Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee.
A/N: Here we are with the next chapter of Strung Together! I'm so enjoying writing this story. This fic has been such fun to write. I start a chapter not knowing exactly where it's going, but boom it comes right out. To those who follow Hero, Savior, Mine, I'm so sorry I haven't updated too recently! I love that story, but because of personal situations it's hard to write. All my notes and blurbs for that story are currently being held hostage with all of my belongings at my prior residence. I went so long without updating that I'd hate to put it on hold again. So please bear with me in that the pace of the story may proceed kind of slowly. Anyway, back to this tale! Hope you enjoy. Please let me know what you think. Wishing you all the best. - Jen
For the next week and a half Puck kept up his same routine of meeting Kurt in the school parking lot, and looking out for him in the hallway. Karofsky, too, kept his eyes peeled for Kurt between classes. Kurt was still wary of Karofsky, but found himself nodding his head in thanks to the boy several times.
It was a Thursday morning when Puck ending up late for school. He was getting concerned when the bell for fourth period rang and he still hadn't seen Kurt anywhere. When he saw Karofsky at his locker, he made his way over. "Dude, have you seen Kurt today?"
Dave scrunched his face in thought. "I saw him first thing this morning, but I haven't seen him since. Why, what's up?"
Puck ran his hand through his mohawk. "I came in late today. I've been looking for him all morning, but haven't seen him anywhere."
"Maybe he left school early."
"Nah, man, his Navigator is in the parking lot. Something's not right." The two boys started rubbing their chests at the same time. "Are you feeling it too? Like an uncomfortable ache?"
"Yeah. Maybe it's because of our connections."
"Maybe. We need to find him. Now." Puck knew Kurt had French fourth period, so he and Karofsky headed their first. Kurt wasn't at any of the desks, nor did they see him in the hall. "Dude, do you think maybe we should check the dumpster? Maybe Azimio tossed him in."
"We can look." The jocks ran out to the dumpster, but Kurt wasn't inside. "Fuck, man. Should we check the choir room?" They proceeded to check the choir room, the auditorium, the nurse's office, and the gym. Kurt wasn't at any of them. "How many more places are there left to look?"
They were just exiting the gym when Puck noticed a bag lying on the floor outside the boy's locker room. Wait a second. That looks familiar. Is that..? He approached it to find that, yes, it was indeed Kurt's bag. "What the fuck? Why would Kurt's bag be out here? He avoids the locker room at all costs; there's no reason for him to be anywhere near here."
"We gotta check the locker room then."
"Yeah, I guess we do. When we go in, you got to the right, and I'll go to the left. We'll meet up at the showers."
"Got it." Karofsky swung the door open and headed to the row on the right. Every time he'd come to the next row he'd hesitate momentarily. He was terrified of what they might find.
Puck slowly made his way on the left side. He, too, was nervous the more steps he took. A part of him was hoping they didn't find anything, even if that meant they had to continue their hunt.
When Karofsky got to the last set of lockers, he stopped and took a second to brace himself. He opened his eyes, took a step, and released a puff of air. There was no Kurt in front of him. He felt his breath catch, though, when he noticed a dark stain on the floor. Oh God, what is that? Is that blood? Please don't be blood. He kneeled and put his pinky in the liquid. It came up red. Damn, it is blood. It was then that he noticed more droplets heading away from him. He slowly made his way to the entrance of the showers where the blood drops were getting larger. The next thing he noticed was a fancy looking shoe. Fuck, no. He rushed around the shower divider to kneel next to the pale body laying there. Karofsky checked the inside of Kurt's wrist for a pulse, and let out a sigh of relief when he felt one. "Puck! He's back here! Call 911!"
Puck came skidding into the room, pulling his phone from his pocket. "Oh, shit! Hold on, man, I'm getting help."
Karofsky stripped out of the button-up shirt he was wearing and pressed it gently to the bleeding gash on Kurt's head, careful to not move the boy's head. "Hang on, Kurt. Help's coming. Stay with me. Please, stay with me." He ignored the blood soaking into his jeans.
