Authors Note: OK I seriously couldn't just leave the last chapter like that. So I thought I'd leave it at a more conclusive note :L I couldn't focus on my holiday homework so I thought I'd get this out of the way!
ANYWAY, HAPPY NEW YEAR BRO'S AND BROTETTE'S.
As per usual... comment, criticisms, suggestions or whatever you feel like saying is welcomed.
I felt this was a bit melodramatic so sorry for that, let me know if I should tone it down or something? Thanks.
My bad for the mistakes :|
So yea since school's back on... *cries*I apologize again for the lack of update in the future. Like seriously this time :L
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING, NOT GLEE NOT HUNGER GAMES.
Crimson liquid leaked and dripped on the four thick coils of leather and barbed. Simultaneous gasp and gag can be heard from the mass as they watched a young Latina, who was unflinching, prevent the attack. Mothers covered their children's eyes from the gore and people with queasy stomachs were making gagging noises. Nonetheless, they all shared a similar thought about the brunette; the girl's a stupid kind of hero.
When Brittany didn't feel the licking burn of the whip slash her back, she mistook it as the pain being too severe for her to feel anything.
All of the misleading thoughts went out the window when she heard the chorus of exclamation and disgusted awe. Behind her, shielding her back which she offered for her brother's unjust prosecution was a slender and lean figure. Droplets of burgundy which streams grew and became increasingly constant by the second caught her attention. She followed them as they dropped and splat into the ground, making the layers of sand and dusts an eerie shade darker.
Confusion blinded Brittany's rationality and paralyzed her neck as she stared at the patches of red on the ground; it was a steady, composed and purring which snapped her out of her trance.
The blonde looked up to see Santana who stood tall and boldly who came to her and her brother's rescue. Was she repaying their debt? This infuriated Brittany; she didn't need anyone's help especially not Santana's. She and her brother didn't need the tanned girl's pity. They can work something out. However, when Brittany turned to her brother who she was still cradling in her arms; she saw a hopeful and admiring look in his eyes as he watched Santana. Who was she kidding? If they had to pay their "debt" through gold and goods, her family would be left with nothing. They would be living in the street, fighting off rats over measly piece of bread and crumbs. She would be left with no choice but to sell her body to men who are revolting and equally desperate as she is. Not that her father or mother would ever be supportive about it, her dad would probably be killed as he warns off rapacious men and their insatiable hedonistic desires. While her mum watches the love of her life get torn right out of her chest as she's helplessly pulled into prostitution. Lashings wasn't an option either, well she supposes it won't be so bad if the repetitive slash of the whip takes her life right there and then. But what if she's left in between the door of living and death? Her loving parents would do everything in their power to save their first baby girl. This caused her to swallow all of her pride and accept that they're in deep shit and Santana is the only one who can help. Thus, she allowed herself to rely on Santana. She gave her all her trust that she will help them. Brittany let herself believe that Santana won't let them down. Santana won't abandon them.
"I apologize for the delay of the transaction for the reimbursement. Mrs Crelda, won't you please take this pouch in my hand? I hope this will be enough to cover the damage and replenish your supplies for your future endeavours." Santana said politely and literately but in a strong sure tone. Brittany was taken aback by Santana's formality and the change in her speech.
It was met with a baffled silence.
Brittany was washed over with astonishment, guilt and revulsion when she saw how the offending weapon was still constricting the brunette's limb. Her eyes raked over the wrecked flesh, it broadened when she realized the amount of pain Santana must be in but was appallingly impressed by the Latina's inhumane threshold of pain. She showed no sign of agony and kept a calm and unaffected expression.
Too fucking calm if you ask Brittany.
The greedy merchant finally collects herself and remembers how to converse intellectually "I-I doubt-" she mover her heavy tongue, but pauses. She hears the gluttonous woman's thick throat swallow saliva and immediately Brittany knows this woman will have the audacity to take advantage of the situation. She was just building up confidence to push for her demands. "-that little pouch will be enough for the inconvenience your friends have cost me..."
"Oh, I'm sorry you feel that way. But please, take this little fortune just for a temporary leeway to make your ends meet. I promise to repay the rest of the... debt. Just make a list of things you need and I will meet your requests. We really don't want to cause anymore problems for anyone..." Santana said, she was really trying to keep a level headed but this woman was testing her patience. She saw the woman's hesitant demeanour turn into a smug countenance. Thus, Santana pressed on her insistence to have her way.
"However, I won't hesitate to go through the legality of the situation if it comes to that." She declared. The amount of fee's that will be charged on Crelda if they go through the law will without a doubt bankrupt her.
