Chapter Eight-Questions and Answers

A/N: OMG OMG I am so sorry I haven't updated in...3 weeks??!!! We just installed broadband but then realised my laptop wasn't compatible and our home computer stuffed up - once again, I apologise!!! I was in a rush to write this chapter, so I don't think it's all that good, but hey, it's an update!!

Also, please check out my new oneshot called One Day (the Troy version)!!!

Recap

After a while, Zeke spoke. "So, uh, what now?" he asked awkwardly.

"I don't know," Gabriella said quietly.

"Well, it's obvious what we have to do isn't it?" Troy said, looking around the room. All he received were blank stares. Troy gulped before continuing, "I'll have to give myself up,"

"What?" Chad stared at Troy incredulously.

"Did I just hear you say that you'll give up yourself?" Taylor asked, disbelieving.

Ignoring Chad and Taylor's comments, Troy continued boldly, "It's the only way you'll get away. I-I can't hold you all back. If any of you die because of me, I'll never live with myself,"

"Dude, we won't be able to live with OURSELVES if we let them get to you," Chad said, his previous hatred for him evaporating.

"He wants me, not you. So just go," Troy said.

"We're all in this together, Troy," Jason said firmly. "There is no way in hell are we going to go anywhere leaving you behind,"

Everyone else nodded in agreement.

Troy looked around desperately. "There's a mass murderer out there guys…you HAVE to go,"

"It's our life, Troy, and we decide what we do with it and right now, we're going to stay with you," Sharpay said.

Troy looked at Gabriella, who had always agreed with him on everything. Only this time, she nodded at Sharpay. "I agree. I'm not going anywhere, Troy," she said, looking at Troy squarely in the eye.

Troy sighed. "But guys-,"

He was cut off by Ryan. "No buts, Troy, we aren't going anywhere,"

Troy knew he was defeated. "Fine," he mumbled.

"Good," they said simultaneously, satisfied.

After this, things became quiet again.

"Uh, Troy?" Taylor asked, nervousness etched in her voice.

Troy looked up, slightly surprised. "Yeah?"

"How exactly did you, um, know Gregory Roberts?" she enquired. Everyone sat up straight, eager to hear this piece of news as well.

Troy shut his eyes. The event that occurred years ago still fresh in his head. He opened his eyes once again to see the gang looking at him expectantly.

"It's been three years…" he began.

Flashback

14 year old Troy, Zac, Tim and Bob were standing at a drinks stand at the New Years Eve Teen Party.

"And so Jake said, 'Yo Dude' and he turned around and-," Tim was cut off by a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see a very anxious looking Hayden.

"Oh, hey Den, what's-,"Tim began before stopping at the expression of Hayden's face.

"What's wrong?" he asked softly.

"Have you seen Jackie?" she asked urgently.

Tim looked confused. "No, why?"

"She's been missing for more than two hours…I'm getting real worried," she said anxiously.

"I'm sure she's fine, Dennie," Zac said, patting her shoulder.

"Oh, I hope so," she said, looking slightly scared.

At this Vanessa approached them, followed by her little sister Stella. "Have you guys seen Emily? She disappeared ten minutes ago. I've searched everywhere but I can't find her!"

Troy's eyes widened. Emily Bolton? His sister?

"Did you check the dance floor?" Bob asked.

Vanessa nodded.

"Did you check the area around?" he asked.

Vanessa nodded again.

"Her hotel room?"

"Checked,"

"The toilets?"

Vanessa gasped. "The toilets!" she exclaimed.

"I've already checked, Van," Stella said.

"Oh," Vanessa muttered.

"She's gotta be somewhere!" Bob exclaimed.

"Uh, guys, I'm going to try and find her, ok?" Troy asked, fear clearly evident in his voice.

The others nodded. With that, Troy dashed past the refreshment table and to the exit. He ran through Level 1, screaming his sister's name. He then flew up the stairs to Level 2. He was about to go up another level before he heard a small scream. Eyes wide, Troy pressed his ear up to Door Number 43.

"Shut up, you stupid girl," a man roared.

"Please, don't hurt me," the voice of a girl sobbed.

"Keep your stupid mouth zipped and it won't take long," the man snarled.

Ripping was heard. The girl shrieked. "NO!" she screamed.

"Please! Have mercy on me!" she exclaimed desperately.

The man made no comment as the girl cried.

