n0t3: I luv you guys!

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Title: Picture Perfect
Rating: T
Author: mylifeismine
Summary: Gabriella's being followed, so she does something drastic in order to save her son. She hands it over to the father. Troy Bolton. The NBA star must find Gabriella, though. Life or death. An easy statement, not easy to accomplish though. Troyella.
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Length: Story

Chapter Ten- Flames
"Now. Who should I kill first? Nick? Gabriella? Or pretty boy over here?" Tim said cheerfully, as he looked from each person he had named.

No one said anything.

"Volunteers?" Tim said, his gun still by Troy's skull.

"Me."

Everyone stared at the volunteer.

Gabriella.

"Gabriella?" Troy squeaked.

Tim laughed, and took his gun off Troy, and over to Gabriella.

"No. I'll go first."

Tim looked from Gabriella to Troy, then back.

Tim laughed, "Two volunteers. Even better. Who's first?"

"Me," they bother said in unison.

Tim chuckled, "Why not you two discuss who's going to go first in the corner over there. I'm sure you all want your last minutes sorting things out."

The two walked over to the corner.

"I'm going first," Gabriella said firmly.

"No. You will not got first," Troy hissed.

"Why not?" Gabriella said with her arms crossed on her chest.

"Because you're the mother of Nick."

"So? You're the father of Nick," Gabriella shot back.

Troy was speechless.

"So I'm going first," Gabriella finalized, turning to go to Tim.

Troy grabbed her arm, and spun her to face him, "Why are you so desperate to go first?"

Gabriella shook his arm off her, "Because. I've lived with this for four and a half years. I can't take it anymore. Even if I leave alive-which won't happen-, I'll still be running from place to place. Tim doesn't give up easily. He'll follow you for years, and he won't give up. Four years is enough. The more I run, the more desperate for my bones they are. Why not end it here, and never have to run for my life again?"

"Well if I die, you'll be free," Troy said.

"Are you stupid!?" Gabriella yelled in his face, frustrated, "Neither of us will get out of here alive."

Troy's face was blank.

Gabriella groaned with frustration, "If you go first, Nick and I will go next. This isn't a win/win situation, Troy."

"Why will all of us die?"

"Because we know too much. I you didn't come, you wouldn't die. I would, and they would hunt for Nick soon. You know their names, where they are, and what they do. In order to wipe away all the evidence, they have to kill witnesses too, not just the victims."

Troy didn't say anything.

But Gabriella didn't want one.

Her eyes few wide, noticing what danced behind Troy.

Flames.

Fiery red flames.

Troy whipped around, feeling the temperature rise.

Flames danced around the two.

Spreading like wildfire.

The fire alarm went off.

Nick.

"Nick!" Gabriella yelled as Nick disappeared behind the flames.

Gabriella ran towards where Nick had been before the flames stood at his place.

Troy pulled Gabriella back, "I'll go find Nick. You, get out. Fast," Troy jerked to where the three bright red flaming Tim, Baites, and Rogue were, running out of the burning place.

"If I don't come back, remember. I love you," Troy pressed his lips on to Gabriella's, then disappeared into the flames.

Gabriella started to follow Troy.

'No, Gabs. Get out!' Gabriella heard Troy say in her head.

Gabriella shook her head, knowing it was her imagination.

'Gabriella Montez. Get the hell out of here!' the voice said louder.

'Fine.'

Gabriella ran towards the exit.

As she was about to leave, she turned back, "I love you, Troy."

I love you too, Gabs.