"Santana could easily turn the situation around to their favour if they go through the court seeing as she's clearly smart. People who were assertive and brave against the corrupt must know their right and must had been educated. Just who is she?" Brittany thought.
"No, no... That would not be necessary Miss?"
"My name is of no importance." Santana said curtly.
Crelda unfazed by the Latina's abruptness, hurried to Santana's extended left arm which held the pouch. It bulged in different places, pulling the fabric in different direction from the generous amount of gold. Wrinkly and greedy hands eagerly snatched the fortune; she held it close to her chest and hastily opened the pouch to count her hustle. A few piece of fine gold which was enough to support a family for a quarter of a year slid out and hit the ground. It rolled around for everyone who was speculating to see. Brittany's eyes widened "How much is in that pouch?!". Crelda urgently picked the riches up, he pour a few fortune from the pouch into her hands and counted. Her breath seized when she realized how much money was handed to her, her chapped lips curved into a dishonest smile as her she counted.
"Will that do?" Santana interrupts Crelda from her counting.
"Yes!" she squeaks in her high pitched voice. She coughed to clear the evidence of her excitement. "Yes." She repeats in a more controlled manner. "I suppose it will do." She said nonchalantly.
"'It will do?!' is this old hag for real? That's too much!" Brittany's jaws set as her eyes shot daggers at Crelda's greasy gray hair.
"Good." Brittany hears Santana say. She was about to protest, drawing a breath in to ready herself. But before she could, Santana heard her inhale and as if Santana could read her thoughts; Santana turned to look at her for the first time after their confrontation. Santana's pointed look silenced Brittany which caused the blonde to bite her lip to keep herself from talking. Santana held Brittany's eyes with her own as she tries to communicate with the blonde. Brittany was glad to have a look at Santana's eyes; she saw no doubt in the grounded brown. It was reassuring, calm, sure and Brittany felt safe. For the first time, she smiled at Santana. It was small but it was still there and Santana was glad, she saw the budding trust in Brittany. This made her more determined to get them out of the situation with minimum spectacle, which is kind of late considering more than half of the districts population just saw her give this woman an enormous amount of wealth. Santana saw this as a make or break it opportunity, if she fixes this maybe her and Brittany might actually become friends...
Which is you know, good for like... People in the house. Yea, Santana only wants to make everyone feel more at ease. What OTHER POSSIBLE REASON would she have to pursue this friendship...
However, their first friendly contact was interrupted by simultaneous stabbing sensation on Santana's arm brought by the curled whip. Sam had pulled on the belt to get Santana's action which in effect tightened the constricting weapon around the Latina's arm. Santana's jaws set as the barbed spike dug inner to her arm making blood pour excessively. Her eyes zoned out of Brittany to stop herself from showing she was in pain, she bit the inside of her cheeks to stop the scream from erupting out of her lips. This caused the blonde's gaze to flicker down to the brunette's arm to see the cause of her discomfort. Brittany's breath was caught at her throat when she saw more blood loss, she was positive that if the brunette lost anymore she will need an immediate medical assistance or worst, a new arm.
"Officer I believe everything has been solved here." Santana said after composing herself as she turned her attention to Sam. She gestured for the whip to be unravelled.
Sam scoffed "You're in position to tell me what to do. If anything, I should report you for interrupting matters of the law.".
"And I should make testimony about you violating the ethical code of your occupation as you bribed a citizen. Let's not forget your inappropriate execution of power as not only did you threaten an innocent civilian for defending her brother, but for also inflicting harm on another innocent member of the public unprovoked." Santana retorted as she gestures to her injured arm.
"-So, won't you please withdraw this weapon of yours so my friends and I can retire in the comfort of our home?" Santana continued just wanting to go home to tend her arm. The pain was becoming intolerable and she's struggling keeping herself together and if she's being honest she's feeling really light headed. Home, another thought came to her head. Explaining this to the Pierces and Haymitch will be interesting.
This didn't go down well with Sam. The blonde man pulled firmly and abruptly again on his whip which took Santana's breath away. He made fast circular motions with his wrist which uncoiled the whip from Santana's harmed arm. The embedded whip stabbed Santana backwards, bits of the barb actually stayed in her arm. She winced at the pain and just when she thought it couldn't get any worst, Sam pulls his wrist down during the uncurling of the last coil. This movement caused the last of the whip to dip and gnashed on Santana's arm. The brunette released a pained screech as her arm was mangled.
