A/N So I know I talked about a zombie fic which I still fully intend in doing..eventually. But this stupid idea wouldn't leave my mind. I didn't re-read it so I apologise for all and any mistakes. Hope you enjoy guys.
Rachel stepped of the bus breathing in the salty air. It felt good to stretch her legs after sitting down for four hours on end. She revelled in the cool air, being on a stuffy school bus for a long period of time with angsty teenagers was not fun and actually made her feel weirdly claustrophobic. Next time she was letting her dads drive her. At least they appreciated the fun in singing travel games and there were no death threats if she didn't stop.
She lugged her extremely heavy suitcase behind her as well as her three rucksacks she'd brought, with a huff. It was proven quite difficult what with her small, unmanly hands and the four handles she had to hold. She felt somebody brush past her knocking over her suitcase in the process and making her drop her other bags along with it.
"God berry do you really need all that shit. We're only here for a week." Santana sneered eyeing the bright pink luggage with distaste as she pulled her single black suitcase of the last step easily.
Rachel huffed then spun around on her heel to face the ever frowning Latina.
"Santana, it is necessary to pack all essentials. If a situation ever arose where-"
"yeah honestly don't care. It was a just a rhetorical question hobbit." Santana spat waving her off before she climbed back on to the bus. She was already riled up from the long bus ride, she could not deal with listening to the dwarf ramble on.
Rachel wanted to point out that Santana was only a few inches taller than her, however the Latina looked like she would kill Rachel, or anyone else, if they even attempted to speak to her. So instead she just watched as the cheerleader reappeared at the bus' entrance with a aluminous yellow suitcase that had a giant smiling duck plastered on the side. She frowned, surely that wasn't Santana's?
Her question was answered when a bubbly blonde bounced down the steps behind the Latina, a matching stuffed duck to the one on the suitcase, tucked securely under her arm. Ahh ok that makes more sense.
She kissed the brunette cheerleader sweetly on the cheek before linking their pinkies, taking the handle of her suitcase of the other girl and pulling her towards an extra bounce in her step.
Rachel watched in awe as Santana's whole demeanour brighten almost immediately. It was fascinating. How she wished she had that effect on someone..
Her musings where cut short when she felt the weight of one of her rucksacks being lifted off of her back.
She spun round, her first thought was that she was being mugged, she was about to put her years of self defence classes into action, however she came face to face with the broad chest of one Noah Puckerman.
"Sup, my Jewish American princess." He drawled lifting her bag on to his muscular shoulder.
"What are you doing Noah? are you trying to steal my things? Because I will have you know that-"
"Hey, I don't steal from fellow Jews." He stated cutting her off. "You looked like you might need a hand, plus You have like a shit load of bags, babe." He huffing under the weight as he took a second rucksack of her small frame. Seriously did she expect to be able to carry these all by her self.
She smiled slightly at the gesture. " well then thank you Noah, that's rather chivalrous. And like I already tried to explain to Santana I have the essential things needed for this trip, it's not my fault it took up more space than I expected."
He just nodded easily and fell into step with her as they headed over to where stood, the rest of the glee club gathered around. Each in various states of stretching there stiff limbs.
"Right guys!" The curly haired teacher started, clapping his hands together. "Get ready for a whole week of team bonding time! We are going to come back closer than ever! And then we can prepare for regionals!" His over enthusiastic tone was not at all infectious as most of the club just groaned in response. It didn't faze him though as he shouldered his backpack and cast a wide smile towards the group. "Follow me guys."
The ship was huge. The glee Clubbers looked on in awe as they walked up the pathway leading to the entrance of the ship. Artie being wheeled by . These were after all just a bunch of kids from Lima, Ohio most of them had never saw a boat up close before. Rachel was the only one feeling anything but excitement as she gripped tightly to metal railing on her left. Her stomach twisting uncomfortably as she side eyed the deep blue water underneath her.
Once they got to what seemed to be the reception of the boat, everyone dropped their luggage with a content sigh and sat down in the waiting area, as went to the desk to collect their cabin keys.
Rachel plopped down into a green plush armchair, closed her eyes and tried to take her mind of the fact that soon enough they'd be in the middle of the ocean on a 100,000 ton ship. Logically that should be impossible to float right?
Noah placed her bags on the floor in front of her along with his own before sitting down on the arm of her chair.
