A/N: Hello all, Happy Halloween. Decided to give horror a real shot and this was the result. Hopefully it was a little unsettling at the very least. As always, thanks for reading, enjoy and stay safe.
Also, warning: CHARACTER(S) DEATH AHEAD
Halloween is one of those holidays that barely register for Quinn. It sits at number five on her list of entirely meaningless holidays, right below Columbus day. She can see the appeal. Free candy, costumes, gory horror flicks. It definitely has its perks but what is even the point? Kids run around being little shits, destroying and vandalizing property and adults become drunken assholes. No wonder this is her best friend's favorite holiday, she fits right since she's always a drunken asshole. Actually, she's just always an asshole.
"Yo Q! I'm running low." Quinn gives Santana a side glance, seeing her outstretched arm with the empty glass in her hand.
"I can happily get you a bottle of water." Santana rolls her eyes as her girlfriend, Rachel as she takes the glass from her hand. Santana's frown earns her a kiss from the smaller brunette.
"I know you're having fun but you need to pace yourself, okay?" Quinn doesn't hide her cringe. The two been dating for at least two years now but it's still so bizarre to see them together, or rather seeing Santana being so whipped.
Quinn has known Santana since they were ten and Rachel since they were thirteen. For years, the two seemed to hate each other. Nope, that's not right. Santana hated Rachel. Rachel wasn't always fond of Santana because of one very valid reason. She's a bitch. But so is Quinn, she's just not a bitch to Rachel, or Brittany for that matter. Quinn isn't sure when they realized there was something more to their friendship but she's glad it happened. She'd never seen either of them as happy as they are when they're together and she can't name two more compatible people.
The taller blond has rolled herself into a ball on Quinn's living room floor, which is ordinary for her. After finding a comfortable spot on the light gray carpet, Brittany curled up and Quinn already had a blanket ready for her. Every year since they were fifteen, the four women have spent Halloween together, even when they were in college, though it was more of a virtual get-together. Now, fourteen years later they're still together watching scary movies, drinking, and passing out candy to the few trick or treaters. Santana had wanted them to be in a bar or at a party but luckily it's Quinn's year to pick how they'd spend the holiday.
"If I do this for you, what do I get?" Quinn lifts an eyebrow watching Santana slide her fingers under the hem of Rachel's sweater.
"Don't molest Rachel on my couch. Thanks." Rachel chuckles softly as she redirects Santana's hand to her thigh. Leaning forward, Rachel whispers something in Santana's ear which Quinn assumes is something sexual with the way Santana is grinning and Quinn is pretty sure Santana's eyes are even lower than before.
"Wanky." Yep, it was definitely sexual. Rachel makes her way to the kitchen with Santana's eyes glued to her backside.
"So when are you gonna pop the question?!" Santana sobers up quickly to shush Brittany.
"B!" She loudly whispers. Brittany glances into the kitchen before returning to her friend with a wide grin.
"She didn't hear, so tell us!" Quinn had been curious as to when Santana was going to get around to proposing since she'd dragged the two blonds with her for months to find the perfect ring.
"Are you chickening out?" Quinn smirks at the eye roll she receives.
"I just don't know how I want to do it yet. I was thinking around Thanksgiving since we'll be back in Lima with our families." Quinn nods approvingly.
"It's a nice idea but you're overthinking this. Just ask. She'll say yes."
"Say yes to what?" Rachel asks as sits next to Santana. Smiling, Santana places a kiss on Rachel's cheek before taking the bottle of water from her.
"When did you go from weepy drunk to lovey?" Santana rolls her eyes as Rachel giggles, leaning into peck the woman's lips. A much more effective way to cut off Santana's retort.
"When she got happy." Brittany comments. Quinn shifts in her chair, gently pulling the light blue blanket up from her ankles.
It's a little chilly tonight but nothing too bad. Out of her friends, Quinn is the only one who lives in upstate New York. She'd known the second she graduated that NYC wasn't where she'd call home. Upstate was more her speed though she still works in the city. Since Halloween is on a Friday this year, she thought it could become a weekend stay rather than just a day the foursome spent together.
