Well, school has already started for me (and is why I haven't updated in a while). Anyways, my new battery came in! So now it doesn't need to be connected to the charger, and I'll just work with the on-screen keyboard for the time being (I've actually gotten used to it). I'm on a 3-day weekend as well, so this leaves me with plenty of time to get this chapter out. I might even be able to whip the next chapter up as well! :D

Also, feel free to drop by my Tumblr (musiclover48) & say hello if you're ever in the neighborhood.

You're staring down the stars
Jealous of the moon
You wish you could fly
But you're staying where you are
There's nothing you can do
If you're too scared to try

"Oh my god," Tina groaned as she leaned against Mike in agony, "they're actually good."

New Directions was standing backstage and watching as the Warblers basically owned the stage, clearly winning the audience over with their very own couple number - except that the entire group wasn't coupled up, only a few couples stuck out while the rest harmonized and danced behind them.

"Shouldn't we have done that and just kept Kurt in our number?" Quinn questioned over the sound of the Warblers, pursing her lips and giving Rachel a pointed look.

"Our number will be more organic and heartfelt," Rachel snapped quickly.

"Organic?" Santana scoffed loudly. "Compared to these birds, we'll look as fake as my boobs."

"But I like your boobs," Brittany whispered to her soulmate, linking arms with Santana. The Latina merely rolled her eyes and gave Brittany a peck on the cheek.

"Speaking of Kurt," Finn called out as the number finished, "where did he go?"

"That's what I've been trying to tell you guys," Mercedes managed to cry out as the Warblers began to leave the stage. "When Kurt left, Karofsky and his gang followed after him!"

The entire group fell silent, exchanging worried glances. They peered out at the audience, and noticed that Kurt had not yet returned to his seat.

"He should've been back by now then," Finn muttered. "Maybe we should go try to find him."

"We can't just leave to go looking for him," Rachel sighed. "I'm sure he's just hiding out in the bathroom in protest."

"What part of Karofsky following Kurt did you not get?" Mercedes snapped. "You guys never see the way Karofsky harasses my boy at school; it's like he has it out for him or something."

"And he's my little bro, Rach." Finn added with a scowl. "I can't let some guy push him around while I just sit by and watch."

As Rachel opened her mouth to respond, the Warblers began to cry out for help as one of their own collapsed just as he exited the main stage. The entire group looked at them in worry and shock, simply standing around gawking at the scene.

"Well just don't stand there!" One of the boys shrieked. "Help us!"

As they tried to pull their friend to his feet, the boy struggled in their grip and cried out in agony, screaming "Kurt! Kurt!"

That knocked New Directions right back into reality.

Kurt screamed as Karofsky yanked on his waist, pulling the petite countertenor into one of the abandoned backrooms of the theater. "Help! Someone – anyone – help me!"

Karofsky slipped one arm away from Kurt's waist, only to clamp his hand over Kurt's mouth to silence the smaller boy. Kurt thrashed around violently, trying his best to escape. Tears welled up in his eyes as Karofsky pressed up against him with a low chuckle.

Kurt didn't even know how Karofsky found him, but the jock did. He had taken Kurt by surprise, quickly grabbing Kurt by the waist and attempting to haul him off. But Kurt had fought back, even escaping out of the brute's grip for a brief moment, which resulted in Karofsky using both arms to carry him away to the nearest room. Now, Kurt was fighting for survival – he knew what Karofsky was capable of, and was desperate to get away before the jock whisked him into the empty room.

"I'll knock your fucking teeth out if you don't shut up," Karofsky growled and kicked the door open, despite the countertenor struggling in his arms. Kurt mewled pitifully as he began to gradually lose what little strength he had left.

"No," he sobbed helplessly, but was muffled by Karofsky's hand.

As the door slammed shut, showering the room with darkness, Kurt shut his eyes tightly and hoped – even prayed – that someone, anyone, would come to his rescue.

All Blaine could feel was an overwhelmingly painful sense of terror. His lungs were burning, eyes welling up with tears, as he felt a wave of fear crash into his heart. He screamed not only of pain, but of pure, absolute horror.

He didn't notice the Warblers huddled around him as they tried to calm him down, or how New Directions was questioning him on why he was crying out for Kurt. All that registered in his mind was the pain and the suffocating feeling of fright.

Then his mind drifted to Kurt. Images flashed through his mind – Kurt's crystal-clear eyes brimming with tears, someone hauling Kurt off into a dark abyss – but the worst thing of all was the sound of Kurt's screams that seemed to ring in his ears. It fueled a rage inside Blaine he never knew existed; he felt the sudden urge to protect Kurt, to shield him from all harm and keep him safe no matter the cost.

Then just as soon as the traumatic experience started, it ended.

Blaine shot up while gasping for breath, eyes wide and looking blood-shot. Wes and David helped him stand up, trying to keep him calm as the other Warblers fussed over their lead singer. Meanwhile, New Directions fought to get closer to him while bombarding him with questions.

"Find him," Blaine managed to choke out. "God, he's so scared – please, find him."

With one last sigh, Blaine slipped into unconsciousness.