He turned to the small girl who looked like she was seconds away from throwing up.
"Hey Jew babe you feelin' ok? Your lookin' a little pale." He said his voice uncharacteristically concerned.
Rachel cracked an eye open and nodded jerkily. "Just a little sea sick is all." She chocked out taking a few deep breaths trying to prevent the oncoming wave of nausea.
Noah eyed her sceptically but nodded all the same.
"Well" he started trying to help take her mind off it. "just think about something else... Like that were in for a week of the three S'. Sun Sea and Sex!" he shouted fist pumping, which caught the attention of a old couple walking by, who frowned at the outburst giving the pair disapproving looks. Rachel apologised profoundly, sliding a little lower in her seat, whilst Noah remained unfazed his eyes glazed over as he stared unfocused at the wall behind Rachel, probably fantasising about this weeks sexcapades, she summarised with a grimace. "God I bet there are a lot of hot moms on board. They said this was for family's as well right?" He asked turning towards Rachel who had her lip curled in disgust a light blush painted on her cheeks from the stares coming there way.
"Really Noah do you have to be so crude!" She scolded swatting his arm and ducking her head when she caught the older couples judging eyes again.
Puck just laughed clapping her on the shoulder. "live a little berry. We're away from Lima for a week, hell most kids in Lima have never even saw the sea up close before. Enjoy it. " she rolled her eyes and he smirked in accomplishment at having distracted her.
At that moment came back one hand full of door keys, the other holding a small piece of paper.
"Right guys, gather round." He called to all the glee clubbers lounging about. "I've got a list here with who's going to be sharing a room. Now I want no complaints. You've got who you've got. no changing. rules are rules." he scanned the list putting the bundle of keys down on the small coffee table next to him. "I'll start with the boys. "
"We've got Artie and Mike in room 202."
Both boys shared a weary glance. even though Artie had said he was over it, both boys still had tension over the whole Tina thing. But like mr. Shue said no changing, right.
"Puck and matt, room 202."
They glanced at each other before shrugging in agreement, Sure they weren't the best of friends but it could have been worse. Besides its not like puck would be spending much time in his own cabin anyways. there were cougars out on the prowl who would kill for a night with the puckasurus.
"So that leaves Finn and Kurt, room 203."
the guys and Santana tried to stifle their laughter at the revelation. Kurt on the other hand looked like Christmas had come early, while Finn stood uncomfortably, his cheeks turning a bright shade of red while stammered a response.
"Mr. Shue, you can't- I don't- Cant Kurt like stay with the girls. And I can have my own room or something. Or-or I can room with one of the other dudes! sure it'll be a tight squeeze but-" the teacher held up his hand to stop the boys rambling.
" sorry but i said no changing Finn. Rules are rules." The curly haired teacher replied smiling apologetically. Finn crossed his arms over his chest and sulked silently whilst his friends taunted him not even trying to hold back there laughter anymore.
"Oh grow up!" Kurt snapped at the immature display in front of him, then he threw a coy smile in Finns direction.
The tall boy open and closed his mouth a few times his face burning before he stomped over to a chair further away from the group brooding quietly.
"Right.. Well then, onto the girls." Will said awkwardly after handing each boy their cabin key. " girls your on the floor below. First, in room 109 we have ...Brittany and Santana?" His brow furrowed, he could of swore he hadn't paired them together, he thought as he re-read over the list In front of him.
Both girls wore a wide smile, Santana's more of a smirk, as they linked pinkies and walked over to pluck their key from the still confused teachers hand.
"..Okay well, um next in room 110 we have, Tina and Mercedes." Their was no problem there as both girls were close friends, however an angry voice sounded form the seat behind them.
"No! No way am I left sharing a room with RuPaul!" The group parted revelling a very mad Quinn.
The angry blonde stood up placing down her book and marched over to , snatching the piece of paper out of his hands, crumpling it up and dropping it on the floor. "Change. it." She growled.
The teacher would be lying if he said he wasn't intimidated because now he knew what the guys were always talking about when they said scary Quinn. but like he said rules were rules.
"I-I'm sorry Quinn." He said mentally scolding the stutter in his voice. " but like I said to Finn no changing. It wouldn't be fair." He sounded genuinely apologetic.
"Anyone but her." Quinn stressed sounding actually a little desperate, her eyes were wide and pleading.
