It's Always Been You
Disclaimer: I do not own anything associated with High School Musical nor anything related to the magazines, T.V. shows, movies that I choose to mention in this story as well as anything having to do with the celebrity life. Take everything has fiction!
AN: Thanks for reading! Thanks for sticking with me despite the significant time that passes between updates. As you can tell this story is quickly approaching the end. Once its done I will begin posting my new story, which I have written and large number of the chapters already so updates will be frequent. Look for Then and Now within the next few weeks.
Thanks again and Enjoy! I look forward to your thoughts and I hope it lives up to what you were expecting.
Chapter 26
It was obvious that he had thought this through. Every single detail of how he would ruin Troy's life carefully calculated and planned and she was the pawn all along. It was sick and nauseating. Time seemed to be ticking away at an excruciating pace and the bubbling rumble of vomit rested securely in the base of her throat, the fear and realization that her breaths were limited painfully chiseling away at her resolve. She had to stall, if she didn't she'd be dead before Troy would even make it home. The smug psychotic gleam in his wicked eyes made that very clear.
Taking a deep breath, she swallowed the thick knot in her throat and slowly lifted her stare to look at him. He was watching her, probably trying to decide how she was going to react next. She had yet to move since he pulled her against him, revealing that he intended to kill her in order to destroy Troy. Her dark eyes studied the features of his face looking for any weakness, an answer, anything that would provide an out. The twitch in his jaw told her that he was anticipating something, but the line of his brow showed his confusion as to why it had yet to come. His intent was still there, but she could sense a bit of unease. She continued to look at him, blank eyes, lips closed straight over her clenched teeth and her body still and motionless, partly because she couldn't force herself to do anything else, another because she had a feeling it was making him anxious.
When she refused to move or speak he began to fidget, his fingers curling tighter around her arm, and his nails beginning to dig into her delicate skin. He laughed, hard and sickening, "Don't tell me I underestimated Troy's importance to you"
Gabriella fought the tears stinging her eyes from the new pain he was inflicting, but remained silent. He was trying to work her up. He wanted her to fight. He wanted her to beg. Sick abusive bastards like him get off on that behavior. She knew she was playing with fire and her refusing to succumb to what he wanted would only make him angrier and could possibly makes things worse for herself, but she felt like she might be onto something, so it was worth the risk.
When she didn't respond, he growled, digging the tip of the blade into the collar of her neck, piercing the skin, "Answer me" he screamed.
She didn't want to react, but the pain and cool trail of blood beginning to flow down her chest forced a gasping shrill from her lips. She could feel the blade ripping away at her skin in a slow agonizing tear.
He smiled happily, pulling the knife from her, "I'll go deeper next time sweetheart, so when I ask you a question, you answer, got it"
Her breathing was heavy, and she desperately tried to deflect the pain so that she could think clearly, but it was difficult. She didn't want to die, but she didn't want to give him what he wanted either, because she knew the sooner she did, the sooner her heart would find its final beat.
She took a shaky breath and swallowed slowly. She raised her head, her eyes dark and wet, "fine, but don't ask me stupid questions. You wouldn't be here if you underestimated how much I loved Troy."
He stated at her silently and emotionlessly and then chuckled, his head lightly shaking, and his eyes piercing holes into hers. His jaw fell tight and his eyes grew darker, before rearing back and punching her in the jaw.
She instantly lost control of her balance, her knees giving way and her body crashing to the floor. Her head was swimming and the side of her face was pounding. She attempted to roll onto her back, but the sharp stabbing impact of his shoe pelting her in the stomach knocked the wind out of her and soon her consciousness surrendered.
Every sickening, horrible and retched scenario that could be happening right now continued to play out in his brain. He knew he shouldn't have left her. He should have never ignored his gut feeling. He had woken up with a heavy nauseating weight in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't place the direct cause, but it was an eeriness that wouldn't let up and after what had happen he knew it was because of Gabriella. He knew the worry was about her and her safety, but still he left her. He blamed himself for not listening to what his instincts were telling him. Gabriella was in danger. He knew it. He had no proof yet, but he just knew he would find Michael at her house, and it was his fault he wasn't there to prevent to it. It was his fault he didn't stick to his guns and refuse to leave.
The engine of his sleek black car roared loudly as his foot slammed on the pedal. He took the final turn to her house at a speed he never had and when he was few house away he slammed on the brakes, and jumped from the car, setting off at a souring pace for her house.