Puck came back to the jock. "Ambulance is on its way. What should I do?"
"Head to the office, let them know what happened. Then meet the paramedics out front. Guide 'em back here. I'm gonna stay here and keep pressure on his head."
"You guys hang in there. I'll be right back." Puck ran out of the room as fast as he could.
Karofsky was surprised when he heard Kurt moan, moving his head slightly. "You're okay, Kurt. Help's coming. Try not to move your head. We gotta be careful in case there are any spinal issues. Lay as still as you can."
"Kar-Karofsky?" he stuttered.
"Yeah, I'm here."
"It hurts."
"I know. Just hold on. Where does it hurt, Kurt?"
"My head. My s-stomach. Ribs. Wrist. Ankle. All over."
"You're doing great."
"So tired, Dave."
"I know, but you gotta try and stay awake." A siren could be heard in the distance. "You hear that noise, Kurt? Help's coming. Just a little bit longer."
"Tired…"
Dave cussed when Kurt slipped back into unconsciousness. He kept repeating the word 'please' under his breath, begging the boy to hang on. His head flew up when the door to the locker room flew open. "Back here!"
Three paramedics entered the showers with a gurney, a backboard, and bags. "What do we got?" a tall skinny one asked.
"His name's Kurt. I've kept pressure on his head, and kept it as immobile as I could. He regained consciousness two minutes ago. Complained of pain in the head, ribs, stomach, wrist, and ankle."
"You did good, kid. My partner, Lindsay, here, will take over for you."
Dave scrambled backwards out of the way, the bloody shirt still being balled in his hands. All sound seemed to cease to him. His mind focused solely on the pale face of the boy on the floor. He isn't sure how long he sat like that, but sound crashed back in when the paramedics lifted Kurt onto the gurney. Dave lurched to his feet, and headed out of the locker room. Puck was the first person his eyes found when he came out. "They're bringing him out."
Puck nodded. When the paramedics exited the room, Puck asked, "I'm guessing neither of us can ride with him?"
"No, sorry," the female, Lindsay, said. "We're taking him to Mercy General."
"We'll head there. Hang in there, Kurt!" he yelled at the retreating stretcher. "Come on, Dave, I'll drive."
"Mr. Puckerman-" Principal Figgins started.
"Whatever it is you want, it can wait. We're going." Puck grabbed the silent Dave by the arm and pulled him toward the parking lot. The ten minute ride to Mercy was made in silence. The teens set up vigil in the emergency room waiting room, the only time one spoke being when Puck informed the front desk who they were there for. Both boys found themselves pacing; neither capable of sitting still.
"Where is he? Where's my son?" Burt Hummel roared as he stormed into the hospital.
"Mr. H." Puck addressed the distraught man.
"Puck! What happened?" Burt was momentarily distracted when he laid eyes on Dave Karofsky, immediately becoming enraged. Even more so when he saw the blood staining the boy's white t-shirt. "You piece of shit! You did this, didn't you?" The man charged the teen, slamming his body against the wall. "Threatening my boy wasn't good enough, was it? You had to go further. I swear to God-"
"Mr. H., stop!" Puck tried to shove his body between the angry father and a pale Karofsky. "Dave didn't do this. He's the one that found Kurt; he helped him!"
Burt faltered. "What?"
"It wasn't him. Dave found Kurt, kept pressure on his wound. He stayed with him after I called 911 and went to meet the ambulance. He helped."
Burt released the boy and stumbled backwards. "Start talking. If he didn't do it, how is he involved with this?"
"I was late to school so I wasn't able to walk in with Kurt this morning. I caught Dave in the hallway and asked if he'd seen him because I hadn't. We started looking everywhere. We found his bag by the locker room, and decided to look there. Dave found him lying in the showers. I called 911 while he watched over him. They wouldn't let either of us ride in the ambulance so we followed and met them here."
