So here is the second last chapter. I should warn you the next one is going to have some pretty steamy bits so if that offends you, please make this your last chapter and don't read the next one. Hope you enjoy and let me know if you do. Love Tink.
As Troy sped towards the nearest ramp to Meadow Creek, Gabriella was being dragged along the rough track away from the car.
"Will you stop struggling babe, I'm not gonna hurt you… unless I have to" Christian said pulling her along behind him, as stumbled in the dirt.
Gabriella twisted her body this way and that, trying to get free, sobbing harder than before.
"Christian, please don't do this" she begged, still tugging her on her hand.
Christian stopped and turned to look at her "Don't be scared babe, I'll be gentle" he said wiping the tears away "You are so beautiful… I can't wait to have you"
He turned away and carried on walking, ignoring Gabriella's futile struggles and pleas.
Troy exited the freeway and drove towards Meadow Creek, hoping he wasn't too late, feeling sick to his stomach, adrenaline pumping through his whole body. The roads towards Meadow Creek were nothing but dirt tracks, surrounded by thick trees, making it hard to see where you were. Troy scanned the area as they drove, hoping to see a sign, something to tell him which way they had come. He looked around frantically, desperate to find Gabi. Suddenly Chad called out,
"Stop! Look it's his car!"
Troy turned sharply down the dirt road and jumped out as soon as the car came to a halt, his heart thumping, fear coiling like a snake, in the pit of his stomach.
The car was deserted, the doors left open, Gabriella's cell phone abandoned on the back seat.
"Fuck, Fuck, Fuck, we're too late" he cursed, punching the hood of the car.
Bile rising in his throat, at the thought he'd missed them.
"Look there's a track down there, it's the only way he could have gone" Zeke pointed through the trees, and the group set off at a run.
Gabriella saw the tin shack looming out of the darkness, and felt a wave of fear come over her. If Christian got her into that shack, she may never come out again. She began to dig her heels in to the rough terrain, pulling against him more than ever, fear making her stronger. She didn't want to die.
Christian pushed open the door with one hand and threw her onto the ground, standing over her. Gabriella fell to her knees, crying, feeling the prickle of tiny pebbles through her dress. Looking around her noticed the shack was made up of one room, with little furniture, aside from a camp bed and a cooler. There was one small window, with a net tacked across it, making it almost impossible to see in or out. She attempted to get up, staggering to her feet.
"Stay where you are babe, you'll have to beg" he taunted, pushing her roughly, back onto the floor.
"Don' touch me" she cried as he crouched down beside her, removing a dull edged knife, from a nearby box.
"Now babe, you're not being nice to me" he said waving the knife before her, dragging it along the column of her neck, down to her breasts.
Gabriela could feel it scratching across her skin, not painful, just barely there, but enough to know he meant business.
"Why are you doing this?" she sobbed, terrified and shaking, looking up into his face.
"Because I love you babe and I know you love me, but I understand that you're shy…You'll need special treatment to get you going" he said licking his lips and grinning that insane grin of his.
"This isn't love, you don't love me"
"But I want you Gab, so much…Take it off" he hissed indicating to her dress, his traveling up and down her body.
Gabriella shook her head mutely, tears falling from her eyes
"Do it Gabriella" he said "Or I'll do it for you"
Troy's heart pounded with fear, his breathing harsh from running, as he looked about him searching for a clue as to Gabriella's whereabouts. He knew he couldn't call her name; it may alert Christian to her presence and put her in more danger. It was difficult to see in the darkness with only the light from the moon and stars to guide them, Troy was terrified he'd missed something. Guilt flooded through him, if only he'd have taken Gabriella to the dance, if only he'd have persuaded Matsuai to listen to him.
"Troy look, up there" Zeke pointed to a small tin shack,
"Think that's them?" Chad asked, as they slowed their pace for a second
Troy nodded "Could be, there's not where else for them to go"
The trio hunkered down so as not to be spotted and advanced on the shack.
Christian reached out a hand, and grabbed the front of her dress, tearing it savagely.
Gabriella cowered away in fear, her beautiful dress hanging in tatters around her waist.
"Please, please don't do this" she begged, scooting across the floor, backing away from him, as he hands began to push the bottom half of his costume down.
"You know you want me babe…You are so hot" he breathed as he advanced on her, stroking himself through his shorts.
Gabriella felt sick to her stomach, he was crazy and he was going to hurt her, she knew it as surely as she knew she was never going to see her family and friends again. Scrambling backwards, she felt the cold iron of the cot against her back and realized she was trapped, with no way to get away.
"Get on the bed Gabriella" he said harshly, his eyes wild.
She shook her head, tears rolling down her face, looking for a way out, looking for an escape.
"I'm not gonna make this easy for you, you bastard" she cried, a surge of defiance sweeping though her.
