Day 23

"Quinn, I know you're still recovering, but do you remember anything from when you were gone?"

Quinn tensed, ducking her head, before replying quietly, "No."

Will and Emma exchanged glances as silence settled over their small group.

Swallowing hard, Quinn slid her hand over Sam's. She felt him turn towards her in surprise, but refused to meet his gaze.

Since her return, she kept her distance physically from everyone, including Sam. And as always, he let her set the pace.

She wasn't used to that kind of freedom. Growing up, she became an expert at living up to everyone else's expectations. But from the very beginning, Sam was different. He only wanted her. And as much as she shook her head at his lame jokes and nerd references, it was those very things that allowed her to let her own guard down time and time again.

Slowly, Sam grasped her hand tightly in his and she felt a tightness in her chest release.

"Anything at all, Quinn—"

Sam interrupted, meeting Mr. Schuester's gaze, "She said she doesn't remember."

Emma cleared her throat, interrupting their stand-off, "Quinn, how are you feeling?"

How was she feeling? That was the million dollar question.

Alone. Mostly, she felt alone. Even constantly surrounded by all of her friends, she still felt a loneliness that threatened to creep into her bones.

Not that it mattered. Island or no island, she was still Quinn Fabray, head cheerleader. No one knew better than her how to hide the pain and insecurity.

Plastering on a smile, she shrugged, replying, "Fine. I'm fine."


Dunking another shirt under the water, Puck began to whistle.

Recognizing the tune, Rachel smiled, singing sweetly,

Good Day Sunshine, Good Day Sunshine, Good Day Sunshine

Artie continued,

I need to laugh and when the sun is out

I've got something I can laugh about

Puck took up the song,

I feel good in a special way

I'm in love and it's a sunny day

Rachel repeated the chorus,

Good Day Sunshine, Good Day Sunshine, Good Day Sunshine

Puck sang happily,

Then we'd lie beneath the shady tree

I love her and she's loving me

She feels good, she know she's looking fine

I'm so proud to know that she is mine

Brittany and Finn joined the chorus,

Good Day Sunshine, Good Day Sunshine, Good Day Sunshine

Everyone laughed, happy for their short escape from the beach, even if it did include washing clothes in the lake.

Suddenly Brittany gasped, her mouth falling open. Everyone followed her gaze, finding a man they'd never seen before standing on the rock cliff.

"Is that…?" Rachel squeaked out.

Puck dropped his clothes, easily side stepping in front of Rachel, his hand finding hers.

The man spoke calmly, his voice carrying over the water, "Quinn Fabray belongs to me."

Finn yelled back, "She's not yours."

The man stared at Finn, "I'm not the only one out here, living in this jungle. You and your friends have already lost the battle. Give me Quinn and no one else gets hurt."


Back at the beach, Finn recanted their encounter to the rest of the castaways.

Hushed whispers spread like wildfire through the group, as Tina asked, "Is it true? Are there more people out there?"

Will turned to Quinn, his tone exasperated, "Can you at least tell us if you remember seeing more than one person?"

Quinn rolled her eyes, opening her mouth to retort, when Sam stepped between her and Will, "What's your problem? She said she doesn't remember."

"This doesn't just involve her anymore! If she knows something, we need—"

"She doesn't!"

Emma stepped between the two men, placing a hand on their chest, pushing. "Alright, we've made our point."

Sue spoke firmly, "From now on, we only go in the jungle in groups."


"Man, that is so good."

Quinn glanced over at Sam suspiciously. "What are you talking about?"

Sam showed her the bowl in his hands, explaining, "This chocolate ice cream. I'll bet, it's the best you've ever had."

Placing her hands on her hips, Quinn's lips threatened to turn up in a smirk, "It's empty."

Sam shook his head, his expression serious, "Are you kidding? It's filled to the brim with chocolate frozen yogurt. There's even sprinkles and caramel."

Quinn rolled her eyes, chuckling, "You remember my ice cream order?"

Sam nodded, the satisfaction showing in his smile, "C'mon, you gotta at least try it."

Glancing behind her, Quinn reluctantly took the empty bowl. Laughing at herself, she imitated bringing a pretend spoon to her mouth.
"See, what did I tell you?"

Laughing, she licked her lips.

Glancing back up at Sam, her stomach dropped at his intense gaze. Taking a step closer, he leaned towards her, his hands traveling towards her waist.

Placing a hand on his chest, Quinn took a step back, her eyes filling with tears.

Sam dropped his head, his voice full of remorse, "I'm sorry, Quinn."

She shook her head, "I just—," her voice broke. Swallowing roughly, she stood straighter, before continuing, "I can't."

"I shouldn't have tried that. I meant what I said, Quinn, as long as it takes, I'll be here."

For once, she wanted to believe in happy endings and true love. For once, she didn't want worry about her reputation or social status. For once, all she wanted was to believe in something more.


Quinn stood alone in the middle of the brush.

She wasn't alone, she had to remember that.

Santana, Sue, Mr. Schue, Finn, Puck, and Sam all lay undercover within shouting distance.

It was Santana's idea. Sam vetoed the plan, but Quinn quickly overruled him. She wanted it to be over. She was tired of being scared all the time. She was tired of everyone's sideways glances. She needed it to all be over.

Now standing in the middle of the jungle, waiting for the same man who took her, she wondered if it ever would.

"There you are."

His voice made her hair stand on end. Turning slowly, she found him shadowed behind a tree.

"You didn't give me much of a choice."

The man chuckled, "Neither did you. Pulling that prank; running from me. Did you really think you'd get away with it?"

Quinn swallowed her retort, letting him step closer towards her.

"They can't love you like I can."

"You're crazy."

The man walked into the brush. Quinn watched his eyes go wide with realization before his feet flew in the air. He hung upside-down from a tree, ropes tied around his ankles.

Puck and Finn yelled out in victory as they all came out from the surrounding area. Santana looked particularly satisfied, checking the ropes on the trap.

As the man twirled on the end of the rope, he reached into his jacket, pulling out a large knife. Within seconds, he cut the rope, falling to the ground.

Suddenly, Quinn ran forward, catching the man by surprise and tackling him back to the ground. The two tousled on the jungle floor as Sam, Finn, and Will sprinted towards them to intervene.

Quinn stood unsteadily and Sam felt his heart race at the sight of the blood covering her t-shirt. Touching her stomach, he shouted, "I don't know where the blood's coming from!"

"It's not her blood."

The man lay on the ground, gasping, bleeding from the knife that pierced his stomach. They watched him take his dying breath, before all eyes returned to Quinn, standing pale and frightened.