A/N so sorry for the really long updated, I have my reasons, but I do apologise. I also want to apologise for this chapters shortness :/ but I did want to just give you guys something while I had the time to write. And I'm also sorry for any mistakes I've made, I don't have time to read over it. Well enough apologising now I just want to thank every one who followed/reviewed/favourited it means a lot. If anyone on here is also reading what past demons we may have I'm going to try and update that as soon as I can. Well, let me know what you think?
They had been walking for hours.
Rachel had whined continuously about stopping to rest but the blonde pointedly ignored her, her mind already occupied to its full capacity.
The brunette lifted her arm, using the back of her hand to wipe the sweat away from her forehead as she looked at Quinn in front, who was leading the way, suitcase in a tight grip.
she then looked back behind her, the beach was long gone now. The only way was forward. They weren't following a trail, since their wasn't one, so the ground was uneven and she was consistently looking down for anything that may cause her to fall. However her head snapped up when she heard the blonde curse loudly a few feet away.
"Oh for fuck sake!"
Quinn stopped, tugging the handle of the suitcase that's wheel was currently jammed in between the roots sticking out the ground. The blonde grunted as she used all her strength to pull. Nothing. Cursing again she kicked the trunk of the tree in frustration growling at the thing, before sighing miserably and resting her head on her hands.
Rachel stood awkwardly not quite sure what to do. Should she console the blonde?should she try and help? Her gaze drifted down to the source of the blondes current anger and she decided to try and help.
Bending down she yanked on one of the more weaker looking roots, succeeding when she pulled it from the ground. The root was then tossed over her shoulder as she pulled at a thin vine, that had wrapped its self between the wheel and lifted the suitcase safely to more flat looking ground. Well that was easy..
"I don't understand why you insisted on taking the suitcase since it's only slowing us down." Rachel muttered wiping the dry mud from her knees. "My legs are aching, since we've stopped already can we find somewhere to rest for the night?" She asked distractedly as she tied the laces tighter on the oversized shoes she was sporting.
Quinn rubbed at her face a few times in agitation before turning to the brunette, a look of barely contained frustration pinching her features.
"Oh then I suppose you'd prefer to carry the supplies?" She spat and Rachel immediately tensed as she saw the HBIC slip into play. "Listen berry, I am trying to stay calm here, for your sake, but I'm stranded on this island with you of all people. My skin is on fire, I'm dehydrated and I'm certain that if I didn't take sue Sylvester's three month corse on motivation I would've collapsed by now. I do not need to listen to your whining on top of that!" Her eyes were blazing by the end of her mini rant and she was panting slightly.
Rachel stood timidly her gaze now downcast, avoiding the angry eyes boring into her skull.
All the pent up, overwhelming feelings, from the minute she stepped on to the boat, to almost drowning, to the panic about losing her voice, to the sheer dread that she may be stranded alone on an island and on top of all that the total exhaustion she was feeling just made her loose control of her emotions.
Her lip trembled and tears welled up in her eyes.
Quinn noticed the quiver of Rachel's chin and immediately realised what was happening, the fire in her eyes now rapidly dying. Berry normally took criticism and insults with a stiff upper lip, she'd actually never saw the brunette cry before. It was disconcerting.
"Stop crying berry." She demanded. She was never good with crying people, especially now that she can't exactly walk away from the situation.
However that just spurred the brunette on, a soft whimper tumbling from her lips.
"Berry I mean it. Stop. Crying."
Quinn knew she should probably curb her tone into one of a more soft caring nature but she was desperately trying to stop the other girl, before she went into full fledged wailing. She should not have to deal with this.
"I-I'm s-sor-ry." Rachel blubbered tears falling as she screwed her eyes shut, arms wrapping around her body self consciously.
Quinn mentally face palmed. Great.
If she was going to stop this she needed to be nice to the girl.
So with that thought in mind she softened her features and sucked in a deep breath "Rachel, please stop crying." At the mention of her name the brunette slowly lifted her head. "I didn't mean what I said ok? I'm just exhausted and so damn angry." She sighed rubbing her head, she was never good at apologies.
Rachel sniffled her big brown eyes still shining with tears.
