Chapter 9-

The emergency room was crowded. Doctors and nurses rushed to and fro with worried expressions marring their faces. Distraught family members worried about their loved ones, and nervous children awaited help, but Troy did not see any of this.

The receptionist desk loomed ahead and he didn't look to either side as he strode toward it.

The petite blonde woman looked up when he leaned against the counter. Her eyes lit with recognition when she saw his face. "What can I do for you Mr. Bolton?" she asked dropping the phone she had been speaking on.

A polite smile didn't even surface on his face. "I'm looking for Dr. Marcus Carson."

"Of course, I'll page him for you," the woman replied in a sugary sweet voice. She proceeded to do just that, while Troy paced the length of the counter anxiously.

After what felt like hours, a man in a long white coat approached him. "Troy Bolton, I'm Dr. Carson."

Troy hurriedly shook the distinguished man's hand. The doctor glanced around, quickly taking note of the curious, prying people around them. "I'd like to speak to you in private."

Troy nodded and followed the doctor without a word. They stopped inside a small, cluttered office.

"We don't normally just call people and ask them to come, but this is a unique case," Marcus explained.

"Is Gabriella all right?" Troy broke in.

Marcus sighed. "Ms. Montez, is unconscious. She has numerous injuries…" he paused. "We're not sure if she's going to make it."

The world around him spun madly and he felt for the chair nearest him. Once his hand found it, he fell into it. "What happened?" he whispered hoarsely.

"She and her boyfriend were in a fight; the neighbors heard screaming and called the police. Ms. Montez was conscious for only a few minutes, but she was able to tell the paramedics to call you and to say that you were allowed any information on her condition." Marcus stated quietly.

Troy nodded numbly. "May I see her?" he asked.

The doctor nodded and stood. "You may, but only for a short time. And I must warn you her appearance may be greatly altered since the last time you saw her."

……………….

Quiet whirs and insistent beeps were the only sounds coming from Gabriella's private room. Troy took a deep breath then stepped through the door. A horrid gasp echoed through the stillness.

Gabriella's normally tan skin was pasty white in some spots, others were marred by ugly bruises. Her left eye was nearly swollen shut and red hand marks dotted her neck. One arm was in a cast and elevated on a pillow. The rest of her thin form was hidden underneath a pale hospital blanket.

Several hesitant steps brought him to the bedside. Tubes hooked around her head brought her oxygen while an IV brought needed medication. As he leaned down to touch her hand the first tear fell. Many more followed.

………………..

"Hi this is Taylor," the perky voice, so familiar, but so distant had answered on the first ring.

He swallowed hard and tried to gather his courage. Luck was the only thing that had kept the old phone number as the right one.

"Hello?" Taylor repeated.

"Taylor," he said slowly. "I-It's Troy."

"Bolton?" the shock in her voice was evident.

"Yeah."

"What do you want Troy?" her tone had gone from perky to icy.

"Taylor, I have some bad news. About Gabriella," he replied quietly, slowly.

"What?"

"She's in the hospital Taylor," his voice began to break. "They don't know if she's going to make it…"

Taylor's quick intake of breath made the pain feel all the more real.

"Where are you?" she whispered.

Hurriedly, he gave her the address of the hospital and his cell phone number. Then he hung up.

After all your encouraging(and desperate) words, I finally have a new chapter for ya'll. Hope you enjoy it. :)