Disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue.
A/N: Wow, thanks for the positive response to the first chapter! This chapter is a little bit graphic, and kind of upsetting. I would probably keep tissues ready for the next few chapters.
Random Moment of the Chapter: I wuv Zac Efron!
Enjoy!
Troy, Gabriella, Ryan, and Sharpay fell to the floor as the gunmen walked up to the cashier. The two men were holding their guns in front of them, pointed straight at the two cashiers.
"Empty the register!" the taller one said, throwing a canvas bag at the teenager behind the counter. She didn't move, practically shaking with fear as she looked at the two men. Her partner watched her, his face betraying his own fear.
"Do it!" the second man yelled, raising the gun even higher.
Gabriella clenched her eyes and clutched Troy's arm, drawing him closer to her. He held her tight, watching the action before them.
"I-I can't," she whispered, her hands shaking as she held the bag.
"What the hell do you mean, you can't? Just do it!"
"Listen, guys, calm down," the male cashier said, stepping forward slightly. "Leave her alone, I'll get your money."
"Somebody just put the damn money in the bag!" the taller one shouted, waving the gun erratically. At that moment, the sounds of police sirens split the air, startling everyone.
"Shit!"
"Who called the cops?" the taller one asked, wheeling around and pointing the gun at the customers. Gabriella trembled as the gun passed over her and buried her face in Troy's shirt.
"Come on, man, maybe no one called them," Troy said, swallowing heavily as he held Gabriella close. "They're probably not even coming here."
"Shut up!" the tall one shouted, shoving the gun in Troy's face. The sirens came closer as a cop car pulled into the parking lot. "Shit!"
"Come on man, we can get out the back, we gotta go!"
"Bobby, shut up! You don't get it, we're screwed already!" Slamming his fist into the wall, the taller one paused thinking.
"I don't want to go to jail, Drew, you said-"
"Bobby, I know what I said! And we're not going to jail, I've got a plan." He straightened up, switching his gun to the other hand. He walked back to the cashiers, pointing it at the girl. "You. You're coming with us."
"Whoa, man, come on," the other one said, stepping between them. "Leave her out of this, she-" He was cut off when the taller one, Drew, slammed the butt of the gun into his temple. His partner screamed, but Drew stepped around the counter, holding the gun to her head.
"Troy, he's going to kill her," Gabriella whispered, tears streaming down her face. Sharpay was hugging her knees, shaking, as Ryan tried to comfort her.
"Alright, this is how it's gonna work," Drew said, keeping the gun against the girl's head as he pushed her in front of him. "You are gonna go over there and lock the door," he said, pointing the gun at Ryan. " Now!"
Sharpay whimpered as Ryan hugged her, standing up and walking slowly to the door. He turned the lock, his hands shaking as he walked back to his friends.
"Alright, everyone get up here, now!" Drew shouted, nodding at Bobby. The younger one walked through the store, looking for any other customers. He walked back to Drew, looking at the small group of people in front of them. Besides Troy, Gabriella, Ryan and Sharpay, there were three young girls, an older woman, and the two cashiers.
"Drew, man, I don't think this is a great idea," Bobby said quietly, his uncertainty clear in his voice.
"Bobby, shut up! Alright, now no one's gonna move. Anyone moves, and I shoot her. Got it?"
There was a banging on the door, the sudden sound causing Drew and Bobby to wheel around.
"Open up! This is the police!"
Drew walked over to the door, still keeping the gun against the girl's head.
"Open up!"
"I'm sorry, officer, but I'm afraid I can't do that."
"Who am I talking to? Is something wrong in there?"
"Actually officer, we're all fine in here, but I have to tell you that, if you don't move away from this door, I'm going to have to shoot this lovely lady standing next to me."
"Drew, maybe we should turn ourselves in," Bobby whispered, looking around at the scared people on the floor. They had been sitting there for half an hour in terror, waiting for the two men to make their next move. Drew sighed, turning to face Bobby.
"Bobby, it's too late, don't you understand?"
"But Drew, we haven't shot anyone yet, we'd probably be able to cut a deal, we-"
The sound of a cell phone ringing split the air. Drew wheeled around, his gun immediately in his hand. Troy was fumbling in his pocket, pulling out his cell phone.
"Hey! Are you calling someone?"
"No, it's my dad, he's worried, I was supposed to be home, he-"
"Give me the phone."
"What?"
"Give it to me!"
Troy swallowed heavily, reluctantly handing the phone to Drew. The other man looked at it for a moment, before turning and hurling it against the wall.
"You called him," he said, turning back to Troy.
