!
Puck lay awake in his bed early Friday morning. His alarm clock had gone off an hour ago but he wasn't going to school again. He knew he wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep but he made no move to get up. He stared at the ceiling, his mind racing.
Three days. This made three days the girls were missing. The police hadn't said anything specifically but Mr. Schue said Rachel's Dad thought they were giving up. He said their efforts seemed less concentrated now, knowing it wasn't very likely the girls would be found alive.
He refused to believe that. When he thought of Rachel Berry he thought of life. She was energetic, always talking, always moving, never still. He refused to believe she ever could be. She was out there, somewhere, her and Tina, and no one had found them yet. They had to find them.
Sighing deeply, he flipped over on his side and tried to clear his mind. Maybe he could catch a few more hours of sleep…
!
It was early in the morning when they heard the telltale jingling of keys again. The sun had just started to rise, providing a little light in the shack but not enough to see completely clearly. Tina thought that would be to their benefit.
She lay completely still next to Rachel and tried to keep her breathing even. She hoped his first reaction upon finding them "sleeping" was not to drug them again. This would not work if they were impaired in any way. She squeezed Rachel's hand gently and Rachel squeezed back before they pulled apart and stilled.
The door opened slowly, as if the man were expecting an ambush. No sound was heard for several seconds and Tina thought he must be studying them, watching them for any sign of movement. She tried to give none.
Time seemed to drag on but finally the man moved into the room, closing the door behind him. Tina held her breath as the man stood over her and Rachel. She fought to keep her face expressionless, her breathing smooth and even. It must have worked because the man stepped away and Tina could hear his footsteps retreating.
She cracked her eyes open. She could not see him but she hadn't heard the door open so she knew he hadn't left. She heard a faint sound from the bathroom, water running, and she nudged Rachel quietly and made a gesture. This was their time.
She stood up as quietly as possible, taking a step forward, making sure to avoid the creaky board she'd discovered their first day here. They crept silently toward the bathroom and Tina could see the man bent over the sink, eyes closed, splashing water on his face. The knife lay unattended on the sink beside him.
Tina's heart leapt. This was it. She gestured to Rachel and crept forward. Time was precious now, he wasn't going to be in this position forever. She took one more step and felt Rachel move up behind her. She reached for the knife, slowly. Her fingers had just grasped the handle when the man straightened, opening his eyes.
"What the hell?" he yelled.
Tina wrapped her fingers around the knife, pulling it to her as he reached for it. She felt Rachel grab her arm and the two girls retreated backwards a step.
"You give me that," the man growled.
Tina shook her head, hands shaking slightly. "No."
They continued retreating backwards, towards the door, as the man stalked towards them. "I told you to do what I say," he seethed. "Give me the damn knife."
She heard a rattling sound and knew Rachel had reached the doorknob. Light slowly filled the room as Rachel inched the door open.
The man lunged at them then, thinking they were distracted by their escape. His fingers closed painfully over Tina's wrist but she kept her hold on the knife. The man twisted her arm, trying to break her hold but she held firm. Then he grinned at her and his fingers pressed against a spot on her wrist and she lost all control of her fingers. The knife clattered to the floor.
"No!" Rachel yelled, diving for the knife.
The man dove after her and Tina watched silently as the man pulled at Rachel, twisting her, trying to get to the knife. He turned her on her back and his face froze in a mask of pain. Rachel kicked her way out from under him and Tina could see the knife buried in his side.
"Run," Rachel gasped. "Tina, run!"
Tina grabbed Rachel's arm and they sprinted out the door, not stopping to look back at the man behind them.
!
Puck sat at the kitchen table with his mom, both drinking steaming hot coffee. The Friday morning paper lay unopened between them, Rachel and Tina's faces on the front under the headline Have You Seen Me? He usually read the sports page in the morning, but he couldn't bring himself to pick it up, couldn't tear his eyes from her face.
