Chapter 55
When Chad, Taylor and the others finally returned to the house just before nightfall, the first thing they noticed upon entering the foyer was how somber and un-holiday like everything seemed. It was almost as if Christmas had never happened.
Gone were the beautiful sights, sounds, and smells that had greeted them that morning and in turn had sent them on their way to a day of adventurous fun. All had now been disbelivingly replaced by a dark forboding that held not one ounce of cheer, and hung over every corner of every room and every heart within them.
Taking Taylor's hand in his to fight off the air of gloom surrounding them all, Chad walked her into the living room where they were greeted by their waiting mothers who rushed to their sides with hugs, kisses and prayers of thanks for their safe return. A moment later Robert McKessie appeared and grabbed his daughter in a tight embrace, holding her as if he never wanted to let go. However, their brief reunion was cut short by a pang of guilt, as they all watched Jack Bolton bring an unconscious Gabriella into the house and immediately take her upstairs to the room she shared with Taylor, his wife close behind.
Mia Evans felt their pain and worry, as she arose from the couch and dealt with the hopelessness she saw on her own husband's face upon entering the room, indicating that their child was still just as lost to them as was Troy to his parents. Fighting back the urge to scream, she stood their listening as Charles Evans relayed the events of that afternoon, their inability to locate the missing teens, and their hopes for a renewed rescue effort the following day at first light. The Danforths and the McKessies both offered their support and encouragement that Troy and Sharpay would be alright, doing their best to not allow anyone to give up hope when there was still a chance that both could be found alive and unharmed.
Then the discussion turned to Zeke, who had been transported to the local hospital for treatment. Lisa Danforth reported that he'd suffered a mild concussion but would be alright and that she'd spoken to his parents by phone who would be returning to the country as soon as they could get the next flight out from their present location.
Soon after they all began to speak of the terrible tragedy that had befallen Carla and Vincent and the enourmous loss all had suffered from it, none greater than Gabriella herself. However, the adults didn't feel comfortable discussing all the particular indepth details with Chad and Taylor still in the room, and suggested that they go upstairs, change clothes, and rest for a while. Reluctant to leave but knowing it was pointless to argue against it, they both did as they were told.
Once on the upper landing, they decided to check on their younger siblings whom they found lying together quietly subdued on the bed in Glenda and Robert McKessie's room, pajamas on, watching TV, with a tray of half eaten soup and sandwhiches sitting on the nightstand beside them.
After making sure the children were as well as could be expected, Chad and Taylor went to check on Gabriella. However, upon opening the door to enter the room, they immediately found themselves slowly backing out, after catching sight of a distraught Lucy Bolton sobbing in her husband's arms uncontrollably while their friend lay still and fragile in her bed.
Guiding Taylor away from the unnerving scene, Chad led her down the hallway and into the room he shared with Troy, closing the door behind them where they fell into each other's arms and let their own sense of grief overtake them.
Sometime later, both went back downstairs for a bite to eat but tasted none of it. They explained to their parents how they were too tired to even think about food and that all they wanted was to go to bed and get some rest so they'd be able to help with the search for Sharpay and Troy the following day. Agreeing that it had been a long and emotionally difficult day for them all, the McKessies and Danforths wished their eldest children good night, as they went back to discussing the current situation with the missing kids, the death of their friend, and the decisions that would have to be made about her child.
Charles and Mia Evans had already retired to their room, as a migraine had gripped Mrs. Evans during dinner, sending her straight to bed. Jack Bolton had disappeared into the billard room trying to find something, anything to take his mind off the fact that his son was still lost outside to the elements without food or water but hopefully shelter at least. Lucy Bolton hadn't left Gabriella's side since the moment they'd gotten back, and she planned to sit with her through the night just in case she awoke and needed something or someone.
This decision prompted Taylor to check on her best friend once more with no change in her drug induced condition, sadly gather her night clothes, and then return to Chad's room where she intended to sleep without asking her parents' persmission if such would be alright. If they found out or had a problem with what she was doing they would just have to deal with it in the morning.