Christian grinned sickly "So you like it rough babe, that can be arranged" he smirked and reached out to grab her breasts through her bra. Gabriella slapped her hands away, reeling as seconds later Christian back handed her across the face, his hand slipping down to yank her bra down.
Troy heard Gabriella's cry from outside the shack his heart thudding, if she was shouting then it meant she was still alive at least. The door to the shack stood open and Troy crept toward it, praying he wouldn't be seen. Looking in he could just make out the shape of Gabriella in the corner against a cot and Christian stood above her, his hand raised.
"Don't you fuckin touch her, you son of a bitch" Troy roared, stepping inside, Zeke and Chad right behind him.
Two things happened at once, Christian turned around in shock, and Gabriella scrambled to her feet, scurrying to Chad's side.
"Bolton, the things you'll do for a quick fuck" Christian chuckled coldly.
Troy looked briefly at Gabriella, reassuring himself she was safe before he said "Chad take her and go"
Chad shook his head "We're staying man, don't do anything stupid" he warned Troy.
"I'm not" he assured Chad, unable to look at Gabriella, unable to stand hearing her soft sobs, as he walked towards Christian.
"He has a knife" she cried out as Christian swung at Troy, the knife in hand.
Troy erupted in blind fury, first making sure Gabriella was safe with Chad, but seeing her so defamed had sent him into a tailspin. Troy felt himself exploding, having the advantage of icy rage. Christian lunged at Troy. But Troy was too quick; he punched Christian in the jaw, sending him spinning, landing on the floor. Bending over him, he hit him again and again, taking out all his fear, all his hate, all his anger. Christian attempted to lash out, but Troy was too pumped, too furious to let him do any damage. After only a few minutes he felt Zeke wrapping his arms around his wait from behind and pull him away from Christian.
Troy was still shaking with rage, his knuckles bruised and bloody, his heart pounding. Slowly he approached Gabriella her beautiful dress, hanging in dirty tatters around her waist, her face red with tears. She looked desolate, forlorn and so devastated; it hurt him to look at her. Her eyes were pleading with him, wanting him to heal her, to look after her, to hold her.
Gabriella stood behind Chad a little dazed, she had been since Chad, Troy and Zeke had burst through the door. All she wanted was to get away from Christian and go home, go where she could be safe. She trembled from head to foot as she sobbed, wanting to be in Troy's arms. Gabriella had seen the determination on his face as Troy fought, every punch sending a message, every punch a punishment. The sound of Gabriella soft sobs making his heart constrict. Gabriella had a slight bruised and swelling under her eye, but it was the fact that she looked scared and uncertain that really got to hi. Troy opened his arms and with a whimper she threw herself into them. He squeezed her tight, hoping to God he wasn't going to make a fool of himself by crying in front of her. Gabriella looked up at him, seeing his fear, worry and hurt. He raised one bloody hand and touched the bruise on her face softly, reverently.
Gabriella closed her eyes.
"You get your shit and get outta East High, we're going to the cops," he snarled to Christian.
He removed the black leather jacket he wore and draped it around her shoulders, pulling it closed, covering her modesty.
He looked at her and pulled her to him again for another quick hard hug, reassuring himself, reassuring her, that everything was going to be alright. Gabriella shook so badly she could hardly walk; she felt sick, dizzy, and weak stumbling as they left the shack.
Troy sensing her frailty, swept her up into his arms, holding her close to his chest, feeling the shivers that wracked her body.
"It's gonna be okay Gab I promise" he whispered, against her hair, kissing her softly.
Gabriella sobbed, tears scalding her cheeks, she cried in relief, cried for what she'd nearly lost and all Troy could do was whisper words of comfort to her as he carried her back to the car.
Troy felt like crying himself at the damage that had been done to Gabriella, she had been kidnapped, held at knife point and assaulted, her innocence nearly taken from her.
"You wanna go home?" he asked holding her close to him.
Gabriella shook her head through her tears "I want to be around people, take me to Sharpay's"
Chad pulled out his cell and called ahead to tell Taylor and Sharpay that they found Gab and were on there way back.
Hours later Gabriella finally found herself alone, in the bathroom at Sharpay's. After returning home, Sharpay had cancelled her party and called the police. They came took a statement, photos and collected her clothing for forensics. After hours of questioning they assured her, Christian would be placed under arrest and would not be returning to East High. They offered her counseling which she refused and told her they would be in touch again tomorrow. So now here she was soaking in a hot bath, trying to wash away the feeling of Christian's touch on her skin, as she sobbed as though her heart would break. She felt dirty, used, even though Troy had stopped him before anything really bad had happened. It had all gone wrong, she'd intended to talk to Troy and make him see how much she wanted him but now she was tainted and Troy would never want her.
Troy listened outside the bathroom door as Gabriella cried, feeling tears well in his own eyes at the pain she felt. He felt like a bastard that he hadn't been there to stop this happening in the first place; instead he'd been here at Sharpay's setting up a romantic night for them, candles, flowers, the whole nine yards.