They had used a good picture, he noticed, not her yearbook one like they'd used for the flyer. He thought it was a picture from a glee event but he wasn't sure. She looked relaxed and happy and his chest tightened as he wondered if he would ever see her that way again.
Someone knocked on the front door and his mom got up to answer it, touching his shoulder briefly as she went by. He closed his eyes, wishing things were simple like they used to be, when a mother's soft touch could fix just about anything.
He heard his mother come back moments later and he opened his eyes again. Mr. Schue was with her. She gestured for him to take a seat and she poured him a cup of coffee. Puck watched him subtly. He looked like hell, like he had been sleeping about as much as Puck had. Puck watched as he ran his hand through his unruly hair and sighed.
He waited until Puck's mother had come back and then cleared his throat. "They had a tip come through the tip line," he said quietly. "It's nothing big, it won't break the case wide open or anything, but it pretty much confirms the theory that the girls were taken."
Puck cleared his throat. "What is it?"
"Rachel's Dad called me this morning, apparently several people called the tip line and reported hearing loud screams early Tuesday evening. The times vary slightly but they apparently all heard screams in different locations on Main Street between 9:30 and 10:00pm."
Puck swallowed hard. "So they were taken."
Schue nodded. "It's looking like that, yes. But the cops, they're not saying for sure. They told Rachel's Dad that this didn't prove abduction one way or the other. But the FBI is treating it as such."
"Did the tire tracks ever turn up anything?" Puck's mom asked.
Schue shook his head. "I don't know, her Dad didn't say. I didn't want to ask. It's wearing on him more every day, so I didn't want to pry."
Puck's mom sighed softly and looked over at him. "I can only imagine. I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to one of my children."
"They'll find them," Puck said roughly, pushing back his chair. "They're going to find them! Everyone needs to stop acting like they're gone for good!"
"Noah, no one's doing that," his mom said soothingly.
"The cops are," he said dejectedly. "They're acting like they're looking for bodies now or something."
Schue and his mom were both quiet and avoided his gaze. His eyes widened and he slumped back in his chair. His heart pounded in his chest and suddenly he couldn't breathe. "Oh God, they're looking for their bodies now, aren't they?"
His mother took his hand and he felt how cold and clammy his was in her warm one. "They're still looking, Noah, and that's what's important. No one had stopped looking. No one is giving up yet. And you shouldn't either."
"I'll never give up," he said, gazing at Rachel's smiling face on the cover of the newspaper. "I'll never give up."
!
As they crashed through the underbrush, Tina struggled to keep a hold on Rachel's arm. The girl was lagging behind but all Tina could think was how they needed to get away, far away, before he caught up with them.
They ran aimlessly, not having any idea where they were or where they were going. A dull throb started in her side but she tried her best to ignore it and keep running. She could hear Rachel gasping for breath behind her.
"Tina," Rachel gasped. "Please. Slow down. A break. I need a break."
"We can't," Tina said, pulling the girl's arm harder. "If we stop, he might catch us."
"I don't think he's going to be getting up anytime soon," Rachel said numbly.
"We don't know that. Now, please, run," Tina urged.
Rachel took two more faltering steps, then picked up her pace slightly. Tina led the way, pushing aside trees and branches with her spare arm. She thought the trees were thinning out but she wasn't sure. When the forest suddenly opened up onto a paved road, she knew she was right.
They stood at the edge of the road for a few moments, Rachel doubled over at the waist, gasping for breath, Tina nervously scanning their surroundings. After a few moments Rachel stood up.
"Where do you think we are?" she asked.
Tina shook her head. "I don't know. But I think we should stay on the road. A car has to come here eventually, right?"
Rachel nodded. "Sounds good to me. Let's get out of here."
!