Rachel wrapped her arms around her body self consciously, trying to keep her features neutral. She wasn't that bad, was she?
Finn however piped up at this. "I have an idea!" He shouted jumping up. Reminding everybody that he was still there, His bad mood clearly forgotten as a goofy smile pulled at his lips.
"Well That can't be good." Santana muttered making half the group snicker. Finn didn't hear or chose to ignore her as he strode to the front.
"Well Quinn doesn't want to share with Rachel and I don't want to share with Kurt so why don't we just like swap?" He smiled like it was the simplest thing. "I'm sure Quinn would rather room with kurt, like she said anyone else right? plus I totally wouldn't mind sharing with Rach. " he said giving said girl a lopsided smile.
there was a variety of different responses.
"Finn you know it's boys with boys and girls with girls. Schools rules not mine."
"You just wanna get into the midgets pants."
"He can't be serious."
His lopsided smile stayed intact though as he stared at Rachel in what was suppose to be a charming way. The petite brunette furrowed her brow.
"Finn that's hardly appropriate. While I know Quinn has an Obvious dislike for me, said no changing." She glanced out the corner of her eye at the blonde who was now looking at the floor her face sporting an unreadable expression.
Finn looked like a kicked puppy at being shot down so Mr. Shuester took this as his cue to intervene. " guys how about we all get unpacked and into our rooms." He said breaking the growing tension. "if anybody needs me ill be in room 316."
With that everyone heaved there luggage back up and trudged to there assigned cabins. Rachel briefly wondering why the school had only one adult to supervise a group of teens on his own away from the country, was that even legal?
Quinn shoved the key in the lock twisting it harshly, before shoving the door open and storming in.
Rachel shuffled in after, taking slightly longer from the amount of luggage she dragged behind her.
Once the cabin door was shut the tension in the room was almost smothering.
Quinn apparently had decided it best to ignore the other girls existence completely, as she turned her back flipping open her suitcase and started unpacking, albeit a little angrily.
The slamming of the draws made Rachel flinch as she timidly sat down on the edge of her single bed only a few feet away from Quinn's. this week was certainly going to be... Interesting. For lack of better word.
By now most of Quinns things were un packed and placed, rather carelessly in Rachel's opinion, in the cabins draws. The blonde seemed to have calmed down a notch now as she knelt on the floor an array of books surrounding her.
Who needs that many books over a week? Seriously it took Rachel almost a week to get through the first few chapters, let alone a dozen books.
Quinn must have sensed her staring because she snapped her head up, eyes immediately locking with Rachel's the anger appearing back almost instantly.
"What are you looking at Manhands!?" She barked.
Rachel bit her lip, she didn't understand Quinns hatred for her. Sure at school it was basically almost a rule to slushie and insult the so called 'losers' but the girl was acting worse now when it was just the two of them, no one to put pressure on the cheerleader. No high school food chain. She just didn't get it.
"Well?" Quinn spat her eyes burning into the brunettes soul.
Rachel opened her mouth to ask the girl what her problem was, however she was cut off by an automatic voice coming through the built in speakers in the roof.
" welcome all passengers, this message is to let you all know that we will be setting sail shortly. If you have any queries or concerns their is always more than one member of staff around each floor who will be happy to help at any time. "
This robotic voice carried on reciting some rules and safety hazards before ending with a 'we hope you enjoy your stay here.' Leaving the room back to silence.
Rachel didn't even realise her hands had a near death grip on the bed sheets nor did she realise that she was sort of hyperventilating. All that was going through her mind was the fact that soon they'd be out at sea, no land in sight, on an extremely heavy ship. Far away from Lima, from her dads, who weren't even here to comfort her and tell her everything's going to be ok. she'd never felt so alone in her life.
"Berry."
Her eyes were squeezed tightly shut trying to erase the scenes from titanic from her mind.
"Berry!"
Her fingers dug painfully into the mattress while her chest heaved up and down.
"Rachel!"
That got her attention.
Her eyes flew open and she was temporarily startled by the proximity of the blonde girl who had appeared in front of her.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Quinn asked her voice lacking its usual bite and instead was filled with slight concern, which went unnoticed by Rachel who sat her mind focusing solely on one thing.
"That was the first time you called me Rachel." She breathed out her panic attack momentarily forgotten.