It had been under fifteen minutes since the wave of nausea off set him and sent him racing out his meeting. He prayed he wasn't too late, because losing her would kill him.
After her body fell limp he proudly stood there watching her, observing the swollen red skin of her face and the dark bruises that were forming on her abdomen. He had injured her. He had marked her and that satisfied him. The time was ticking away and he knew Troy would be arriving home soon and he wanted him to find her catching her last breath, so when she began to stir, he smiled in excitement. He had more to do to her. His plan was going perfectly and soon he would ruin Troy's life.
She coughed and then groaned, grabbing at her side as her eyes fluttered open and saw the vile culprit of her pain. She was done thinking. She was done trying to figure out what he was going to do next. His intent was set in stone; she had nothing to lose, so she fought back in the only way she knew how. In a way that was her own.
She laughed, bringing her palm to graze the tender spot where his fist had connected. She wet her lips, looking up at him from under her lashes with a haughty smirk on her face, "It figures you'd hit like a pussy"
His eyes dilated in rage and his fist curl into tight fist, "you're a dumb little bitch just like your boyfriend"
Gabriella smirked tilting her head to the side, trying her best to ignore the jolting pain that shot up her head, she had to focus, she had to keep him talking, and verbally working him up was the way to do it. He was a fucked up spoiled psycho and he wouldn't be able to let have the last word, especially when it was destroying his manhood "am I? Hmm, because I don't think so. I think you're the dumb little bitch. You're a warped spoiled little bastard and getting rid of me and destroying Troy, as you say, won't change that. You will still be worthless, disgusting and the only girls that will screw you will be the ones that you have pay"
His breathing was hot and rapid. He leaned down and grabbed her by the hair pulling her to her feet, grinning when she groaned. "shut up" he growled low and deep, throwing her against the wall.
Gabriella eased herself up, leaning against the hard surface. Her body was screaming in pain and her pulse was racing, she swallowed, "is that why you're jealous of Troy, Michael, because he doesn't have to beat or manipulate woman into going out with him? Is it because he's a real man and you're not?"
She could tell she was getting under his skin. He was grinding his jaw and his eyes continued to look anywhere but at her. She had hit his insecurities. She was a woman, a being he thought he could overpower, a being he had had been overpowering, but refused to succumb to abuse, "Don't pout Michael, I thought sick fucks like you liked it when we fought back" she laughed, "or maybe it's only when we don't speak the truth, which you and I both know I am."
He lunged for her, wrapping his hands around her neck, shoving her forcefully against hard beige surface, "I told you to shut the fuck up" he loudly snarled, shoving her vigorously once again, enjoying the sound of her discomfort.
Gabriella coughed harshly, trying to fight him off, clawing at his arms, flailing her body about. She looked around for anything she could reach to help her. The pressure he had on her throat was tightening and it was becoming harder to breath. She looked to the right, hoping to find something, anything and that's when she saw the movement along the back glass windows. She narrowed her eyes and her heart leaped.
Troy.
His lungs squeezed tight, making it difficult to breath and his heart fell into his stomach. There she was, pinned against the wall with Micheal's fingers laced around her neck, her hands clawing, attempting to free herself. Tears sprang to his eyes at what he was seeing, at the obvious pain the love of his life was in. He had to act fast; he had to get in there.
He reacted quick, running around back, where he knew he could sneak in without being seen or heard. It was time for him to put an end to this, an end to Michael. Gabriella was still alive and he had to keep it that way.
He stuck his key in the door, turning it very quietly, trying his best to silently enter the house. If Josh had done as he instructed the police would be arriving soon, but if Gabriella wasn't alive it wouldn't matter when they got there. He had to makes sure she was. The latter wasn't an option.
The closer he got the front den, he could hear Michael laughing, "Not much without your mouth are you?" he heard his sickening voice spat.
Her distress and fight filled the house, followed by Michael's vile amusement. He could tell she was attempting to speak, but it seemed to only result in deep coughs.
"Fuck this" he said under his breath. He was done creeping around. He couldn't take listening to him torture her. He set off in run along the back hallway and into sitting room that was adjacent to the den where Gabriella and Michael were. He looked around for something, anything that would help defend them against Michael. He assumed he was armed in some form; therefore he couldn't be empty handed.