They had been walking (yes, Rachel had finally gotten Tina to consent to slow their pace to a quick walk) for what seemed like hours, but Tina reported it had only been fifteen minutes or so. The Asian kept glancing behind them as if the man were going to burst out at any moment. Rachel didn't think so. She had seen the knife, felt it slide into him. She didn't think he'd be going anywhere anymore. She closed her eyes, fighting the memory, trying to ignore the pain in her side and her arm and the dizziness that threatened to overtake her with each step.
They walked a few more minutes before Rachel paused, turning her head to the side, listening. Tina grasped her arm fearfully, checking over her shoulder.
"What is it?" she whispered.
Rachel shook her head, motioning her to be quiet. After a moment she said, "I think it's a car."
Seconds later, a car came around a curve in the road, stopping short of the two girls. They ran up to the car.
"Help us!" Tina yelled. "Please, my friend's hurt, we need help."
"There's a man back there, I think he's dead," Rachel added. "Please, call 911."
The man's eyes widened as he looked them up and down. Rachel glanced down and saw they were both filthy and completely covered in blood. The man swerved back onto the road and floored the accelerator, speeding away into the distance.
Tina gaped at the retreating car. "He left us," she whispered. "He just left us here."
Rachel could hear the tears in her voice and reached her hand out to take Tina's. "Let's keep walking," she said quietly. "We have to keep going."
It was another hour before they saw another car and they were so desperate they stood in the middle of the road when they heard it coming. The brakes screeched as the car came to a stop and they both ran up to the car. The driver was a woman, alone, and looked frightened.
"Please help us, we need help, there was a man and he took us and he had a knife," Tina said in one breath.
"We need help and a man stopped but he drove away when he saw us and we need help," Rachel rambled.
"Please help us," Tina sobbed. "Please."
The sound of automatic locks could be heard and the woman gestured to the backseat as she pulled out a cell phone. "Get in."
!
Puck was sitting at the dining room table with his sister, helping her with her homework when the phone rang. They were long past the days when everyone jumped at every phone call and he let his mother answer it. He heard her say "What? Oh my God. Oh my God!" and start crying. He raced into the kitchen and stopped in the doorway, eyes wide with panic.
His mom cried and clutched the phone to her chest. "They found them, Noah," she whispered, more tears falling. "They found them, alive. They're ok."
His knees buckled then and he slid down the doorframe until he was resting on the floor. He rested his head on his bent knees and took deep breaths. His mother said a few more words, then came to him and put her arms around him, holding him as they both sobbed.
!
Will Schuester was visiting the Berrys when they got the call. The phone rang and Rachel's Daddy quietly excused himself to answer it. They heard him sob from the kitchen and both men tensed up. He came back, crying openly, but smiling. "They found them," he sobbed. "They're ok. They found them."
As the Berrys embraced, Will let out a choked laugh and wiped the tears streaming down his face. They're ok, he thought, smiling wider. They're ok and they're coming home.
Shortly afterwards, the police detective that had been working the case showed up at their door with a smile on his face. He was greeted with hugs and handshakes, slaps on the back. Puck and his mom showed up shortly afterwards. It was then they found out what had really happened.
"A 911 dispatch operator received a call approximately an hour ago. A woman in Dayton reported picking up two injured teenage girls on the side of the road and indicated there was an injured man as well. She gave the names of the two girls and said she was transporting them to the nearest hospital," the detective said calmly. "Upon learning the identities of the two girls and pulling up the recent Amber Alert, the dispatcher had patched the woman through to us. We contacted the Dayton PD to have them ready and we sent detectives down there immediately."
According to a preliminary statement given by Tina, the detective said, the girls had had car trouble on the way home Tuesday night and Tina's cell phone had died. They had started the walk home when they were abducted and forced to walk up the road to a van. She said they were drugged, put in the van and driven away. They had spent the last few days in a shack in the middle of nowhere. They had managed to escape, though the detective didn't specify how, and flagged down a passing car.
