Hey everyone! It's me, here to give you another dose of the addictive Troyella! :D
I've been working on this chapter really hard and it would've been updated even quicker if my computer hadn't decided to go nuts over the last couple of days. Grr. I'm so glad you enjoyed the previous chapter; I wanted it to be perfect and thank heavens I succeeded. You're all so supportive!
I must say I'm terribly excited about Vanessa Hudgen's new upcoming film 'Beastly.' Has anyone seen the new trailer? It looks amazing. I don't know about everyone else but my fellow UK-ians and I have to wait until October for the cinema release. It's going to feel like forever lol. :P
Okay, so I'd better let you guys read on otherwise you could turn into an angry mob. ;)
Chapter – The Only One Who Keeps Him Sane
THE perpetual ring-ring-ringing of the phone stirred Gabriella from what had been a comfortable, peaceful night's sleep. Turning on her side, her eyes still clamped shut, she groped and grabbed for the phone that was vibrating as it rang persistently on the bedside cupboard.
"Okay, okay!" Gabriella growled furiously to the inanimate object as it continued to ring as she struggled to find it. She opened her eyes and sighed in exasperation, her vision growing used to the dark until she could see the ringing contraption. Grasping it firmly in her hand, she flopped back down into her pillows, closed her eyes and brought the phone up to her ear.
"Hello?" She murmured tiredly.
"Gabriella? Is that you?" Lucille cried down the phone.
"Lucille? 'Gabriella said, confused, "what's wrong? 'she opened her eyes and looked across to her alarm clock, "it's 4.20am." The last time Lucille had phone so frenziedly had been the time Troy had fled to Placitas. A sense of dread filled every inch of Gabriella's exhausted young body.
"I know my dear, 'Lucille whispered softly, "and I am sorry to be ringing you at such a God forsaken hour but its Troy."
"What's wrong? Is he okay?" Gabriella asked sitting up in bed.
The sound of a deep guttural scream echoed over the phone and Gabriella's heart-rate quickened as her senses told her that the scream belonged to Troy. What was wrong with him? What had happened?
"If you heard that Gabriella I don't want you to be alarmed." Lucille said nervously but it was a little late for that, Gabriella was well past alarmed.
"That is Troy, isn't it? 'Gabriella muttered, she leant across to switch on her bedside lamp. The light burst into the room bringing some sort of comfort to the already dark situation, "what's wrong with him? Why is he screaming like that?"
"I don't know myself dear, 'Lucille whispered, "Jack and I woke about fifteen minutes ago to this horrible, horrible screaming. We ran into Troy's room to check he was alright and found him curled up in his bed, shouting and crying. We've tried waking him Gabriella...but...but it's no use." Another bark of pain resonated over Lucille's voice.
Gabriella pulled herself out of bed and stepped into her slippers, balancing the phone between her ear and her shoulder. She grabbed her dressing gown and slung it over her shoulders.
"Hang on Lucille, 'she said reassuringly, "open the front door for me. I'm coming over."
"I was hoping you'd say that, 'Lucille breathed, "would you like Jack to come for you?"
"No, no, 'Gabriella answered as she left her bedroom and crept down the stairs so her mother wouldn't hear her, "I'll run. You and Jack need to stay with Troy and keep him safe. He could do himself some serious harm."
"Oh hurry my love. The sight of him, 'Lucille choked up, "it's...its heart wrenching."
"I'll be there as soon as possible. Bye." Gabriella said and she switched her cell phone off and slipped it into her dressing gown pocket.
Creeping toward the door, she unhooked the keys from their hanging place on the wall. So aware of every sound in the house, terrified her mother would wake and send her back to bed, Gabriella inserted the key into the lock and turned it, opened the door behind her.
A blast of cold air swept over Gabriella quite instantaneously. She inhaled it for a moment, taking in her surroundings, her eyes drifting over every inch of night life and slowly turned to shut the front door behind her. She turned around then, with only Troy in her thoughts and hurried out of the garden, running as fast as her legs could carry her.