As life continued on, their friendship began to dwindle and Quinn didn't like that. Of course, each woman has friends outside of their core group but that doesn't matter to her. These women are her bread and butter and nothing will change that.
"Okay, so are we watching It, Children of the Corn, or The Rocky Horror Picture Show next?" Quinn internally cursed herself for mentioning the last one. Why did she even ask?
"You didn't even have to ask. We must watch…" Quinn stops listening, knowing the Broadway star wants to watch anything musical.
"Can't we like, play a game or something? I'm tired of movies." Brittany asks.
"Like what?" Quinn questions and Brittany's shoulders rise and fall.
"There's an entire closet full of games Britt, just go pick one." Brittany shakes her head.
"It's Halloween and we haven't done anything scary." She pouts.
"We should totally go to a haunted house." Quinn's eyebrow lifts at Santana's suggestion.
"So Rachel can hide behind you the entire time and Brittany can have nightmares?" Rachel scoffs.
"I would not hide behind Santana." Quinn rolls her eyes before sweetly responding.
"And I'm the toothfairy."
"it's not the entire time." Quinn watches as all eyes land on Rachel and the small woman puts one index finger in the air.
"If any of you bring up the Halloween of 2017, there will be dire consequences."
"Was that the year you fell into a mud puddle running away from your shadow?" Brittany genuinely asks which causes Quinn to chuckle.
"That was the year before. Rachel is talking about the year she -
"Shut it, Fabray!" Brittany pouts at Santana.
"But I wanna know. Is it that time Rachel knocked that lady out? Because that was funny." Quinn chuckles as Rachel heavily sighs, dropping her head.
"More like hilarious. Who knew Rachel was strong enough to knock anyone out?" Quinn watches Santana try to mask her laugh.
"That wasn't my fault! She snuck up on me."
"That's the point babe. That's what they do." Rachel glares at that comforting hand Santana rests on her shoulder.
"Aren't we supposed to be playing a game?" The trio chuckle as Rachel rolls her eyes.
"Yeah, and," Brittany gasps, a sly smile gracing her lips.
"I know what we can play!" Brittany hops to her feet, slowly wiggling her fingers before whispering,
"Bloody Mary." Quinn, Rachel, and Santana exchange curious looks.
"Bloody Mary? Is that even a game?" Quinn glances at Brittany who shrugs to Rachel's question.
"Doesn't matter. Let's just do it, it'll be fun." They all knew about Bloody Mary. Everyone knew about bloody Mary. With one lit candle and a mirror, you could summon Mary. Some stories say she'll tell your future but others and the most commonly believed ones involve her stealing your soul.
"Britt, I think we're a little old for that." Brittany pouts at the other blond.
"Old? Speak for yourself," Santana speaks up.
"But I'm with Q, Britt." Rachel's eyebrows furrow.
"Excuse me, but am I hearing this correctly? Are the two self-proclaimed HBIC's actually afraid of a children's game?" Quinn rolls her eyes at Rachel's teasing. She wasn't scared. Why would she be?
"Bloody Mary isn't real," Rachel smirks at Quinn's response.
"Prove it then." Quinn rolls her eyes when she hears Brittany giggle.
"Yeah, Quinn. Prove it." Brittany adds.
"What are we? Thirteen? I can't believe you're peer pressuring me right now." Santana chuckles.
"Quit stalling Fabray. Do it or admit you're chicken." Quinn's brows knit together.
"Why don't you do it miss badass?" Quinn smirks as Santana stands from the couch.
It's always been easy to make her do anything. Most of the time Quinn could manipulate everyone as if they were her dolls but with Santana, it only ever took a challenge. The two have always had an unspoken competition going on, not unlike a sibling rivalry. As they've grown older it's become a lot less intense but that competitive edge always lingers under the surface.
"Hell no. I'm Mexican. We don't mess with that shit." Santana sits her bottle of water on the glass coffee table before adjusting her shirt and beginning to count on her fingers as Quinn looks at her perplexed.
"Chupacabras, ghosts, demons. All that shit is not to be fucked with." Quinn really thought she was going to do it but she should've remembered Santana is very superstitious.
