"It's okay baby, I got you." Britney said to her as she helped Brandon down a slight slope.
They had been walking for days and still haven't ran into anyone. Britney was losing hope.
It didn't help that her pack was only carrying enough food for one person to get that person through the next week.
She didn't know what to do anymore other than keep walking and hope she ran into help of some kind but what kind of help could they get in a world like this?
Finn stopped and his eyes scanned the ground for any sort of marks. There were none.
"This way." He said as he took a left.
Emma followed him and though she's grateful to Finn for saving her life. She still doesn't get why they bother to continue going if those things are going to get them eventually.
It was clear that Finn believed otherwise. Emma took six steps when she tripped harshly falling flat on the ground.
She groaned and sat up before her eyes were wide but her scream barely made an echo as a large hand clamped over her mouth.
"Shhh!" Finn shushed her. He pulled her to her feet away from the body.
"Don't make a sound. I'm going to check the body for anything useful."
Emma nodded as she trembled in fear. Finn let her go. He swallowed thickly as he approached it. Kneeling next to it he grabbed the shoulder and turned it over with a gasped of surprise.
"Holy shit, it's Blaine."
"What?!"
"It's Blaine!" Finn said than his eyes took the boy in. He saw a gash on the side of his forehead going into his hair line. Finn checked his pulse. It was still there.
"Emma here take this!" Finn said in a rush as he took off their pack and handed it to her. Finn slipped his large arms around Blaine and lifted him with a grunt.
"Come on, we have to find somewhere to hide."
Emma nodded as she began to fill with hope. If they found Blaine that means the rest of their group could have made it out alive too. Will might be alive.
For the first time in days she felt hope blossom within her.
Caspian stood up calmly. "Rachel? We need more wood. Will you assist me?"
"Yes."
Rachel stood up as she placed her knife back in it's sheath, putting the wood she had been working on to the side.
The two walked toward the exit. Quinn and Beth watching them go. Quinn couldn't explain why she suddenly felt out of the loop.
Her eyes fell on the little girl still sat at the fire.
"We'll return shortly." Caspian said as he and Rachel departed. The cave was silent for a minute.
"Hey." Quinn called out to Bailey but the girl didn't move as she was still faced away from them and staring at the fire.
"Bailey." Beth called next. Bailey turned in her seat to look at them.
"Will you sit with us?" Quinn asked sweetly.
Bailey hesitated than stood up walking calmly over. She sat next to Beth.
"So your name is Bailey. That's a lovely name." Quinn said and Bailey blushed.
Beth chuckled and Quinn smiled warmly at the little girl feeling herself becoming attached.
"How old are you Bailey?" Quinn asked.
"Four."
"Oh wow, four?! You're such a big girl!" Quinn cooed with soft excitement.
"A blonde woman?" Rachel asked confused.
"Yes." Caspian replied.
"And the cries? They were from Jaras?"
"Yes. She was being mourned. She's of Jaras blood. Royal blood."
Rachel hated that he couldn't just tell her exactly what he saw. Fucking rules.
"Have you seen this woman before?"
"Not in my visions but.." Caspian trailed off with a hint in his eyes.
Yeah, Rachel wishes he could just tell her. Riddles and half answers sucked.
"Okay, so you've seen her before."
"Yes. My vision was clear and precise. She dies."
"So what does that have to do with us?"
"I don't know but we must leave. We must find her because her death means something."
"What?"
"I'm not sure but I must go to Jaras now. The only person who can give me answers is Zaku."
Rachel sighed. If they left now that means Beth and Quinn were on their own and Quinn just woke up. She wasn't ready.
Caspian can see Rachel's hesitation clear as day and his brow furrowed. Rachel rarely cared about anyone. She sure as hell is never hesitant either.
She cares about him and Bailey because they are now family but anyone who she didn't consider to fall in that category didn't matter.
Now it seems she's struggling with leaving even though this vision is of high importance. Caspian felt the pressure his powers pushing his mind to see something but a vision didn't come.
"Rache-"
"I know. Just.. Let me make sure they'll have what they need. Then I'll tell them."
"Of course."
Mike stumbled once more than his eyes widened as he took a sharp intake of breath.
"Merc-Mercedes, wait I-I need a minute." He grit out.
Mercedes nodded the two sat there against the tree he had been leaning on.
"Hey, let me see it." She whispered softly as she sat next to him.
Mike clenched his jaw as Mercedes pulled open his button down shirt a little and she gasped. Mikes arm was dark almost black in color purple with the edges a green/yellow shade.
"Ho-How does it look."
"Not good honestly."
Mike swallowed thickly. He didn't want to scare Mercedes but the pain was growing exponentially. He had a headache that was getting stronger and he felt himself getting weaker.
"We should find some where for the day. You need to rest." Mercedes said.
"Yeah." Mike agreed the two got up and began walking once more.
Quinn was talking with Beth and Bailey wondering and a little worried as to why Caspian and Rachel still hadn't come back.
They'd been gone for a while and Quinn's more than sure it's been over an hour. Just then they heard the scoffing of steps coming.
Quinn's eyes bulged when Caspian than Rachel entered with a medical bag and a few other things like fucking hospital issued crutches.
"Sorry we took long." Rachel said as she began removing the medical bag.
"Oh my god.." Quinn said in awe. Rachel and Caspian smiled.
"We thought you might be bored from just sitting in that bed all day." Rachel said.
"Ho-How?-I-I mean thank you!" Quinn stuttered, completely thrown.
"How doesn't matter but getting you up and about does." Caspian said as he grabbed Bailey's hand.
"Beth can you sit on you're cot. I'm about to handle your mother's foot and I need the room." Rachel asked sweetly.
Beth nodded. Quinn watch as Rachel grabbed herself a log to sit on at the foot of Quinn's cot.
