A/N: Another chapter!
The heart was beating rhythmically throughout the night, small rapping sounds from inside her chest.
Thump-thump… thump-thump... thump-thump.
Soft labored breaths spill over the lips of a young woman, easily sighing with each exhale. Her body is relaxed and loose, muscles elongated and spine stretched. In mere moments all this would change, as will Santana's world.
The quiet beats echoing in her chest came to an abrupt stop, pausing just long enough for Santana to snap her eyes open. It jolted back once she launched up clutching her chest drawing in a gasping breath, but finding it overwhelming difficult. She kept her hand to her chest and began panting heavily.
Thump-thump.. thump-thump.. thump-thump. .thump-thump.. thump-thump.. thump-thump..
Her heart began pounding rapidly, strong enough for her to lean over clenching her nightgown desperately for any oxygen and hope her heart would slow its beat. But the sweet release Santana wanted would not come for her, not this night.
Thump-thump.. thump-thump.. thump-thump. .thump-thump.. thump-thump.. thump-thump..
She could hear her heart reverberating in her ears like a repeating drum, louder and louder as the blood ran to her face. She began sweating profusely, violently throwing the covers off herself and swinging her feet over the edge of her bed. There she remained gripping her bed staring at the ground determinedly.
Thump-thump.. thump-thump.. thump-thump. .thump-thump.. thump-thump.. thump-thump..
She couldn't handle the anxiety that was building up in her. She needed help but couldn't find enough air in her throat to call for her parents or Rachel for that matter. She rose steadily before realizing her vision became blurry. Her room morphed into a melted painting, making it harder for her to see what was around her. She fell hard to the floor breathing irregularly.
She glanced down at her hands and saw them twitching feverishly, she lost control of whatever function she thought she had, attempting to move her digits without success.
Thump-thump.. thump-thump.. thump-thump. .thump-thump.. thump-thump.. thump-thump..
Santana lay on her bedroom floor quivering in fear of what was happening to her, speechless of the lack of control, desperate for help and unable to call out. She used her numb limbs and began to hit the ground with whatever might she had, slowly rising her fist and letting it drop with the force of gravity to make any sort of sound.
It felt like an eternity, feeling the sweat build on her brow and the limbs losing more feeling with each passing second, but finally Rachel came into Santana's line of vision, looking fuzzy around the edges and distant sounding. Santana could barely keep her eyes open from the amount of pain she was in, hardly giving Rachel more than a blink for a response.
The pain was running through the course of her veins, infecting every inch of her body. Her muscles were contracting. Her joints ached with heavy pressure, her eyes wandered aimlessly around the ceiling, sometimes rolling back into the sockets. She cried out in gargled, pained groans feeling spasms rip through her body.
"Help her Carlos! Help my beautiful baby girl!" Wailed Mrs. Lopez.
At some point her parents entered the room, shocked with the discovery of their daughter writhing on the floor violently. Mrs. Lopez had tears forming in her eyes watching her daughter thrash roughly. Mr. Lopez stood stock still in sheer terror of what was unfolding in front of him.
"I can't! I don't know what to do!" He hollered frustrated and scared.
Mr. and Mrs. Lopez couldn't recognize their daughter, watching as she rolled around like a ragdoll in pain, seizing and crying in agony as an unseen entity inflicted itself upon her. Carlos grabbed his traveling cloak from the coat hanger and wrapped his daughter in it and picked her up, briskly walking her down to the basement.
The basement housed any animals Mr. Lopez caught to be skinned and sold for meat. It was a dank room with a single half window with metal bars, it could barely see into the city streets. It was grimy and stale in the chilled room. He had never seen such a physical tantrum such as this and thought demons may be upon his daughter. He thought for the safety of him and his wife, as well as their daughter, he would lock her up until the morning.