"No, I-"
"Don't lie," Drew said, cocking the gun and aiming it at Troy. Gabriella squeaked in fear as Sharpay clung to Ryan.
"I'm not lying, you have to-"
The sound of a gunshot spilt the air as Drew pulled the trigger.
"No!" Bobby cried, throwing himself against Drew. The gun moved from it's target, but the bullet still managed to hit something. As Troy opened his eyes, he looked to his left. The teenage cashier was leaning against the counter, her hand clutching her stomach as bright red blood seeped through her fingers.
Troy jumped up, ignoring the two gunmen as he rushed to her side. He helped her to the floor, gently moving her hand to see the wound.
"Hey, what's your name?" he asked, taking off his jacket to press it against the bullet hole.
"April," she whispered, her terrified eyes locking onto his. "Am I going to die?"
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Troy replied, smiling reassuringly at her. He turned back to the two gunmen. "She needs a hospital, she's bleeding all over the place."
"Look man, I didn't mean to shoot her-"
"Well, it's a little late for that!"
Gabriella slid over to where Troy was kneeling over April, taking his hand from the jacket. She smiled at the young woman, her free hand reaching to grab Troy's.
"Troy, calm down," she said, drawing his attention back to April.
"This shouldn't have happened, it's my fault," Troy muttered, shaking his head as he watched Gabriella press his jacket against April's wound.
An hour later, they were still there, waiting for Drew and Bobby to come to their senses.
"How is she?" Ryan asked quietly, making sure Drew was facing the other direction as he slid over to the others. Troy sighed.
"She really needs a hospital, she's losing too much blood." Even as he spoke, April's eyes began to slide closed.
"No, April, you need to stay awake," Gabriella said, shaking the cashier's shoulder gently. "April?"
"That's it!" Troy said angrily, standing up "This has gone far enough, someone needs to put a stop to it."
"Troy, please, don't do anything stupid," Gabriella pleaded, putting a hand on his leg to stop him from moving. "Please, just stay here."
"Gabi, I wish I could. But April needs to get out of here, and this has to end."
"No, Troy, please-"
"I love you, Gabriella," he whispered, crouching down to kiss her forehead before standing up slowly again. Sighing resolutely, he walked over to the two gunmen.
"No!" Gabriella sobbed, clutching Ryan's arm as he and Sharpay watched Troy approach the two men slowly. "No, Troy, please don't."
"Hey, Drew, I need to talk to you," Troy said, tapping the older gunman on the shoulder.
"What?"
"I want you to let April out of here."
Drew laughed, shaking his head.
"No."
"Come on, man, look at her! You're in enough trouble already, you don't want to add murder."
"Listen, punk, I've had enough of your heroics," Drew said, drawing his gun again and pointing it at Troy. "The only person who tells me what to do is me. Got it?"
"But-"
"This is the Albuquerque PD!" a loud voice shouted from outside the store, startling both Troy and Drew. "If you do not come out with your hands where we can see them, we're going to have to storm the building."
"Shit!" Drew exclaimed, looking at Bobby. The younger one was practically trembling in fear. "Bobby, look, I never meant-"
"I'm going out there," Bobby said quietly, refusing to look at Drew. "He's right, this has gone too far. You said no one would get hurt."
"Bobby, come on, you can't do this. I'm your brother, you have to do what I say," Drew said, his eyes softening slightly as he looked at Bobby. "You know I never meant to hurt her."
"Drew, I love you. You're my role model, I've always looked up to you. But I can't listen to you. Not this time." Bobby made to leave, turning his back on his brother. Drew immediately became angry.
"Don't do it, Bobby. It'll be the last thing you do." He raised his gun, leveling it at Bobby's back. The younger one continued toward the door, unfazed. Troy stood, shocked, watching the scene with a mixture of fear and sadness.
"Bobby!"
"I'm sorry, Drew."
"No, Bobby, you can't do this to me!" Drew cried, his anger overcoming his other emotions. He cocked the gun, his hand shaking as he aimed it at his brother. Bobby continued toward the door., even as Troy moved closer.
"Drew, come on, Bobby's right. Don't hurt him, don't-"
"I'm sorry," Drew whispered, closing his eyes and pulling the trigger. The sound of the gunshot rang loudly through the room, accompanied by a cry of pain. The entire store froze, and a body slumped to the ground.
A/N: Cliffhanger! Who was shot? You have to wait till next chapter to find out!
Reviews greatly appreciated as always.
Coming in Chapter 3: Who was shot? Was it Troy? Or Bobby? Or did Drew kill himself? Oh, the possibilities!