Chapter Twenty:
Frozen
Ice wasn't cold enough to describe. The wind was barely blowing now but the temperature had definitely fallen. Perhaps it was just because now she wasn't sat in the slightly warm car, that she was feeling the chill. Shivering to keep herself warm wasn't working. It was her body's defensive to battle the freeze. Her muscles were trembling beneath her skin and working overtime and in overdrive to try and warm her. But of course, nothing was working. Her body was screaming at her for back up, but of course that back up wasn't coming. She didn't have any other clothes to put on. Although her long sleeved top was able to keep her warm at night; now in the bitter cold of the early morning it was useless. Her toes were frozen, and she was imagining that they had dropped off and now lay at the bottom of her socks. Goosebumps had pricked up all over her body, her fine hairs standing out.
On the floor she lay. Her stomach and cheek being pressed deeper into the snow. Her body was rigid and numb from the white frosty substance she used to enjoy playing in. She had been dragged out of the car; screaming and begging for..what? Mercy? To be set free? To live? But all the while Russell – her captor – just grunted at her, forcing her to not wake up Judy, who had in the back of the car also. Once he got her to the correct spot, a patched by the almost frozen over lake covered in thick snow and slippery ice, he kicked her hard in the back of the legs. Sending her tumbling to the ground. She was too weak by the drug to try and get up. Besides, she didn't have time before he started beating her.
Panting and gasping each time she felt a blow slam into her small body, she saw steam fly out of her mouth. Crying was one of her 'talents'; she could cry on cue, but now she was trying so hard not to spill her tears onto the frozen ground. She did feel their warmth as they slid down her cheeks, but still she didn't want to cry. She couldn't show her weakness in front of this man. What made the blows wore, was the scraping, scratchy, almost slicing sensation she felt every time she involuntarily moved. With each jerk of her body, her breasts would rub against the hard ground. It was unfortunate that she was lying on snow and ice, and she could feel her hardened nipples being virtually ripped off with every move of friction. She could have sworn the were bleeding.
Possessed. It was the only way to describe him. Although she couldn't see him, she could picture his face and the expressions of joy and a freakish happiness that he was getting from beating her. It would be the same look he had when she saw him spanking Quinn, only this time he wasn't spanking her. Yes he was whipping her with a strong leather belt, trying to draw blood through her clothes, but this wasn't spanking. This was full blown torture, she was sure of it. All the while blurting verse after verse of the bible. She of course wasn't listening, only crying into the snow, melting it with her tears. Her hands were tied behind her back, so there was no way she could try and stop him; bound with more leather so that it was digging into her wrists.
Not being satisfied by the lack of screaming, Russell took his muddy boot and kicked her again and then lifting her top up. Bare skin. That what what was needed. There were marks on her back, but he needed to see her flesh. He craved it. It was ancient and medieval of him to think that by drawing blood was going to 'rinse away her sins'. That's what the lake was for. He had come up, through research, of how it was best to drive away these devil sins: talk to her, force her to leave and now he was only left with one choice; force the sin itself out of her by bleeding her dry. Her screams would also help the sins to leave. And, ultimately, if that method didn't work, then the lake certainly would. Although he hoped it wouldn't get to that stage.
Metal was proving inefficient. He had been throwing the heavy buckle on her back, bottom and legs for twenty minutes – the same amount of time he did to Quinn – but it wasn't working. It was only bruising her skin, keeping the sin locked inside. When what he needed was for her sin to be bled out. He took the belt in his hands, wrapped the buckle in his fist and, like the Egyptian Pharaoh to his Jewish slave, he pelted her and slashed at her skin with the metal.
First time she felt it on her skin, Rachel couldn't make a sound. The shock was too much to bare. A snap and white heat flooded through her. She was numb from the first blow, but knew there were more to follow. It was on the second fast and hard slap she felt that her scream ripped out of her. Felt the blood trickle down her sides and stain the pure snow. Russell had drawn blood; now he was happy.
