“Life is a waterfall,
We drink from the river, then we turn around and put up our walls.
Swimming through the void we hear the word,
We lose ourselves but we find it all.
Cuz we are the ones that wanna play ,
Always want to go but you never want to stay.
And we are the ones that wanna choose ,
Always want to play but you never want to lose.”

- Aerials (System of a Down)

"I do not look like a supply teacher!" Blaine glanced down at his clothes with a pout. "Look, I'm trying to go for a minimalist, rave-y kind of look."

"I don't think 'rave-y' is a word, Blaine. " Kurt said dryly, still eyeing the outfit that Blaine had thrown together.
"Lose the bowtie and suspenders, unbutton the first few buttons of your shirt, and roll up your sleeves halfway. We can only rely on low lighting for so long."

"But it’s cold.” Blaine fingered his bow tie self-consciously, glancing towards the building, music thumping from within.
"I didn't even bring a jacket."

"I'm pretty sure we won't have to worry about the temperature indoors. It's going to be too packed to be cold." Kurt removed his own blazer, revealing the fitted grey turtleneck he was wearing underneath. "Come on, Blaine, I think Jeff and Nick are already here. We better get in before Sebastian gets them drunk again."

"Who's Sebastian?" asked Blaine as he tucked his bow tie into his pocket and pushed up his sleeves. Somehow that name sounded familiar, Blaine vaguely remembered Kurt mentioning that name in passing, something about a new transfer student.

"A never ending delight." Kurt sighed as he grabbed Blaine's arm, pulling him along when he found that the latter was not following him. "Last time Nick and Jeff got drunk, they ended up making out with each other."

"No way!" Blaine paused. “You should describe that to me. In detail. Spare nothing.”

"What these eyes have seen, cannot be unseen." Kurt grimaced at the memory. "Let's just say there was a good reason those two couldn't get a girlfriend. After seeing the way they kiss, everything made sense."

"That bad, huh?" Blaine pulled out his camcorder and tried to record the exterior of the building.

"You have no idea! It was enough to turn anyone off the idea of kissing." Kurt let go of Blaine's arm. "Oh, I-- you brought your camcorder with you?"

"Of course." Blaine moved the camcorder about in an effort to get a full view of the surrounding. "Our first rave, I think that calls for media footage to remember it by. And if Jeff and Nick made out again, at least now we can get it on tape."

"Ew. No, thank you." Kurt made a face as they entered. Trance music washed over them as they took in the packed dance floor, filled with sweaty cavorting bodies and waving hands.

"Wow, where did Sugar find this place? It's pretty amazing." Blaine tried to zoom in on one of the side windows. "And the thumpa-thumpa beats on ..."

"Blaine, you may want to keep an eye on your camcorder." Blaine could hear Kurt yelling above the music. "Things can get stolen in the crowd here. Blaine?”

"Kurt! Where are you?" This is not good, I guess I'll have to text him. Blaine turned on the light on his camcorder in an effort to see better in the dark.

"Hey, you freak!" A man shoved Blaine. "What the fuck are you filming? Are you filming my girlfriend there?"

"Uh no, I'm just trying to find my way here." Blaine hurried to put his camcorder away but the man was already riled up and looking for a fight. Unfortunately, Blaine was the perfect target. He shoved him again, hard, and Blaine stumbled backwards and crashed into one of the tables.

"Stay away, you fucking creep!"

Blaine picked himself back up, wincing a bit when he felt a pain on his lower back. He could feel the heat on his cheeks as he pushed past the crowd and headed for the exit.

*********************

Blaine had decided that coming to a rave was definitely a bad idea. He sniffled in the cold and tried to curl into himself. He was freezing.

"And so, I'm outside right now." Blaine figured he might as well record something to pass the time. "It is a clear sky tonight so that usually means the temperature is lower. There’s no moon tonight but on the upside, we can see the stars.”

Blaine tilted his camcorder up.

“Obviously this is no Hubble telescope, so you probably can’t see anything. “ Blaine put the camcorder in front of him.
“Well, trust me when I say that the sky looks absolutely breathtaking tonight! This sure beats being indoor making myself deaf while being shoved around by morons any day.”

Blaine glanced at his watch. It was 10:20 at night. He planned on texting Kurt by eleven o’clock. Kurt deserved to have some fun without him.

“Blaine Anderson?” An unfamiliar voice made Blaine look up. “You must be the Blaine Anderson.” A boy stood in front of him, his hair carefully styled in a rushed manner that must have in all actuality taken hours to achieve. From what little Blaine could see in the dim lighting, the newcomer was wearing a dark dress shirt with a form fitting blazer over it. His long legs were covered by black jeans that were not too tight, but snug enough to pull the look together.

“Yes? Do I know you?”

“You do now.” The stranger stepped forward and Blaine could feel his breath hitch. This boy, no, this man, was gorgeous. “Sebastian Smythe.” Sebastian extended his hand to Blaine.