In the crowd Rachel had let Christa witness everything; the little Pierce was stood between Rachel's legs. All the while the pair was both in awe much like the rest of the congregation. It wasn't until the ruthless incise of Sam's whip on Santana's arm did Rachel hastily covered the child's eyes and ears. But even with Rachel's torso bent towards Christa's head and with her hands covering her ears and eyes, Christa could still hear her friends howl of pain which painted a vivid image in her head.
The wound had become unbearable, it made Santana's knees buckle and hit the earth. Santana was kneeling and her breath came out in short pants.
"SANTANA!" Brittany got up and she gathered her brother's introverted posture with her. Once he was standing she pulled him and they rushed to Santana's side. Brittany kneeled next to the brunette and held Santana's left hand in hers putting it on top of her arm above the episodes of open cuts. She pressed on Santana's right hand to make it squeeze around the limb in frantic attempt to stop it from bleeding further. This made the brunette scream further in pain.
"Shh... shh... It's ok, I'm sorry but I need you to press here ok?-"
"B-" Andre interrupted.
"Not now Andre." Brittany replied irritated by her brother's interference.
"But Britty-" Andre interjected again.
"What! Andre?!" Brittany shouts out of frustration as she turned towards her brother.
Beside Brittany was Andre with his head bowed in rejection, he had ripped a long piece off his shirt and was offering it to Brittany for her to tie around Santana's arm. Brittany immediately felt ashamed and kissed her brother on the head and mumbled an apology and a "thank you" on his hair. She then took the cloth off his hands and tied it on Santana's right arm.
All the while Sam had been watching Brittany aiding Santana and a pang of jealousy surged up him. "Hmm... Santana is it?" His sudden inquire caused Brittany to look up at him; her complexion was red in anger.
"Well Santana it was a pleasure making your acquaintance... I'll be seeing you around." After his last words Sam had disappeared amidst the crowd. Brittany continued to narrow her eyes at Sam's receding figure. By this time people had dispersed and went about their own business as if nothing just happened.
Rachel and Christa then hurried towards their friends, Christa sprinting towards them with Rachel in tow with the two horses.
"Tana!" exclaimed the tiny blonde.
Santana was growing weaker and weaker and was losing colour. This worried Brittany and so she held the brunette's face in her blood stained hands to get Santana's attention, to prevent her from falling to unconsciousness.
"Santana" but the Latina's eyes weren't looking at her, they were dazed and so she calls for her attention again.
"Santana look at me." Brittany commanded and Santana's eyes lazily looked at her, the weaker girl's eyelids were growing heavier.
"I need you to stay awake for me ok?" Brittany says desperately. "Can you do that for me? Nod if you can." Santana nodded feebly but her eyes were still closing.
"No, no! Santana!" The blonde shook Santana's shoulders steadily which caused the brunette to open her eyes widely. "Ok good. Keep your eyes open. Ok?! I promise if you do I won't hide your towel after you shower, I'll also stop using all the hot water!" Brittany bargained with Santana which caused the brunette to smile weakly at her. Brittany took this as a sign of agreement and so she brushed of the hair out of Santana's clammy forehead from the sweat caused by her spiking temperature.
"Brittany, what should we do?" For a loud and over dramatic girl, Rachel was composed and Brittany was so thankful for that. It helped her to keep a clear head and to stay calm.
Regardless, everything was still happening too fast for Brittany and so she turns over to the mantra her grandfather had told her when she was learning how to ride a horse. "Deep breaths Brittany, deep breaths. Remember, this will slow everything down. You control the time."
Brittany closed her eyes and drew a breath in.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
With that, Brittany managed to steady herself and give direction to Rachel.
"Santana needs help-" she starts.
"Yes, my dad. He's at home. He can help." Replied Rachel.
"Ok great, if you can take Andre and Christa home for me and then look for a man called Haymitch. He's blond and quite tall; he looks quite rough-"
"And drunk and I quote- "he smells like he bathe himself in cologne to hide the smell of liquor and peed on catnip.". I know Brittany, you rant about him a lot." Rachel joked trying to ease the tension a bit, this caused Brittany to smile.
"Yea him, tell him what happened and then take him to yours. You can let my parents know but ideally Haymitch is the one to call for."
"Okay." Rachel said as she waits for further instructions.
"While you do that, Lady and I will take Santana to your house."
"Right okay, let me help you get her up the horse." Rachel replied.
