Chapter 2

"This is the girls' restroom. Well at least I think it is, because the guy on the door is wearing a dress…" Brittany looked thoughtful. Santana held back a smirk as she realised this girl was being serious.

"And this is the choir room", the blonde announced as she opened the last door in the hallway, "This is where we practise for glee club. Mr. Schuester says I'm the best dancer…well and Mike of course…." Brittany's voice trailed off as she entered her own little world. Santana looked around the room and sighed. She thought back to the days when she was part of the glee club in her old school. She loved to sing and dance and was the star of the club. That was, until her father found out and put a stop to it, as he did anything that gave his daughter joy, relief. Relief from…

Santana was brought back to reality by a soft touch on her arm. She flinched and pulled away from the blonde. "Santana are you okay? Y-you're shaking!"

The Latina shook her head and fought back the tears as she fled from the room.

xXx

"Santana wait!" Brittany called after her, but she had already disappeared down the hall. The blonde was left standing alone and bewildered in the choir room as the bell went for next period. All she could think about for the whole class was the mysterious brunette. Why did she cower from her touch? And why did she run off without explanation? Brittany decided that she needed to go and find her, so as the lunch bell went; she picked up her bag and headed to the girls' bathroom. This was the most likely destination for a distressed teen to flee to. She opened the door slowly and called out to Santana. When she got no reply, she began checking the stalls. The Latina was nowhere to be found.

She spent the next hour searching the school, although she was sure she had only checked a few places because she kept on getting lost and ending up in the same place over and over. She stepped out into the car park and immediately saw the brunette sitting in a run down old car. She approached cautiously and could see that the girl was crying. Santana looked up and spotted Brittany and immediately began wiping the tears from her face, hoping to hide her weakness.

Brittany hated seeing anyone sad like this and was intrigued by the brunette, so she walked around to the passenger side and hopped into the car. She glanced at Santana, who looked awful. Her eyes were puffy and red, there was mascara smeared down her face and fresh tears were still falling. The blonde also noticed that the girl beside her was still shaking. Brittany put her hand on the other girls' hand to comfort her , but was hurt when again the Latina pulled away from her touch and cowered against the car door, sobbing.

"Santana, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Brittany asked, concerned.

Santana just shook her head and continued to cry.

"Was it something I said? Or did? Is it because I wasn't a good tour guide? I know I could have been better, but I get confused! Santana? Santana please talk to me!" Brittany whined.

"Look, it was nothing you did or said, so please stop asking, leave me alone and get out of the car before I punch you in the face!" Santana cried, with pain in her eyes.

Brittany just stared at the girl. Suddenly her eyes filled with tears and she flung the door open and fled to the safety of the school. Santana knew she should go after her but she was just hurting too bad, so instead she wiped away the remaining tears and started the car. She just wanted some time to herself so she drove past her house and into the woods nearby. She got out and looked silently around her, thinking back.

This had always been her safe haven. She would come here alone after a hard night at home. She would sit and think about what had just happened to her. To her. His daughter. How could he do that to his own daughter. She shuddered as the memories came back to her and she swore she could feel his rough hands on her again. She slumped against a tree and began crying again. It didn't happen as often now but she dreaded coming home every night in case it did. She wasn't safe in her own home, but there was nothing she could do. Her mother was as scared as Santana so she would never tell, and who was going to believe a 16 year old girl that her own father was doing what he did. The bruises could prove something but Santana was terrified of what would happen if her father found out that she told anyone.

As the sun began to set, Santana decided it was time to go as her father would be home soon and he was never impressed if his punch bags weren't there waiting for him. She pulled herself up, wiped away the last of her tears and got back into the car. She inhaled sharply as she approached the house and realised that her father was already home. She quickly got out of the car and walked up to the front door. She opened it as quietly as she could and stepped silently into the hallway. Shutting the door behind her, she began to run up the stairs, barely making a sound, but gasped as she stumbled and her face met the top step. She scrambled up, afraid that her fall would attract attention, and made it safely into her room. She slumped against the wall in the corner and hugged her knees tightly to her chest.

"Santana Lopez!" a voice boomed from downstairs. It was him. She hugged her knees tighter and began bracing herself for what she knew was coming. She heard heavy footfalls on the stairs and he came crashing through the door. Santana stood up hastily, hoping to appear braver than she was actually feeling.

"Why didn't you answer me, you whore?" he asked menacingly.

Santana stared at the ground. "I-I didn't h-hear you", she stuttered, without looking up.

"DON'T YOU LIE TO ME!" he bellowed and swung his arm wildly, catching Santana on the face and knocking her to the ground. She began to crawl to the bed and used it to support her weak body as she got up, her face still stinging. He grabbed her by the hair and flung her roughly onto the bed. He joined her and immediately began groping and touching. She tried to scream and get him off her but as soon as she opened her mouth his hard fist met her face, causing her to wince. As he got rougher, Santana just lay there, knowing it wasn't worth fighting against. Her energy was gone in any case after the beating. She shut her eyes and tried to black out the crime that was being done to her.