The darkness should've frightened Gabriella. As a child she'd always had a phobia of the night for to her it meant solitude, emptiness and loss. She didn't think of it now, she was too concerned for Troy and his welfare. She wanted him safe and warm and for his pain to finally dissolve away.
The cold air swamped through her nostrils, filling up her senses with panic and sorrow. She had never moved so fast in all her life, her legs ached with the strain of her movement, her chest wheezed and her heart thrummed against her chest fiercely but she wouldn't stop because somehow, she couldn't.
The lights ahead awoke Gabriella from her blinded reverie. She slowed to a jog, panting in weary as she took in The Bolton's house. Lucille was waiting on the door, her arms folded over her chest, shifting back and fore from one foot to the other, biting her bottom lip anxiously. When she saw Gabriella, she waved frantically and beckoned her over. When Gabriella reached her, she threw her arms around her and hugged her tight.
"I've never been happier to see you." She said, pressing a kiss to Gabriella's cheek, "come on." She led the youngster upstairs where the cries and bellows of anguish and torment could be heard coming from Troy's bedroom.
"Is he alright?" Gabriella asked.
"I'm afraid not. Jack and I are having the devil of a time trying to bring him round, 'Lucille said, "he just keeps crying out."
They reached the top of the stairs where Lucille brought Gabriella through to Troy's room. The bedroom light was on and Jack was sitting on Troy's computer chair, looking rather helpless as he watched his son who was lying in his bed, writing and twitching. Gabriella gasped as she took in the sight of her lover. His hair was ruffled from all the hectic movements; his face was warped with agony, blood red and dripping with sweat. His eyes were shut tight, trapped in a nightmare he could not escape; his sobs were bitter and biting, heaving and choking, gasping and crying. The sight was pitiful.
"Can't we do something?" Jack asked fretfully.
"I don't know, 'Lucille whispered, "he just doesn't seem to be coming around."
Gabriella stepped forward, wanting to help Troy, "do you mind if I try?"
Jack and Lucille shook their heads and Lucille beckoned her forward. Gabriella shifted to the bed, hesitant and nervous. She sat on the edge of the mattress, feeling it budge under Troy's trembling weight. A strange noise escaped his lips, much like a sharp hiss and he rolled onto his side, whimpering and snivelling in distress.
"Troy." She murmured gently. She reached a hand to his arm and he jerked under the pressure.
"NO! POPPY! DON'T TOUCH ME!" He bellowed, his body stirring in an array of spasms.
Gabriella grabbed his hand, trying to bring him out of the dream, "Troy, come on. Wake up." She demanded.
Troy shook his head, not even hearing her, "Please. I'm sorry...I didn't mean...I didn't..."
"Troy. Please. Wake up. Troy, 'The young girl exclaimed urgently, "It's me Troy. It's Gabriella."
Troy jerked away from her, heaving in great misery. Gabriella turned to look at Lucille and Jack who were watching from the opposite side of the room. Lucille's eyes were glistening with tears, her hands cupping her cheeks as she watched her son struggle to wake from what must be a tremendously terrifying nightmare.
"NO! NO! NO! GET OFF ME! NO!" He shrieked and he threw himself over onto his back, his body quaking so violently that it seemed as though he were having some sort of seizure.
Gabriella decided enough was enough. She sat on top of him, straddling his waist, not caring about his parent's reaction but just needing to know he was alright. She gripped him by the cheeks hard and shook him, "Troy! For God's sake, wake up!" She ordered.
"WAIT...I CAN...I CAN EXPLAIN, 'Troy sobbed, "I'M...I'M SORRY. POPPY! NO!"
"Troy, 'Gabriella said again, this time more forcefully, "Wake up!" She did the only thing she found rational. She raised her hand and using her full weight, slapped him hard around the cheek.
Troy gasped, his eyes flashing open in shock, his body pushing upwards, sending Gabriella tumbling off him and onto the side of the bed. His breath was ragged and tight, his eyes searched through the darkness, childlike, innocent.
"Troy, 'Lucille said softly, "are you alright sweetie?"