While Brittany and Rachel were discussing their plan, Santana who was sat on the ground had managed to get herself together. She was not in a perfect condition but she was able to move about. She was able to stand up and summon enough strength in her to help Brittany and Rachel get her on the saddle. Santana used her left hand to pull herself up the saddle while being supported by Brittany and Rachel. After she had successfully mounted the horse, Brittany followed her. Santana was sat in front of Brittany; they decided not to take any chances on having Santana mount further back and have her holding on to Brittany's stomach. So, Santana was sat safely in Brittany's arms as the blonde extended herself to hold on to Lady's reins.
For a while Santana was able to support herself as Lady jogged at reasonable phase until fatigue came and took over her. She was forced to resign herself to exhaustion and so her body crashed into Brittany's, her back cushioned by the taller girl's front. The sudden collapse took the blonde by surprise, she was worried that Santana was falling asleep again and so she pulled gently on Lady's reins to bring them to a halt.
" Santana?" Brittany called out to the tanned girl softly which was answered to with an incoherent murmur.
Brittany figured that it would be best to change Santana's position to a more comfortable one for them both. "Santana? Can you bring you right leg over to Lady's left side so you're sat horizontally across?" Silence, but a few seconds later Santana gathered enough strength to comply to Brittany's request and so she was sat horizontally with her legs dangling on one side of Lady with her right injured arm resting on her lap. She tried to support herself by keeping her back straight because she wasn't sure if it would be acceptable for her to lean on the blonde again. Brittany noticed Santana's self-conscious posture which she assumed was extremely laborious for her.
"It's... it's ok. You can lean on me..." Brittany mumbled to Santana. The Latina turned to face Brittany to see if she heard correctly and if Brittany was genuine with the offer. She noticed how the blonde's smooth cheeks went noticeably red and was able to get a closer look of her face; Santana noticed the dust of freckles which she found adorable. The blonde met her eyes momentarily but quickly turned away embarrassed by her suggestion.
"You know if you want..." the blonde added on lamely at the end. Santana accepted her offer and let her head rest on Brittany's chest, her small puffs of breath tickling Brittany's throat which cause the taller girl to audibly gulp her fluster.
Brittany mentally scolded herself because she was positive that Santana heard that.
Santana heard Brittany gulp.
Heck, even Lady's ears twitched to indicate she heard Brittany.
"Never mind..." Brittany said to herself and lightly nudges Lady with her right foot to make her start moving again.
"Thanks" the blonde girl heard the brunette whisper softly. This caused butterflies in her stomach "What's going on with you? Come on! Focus" Brittany shook her head to regain concentration on her task. She needed to get Santana at the Berry household fast, and so confident with Santana's safety she made Lady break into a sprint.
The sun was setting down and Brittany saw goose bumps emerged from the tanned arms. During their ride after overcoming her embarrassment, Brittany continuously talked to Santana to ensure she doesn't fall asleep. Her speech was answered with grunts and hums by the smaller girl.
Eventually, they reached the Berry household which was a while away from the district market. Their home was in between of the District and its outskirt. This family owned the biggest house in District 10. The thing about the Berry's is that they aren't actually from District 10; Leroy Berry was one of the relief doctors sent by the Capital during an epidemic in District 10, 20 years ago which wiped out more than half the population. Hiram and Leroy were already together when Leroy was shipped out and so Hiram left with him. The Pierce's and Berry's are family friends; it was Leroy who delivered Brittany 17 years ago in the Berry Household. Anna was in the District square looking for blankets for their incoming baby when her water broke. Luckily, Leroy and Hiram were around when it happened and they voluntarily helped Anna through labour. The pair fell in love with Brittany when she arrived and that's when they decided they wanted a kid for themselves. So when the couple left a month after the birth of Brittany for the Capitol, they came back with a baby girl named Rachel Berry. It didn't make sense to Brittany at first why a well-of couple would choose to settle down in Distract 10 instead of going back to the Capitol like the other medics. Then Brittany realized that the Berry's are not like the "other" people. They aren't conceited, they're humble and they're like family to her. Outside her parents and siblings, The Berry's are the only other people who Brittany loves and trust.
Brittany pulled Lady into a complete stop when they were in front of the coble fence of the house. Santana felt the trudging motion of Lady's movement end "Where are we?" she voiced out weakly.
"We're getting help. Hold on ok?" Brittany answered.
"Uncle 'Roy! Uncle 'Ram!" Brittany bellowed. She continued to shout their names a few more times until Leroy and Hiram came out of their house.
"Brittany!" Hiram cried as he recognized the blonde. The pair started jogging towards Brittany and Santana.
"Uncle, we need help! I'm sorry for coming but I didn't know where else to-." Brittany sputtered out, she wasn't sure where the sudden nervousness came from but she was spewing out her words.
