Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or any of its characters. Those would be the property of Ryan Murphy, Fox and so on and so forth.
Author's Note: Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween. =D We're heading to my favorite time of year, Christmas season! Can't wait! Also, Glee is off hiatus, I'm so happy and am eager for next week's episode. ^.^ So, those reviews? Spectacular! You guys never cease to amaze the hell out of me. I think we're all a tad ready for chapter 8, whaddya say? ;D
-Casey
Reviewers:
tranghana – I know, I'm so sad that Blaine is so broken and Karofsky and Azimio deserve any punishment that comes their way. .
no1hpfan – I agree! Blaine needs Kurt to help him get through this. =(
klainediva – I know, poor Blaine. =( Blaine is so messed up, who knows what he'll say or won't say. I know we're all anxious to find out!
orangepurpledinsoaur – It is very sad, indeed. I'm so glad that you like it!
GLEEKfreak101 – I'm very happy that he's free (sort of) too! I'm sensing everyone wants a Kurt and Blaine reunion. Lol.
Khemikle Disaster – I hate this fictional Karofsky as well, but I'm so glad you like the story!
riker-rocky-ross-lynchlover795 – Haha, it's like you know me well. Lol. We're in for a quite a ride with this. Blaine's recovery process is going to be quite the roller coaster. ;P Thank you so much! Hearing that you like it warms my heart. =)
AnatomyFreak – I'm sensing you might just want a reunion for Kurt and Blaine, and you just may get that wish. =D
gleek101Obsessed – I'm glad that he's free, too! He definitely needs Kurt in his life, especially now.
ASiriuslyGleekyTimeLord – I know, I'm having those Klaine withdrawals too!...and it's my own story! Lol!
AisforAwesome – I know, I am very, very cruel. Glad to know that I got you hooked, though! ;D
Klaine Lover – I definitely wouldn't want to be Azimio or Karofsky with you on the loose! Haha! You make me laugh. =)
angel-hime96 – I am notorious for my cliffhangers. ^.^ I haven't done them as much in this story as I normally do in my other ones, and to tell you the truth, I am way more dedicated to updates on this story than I have been with other stories in the past. ;P Authors love their cliffies. Lol. I'm glad to have hooked ya!
GreggoAddict – Well thank you, I'm glad it wasn't what you expected. ;D Yeah, Blaine is in a very dark place at the current time. =(
WiseGirl747 – We definitely do need a Klaine reunion, don't we? ;D
LunaLongbottom – Yes, as a Halloween treat, Blaine is free! Lol. I'm glad you don't hate me and now I feel like I have to make this reunion something amazing. Lol. The pressure is on! ;D
TheMysticalFreak – I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you so much!
Words will not express my gratitude as usual, guys! Thank you for those wonderful reviews. From all these reviews I gathered one thing…a Klaine reunion is desired…hmm, the question now is…will there be one? DUN DUN DUN! -.^
Chapter 8. "Lost and Found"
"Seriously, I don't care what the square root of x(y)+2/3+whatever the hell is," Kurt muttered, dropping his pencil on top of his math homework in frustration. He began to rub at his eyes attempting to release the fatigue from them.
Kurt and Finn were sitting on their beds in their room attempting to get some homework done after dinner had been prepared, consumed, and cleaned up after. Carole and Burt decided to watch a movie upstairs after insisting that the boys go down to their room to attempt to get some homework done.
Finn looked over at his step brother, sympathy evident in his eyes. Kurt was going through a lot: Blaine was still missing, yet he was still expected to figure out stupid math equations that had no point and was expected to bright and cheery through it all?
"Screw it, dude. You're tired; maybe you should call it a night?" Finn suggested.
Kurt sighed and picked up his pencil from where he had discarded it. "Thanks Finn, but we both know that I can't just show up for math tomorrow without having done the homework."