Santana continued to spasm with intense force in his arms. In between her ragged breathing she was mumbling incoherent sentences and words, but nothing that could be heard or understood. Mrs. Lopez cried loudly at the top of the stairs staring at her daughter so distraught, disbelieving the situation was even happening. Mr. Lopez chained both his daughter's wrist and ankles to the metal shackles inside a cage. He felt a slight twinge of guilt, but thought it was all for the best before closing the door to the cage and walking away without a second glance.
Santana began to panic, after having gotten the attention she was desperate for, she received no help or words of comfort. She concentrated hard on her surroundings, smelling the foul stench of stale blood, she realized she was in the basement. Breathing hard against the cold concrete, she yanked hard on her wrists, confirming her suspicions of what her father truly did. Her mother and father left her alone in a dark, cold basement to fight whatever this is taking over her body.
Fueled with rage she screamed until her lungs burned and tears ran down her face, "Mother! Father! Please help me! Please!" Again and again she cried out, but never heard a response.
"Fath-AH!" she cried out before slapping her hands against the concrete, frantically trying to find something to hold on to while the pain became so unbearable her vision went white and heat flared up her spine through her arms to her hands and feet. She heard mumbled voices ringing in her head, becoming increasingly louder and louder with each pulse of pain. She let out one agonizing and haunting scream filled with the last bit of energy left. The screams echoed off the bare walls as she collapsed on her side without another sound.
Her heart became docile, returning back to a steady state of rhythm. It was the only soothing touch that eve.
Thump-thump… thump-thump… thump-thump…
"What are we going to do now?" Mrs. Lopez asked in a hushed, nervous tone.
"We are going to have to make something up! No one can know of this."
The basement had a small ray of light shining through the window, cascading over Santana's eyes. Her body felt heavy and sluggish, she didn't want to move. Every sound seemed to be amplified and exaggerated. She squeezed her eyes tighter hoping last night was just a night terror, but by the way her body felt, it wasn't a dream.
"F-father… m-mother?" Santana stuttered.
"Oh! Sweetie, you're awake?" Mrs. Lopez replies shakily.
"What happened?" Santana asked groggily.
"You've been unconscious for a while baby girl." Mr. Lopez spoke up.
"How long?" Santana asked without moving from her still position, afraid the pain will return.
"Three days sweetie. Just try not to move." Her mother warned.
"Why, what's wrong- ah!" Santana hollered in discomfort. She finally opened her eyes and fell silent, frozen in disbelief.
She jumped backwards confused with what her eyes saw. Her body was covered in a dark brown fur. She felt her face and around her neck and chest, the fur was indeed everywhere. Her hands were no longer petite and small, but rather large and menacing with thick, sharp claws protruding from her fingertips.
Her arms bore more the appearance of small tree trunks; thick with muscle and fur, rippling up her arm towards her broad shoulders and chest. She gingerly felt her face and poked her finger on the canines pushing past her lips, her once soft lips. Her teeth stretched far and held as much edge as her claws, if not more. She felt where her nose used to be and now there was a snout instead. Horrified, she gulped loudly before daring to stand.
She stood shakily, gripping the bars of the cage to gain balance, hearing the shackles clink-n-clang against the bars. Her parents noticeably took a few steps back away from the cage as they watched their daughter stand at a full height, a solid foot and a half above them. Santana stared down at her legs and nearly yelped at seeing her feet, massive paws spanning across the floor with tattered pants.
Santana felt something briskly swipe behind her and rapidly turned to find a furry tail waving lazily back and forth. This time letting out a scream of horror, she couldn't take it anymore, becoming hysterical and sobbing.
"W-what's happened to me?!" Santana asked swirling around further looking at herself.
"We don't know sweetie." Mrs. Lopez said.
"I- but- what-?" Santana couldn't even form a sentence she was so upset.
"Santana, there is something your mother and I must tell you." Mr. Lopez said solemnly.
Santana stared at her parents in a sliver of hope for good news, such as a way to help her or cure her of this unknown ailment. She remained quiet, encouraging her father to continue.
"We need to cover this up. We can't have the town know about this, it will only make things worse."