The elder Hummel stomped back to the front desk for information but was told that a doctor would be out to speak with him shortly. He marched back to the two boys and dropped into a chair. "What are you still doing here Karofsky?"
"I know you don't want me here, but I'm not leaving. I need to know how he's doing. I promise to stay out of your way. But I can't leave."
Burt rolled his eyes in such a fashion that Kurt would've been proud. "You're lucky I don't have the authority to throw you out of here."
The three men were surprised to see a frantic Paul Karofsky enter the hospital. He raced to his son and threw his arms around him. "Are you okay?"
The teen pat his dad on his back, "I'm fine. Kurt was pretty beat up."
Paul turned to Burt, "I came as soon as David texted me. Any word yet?"
"Not so far. Giving information to a waiting parent doesn't seem like a top priority around here!" he raised his voice, shooting a look at the lady at the front desk.
They went silent when a paramedic entering the waiting room, heading to Dave. "Hey, kid. My name's Roger. We met in the locker room?" Dave nodded. "I just wanted to say you did good today. You kept calm under pressure, and took good care of that boy. The information you were able to give about his injuries was critical, especially since he was unconscious. You ever think about being an EMT?"
"Not really. I've had first aid and CPR classes, stuff like that. I just tried to put the things I learned to use."
"You should think about it. Seriously." He turned to the older men. "One of you the injured boy's father?"
"I am," Burt stated with a nod.
"I wish I had news for you. The doctors are taking good care of him. Your son is strong. I'll keep him in my thoughts." Roger gave them a wave and left to get back to work.
"Son, maybe we should leave Burt to wait in peace," Paul suggested.
"I can't leave, Dad. I need to know he's okay."
"Is this because of those damned strings?" Burt spoke up. Dave's eyes widened in panic, shooting a 'oh shit' look at Puck.
"Sir –" Puck started to speak before being cut off.
"Ah, yes, I remember Puck telling me about him and Kurt," said Paul.
"And your son," Burt pointed out. Dave sank into a chair; his skin a scary shade of white. Puck walked over and placed a comforting hand on his back.
"What does Dave have to do with Kurt and Puck?" Paul asked.
"You mean you don't know? Kurt, Puck, and Dave all connected together."
Now it was Paul's eyes' turn to open wide. "All three of them?"
Dave started rocking back and forth. He kept repeating the phrase 'please don't kick me out' over and over.
A look of guilt flashed across Burt's face. Paul knelt down next to his son, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder. When the boy flinched, it was like a blow to his chest. "Oh, David. I'm not gonna kick you out, son."
Dave's eyes flew up to lock with those of his father. "What?" he croaked.
"I'm not going to kick you out. Why would you think such a thing? I don't care if you're with another guy or a girl. I just want you to be happy." Paul found his arms full of his sobbing son. "Shh, it's okay. I love you, son."
The moment was broken up when a middle aged man entered the waiting room. "Family for Hummel?" he asked.
Burt stood in front of him, spine locked straight. "He's my son. How is he?"
"He's resting. He had a gash on his head that needed stitches and he has a concussion. Two of his ribs are cracked. There's bruising on his stomach, but no internal bleeding. My guess is he took a few blows there. There's a mild sprain in his left wrist so that's in a splint. And then he has a couple fractures in his right foot. He'll be wearing a boot on it for a few weeks. We gave him some medication for the pain so he'll be in and out for a few hours. We're gonna want him to at least stay the night for observation, so he's being moved to a room. Would you like to see him?"
"God, yes." Burt started to follow the doctor, but stopped to wave Puck to him. "Come on, Puck." He resumed his walking, but sent a, "you, too, Karofsky," behind him.
The doctor brought them to a room on the third floor. "Feel free to go on in. If you need anything, just ring for the nurse."
"Thanks, doc," Burt shook the man's hand then slowly eased the door open to find his son looking impossibly small in the hospital bed. He quietly made his way to the boy's bedside, gently taking his kid's right hand in his. "Oh, buddy." His eyes filled with tears as Kurt slowly turned his head and cracked his eyes open.