The fireplace pokers were the first thing he saw. He recalled giving Gabriella a hard time when she bought them. She had a gas fireplace and the need for a poker was unnecessary, she had said it was for looks, which he thought was ridiculous, but right now he had never been more grateful for her need to over accessorize her home.
He grabbed the poker, holding it tightly behind his back and slowly walked into the den. Michael's back was to him, but he had a clear shot of Gabriella. It seemed he had loosened the hold on her neck because she appeared to be breathing more regularly.
Thank God.
However, his relief was short lived when he saw that Michael's hand had slid down her neck to her breast. The moan that Michael's disgusting mouth produced when he touched her, made him want to vomit.
"I told you to keep your hands off her" Troy said firmly, his voice strong and hard.
Michael turned quickly towards the new, yet familiar voice, his mouth parted in surprise.
Troy grinned, "What? Weren't expecting me?"
Gabriella took advantage of the diversion in Micheal's attention, and kneaded him as hard as she could in the groin.
Michael fell forward, howling in pain. This was her chance, and she made a run for it. "Troy" she shouted, relief and happiness in her voice. Tears now freely streamed down her face as she fumbled to get away, the loving blue eyes, her destination.
He couldn't let her escape. It would ruin everything. He twisted, diving for her, attempting to grasp anything he could, catching her ankle he pulled her to the ground. He shuffled to his knees when he felt he had a tight enough grip and began tugging a kick Gabriella towards him.
"Gabriella!" Troy screamed, running for her, in an attempt to help her. He could see the exhaustion in her face and fear in her eyes. She was fighting, but he didn't know how much longer she would able to withstand him. He had to get to her, but when he was a foot away he halted.
Michael had her pulled to his side, a knife waving next to her face, "get heroic and I will kill her right now, in front of you"
His navy, shaky stare dropped to the deadly weapon gliding along his girlfriend's face. The fright contorting her features and rapid rise of her chest scared him and pissed him off. He hated that this was happening to her. He hated that this sick fucker was using her to get even with him for some convoluted reason that had no bearing, but in his own warped head. He looked over at Michael who was staring at him with a pleased smirk.
Troy matched his grin, "you think you've won don't you?"
Michael laughed, "I have won, Troy. You're over there, you're girl is right here, about to die all because of you and you will have to live with that for the rest of your life, so yeah, I've won"
Troy shook his head, moving closer to them, "that's not winning. You will still be you. You will still have no one and you will be jail for the rest of your life, I'll see to that"
Michael laughed, "maybe, but I'll at least have the satisfaction that I took her away from you...forever"
His eyes drifting behind where Michael sat and then back to him, It was his turn to laugh "that's where you're wrong"
"What?" Michael asked, his brow turning inward in confusion.
"You won't be taking her away from me" he said with assurance and before Michael could respond he pulled the poker that he had tucked behind his leg and swung, hitting Michael across the head.
Michael collapsed forward, his head rolling to the side, the knife falling from his hands.
Gabriella jumped to her feet and within seconds was in the security of Troy's arms. "Troy" she sobbed into his chest, her hands fisting his shirt between her fingers.
"Shhh" Troy cooed, kissing the top of her head, "you're safe now" he whispered as he observed the police fully enter the living-room.
"We had a safe shot" the officer said as he began to secure Michael. "you saw me motion right?"
He had seen them enter the house, shortly after Michael had grabbed Gabriella and he had seen the cops signal when he looked the second time to make sure they were all there, "Yeah, but I promised him I would take him out if he ever tried to hurt her and I always keep my promises" he responded, as he watched them pull Michael to his feet.
The officer looked at him and nodded in understanding.
Troy tightened his hold on Gabriella, giving her temple a light peck, before meeting the officer's gaze, "are we done. She needs to rest"
"You two will need to come by in the morning for a statement"
"Troy" Josh said, entering the room just as the officer finished speaking, "Elliott's on his way over, we can take it from here."
Troy looked back at the officer, who nodded that it was fine. "We will be by in the morning." He assured and then bent down and picked Gabriella up, cradling her legs in his arms, and tucking her head underneath his chin, "Josh" he said before he turned around to bring her upstairs.
"Yeah" Josh answered; looking up from the paper work he had just been handed.
"Thank you" he said, tears filling his eyes and relief rich in his voice.
It was over and she was safe.