It was as if the words were another language, Santana blinked hard staring confused at her father. Did she hear that right?
"What? What did you just say?"
"Honey... I know this may be hard for you, but think of our reputations. If we-"
"I don't care about any of that right now!" Santana cut him off, yanking on the chains clasped around her wrists.
Mr. Lopez was momentarily quiet, staring sternly at his daughter. She stood defensively, breathing through her snout harshly. Her eyes were clouded and dark with hurt and fear. Mr. Lopez chose his next words wisely.
"Santana, we love you, truly we do, but we can't mention this to anyone. The townspeople will not understand what-"
"I don't understand! Help me please! Can't we call for anyone, maybe even Mrs. Chang to help?" Santana asked disbelievingly.
"No. No one can know. Not even your friends."
"Then what I am supposed to do!" Santana growled, making her parents flinch.
"Hide here, for the rest of your life. You will still have your mother and I." Mr. Lopez argued, hugging his wife closer to him.
"Please don't do this." Santana lowered her head, looking at her chained up hands. "There must be another way. Please" She begged.
"I'm sorry sweetie. But until we find another solution, that's how things will be." Mr. Lopez said with finality in his voice.
Her parents walked away slowly, glancing back at their bestial daughter and praying no one finds out, in hope of keeping favor of high class, rather than becoming outcasts. Santana slid miserably against the wall, listening to the outside world around her roam freely and busily as if nothing changed.
She looked again at her hands and felt the tears begin to pool in her eyes threatening to spill over. She freely let it happen, knowing she was going to be alone in this basement. Her parents having left her again in a time of desperation. For surely there must have been something that could have been done…
A small servant girl walked down the stairs to a cage shrouded in darkness. The only source of light came from broken window, allowing a single ray of light. Rachel Berry could feel the nerves spread through her body. She was scared of her mistress and what she had witnessed. It appeared like dark magic or demons had fallen on her mistress and left her in an inhumane state of being. She could peer into the darkness and see her mistress sitting distraught on the floor. Rachel thought it would be best to whisper, in order to avoid trouble with the elder Lopezs.
"Pst Miss Santana! Pst!"
One of Santana's ears perked up at hearing what she thought was a mouse. She strained to listen harder for the noise.
"Miss Santana?" Asked the voice she recognized.
"Berry, leave me alone!" Santana barked angrily, standing and marching aggressively to the bars of her cage.
"Please I only want to help." Rachel said with a soft tone, approaching slowly to the cage.
Rachel could see the anger brewing in Santana's eyes, the only human part of Santana that remained. Otherwise she saw an intimidating beast standing in front of her, seething with rage and hurt.
"How could you possibly fix this?" Santana snapped before sitting back down.
"I have spoken with your parents about your… condition. I have helped them reach certain decisions that I think will benefit you the most."
"Get on with it then."
"Oh, um, right." Rachel said clearing her throat and sitting on the ground, attempting to make eye contact with Santana.
"I serve the Lopez household, which includes each individual carrying the name, not just the head of household-"
"I know this." Snarled Santana.
"But, your parents have refused to make any further contact with you, feeling it is in the family's best interest."
"They cannot cut me off! I am their only daughter. What kind of parents could do that?" Santana cried hurt.
"I know this mistress, but I tried everything in my power to convince them their decision was not the best course of action."
"And what did they say?"
"They said I should learn my lesson to speak only when spoken to." Rachel said showing a healing bruise on her cheek.
"Figures they would." Santana grumbled under her breath.
"Regardless, I made a deal with your parents that would permit you to have an arrangement of freedom, as well as have me as your servant alone."
"My parents are not that kind, they do not fool me. There must be a catch." Santana said squinting her eyes at Rachel, who shifted nervously.
"You may only venture at night, limited to once a week for now as a test trial. You must go to the abandoned forest on the outskirts of town and be back before sunrise."
"Great. Good to know." Santana said grumpily and turned away from Rachel, letting the rays hit her eyes.