Even with Quinn's car windows up she still heard Rachel's scream echo through the forest she had found herself in. Doing as her mother had instructed, she had called the police and an ambulance. Hearing Rachel's scream, Quinn drove faster and chanted; "I'm coming my love, I'm coming for you," over and over again until her steamy breath filled the car.
Drained, not of blood but of screams, Rachel lay on the floor. She could no longer feel the cold. Her top had been brought back down, to soak some of the blood she had spilled. Still she could not move and inch, only her eyes and mouth. Muttering Quinn's name repeatedly, she prayed that she would come for her. She knew she would, but was fearing for her life. She heard Russell drag Judy out of the car and tie her up against a tree. She was putting up a fight but of course he was stronger. She then heard the crunching of his boots come closer to her and he picked her up by her hair, pulling her head up.
"Filth." He spat at her, making her close her eyes and cry once more. "That's what you are; you and your kind." He no longer considered her a person. Just a thing. A bacteria that had 'infected' his daughter into being like her. Still telling her what an awful creature she was, he pulled her up to her feet – wincing as she felt her cuts – and pulled her into the lake. Gasping once she felt the frozen water under her feet, she received a slap across her numb face. "Be quiet," he snarled, his eyes flickering to the car headlights that were approaching. "You're singer, I want to know which high notes you can reach," he then took a piece of ice floating on top of the lake and jabbed it into her wound in her back. Throwing her head back, Rachel screamed as he twisted it in. "You do have a high pitch," he chuckled, "now let's see how low you can go." He then took his hand and balled it into a fist, punching her hard in the stomach. He was holding her up by her tied together hands, so she couldn't flop easily, but she grunted a low tone. "Very low indeed." He laughed to himself, enjoying his sick fun.
Upon seeing her father thump her girlfriend in her stomach, Quinn flew out of the car and marched over to them. "Rachel!" She screamed. It was the only thing she could think of to say. Her name was constantly on her lips, and now that she saw her, she had to call out her name. Even though saying it would do nothing to help her. Her father smiled up at her. He had a look of pride on his face, as if he was doing something to make Quinn proud of him. As if she had asked him to do this. Quinn watched in horror as Rachel spluttered and coughed, trying to breath. "Quinn I am doing this because I love you." Russell called out, holding Rachel's head up and pulling her by her hair to sow Quinn what he had done.
Rachel's cheeks were red, but her face was pale. Deathly pale. Blue lips and purple eyes. Red, runny nose and messy hair. Her eyes wandered to her body and saw her nipples poking through. They were cold and she could see Rachel trembling and teeth chattering against her father's grip.
"Where's your evidence and justification for that remark?" Quinn snapped at him, trying hard not to sob. Russell laughed at her, imagining it was some sort of joke. "Because it's obvious!" He bellowed loudly in a gigantic laugh. "You're smart Quinn, you may not be showing it as of late, but you are. You're also young and easily manipulated and seduced, so I know that this-" His hand moved off her back and gripped around her neck; sending chocking throat gags to come out of Rachel. Quinn;s eyes widened in horror. "No I'm not!" She screamed at him, clutching at her hair in frustration. "I know exactly what I want; the only person who could manipulate and brainwash me is you and the only person who could seduce me is the terrified girl you are strangling so let her go!" She cried again and skidded on the ice. "Please, let her go!" She called out, wondering why her feet wouldn't allow her to into the water.
Before the police had told her not to approach him. If he had her mother and her girlfriend, then he could easily hurt her too. Russell frowned, not understanding why Quinn was happy that he was finally setting her free from Rachel's influence. "No Quinn, I am not letting go until you see that she needs to be stopped. This little game and plan of hers has to be stopped." He squeezed harder around her neck. Quinn coughed out a laugh, not believing what she was hearing. "A game? Plan? Dad, she doesn't have one!" She took her eyes away from that of her fathers and just focused solely on Rachel's magnificent face. Even frozen, she was beautiful. Her cracks in her voice were starting to show, but she refused yet again to let them over take her. "She is a beautiful, innocent, caring girl who doesn't possess a single bad quality throughout her whole body; unlike you."