Finn sighed. "I guess you're right, but it just doesn't seem fair, given all that you're going through-"
"I've come to find that life isn't very fair to me. I can hardly see straight half the time, yet everyone carries on, neglectful of the fact that so much is-" Kurt cut his rant off with a deep sigh. He couldn't focus on this. He needed something…anything to take his mind off of Blaine. He considered attempting to change the subject but Finn spoke too soon.
"I know you've been trying to stay positive but I get the feeling that you're losing hope on Blaine…if it were Rachel…I don't know when I'd give up hope or if I ever could…"
"That sounds like a drearier version of my actual thoughts. I've been trying to remain positive, Finn, I have. But as each day goes by, I just…I start to lose hope that I'll ever see Blaine again. I mean, who the hell would want to take such a good person and do god knows what to him? The thing that keeps me awake at night is that I have absolutely no idea of what's become of him…if he's safe…or, or, if he's lying dead in a ditch somewhere. I don't even have a clue!"
By this point, Kurt was sobbing and he was beginning to not even make sense. Finn, even though he strives to protect his 'manliness', walked over to Kurt's bed and captured his step brother in a hug. Kurt cried into his shoulder feeling bad that he had broken down yet again and was probably soaking Finn's letterman's jacket. Finn didn't seem bothered and continued to hug him. To be honest, Kurt was sick of crying. Crying was solving nothing. All it was doing was making him look weak and pathetic.
"I…I don't want to know sometimes, but I do. I just need to see him again. I don't know what I'll do if I never get that chance again," Kurt sobbed softly.
"I really hope you do get that chance again, Kurt, I really do. Neither of you deserve this, I mean, we don't know what's happened to Blaine but he certainly didn't deserve to be taken away from you…"
Kurt didn't know what else to say, so he just nodded and pulled away from the embrace. Finn stood up as Kurt wiped at his eyes and let out a small chuckle of embarrassment.
"Sorry to have cried all over you, I hope I didn't ruin your jacket."
"The jacket's fine. You, however; aren't."
Kurt was touched by Finn's kindness. He loved that jacket; to let Kurt cry all over it and be more worried about Kurt than the jacket was heartwarming.
"I've got to get back to this math…unfortunately it's like a desperate prostitute and it begs for me to do it…"
After Kurt's small attempt at a joke, they went back to doing their homework in silence. Kurt had luckily gotten through a couple of the trickier math problems and was almost becoming successfully distracted with the inane equations that was until there was a rather loud and urgent knock on the door.
"Yeah?" Finn called out as an invitation.
The door opened revealing a rather somber and anxious looking Burt who came equipped with a phone clutched tightly in his hand.
"Dad…?" Kurt inquired nervously as he stood up slowly from the bed. "Is everything OK? Wait, is that my phone?"
"You left your phone upstairs. It just rang and when I saw who it was, I picked it up…here, she wants to talk to you," He replied, handing the phone over to his son.
Kurt took the phone and placed it to his ear, anxious about whoever was on the other end.
"Kurt?" The voice asked.
"Mrs. Anderson?"
Kurt felt like all the air had been punched out of his stomach. He could feel his heart begin to race. Was this about Blaine? Did they find him…was he…dead?
"I'm sorry to call so late, but they...they found Blaine."
Kurt had to wait for more information before he could let out a breath of relief.
"Is he…"
"He's alive, honey but I'd prefer it if you could come down to Lima Memorial to talk with me face to face. I really don't want to say it over the phone. Could you…"
"I live ten minutes from that hospital, I'll be right there."
Kurt hung up the phone and dashed over to his closet to find a jacket to throw on.
"Kurt, where's the fire? What have they found out?" Burt asked as he watched his son dash around collecting various things.
"Blaine's alive…he's at the hospital. Mrs. Anderson didn't tell me much, she said she'd rather tell me when I got there but I have to go now," Kurt said in a rush as he tried to control the queasiness in his stomach. Blaine was alive. That much had Kurt relieved and elated without question but the way Mrs. Anderson spoke told him there was more…plus Blaine was in the hospital, which wasn't a great sign of things.
"Let me drive you, Kurt," Burt insisted as he followed Kurt who sprinted up the stairs fumbling with his keys trying to find the one to his car.