"There is one more thing miss Lopez…" Santana remained apathetic in listening to Rachel.
"I tried my best to find that woman from the previous day, maybe to ask if she knows anything about your condition." Rachel said distractedly while twirling her thumbs.
"WHAT!? You mean to tell me that woman did this to me?!" Santana bellowed loudly, lunging towards the cage bars, before being stopped by her chains.
"I-I don't know that for sure, b-but she seemed to have been a part of it somehow I believe."
"TELL ME!" Santana continued to yell.
"She had said something to me before she vanished into the crowd. She said, 'Help her. She will need guidance'."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Santana asked clawing at the ground.
"I haven't the faintest idea miss, but can you recall anything else she said to you?"
"Something about love and curses. I didn't really pay much mind to the hag."
"I will continue to look for a cure miss, but it will take time. So for now, we can work through this together." Rachel beamed with a smile, standing up and wiping off her dress.
"WE? How are you affected by this? I don't see you as a gnarly beast whose life has been ruined!" Santana towered over Rachel in her cage, glaring down menacingly.
Rachel fearfully tripped backwards, terrified and shaking before the dangerous creature. Rachel took a deep breath before straightening her posture, squaring her shoulders and holding her chin high.
"Miss Lopez, my life was ruined a long time ago, but that doesn't mean all hope is lost in finding new opportunities."
"Take your fake wisdom and tell it to someone who cares." Santana said offhandedly before pacing inside her cage, still fuming with anger.
"The more anger you hold about the past Santana, the less capable you are of loving the present." And with that Rachel proceeded upstairs to return to her search of cures for the mistress and left Santana wading in her old memories and regrets.
Time passed slowly as Santana kept revisiting pieces of her past, examining and breaking apart aspects she thought she'd love. The beautiful gowns and fine jewelry, her marriage to Sam, what was to come of her so called "friends"?
Sitting on the cold floor she drew patterns into the concrete with one of her claws, making sketches of trees and fields, thinking she wouldn't be able to freely enjoy the weather in the daylight anymore. A bustling of sound outside drew her attention.
Townspeople began gathering around the Lopez home, hushed whispers rang throughout the growing crowd. Santana could hear a few words here and there, but couldn't make out what anyone was saying in particular. She stood on her tip toes to listen harder, only able to see the heels of people's shoes.
"Gather round! Gather round!" hollered a low voice.
"I want to thank you for coming here today to support my wife and I. There, there, now dear it's alright." Cooed the strong voice. Santana knew what was happening; her father had called a meeting in front of their house, which was only used to relay important information.
"I wanted to let you all know of the grave news I have to share today. Our beautiful daughter, Santana, was kidnapped in the middle of the night and stolen from us. We have no leads or hints as to who did this, or why."
Hollers and gasps erupted throughout the crowd, everyone seemed shocked by the news.
"Is there anything we can do!" yelled one man.
"I'm afraid not. We have already hired a private investigator to help, but please keep our daughter in your thoughts and prayers." Mr. Lopez held his sobbing wife close and returned inside to their quite home.
Outside villagers busied themselves with the tragic news, wildly turning towards one another with bewildered looks, gossiping enthusiastically about the Lopez household.
"What a shame, the girl was so beautiful. Bless her soul and pray she has at least one child to pass on her beauty." Said one woman.
"Now who am I to marry?" cried Sam angrily, storming through the crowd.
"Maybe this is payback for all the horrible things she's ever done." Said one man passing by.
Santana continued to listen to the horrible things spoken about her, feeling her chest fill with a sinking weight with each comment. Every comment spoke was about her lost l elegance and grace. Not a single person said they were worried about her safety or well-being, only her looks.
Santana curled into a ball and tucked herself away into the corner, realizing how truly alone she was. She never had relationships or bonds with people, just power struggles and manipulated trade-offs. Now she lay here in a place similar to her heart, empty, cold, and hopeless.
A/N: Tell me what you think. I'm very excited to be writing this story finally.