Blaine shifted the camcorder onto his other hand before shaking Sebastian’s hand. “Blaine Anderson, Which you, uh, know. Wait, how did you know me?” A Suspicion crept up in the back of Blaine’s mind, what if someone was going to pull a prank on him?

“Blaine Anderson, sex on legs and sings like a dream.” Blaine was surprised that someone could actually utter those words without any hints of embarrassment. “You are the idol that almost no one can live up to amongst the Warblers.”

“Almost?” Blaine raised his eyebrows, deciding that he must have imagined the first part of the sentence.

“Until I came along, that is.” In spite of the dark lighting, Blaine could tell that a smirk lay on Sebastian’s face.

“Uh, I see.”

“As much as I would like to take advantage of the darkness and privacy out here.” Sebastian eyed him. “Quentin Crisp is going to have a fit if we don’t show up in the next ten minutes.”

“Quentin-- I’m pretty sure he’s dead.”

“Hummel. I mean Hummel. We have a friendly rivalry going on.”

Blaine was mildly affronted on Kurt’s behalf. “You may want to look up your definition of friendly,” he answered curtly.

“You should hear some of the words that come out of his gummy little mouth. He writes the book on insults. I’m merely entertaining him.” Reaching out a hand, Sebastian pulled Blaine up and towards him in an effort to get him to move along. The pull, however, took Blaine by surprise and he stumbled. Before he fell, Blaine felt strong arm circling his waist to steady him. “We found something out there and I think this will be a good use of your camcorder.” He paused. “For now at least. But let me know if you want to pull a Kim and Ray?”

“What—what is it?” Blaine cursed his voice for its waver, but Sebastian was so close, his hot breath fanning across his cheek.

“It’s a surprise.” If Sebastian knew that Blaine was blushing, the boy made no mentioning of it. “So are you going to walk or do I need to carry you there bridal style?”

“No- no!” Blaine stammered, stepping away from Sebastian awkwardly. “Show the way.”

“With pleasure.” Sebastian gestured toward the woods. “After you then, Mr. Anderson.”

********************

With the temperature rapidly cooling down, dew had gathered on the grass and leaves, making the walk into the woods especially slippery. As a safety precaution, Blaine turned on his camcorder’s lights as he walked carefully through what appeared to be a beaten path. Blaine felt a vibration in his pocket and took out his phone.

From: Kurt (9:41pm)
Where are you? It’s disgusting here, too many people. We’re going outside for a walk, join us!

From: Kurt (10:10pm)
This is bad, the reception is horrible. Text me if you get this. The gang and I found something really cool. Sebastian said he’d fetch you.

“Was that Kurt?”

“Yeah.” Blaine frowned. His phone reception was gone as soon as it came. “I can’t get any signal out here.”

“Don’t worry, he’s with Thad, Jeff, and Nick.” Sebastian stepped over a fallen log. “Careful, it’s a little tricky here.”

“Whoa!” Blaine gave a small yelp as he felt himself being lifted up and carried over the log.

“You had your hands full.” Blaine did not have to look at Sebastian to know that he was definitely amused. “Wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself there.”

Sebastian’s arms were still around Blaine’s waist. Blaine was thankful for the darkness, he was quite certain that his face must be bright red right about now.

“You can let go of me now.” Blaine mumbled, consciously trying to ignore the little voice in the back of his head that was telling him now nice it was to have someone’s arms around him for a change.

“For someone who is rumored to jump and dance on furniture, you are not very coordinated.”

“I am very coordinated, thank you. Graceful even. In fact--ow!”

“Yeah, watch out for that flat bit of ground there, Bambi,” Sebastian dryly answered, hauling Blaine back to his feet.

Blaine bit back his retort and concentrated on keeping upright. This night was not turning out well at all. Whatever cool things that they found, it better be well worth the embarrassment and the cold. He shivered and wrapped his arms around himself. A jacket was draped over his shoulders before Blaine felt an arm snaking around his waist, pulling him closer.

“You’re freezing.” Sebastian commented. “That shirt can’t be very warm.”

“Thank you.” Blaine was grateful. It had been a while since anyone other than Kurt was nice to him. This feels nice, actually.

“Her highness will kill me if I don’t get you there in one piece.” Sebastian chuckled, his arm tightening briefly around Blaine. “Besides, it would be such a waste if something happens to you. That whole innocent virgin thing, it’s hot.”

Blaine could feel that uncomfortable heat rising up his neck again, and from the light that was illuminating the limited range around them, he was quite certain that Sebastian could see his flushed face.

“This is us.” They came upon a clearing. Blaine shone the light downward and could make out Kurt’s silhouette.

“Hey guys! About time!” Kurt had his hands on his hips. “What took so long?”

“Where’s everyone else?” Sebastian’s arm was no longer on Blaine’s waist, but he kept a good hold on Blaine’s arm as they made their way down the slope.