"I have to go now," Kurt stated urgently.
"And you are in no condition to drive. We can leave now but I'm driving, Kurt; no if's and's or but's.
Kurt took in his dad's firm demeanor and calmed down a notch. He was so happy to have his dad be there for him like he was.
Once Kurt agreed and no additional time was wasted, they headed for the hospital.
Kurt practically flew through the doors of the hospital, desperate to get to Blaine. He ran up to the front desk, resulting in the front desk clerk jumping at his sudden arrival.
"Blaine Anderson," was all Kurt said through bated breath.
The woman typed at the computer to retrieve the information and looked up at him through her large rounded spectacles.
"Blaine Anderson was admitted an hour ago. The doctor is currently only letting family in at this time but you'll find them on the third floor outside room 213."
Kurt offered a rushed thank you as he walked briskly towards the elevator. Burt successfully managed to keep up with his son and pushed the button marked for the third floor.
"Kurt, no matter what you hear, just remember that Blaine might be a little messed up from whatever he went through. We don't know what to expect but just keep in mind-"
"I understand, dad." Kurt answered, cutting him off. "At this point, I'm just relieved that Blaine's alive. The rest I haven't even considered yet. My brain hasn't processed that much."
Burt placed his hands on his son's shoulders and gave them a squeeze.
"You're strong Kurt, so is Blaine. I'm sure whatever it is, you'll help him get through it."
Kurt gave his dad an appreciative smile as the elevator opened up to the waiting room.
"Kurt, it's wonderful to see you, sweetie," Mrs. Anderson came straight to Kurt as he was stepping out of the elevator and pulled him into a tight motherly hug. Behind her stood Mr. Anderson looking a bit tense, but an expression of fatherly worry plagued his face at the same time.
Kurt had finally been able to meet Blaine's parents over the summer, Mrs. Anderson was very accepting of Kurt right away, but Mr. Anderson took a bit of additional time. He knew his son was gay, but due to the fact that Blaine never had a boyfriend, he hadn't really accepted the fact yet. As time wore on, Mr. Anderson grew to like Kurt and his knowledge of cars from his dad. Whilst he wasn't wild on the idea of Blaine and Kurt dating, he approved of Kurt all the same. "If my son chooses to be with a man, I'm glad that that man is you, Kurt. You really seem to care for my son and for that, I couldn't ask more of anyone: male or female" was the speech Kurt was given somewhere in mid-August from Mr. Anderson. Kurt remembered being so proud of that moment and the fact that Blaine's parents accepted him.
"Long time no see, Kurt," Mr. Anderson offered as a greeting and extended his hand. Kurt took his hand but instead of shaking it, he held it. Mr. Anderson smiled slightly at the gesture causing wrinkles to form around his eyes. It was uncanny how much Blaine looked like his father right down to the style of hair. Blaine took after his mother in height and he definitely got his eyes from her.
"How is he?" Kurt asked, his eyes darting between the two Anderson's.
"Here, honey, let's go sit over there and I'll explain everything," Mrs. Anderson interjected and placed her arm comfortingly around Kurt to lead him over to the chairs. They sat down and Kurt waited for Mrs. Anderson to prepare herself to explain what was happening with her son. She took a deep breath and began.
"They found him a little after 7:30 tonight just walking down the road. The officers stopped because they noticed him walking more like…like a zombie than anything. They assumed he might have been some drunk teenager but when they slowed down, they recognized him from the photographs and stopped to talk to him," Mrs. Anderson wiped a few tears away with the tissue she had been holding before she continued.
"They called his name and the officers told us that…the expression on his face was one of…just fear. They couldn't determine what he was afraid of before he passed out right in front of them. They called an ambulance and brought him here."
Kurt stared wide eyed at Mrs. Anderson as she continued to wipe at her tears and took a deep shuddering breath.
"Have—have you seen him yet?" Kurt asked hesitantly.