"Quinn can you help me maneuver your body forward?"
Quinn did as she was told as Rachel lifted her foot as gently as she could and Quinn's eyes pricked with tears as pain coursed through her. She scooted herself forward biting her lip severely.
She grunted in pain and Rachel was impressed by her self control. Once she situated herself she kept taking deep breaths to get her through the throbbing pain that was so painfully penetrating.
She laid back on the bed than felt her hand taken. She looked over and Beth smiled, rubbing her mother's hand in support.
Than Quinn felt another smaller hand slip into her other and her pained eyes fell on Bailey. She felt the pain ebbing away into that dull ache once more.
"Okay, so we got you this." Rachel said holding up a medical boot that went up to the knee. "I'm going to put it on you but first I want to wrapped you up. It's going to hurt so I'm sorry but at least you'd be able to move about and your leg will be stable." Quinn nodded.
"Beth pay attention so you know how to do it."
"Okay."
"Bailey sweetie, I appreciate you wanting to hold my hand but please go sit with Caspian. I don't want to hurt you nor do I want you to see." Quinn said softly as she cupped the little girls cheek.
Rachel was surprised with Quinn's gentle care. Bailey smiled sadly. She let her go and Quinn began to feel the pain coming back with a vengeance.
As Bailey passed, Rachel gave her a 'What can you do?' look.
"Okay, are you ready?" Rachel asked.
Quinn took a deep breath than nodded. "As I'll ever be."
"Alright here we go."
"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Maribelle and Santos continued their trek along the moon's light. It has felt like forever and a day since the attack had happened. They try not to think about it. Their eyes were searching for a decent spot to rest when they heard a gasp within the darkness of the trees.
"W-Whose there?" Maribelle whispered.
"Maribelle, Santos!" Was whispered in awed happiness.
Just than a twig snapped scaring the crap out of the two adults. Will Shuester stepped out from the darkness of the trees.
"Oh my god, Will?!" Santos whispered. Maribelle covered her mouth in her hands as her tears fell.
Will and Santos hugged than Will hugged maribelle.
"You're alive?"
"I'm alive and so is Kurt."
"Kurt? Where is he? How is he?" Maribelle asked.
"Just behind that fallen oak. He doesn't really talk much and right now he's asleep but I heard footsteps and I wanted to make sure it wasn't one of those things. I'm glad I did otherwise I wouldn't have seen you."
"This gives me hope." Maribelle whispered.
"Me too." Will whispered back with a smile. "Come on, we better hide."
The two parents nodded and followed will into the trees.
"Why? I don't understand." Beth asked.
"Beth." Quinn said softly. She too devastated by the news but knew there was nothing they could do about it.
Rachel smiled sadly at the teen. "I'm sorry but we were on our own way when we came across you. We have to go. I'm sorry."
"Why can't we come with you?"
Rachel's eyes widened in surprise. "Uh-Beth.. I'm sorry but.."
"Why not?" Beth asked eagerly. Quinn bowed her head in shame.
"It's because of me isn't it? I'm slowing you down." Quinn stated in a matter of fact tone.
Rachel instantly leaned for to grasp the blonde's hand as she shook her head in the negative. "What?! No! Quinn that's not it at all, please don't ever think that."
"Than if it's not my mom, than why?"
"Beth, sweetie, I'm flattered that you appreciate our company like we appreciate yours but.. You have a group out there believing that you both are dead. How do you think they'd feel knowing you're alive and well but chose to go with complete strangers instead of them. Don't you think they deserve to see you again. By seeing you their hope of surviving may grow. That could keep them going."
Quinn's eyes softened on the brunette as she watched her speak so tenderly to her daughter, trying to get her to see reason.
There was that pull again. "She's right Beth. We need to find our group. They're our family and though I appreciate everything Rachel and Caspian have done for us, we need to find our family."
"You're right. I.. I'm sorry I just really like you guys. I mean, you saved my mom. You took care of me. I just don't want to lose you." Beth said lowly as her emotions got the best of her.
Rachel cupped her cheek and wiped her tears. "Hey, you never know. We could end up seeing each other again. This doesn't have to be goodbye."
"I highly doubt it." Beth said sadly.
"Hey come on, don't be such a negative Nancy." Rachel said as she pinch one of the girls cheeks gently.
Beth giggled the brunette pulled the teen into a hug than turned to Quinn.
"I'm sorry I would stay but-"
"I understand." Quinn replied.
Rachel nodded. "Okay, well we packed what we thought was most important for you two to have. The back packs are meant to hold a good bit of camping gear but Quinn I didn't fill yours with anything other than your medical stuff. Beth will be carrying most of your bare essential things."
"Thank you, Rachel."
"You're welcome."
Rachel stood up than walked over to her own pack. She didn't need the damn thing but it would look suspicious if they didn't take anything.
"Alright, you guys ready to go?" Caspian asked.
The two blonde's nodded. Beth helped her mother to her feet. Bailey walked up to Quinn and hugged her tightly shutting her eyes and Quinn felt her heart melt for the little girl. She wanted to keep her.
Bailey let go than walked over to Caspian to take his hand as he guided her down the steps.
Quinn couldn't explain what she was feeling but it wasn't good.
Not only was she scared because they were leaving the safety of the cave but also that if any one of those things caught sight of she and Beth it'd be over.
She'd be good as dead and her daughter would have to watch.
She also felt like her heart was breaking over the separation specifically the separation between she and Rachel. She didn't know what it meant but what was the point any way they were separating.
The little group began heading out of the cave with Beth assisting Quinn.
Quinn didn't like the slowly building ache within her. She felt like half of her soul was being ripped from her.
Unbeknownst to the blonde, Rachel was experiencing the same thing.
