks."
They ran to the car at full speed. Four guys chased them. Artie held onto his chair for dear life, knowing that if he let go the guys pursuing them would probably beat him like they beat Kurt. The truck wasn't far. Finn yanked the keys out his pocket and flung the driver's side door open in record time. Mr. Schue would have been impressed at his new found grace. Kurt grunted when Finn shoved him into the back seat, but he didn't complain. Mike tossed the wheelchair haphazardly into the back and flung Artie next to Kurt. Mike climbed into the passenger seat and shut the door. The football players banged on the hood and smacked their hands against the windows. Earl Shultz hurled a rock at the back window. It left a large, ugly dent. Artie pulled Kurt into a protective hug as Finn peeled out of the parking lot. Kurt wrapped his arms around Artie's waist, sobbing hysterically into his sweater vest.