A/N: As promised, Chapter 1 is here. Read, review, and enjoy. Thx!

Chapter 1: Gone In The Night

Emma sat at the kitchen table eating her breakfast when her mother asked, "Em, where's Manny? Did she leave early or something?" Emma looked up from her breakfast and answered, "Maybe, she wasn't there when I woke up."

Her step dad, Mr. Simpson, said, "She'll probably be in the library or standing at your locker when you get there Emma. I remember her saying she liked to get there a little earlier than everyone else."

Emma laughed when she remembered something Manny said. "I remember her saying it was either that or not go at all. She was always afraid of facing real life." Spike replied, "That's all good, but you need to get to school before you're lat, the both of you."

Degrassi Community…

Emma walked into media immersion, a worried expression clouding her face. "Emma, what's wrong?" asked Mr. Simpson as he walked over to her. Emma answered worriedly, "Manny isn't here. Dad, I think- I think she's m-missing."

Mr. Simpson placed his hand on her shoulder comfortingly, "Its alright sweetie. Why would you think Manny missing?" Emma replied, "Well, she didn't come back from her late night walk. I was scared that you guys would be me at me so I suggested that she probably left early. I mean I really thought she left early though because she does a lot."

Mr. Simpson exclaimed, "Oh my god. Emma, why didn't you tell us earlier?" Emma searched the room as if looking for something. Her eyes welled up as she replied, "I-I don't know. I was scared. I looked everywhere in the school. She's not here. She wouldn't skip, not with you being her guardian and teacher. She's missing. She has to be."

Mr. Simpson ran his hand over his head, "You, I don't know. Just stay here, I'm going to the office to call the police. And then I'm calling your mother. You'll probably go home early, the cops will want to talk to talk to you." With that said, the teacher/stepfather left Emma there alone and shaken.

(Bell Rings)….

"Umm hun, aren't you in the wrong period?" questioned Paige as she sat down in her seat, Hazel doing the same. Emma wiped the tears from her eyes and looked up at the popular girl. "Aren't you a bit snobby. I guess we have something in common; pointing out the obvious."

The class filled up quickly, still no Mr. Simpson here to control the talking. "Geez, what's up your ass?" barked Hazel, staring at the blonde headed grade ten. Emma exclaimed angrily, " Don't you have anything better to do than bother me? Why don't you leave me alone and go gossip about someone else!" Everyone stared at Emma like she had lost her mind.

She gazed around the room and saw that everyone was watching her every move. She slowly sat back down and burried her face in her arms. "Listen Emma, I'm sorry if I upset you. Do you want to tell me what's wrong? I mean I've never seen you like this." responded Paige soothingly.

Anger and sadness still pulsating through Emma's body, she retorted, "You wouldn't considering all you do is ignore me and then gossip about me when something reputation tarnishing happens." Hazel came over and stood beside Paige. "We just want to know what's wrong. We may come off snobby, but we care. Really, we do." said Hazel.

Emma couldn't take it anymore, she shot up from her chair angrily yet again. "Care? Maybe you would Hazel, but I don't think Paige is riding the same concerned train you're on." Emma turned her death glare upon Paige, "You're stupid ex-boyfriend takes a moment too long glance at Manny and its her fault. Yeah, real understanding Paige. You get carried away by your older boyfriend and all of a sudden the Spirit Squad isn't your number one priority so you dump it on Manny and take full credit when people actually take notice to the great cheers and routines Manny came up with."

Emma noticed she had everyone's attention so she used it to her full advantage. She continued, "Then when Manny actually confronts you about it, you get angry with her because she accidentally told Hazel about your tryst with the assistant MI teacher. She only told her because she thought she already knew. I meanHazel is your best friend. Its your own fault the school found out about your secret relationship Paige."

" You were just too busy caught up in your own ass that you didn't care about Mannybeing the one who caught the trash you left over and that Mr. Oleander got fired and had to move away. So, no I don't think you would actually care that Manny, my best friend is missing.You know that song 'Roses' by Outcast? Yea, it should be your theme song 'cuz your shit really is stinkin'." After finishing her resentment filled speech, Emma laid a mind numbing slap to Paige's face and left the room.

The room was left in silence, everyone afraid to speak. Tensions were high, so high nothing could cut through it. Minutes seemed to past by and still not even a whisper was uttered. Breaking the silence, Hazel said slowly, "Manny, missing. What's going happening next?"

Another student said, "Great, something bad has happened to Degrassi again!" The entire class moaned out in frustration, when was it going to stop? When is Degrassi going to stop being the school of bad happenings?

Elsewhere….

"Hey baby, how is itfeeling down there?" asked thekidnapper. His question was only followed by a swift kick and a cry out for help from the young female teenager who laid on the floor by his booted feet. Angry the guy exclaimed, "Just for that you get no lunch or dinner and I think I'll have some fun with you. How does that sound?"

The teenage female whimpered as the man dragged her to the worn out mattress in the middle of the cold cemented floor. "It looks like I'll be getting' some huh sweet cakes?" laughed sickly as he yanked off the teenagers pants. The girl squirmed beneath his strong iron clad grasp, trying to scream through her duck taped mouth. The man only held onto her tighter and said, "This is what you get for ruining what I had going with your little friend. Maybe next time you won't be a bitch!"

An hour later…

Standing up and zipping his pants, the man replied, "Honey if your that good, imagine how good you'd be if ya just move around some." He walked out the door and left a shivering Manny alone curled up on the mattress sobbing hysterically.

A/N: Its short but I wanted to get something up before Christmas. As I was writing this chapter, I got side tracked with the romance plot. Which means no Cranny or JimmyManny, or new character. This guys will be my second slash story (1st one being Marco's Girl). I'd luv to tell you who it is, but I'm pretty much going for the element of surprise here. If you don't like it after I announce who it is then you can tell me and I'll make some minor adjustments.

Hint: you know her by….never mind, the hint would take away the element of surprise. Sorry if I led you on. Hehehe. Lol hope you enjoy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!HAPPYCHRISMAHANNAKWANZIKA!