All he had to do was be there and none of this would have happened. He listened as the water went down the plug hole and as Gabriella dressed herself, then dried her hair. He was so worried about what was going to happen to them, that he didn't notice when she stepped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom.
Troy felt his breath catch in his throat, she looked so beautiful, so vulnerable and so innocent. Her hair was tied back loosely and she a white night shirt that had tiny buttons up the front. Her long elegant legs were bare , as were her feet.
"How you feeling?" he asked as she crossed the room and sat on the bed next to him.
"Better" she said softly, hiding a yawn behind her hand.
"I should go, I only came by to see if you need anything before turning in"
"You're not staying?" Gabriella sounded scared and maybe a little disappointed.
"I'm bunking in with Ryan, figured you'd wanna be on your own" he face was taut as he tried to smile, reassuring her.
Gabriella shook her head "Please stay with me Troy, I won't be able to sleep if you're not with me" she pleaded her eyes wide.
"I'll stay" he said quickly then paused ,"give me five minutes" he said and before getting up placed a soft kiss her to her forehead.
Troy disappeared into the bathroom, took a quick shower and remerged, five minutes later, slightly damp wearing only a pair of soft jogging bottoms, he usually slept in. Gabriella had already got into bed and was laid watching him, tears dripping off the end of her nose.
"Hey what's all this Brie" he said sitting next to her, stroking her hair.
"I'm sorry Troy, I just feel so dirty, so tainted" she cried.
"Brie, you're not, you did nothing wrong, you're beautiful" he said softly, fighting his own tears again at the pain in her voice, as he lowered himself behind her and wrapped her in his arms. He could feel the sobs wracking her body as he held her close to his chest, letting her cry it out. For long minutes they stayed that way until Troy realized that Gabriella had cried herself to sleep. Placing a soft kiss to her head, he closed his eyes and relaxed, feeling himself drift away.
Troy usually slept well but being in strange bed and having Gabriella curled up in his arms meant that, although he slept he was very aware of her. When she began to move restlessly and mutter in her sleep, Troy stirred and made soft soothing sounds in her ear. Touching her cheek with a soft finger tip he felt it wet with tears and his heart clenched painfully.
In the near darkness he could just make out her features, her mouth trembling, as she whimpered.
"Brie, wake up, Brie" he said softly, unable to take her distress.
Seconds later Gabriella went rigid and cried out, scrambling to get away from the circle of his arms. She flailed about wildly, lashing out at his chest, fighting to be free. Troy rolled her under him and pinned her in place with his body, resting his weight on his arms either side of her head. Gabriella continued to struggle, unaware in her half sleep, where she was, who she was with.
"Gabi, it's me. It's Troy, you're safe now" he whispered, his voice piercing her fog of fear.
Gabriella opened her eyes, looking lost and confused, then she began to cry again.
Troy moved off her and rolled to the side, taking her with him, as she sobbed against is chest for long minutes before her sobs abated to snuffles and shuddering breaths.
He moved away from her and disappeared into the bathroom, returning with a cool cloth and a bundle of tissue which he handed to her. Gabriella was sat up in the centre of the bed, her knees pulled up, an arm around them and the sheet wrapped around her body.
"I'm so sorry" she sighed as Troy sat on the bed next to her and pretended not to notice how she moved away from him. Taking the cloth he caught her heated and sticky face in his hands and gently stroked the cloth over it.
"You don't have anything to be sorry for Gab" he assured her, as he handed her the cloth and she held it over her swollen eyes, feeling it soothing coolness against her hot skin.
"I do, this isn't what I wanted for us" she hiccupped and he waited, giving her time to talk "I wanted you to know how much you mean to me" she sighed again and took another shuddering breath before continuing "I wanted to tell you that I love you…that I've always loved you, probably from the moment we met"
Troy froze, struck by the enormity of her confession. She loved him? She'd always loved him? He thought he'd known her inside out but this took him by surprise. He loved her back of course, she was so special, so beautiful, how could he not?
Troy stroked a light hand down her back, his body tensing with awareness and arousal at her words. Her eyes were red and puffy like her nose, her soft skin was blotchy but Troy though she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Touching her face with soft fingertips he placed a kiss into her hair
"God Brie, I love you too, so much" he murmured against her, his voice husky with meaning
Gabriella's eyes widened and she jumped a little, had she just imagined what he had said? Had he really just said the words she'd waited so long to hear? She blinked then blushed, staring dumbly.
Troy forced a grin at her silence "Gabi you ok?"
She swallowed back yet more tears as joy burst inside her like little tiny bubbles and nodded
"Uh huh" she breathed, turning to him with a tremulous smile and touched the hard set of his jaw.
"I've always loved you Troy, for six long years I've waited for you to notice me" she confessed quietly before launching herself at him and holding him tight. Troy peppered kisses along her hair line and held her to him, happy that she was safe and he was with her.