"And by default, my future wife isn't doing it either." Quinn chuckles with a shake of her head as Santana leaves the room, wandering towards the bathroom, and Rachel ducks her head with a slight blush.
"Guess that settles it -"
"I'll do it! Where's a candle?" Brittany asks, climbing to her feet.
"Brittany, why don't we tell scary stories instead? We all know Santana will be upset if you do this." Brittany shrugs as she scans the room for the aforementioned item.
"San is always grumpy." Brittany grins, spotting a small glass jar with a rainbow-colored label sitting on the TV stand.
Rachel and Quinn share a look before Quinn shrugs. What could it hurt? It's nothing more than a test of courage in Quinn's opinion.
A roar of thunder is heard through the house accompanying flickering lights as Quinn stands to get a lighter for Brittany. None of the women had even heard the rain begin but it doesn't matter much. Brittany grins wickedly, using a creaky, eerie, low voice as Santana returns.
"She knows." Quinn chuckles.
"Who knows what?" Santana's eyes narrow suspiciously at her friends.
"Bloody Mary. " Quinn walks to a drawer in her kitchen and grabs a lighter as Santana's eyes roll.
"Are we still on this?" She sighs while sitting next to Rachel.
"I'm gonna do it." Quinn hands the lighter to the taller blond, glancing over in enough time to see Santana's head being tossed back as she lets out an exasperated sigh.
"B, can you not? This isn't Casper the friendly ghost." Brittany giggles as she lights the candle.
"San, are you scared?" Santana shakes her head.
"I just don't want you to do it." Brittany looks at her friend, weighing her options.
"It'll be fine San. Anyone want to come with me?" Brittany looks at Rachel briefly before gazing at Quinn.
"Aren't you supposed to be alone for it to work?" She asks. Brittany grins and takes Quinn's hand.
"Yeah but you can stand outside the door." Before she can blink, Quinn feels a force pulling her along while Brittany grins on their way to the bathroom.
Brittany walks inside the room, shutting the door behind her, leaving Quinn on the other side. Quinn softly laughs to herself as she presses her back against the cool wooden door.
"Bloody Mary." Quinn hears Brittany begin from the other side of the door.
"Bloody Mary," Brittany says once more before there's a long silence.
Brittany inhales deeply and closes her eyes before whispering the name one last time.
"Brittany?" Quinn's voice forces her to open her eyes, gazing in the mirror to find nothing but her reflection.
Letting go of a breath she didn't know she was holding, Brittany opens the door to greet her friend with a smile.
"Told you it wasn't real," Quinn smirks. She'd never admit for a second there her heart rate increased.
"I know but it was fun!" Brittany holds the candle out to Quinn who shakes her head.
"I think I'm -" did the shower curtain just move? Quinn isn't sure but her abrupt stop causes Brittany to look over her shoulder.
"What?" Quinn shakes her head gently, knowing she's just freaking herself out. If the shower curtain moved it was probably the air from the door being opened that blew it.
"Nothing. Come on." The pair return to the living room to find Rachel and Santana playing tonsil hockey.
Quinn rolls her eyes while Brittany giggles. By the end of this weekend, she's going to need a professional cleaner to come by.
"We weren't gone five minutes," Quinn comments as she sits in her chair.
"Had it been five minutes, you woulda saw more than us just gettin' out mack on," Santana smirks.
"Now that that's settled, can we continue with Rocky Horror?" Rachel asks.
The women came to a consensus to continue watching their movies until they felt like going to sleep. Quinn's home is a three-bedroom, two-story house further away from civilization than she'd like but at the price she bought it for, she could spend a few more minutes driving to town. The master bedroom is upstairs with a hall separating it from another. The third bedroom was on the main floor just around eight feet from the living room, in the corner of the house.
Since she's single with no kids, the other two bedrooms are used as guest rooms and are currently being used as such. Knowing her friends, Quinn decided it would be best to give Santana and Rachel the room downstairs. It's nice that they have a healthy sex life, it just isn't something Quinn wants to experience firsthand.