Troy collapsed back onto his bed and rolled into a ball, his shoulders hunched and his body shaking.
"He's in a state of shock." Jack muttered.
Gabriella moved closer to him again and put a hand on his arm, trying to console him, "Troy, 'she whispered tenderly, "Troy, it's me. Are you okay?"
At the sound of her voice, Troy turned and looked up, his eyes shining with tears, his bottom lip quivering. He reached a hand up to caress the side of her face as if the proximity would be enough, "Gabi." He said quietly.
"Yeah, 'Gabriella laughed, "it's me, 'the look of pure agony written across Troy's face softened her laugh and she couldn't help but mirror his caress, stroking the roughness of his face with an almost maternal instinct, "what happened?"
Troy shook his head and sighed, "I don't know. It...it was just this horrible nightmare and...I couldn't get out of it. I didn't know how."
"It was Poppy wasn't it?" Gabriella queried.
Troy gazed up at her curiously and nodded. His shoulders began to quiver again and his face clenched with the need not to cry, "I begged her to stop. She was tormenting me, telling me it was my fault. I begged her but she wouldn't listen. I'm sorry...I'm sorry." He broke down; sobbing into the pillows and Gabriella could help but gather him into her arms.
She rocked him back and fore, kissing his forehead and shushing him. Lucille and Jack appeared to be helpless, watching the scene take place before them.
"I'm sorry, 'Troy whimpered, "I didn't mean to hurt her. I never wanted to hurt her. She...she was my little sister."
"I know, 'Gabriella crooned stroking his hair, "I know. It's going to be okay. I promise."
"No it won't, 'Troy moaned, "I'll never be forgiven. I'll live with this weight on my shoulders forever."
Gabriella nuzzled her nose into his neck, pressing little kisses to his jaw, "it'll be alright. I'm here now. Hush, I'm here."
"Um Gabriella, 'Jack said hesitantly, "we're going to leave you and Troy alone for a while, you know, so he can calm down. Would you like something to drink? We're wide awake now, we're going downstairs."
"Not right now, 'Gabriella said looking up at Troy's parents, "I think I'll stay here for a while. Thank you."
Lucille approached Troy uneasily as if she wanted to comfort him but Jack touched her arm and she paused, bit down hard on her bottom lip as she watched the youngsters clinging to one another, and turned around, following her husband out to the landing.
"What am I going to do with you, hey?" Gabriella chuckled softly as she stroked Troy's hair.
Troy looked up at Gabriella and she could see the seeking desperation in his eyes. He was holding her so tight she felt she may suffocate from the pressure.
"I'm so...so...embarrassed." He stammered.
"Don't be, 'Gabriella murmured, "everyone has nightmares. You won't be the first and you won't be the last."
"I ca...can't believe...they...call...called you."
Gabriella shrugged her shoulders and kissed his cheek sweetly, "I didn't mind. I want to be here Troy, 'when Troy didn't reply, Gabriella sighed and pushed herself down the bed so she was lying right beside him, still holding him in her arms, "what happened? What did you dream about?"
"Poppy." Troy muttered miserably.
"And what –"
"Leave it Gabi, 'Troy growled and the sound seemed to come from deep within his chest, "I...I can't talk about it."
"Okay, 'Gabriella whispered, sensing his pain, "okay. I'll leave it drop. Just...try and go back to sleep."
Troy nodded and closed his eyes. Gabriella rested her lips against his forehead, content to just stay with him forever, wondering how she could help him and knowing that somehow she couldn't.
"HOW is he?" Jack asked Gabriella as she walked into the kitchen half an hour later.
"He's sleeping; thank heavens." Gabriella sighed as she sat down at the table. It had taken some time to reassure Troy that he was completely safe but he'd eventually drifted into what appeared to be a deep sleep.
"We're so grateful to you for coming over Gabriella, 'Lucille said, "we knew you were the only person who could bring him out of such a state."
"Yeah, 'Gabriella sighed, "but that's what scares me. Troy shouldn't need me to bring him out of something like this. He shouldn't be consumed by this guilt."