After both had taken showers at Chad's suggestion to help them relax, they changed into their sleeping attire, turned off the lights and climbed into their respective beds. Lying there in the darkness without saying a word, they each let their thoughts drift over the events of the day while praying that their friends were found safe tomorrow and that they'd be able to help Gabriella get past the enormous amount of grief she would face in the days, weeks and months that lie ahead.
Then, right before Chad was about to drift off to sleep, he suddenly moved the covers aside and waited. A few seconds later he heard the soft padding of footsteps and then felt the weight of Taylor's body on the bed beside his. Pulling the blankets up around them both, he waited for her to snuggle in close and rest her head against his shoulder before wrapping his arms around her with a sigh as both drifted off to sleep thankful they had each other to make it through the night with.
The Cabin...Just Before Daybreak
Troy awoke with a start, trembling and bathed in sweat. Looking anxiously around the cabin he tried to shake the nightmare of his own death from his head and was only able to do so when he suddenly caught sight of Sharpay curled up in his arms, head against his chest looking peaceful and child-like.
At first, he worried that something was wrong since she hadn't awakened from his sudden abrupt movement but, after carefully checking her pulse and breathing, realized that she had simply fallen into a deep sleep. Relieved that his friend seemed alright, he waited until his nerves had settled back down and then, after taking a deep sigh, allowed his thoughts to drift to Gabriella.
God only knew what state of worry she had to be in right about now along with his parents and Sharpay's, not to mention Chad,Taylor and everyone else. Who knew what they all must be thinking. More importantly though, was whether or not anyone had managed to put the clues together of where they were and be able to find them before it was too late.
Smiling weakly down at Sharpay's face as she clung to him like a teddy bear from childhood, Troy wanted to laugh at the irony of how they looked in that moment.
Once upon a time, the girl in his arms would have done anything to have him hold her like this all close and snuggly, and had done many things in the past to try and bring such a situation about. How funny it was now for her wish to finally have come true only for it to mean nothing more than a gesture of survival that depended on them sharing body heat in sub-freezing temperatures and nothing more, as she loved Zeke as much as he loved Gabriella. How truly sad it would be to have come this far and grown so much as friends and finally have found the two people they were meant to be with only to lose it all on some desolate mountain far from home.
Sighing, Troy closed his eyes and let the smile that stole his heart long ago in another snowy setting fill his thoughts and tug at his heart. He didn't know how much longer he and Sharpay could last under these conditions, but they both had to fight to stay alive to get back to the ones they loved and made life worth living. For the love of Gabriella and Zeke they had to hold on as long as they could.
Stirring slightly against his chest, Sharpay mumbled Zeke's name in her sleep, as she clutched tighter onto Troy. He again smiled through his fear, cold and hunger and gently stroked her hair like a protective big brother.
"We're going to make it Shar," he whispered softly. "We have too. There are people we love who need us and we can't let them down."
Daybreak...6:00 a.m.
The first thing that Chad noticed when he awoke the following morning, was that Taylor was no longer beside him in bed.
Sitting up with a yawn, he wondered if she'd left in the middle of the night but couldn't be sure since both had fallen into such a deep sleep. Not that it mattered really. All that was important now was getting up and dressed, ready to head out to once again try to find Troy and Sharpay.
Climbing out of bed, Chad rubbed the last of the sleep from his eyes and slowly made his way to the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later he was heading downstairs to see who else was up and was surprised to find everyone but the kids awake. Mr. and Mrs. Bolton and Mr. and Mrs. Evans looked terrible to say the least, but it was understandable and Chad wondered if any of them had managed to get any sleep at all.
Greeting his own parents with hugs and kisses, he waved good morning to the McKessie's and then smiled when he saw Taylor sitting next to them.
"So I guess we're all ready to do this thing then?" Chad asked, taking a place in the chair beside his girl who squeezed his hand under the table.