Now that everyone is in their rooms, Quinn drifts off to sleep, that is until she hears a peculiar sound. One she's never heard in her year living in this house. Groggily sitting up, Quinn grabs her phone from the nightstand, cracking one eye open to see the time. 3:13.
She rubs her right eye with her left thumb, sniffling as she begins to wake. Pausing for a moment to listen, Quinn stares into the darkness thinking she must have dreamt the noise. Shrugging, she lies down again, pulling the duvet up to her chin and closing her eyes.
Thump
Quinn's eyes shoot open. That wasn't a dream. Quickly sitting up, Quinn looks to the crack at the bottom of her bedroom door. Maybe Brittany was up? Or Santana or Rachel.
Thump
There it was again. She decides to figure out what's going on for herself and gets out of bed.
Boom
That was the thunder. When is this storm going to pass? She questions herself as she opens her bedroom door. Looking to her right, down the dark hallway she's just able to make out the crack in her guest bedroom where Brittany had been sleeping. It had been completely shut before so Quinn assumes Brittany must be up. Without turning on the light, Quinn heads towards the room, the cool wooden floor waking her more with each step.
Halfway there, Quinn pauses. Her face scrunches as she steps in something wet. Had Brittany spilled water? She wonders as she moves her foot from the liquid. Quinn hobbles to the bathroom to throw the light switch and the second her vision is clear, a blood-curdling scream falls from her lips.
Her mind is blank as her lungs try to suck in as much oxygen as quickly as possible. Her skin tingles as her vision blurs then refocuses and she can't comprehend the voices calling out to her. Blinking slowly reveals the slideshow that's now her life. Gradually, she recognizes the bloodied body on the floor, Santana wailing over their friend while Rachel stands frozen a few inches from Quinn.
Santana is saying something, Quinn is sure of that because her lips are moving but words are too much to grasp. She's going to be sick or pass out. Or both.
"911!" Quinn can comprehend that but she's sinking, her legs no longer wanting to be burdened with her body weight.
There's nothing emergency responders could do to help Brittany. Staring at her limp body, Quinn sees the lower half of Brittany's jaw is missing. Her eyes are unnaturally wide but Quinn can't stomach looking in them. A cool breeze from Rachel rushing past her lifts the ends of Quinn's hair. It's the first thing she feels she's felt since the discovery. Santana's sobbing is drowned out by Quinn's hammering heart. Her friend. Her Brittany. Was gone...in such a merciless way.
"What the fuck happened?!" Quinn blinks, her eyes focusing on the distraught Latina, covered in their friend's blood. The straining in Santana's voice is finally what breaks the dam and searing wet tears stain Quinn's cheeks but she can't find her voice to respond.
"Quinn, look at me." Quinn flinches, unsure of when Rachel came back or got close enough to touch her hands.
"Where is your phone? I can't find mine or Santana's."
"Nightstand," Quinn whispers, never taking her eyes off Santana who's now sobbing into Brittany's midsection.
She's not sure how much time passed but she doesn't fight when Rachel pulls her to her feet. She lets herself be led to the stairs and sits on the step. She can hear Santana's whimpers and pleads to God much clearer now along with Rachel's footstep as she paces back and forth, furiously wiping her eyes before collapsing to her knees with her face in her hands.
More time passes and Quinn realizes she doesn't hear sirens.
"Where's the police?"
"Your phone isn't working." Comes Rachel's soft response. Something about that sends Quinn's mind into overdrive. If Brittany was...they took her...whatever happened to Brittany had to be done by someone and they're still in the house with them.
"We have to get out of here." Shakily, Quinn gets to her feet before quickly helping Rachel to hers. The two carefully approach the bathroom. Santana had fallen silent minutes ago but it went unnoticed by the other two. They find her sitting beside Brittany on the floor with red puffy eyes and a blank, unblinking stare. Her hands, chest, and legs are covered in the sticky crimson liquid.
"San." Rachel tentatively calls out but she receives no response.
"What happened to her?" Quinn and Rachel couldn't hear the whispered question which angered the Latina.
"What happened to her?!" Santana yells.