"See Quinn, see what she's done." He bellowed, letting go of Rachel's neck, sending her heavily gasping for needed breath, preparing to jab the ice again. "She's already got you under her spell!"
"She's not a witch!" Quinn shouted, feeling the strength to answer her father back. Argue with him. She figured that he wouldn't hurt her too much if she just kept him talking; or more accurately, arguing, debating. "The only magic she has is by making me melt at the sight of her-"
"And that's what I'm talking about!" He shouted back, just as loud, sending echoes around the forest. Sending more as he stabbed the ice in her bleeding back again.
Rachel cried out, flinging her head back and screaming as the pain increased. A mixture of cold and sharp. Never before had she thought ice could hurt so much. Russell continued to bellow. "She has trapped you and is keeping you hostage for her own satisfaction she needs to be stopped!"
"Let her go!" Quinn screamed back, stepping forward, but stopping herself as she felt her foot slide."She needs to be punished," Russell glared, "and you need to be set free from this sick girl!"
"You'll make her sick if you don't let her go!" Quinn begged, seeing how much Rachel was suffering now. "Quinn!" Rachel spluttered, somehow being able to swallow some air into her lungs through the screaming.
At hearing her name, Quinn took her attention away from her sadistic father and looked at Rachel. Those eyes were pleading with her to help; begging her to do something. But what could she do? If she were to wrestle her father, then they would both be in trouble. But she wanted to badly to prize his hands off of her and hold her in her arms. No. She had to keep talking. Had to keep distracting him from his plan. All the while Judy watched the exchange from her tree.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Quinn shouted at him, a fire flaring within her.
"Do not say that word!" Russell told her, pointing the blooded ice stick at Quinn.
"There are a lot of words I'm not allowed to say because you think they're a sin to even think-"
"Be quiet Quinn!" Russell growled, not wanting to hear her talk, but just make her see what he was doing. His daughter shook her head. "No! I will never be quiet, never on your terms anyway."
"I'm warning you-" Her father snarled, stepping forward. Still shaking her head, Quinn thought that maybe if she kept answering back, he would walk to her and she would be able to grab Rachel and take her away from him. She pointed her hand at him and screamed and shouted; "And I'm warning you; you think you can lord all over me? Treat me like some little puppet that you can control? Well you can't! Yes you're my father and I have to respect you, but not because it says so in the bible and not because you've told me to, but because that's just the way things are. Like love and commitment. You think you're so mighty and powerful and that you can just walk all over me? Well you can't. You're such a hypocrite! Did you forget about that affair you had with 'tattooed freak' as mom put it? Adultery is a sin. One of the worst and although you might think that loving the someone the same gender as yourself is a sin then I have one question for you;" She smirked, lowering her tone knowing that this was going to hit him where it hurt the most. "If God made us to love the opposite sex, then why did he make it so I could fall in love with Rachel? Is that not a sin on His behalf? Does that not make him imperfect and immoral-"
"Don't you dare blaspheme!" Russell shouted, dragging Rachel forward as he walked one step closer. "Then don't you dare hurt my girlfriend!" Quinn ordered. "Let her go you monster!"
"I'm the monster?" He laughed. "I'm the monster? The only monster here is her! This thing that has plagued you and influenced you to become like her; why can't you see that? Why-"
"Rachel had nothing to do with me falling in love with her; only by being so beautiful, and talented and perfect in every way. So you're wrong; she's not the monster you are!"
