Yeah so this is a pretty quick update but I'm trying to get all the introductory stuff out the way so we can get down to the good stuff. Thanks to those who read the last chapter I posted like...an hour ago. No but seriously, a few people alerted so I'm glad this is showing some potential. And also thanks to my first reviewer, chasing a fairytale, you made my night :) And yes, you were right to point out that this is starting to seem a little hunger game-esque (well done for noticing). This is also slightly based on Battle Royale, great Japanese cult classic. I highly recommend it.
My pace quickened as the town hall disappeared behind me, from fear of the people there or the contents of the reporter's notebook I wasn't quite sure. Both ideas energized me with enough terror to want to run as far away from that building as possible.
Rachel Berry had been captured, like an animal, and thrown in some form of hostile situation.
So far that was the only conclusion I could come to.
No. There must be some plausible explanation for all of this. Rachel, although annoying, attention seeking and needy; was still a harmless seventeen year old. Couldn't hurt a fly is she tried. Unless said fly was trying to disrupt her performing.
Not a lot of performing goes on around here though, not anymore. I remember when Lima was a normal place, well as normal as small towns could be. Sure, the people weren't accepting and didn't take to well to something different but it was home, and to be honest I kind of used to like it here. Key word in that sentence being 'used.'
And that's saying a lot considering at high school I was bullied for my sexuality. You'd think small minded people would just get it through their thick brains that love is love, no matter who it is but no.
It's been this way for a while. I still don't quite understand the situation but the youths just revoked, forming an allegiance against the adults. And it's not like you could choose your side, a 15 year old can't run off into adult territory, it just doesn't work that way.
It all began about 2 and a half years ago. It was mid July. School was out and a rebellion started to form. The youth had felt the oppression from living under the rules set by adults and they weren't taking it anymore. So they revolted.
I don't know how they did it, or how they came together in such a unity but they did. And for the most part, they succeeded for the adults could no longer tell them what to do simply because the youths could not be found. Only the young people know of the underground tunnels that can be accessed by the bridge. At night we come out and wreck havoc on Lima, taking the food we crave and materials we need.
Personally I would rather stay out of the matter all together. I was pretty oblivious back then so any form or revolution went unnoticed by myself. I was too busy getting thrown in dumpsters and dreaming of broadway. I still however agree that the adults held too much power over us so when the time came to part into each side; I dutifully stood by the youths.
Leaders were established quickly -namely the same people to start the revolution in the first place- and it became apparent quickly that the plan was going downhill. In fact, I'm not even sure there was a plan, just to show the adults that they couldn't control us but then what? Living underground in harsh conditions certainly wasn't factored into the equation. I certainly didn't sign up for clothing that you wore until it became un-wearable.
Three leaders came forward after the first harsh weeks of the revolt:
Noah Puckerman.
Quinn Fabray.
Artie Abrams.
Noah possessed the fear and strength needed to give everyone that sense of security you'd feel if you had a guard dog. Quinn took a more motherly roll, helping the younger children adjust. Only few very young children live with the youths, its thought that the rest either perished or remain in hiding with their parents. And lastly, Artie, although he's in a wheelchair no one underestimates how powerful he is. Artie is the genius, the one who can hack any system, solve any problem and still manages to give an easy smile that radiates control.
In total, the underground holds roughly 500 youths. Where the rest went, we have no idea but it's the same for the adults. Numbers dwindle down each day leaving Lima as no more than a ghost town.
The bridge came into my sight as I ducked past several abandoned houses. Surveying the area to make sure I hadn't been followed, I stealthily leapt onto a rock that sat at the edge of a fence leading to the bridge and climbed over, following the carefully hidden tracks left by those how would leave the underground.
The opening was a fairly simple gap in the bricks covered by a few planks of wood, but that didn't make it any less secure. Hidden cameras dotted the walls and behind the wood there was a small touch screen used to enter a 4 digit code for entry. 2009, the year the revolution began. I expertly pressed in the appropriate numbers and a small click could be heard, the dull grumble of moving metal signaled the opening of a small hatch. Nothing fancy, just what could only be described as a manhole with a ladder leading down into the underground.
I slowly climbed down the ladder landing with a thud onto the smooth marble floor. This area remains empty and is only seen by those who leave and return. Normally this is only done by those older than 15 for safety reasons. Luckily, at the age of seventeen I qualify and am more than welcome to come and go as long as I have a purpose to be leaving and establish a time I'll be back.
My purpose on this occasion was to try and gather information from the Mayors meeting. Rachel Berry went missing roughly 2 weeks ago and although the girl infuriated just about everyone here, she was still one of us.
My hands shook as I grasped at the door that would take me into the main hall where everyone would be awaiting my arrival. Luckily, since this outing was to be kept quiet for the time being, it would only be the leaders and the council. With one final deep breath, I pushed the door open and was greeted with anxious faces. Puckerman maintained his strong stance until his eyes reached my face and if I look anything like how I feel he showed it by lowering his head with a resulting nod of defeat.