Lucille who'd been fixing Gabriella a cup of tea, sat down opposite the youngster and placed her mug in front of her, "we know exactly what you mean Gabriella, but Jack and I have never been able to convince Troy that he is forgiven for what happened, have we Jack?"
"No, 'Troy's father answered, shaking his head, "we even suggested therapy once. We thought a psychiatrist could help but Troy would have none of it. He was convinced we thought he was crazy. We couldn't persuade him otherwise."
"What if I try and convince him?" Gabriella asked, sipping her tea.
"It'll be no use Gabriella." Jack said sadly.
Gabriella set her mug down on the table and cupped her face into her hands, "I want to help him but I just don't know how."
"We've never been able to help him and that is just a part of knowing Troy. He will always blame himself. He will always feel this remorse. Surprisingly, he's a lot better when he's around you. You are the only one who keeps him sane." Lucille exclaimed.
"But it's not fair for him to be this way, 'Gabriella snarled furiously. She thumped a clenched fist down on the table and watched as Lucille and Jack flinched back in surprise, "sorry, 'she murmured, embarrassed by her outburst, "I just hate seeing him so tormented. When he is lost I am lost and I don't know how to fix him."
Lucille slid a hand across the table to Gabriella's clenched fist and took it in hers, "it's okay honey, 'she whispered sweetly, "it's okay."
Gabriella looked up and shrugged her shoulders half-heartedly, "it's okay for me, 'she sobbed, "but is it okay for Troy?"
"YOU look absolutely exhausted my dear, 'Lucille murmured softly as Gabriella yawned into her third mug of tea, "why don't you go on upstairs to bed?"
"Oh that's okay, 'Gabriella answered, "I'll put my shoes on and go back home."
"No, it's fine, 'Lucille said shaking her head, "it's far too late for you to be running around the streets again. You can go upstairs and get some sleep. I'm sure if Troy wakes up and finds you gone he'll become distraught again. Go on. You have my permission."
Gabriella stood and smiled softly. The more she stayed in Lucille and Jack's company, the more she liked them. She belonged in their environment. It was just so right.
"But what about my mother?" She queried.
"Don't you worry about Maria, 'Jack told her, "if she calls we'll explain. If not...well...what she doesn't know won't hurt her." He winked.
Gabriella giggled and nodded, turning around and making her way out of the kitchen, "thanks and goodnight."
"Goodnight Gabriella." Husband and wife called out in unison.
Gabriella wandered through into the living room, pleased that she was able to catch up on the sleep she had lost. She found it to be a great comfort that Lucille and Jack trusted her so much. She thought about Troy as she ascended the stairs and how much he was beginning to mean to her. It worried her when he was so dismissive. His memory of Poppy was becoming stronger and stronger. It was slowly beginning to destroy him and she had no idea how she was supposed to save him or even if anybody could.
Opening the door of Troy's bedroom, she shuffled inside and closed it behind her, letting the darkness extinguish the light. She shrugged her dressing gown off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor before tip-toeing over to the bed where she pulled aside the blankets and got in beside Troy.
The bed was incredibly warm and Gabriella found herself nuzzling up to Troy's heated body. He was still asleep, so peaceful and secure. She wrapped her arms around his torso and pulled him nearer to her. Her body tingled at the contact and Troy quivered in her hold, sensing her somehow.
Maybe she could help him, Gabriella thought, maybe there was some way to ease that pain. Troy may never truly forgive himself but she could help him understand that there is some forgiveness. She just had to find someone who could convince Troy that he was a good, changed person. Gabriella spent the rest of the early morning thinking, until finally she dropped off to sleep.
I know it's not a lot guys but I've struggled so much with writers block that I felt I had to end it here or I would go nuts. I kind of feel like this is a fill in chapter but I promise you all, the next chapter will be much better and longer.
It will be called 'There Is Some Forgiveness" and I assure you, it will feature someone from Troy's past. (Not Poppy) So, review and tell me how much of a bad updater and writer I am. I deserve it. xoxMusicalxox/Si xxxx