Russell couldn't understand it. He was helping his daughter, doing this for his daughter. All for her; saving her from a life of sin and damnation in hell. Why could she not see that? It was clear that Rachel Berry and her faggy fathers had her cursed in a much deeper way. It was done. There was only one thing left to do. "You have to make a choice Quinn." He told her, shaking his head and grasping onto Rachel's shoulders, holding her steady next to him. Trembling under his fingers. Oh, Quinn. My precious daughter." He smirked lightly, before presenting her dilemma. "Your mother, or her." Quinn frowned, not sure what he was talking about. He had stopped advancing and was now retreating back further into the lake. "What are you talking about?" She asked, scared of his answer. He sighed, as if there really was no way out of his plan and what he was planning to do, was the only option. "Quinn it's the only way I can make you understand and realise what has happened to you is a sin and is wrong; your mother also needs to be punished for allowing herself to be influence as well. Not in the same way as you, but still almost as bad."
"Dad-" Quinn gasped as she understood what he was talking about, looking at the lake.
All of it becoming clear.
"One of them has to go. Your mother has accepted your little affair and must be punished, and this girl has corrupted your mind. I don't know who I would want to drown first, but I'll let you decide."
"No!" Quinn cried, shaking her head not wanting either of them to die.
"No?" Raising his eyebrows. "You really want me to make that choice? Fine have it your way!"
"No! No please-"
"Oh now you use your manners?" He spat, tightening his grip.
"Stop please! Don't hurt them! I love them both!"
"But who do you love more, Quinn?" He pointed to the tied up woman slumped against the trunk of the closest tree. She was sobbing, defeated and unable to stop her husband from committing his awful crime. "Your mother, your family and your own flesh and blood? The woman who carried you, gave birth to you, loved you your whole life and will continue to do so? Or her," He spat, shaking Rachel so she could wake up a little; her exhausted eyes locked with those of Quinn's frightened hazel green ones. Both sets glistened in the freezing dawn light. With the rising sun, Quinn could see visibly that Rachel was shivering frantically and that her usually light tan skin was pale. Almost as pale as hers and her luscious red lips had gone a sore looking purple blue colour. "Who you have hated for most of your life and probably hated you too!"
"I...I..."
"You have to make a choice Quinn. You chose, because I think you sure as anything know who I would chose to drown like a runt kitten."
The blonde could feel the hot tears streaming down her face as she looked into the eyes of her girlfriend. She knew that he wouldn't harm his own wife in the way he would happily do so to Rachel. The shivering brunette's eyes were one sparkle away from being dead. She was fighting with herself once again to keep awake. But also, she wasn't pleading or begging with Quinn to choose her. It was as if she had accepted her inevitable fate. She was deflated and defeated, and a single frozen tear slid from her eye. Quinn watched it fall, and wanted nothing more than to kiss it away and make everything better. But she had to speak the truth.
"Well dad," she said cold and harsh, pushing her shoulders back and approaching the edge of the lake, "if you're really going to make me choose then..." she shook her head at the man she used to call so affectionately 'daddy'. Unable to comprehend how he could be so cruel and disgusting. "Then I'm sorry but, but I choose Rachel." The girl in question's eyes looked up; slowly and painfully as the will to sleep was becoming too much for her. But hearing that Quinn would risk everything to save her, made her failing heart swell inside her chest. She felt Russell's grip on her tighten, and, just like before, knew that she was going to die at the hands of this man. All because Quinn couldn't lie to him any more, and felt like she could be the brave night and save her with her words of honesty. She wanted to cry, but was using all her energy to keep breathing. She was no longer breathing for her; but for the both of them.
Shrugging her shoulders and feeling as brave as anything, Quinn stepped once more closer to the rippling water of the lake. She didn't know what would happen; if he would just throw Rachel to her and then go to get her mother, or if he would come after her and try to wash away her sins for her. Either way, she had to tell him the truth: she had to explain to him that she wasn't afraid of him any more and that she would not sit back ideally and allow him to make their lives a misery, because he had a warped interoperation of life, right and wrong. Glaring at him through her hazel green gems, she could feel the satisfied smirk appearing on her face as she told him exactly how she felt. "I'll always choose Rachel. I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I'm going to spend the rest of my life with her." Unfortunately she was so wrapped up in wanting to make him suffer by declaring the truth to him, that she failed to see her mother shake her head, Rachel brace herself for what was going to happen, and her father's own lips begin to twitch into the evil smirk she had inherited from him. "Think again."