"I think we should set up camp before it gets dark." Trying to change the subject as she looked up at the sky that was considerably less bright than when she'd woken up. It must be getting late.
Rachel sniffled again and wiped at a stray tear trickling down her face. "You did mean it, but it's ok. Look I get that you hate me Quinn and trust me when I say I know I'm the last person you'd want to be stuck on an island with. I'll stop complaining so much I know it's certainly not your fault were stuck here. Actually if anything I should be thanking you, you saved my life Quinn."
The blonde looked at the other girl dumbfounded. How did Rachel always manage to find the good in people. She had just turned from Quinn being mean to her, to thanking the other girl.
She was far to tired to even say anything back, so she just turned around and carried on walking. Hopefully they'd find somewhere that they'd be able to sleep for the night.
After around half an hour more of walking, in silence, the girls found a small clearing with relatively evened out ground.
"Well this is the best were going to get." Quinn sighed letting go of the suitcase.
When she didn't get a response she turned to Rachel who stood silently eyes trained on the ground, waiting for Quinn to make the first move. The blonde hated this. Silent Rachel was unnerving.
"Look Ber-Rachel." She started ignoring her minor slip up "I said I was sorry. what more do you want? Wether we like it or not where stuck here, together. It may not be the ideal situation but we can't change it. So the least we can do it be civil."
Rachel lifted her head to meet the other girls eyes a frown etched onto her forehead.
"I don't know what your talking about. I am being civil. I told you I wouldn't complain and I'm not."
"I didn't mean to be silent!"
"Well then what do you expect me to say Quinn? It's not like we have anything to talk about, before the ship wreck we were what some people my describe as enemies."
That shut Quinn up.
The blonde stood for a moment her mouth closed in a thin line, she hadn't thought about it that way. Rachel was right they didn't really have anything to talk about. All their past conversations had been arguments.
So instead of saying anything back she turned around to the suitcase and began to set up their make shift 'camp' for the night.
After an hour and a half of failed attempts at huts, hammocks and even twig shelters both girls realised that this wasn't like a movie were they'd suddenly be a pro at surviving on an island and that the only way they were sleeping tonight, was on the floor.
"I'm not complaining or anything but.. Do we really have to lie on the ground? I mean there's bugs and-and mud and...bugs." Rachel stuttered out looking helplessly at the small jungle clearing, cringing at the thought of of waking up to insects tangled in her hair.
When Quinn didn't answer the brunette turned around to find her rifling through the suitcase. Maybe she didn't hear her or maybe she's ignoring her. Rachel decided it would be wise not to press on just incase it was the latter.
A few moments later she stood up snapping the case shut and turning to Rachel a bundle of clothing in her hands, piled high so her face was covered.
The smaller girl frowned in confusion. "Um Quinn? Why are you handing me men's clothing?"
She heard Quinn sigh behind the mass of clothes before hearing her muffled voice.
"This is the best I can do ok? That is unless you've figured out how to construct a hammock in the last five minutes?"
Rachel's confused frown stayed put as Quinn unloaded the pile into her arms before taking each article and placing them neatly into a square on the floor.
The brunette finally caught on a small smile pulling at her lips. Sure this was less than ideal, but It was better than sleeping on the dirty ground.
"Thank you."
Quinn didn't answer, she just went on preparing the improvised sleeping area before lying down on her back and letting out a long breathy sigh. Her eyelids suddenly felt ten times heavier than a minute ago, the day had certainly taken its toll on her.
Rachel tentatively lay down beside her, trying to keep her distance but at the same time trying to stay of the muddy ground.
"Woah.." Quinn whispered beside her.
Turning her head towards the cheerleader Rachel saw her gaze was directed at the sky, so naturally Rachel followed her eye line.
"Oh."
Through the small clearing between the trees was a patch of dark sky, scattered across the sky were thousands of tiny bright stars. Everything was so clear. It was never like this in Lima, maybe in the summer when there was less clouds you could see a few constellations but never even close to this.
It was breathtaking.
For a moment both girls forgot about the situation they were in and just revelled in the beauty and tranquility before them.
And Before they knew it they had fallen asleep.