"Yes honey, we have been in to see him. He's still unconscious but…this is the part that I was afraid to get to," She began. "He was found severely beaten. He—he has…" Mrs. Anderson's tears got the best of her and she hid her face into Mr. Anderson's chest before she could finish her sentence. So Mr. Anderson chimed in from where she left off.
"He has several cuts and bruises on his face, one particularly bad on his lip; it was practically split through, so it's requiring stitches. He has a black eye; multiple lacerations in several different areas. The ones that were particularly hard to take in were the burns and welts-"
"Burns…and welts?" Kurt interrupted, feeling his stomach twist. Burt grabbed Kurt's hand and held it tightly.
"Blaine has a burn on each arm from what the doctor determines to be from cigarettes. The welts they found were on his back, they appear to be from a belt and the sickest part is they found similar welts and bruising on his…um, rear end," Mr. Anderson attempted to explain as straight as he could, but Kurt could tell that he was still trying to take in all this information himself.
"That's—that's not even the worst part," Mrs. Anderson spoke up through sobs as she unburied herself from Mr. Anderson's chest. "They performed a test after they discovered the bruising on his backside and thought it would be essential to check if-"
Kurt didn't want to hear the answer to this. He knew where she was going with it and he didn't know if he could handle the information she was about to divulge. He practically willed himself to tune it out. Unfortunately, he didn't try hard enough.
"….the rape test came back positive…" Mrs. Anderson concluded before sobbing again into her tissue.
Kurt felt his world shatter. He didn't know what to do with the information he just received. Someone had abused and raped the love of his life for three weeks. How was Blaine ever going to come back from that? Who even knew what state he was in mentally? Kurt longed to just run into Blaine's room, hold him in his arms and promise him that he would never let him go or allow him to be hurt again. He knew he couldn't do that. Blaine was probably in a very fragile state of mind and was going to have to take it slowly. It pained him as he looked at the door knowing Blaine was just on the other side of it.
Mr. Anderson noticed Kurt staring longingly at the door and he spoke up.
"Would you like to see him?"
Kurt felt his world light up at the question but remained unsure.
"More than anything in the world but only if it's acceptable for me to do so. I-I don't want to mess anything up further."
"Nonsense, we'll all go back in together."
They made their way towards the door where they met a nurse who let them through. Another doctor and nurse were finishing up in Blaine's room as they entered. That's when Kurt saw him and whatever he thought he was prepared for-he wasn't.
Blaine was a mess. The cuts and bruises that Mr. Anderson had mentioned were there as he had said, his arms were bandaged, obviously hiding the burns underneath. His dark hair was dirty, ungelled, and matted down to his forehead. The skin underneath his eyes held dark circles but it was hard to tell with the enormous black eye. Kurt's heart shattered. Who could ever have the heart to do this to someone as perfect as Blaine?
Kurt could feel tears rolling down his face. It tore him apart to see Blaine like this; however, underneath all the bruises and cuts, he was still his Blaine.
Blaine felt the darkness begin to slip away. He didn't want to enter the realm of consciousness again in fear of what might be in store for him when he awoke. He didn't want to spend another minute tied up in this closet, dreading what was going to happen when Karofsky got back. He just wanted to stay in this peaceful oblivion where nothing bad could happen to him. He longed for Kurt to hold him and tell him everything would be all right again and that they wouldn't be apart any longer. Alas, he was never going to get out of here and he had to learn to accept that.
"Doctor Knight, they're coming back in to see him."
Wait, what?
"Thank you, Marie. We can give them some space now. I finished the stitches and it's up to Blaine to wake up now."
Footsteps sounded and then there was silence.
That's when it all came back to him. Karofsky had let him go…reluctantly but he had let him go nonetheless. The last thing he remembered was walking until two police officers found him and called out to him. Everything went black after that. This had to be a hospital he was in but it felt as if he were still trapped in that closet or basement being used for whatever Karofsky wanted. He didn't think he would ever escape that place for good. He kept his eyes shut tightly as he heard several pairs of footsteps entering the room.
