A/N: I'm an updating machine today! This chapter is every bit as depressing as the last one. Maybe even more so because I think I'm better at writing Rachel. There's a bit of Puckleberry here if you squint a bit (I think).
RPOV:
I sighed, stretching slowly and wincing at the pain as we finished working for the day and turned to head toward the church. I wasn't looking forward to sitting in hard chairs for three hours, anticipating horrible pain from the cuts on my legs and back. I was looking forward even less to the results of the second round of "potential converts."
I was terrified that Noah had been in the group today, and terrified of the results if he had. I definitely did not want to see him suffer the pain I'd experienced, but if he cracked and "converted" I knew I wouldn't see him again; they'd taken all those people somewhere else. Despite my initial hesitation to be so close to Noah, he'd quickly become my best friend and the only person I trusted here. I knew that I would trust him with my life.
Sarah walked beside me and I could see the fear on her face for Alex. I could only imagine how much greater her worry was. I don't know what I would do if it was Finn.
"They'll be okay." I said to her, trying to be reassuring.
"I hope so." She responded, but I could see that she didn't believe the words that she'd said.
We walked into the church and sure enough, their seats were empty. As the horrible man who had spoken yesterday got up, I turned and hugged Sarah, both of us trying not to look, not wanting to see. We could hear the whips fall several times before there was a cry of pain that went straight to my heart. That hurt. I mean it really hurt and I knew it. My heart ached for Noah, Mr. Strong enough for anything badass, I knew he would be hurting bad and I was powerless to do anything.
When the lengthy service was over, Sarah and I both hurried to the front. My hands were shaking as I untied the rope holding Noah's wrists. I reached an arm under his shoulders to support him as his arms fell. I sighed quietly; I couldn't carry him so I really hoped he would be able to walk, with the limited support I could give him, to the shack.
"I can do it, Rach." He muttered, seeming to read my mind. I helped him to his feet slowly and he leaned on me heavily as we began the slow trek. It seemed to take hours but we finally reached the bed. Noah's strength was almost gone and I almost had to fully support his long frame as he laid on the bed.
"I'll be right back!" I told him. "I want to make sure that Sarah and Alex are ok."
I ran out the door quickly, finding Sarah and Alex stuck about a hundred feet from the shack. Alex had collapsed and Sarah was barely managing to hold him up. Sarah and I managed, together, to lift him up and slowly and laboriously carry him to bed. As we laid him down, the cold-eyed woman walked in with water, buckets, and cloths. We each took a bucket of water and returned to the boys.
I tried to be as gentle as humanly possible, but I knew it would still hurt, almost worse than the beating. He stood it quietly, not letting one sound or sign of weakness escape. When I was finished I returned the water and cloth.
I slid under him gently, trying to move him as little as possible. I laid his head on my chest, stroking his growing hair slowly. He sighed.
"Thanks Rach."
"Noah, it's nothing, you did it for me yesterday."
"But you shouldn't have to, you're the girl, I'm supposed to take care of you and be strong enough for both of us."
"Stop being such a hero." I said gently, smiling at him. "Let me be the strong one for once."
"Lying like this will hurt your back."
"Any other way will hurt yours way more." The woman came back in to lock the bars on the beds.
"Thanks Rach."
"It's nothing Noah; you don't have to be strong all the time." At that his macho exterior broke and he began sobbing, shaking with the force of his tears. I hugged him as close as I could, kissing his forehead and murmuring comfortingly in his ear. Gradually his sobs subsided and I could feel him relax and fall asleep.
Who would have guessed a month ago that I would be laying here under a naked Noah Puckerman, holding him while he cried like a baby? Certainly not me. But it felt right. He was my best friend, and we needed each other.
A/N: There you go. This is much more interesting that my essay on Middle Eastern Profiling for government class, hence you get two updates pretty quickly : )
The next chapter is also going to be regrettably depressing, I think a bit less so than these two though. Right now I think this story will have about 17 chapters, just an FYI.
So? Thoughts? Suggestions? Rotten Tomatoes? Let me know!