Hey guys! Sorry for the kind of late update but here is the new chapter to HUNTED! This one is kind of . . . intense. Can't wait for you guys to read it:) ENJOY

BTW, who else was SERIOUSLY disappointed with Glee last night? Can you say boring . . . . . . . . .

Chapter Five:

Monster Inside

Finn struggles to still his heart rate as he parks his truck at the sidewalk in front of her house. He fidgets with his keys; waiting for that special little lady to step out the door, reveal those damn eyes he can't stop thinking about.

He knows this probably isn't the best way to serenade a woman by unknowingly picking her up for school. He's seen those movies; where people sing to the girl, take them on dates on boats. He just wants to do something nice, something that proves how much he appreciated what she did for him with the slushie incident.

The echo of the front door slamming catches his attention, and he looks up just in time to see his little hero bounce from the steps of her porch. Her earphones are set roughly in her ears as she makes her way to her car, not even noticing his presence. He honks the horn, and she looks up, a surprised smile on her tanned skin.

"Finn?" she calls out, shifting her backpack lightly, "what are you doing here?" He motions for her to come over, and she follows his directions to his truck. He rolls down the window, peering over to look at her.

"May I drive you to school Miss. Berry?"

Rachel's face pinks up at his words. She stares at him, fumbling her car keys back into her skirt sweater pocket. He tries to hide his shinning grin as she walks around the front of his truck to climb into the passenger seat. She sends him a warm smile while she clicks her seatbelt, setting her backpack on the bench beside her.

"Is there a reason why you wanted to drive me to school today?" she asks him, the truck already pulling out of her driveway, "not that I can complain; my car radio is broken." She leans forward, turning on the music with the soft sound of Celine Dion soothing from the speakers.

Finn locks eyes with her briefly. "You really helped me out yesterday, with the slushie thing. I just wanted to do something to show you how much I appreciate what you did," he explains, his eyes fixated on the road. She sees her face fall slightly in the corner of his eye, her lips plump in a frown.

Rachel looks down at her hands, playing idly with her fingers. "So you just wanted to . . . return the favor?" Oh, crap.

"No! Well, yes, but I wanted to take you anyways. Friends do this stuff right?" He never had experiences with his friends in New York that include them being caring towards each other. This is different; his relationship with Rachel is real; not something built on fear and pressure like the others.

A light smile crawls on her face. "Right. Friends." She looks around the truck, sighing contently in her seat. The silence wasn't awkward, not one bit, it was comfortable, and he enjoyed just being in the same space with her.

He pulls into the school parking lot, parking the truck into his usual spot at the front of the building. Getting out of his seat, he hurries to her side of the truck, slamming it closed when she tries to open it herself.

"Finn, what are you – "

He opens the door, smiling goofily as he widens it for her to get out. She jumps out of his truck, pressing a hand to the skin above her heart. "What a gentleman," she gasps dramatically. He grins, pushing the door closed behind her.

"So are you going to tell me how you know where I live?" she questions as they start to make their way towards the school. He misses a step on the concrete, and Rachel giggles at his shocked clumsiness.

"I think it's better if you just don't know. Keep it like those romantic movies, where the guy always show up at the house without ever getting directions."

Rachel laughs, shaking her head in disagreement. "Tell me, or I swear I won't help you with Biology anymore," she teases, smiling brightly.

Finn chuckles. "You're not going to get it out of me Rach," he says, the nickname easily slipping from his mouth. She blinks rapidly at the new word, stopping with him as he halts in front of his locker.

"Does this mean that I should be freaked out by how you found it?" she questions, arching an eyebrow in suspense. His face reddens at her statement, opening his locker to hide his face.

"Maybe."

His locker suddenly shuts close, revealing Rachel's determined expression, her face a small distance from his. "Tell me."

Finn smirks, leaning closer towards her. "No." His breath fans out across her face, and their words escape them for a second. They are really close, and he kind of thinks he's going crazy because it seems like they're getting closer . . .

"Well would you look what the hottie dragged in?"

The two pull away from each other, reality hitting them hard when they realize they're in a public place. His face falls when he see's Quinn strutting up to them in her revealing Cheerio's outfit, a playful smirk set on her lips. She glances at Rachel briefly, standing in front of the two of them.

"I know you're new here Finny, but it's pretty obvious that Rachel isn't exactly the girl to bring up your rep, with her big ass nose and – "

He knows he shouldn't hit a girl, but he really, really wants to.

"Don't," he hisses. His eyes flicker to the brunette beside him, desperately trying to catch her expression as she casts her head down. He turns back to Quinn angrily. "Look, Quinn, I know I'm new here, but it's pretty obvious that I'm not into you, with your awful personality and all."

