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Longing to Break Free

Chapter 5

He gazed up, wide eyed; his heart pounded as the man slowly wandered down the staircase.

His heart sank though as he quickly realized that the man had a black mask on. He was also dressed in black pretty much from head to toe. He still couldn't figure out who he was.

He finally hit the bottom of the floor and was now just inches from Troy. He was then in front of him; his eyes were focused on Troy. Troy suddenly realized the man was holding a gun, which was now pointed towards him. Troy eyed the man, he was completely frightened.

"Well, well," the man finally spoke, "I see we have finally woken up."

Troy felt a wave of disappointment as he hadn't recognized the voice that was coming from the man. This was his first time hearing his voice and it hadn't registered to him that it was someone he knew. He was hoping that hearing his voice might help him figure this out. That thought terrified him that this was someone he didn't know. But he had a very bad feeling that was the case.

The man laughed at Troy. He then nodded toward to the gun and looked at Troy, "You're probably wondering if I'm going to kill you. Maybe. I probably will eventually." He filled Troy in.

Troy looked at the man in terror. He couldn't help but feel extremely confused. He tried to cry out, hoping to convince the man to take off his gag.

"Oh alright," the man went, "I will take the gag off but not for very long. Don't try anything like screaming for help. Remember, I'm the one in control here, so don't try anything stupid or else." Finally, the gag was removed. It was relieving to not have to feel it after having it on for what felt like forever. He took a deep breath before speaking.

"Who are you?" he immediately demanded to know, "Why are you doing this?"

The man gave him a wickedly looking grin, "So stupid to be asking those questions. I told you not to do anything or you will get it," He suddenly raised his arm, and slapped Troy extremely hard in the face, causing Troy to cry out in pain. He slowly looked back up at the man.

"Oh that is nothing boy," the man looked at him directly in the eye, "That will feel like nothing once I'm through with you," This caused Troy to shake in fear; he wasn't enjoying the sound of this at all.

"I will however answer your questions somewhat and assure you that you don't know me. I am holding you for revenge. But that is all you need to know."

"Your crazy," He boldly spat out to the man, "If you think that-" his eyes widened as the man lifted his hand again towards his face and he felt a few more hard slaps. Troy could feel blood trickling down his face. He squeezed his eyes shut in pain as every blow hurt badly. He opened his eyes and looked up at him in anger.

"I am getting tired of your voice," The man had picked up the gag and was holding it in his hands, playing with it, "I think it's time to put this back on," He cringed as he felt the man tightly tie the gag behind his head. He then pulled away from Troy.

He made his way towards the staircase, he started walking up the steps, but turned back to look at Troy, "I have to go, but will be back for more, later," he then laughed as he opened the door, stepped out, and locked it behind him.

It had been the longest and the worst weekend of Gabriella's life.

It had been over forty eight hours since Chad's surprise party and over forty eight hours since anyone had seen or heard from Troy. It was as if he had just vanished. Everyone had been searching all weekend long, including the police, and still nobody could find him. What had happened to her Troy? Not knowing where he was the worst feeling ever. And she couldn't stand that she still didn't know.

She was now walking into East High. She had begged to not go today. But her mother insisted she get out and try and keep her mind productive. She needed her to get out instead of constantly worrying about Troy which is what she had been doing all weekend. She knew it wouldn't help going to school, that she wouldn't be able to focus on any of her classes. She would still be mostly worried sick about Troy and she knew it was all she was going to think about all day. How could she possibly focus on her classes when Troy could be off hurt somewhere or even worse?

She suddenly found herself directly in front of Troy's locker. She blinked. She then couldn't help but stare long and hard at it, for a very long time. It was hard to believe that it had been over forty eight hours ago since she last saw Troy by his locker. This had been the last place she had seen him. They had been so happy then. She remembered how he told her couldn't wait for the party that night and how he couldn't wait to spend time with her. It was hard to believe all that had happened in the past forty eight hours and that Troy was now just missing. It just wasn't fair. They should have had a wonderful night and instead it all had gone horribly wrong.

"I just can't believe this about Troy," she could hear Martha Cox say from a distance, "Gosh, Kels. I really hope they find him." She squeezed her eyes shut as she heard that.

She could suddenly feel a tap on her shoulder and she spun around. She looked up to see Taylor and Chad behind her.

"Hey guys," she greeted them, trying not to cry.

"Oh Gabi," Taylor reached over and hugged her friend tightly, "I wasn't sure if we would see you today here or not."

Gabriella pulled away from Taylor and she sighed, "I wanted to stay home but my mom pretty much forced me to come."

Chad nodded, "Maybe it's a good thing. It'll possibly keep your mind off all of this for awhile. I know that's unlikely but it's worth a shot at trying to be productive." he said even though it killed him having to be here as well and he wished more than anything he could be out doing something to help find Troy. He really couldn't believe his best friend was still missing.

"I just want to be out looking for him though, or doing something to help," Gabriellla quietly spoke.

Kelsi and Martha were suddenly next to them, along with Jason. Everyone greeted each other.

"I can't believe there hasn't been any clue all weekend as to where Troy is," Martha suddenly spoke up, "I hope someone finds him soon."

"I can't believe we haven't found him yet," Jason leaned against one of the lockers and sighed, "We've been searching everywhere." The group sadly looked at each other.

"Why haven't we found him yet?" Chad questioned, so many bad thoughts had been in his head all weekend about what could have happened to Troy and he hated the thought of any of them happening.

"Anything could have happened," Gabriella whispered, "I just hate all of this!"

"I just wish the police would find him sooner, it's been days!" Chad went suddenly, and the whole group went quiet at that comment.

"I hope they find him sometime today," Kelsi said, "I just want to make sure he's okay! It's killing me not knowing if he is."

"Yeah," Gabriella sighed, not sure if she believed they would find him today even, even though that was what she wanted more than anything in the world, but she was honestly beginning to loose hope. She held out her cell phone and stared at it, "The Boltons swore they would call me the second anything were to happen." she told the group.

"Let's hope they do," Taylor spoke hopefully; she then looked at the group, "Because it's just horrible not knowing what happened to Troy."

The whole group fell silent for a minute, all of them not sure what to say. They were all just way too worried about their friend who was nowhere to be found. Suddenly the bell rang, warning them to all get to class. The group of friends all looked at each other. None of them were sure if they could get through the day when they still didn't know what had happened to Troy.

"Let's all head to homeroom together," Jason suggested to all of his friends and they all nodded.

As they walked together all of them wished that they could find their missing friend.

They also all wished more than anything that he was here with them right now.