"D-daddy?" he croaked.
"Hey, son. I'm right here."
"It hurts, Dad."
"I know it does. They're giving you some medicine that'll help with that. You had us scared there, kid."
"Sorry."
"Don't be. We're just glad you're okay. There are some people here that wanted to check on you. That okay with you?"
Kurt nodded. Burt waved Puck over. "Hey, Princess." The jock stepped up to the bed and ran a gentle hand through Kurt's hair.
Kurt gave him a wobbly smile. "Noah," he sighed.
"You have no idea how good it is to see you awake." Puck did something that surprised everyone in the room: he placed a soft kiss on the boy's forehead.
"As good as it is to see you all."
"There's someone else here who wanted to check on you."
Dave took some hesitant steps forward from where he was waiting by the door. He gave the boy an awkward wave, "Hey, Fancy."
"David."
"I'm glad you're gonna be okay."
"Thank you."
A knock at the door caught everyone's attention. A cop stuck his head inside the room, "may I come in?"
"Of course," Burt replied.
"Thank you. I'm Detective Williams; I've been assigned to your son's case."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Burt Hummel. This here is my son, Kurt. The mohawked one is his friend Noah Puckerman. And then we have Dave Karofsky and his father Paul." Burt introduced them all.
"Wonderful, that makes this easier. You two were my next stops. Would you boys be willing to come with me so I could get your statements?" Both teens shrugged.
"My son will cooperate fully. I will be accompanying him as he is a minor. And though I know he doesn't need one, I will be acting as his attorney as well," Paul Karofsky stated.
"Um, let me just call my mom real quick," said Puck. He went into the bathroom for privacy while he called his mom at work. He gave her a quick run-down of the day's events, and she ultimately gave him permission. He rejoined everyone in Kurt's room, withdrew his wallet and took out a twenty dollar bill. Paul tilted his head in confusion when the boy held it out to him. "My mom said to give you this. Something about a retainer."
Paul took the money, "you're now officially my client. I'll be joining him as he gives his statement as well. Who would you like to go first?"
They could all feel the irritation rolling off Detective Williams. "It doesn't matter. We can start with Noah. Let me go ask a nurse if there's somewhere we can talk privately." The detective tore out of the room.
"Well, he's just charming. Burt, do you mind if David waits here while I go with Puck?"
"That's fine," he replied.
"We can use the break room," spoke the detective from the door way. The three males made their way to a nondescript door not far from the nurse's desk. "Do I have your permission to record this statement?"
"Yes," Paul agreed.
Detective Williams withdrew a recorder from his pocket it and set it on the table. He stated the time, date, and the names of all present. "Noah, would you please tell me about your morning."
"Me and my sister overslept this morning, and ended up late for school. I like to get there early to walk in with Kurt so he doesn't get a dumpster toss."
The detective interrupted, "what's a dumpster toss?"
Fuck, this dude is annoying. "It's exactly what it sounds like, dude. A jock takes a nerd or loser or whoever and throws them in a dumpster. Can I go back to what I was fucking saying?" Paul laughed but was quick to cover it with a cough. "Sorry, Mr. K. Anyways. I looked for Kurt in between classes, but I didn't see him anywhere. At one point I saw Dave at his locker and asked him if he'd seen Kurt. He hadn't either so we went looking for him. We checked a few places with no luck. That's when we came across his bag outside the locker room. We went inside and ultimately Dave found Kurt in the shower area. He looked over Kurt while I called 911 and went out to meet the ambulance. That's it."
"Do you make a habit of looking for Mr. Hummel between classes?"
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"Do you?"
"I don't usually have to look for him because I'm with him. I walk with him to pretty much every class unless something keeps me from doing it."
"What kinds of things would that be?"
"Jesus Christ. Like if a teacher tries to talk to me, some chick flirts with me, a friend stops me. Normal stuff. Even then it rarely happens that I'm not with him."