With the force of a thousand elephants, Russell suddenly yelled, twisted his body wrong, gripping harder onto Rachel's fragile self and thrust Rachel's body into the water. He then plunged her screaming head under it and held her down.
Everything went rather slow then. As if she someone had slowed down the action on a television show she had been watching. Everything just went in slow motion. A thousand times slower than normal.
All she could hear was screaming. At first it was Rachel's pained screaming. She was so cold but as soon as she felt his grasp on her change and he was forcing her into the water, she couldn't help herself. Taking all of her energy voluntarily, she screamed as loudly as she could. A mixture between cats screeching and a child wailing in the night.
Next she heard herself screaming; begging and pleading with her father to let go and to let her go. Fearful that he would actually kill her. He appeared to be enjoying himself; he relished in the fact that he was potentially ending someone's short life, and committing the biggest sins of all: murder.
Then her mother was screaming, lunging at him with an object. She had somehow managed to untie herself from Russell's knots; distracting him with her female sobs, and had been working at the rope. At first, Quinn didn't see what it was; this mysterious but life saving object. She was too focused on her girlfriend battling to stay breathing. Never once in her life had Quinn been so grateful for her girlfriend's excellent breath control. But that breath was going to run out at some point and then...who knows what.
Suddenly she heard her father screaming. He was shouting, telling Judy to get away and get off. Then he howled like a pack of wolves and stumbled away. Letting go of Rachel.
Rachel. Now was her chance. Quinn rushed into the water, shoving leaves and ice out of the way, trudging over to her and of course not caring about herself. Her only mission was to get Rachel and warm her up. Once she got to the spot where the bubbles were rapidly decreasing, she reached under the water. As soon as her fingertips touched her girlfriend's skin, she gasped. Never in her entire life had she felt something – or someone – so cold.
Like a brave fireman, she picked up her naked girl and carried her out of the water, crying onto her. As if her tears would somehow warm her up. Again, trying to run out of the sludge, slush and mud. Her feet feeling heavy and sinking, but she was thankful for her extensive Cheerio training; she could handle anything, even her lunatic of a father so it seemed.
Laying her on the bank of the lake, Quinn took off her coat and wrapped Rachel up in it, holding her on her lap and keeping her as close as she could, pressed to her body like she had done when they were in bed together, and ran her arms along her sides and back, trying to generate heat.
Quinn wasn't stupid. She knew about hypothermia. Her girl had been out in this below freezing temperatures for about two hours and in that lake for forty five minutes, dressed in nothing but the thin clothing she wore when snuggling with Quinn previously in the night. That was it. No coat or form of warmth. Although the sweatpants were thick, they weren't thick enough. And although the pyjama top was long sleeved, it may as well have been a tank top. It clung to her body and made her look as if she was naked. She was blue. Nothing like Avatar or Smurf like, just blue. And that scared the life out of Quinn.
Rachel was going to die, and soon if she didn't do something to stop.
"Give me your coat." Quinn called to her mother, not looking away from the limp life in her arms. She turned her head, seeing that her mother was still crying in the water at the impossible realisation that she had stabbed her husband, and allowed him to get away. "Mom give me your God damn coat!" Quinn screamed, but turned her head back lightening fast to her girlfriend, who moved slightly and was trying to frown in her arms. "Q..Quinn..head..hurts." She whispered hoarsely, unable to make herself heard. Again, she was focusing on her breathing and trying to stay awake. But it was becoming impossible. It could have just been her imagination, but Rachel was positive she could see 'the light'. The light that people talked about before they died. Yes, it was more logical that it was just the sun appearing through the trees, but Rachel was so tired and so cold, that she seriously thought she was dying and then changed her mind. She would focus her last ounces of energy of the woman she loved more than anything; waging war with her eyelids.