“Nick and Jeff wanted to go get burgers.” Kurt rolled his eyes. “Thad chickened out.”

“Kurt, are you drunk?” Blaine was quite sure Kurt must have had a few drinks. He could smell the alcohol from here.

“No, I’m just peachy.” Kurt waved his hand dismissively. “Come on, check this out. This is really cool.”

Blaine could see that there was some type of a sinkhole five feet away from where he was standing. Upon closer inspection, it seemed to be some type of a tunnel that led underground. The opening was large enough for an adult to fit through.

“Come closer, Blaine.” Sebastian was already by the edge of the hole. “I don’t bite unless you want me to,” he whispered with a wink.

Kurt motioned for Blaine to come closer. “You have to come closer to hear it.”

“Fine. Just please, don’t push me. I’m serious.”

“Is your camcorder on? Can you see if you can shine the light down there? Gotta record the visual and the sound.” Kurt seemed awfully excited for an ordinary and dangerous-looking sinkhole. Blaine was quite certain that if Kurt was sober right now, he would realize how absurd this whole thing was.

“Yeah, it’s recording.” Blaine shone the light down the tunnel, there was really nothing to see. “Kurt, I don’t get what’s the big de-“

A high pitched vibration rumbled through the ground. It definitely came from below.

“Did you hear that?” Kurt’s voice went up an octave. “You heard that, right? Sebastian, you heard it too, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, that was something.” Sebastian was sitting at the edge of the cavern, his legs dangling over the abyss. “I’m going to check it out.”

“Wait, what?” Blaine did not like where this was going, but Sebastian already disappeared into the hole.

“Wait up, I’m coming with you.” Kurt started to climb down.

“Kurt! Don’t do that!” This was not good, definitely not good. “You’re drunk. This is dangerous. You don’t know what is down there!”

“But Sebastian already went.” Kurt lowered himself further into the hole.

“Come on! We need more lights down here. “ Blaine could hear Sebastian’s voice calling from within the cavern.

“Kurt I-“ Kurt was gone. “Kurt! Get back here, guys! Argh! Kurt! You are my ride home!”
Blaine swore that this would be the last time he ever hung out with drunk people.

*****************

“We are now somewhere underground. It is dark, damp, and dirty. Ugh ew …” Blaine stepped on a puddle of water.

“Cheer up, Blaine.” Kurt’s voice came from somewhere in front of him. “Have some fun. I think we are on the verge of a great discovery.”

“Boo!” Sebastian jumped out from the corner and wrapped his arms around Blaine.

“Aaaaah!” Blaine almost dropped his camcorder. “That is so not funny!”

“That’s kind of mean, Sebastian.” Kurt agreed. “But it was also kind of funny.”

“Yes, why don’t you guys just gang up on me then. Gang up on the non-Warbler.” Blaine grumbled.

“Once a Warbler, always a Warbler.” Sebastian had his hand on the small of Blaine’s back. “It’s all in good fun, Blaine. We really have to work on getting you loosen up.”

“Oh my God, Sebastian. Enough with the single innuendos!”

“I’m not the one with my mind in the gutter.” The hand on the small of Blaine’s back was still there, nonetheless.

“Guys! Knock it off. You know I’m taping all this, right?” Blaine winced when he felt himself stepping into another puddle. “Maybe we should turn around … Like now? It’s really claustrophobic down here.”

“What is that?! Oh, shit! You guys have to come see this!” Kurt Hummel did not just curse, not unless something terribly wrong. Instinct took over as Blaine forgot about his unease of being in the tunnel and took off after Sebastian.

They ended up in some type of a clearing. But nothing had prepared them for what they were about to see before them.
In the middle of the cavern, was a large crystal structure. It emitted a low hum and every now and then, a high pitch noise would thunder through the cave.

“Are you getting this, Blaine?” Any traces of intoxication appeared to have left Kurt’s system. “What do think this is?”

“My camcorder is cutting out. This thing is interfering.” That feeling of unease was back. “I don’t think this is safe.”

“This is fascinating.” Sebastian touched one of the crystals. “You see this? It’s changing colors.”

“I really think we should go.” Blaine was starting to get a headache. He backed into one of the crystals and quickly moved away. “Kurt! Sebastian! Come on!”

“We have to come back again to check this out.” Kurt touched the crystal and marveled in fascination as the structure changed colors again.

“Blaine’s right.” Sebastian blinked. “I think this high pitch buzz is giving me a headache.”

“Sebastian …” Blaine felt his breath caught in his throat. “Your nose.” He pointed.

Sebastian raised his hand and wiped at the wetness he felt, it came away red. Blood.

“Blaine! You’re bleeding.” Kurt’s own horrified voice got his attention as he noticed drops of red on the floor. He looked at Kurt and saw that Kurt too, was bleeding. “Oh God! So am I! What’s happening?”

The last thing that Blaine remembered was sounds of commotion and panic. And then everything went black.

(TBC)