"Yes we are," Mr. Evans replied, pouring himself another cup of coffee. "The rescue team should be arriving any minute."
"Good because I'm ready for us to find Troy and Sharpay as soon as possible."
"We all are son," Lee Danforth said, reaching for a danish from a large platter in the center of the table.
"Except for you and Taylor," Robert McKessie announced, turning to his daughter who was now staring at him, mouth agape in surprise.
"Why not us daddy?" Taylor asked.
"Because sweetheart, we need you and Chad to stay here and look after the kids and help Lucy, Mrs. Bolton, tend to Gabriella," her mother replied before her father could respond.
"But...but...I want to go with you," Chad protested at the change in plans he had for himself that day. "I want to be there when you find Troy and Sharpay."
"We know you do," Lisa Danforth spoke up. "But it's more important that the little ones are taken care of and made to feel safe after everything they went through yesterday. Not to mention poor Gabriella who will need to be surrounded with love and attention following what happened to Carla. You and Taylor would be doing so much more to help by staying put and allowing the rest of us to lend a hand with today's search instead."
Chad sat back in his chair with a disappointed sigh.
"I know this isn't what you want sweetie, but it's already been decided and there will be no discussion about it as our minds are already made up," his mother continued, knowing how frustrated and powerless he felt in that moment.
Taylor attempted to squeeze his hand again to show him that she understood and empathized, as she had wanted to go along as badly as he did, but Chad pulled away from her touch and got up from the table to go sit in the livingroom by himself.
"He'll be fine," Lee Danforth reassured his wife with a pat on the back as he watched their son walk away in annoyance.
"Is there anything special you need for us to do while you're all gone?" Taylor asked, trying not to let Chad's sudden change of mood affect her own.
"Not really sweetie," her mother replied. "We don't know when Gabriella is going to wake up or what she'll need when she does. However, as far as the kids are concerned, they just need to get up, get dressed and time spent with them trying to take their minds off of unplesantness. Watch TV with them, play games, run around in the snow...just give them something to do to keep them busy until we get back. Lois will take care of seeing that they have breakfast and lunch."
"Sure...we can do that," Taylor said, looking out into the livingroom where Chad sat staring at the fireplace.
Suddenly the doorbell rang causing Mr. Evans to leap out of his seat.
"The rescue team is here everyone. Let's get going."
He leaned down and kissed his wife, who was staying behind, promising to let her know the minute they found Troy and Sharpay. Jack Bolton did the same with Lucy who told him to be safe and to tell their son how much she loved him.
Taylor hugged her parents good-bye and promised to do as they had asked, while Chad was a bit more reluctant at first to be cooperative over his mother and father's departure, but eventually let his anymosity go and said that he would take care of everyone and be the man they needed him to be in their absence.
After they all had gone, Mrs. Bolton and Taylor went upstairs to check on Gabriella, while Mrs. Evans made phone calls to Ryan in Las Vegas and the hospital to check on Zeke, whom she was pleased to hear was making a speedy recovery.
Chad continued sitting in the livingroom for a short time, still trying to get over the fact that he wouldn't play a part in the rescue of his friends, when his sister, Corrine, came downstairs and crawled up into his lap. Unklike when they were at home, on this particular morning her normally sunny disposition seemed to be absent. Just seeing her precious little face staring up at him wide-eyed yet without that million dollar smile, snapped him out of his momentary funk and made him want to do whatever it took to bring it back once again.
"Hey munchkin," he said, tweaking her nose and then pulling her into a hug. "Lets say you and me go into the kitchen and ask Lois to make us some of her special pancakes for breakfast, then go wake up the other two sleepy heads and figure out what fun things we're going to do today while the folks are gone. Okay?"
The smile Chad adored slowly began to appear as Corrine nodded her head in agreement. For some reason, upon seeing that light of love and innocence spread across her face, he was suddenly filled with hope that everything was going to be alright.
