Scars and Stones: Chapter 1 (Klaine)

Chapter 26

Finn and Rachel walked up to the door in silence, still in shock at their revelation. They had decided it would be best to tell Burt and Carole everything before calling the police, but as they approached the door, Finn suddenly became nervous. He didn't care that it was after curfew, or that he would get an earful upon entering; his parents would soon understand. Right on cue, the door snapped open. However, instead of being met with scowls, they were met with a very sorrowful face.

"Finn, Rachel, come in." Carole ushered them in, tears evident on her face. Finn reached out to embrace his mother, and she flung herself into him. She began to sob quietly.

"Mom, what's happened?" He thought she probably knew about Kurt, but he wanted to check that something else hadn't happened. Rachel gently placed a gentle hand on Carole's shoulder.

"Carole, why don't we go and sit down?" Carole unhooked herself from her son, sniffing, and led them through to the living room. As they entered, the view shocked them. Burt was sat in the armchair, pale as a ghost. Quinn was sat on the sofa, eyes blood shot and bruises clearly displayed on her face. What had happened to her? Another man, who looked uncannily like Blaine, was perched on another chair, whose face was clouded in gloominess.

"Finn, Rachel, this is William Anderson, Blaine's father."

"Hello." They said simultaneously. He nodded in acknowledgement, but remained silent.

"What's going on? Quinn, are you ok?" Finn asked. Burt sat in stony silence, unable to say anything. Quinn burst into tears, covering her face with her hands. Carole was the only one able to speak.

"Kurt and Blaine are missing. They've been taken. Quinn was also taken, but she got away." Quinn looked up at these words, trying to form her own speech.

"These guys just came out of nowhere - I thought they were going to kill me! They - they - Kurt - Blaine - I can't -" Carole tightened her hold on the sobbing girl as her cries increased in anguish. Finn felt his heart snap. Even though he wasn't dating Quinn anymore, he still cared about her as a friend. He was surprised when Rachel moved from his side and sat down next to Quinn. Rachel took one of her hands in hers, and Quinn gladly accepted it. Girls would never cease to amaze and confuse him. Mr Anderson intercepted.

"I found Quinn at the roadside. We called the police on the way over here, so they should be here soon. We've been waiting awhile. I've tried to call Blaine so many times, but I got no answer. It's not like him to not answer."

At this, Finn reached into his pocket, and pulled out the broken phone.

"We found Blaine's phone in the park by the mall." Mr Anderson's head shot up. He strode over to Finn and took Blaine's phone off him gently. Finn gladly handed it over to him. Mr Anderson fiddled with it, making the screen light up. Sure enough, the image of his son and Kurt showed up, illuminating his face. He clutched the phone in desperation.

"How the hell did my son get in this situation in the first place?" This time he looked directly at Finn with fire in his eyes. He bored into him, clearly expecting Finn to know. Finn stuttered, unsure.

"I - I don't know Mr Anderson. I mean, Kurt and Blaine have been acting weird all week, but I didn't know why until today. Blaine just freaked out and ran out. Kurt went after him, and we all searched for him. Kurt and Quinn found him - and so did the bullies I guess."

Mr Anderson was not satisfied with this answer.

"You're Kurt's brother, aren't you? Didn't you ask what was up? Why didn't you protect them?" He shouted, all his anger rushing out the instant he raised his voice. Finn recoiled in shock, not expecting this man to be yelling at him. William saw this on the young man's face, but he was so angry and shocked. He couldn't contain it anymore. Immediately, Burt came to Finn's aid.

"How dare you talk to my son like that? With respect William, I understand that you're scared. Your son is missing, but so is mine. It's not going to help if you're passing around blame here. We need to work together, not be at each other's throats." Burt didn't raise his voice, but the edge in his voice reawakened William from his angry haze. He looked from Burt to Finn, who was still in shock.

"You're right. I'm sorry son. I just - just can't believe that Blaine is gone, and there's nothing I can do to get him back." He sat back on his chair, dejected, as he continued to hold Blaine's phone. Finn accepted the apology by nodding. Burt walked over to the sofa where the three women were huddled together. He knelt on the ground in front of Quinn and Rachel, and spoke softly to them. He tried to ignore the raw, clamping pain building up in his chest.

"Quinn" he said quietly, "I'm going to take you and Rachel home. Your Mom must be going out of her mind, I'll bet." Carole interjected.

"But Burt, the police will be here soon."

"I know, but we know the whole story. Right now, this poor girl needs her Mom. Come on kids." Rachel helped Quinn to her feet, and they both followed Burt out to the car. Rachel quickly pecked Finn on the lips on her way out.

"Call me if anything changes." She said. Finn nodded.

"Will do." He replied.

Carole knew her husband was internalising all his emotions, but she also knew that there was nothing she could do to help her step-son right at this moment. Everything lay in the hands of fate now. She just hoped the police would be able to find Kurt and Blaine, before it was too late.

…

Kurt and Blaine remained huddled together as the night wore on. They had slept on and off throughout the last few hours, but both kept waking up in a cold sweat. Blaine had a particularly bad episode, which ended up with Kurt clamping his hand over Blaine's lips.

"Sshhh, honey. It was just a dream." Blaine had stopped crying out, so Kurt moved his hand off Blaine's mouth and ran it through his hair soothingly. He gently stoked his fingers through the mass of curls, knowing it would calm Blaine down. Blaine sighed a little, happy to have Kurt surround him. He rested his head on Kurt's smooth chest.

"What time do you reckon it is?" He asked. Kurt shook his head.

"No idea. It must be passed midnight." He froze in realisation. Blaine felt this through Kurt's chest.

"Kurt?" He twisted his head to look up at him. Kurt's eyes filled with tears.

"My dad - he'll know I'm missing by now. He'll notice that neither of us are there. And what about Finn? How will they know? And Quinn - her Mom won't know that she's - she's." Kurt broke down into silent sobs, unable to finish his sentence. Blaine sat up and embraced Kurt. Kurt buried his head into the crook of Blaine's neck, as Blaine rocked him gently back and forth.

"Sshhh baby, it'll be all right." They both knew he was lying, but it was the only comforting he could offer to his distraught boyfriend. He clutched Kurt's lithe frame to him, knowing full well that Burt Hummel would never see his son again. And that just killed Blaine.