"Stop yelling. We have to get the hell out of here." Quinn responds in a harsh whisper.
"What did you do to her?!" Quinn's eyes become the size of platters.
"Are you fucking insane?! You think I did this?" Santana's face twists into a deep scowl as she finds the strength to stand but not before gently placing her hand over Brittany's face to guide her eyelids down.
"You were the only one here." Quinn feels a chill run through her body at Santana's low tone. It's one she'd never heard before and even she had to admit, it was scary.
"Both of you need to stop. Whoever did this is probably still in this house and we need to leave. Now."
Boom
Thunder and the crackle of lightning cause the three women to flinch. It was a distraction but not enough to leave Santana's anger forgotten.
"Get the fuck away from my girlfriend." If Quinn weren't terrified, she'd be extremely annoyed.
"You have got to be shitting me! You're going to get us all killed," Santana's jaw clenches as she stalks towards Quinn.
"I said get away from her!" Quinn is pushed back with enough force that she falls onto the hardwood floor, sliding back against the banister near the stairs.
"Santana, stop!" Rachel pushes against Santana's stomach to stop her from pursuing Quinn but she keeps fighting against her. Quinn knows Santana's lost control when she switches over to Spanish. Getting to her feet, Quinn's eyes widen enough for Santana to notice the terror on her face, and glancing at Rachel, she sees the fear in her eyes as her mouth hangs open in shock.
Anger quickly morphs to fear as Santana turns to see a sickly pale naked woman behind her. Her body is covered in thousands of scars and scratches with black liquid oozing from them. Hair darker than a moonless night and her face is so sunken that any features are replaced by her skeleton. The woman opens her mouth wide, revealing a black tongue with aquamarine teeth letting out a howl so loud, animalistic, and penetrating that it glues each woman to their spots, feeling their very bones vibrate. And just like that, she was gone leaving behind the stench of rotten meat, feces, and vomit.
"What the fuck?!" Santana yells as she grabs Rachel's hand and runs straight down the stairs. Quinn quickly follows behind, internally cursing when Santana can't open the door. Three backs quickly press against the door to watch their surroundings.
"I told you not to fuck with those spirits!" Santana gasps.
"This is not a fucking 'I told you so' moment!" Quinn points out. Rachel reaches over to her left, being closest to the wall, and flips the light switch.
Darkness.
"The powers out," Rachel informs them.
"What the hell do we do?"
You die. Is whispered into each woman's ear, eliciting three separate screams.
"I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die!" Rachel cries, her head shaking rapidly sending her tears whipping through the air as she begins to lose her composure.
Quinn's chest heaves as she looks out into the darkness, the house being briefly illuminated when lightning flashes through the windows.
"Smash a window!" Quinn suggests and before she can say anything else, she feels Santana pulling her into the living room. Santana grabs one end of the coffee table and Quinn follows, grabbing the other end.
"On three." Santana nods as Quinn begins to count. On three, they hurl the table at the closest window and close their eyes to brace for impact. Quinn hears the glass shatter but when she opens her eyes, the window is still intact.
"Fuck!" For the first time tonight, Quinn feels hopeless. If there's no way out then they're going to die.
"No one can hear us and we're trapped in a house with a ghost." Santana sighs heavily.
"I need a fucking drink." Quinn watches as Santana slumps on the couch under the moonlight.
"There has to be something we can do." Quinn comments.
"Other than wait for that bitch to cut our fucking heads off? I don't think so." Quinn shakes her head.
"So we're just supposed to get picked off one by one?" Santana shakes her head, the two sitting in silence until Santana shoots up from her seat.
"Rachel?!" No response.
"RACHEL?!" Santana feels a cold sweat in her palms before letting out a breath of relief upon Rachel entering the room.
"Don't do that!" Santana wraps the smaller woman in her arms, holding tightly.
"I'm sorry. I just went to the kitchen." Quinn's eyebrows furrow.
"For what?" In the light, Quinn can see Rachel's faint smile.
"This." She holds up a container of salt and receives two curious looks.
"While I'm not sure if this will work," Rachel begins to walk around them, pouring salt on the floor.
