A/N: I couldn't stay away from writing this holiday break! This is a 100% revise and rewrite of 'Before the Dawn'. Obviously Shake it Out by Florence + The Machine inspired this whole fic. It was one of the first stories I wrote on here and I knew it could be written so much better and I felt like it needed justice. It's too good of a story for it not to be written to the standards I have for it. Review please!

Quinn leaned against the wall and held the side of her torso with care. She took ragged short breaths while keeping her eyes closed, trying to forget about the pain. Her ribs were badly bruised and maybe even cracked. She could barely breathe without wincing and it almost gave her fear. But she knew how to act like nothing was wrong. It was something she'd practiced over the years she experienced of threats of it getting worse if anyone found out. Quinn limped over to her dresser drawer and pulled out the few pills that she'd bought specifically for this night. The sharp pain in her ribs would slowly dull down in a few minutes and she calmly waited for it to take over. She laid down and slowly felt herself drifting into a bliss that could only be held onto when she took those special few pills.

The alarm blared through the room causing Quinn's body to wince at the noise. She reached for her glasses that were resting on the bed stand and lifted her blanket to inspect her body. A deep purple bruise hugged the right side of her ribs and felt as fresh as it looked. Her legs had old yellowed bruises and her arms were in no condition for show. Of course it was perfect timing that it was fall or else she wouldn't have bruises there. He always knew the best places to bruise her so it'd be easy to hide. When she closely inspected her arms she saw a few almost perfect hand shaped bruises. She shamefully looked away with her emotions slowly going on edge. It was more than her body that broke her. It was the fear growing that shook her. Don't cry Quinn. It's just a bruise, It'll heal. You've had worse. She dressed in respectable clothes, covering everything she had to and more. She couldn't look too 'provocative' for school or else she'd get punished.

Quinn headed out the door with a shred of hope of being unnoticed but it disappeared as fast as it came when her father yelled for her, "Lucy! Don't think you're leaving here without apologizing for last night."

She winced at the name alone knowing he only called her that on special occasions. Taking a deep shaky breath, she headed towards the kitchen. Her father was a prestigious lawyer and wore a very expensive suit. His hair was slicked back and his horn rimmed glasses accompanied his devilish smile. They didn't look much alike since Quinn took after her mother. That only made things worse for her. He sat there with the morning paper in front of him with his coffee. He never looked at her after a night like last night. This morning would be no different than the rest.

"I'm sorry, I promise I'll try to be... Better." Quinn said before she leaned and kissed her father's cheek and waited for a response.

His voice slithered around her throat, almost choking her. "That's more like it sweetheart. Now don't be late for school."

Once she was out the door, she got her phone out and texted Puck to meet her before class under the bleachers.

"Hey blondie, the usual?"

She nodded without saying anything. She didn't like talking to him or anyone for that matter. It was as if there was pressure being put on her vocal chords and she could only afford a few words a day.

Quinn walked away with her little handful of happiness. It didn't take her long to get an itch for the pills that felt so heavy hidden away in her pocket.

The warning bell rang and she made her way to her first class. After feeling a pull inside of herself, she got excused to go to the bathroom and once in the stall, she swallowed a few of the little white pills. She smiled at the pain on her ribs, welcoming it gracefully knowing it would leave in a short while as she leaned her head against the wall. She walked back to her class slowly, feeling herself disappear with each step she took.

Quinn had never paid attention much to the price of her pills. Money was never an issue for her since Russel Fabray always had an open wallet for his precious daughter. Puck always gave a little more than necessary and she'd always figured it was because of her past reputation or even the fact that she's probably one of the few that hasn't fallen for his charade of charm.

After first period she was able to breathe without having to push herself to not wince. It was after lunch that she found herself in a dream state. Sometimes she woke up in the middle of her haze never seemed to mind. She liked the feeling of everything else working around her as she stood still. It made her feel like she was in control like a conductor in an orchestra. Quinn was glad no one really cared enough to see how far she's fallen from the pedestal she was once on. The only people who did notice her were the teachers and Puck when she shot to him for a little dose of happiness. Even the bullies who slushied everyone never noticed or cared for her. She rather not let anyone know she exists in their tangled lives. Her father always prefered when she didn't have friends and definitely didn't allow boyfriends.

Once school was over, she hurried to her locker to drop off her books. She loved the end of the day because she would get to listen to the glee club sing. It was a ritual for her. Everyday she would sit outside the choir room and do her homework as she listened to the beautiful melodies that would echo through the hallways. She would usually leave before anyone noticed she was there so she wouldn't get confronted about sitting outside or yelled at for being weird.

While Quinn was lost in her homework and different voices, she failed to notice the girl who came out of the room. Quinn's head snapped up once she heard the echo of her feet pacing back and forth. She saw the girl she admired most in this school and was frozen while watching her pace. The brunette turned to see Quinn staring, causing her to snap out of her state of staring and turn a deep shade of red. She quickly gathered her things and decided it was probably best for her to try to leave as quietly and quickly as possible.

The beautiful brunette saw Quinn struggling to shove her books in her bag, "Oh! I'm so sorry for interrupting your studying. I was just trying to warm up for my performance."

Quinn tried her best to get up without wincing, but some of the papers from her grasp fell back on the floor, "I-it's not a problem I w-was just leaving."

The girl quickly picked up the papers for Quinn and handed them to her, "Here you go.."

Quinn looked sheepishly at her, being so thankful that she didn't have to kneel, "Thank you."

"Why were you sitting outside the choir room?"

"I was just uhm.. I was sitting out here listening to you and the club sing while finishing up some of my assignments."

She smiled at how shy Quinn was, "It's always nice to meet a fan of my vocal talent. We could always use more members you know.. Have you ever thought about joining?"

"Oh no... I can't sing and I can hardly stand on my two feet let alone dance," Quinn felt very hot and was shaking very lightly, "I'm sorry but I really have to get going."

"Wait, what's your-"

Quinn was already turning the corner down the hallway before she could finish her sentence.. She sighed deeply while running her hands through her hair, "...name."

Quinn ended up walking straight home. She decided against sitting outside the choir room from now on so she wouldn't have to explain herself again to that girl or anyone else who happens to walk out before the club was over. When she got to her room, she pulled out the pills from her pocket and lined them up on her dresser to look at them. It was a nervous habit she had once she got home. Line them up, count them, then slide them back in her secure pocket.

She thought about her conversation with the girl earlier. The truth she hid from most was that she could sing. Her mom used to tell her she had a voice that would make angels want to join her. But she knew singing would only bring her the attention she's been trying to avoid. Plus, she hasn't sung very often since her mother left. There wasn't anything that moved her enough. Sometimes she'd hum or even carry a few notes but anything past that and she felt a something in her chest grow heavier and sink deeper into whatever was there.

She fell asleep being lost in thought about the girl she listened to the most during her escapades outside the glee room. What a beautiful girl... She woke up and slightly opened her eyes to see her father there with his sleeves rolled up, smelling like expensive scotch.

He lazily ran his hand through her hair, "My beautiful girl..."