Chapter 1

Being the younger twin Charlie (by two minutes) she always got everything Quinn ever wanted. The music lessons, art classes, gymnastic lessons, everything; while Quinn was forced into her studies: science, history, mathematics, politics. Raised to become the daughter to inherit the family fortune and business. Quinn, of course being the older sister, didn't mind watching as Charlie succeed in everything she wanted. She would happily give up everything if it meant that Charlie would be happy and have the life she always wanted.

Now at the age of seventeen, Charlie was captain of the Cheerios, ruling McKinley with an iron fist, and dating the most beautiful and most talented girl in school: Rachel Berry. For the past year and a half it's been only her mom and her. Russell had left them for a tattooed freak and ever since Quinn came out to her parents, she was away at a "boarding school". Charlie missed her Quinn like mad, there wasn't a second that didn't go by without a prayer for Quinn to come home safely.

When Quinn came out, Judy allowed Russell to handle Quinn's "situation" she instantly regretted it when she heard her daughter's body crash into the bookshelf. Judy didn't get a chance to talk to Quinn since she followed Russell into his study and wasn't conscious to get out. The next day she was shipped off and hasn't heard a word from her family since. Judy couldn't count the amount of times she had cried herself to sleep and her heart pained by the amount of guilt she held.

It was a Friday night and the two Fabray women sat around the dinner table for their weekly dinner when Judy looked up from her plate and said, "Charlotte, I have something that I need to tell you." Putting her fork down, soft, fierce green eyes met blue. "I'm going to go get Quinn tomorrow and I was wondering if you'd like to come along?"

Charlie stared at her mother and couldn't believe what she said. After a year and a half, her big sister, her hero, her other half was going to be coming home. If it was one thing Quinn had that Charlie didn't it was strength. She couldn't count all the times Quinn had taken the blame for her something Charlie did. Biting her lower lip, Charlie began to think back at all the times Quinn protected her.

An eight year old Quinn Fabray sat on the couch and flipped through her new book. It was one that she had longed for and she sat quietly as she read each page; enjoying the story of Alice. Her reading was interrupted as her sister came running in and plopped down on the opposite end of the couch. But by doing so, her elbow accidentally knocked the lamp besides the arm rest off. The glass shattered and it was as if time stopped.

Without thinking, Quinn hide her book in the cushions and stood in front of Charlie as Russell made his way into the living room from his study. He immediately looked pissed. "Who broke that?" He demanded eying the two blondes.

Before Charlie could admit that she broke it, Quinn reached behind her and gave her hand a small reassuring squeeze and stepped forward. "It was an accident, Daddy. I'm sor-" She was cut off by a sharp slap to her cheek. Tears pricked at her eyes, but she shook her head refusing to allow her sister see the weakness in her eyes.

That night, while sporting a nasty black eye, Quinn quietly made her into her sister's bedroom. Charlie had tears running down her face as she felt the dip in the bed behind her and her sister scooting close to her backside. A small arm slowly reached around to secure her safely around her. "Shh, don't cry Charlie. It makes me sad to see you cry," Quinn whispered softly against her sister's blonde hair. "No more tears, Char."

Leaning against her shoulder, Quinn kissed Charlie's cheek gently.

"Why did you do that, Quinny?I broke the lamp, he should've hit me not you."

Soothing out her hair, Quinn smiled lovingly at her younger sister. "Because I love you, and would give everything for you to be happy. Sleep now, Char. Don't worry about anything. Just sleep. I'll take care of everything, I promise."

"Charlotte?" Judy asked bring Charlie out of her memories.

"What time?" She asked quickly.

"It's a five hour drive, so I was thinking about seven." Charlie nodded.

The next day they made the trip to Westfield, New York. Parking the car, they got out of the car and made their way up to the building. Charlie stopped and looked around. The area was isolated and in the back of the yard was a shed and an involuntary shiver crept upon her. Sighing she walked back to her mother and into the house.

Stepping in, she instantly felt guilty that her sister has spent a year and a half in this place. Judy walked over to the man in charge and started talking to him and organizing the release papers. While Judy did that, Charlie looked around. She was staring at a piece of artwork, and she had no idea what it was of. "It's flamemega by Benjamin Morris." A voice spoke up behind her. Turning around, she saw her. Quinn leaned against the wall and smiled lovingly at her sister.

"Quinn." Charlie spoke. Taking a closer step, she took in her sister's appearance. Her bottom lip was completely busted and she had a black eye. She wore jeans and a black tank top. "I'm sorry."

"What do yo-" Quinn was cut off when Charlie flung herself into her sister's arms. Clinging unto her for dear life, Quinn was quick to return the hug.

"I'm so damn sorry, Quinn. I promise, I'll never let you down again. I'm sorry." Tears streamed down her face as she held her close.

"It's alright, Charlie. Everything is going to be alright. Shh." As she clung unto Charlie, Quinn felt tears coming on, but she shook them away. She needed to be strong for Charlie like she used to.