"Every supernatural movie I've seen somehow involved a salt circle as protection." Quinn raises an eyebrow but doesn't speak as Rachel completes the circle, just big enough for the three of them.
"So you think if we stay here, we'll be okay?" Santana asks.
"I'm hoping so...but if this is one of our last moments together." The mood shifts to something much more somber.
"Baby, don't-" Santana swallows her words when Rachel grabs her hand.
"Let me say this." Santana pauses briefly before reluctantly nodding.
"I've spent the better half of my life with you guys and I'm just...really glad I had all of you in my life." Quinn somehow manages a smile before hugging Rachel.
"Same here." She says before pulling back.
"Even you." Santana glares at the blond but there's no malice.
"If we don't make it out of here...know I love you, Quinn. Yeah, we're huge bitches to each other but that's just us. You're not the sister I always wanted," Santana smirks, sending Quinn a playful wink.
"But you're the one I got and I'm glad I did. And for the record, with everything that happened upstairs…" Santana trails off, looking uncharacteristically vulnerable.
"I didn't think you did it. I just...lashed out." Quinn can see the tears forming in Santana's eyes.
"I know. That's kinda your thing." Quinn gently squeezes Santana's arm.
"I love you guys." Quinn pulls them both into a tight embrace and the women let the reality of the situation sink in.
"We love you too," Rachel whispers.
"Speak for yourself." Quinn playfully slaps Santana's shoulder with a light laugh. Santana snorts as she pulls away from Quinn and turns to Rachel.
"You know how much I love you but I'm gonna tell you again." Santana sniffles, her eyes watering as she brings one hand to the back of Rachel's neck. Since Quinn can't leave the room, she decides to turn around to give them the illusion of privacy.
"I love you." Quinn hears the shaky whisper. Rachel gives Santana a watery smile, placing their intertwined hands at her chest and pressing their foreheads together.
"I love you too. I always w-" Her words are caught in her throat as she gasps for air. Startled, Quinn turns around as Santana stumbles back and Rachel is lifted into the air by an unseen force.
Nails claw at a tense neck, tearing skin as her legs kick forcefully, yet helpless in the air.
"Rachel!" Santana cries out, desperately reaching out to her, her fingertips grazing the sole of Rachel's feet. Quinn sees the pale woman in pieces of the scattered glass on the floor and she can just make out a twisted grin on cracked, peeling blue lips.
Lifting her eyes, Quinn watches as Rachel ascends closer to the ceiling, her face becoming beet red, veins ramming against her skin with eyes bulging so hard Quinn is sure they're going to
Pop
Quinn feels sick and has to turn away. She catches a glimpse of light from the foyer where Rachel flipped the switch then her head eyes focus forward seeing Santana watching the entire ordeal, powerless and horrified. Before she could think, Quinn pulls Santana against her body holding the woman protectively shielding her from the horrors no spouse should witness.
Quinn didn't dare look up again after heading another pop like a bubble bursting and sickening crack before a loud thump as Rachel's body drops in a heap on the hardwood floor. She only held Santana's head down on her shoulder as the woman's heart crumbles.
The women stay still for a moment. What were they to do? And that's when it hits her. Quinn looks back to the foyer, the light is now off again. If Quinn is right, at least one of them will survive and she's willing to take the risk.
"San." Quinn gently pushes Santana's shoulders until they're eye level.
"I have an idea." She grabs Santana's wrist and runs straight to the first closet door she finds, stepping on sharp blades of glass but unable to feel the pain of it piercing her skin.
Once inside they move to a far corner in the back, tossing aside various jackets, sweaters, and cardigans. Their breathing is heavy but consistent. Quinn tries to listen for any noises and thankfully hears none.
"We have to stay away from mirrors or anything reflective." Quinn can't see Santana in the darkness of the room but she knows her head is now turned towards her.
"What?"
"Listen to me! I saw her. In the glass. When we were upstairs with Britt," Quinn pauses to take in a deep breath.
"She was in front of the mirror. It's her doorway and when…" Quinn searches for the right words to not throw salt on Santana's open, bleeding wounds.