Gasping and trying to keep her tears at a bay, trying to appear brave for her Blossom, Quinn smoothed Rachel's hair. Even that was cold and frosty. "I'm sorry." She gasped, "I'm sorry baby I won't shout. I'll never shout again, I promise. Not in front of you. I'll never hurt you again. I'm so sorry baby, I'm so sorry." She sobbed, bending over and kissing her girl on her frozen red nose. It was shiny from the cold and dribbling from the fever she was doubt feeling. Rachel swallowed, and took a deep, painful breath. "Not..not your fault..nothing..to be..sorry..for." She stammered, teeth chattering and fighting back the words. Shaking her head, Quinn held her girl closer to her. Continuing to soothe her. "Don't speak, don't speak baby." She shushed, lightly rocking her, comforting her but also to again create heat. "You're tired, don't speak." She whispered. Although she was seconds away from slipping into a subconscious state, Rachel could still smell Quinn and feel her warmth. But she was still shivering. Her eyes were closing. "Quinn..so...co..cold." She stuttered, whispering so quietly, Quinn wasn't even sure if she spoke. Sniffling, Quinn kissing the top of Rachel's filthy hair and continued to cry on her. "I know. I'll warm you, I'll make you warm again. I promise."
Distant sirens were screeching throughout the forest. Signalling the police and an ambulance were on their way. Not soon enough, Quinn was thinking and willed them hurry. As she held her fragile girl, she could feel her life slipping away from her and she rocked, kissed and sang to her. Anything to keep her holding on.
In the hospital waiting room, Quinn and Judy sat with blankets around them and cups of steaming coffee cradled in their hands. They had been checked over and were fine. More than anything they were suffering from the psychological affects of what they had just witnessed. Judy had a few rope burns on her wrist, and Quinn had a cut on her leg from where a piece of ice had sliced through her skin. Their 'wounds' were treated and now they had to just wait for to hear about Rachel. Her fathers had been called, and of course had rushed over to hospital to see her. Hiram was bawling his eyes out and was unable to hold himself up, gasping for air as his husband walked in. Leroy was holding himself, composed and not wanting to show too much emotion. For his husband rather than himself. Hiram was dressed in his pyjamas, having threatened to kill Leroy himself if he didn't hurry up. Leroy had forced him to put on sensible footwear, a sweater and a coat, but he himself had dressed in normal clothes. The men had also brought things for their daughter. Still, they were fast and had arrived with no doubt at least five speeding tickets. They had been talking to the doctors since they arrived and had promised to call Quinn once they knew what was happening.
Ten in the morning. They had been there for just under two hours. Impressive timing in any other situation, but considering they had been escorted by two police cars and the ambulance it wasn't surprising they were being seen so quickly and with such urgency. Quinn was mumbling to Rachel that she would be okay, that she loved her and that, once again, she would protect her. She hadn't been allowed to ride in the ambulance as she wasn't family. Although she wanted to protest, she thought it best not to waste time and just allowed them to do what needed to be done. Still, once they got to the hospital, she was stuck to the unconscious girl's side; squeezing her hand and stroking her hair off her sweating, fever filled, boiling face. Naturally she wasn't allowed to go through, but she kept her eyes on the girl right until after ten minutes of the doors being closed.