Quinn shivered at the slight breeze brushing over her skin. Her hands groped at the air in search for her blanket, brow furrowing in annoyance when she didn't find one. Keeping her eyes closed, her sleep induced mind decided a blanket wasn't worth waking up for and instead she wrapped her arms around herself shifting into foetal position in attempt to stay warm.
She was on the brink of sleep, so close to falling back into the blissful oblivion when it happened.
A blood curdling scream sounded from somewhere around her.
Quinn jerked up into sitting position her eyes flying open. Heart pounding at the startled awakening.
She looked around eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness and for a moment freaked the fuck out that she was lying in the middle of a jungle! before the memories of the days events came flooding back. Snapping her head to the side she turned to Rachel.
..Who wasn't there.
The only indication that she had been there was the mussed pile of clothing were she had lay.
Immediately her heart rate increased and she sprang up to her feet with new found energy, exhaustion completely forgotten. Her eyes flittered around in every direction, scanning the trees for some sign which way Rachel had went. Fear surged up her spine.
The scream sounded again making her jump and there was no stopping Quinn as she launched forward in the direction from where it came. Her feet narrowly dodging the stuck out roots twisted into the ground. It was so dark, the light only being that of the moon, so Quinn ran blindly going solely on instinct hoping that she was going in the right direction.
Her hands were out in front of her as a shield pushing through the giant leaves and low vines that hung off branches.
"Rachel!" She shouted her voice raspy from sleep.
Quinn didn't even know if she was going in the right direction. She couldn't see a fucking thing!
Her legs were hurting now, yesterday's events had worn them out, but Quinn still kept going ignoring the ache.
With her hands at head height the blondes mid drift was left defenceless, she hadn't noticed this however until it was to late. A strong low branch struck Quinn's ribs winding the girl and making her stop in her tracks.
Bending over she clutched at her side that she could safely say was defiantly bruised, at the least.
"Motherfuckerowjesuschrist!" She gritted out through clenched teeth, steeling herself against the pain.
Though she soon forgot all about her aching side when a low growl emitted from in front of her. She froze to the spot.
Surely she had heard wrong. Hadn't she?
As if to answer her internal question the growl sounded again followed by a short grunt. It came from only a few feet away.
Slowly Quinn's head rose, blonde hair obscuring her view, she lifted a mud coated hand and brushed the blond locks out of her eyes to looked forward.
"Holy shit."
Prowling around three meters or so away was what could only be described as a beast. It stood on all fours yet still seemed to tower over Quinn. It's black fur camouflaged easily with the dark night making it that much harder to see. Yellow eyes stood out however, bright like fire, boring into Quinn's hazel ones. Teeth beared into a snarl.
"Quinn?"
The blonde tore her eyes away form the beast In front of her and turned towards the scared voice that had called her name. Rachel's small silhouette was just about visible as she pressed her back against the tree and even though Quinn couldn't see her she knew the brunette was crying.
"Rach-" Quinn started only to be cut off by an animalistic howl from the thing in front.
The blonde snapped her head back to the monster, who now had it's back hunched and it's eyes locked on to its target.
Quinn.
It looked ready to pounce at any second. Fuck. If this thing came towards her she knew she would not stand a chance. At least not unarmed. Immediately Quinn spun her head around in search of anything that could be used as a weapon. It was to dark to see. So instead her hands felt around the dry ground around her.
Finally she grasped onto something. A rock. It was just bigger than her fist and moderately heavy. This would do.
She looked back up to the animal, who had yet to tear its gaze away, and without so much as a seconds hesitation, launched her arm back and threw the rock, her heart beating wildly in her chest.
The rock flew through the air all sets of eyes following it, no one moved an inch. It seemed to happen in slow motion as it struck the beast square between the eyes. Both girls held their breath as they watched on anticipating the 'things' next move.
It didn't even flinch.
The rock fell to the floor with a dull thud and three pairs of eyes followed it, un moving.
Silence.
"fuck.." Quinn breathed out before she could stop her self.
She regretted it instantly.
The beast snapped its head up yellow eyes locking onto hazel. Without so much as a seconds hesitation the animal lunged at her knocking her on to her back and for a second time this night knocked the wind out of her leaving her gasping for a breath.