"I saw her out there. In the glass on the floor." Quinn can hear the wheels spinning in Santana's head.
"It doesn't matter." Comes Santana's sullen response.
"We can't leave."
"We might be able to." Interest piqued.
"How?" Quinn guides Santana to the floor with her, now sitting with her legs crossed.
"The light…Rachel turned on, worked while...other things were going on."
"So?" Santana clearly isn't following.
"That means the power isn't out and she's controlling it. Just like the doors."
"So if we distract her we might be able to get the hell out of here." Quinn nods as Santana finishes her thought.
"If I'm right."
"And if you're wrong?" The question is left hanging in the air. They both know the outcome. Santana sighs heavily as Quinn feels the weight of the woman's head resting on her shoulder.
"My car keys are on the kitchen table. Are there any mirrors or anything on the way in there?" Quinn carefully ponders before answering.
"I don't think so but the oven is glass. If you stay away from it, I think you'll be okay." Quinn hopes Santana doesn't catch on to her wording.
"Me? What the hell are you gonna be doing?" Quinn lets out a shaky breath.
"Distracting."
"No." Quinn's brows knit.
"No?"
"We're both getting the hell out of here. Alive." Quinn could have laughed at how ridiculous that thought was. This entity has unmeasurable power and they were just two women but she doesn't hesitate to lie.
"Without a doubt." Quinn feels a weak smile gracing her lips as Santana reassuringly squeezes her hand.
After constructing their plan, the two carefully open the closet door. Quinn checks to make sure the coast is clear before beckoning Santana forward. The blond drops to all fours, to avoid any hanging mirrors she may have forgotten about. Quiet and carefully moving along the floor until her palms meet the gray oak vinyl flooring of her kitchen.
Quinn begins to feel sweat forming on the back of her neck as she and Santana make their way around the island, avoiding the oven. She spots the keys and inwardly smiles that they're sitting on the edge. She looks at Santana before advancing towards the table. Slowly and carefully, she reaches up, grabbing the keys gently to minimize noise. Once they're securely in her hand, Quinn hands them to Santana. Santana gives her an inquisitive look to which Quinn smiles sadly.
"Don't look back." Santana's confused frown deepens as Quinn places a kiss on her forehead. Before she can say anything, Quinn rushes past her, grabbing a knife from the block sitting on her counter and flipping a light switch.
Her back pressed against the kitchen sink, Quinn sends Santana one last glance before taking off down the dark hallway leading towards the bedroom Santana and Rachel had been staying.
Santana felt the sting of tears building in her eyes. Quinn was an idiot for doing this but Santana won't let her sacrifice be in vain.
"Come get me!" Santana hears Quinn yell.
After a moment of silence, Santana hears a loud bang, like a body colliding with a wall and then the kitchen light turns on. Santana runs straight towards the front door as Quinn's strangled, sharp scream rings out.
"Don't look back," Santana whispers to herself before turning the doorknob.
It opens.
Santana flies down the three steps and unlocks the car door as she runs down the driveway. Slamming the car door behind her, she starts the car and peels out into the street. The pedal hits the floor while she turns on the headlights and for the first time since this started, she feels like she can actually breathe.
Reaching a stop sign, she takes a moment to collect herself, closing her eyes and taking slow deliberate breaths to calm her shaking hands. It was finally over...but she'd lost everyone. She couldn't dwell on that right now. She needed to get home first. Opening her eyes, Santana looks in the rearview mirror and feels her heart stop. Behind her was the woman of her nightmares with an unholy smile. Santana opens her mouth to scream but all the air is ripped from her lungs. She blinks and everything around her has shifted. All she sees is darkness and now she's standing in cold water up to her ankles completely naked.
"What -" She pauses as she hears her very distant echo in the vast darkness. Spinning in a circle, she stops upon seeing a window.
What she sees on the other side shakes her to her core. It's her. But she's in her body, how could she be seeing herself? And she's still in the car. Why is she grinning? Where is she?
"Welcome to my world." Santana watches herself say to her.
The realization crashes over her like a collapsing ten-story building. She'd been sentenced to something worse than death. She was now in the mirror.