Silence echoed loudly as Santana and Brittany looked from each other to the hunched figure in front of them. Santana and Brittany both simultaneously opened their car doors and rushed over; wrapping their arms around a waist; they walked towards the car; as loud painful sobs began.
"Shush." Santana soothed running her fingers through hair; as Brittany got inside and closed the door after her; Santana got in the front seat; and turned round, meeting worried blue eyes; "Shall I go to yours? Maybe, your mom can help…"
"That sounds like a good idea."
Santana began starting the car; and slowly driving towards Brittany's house; hearing Brittany whispering words of comfort; and asking what happened; only to heard silence in return; Santana parked up outside; and helped Brittany open the car door, and they walked inside.
"I'll find my mom." Brittany then immediately rushed into the kitchen; "Mom?" Brittany rushed out; and upstairs, bumping into Shane, her brother, "Shane, Where's mom?"
"In the garden; Lord Tubs was trying to catch a bird; he made a mess."
Brittany immediately rushed downstairs; and outside; seeing her mother, cleaning up the porch outside; as Lord Tubbington instantly recognised Brittany and trudged over, meowing loudly; as he rubbed his furry body against her bare legs; she shooed him away; and he reluctantly trudged off inside as if he understood she was preoccupied.
"Mom, I need your help!" Brittany took her hand, and pulled her towards the house, Sarah looked at Brittany's worried expression.
"Brittany, calm down. What's wrong?"
Brittany ignored her, and led her into the front room; a blur of red and purple; stole Sarah's attention; she stepped towards her slowly; not wanting to scare Quinn any more than she already looked. Her hunch figure obviously because of some abdominal pain. Sarah stood forward; and let her eyes run down her fragile figure.
"Oh Quinn; what happened, honey?" Quinn remained silent; clutching her stomach as she stared at the floor; Brittany rubbed Quinn's arm slowly; "Quinn?"
Once again, Quinn remained silent; letting her slow breathing being the only thing she has to concentrate on.
"She's been like that since we saw her. I don't know… what to do."
"Okay. Brittany, why don't you get the first aid box?"
Brittany let go of Quinn's arm; and walked off; Quinn watched her leave and then felt slender fingers slip into her hand; she turned and hazel eyes met concerned chocolate ones. Quinn was silently surprised of Santana's almost compassionate reaction towards her; especially everything that had happened between them.
"It was your dad wasn't it?" Santana's voice was just above a murmur; not wanting Sarah to hear; "You can tell me, Q. I wanna help you."
"Now?" Quinn's voice came out as a throaty whisper; it was too clear she had been crying; "Now you want to help me; because I was beaten. Well; that's great, San! But you didn't want to be friend before...-"
"I've always been your friend; even when you went crazy, Quinn. You were in the wrong. Ask Britt; I was going to talk to you tomorrow anyway. This isn't worth losing our friendship."
Quinn nodded; and lightly squeezed Santana's hand; she wiped away a strand tear; before sniffing loudly
"You didn't answer my question." Santana pressed on; and Quinn limply nodded; "You need to tell Britt's mom. She can help… please, Q?"
Brittany bounced into the room; and passed the first aid box to her mother; who sat Quinn down and began softly cleaning her face; most of blood was wiped off; leaving her face slightly swollen.
"Quinn, do you wanna stay here tonight?"
"I can't… but thanks."
"Where will you go?"
"I have to go home. My mom will… she'll freak out if I don't return."
Sarah bit her lip; as Santana shook her head
"Did Russell do this, Quinn?"
Quinn looked down
"He wasn't supposed to be there. He can to visit my mom about seeing me more often." Quinn wiped her eyes again; "I wanted to be honest to her; she accepted me being pregnant. I thought she could accept me being this… He hid in the dining room… She didn't even warn me; what kind of mother does that?"
Santana and Brittany both rubbed their hands against Quinn's lower back soothingly
"She knew he would… hurt me! He heard everything… I shouldn't have done it. He called me sick!"
Sarah squeezed Quinn's hand softly
"It's okay honey."