"QUINN!"
She lay there on the ground struggling for air, the beast pinning her it's, hot breath coming out in short puffs inches from her face. However Quinn wasn't focused on that, nor the screams coming from Rachel, all the blondes focus was pointed solely at the beasts giant paw. The paw which was currently pressing down on her heavily bruised ribs.
To say it was painful would be a serious understatement.
Her eyes stung with tears as she attempted, with what little energy she had left, to remove the large paw that she was sure was breaking her ribs.
The pain got to a point were it was unbearable, she felt dizzy. Everything around her cancelled out and she squeezed her eyes tightly shut.
She didn't notice as Rachel frantically broke off the nearest branch beside her.
Nor did she notice as the brunette charged at the beast.
Quinn was far too concerned with the blinding pain she was currently experiencing. She wondered briefly why she hadn't passed out yet.
There was a howling noise that would have sent chills down her spine had she heard it. Everything sounded like she was under water.
Rachel pushed the thing off of Quinn with great strength, leaving the body to fall limp on the floor and immediately knelt down to the blondes aid, cupping the side of her face with both hands.
"Quinn!? Are you ok!? Are you hurt!? Did it bite you!?" Rachel blurted out, panicking at the blondes lack of response. She scanned the blondes body, calming down considerably when no blood was seen.
Quinn groaned in response the pain still very much present.
"Quinn!? Quinn can you hear me, Where are you hurt?"
Again the other girl response was a painful groan.
Rachel brushed a stray piece of blonde hair out of the girls face. "Quinn please just open your eyes."
"..e..beast..." Quinn mumbled her eyes still tightly shut.
The brunette furrowed her brow for a second before she realised what Quinn had just said. Her face slackened. Slowly her head turned around to face the lifeless body a few feet away.
"Oh my god." She breathed out.
the animal lay there a shape branch sticking out from its neck, blood seeping onto the ground beneath it and coating its fur.
What had she done.
She killed it.
She's a murderer.
Her stomach churned uncomfortably.
The last thing she remembered was seeing the animal pounce on Quinn and she panicked. It was going to kill Quinn she had to do something, right? It was the beast or the blonde. There was no choice there.
" rachel..?" The cheerleader moaned attempting to sit up, her eyes were open now.
The smaller girl snapped her head back around to face the other girl. Her hands aromatic ally reaching put and steadying her.
"Hey take it easy, you took quite a hit there." Rachel chuckled nervously.
"M'okay" Quinn muttered wincing as she tried to stand a sharp stabbing pain pushing through her ribs.
Rachel stood up as well wrapping an arm around the blondes shoulders. "Are you ok to walk? Because I can.. Maybe carry you? If, if you need to..."
Quinn actually chuckled at the image, she doubted Rachel could carry a toddler without some struggle. "I'll be fine."
The brunette nodded, though her arm stayed firmly in place. "Right, yes. Well, um, I think the camp is that way" she said pointing left. Camp? Was that even the right word to describe it. Probably not.
They walked in science for a moment before a thought occurred to Quinn and she stopped and turned to Rachel her eyes suddenly angry. Rachel for her part looked startled at the sudden change in the other girl her first thought was 'ohmygod. She's snapped! She going to kill me.'
"Why the hell were you out this far in the jungle on your own!? At night none the less! You could have been hurt! Hell you were nearly killed!"
Rachel took a second to register what had been said before looking down and mumbling something.
"..."
"What was that?"
The brunette sighed before looking Quinn in the eyes.
"I said I had to pee." She grumbled. "I didn't want to wake you up for that because frankly it's none of your business."
The blonde looked thoughtful for a moment before saying. "Well since we both were nearly killed tonight I suggest that from now on you tell me when you need to go somewhere-" when it looked like the other girl was going to protest Quinn quickly added " -and the same goes for me. Look berry we only have each other out here until we get help. If one of us gets lost or worst killed we'll be leaving the other on there own, stranded on this island. I don't know about you but I don't think I could take being here alone. We need to have each others backs, ok?"
Rachel just nodded in response, not really knowing what to say to that.
"Good, then we should carry on back to camp. I'm so damn tired."