That night when they got home, Charlie led her upstairs to her bedroom. The room was empty except for a twin-sized bed and a dresser. "Dad kinda threw all of your things out. I was able to save a few things that you cared about like your books and your guitar, but he got rid of everything else. I'm sorry."

Looking down, Quinn shrugged, "It's fine. I understand... Thanks." Walking into the bedroom, Quinn tossed her duffel bag on the bed and looked around at her former bedroom. "I'll be down soon." She gave Charlie a reassuring smile and waited until she left.

Quinn slowly emptied her clothes and put them away into the dresser and closest. Sighing, Quinn made sure everything was where she wanted it before she walked out of the room and made her way downstairs. Reaching the top of the staircase she stopped when she heard Charlie's voice coming from the living room. "Well, I think they tried to beat it out of her...No, we haven't talked yet...Yes, I know...I just want her to return to her old self, ya know? She still feels like she has to protect me...I don't know what to do...Maybe...Okay, I'll talk to you later...Yeah, love you too, Rachel."

Rachel.

That was someone Quinn wasn't supposed to remember. She was meant to have it beaten out of her memory. Who was she kidding? Rachel had always stayed with her. She was the reason she came out to her parents. She loved her with all of her heart. She was going to tell her the next day, but she never got the chance to. And now it was too late. Charlie had her, like everything else she wanted.

Sliding down the wall, Quinn tucked her chin in her knees and stared at her shoes and was quickly swept away by her thoughts.

Charlie closed her phone and walked towards the stairs and froze when she saw Quinn sitting there staring off into space. Slowly, Charlie made her way upstairs and sat next to her sister. "Quinn? You alright?" She asked, but was met with silence. Charlie gently took her hand and led her to her bedroom. Closing the door, she sat Quinn down on the bed and got comfortable across from her. "Quinn, you don't have to be the strong one all the time." When Quinn looked up and over at Charlie, Charlie saw something in her identical eyes that broke her heart. They were lifeless and broken. In an instant, Quinn was in Charlie's arms and having calm words whispered into her ear.

"What happened to you Quinn? Please tell me."

"Promise you won't laugh at me?" Quinn asked, afraid of the answer.

"Of course, I would never laugh at you, Quinn."

Nodding, Quinn took a deep breath and began to tell her sister about the nightmare that she has been living.

Mel Hill, owner of the "clinic", smiled evilly down at a fifteen year old Quinn and she instantly knew that she was either going to die, or barely survive, during the time she was to spend here to "get better". Roughly, he grabbed her arm and dragged her away to the shed that was located in the back. Opening the door, he threw her in and closed the door behind him. He walked over to a fire pit and began looking at irons. "Take that shirt off." He ordered.

"No," she stated firmly.

"Have it your way." He marched over to her and grabbed her by her hair and led her over to a block of wood. He then handcuffed her wrists in front of her then ripped her shirt off. "This is going to burn like a bitch."

Without warning, he pressed the iron onto her left shoulder blade. The blinding white pain clouded her vision. "Ahh!" She screamed, then quickly clenched her jaw shut. It took everything in her to make sure she didn't pass out. Heaven knows what he would do to her if she did. Pulling the iron away, he smirked when he saw his handiwork. A L was now present on her skin.

"Wait, he burned you?" Charlie asked horror clear in her voice.

Turning around, Quinn pulled her tank out of the way and revealed the now healed L and the number 537tattooed beneath the letter. "In case you were wondering, the number is the amount of times I was beaten. I got it the day before you guys came to get me."

Turning back around, Quinn looked at her horror struck sister and said softly, "The boys there..." Mentioning the boys brought tears to her eyes. Charlie shook her head as tears spilled out of their homes. "Mel would lock us in a room together with one...and he made the boys...r-rape us... He would video tape it to make sure that they really did..."

"Qui-"

"Charlie, whatever you do, please stay away from that place. Promise me. Never tell Dad...about Rachel." Her voice croaked and tears ran down her face. "I overheard your conversation."

"I'm sorry, Quinn. I'm sorry you were put through that, I'm sorry that you always feel like you have to protect me, when it should be me protecting you.I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about Rachel. I'm so sorry for everything, Quinn."

Shaking her head, Quinn was quick to take her hands into her own. "Char look at me. It's not your fault. None of it. It's not your fault that we have a shitty Dad. And I'd do anything for you, you know that. As for Rachel, I just want you to be happy, and if Rachel is that for you, then go for it. Show her the amazing love that you can give. Yes, I loved her. But that was a long time ago, I don't even know her anymore. Charlie, just promise me that you will be happy, no matter whatever hell I'm going through. Just be happy?" Charlie nodded. "Good. Now, no more tears, you know I hate it when you cry. It's my kryponite."

Charlie chuckled and hugged Quinn, never wanted to let go.