"He said I should have learned after Beth. He wished me dead… Then he attacked me; and she just stood there." Sarah wrapped her arms around Quinn and pulled her in for a hug; Quinn began crying harder; and both Santana and Brittany shared a knowing look. Quinn needed them more than ever. After what seemed like hours; Sarah leaned back and kissed Quinn's forehead.
"You're staying here for tonight; and we'll think of something… but you won't be going home anytime soon okay? I know you're scared of him, Quinn… but you're not safe there." Quinn nodded "I'll set up a bed in Brittany's room."
Sarah smiled and stood up; walking to the stairs; Brittany rubbed Quinn's arm; Quinn looked over.
"Thank you…"
"Hey! You're part of us."
Santana smiled at Brittany; and rubbed Quinn's other arm; Quinn looked to Santana.
"We're the unholy trinity, Quinn. You're can't break it, no matter what happens. We're besties for life. Just the three of us."
"I ruined your lives. You're both better off without me!"
"Don't be silly, Quinn. You're like the sister I never had."
"What about Hailey?"
"She's not blonde, San… So I don't count her as a real sister."
Quinn and Santana laughed; typical Brittany; Quinn leaned over and nuzzled her face into Brittany's neck; murmuring 'Thank you' again; Brittany rubbed her back softly; until Edward walked in; and noticed the tension in the atmosphere.
"Hey, B…" Edward smiled at his daughter, turning to Santana, who was staring at Quinn, "San…. and Quinn…. What's going on?"
"Dad, Quinn's staying tonight… until further notice."
Edward smiled; and then looked to Sarah; who nodded
"You can go to bed, whenever you're ready guys." Sarah smiled; and Quinn nodded
"You ready sleep?"
"Yeah, please."
Brittany smiled; and helped Quinn up; Santana grabbed Quinn's bag; which she carried upstairs; to Brittany's room; Quinn was sitting on the edge of the pull-out bed; Santana passed Quinn her bag.
"Thanks..."
"Do you need to borrow any clothes to sleep in?"
"Yeah I forgot to grab some; I can grab some clothes tomorrow."
Brittany pulled out some pants and an old gym t-shirt; she passed them to Quinn; and then turned to Santana who smiled.
"I should go… My parents will freak if I'm late again."
"Okay, well… I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye, Britt… I love you." Santana pressed her lips to Brittany's softly; Brittany hugged her lightly;
"I love you too, San."
Santana smiled; and then turned to Quinn; immediately wrapping her arms around her; she hugged her lightly.
"See you tomorrow, Quinn."
"See you. Thanks for tonight; both of you."
"You're welcome." Brittany murmured affectionately
"You don't need to thank us… You're one of our best friends; Quinn. We'd do anything for you." Santana squeezed Quinn's shoulder; and she smiled at her, "I'll see you tomorrow."
Santana then walked out; she closed the bedroom door afterwards; and Brittany looked to Quinn.
"We can changed and then sleep if you want."
Quinn nodded; and they both quickly changed into their clothes; Brittany walked into the adjacent bathroom; and grabbed a new toothbrush; she walked out and passed it to Quinn; she smiled and followed her into the bathroom. Once they were finished; they climbed into their beds; and Brittany switched the light off.
"Your parents won't let me stay, will they?"
"My mom wants you to be safe; she won't let you go back… if you don't want to."
"Your mom has you, Hailey, and Shane to care for. It's not fair on your family… to look after me."
Brittany sighed deeply; and rolled over; closer to Quinn; she reached out and took Quinn's hand, squeezing softly.
"Don't worry; we'll work something out."
Quinn nodded
"Thank you for everything, Britt."
"You're welcome, Quinn."
"Nig-." Quinn broke out into a loud yawn; Brittany smiled; "Night, B."
"Goodnight Q."
Quinn closed her eyes; and she instantly felt sleep take over; Brittany had a similar effect; her eyes closing instantly. Downstairs; Sarah was panicking; she knew she couldn't afford to take care of her family and Quinn as well; she was torn because she knew Quinn needed help; there was no way she could go home to a woman who willingly let her ex-husband beat their child up; it was just never going to happen. Sarah looked to Edward who nodded; at the silent question; picking up the phone; she dialled a well familiar number.