The two blondes now sat on their chairs in silence waiting for the news. Until Quinn spoke up. "Why did he do this mom? Why couldn't he have just killed me? He hates me why couldn't he have just ended my life?" Judy told her, dryly. Still reliving over and over again what she had just witnessed and done. "Because that would have been too kind sweetheart." Quinn frowned at her mother, squinting at her. "What do you mean?" She asked, frightened of the answer, but needing to hear it. Her mother sighed, but still refused to look at Quinn; for fear of breaking down in front of her again. She was the adult. She had to be the strong one out of the two of them. Deeply sighing again, she explained to her daughter her reasoning why her husband, who she now had no doubt in her mind she loathed, would do such an unthinkable and inhumane act. "Killing you would have been too simple. He knows that you're not gay. He knows that you only love Rachel and so, I guess he thought that if he removed Rachel then you would forget about her and find someone else. A guy. You'd forget about her and that she even existed and marry a guy ultimately."
"Remove the cause of the problem and move on. Like an antibiotic."
"I guess so." Judy shrugged; feeling sick at the thought that she used to think like that also.
Her daughter shook her head in disbelief and anger. "It's so unfair." She growled in a light whisper. As she spoke she saw Rachel's face; ghostly white and blue lips, all the sparkles of her eyes vanished from her. "She is the sweetest most perfect girl in the world and she didn't deserve this."
Judy nodded her head slowly in understanding. "I know sweetheart, I know." She licked her lips and took a sip of her coffee. Quinn's jaw clenched and her eyes flamed, like her father's had before. "I hate him mom." She snarled, now picturing his smirking face. "I hate him so much."
"I know. I know." Judy repeated, her own anger rising. But having spent so many years having her feelings repressed, she simply sipped at her coffee, as they fell into silence once more.
More minutes ticked by. The two blondes left with their thoughts and feelings. Both reliving again what had happened. It seemed so bizarre that just hours before, Quinn had never felt so happy. Both times she had her girl in her arms; protecting her and comforting her but for two complete polar opposite reasons. Her shoulders were slumped and her head finally moved out of its stiff position. Looking at her mom she sighed and quietly told her; "I'm sorry mom." Shrugging she decided to clarify what she meant. "That I didn't chose you." But Judy somehow smiled at her daughter, turning her own head to look her younger self. "I understand Quinn." She sighed, "Of course I do. I was in love once. You would have rather put yourself in that position rather than have the love of your life, your existence, in that state." For the first time in the hospital, they both shuddered at the idea of Judy being in love with Russell. Love wasn't a gift he deserved to have. "Still I'm sorry." She apologised, giving her mother a tiny almost not existent smile. Her mother smiled back at her, but then returned to her serious face, wrapping her arm around her daughter's shoulder and pulling her closer. "Sorry can wait. All we can do now is pray that Rachel will pull through." Quinn rested her head on her mother's shoulder and sighed, closing her eyes. Haunted by the image of Rachel looking so deathly. "I can't pray, but I can wish." She told her mother. The older woman shrugged and turned to kiss her daughter's hair. "Same thing in my book."
Some time later Quinn was allowed to see Rachel. Alone. She walked to the room where Rachel was being kept, being lead by a doctor. It was a special room, full of heaters and that Rachel was swaddled like a baby in warm electric blankets. She wasn't told the details of her condition – and a part of Quinn didn't want to know – but all she needed to know was that Rachel was going to be okay.
Breathing a sigh of relief at hearing the news, Quinn walked in and felt like she had to take off her clothes. Instead she opted for just her coat. The room was boiling, but Quinn had been told that Rachel was freezing. They were even giving her warm drinks to warm up her insides. Again, Quinn shook her head not wanting to know any more. "Can I hold her hand?" She asked the doctor, as she tried to reach out and grab her, wanting to play with her soft, dainty fingers and kiss them. The doctor told her she couldn't, because she had to be kept warm. The young blonde nodded her head and asked to be left alone.
After staring at her girl for what felt like an eternity, she finally leant closer to her. Not touching her, but wanting to have their breaths mixed in with each others. That connection would be worth it. "Come on Rachel," Quinn whispered, closing her eyes and rocking back and forth, "Come on Blossom. Wake up. Sing again, live again. For me. Please?"