Predator

Chapter Thirty

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"In a press conference yesterday, Berry's parents, two gay men, and her close friend Quinn Fabray pled for her return shown in the video above. Fabray is the only confirmed individual who had knowledge of the relationship prior to the kidnapping. She is also the source who informed police that Berry was raped by Schuester back in October 2009, and her unborn child is the product of it. Fabray claims that Schuester was somehow able to groom and manipulate the girl even after the rape happened until she consented to be in a relationship. She quotes, 'I knew Rachel had been raped, and that it was by an older man that she'd had a crush on for awhile, but she wouldn't tell me more than that. I finally found out who when I caught them together after they started the relationship. I was completely devastated, because Mr. Schue was also my teacher and I felt he was someone I could really trust. But Rachel made me swear to secrecy, and now obviously I'm really regretting it.' Fabray, who is pregnant as well, befriended Rachel through the glee club Schuester directed. She claims that a major reason why Berry began a relationship with her rapist is because of their unborn daughter together. Fabray also claims that-"

"You can stop there," Will mumbles.

I sigh, shutting off the phone. "Well at least everyone thinks we're in Mexico," I attempt. "And a nationwide Amber Alert isn't all that effective when we're literally out in the middle of nowhere."

He shakes his head, dismissing the topic, and stands from the floor. "Go ahead and use the last of the wood, and put something on for dinner. I'll go out and get more."

I do as he says, loading the last of the kindling into the stove and I light it. Then I empty one of our only cans of baked beans into a pan. We've only been here a week, and our food supply is already dwindling.

The past seven days have been hard. Nay, miserable. Thankfully the water pump still works, but it's such an ordeal to have to make trips back and forth just to wash dishes, let alone bathe. This process has cut back on our cleanliness and I feel completely gross. I've managed to tidy up the cabin tremendously, though. I think the most unpleasant thing right now is being hungry. We've rationed our food to two cans a day, one for breakfast and dinner, and a half cup of rice, between us. I'm kicking myself for not buying more of it when I had the chance. We did bring other food items that Will had in his apartment, like crackers and small things, but those ran out quickly. I just hope that he can find a way to get more of it soon. I can't help but think that when he was talking about us being a 'happy little family', he didn't mention we'd be on the brink of starvation.

"You don't believe all that bullshit, do you?" Will asks, dropping a pile of kindling against the wall. "About me manipulating you and stuff? Cause you know you wanted this just as much as me, that was all you."

"I know," I reply softly.

"Good."

I dump some rice into the pan as he leaves again. God. There are moments now when I'm looking at him, and I don't recognize the man before me. Where are the boyish curls, the soft sweater vests, show tunes and Journey and romantic dates? All I see now is a stranger with a bushy beard, military haircut, and raggedy old clothes. There's something off about his demeanor, too. He seems so tense, and I don't like it. But I suppose I'm not one to talk. When I look in the mirror I don't recognize myself, either.

I am now a nationwide Amber Alert. I always wanted to be famous, but not like this! The whole country knows about the rape, the baby, our relationship, everything. They ended up finding out about the motel we stayed at, so our last known whereabouts is in Richmond. I wonder if any of Will's family suspects this place, since they know we were in Kentucky. Ugh. Normally, I'd enjoy such dramatic attention, but now I just feel...ashamed.