Schue saw all the holes in the story. Why was the statement only from Tina? Didn't Rachel give one as well? How did they manage to escape? Wouldn't they have escaped right from the beginning if it were that easy? And what had happened to their abductor? Had he been caught? Schue knew there was more to the story, but the detective wouldn't say anything else. He said he was on his way to Dayton to personally interview the girls.
Rachel's dads eagerly said they were driving down as well, and invited Schue to join them. He accepted and nodded slightly in Puck's direction. Rachel's Daddy grinned.
"Noah, would you like to ride down to Dayton with us? I believe there's plenty of room."
Puck's eyes lit up and Schue grinned. "Absolutely." Puck's mom cleared her throat. "Uh, thank you," Puck mumbled.
Rachel's Dad laughed, tears still in his eyes. "You're welcome. I know you've been worried too." He stood up from the table and looked at the detective. "Now if we're done here, I'd like to go bring my baby home."
!
The drive to Dayton was over an hour long, even with Rachel's Dad speeding like a maniac. Puck fidgeted in the backseat beside Mr. Schue, eager to see his friends again. The good news had spread fast and Tina's mom and Artie and his father were following in a car closely behind Rachel's Dad. Puck's phone kept lighting up with text messages.
From Finn: Tell them it's good to have them back safe and we all miss them.
From Mercedes: Tell Rachel next time she wants a solo all she has to do is ask, no more drama mama moments! :)
From Quinn: Now you can stop sulking! Give them hugs, glad they're safe!
The rest of the club sent various messages and Puck grinned as he read them all. Rachel and Tina were a part of the group and they had been sorely missed and it was obvious everyone was glad to have them back.
He glanced anxiously at the clock. Another ten minutes. He sighed impatiently and Rachel's Daddy chuckled.
"Relax, Noah," he said. "We're almost there."
Puck glared at the back of the man's head. "Like you're not as ready to be there as I am."
"Of course I am. They weren't clear about the condition of the girls; we were just told they were both alive and safe. That could mean anything." He sighed. "I just want to see for myself and hold my baby in my arms again."
"We're almost there," Rachel's Dad said soothingly. "A few more minutes."
They hit traffic and a few minutes turned into fifteen and by the time they reached the hospital and parked, each man was eagerly throwing their car door open and jumping out. They waited somewhat impatiently as Artie's chair was unloaded from the car and they all headed in together.
Rachel's Daddy put his arm around Tina's mom. "I'm so glad our girls are safe," he said.
She squeezed his arm excitedly. "Me too."
The detective led them to an elevator and they rode up several floors. When the doors opened they looked at each other uncertainly.
"Surgery?" Puck asked. "Why are we on the surgical floor?"
The detective led them to a waiting area. "I didn't tell you before because I didn't want you to panic. The girls are both ok but both of them suffered some injuries." He turned to Rachel's fathers. "Rachel suffered a deep stab wound to the left shoulder that required surgery to repair. The doctors have assured us she will make a full recovery but might need some rehab when she recovers." He turned to Tina's mother. "Tina suffered a hairline fracture to her wrist and is going to be wearing a cast for a few weeks."
Rachel's Dad was slack-jawed. "How deep? Is she ok? How long will she have to stay here? When can we take her home?"
The detective held up his hands. "I'm not sure, I was only given the basic information. I'll have their doctors come talk to you, but right now I imagine you want to see your daughters." The parents nodded eagerly. "Right now, parents are the only visitors allowed. Rachel is in Room 2518, down the hall this way, and Tina is in room 2522. I can take you there now."
The parents stood to follow the detective and Puck slumped in a chair next to Mr. Schue.
Rachel's Dad looked over his shoulder. "Don't worry, Noah, we'll tell her you're out here."
Puck nodded his gratitude but said nothing. Artie rolled over and punched him lightly on the shoulder, grinning. "Dude, lighten up. They're ok. Smile. Be happy."
Puck scowled at him momentarily before smiling. "I am happy," he said softly. "Really happy."