"Why do you go out of your way to walk with him?"
"Because we have dicks at that school? The dude's my friend. He's also as gay as Bert and Ernie so he tends to take shit for that. The tools leave him alone if I'm with him. Any other questions?"
"Is there anyone you can think of that would do this to Mr. Hummel?"
"I know exactly who did it. It was that dickweed Azimio Adams. He has a real issue with my boy, Kurt. He's pretty much the only one who goes out of his way to try to fuck with him. And I'm sure he had help. Probably his pal Marcus. Dude with a shit ton of hair. Can't remember his last name. Dave'll probably know it."
"Anything else you think I need to know?"
"Nope. We done with this shit now?"
"That'll be all. Mr. Karofsky, why don't you go get your son now." Paul escorted Puck back to Kurt's room, and quickly returned with his son. "David, tell me about your morning."
"Well, my morning was just like it usually is. I got up, got ready, and went to school. I saw Kurt at his locker on my way to mine. I nodded at him and kept going. In between first and second I caught a glimpse of him as he went around a corner. That was the last I saw of him. Puck found me later and asked me about Kurt. We searched the school and ended up finding him in the showers. I pressed my shirt where his head was bleeding, made sure he didn't move his head, and talked to him when he came to. That's it."
"Is it normal for Mr. Puckerman to walk Mr. Hummel to classes?"
"It didn't use to be, but it is now."
"What changed?"
"Puck used to be one of Kurt's bullies. They're both in glee club and became friends. It really changed a couple weeks ago though."
"What happened?"
"Their strings of fate connected."
"I see. Is it normal for you to keep an eye on Mr. Hummel as well?"
"I didn't used to."
"Why not?"
"Because I used to bully him, okay?" Dave exploded. "Kurt and I don't have a good history."
"Calm down, David. Detective, the school has record of David and Kurt's past. There was, unfortunately, an incident earlier this year in which David threatened Kurt's life. He was expelled, but reinstated. He's changed his behavior," Paul informed him.
"How did things get to that extent?"
"Because I was jealous, okay?!" Dave started pacing, pulling at his hair. "He got to walk around every day out and proud. I could never have that. Shit!"
Paul stopped his son's pacing, placed his hands on the boy's shoulders, and stared him in the eyes. "David, it's okay. It's okay." The teen took a deep breath and nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"When did you go from bullying him to looking for him in the hallways?" asked the detective.
"A couple of weeks ago."
"What precipitated the change?"
"Them damn strings."
"Pardon? What does Mr. Puckerman and Mr. Hummel's strings have to do with it?"
"One day we ran into each other. All three of our strings connected. Puck's been trying to get me to see that it's not the end of the world. I thought about it and looking out for Kurt felt like the right thing to do."
"Did you have anything to do with the attack on Mr. Hummel?"
"Fuck, no! What the fuck?!"
"Do you know of anyone who would do this?"
"I have a pretty good idea. Azimio Adams. He used to be my best friend. He has a real hatred of Kurt. I've noticed how frustrated he's gotten these last weeks with Puck and me looking out for Kurt. He hasn't been able to get to him. I didn't think for a second that he'd go this far."
"Who would he go to for help?"
"Marcus. Marcus Lithrum. The two of them have been attached at the hip."
"You said you talked to Kurt waiting for the ambulance. What did he say? Did he say anything about what happened or who did it?"
"No. That he was in pain and tired."
"Okay. Anything else you think I need to know?"
"Not that I can think of."
"Then I guess I'm done here." Detective Williams grabbed the recorder from the table and turned it off. "I need to get Mr. Hummel's statement now." The three men returned to Kurt's room to find the elder Hummel sitting at his son's bedside and David sitting in a chair in the corner. "Mr. Hummel, I need to get your son's statement."
"Now? He hasn't been awake long. Can't this wait?"
"I understand, sir, but I really need to talk to him."
"Fine. But if he starts having a hard time then I'm ending this. Paul, would you mind staying?"