Quinn furrowed her brow an unreadable expression painting her face, the same one as in the reception area, however it was gone before Rachel had time to decipher exactly what it was.
"What the hell just happened?" She asked choosing to ignore Rachel's comment.
The brunette blushed slightly, embarrassed that this had happened in front of Quinn of all people. But of course she was sharing a room with the girl, the truth was bound to come out sometime. She looked down at her lap in a weak attempt to hide her heated face.
"It was nothing. It's stupid really." She mumbled eyes still downcast.
"That wasn't nothing berry, you had a freaking panic attack out of nowhere." She stated incredulously.
"Really Quinn its nothing." She said trying in vain to get the blonde to let go of the subject.
"Tell. Me." Scary Quinn was back and Rachel briefly wondered how someone could change there personality so quickly. It was disconcerting.
The smaller girl sighed she should probably just get it over with.
"..."
"What was that?"
"I can't swim." She whispered quietly, but it was loud enough for the other girl to hear.
She waited for the inevitable mocking laughter or the string of insults.
But it never came.
She glanced up at the blonde who was looking down at her curiously.
"...I don't see how that is relevant?" She stated slowly though it came out more of a question.
Rachel blushed further at having to explain her self.
"I- Im... I don't. I'm just worried that the ship is going to sink."
Silence.
She carried on in a ramble trying to explain her self.
"It's just- that this ship weighs- it weighs over 100,000 tons and-and how does that even- it's not logically possible for it to float. It just- it doesn't make sense. and if it sunk I'd drown and-and...and the titanic." She finished lamely her heart rate having increased rapidly.
Quinn bit her lip, brow furrowed and once again that same unreadable expression appearing over her face only to disappear moments later.
"Why did you come then?" She asked pursing her lips in thought.
"Quinn I'm glee clubs Co-captain. Though I should just call my self the captain since Finn helps in no way. This is an experience that will bond us all together as a team. Unite us. I couldn't miss this."
Quinn nodded understandingly and reached out to put a hand on the other girls shoulder before realising what she was doing and retracting it like it had physically burnt her. She spun around walking over to her side of the room and opening one of her draws then fished out a bathing suit before turning back to the other girl.
"Well I guess that your not coming to the pool then?" She asked walking towards the bathroom.
"I doubt you'd want me to anyway." She mumbled before she could stop her self.
Quinn paused looking slightly offended before she clenched her jaw her eyes narrowing slightly before stomping into the bathroom slamming the door behind her. Rachel winced at the sound, scolding herself for having to open her big mouth. She just ruined what had been the first moment where Quinn was actually civil towards her.
She groaned into her pillow laying her head down, deciding to take a nap. It was only five O'clock she noted but she was really tired. Before she even had time to come up with an excuse, to wait until a reasonable hour that wouldn't effect her body clock, she'd already fell asleep.
Rachel woke with a start when her body was threw of the bed.
What the-?
She let out a squeak when she landed in freezing water. Wait water? Her eyes flew open as she spluttered and coughed up the salty liquid.
What the hell was happening? She wiped at her eyes and looked around the room.
Oh.
Her stomach dropped and the twisted feeling as though it was knotting itself tightly.
No. No this couldn't be happening. She was still dreaming, she had to be.
This was just a very vivid nightmare that's all.
She shivered as the ice cold water sloshed about hastily, making her splutter and watched one of Quinn's soaked through books floated past. She attempted to stand heaving her self up on unsteady legs, using the bedside table. The water was almost knee high now.
how had she slept through all this?
She hadn't. It was just a dream. It had to be.
The ship shook violently making her tumble over, head first into the chilling slaty water she coughed and rubbed at the sting in her eyes pushing her self up for air. She groped around for something steady to hold on to, until she grasped onto what seemed to be a bed post and clung to it for dear life.
Her vision was bleary and the water kept spraying her face so it was hard to see. She didn't know if she was crying since her face was already wet, but then a strangled sob ripped from her chest indicating that yes she was.
This wasn't a dream.
She was going to drown. or freeze to death which ever happened first.
The water level was rising rapidly until it was up to her chest sloshing around slapping her in the face, this was so much worse than a slushie.
She unwillingly let go of the bed post and waded through the thrashing water towards the door.
She couldn't stay here.
Her eyes instinctively shut when another small wave slapped her in the face whilst her hand blindly felt for the handle.