Quinn laughs aloud at his words. "Please, Finn, I know you're trying not to hurt the mutt's feelings by telling me that you aren't interested in front of her face. But seriously, the girl's gone through a lot of embarrassment. I'm sure she'll be fine with this too," she tilts her head towards the girl shadowing her face in front of her, "right Rachel?"

Rachel's eyes swell at her words, her mouth failing to work once more. Finn slides his hand into hers, squeezing it slightly. "Just go away Quinn, and don't ask me ag – "

Knuckles crash against his shoulder unexpectedly, sending a light pain to his body. The pressure of the contact pushes him backwards, landing hard against the tiled floor of the hallway. He hears audible gasps surround him, but the most important sound is the small girl that calls his name.

"Finn!" Rachel cries, kneeling down beside him. She cradles his face gently in her hands, running her fingers along his red skin. "Are you okay?"

Finn blinks rapidly, shaking off the sparked juices that run inside him. Keep yourself under control; don't let the adrenaline get to you. He nods his head, letting her pull him upwards in her tiny embrace.

"Oh I'm sorry, my hand must have slipped."

He definitely knew who that was.

His eyes set in on Puck's determined face, the rest of the punk football players roaring behind him. Quinn cowers back at the scene, shuffling into the rest of the crowd that formed to watch the performance.

"I told you to stay away from her Hudson," Puck sneers, taking a step towards him. He looks at Rachel briefly. "But I guess you downgraded."

Finn tightens his hold on Rachel's hand, trying to get the control he so desperately needed. Stay calm, stay calm, stay calm . . .

He turns around from them, keeping Rachel close by his side as they march towards the opening in the crowd. His mind sets for another supervisors, sulking when he doesn't see any. Do adults even teach at this school?

Iron hands push at his back, and he stumbles forward into a locker. His arms brace himself from damaging his body, his face inches from the metal. "Stop!" Rachel screams, snapping around to face Puck and his friends. Finn watches as Puck steps forward, not too far away from Rachel's unprotected frame.

"What are you going to do Pinocchio?"

Rachel hesitates before bringing the palm of her hand to the surface of Puck's cheek. Puck acts quickly, catching her wrist in his hand before she could slap him. Her small gasp pulls Finn out of his trance, and he steps forward, pushing Puck away from the only thing that's keeping him from destroying them.

"Don't touch her." Finn stares heavily into Puck's eyes, his expression guarded. He expects Puck to step back, much like the others did when Finn ever looked at them like that, but he didn't, he just laughed.

"Tell me Finn, you going to punch me? You going to show me what a real man you are?" Puck steps forward, pushing Finn's chest lightly.

"You going to show me what a real fighter you are?"

One more shove.

"You going to show me what a good time I'm missing out on with that little prude?"

Rachel reaches for his hand, but it doesn't help, it's impossible, absolutely impossible to calm him down.

He's already lost his control.

Finn launches forward, despite the screams erupting from Rachel, tackling Puck to the floor of the hallway. He sits on top of Puck, pinning his wiggling body with the caps of his knees.

Mike gasps from below him, the sudden attack that Finn planted on him still shaking the Asian's bones. Finn pins his limbs to the concrete ground of the alley, his eyes red with violence.

He sends the first punch to Puck's still shocked face, his knuckles slamming against his jaw line. A crack echoes throughout the hallway, sending shivers down every by standers ears.

Mike growls in pain at the blow, blood creaking from his broken skin. "Don't do this Finn, please – "

" – Stop!" Rachel screams, but he doesn't hear it, he can't hear it he's so determined on making this guy break. He raises his fist, ready for the next strike on the struggling man beneath him.

His fist lands directly on Mike's nose, and Finn bounces his hand back, ready for the next punch –

Puck's trembling in his hold, his eyes watery from the last assault. His lip is bleeding openly –

Mike's eyes go slightly unfocused, his cheek splattered with blood –

Blood just keeps pouring from Puck's lips. Blood –

And so much more blood it makes him sick.

Finn freezes on top of him, the sight of red burning into his vision. He looks up into the silent crowd surrounding him, their eyes widened with fear and shock. He breathes out chokingly, standing up from Puck's twitching body.

Finn turns around, his eyes focusing on Rachel's face. Her eyes are swollen, cheeks stained with tears. She walks up to him, shaking her head slightly from side to side. "Finn . . ."

Finn gulps harshly, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. "I'm so sorry," he whispers, before walking away from the monstrous scene he just caused.

OH SUGAR! Finn's flashbacks are dealing with his future too! Poor Finn, he tried so hard to keep it to himself, but leave it to Puck to ruin it. Do you think Rachel will look at him the same again? Do you think their care for each other is too strong to keep apart? Here are some spoilers for next chapter -

- An accident happens. That's all I can say.

So this novel will be getting a little bit darker because it's getting to its climax! Hope you guys liked this chapter, Love you! R&R! PLEAAAASEEEEEE