"My poor baby," Came a voice...it was his mother's.
Blaine's stomach twisted with disgust. Not at his mother, but at himself. No one could see him like this. He was dirty and used for nothing but sex and punishment. He couldn't look anyone in the eye and speak to them about anything. Not again. He couldn't do it. He couldn't find the strength to even form words. He was too afraid to. What if they all decided that he wasn't worth it? What if they decided that he deserved the abuse and punishment after all? His mind couldn't handle it.
"He looks so small lying there," Blaine heard his father say. He sounded very upset, as he should. How could be ever expect to make his father proud, now? He had disgraced the entire Anderson name after all of this. His parents were surely going to kick him out now and probably right after Kurt rightfully dumped him. Where was he supposed to go until Karofsky inevitably came back for him?
"The doctor said he should wake up, soon," He heard his mother explain. "They said it was the shock that caused him to faint. The medication is what's keeping him asleep. The doctors didn't want to risk him waking up while they were doing their examinations."
Blaine really didn't like being talked about as if he couldn't hear them, which was his own fault since he was the one pretending to be asleep. HE slowly opened his eyes after what seemed like an eternity. He was afraid to, but he couldn't pretend to be asleep and eavesdrop forever. If he was going to be deemed not worth it, he might as well accept it now. He immediately flinched at the bright florescent lighting and blinked rapidly to get his eyes to adjust.
"Blaine, son?"
Apparently Mr. Anderson was the first to notice Blaine's eyes opening and soon all eyes on the room fell on him.
"Is he awake?" Asked Mrs. Anderson. She came closer to Blaine's bed and made eye contact with him.
No, no he couldn't handle this. He couldn't. He wanted to be brave, but looking into his mother's eyes frightened him. Seeing the love and care in them made him feel extremely undeserving. How could a mother still even possibly care about her filthy damaged son? That's when Blaine saw him. This couldn't be…it couldn't.
Kurt.
No, no! Why was Kurt here? He shouldn't be here. He should be off with someone who was worth it; he couldn't possibly be here for Blaine. Why would he even want him anymore? Used and damaged, how could he expect Kurt to settle for something as trashy as that? No, he had to protect Kurt. Kurt was worth everything and deserved better. He couldn't stop the hammering in his chest as he gazed at the love of his life. He looked perfect. Blaine couldn't believe he had forgotten how perfect he looked.
"Blaine, sweetheart?"
Blaine could feel his heart melt at that voice. Kurt had the voice of an angel; he was soothed instantly and longed to just melt into his love's embrace. . But he couldn't let it happen, he had to protect him. It was then that Karofsky's warning came back to him, "Remember what I said. You say one word. Just one word and I…will…kill…Kurt. Then I'll come after you."
To save Kurt, he couldn't speak. Not one word. Kurt's safety was his top priority and it wasn't like he could speak anyway. What did he have to say? Nothing.
"Why isn't he speaking? Blaine, honey: it's mom, dad, Kurt, and Mr. Hummel. You're in the hospital sweetie and you're safe," Mrs. Anderson said, reaching a hand out.
Blaine flinched instantly. He practically died when he saw the hurt in his mother's eyes. He didn't mean to flinch but whenever someone reached a hand out, it was to hit him or worse…
"Blaine, can you speak? Just one word, anything…" Mr. Anderson tried.
Silence.
Even if he was worthless, he wouldn't let anyone else get hurt. Talking hurt too much anyway so this was easier. It would save everyone a lot of grief. It'll be like he's not even there. If he was silent, no one would get hurt and he couldn't possibly bother anyone. That meant no punishment. That's when Blaine made his decision. He never wanted to speak again.
I am the worst! I know. This wasn't the full reunion, we'll have more next chapter but man, I've got to get some sleep! As always, review and let me know your thoughts! Especially if you want a real reunion with just Kurt and Blaine. We'll see if Kurt can't get through to Blaine…maybe? Anyone feeling up to some reviews? ;D I look forward to some input. ;D
Thanks as always guys,
-Casey