She fumbled for a minute her grip slipping, but Once she found it she pushed the door with as much strength as her restricted movements would allow.
It wasn't much better in the hallway if anything the water was higher and as soon as her door opened she was pushed under water by the small tidal wave streaming into her room.
Her arms flailed until she was back up gasping and spluttering for air.
The lights in the hallway flickered above her and it felt like a scene straight out of Titanic. How her nightmares have became a reality.
Another rush over water lapped against the walls and she strained her neck to stay above it.
It was no use.
The water level was rising and she just wasn't tall enough.
It got higher. Her chin. Her lips. Then her nose. Until she was fully submerged under the icy salt water.
Sound was gone. Everything just slowed down, like she was in a bubble. A freezing cold, bubble.
Her lungs burned in protest at the lack of oxygen and she strived to hold off the inevitable a little longer.
But why? What was the use? She was going to die anyway what was the point in prolonging it a few extra seconds.
With that thought in mind she let go of her hold and inhaled.
It was a terrifying feeling as she breathed in and no air was getting to her lungs, just the bitter taste of sea water drowning her from the insides.
Her eyes closed to there own accord and her limbs floated up beside her.
She didn't even register the pair of arms Incircle her waist and drag her through the water trying to keep her head above sea level.
"Come on berry, don't you dare die on me!"
Rachel remained unconscious not feeling the wet hand slapping her equally wet cheek in a failed attempt to wake her.
The arms then pulled her up the stairs that with each step the water started to lessen.
Rachel was placed on her back. Hands pumped heavily against her chest. Soft lips blowing air into her lungs. Mumbled prayers. Disguised tears.
"Please god. Don't do this. Not her. Fuck!"
The hands pumped faster and harder. More air was blew into the girls mouth.
"Wake up, Rachel! Wake up!"
Around them passengers scurried around. Some screaming in terror, others crying silently. Children wailed for parents who would never come. Men and women slid along the deck as the ship turned slightly. No one paying any mind too the two girls in the middle of the chaos.
Suddenly Rachel chocked, coughing up the deathly water. The sudden noise startled the other girl who watched, in amazement as the brunette came back to life front of her.
Rachel blinked lazily a few times after all the liquid had been regurgitated, before her bloodshot eyes landed on the person knelt in front of her.
Quinn's hair stuck to the side of her face, her make up smudged down her cheeks and her clothes soaked through.
The small brunette then looked at her surroundings. At the panicked, terrified people. At the water that had now consumed half of the enormous ship. At the familiar empty wheelchair which lay on its side, that she refused to acknowledge since the reality of it was just to hard to bare.
"It's not a dream." She whispered her voice coming out rough and hoarse.
Quinn didn't hear as she tried to lift the brunette to her feet whilst managing not to slip on the wet floor.
"We have to get moving!" The blonde shouted over all the noise.
Rachel stared at her disbelief written all over her face. "To where!?" She shouted back her throat aching from the pressure.
Quinn's eyes scanned around the area before she tugged on Rachel's hand pulling her towards the rails of the ships edge. The smaller girl looked down at the deep, dark water that crashed against the ships sides. She shivered. Wether it was from the cold or the idea she would be down there soon she didn't know. Maybe both.
Quinn grasped her shoulders spinning the brunette to face her.
"Do you trust me!?" She shouted.
Rachel squeezed her eyes shut. She knew what was coming.
"Rachel open your eyes! Do you trust me!?" She yelled shaking the other girl slightly.
Rachel complied her head nodding the barest hint.
"Then we have to jump!"
At that Rachel shook her head her eyes wide, even though she had already know what the blonde was going to say.
"It's the only way!"
"Quinn I can't swim!" She shouted back her eyes burning with tears and the remaining salt water from earlier.
A wet hand gripped her own tightly.
"I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
She looked into wide hazel eyes and found nothing but sincerity.
"Ok." She mouthed the words getting lodged in her throat.
Quinn held her hand as they climbed over the railing and squeezed tighter when they both looked down into the deep thrashing water that looked almost black in the night.
And then they jumped.
A/N I feel like I should let you know I wrote the last half whilst half asleep Since Schools a bitch and really takes a hold on my life I'm nearly always half or fully asleep these days.
anyways let me know what you think? If you want me to carry on with it the next chapter will be on the island. And that where the fun begins right?
