The blackness seems to creep into her skin. Her wrists throb and burn from the rope holding them together and her toes barely brush the ground. She can't remember how long she's just been hanging there, sweat and blood dripping into her mouth.
She hears it then, that rattling, wheezing sound that sets her teeth on edge. The darkness is too thick, she thinks, that she can barely see what's in front of her.
The sound is getting louder, and if she squints she believes she can just barely make out a shape. Her stomach falls out and her mouth opens to scream, to make a noise so loud that she hopes someone can hear it.
Rachel's eyes fly open, the warmth of the fire easing the slight chill in the air. Pressing a hand to her heart she took in a deep, calming breath. Let it out slowly.
What was that?
The scream rang in her ears like a death knell.
It felt so real…
The low murmur of male voices caught her attention.
'The bodies were dragged from the campsite and they just vanish a few feet from here. I don't think we're dealing with a skin walker or a black dog,' Sam said. Rachel shifted, angled her body so that her back was to the three young men. She heard them pause before one of them released a sigh.
'What the fuck is it then?' Puck asked, his voice frustrated. There was a murmur and the rustle of a coat, the sound of pages being turned. Across from her Tanaka is swathed in his sleeping bag, cap pulled over his face and his shotgun within easy reach.
'No way Sammy. A wendigo? Those things are in the Minnesota woods or northern Michigan. I haven't heard of any out west. Have you?' Dean aimed his question at Puck.
That was odd. She was sure that that wasn't his name…then again, it might have been his first.
'Same. But it fits right? Fast, claws, likes snacking on human flesh.'
'Which means that we're going up against a perfect hunter,' Sam interrupted.
'Which also means all the tools we're packing are useless. The only way to kill this thing is to torch the sucker,' Dean told them matter-of-factly.
Thing? Wendigo? What are they talking about? Is that code for serial killer?
'If it is a wendigo, we've got to get these two out of here,' Sam warned. 'We're vulnerable out here like this and with extra baggage-'
'Dude, what the hell is wrong with you?' Dean cut in, sounding angry. 'Puckerman, give us a minute.'
There was the sound of footsteps and she felt Puck settle onto the wooden log next to her head. Rachel held her breath, mind spinning, as she heard Puck let out a heavy sigh.
They were speaking as if the thing that took Blaine wasn't even human…
Rachel wished her fathers were here with her. She had always enjoyed being wrapped up in Daddy's arms whenever she was upset, missed the way Dad would comb through her hair while she sipped on a glass of water. Her heart pulled violently in her chest, the way it always did whenever she thought of her parents. Four years hadn't dulled the ache any less.
I can't loose the only family I have left.
To her horror she felt a sniffle escape her and tensed immediately, hoping that Puck had failed to hear it.
'Rachel?' His low murmur folded her charade. Slowly wiping the tears off her cheeks, she twisted her head to regard him warily.
'Is something the matter Agent Puckerman?' She enquired, attempting to sound as if she'd just been roused. He arched an eyebrow at her, let out a snort.
'Nothing. Go back to sleep,' he muttered, jabbing at the fire with a thin stick. Rachel opened her mouth, about to reply, when a voice cut through the night air.
'Help me! Please! Somebody help me!'
Rachel would recognize that voice anywhere. 'Blaine!'
Tanaka was already hefting his shotgun, sleeping bag kicked aside as he headed towards the call.
'Shit! Tanaka! Get your fat ass back here!' Puck hollered, grabbing the neck of Rachel's shirt as she scrambled to her feet.
'Stay,' Puck hissed.
'Was that-'
'Tanaka went after it,' Puck answered Dean. Rachel felt his hold slip and took her chance, ducking underneath his fingers and darting through the bushes after her guide.
'Rachel! Fuck,' Puck yelled. Rachel heard the pounding of feet behind her but all she focused on was the bright beam of light bouncing off the leaves.
'Ken! Wait,' Rachel called sharply. She saw the light stop moving, heard Tanaka scream something before the loud report of his shotgun shattered the air.
Abruptly the light died and a crack reverberated through the air. Rachel immediately stopped running, aware of how very dark and ominous the woods looked around her.
Why did you run off like that Rachel? You aren't equipped to defend yourself and Noah told you to stay put.
Placing her hands on her knees Rachel sucked in a breath, felt the rocks through the soles of her new hiking boots. There were blisters beginning to form on her feet. The tight grip on her arm had her wanting to scream but the warm hand that covered her mouth muffled the sound.
'Shut the hell up,' Puck whispered harshly into her ear, pulling her against his chest. Dean and Sam stood behind him, a flashlight in Sam's hand.
'Where the hell did it go?' The taller man questioned.
'Well, we can add mimic human voices to the list,' Dean announced, running a hand through his hair.
'Excuse me? Did you just say mimic human voices?' Rachel demanded, attempting to pry Puck's fingers off her. 'What are you talking about? I knew I should have verified your badge numbers with your superiors! Normally I'm not this careless but I admit the emotional distress I'm currently experiencing due to Blaine's disappearance-'
'I'll take her back to camp,' Puck told the other two. Dean nodded his head. Something dripped onto her shoulder, a steady noise that drew everyone's attention.
'Is that…' Rachel questioned, voice shaky as she took in the colour of the liquid. Slowly she raised her gaze up towards the sky and felt Puck yank her out of the way as something plummeted to the ground. Sam swung their only light source towards the object and Rachel felt the blood leave her face.
Sprawled out on the ground, his neck twisted at an odd angle, was Ken Tanaka.
Dean bent at his side, placed two fingers to his pulse, delivered an answer Rachel was already expecting.
'He's dead.'
Rachel Berry had never fainted in her life. Tonight, though, was to be her first.