"Nonsense! Here, let us help you out." Leroy interrupted Brittany's blabbering and helped Hiram and Brittany get Santana off Lady. They made the white horse bow down to lower Brittany and Santana which made it easier for Leroy to pick the Latina up; he carried the smaller girl in bridal style and took her inside their home.
The house had four bedrooms one room was for the couple, the other one was for Rachel, the third bedroom was a guestroom and the final room was converted into a make-shift clinic. They entered the house which took them to the lobby with red oak canyon floorboards. Leroy hurried upstairs; he turned left to enter a corridor which led to the clinic and guest room. The man turned to the furthest room in the corridor which was the clinic, closely followed by Brittany. Hiram stayed back to take Lady to the stables in their garden- which was a massive plot of land.
The clinic was chilly and smelled like antiseptic. A single bright florescent tube lit up the room, in the vicinity was a single size bed with metal bars, beside the bed was a metal portable tray with wheels. In the far left of the room opposite to the door was a stainless table which supported various instruments and bottles. The sight and smell always made Brittany queasy, she hardly entered the room but when the occasion called for it, she always dreaded her visits even though it's the same room where her two siblings were born in.
"What happened?" Leroy asked as he laid Santana's limp and semi-conscious body carefully on the bed.
"Trouble with the peacekeepers... She kind of gotten her arm really battered up with a whip–"
"Yea... No kidding..." Leroy's face twisted in a playful face of disgust and smiled to Brittany. This is what Brittany loved about her Uncle Leroy; he doesn't interrogate her and ask her 20 questions. He gets down to business and do the best he can to help, he knows Brittany will explain later so he doesn't bother grilling the poor girl. The blonde girl smiles at Leroy gratefully for his comforting aura and proceed to watching him tend to Santana's arm. Leroy washes his hands at the small sink in the room mounted on the wall on the further right side of the room and puts on the elastic gloves.
"Is that it? Just the grossed up arm?" Leroy asks Brittany for confirmation which the blonde nods affirmation to.
"Ok. This arm is wrecked. With the amount of bleeding she's having I assume the damage really tore her flexors and Palmaris." Leroy declares as he studies the mangled arm. "It's possible that it had gone deep enough to her bone. No doubt this had damaged a lot of nerves most likely the radial nerve and media nerve which will definitely affect the function and coordination of this limb." He continues.
"In English Doc." Britany reminds Leroy.
"This arm is beyond repair and will probably need to be cut off." He deadpans. Brittany's eye's almost bulged out of her head upon the man sturdy man's affirmation.
"But..." Leroy continues.
"But?!" Brittany repeats.
"Luckily for your friend, I'm pretty good at my job." Leroy winks playfully at Brittany which makes her released a lungful of air she didn't know she was holding.
"I'll start the procedure now and I'm not going to lie it will hurt like a bitch." The dark skinned man took a deep breath and picked Santana's arm to place it across the rim of bowl to catch the used water. Washing the wound was already unbearable for the Latina; her arm had gone numb until the cool water revived her senses. The Latina was jolted back into full consciousness and moaned and gritted her teeth in agony as well as spurting a few strings of Spanish.
Brittany watched Santana's face contorted in pain. The strong and invincible manner which Santana wore was still there, but a crashing wave of guilt came barrelling over Brittany's conscience which caused her to run her fingers through her hair and tug on it in rebuke.
"Brittany" Leroy called to her kindly, he saw the wrestling emotions in Brittany's eyes and decided to help her put her consciousness at ease; this interrupted the blonde from telling herself off.
"I need you to pick that small gas of anaesthetic over here, the one resting beside the table-" Leroy pointed at the small metal canister. Brittany walked from the frame of the door to the object and brought it by Santana's bedside.
"Great, can you put the mask on your friend and turn the valve on? Just like what we did when your sister broke her arm?" The tall girl nodded in recognition.
"Good, you do that so she won't feel a thing while I fix her arm up." The tanned skinned man instructed and smiled to Brittany kindly.
"I'm ok." Santana tried to interrupt but her input was ignored.
Brittany followed his instructions and lifted Santana's head to wrap the breathing mask around her face; which the brunette had stubbornly tried to avoid. It wasn't until she saw the remorse in Brittany's eyes did she stop her dispute. All the while as Santana surveyed her face, Brittany kept her eyes trained to her actions refusing to meet Santana's stare.
"Thank you." She heard the Latina exhale. Then she turned on the valve, she counted...
1...2...3...4...5...6...
And Brittany saw how Santana's breathing rose and fell evenly to oblivion, instead of the frenzied leap and plunge of her chest.