Troy knew who the girl was. He recognised her voice…her screams. It was his sister – Emily Lu Anne Bolton.

A surge of anger passed through him. How dare he? That moron – setting his filthy hands onto his sister! Troy kicked the door open with all his might to reveal a very appalling sight. At least three dozen dead and naked girls were piled on top of each other. Blood was all over the white carpet on the floor. In front of him were his sister, her shirt on the floor, her bra half undone, and her make up running as tears spilled down her face. Gregory Roberts was half naked – wearing only his pants, and was guiding Emily's hand to underneath his trousers, his need for her reflecting in his eye. And all of a sudden, at the same time, the two looked up to see Troy. A look of shock and hope passed over the older Bolton's face.

"TROY!" Emily screamed. "HELP ME! HE'S GOING TO RAPE ME AND KILL ME!" she cried.

Gregory Roberts stood up and took out a knife from the back pocket of his pants. "Now… Troy," he said his eyes gleaming maliciously. "If you want her to live, you'll leave now and pretend none of this ever happened,"

"No," Troy said. "Leave her alone,"

"I'm giving you to three," Gregory said.

Troy shook his head in desperation looking at his sister. She was telling him to go. Troy shook his head. He wasn't going to just let his sister be raped.

"One,"

Emily was now shaking his head. "Go," she mouthed. "No, I'm not leaving you," he mouthed back.

"Two,"

"NO! PLEASE, I'LL DO ANYTHING! JUST DON'T HURT MY SISTER!" he screamed.

At this, Gregory stopped and seemed to be thinking. He then turned and looked at Troy in the eye. "Anything?" he asked.

Troy nodded furiously. Gregory's lips curved up into a maniac grin.

"Well then…"

" I want you to remove your shirt," Gregory commanded.

Troy was confused but obeyed, for the sake of his sister.

"And now," Gregory paused before continuing. "I want you to remove your trousers,"

Troy's eyes widened. He knew what Gregory wanted him to do. Gregory Roberts wanted him to commit incest…Gregory Roberts wanted him, Troy Bolton, to rape his own sister.

"WHAT? NO!" he screamed.

"Then I'm afraid this little lady's life will belong to me," Gregory said.

Troy, fury evident in his voice, said, "Oh no you don't,"

With that, he grabbed the nearest object he could reach, which happened to be a metal bar stool. Raising it up, he swung it at his sister's captor's head, who obviously wasn't prepared for this. Gregory Roberts fell to the floor. For an extra precaution, Troy kicked him again. Hearing, his sister's sobs, Troy ran over and wrapped his arms around her. It was going to be ok, they were going to be ok…

End of Flashback

By the end of the story, everyone's mouths were hanging open.

"S-so you're s-saying your si-sister was nearly r-r-raped?" Gabriella stuttered.

"By Gregory Roberts?" Taylor added eyes wide.

"Who happens to be the brother of the maniac who intends to kill us?" Chad said, absolutely shocked.

Troy nodded.

"Oh-my-god," was all Jason could say.

"Yeah," Ryan agreed.

"But, Troy, how come we didn't hear this on the news?" Sharpay asked.

"Yeah, why didn't we?" Gabriella supported.

"Mom, Dad, Emily and I asked for them not to…we didn't want all the attention. So it stayed a secret," Troy answered.

Dad…Thank goodness he decided to take a sickie today…and Emily's at UCLA – safe in her Biology class…

"But, that still doesn't explain why his crony knew Gabriella," Ryan said, looking at the brunette.

At this, Gabriella looked at the ground. "He, well, Sam Thomas, killed my father," The last three words were barely audible but everyone heard them.

"I'm so sorry, Gabs," Sharpay said.

Gabriella shook her head. "I was only nine years old, but I remember everything. One day, when dad and I were at the mall, he barged into our house and…tried to…rape my mom," Taylor's mouth dropped open once again.

"Dad and I came home just in time…he tried to defend mom and I but h-he k-k-killed him," Gabriella turned away, trying to hide her tears.

She felt Sharpay's arm pull her into a comforting hug. "It's ok, Gabs,"

The rest of the gang stared into blank space, Troy and Gabriella's words reeling inside their heads. They were surprised as to how much association their two best friends had with the people who wanted to kill them.

Their task of getting out alive will sure be a hard one…

A/N Yeah, I know that there was practically no action in this chapter, but it did explain quite a lot about what's going on…hope you didn't find it too boring! Please review – I'll love you for it!