''They had her, didn't they?'' He asked quietly. My eyes fell on Quinn. Still as pretty as ever, her hair was piled on top of her hear and she wore brown shorts and a white tank top, everyone wore similar outfits to this. For the males, brown trousers and white top. I was never happy with this being a fashion conscious person but of course, I have no say.
I looked back at Noah tiredly. ''Would it be all right if we went somewhere more...private?''
The council stood up slowly, gesturing for Artie to lead the way. He looked me over once and sighed, "I don't suppose you're waiting to tell us that Rachel is fine?" He asked with a glint of hope in his eyes.
"Unfortunately, no. What I have seen today is..." I could feel my emotions bubbling to the surface as Rachel's face one again surfaced the forefront of my mind. Quinn took notice of this quickly and rushed over to where I stood; still grasping the door I'd just closed.
"It'll all be ok. We'll fix this Kurt, we have this under control," she murmured soothingly into my ear as she wrapped her arms around my torso. Come on Kurt, for god sake pull it together.
"You can't fix this Quinn," for a moment I saw the old Quinn. The one who dreamed to be prom queen, always having the perfect outfit and perfect hair. The Quinn I went to high school with.
Her resolve faltered for a moment before she smiled reassuringly. "Come on, let's go to the meeting room and you can tell us what you saw."
I nodded slowly, swiping my hand roughly over my face.
The council already sat in the meeting room, game faces on and ready to receive any information I had to tell.
The meeting room is nothing fancy, just a small room dominated with what was once a rather large dining room table. On one side sat 6 members of the council, not including myself and on the other, the leaders. All council members (surprise, surprise) were friends of the leaders. Hell, I was their friend to but in situations like this, it's strictly business.
From left to right, there sat; Sam Evans, Santana Lopez, Mercedes Jones, Finn Hudson, Tina Cohen-Chang and Mike Chang. I normally would sit between Mercedes and Finn but for today I ran the meeting by sitting at the top of the table with the council on my left and leaders on my right. Although the youths may appear to be under some form of dictatorship from the leaders it's always been reminded that we now live in a democracy and when someone talks, everyone will listen.
"Rachel Berry is... I don't even know. She's not...Rachel anymore." I started; glancing over everyone's confused expressions.
"What are you saying? That they brain washed her or something?" Finn, bless his heart, was already lost. Although I'm sure he's not the only one. Even I'm finding it hard to come to terms with what happened today.
"How do I put this?" I mumble to myself. Everyone sits patiently, even Santana who would normally be screeching for an answer. I opened my mouth again and started to explain what I saw.
I told them everything, the cage, the reporters and finally, the pad which I threw onto the centre of the table.
"I can't make out all the words, but I understand enough..." I trailed of watching as Artie quickly grabbed the notebook. Noah and Quinn stood behind him to get a better look at it and gasped when they reached the final sentence.
"What does this mean?" Quinn muttered quietly to herself.
Santana couldn't hold back any longer, "For god sake, what does what mean?" she seethed at them as they stared at the notepad.
She grabbed it out of their hands from across the table and everyone was quick to huddle around her.
I remained motionless, as did the leaders. Nothing could be said in that moment. Several gasps filled the room but I didn't need to look up to know that the expressions of the councils would be matching the leaders and my own.
What was said next was something I didn't expect in that moment.
"What did she look like...was she...did she look healthy?" Finn asked quietly, emotion seeping into his voice as it slightly cracked at the end. It was no secret that Finn and Rachel were in a relationship and it never entered my mind that this would be hard for him, but I couldn't lie.
"There were scratches over her face, some scabbed over. There were also bruises on her arms, I couldn't see anything else but her clothes looked pretty messed up. I mean, I know she didn't dress the best but this was not normal Rachel attire..." I tried to smile at that, Finn did to but we both gave up after a second.
I didn't however inform them of the crazed look Rachel had possessed but I did finally tell them the only other thing I knew.
"She was also chanting. She kept on repeating the phrase, 'I won your game'."
The leaders exchanged a look and stood up slowly, gesturing for us to do the same.
"We'll make an announcement tonight, everyone will be informed of what you just told us Kurt","Artie began, casting us all a tired look. His eyes stopped at Finn who remained seated and he sighed, "we'll get her back Finn, from what Kurt has told us, she's hea-"
"SHE'S IN A FUCKING CAGE," Finn finally bellowed, jumping to his feet. I flinched at the noise and ran over to him. There was a time when we were step-brothers, and although he wasn't the brightest or most open minded of people I'd still do anything to wipe that look of defeat of his face.
"I promise you Finn, we'll get her back," he turned to me slowly and nodded, desperation took over his features as he grabbed my shoulders.
"You're damn right we will."
Yeah, so still no Blaine :( And sadly not for a few more chapters. I could throw him in the story in the next chapter but I want to get this done right and introducing him to early wouldn't be. Don't worry though, there will be a lot of Klaine.
Anyways if you've reached this you hopefully read the chapter, so thanks ;D
And I apologize for any mistakes. Still looking for a beta.
Please review, keep me on track and all that shiz ;)
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