"Of course. David? Noah? Please step out into the hall. This shouldn't take too long. I take it you'll want to record this as well, Detective?" The jocks quietly left the room, but were quick to press their ears up against the door.
"Yes," he huffed. He placed his recorder next to Kurt's leg. "Mr. Hummel, can you tell me what happened this morning?"
It was slow going, but Kurt relayed that morning's events. "I got to school this morning at the same time I usually do. Puck wasn't there so I waited, like, ten minutes to see if he'd show up. When he didn't, I went ahead and went inside. I stopped by my locker and on to class. In between second and third periods I needed to go to my locker to exchange books. I got halfway to class when I realized I left something in there. I got it and went to head back towards third when this bully, Azimio, popped up behind me. He started pushing me around 'til he pushed so hard that I slammed into the bay of lockers. One of his friends, I'm not too sure who it was, joined in and kept getting in my face. Next thing I know, they've each grabbed one of my arms and dragged me to the locker room. Within seconds one of them punched me out of nowhere. It stunned me. It didn't even register in my brain what had happened. They kept pushing and punching on the way into the showers. That's where it starts to blur together. They kept beating me over and over and over. At some point I ended up passing out. I think I have a vague memory of hearing David's voice, but, otherwise, that's it." Burt soothed his son, while Paul passed the boy some tissues.
"Who did you say did this?"
"His name's Azimio Adams."
"Did something happen between you and Mr. Adams prior to this?"
"Not in a bit. Noah's a good deterrent. People are scared of him."
"Do you know what would drive Mr. Adams to do this?"
"Besides him being a bigoted, testosterone-driven, moronic bully? Nothing other than me being gay and drawing breath," Kurt snarked.
"Thank you, Mr. Hummel, that'll be all." The detective retrieved his recorder, the business cards held out to him by the gruff gentlemen before him, and set to leave. "I'm sorry this happened to you, young man. I hope you feel better soon. I'll be in contact with any further developments in your son's case, Mr. Hummel."
"Thank you." Upon the detective's exit, the parents and the teen in the bed laughed at the so called 'casual' pose the jocks exhibited in the doorway. "You can come in, boys."
"David, I think we should probably head out. Kurt hasn't been awake long, and he's already been put through a lot. He needs his rest," Paul pointed out.
"Yes, sir," agreed Dave. He watched his foot as he rubbed his sneaker on the floor, "I'm real glad you're going to be okay, Kurt."
"Thank you, David," the boy whispered.
"Mr. K., I drove Dave here in my truck, so his vehicle is still in the school parking lot," Puck spoke up.
"Thank, Puck. I'll drop him off to get it. I just want to say one thing. I'm so proud of you two boys. You found Kurt, and immediately got him the help he needed. You both did great." The two jocks blushed. "Feel better, Kurt." With goodbyes, Paul and Dave Karofsky left.
"Well, I'm sure-"
Kurt cut Puck off. "Noah, will you stay? You, too, Dad. At least until I fall asleep?"
"Of course, Princess," Puck assured him.
"You didn't actually think I'd leave, did you?" Burt asked. "I'm not leaving here until you do."
Burt and Puck settled in at Kurt's bedside, and watched as the pale teen drifted into sleep.
"I'm sorry, Mr. H.," Puck whispered.
"Why are you sorry?"
"Because I wasn't there. I shoulda been there. If I hadn't-"
"Stop. Don't. You found my boy. That's all that matters. And I thank you. Now, will you sit with him a moment? I need to call Carol and tell her what's happened."
"Of course. I'll message the glee kids. They're gonna want to rush over here, especially the girls. I'll tell them you want Kurt to rest."
"Thanks, kid, I appreciate it."
Puck waited until the door closed behind the elder Hummel, before making a vow to the sleeping diva. "You rest, Kurt. And I don't want you to worry. Dave and I are gonna look out for you. We're not gonna let anything else happen to you. We got you. I promise."