(Rachel's Point of view)
12 noon
It was Springtime. On every block, there were kids my age playing truth or dare, or jump rope and today was no different. It was the weekend, and weekends meant family time. Somewhere in the distance, Andy Mineo's Vendetta played as grown men played card games snacking on platanos and throwing back coronas every once in a while. I smiled as I stood on my lawn taking in the neighborhood. I knew this place. The wind blew reminding me that mom was cooking my favorite meal; cornmeal porridge. Yummm!
"Race you." Pablo challenged. My hands found my hips.
"If I win, you have to buy me candy for a week." I said smugly.
"Deal. If I win, we switch lunches for a week." He said. I smiled. He spit on his hand, and we shook.
"Ready, set.."
"Rachel!"
I jolted out of my sleep, with sweat plastered on my face and neck. My breathing was hard, and I couldn't find my balance yet. Panicked, I got up. The sun was out, so it wasn't so cold today, plus Quinn's jacket kept me warm. I shuttered as I thought of her name. I wouldn't dare remember what happened next. I sighed as a single tear rolled down my cheek.
Focus chica! Focus!
I took deep breaths before looking around. This shed was certainly not the most ideal place to call home, but it would do for a little, that's if I did not get caught.
I found a shed not too far from the bridge in the same town that I appeared in a few days ago. I squinted, shielding my eyes from the rays of sunlight seeping through the cracks. I went to move my foot, when it got stuck.
"Great." I hissed, annoyed. After wiggling and pulling at it, it slid out along with some old cement blocks.
I wish I thought to steal her phone. Who would I call anyway? No one knew where I was for the past year, well at least that's what I remember counting.
The air still smelt moist from last night's rain, but it did start to warm up. I'm pretty sure a few operations people would swing by for a lawn mower in the next few days.
I sighed.
I had to figure out a game plan.
I went to stand when a sharp pain hit my lower abdomen. Overwhelmed, I fell to my knees gasping for air.
I panicked when I saw the door open and what looked like two people surround me.
"Quinn." I sighed all of a sudden, grateful to see her.
"It's ok. I'm here now." She said taking my hand in hers.
I couldn't help but feel at peace hearing her speak. She reminded me of Lucy, an old friend.
"Who's Lucy?" She pushed gently her blond locks falling softly over her shoulders as she leaned forward.
I blushed, not realizing that I said that out loud.
"A friend." I heard myself respond before closing my eyes and falling into a deep sleep.
(Quinn's point of view)
"Ok class, so next week we will be in the rehearsal room. Dress comfortably." Professor said.
I smiled a tight smile, before rushing out with my friends close behind.
"He said the rehearsal room?" Mercedes said.
"You know what that means." Tina sighed.
"What?" I asked, not really paying attention to the conversation.
"It means I can't wear a dooby. We're going to be doing way too much moving for that." Mercedes rambled.
"Oh please, girl. Any hairstyle that you wear is soo you. You're like none other." Kurt added.
"Besides, there aren't too many hot and sweaty men to impress in this class." Tina added.
"Agree to disagree." Kurt added.
Mercedes and Tina giggled.
"Ok, spill lover boy. Who is it?" Mercedes pushed.
My phone buzzed, saving me from all of their mindless chatter. I gave them a lame excuse, swatting them with one hand, before answering my phone.
"Hello?"
"Any luck?" Santana asked, skipping greetings.
"No." I sighed.
24 hours passed and still no Rachel. We looked high and low, driving all over New Jersey yesterday only to turn up empty handed.
We lost her.
We made our last stop in Hoboken, sharing her description with every gas station that we passed. After driving for almost 5.5 hours, we gave it a rest, deciding to grab some hot chocolate and eat tacos to get some fuel for the hour plus ride back to New Brunswick.
I sighed, not hungry or thirsty.
"You look tired Q. You need rest. Tomorrow is another day." San said rubbing my shoulder as she went to start the car.
"We tried. Who knows, maybe she is somewhere safe." Britt chimed in.
I put together the most fake smile and took a long sip of the hot chocolate before getting up to join them in the car.
On my way out, I looked up to see the most handsome man staring in my direction. His eyes were filled with pain like I've never seen before.
I felt like I knew that pain, like I connected with him somehow.
By the look on his face, he had a rough demeanor that did not match his freshly shaven baby face. I was suddenly curious. Not as curious as him.
When our eyes met, he simply gave me the most charming smile before disappearing into the night.
Desperate, I tried to catch up to him.
"Excuse me?" I called speeding up to close the distance between us. It was no use.
He crossed the street disappearing through an alley.
HONK.
"Q, where are you going?" San questioned.
"Needed some air." I offered before getting into the car.
"Q, you there?" I heard San call.
"Yea, sorry, I got distracted." I said pressing my ear to the phone.
"Maybe we should report her missing. I'm sure someone is looking for her." San said.
"Maybe, but something was off San. Almost like she was...homeless." I said remembering how I found her and where.
"That makes things a bit more complicated." She sighed shuffling.
"I'll call you after class?" I said.
"Sure. Q, if we don't find her, at least we tried." She offered.
I nodded then said "Thanks San. Later."
I stood on the bridge to Hickman hall and pinched the bridge of my nose, frustrated.
The sun shone, and the breeze picked up. I rolled my eyes. I was not in the mood for class.
I picked up the pace when I heard a faint crash in the nearby shed.
I froze.
Was it an animal?
I found myself inching closer and closer, with another curious student right behind me.
To my amazement Rachel was in the shed! I rejoiced, but immediately panicked when I saw her on the ground wincing in pain.
"Quinn." I ran to take my place at her side.
"It's ok. I'm here now." I reassured taking her hand in mine.
I heard the person behind me gasp. Not bothering to pay attention to who it was, I leaned in closer to Rachel.
I had a million questions, and at that moment I did not know where to start.
"You remind me of Lucy." She mumbled as she smiled against my leg where she rested her head.
"Who's Lucy?" I asked.
Her breathing slowed, and her eyes closed.
"A friend." I heard her say before falling into a deep sleep.
I smiled. A friend.
Her hand fell limp in mine and that's when I turned around.
I froze.
It was the second time that I was meeting those pained eyes.
"Is she hurt?" He asked.
I swallowed, before stuttering "I'm not sure. I found her moments before you did." I admitted, glued to my spot.
He stood there, warring within himself, before deciding to kneel and check her pulse and test for physical signs of struggle.
I stood there frozen, taking him in for the first time.
He was tan, lean, easily 6 foot 3 with broad shoulders. He replaced his dark jacket with a hoodie, some jeans and a pair of Nikes. He looked young, but the bass in his voice made me reconsider that thought.
"What happened to her?" He asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
Suddenly averting my gaze, I shrugged my shoulders and turned my back to him.
"She has blood under her fingernails." He stated.
"How do you know it's blood?" I challenged, feeling nervous. Was it my blood?
"It's also on her clothes." He said looking up at me.
I folded my arms.
"We sort of got off on the wrong foot yesterday, which is why I was in Hoboken last night looking for her." I admitted.
"Some things never change" he mumbled.
"Wait, do you know her? Is that why you were following me last night?" I asked boldly.
"No." He said, picking up Rachel.
I frowned not satisfied with his response.
He lead the way, with me trailing behind.
"Where are you taking her?" I asked.
"She needs medical attention, but first she has to be cleaned up." He offered.
"Let's go to my dorm." I heard myself say.
We continued the walk to his truck in silence, before I heard him say "which way?"
I smiled, putting my seatbelt on directing him, and occasionally glancing back at Rachel.
…