Chapter 7 – Seeing is Definitely Believing

Chapter 7 – Seeing is Definitely Believing

AN: Guys, because I feel bad that I haven't updated in a long time I have decided to update the next chapter. I am writing the next chapter and hopefully will have it up soon (it should definitely be up by next week!).

Here's the next chapter. I'm glad that so many people are enjoying this story. I myself am becoming pretty attached to it. It seems to me that this story is one of my more creative and better-written ones.

Anyway, here's the anticipated next chapter. Let me warn you that it does get a bit graphic when describing Gabriella. Won't say too much. I know that most of you are aware that this story is rated 'T', so it will have mature content. Most of you though probably know that and are ok with it. I'm just warning you guys.

Troy's P.O.V

I was led into the cottage by Markus, a rush of memories swarming me as I walked through the various rooms of the cottage. I finally was led to a set of stairs, which I knew led to the basement. As I walked down, I could feel nerves in my stomach. How badly was Gabriella hurt? Had I arrived in time?

"Troy, ready to see your princess? She's missed you, did you know that?" Daniel said with an evil cackle. I hated him for what he was doing to my poor Gabriella.

"You…" before I could continue the lights were switched on. I finally got a look around the room. There was blood staining the walls. It made me feel sick. But it was the next sight that made my face turn green. On the far right side, lying with her face facing me was Gabriella. Except, it didn't look like her at all. Her face was pale as a ghost, probably from all of her blood loss. She had bruises on her face, and a deep gash just above her right eye, with a line of blood streaming down that side of her face. I could see scarlet highlighting her hair, and I knew that somewhere she had a gash on her head as well, probably from when he had hit her against the pole in the web-cam. It was then that I got a look at her. Her left arm was bent in a funny position, and so I knew that it was broken, maybe worse. The white t-shirt she was wearing was stained with blood, and it was raised a bit so I could see the blackness that was her stomach. The pink sweatpants that I had bought her were pink, but I could see that her right knee was bent in a funny position. He must have broken that as well. All in all, she was in a terrible condition. The words that Markus had said were still ringing in my ears, and right now a certain saying was in my mind. Seeing was definitely believing.

Jack's P.O.V

So far there had been no progress in the search. Worst of all, I hadn't seen my son in four hours. Chad had told me that he went on a walk to get some air, but I was getting nervous. Walks don't take four hours. Maybe he had returned and was sitting in a spare cabin, or was talking with his friends. Just as I was about to walk out of the mess hall, which was now police headquarters, the police chief walked up to me.

"Well sir, we need to ask your permission for a photo of Miss Montez that can be shown publically."

"Sure. Why, might I ask?" I asked him. They had already been given one photo which was sent to news broadcasters all over the state and soon country to tell the public about the tragedy which was occurring.

"You see sir, we are now going to walk around and talk to the cottage owners and see if they heard anything suspicious that night." I nodded, handed him a picture of Gabriella at her Graduation, Troy's arms around her. They were both looking at the camera, but any viewer could see the love the two had for one another.

"This is the identical picture sent to broadcasters, am I right sir?" He asked me.

"Yes." I replied. "But this is the only picture that I have of her, and my son is not here right now to give you another one. Though I bet you he has thousands to choose from, and it would be hard for him to find one." The officer nodded and walked away. It was then that it dawned on me.

Local Cottages.

David's family had a cottage.

It wasn't far from here.

That is when I realized it. He had a cottage here, making it easy for him to snatch Gabriella and have somewhere to take her quickly. It was private property, so nobody entered it unless invited. It was the perfect place to hold someone hostage. Then, another worry crowded my mind.

What if Troy had already figured it out? What if he had already gone there alone, to try and persuade Daniel to let Gabriella go? It couldn't be possible. Just as these thoughts ran through my head, Chad, Taylor, Sharpay, Zeke, Ryan and Kelsi walked into the room. I quickly walked towards them.

"Have you guys seen Troy?" I asked them.

"No sir. He went for a walk four hours ago, but I thought he came back here to help some more with the investigation." Chad responded. If Chad didn't know where he was, then my prediction was becoming truer and truer.

"Did Troy mention anything to you about a cottage?" I asked.

"No Coach Bolton." Sharpay replied. "Why, do you think Troy went to a cottage?" She asked innocently.

"Not a cottage. Daniel's cottage." I responded. Each of their faces paled. It turned and ran back towards the chief. He turned towards me.

"How can I help you, Mr. Bolton?" He asked.

"Daniel Anderson, the kidnapper, his family had a cottage. I just remembered now. It was not far from here. My son…" I paused, tears welling up in my eyes. "He remembered and headed to find the cottage. I know Gabriella's there. She just has to be!" I yelled.

"I'm sorry sir, we can't send people to this cottage unless we have proof that that is where he has taken them." I sighed in defeat and turned to walk back to the gang.

"If you guys see Troy, please tell him to come to me. But I have a feeling Troy's not coming back tonight." I replied. I was worrying more and more. Daniel had Gabriella, and now he potentially had Troy. This situation was becoming worse and worse.

Troy's P.O.V

"Breaking News! An 18-year-old girl has been missing for a couple of days now. She was last seen in her cabin at camp. Her boyfriend came to visit her in the middle of the night, to see she was nowhere to be found. A letter was taped to the dresser. It appears that the kidnapper has a past with the girl's boyfriend, Seen in the picture here." On the small TV screen flashed a picture of Gabriella and me at Graduation, holding each other tight.

"Aww, is that you're graduation?" Daniel teased. "She looked a lot better then, let me tell you!" I looked down at Gabriella's body, which was in its same motionless position as it had been an hour ago. I was being help up by Markus, who was much stronger than I.

"She needs a hospital. Please, release her, and keep me." I pleaded.

"No. You see if she is treated, the police will recognize her, and they will then link it to us. We will be tracked down, and arrested. If she dies, then we can peacefully get rid of her and then nobody will have to know!" He replied. I looked at him with disgust. He turned and looked at Markus.

"Markus, we must go upstairs. I'm getting hungry. Tie Troy to the pole." He instantly walked me over to the pole and tied me up, my arms behind my back. Together they walked up the stairs and out of the room, closing the door behind them. I turned to look at Gabriella's frail body, still unmoving. It pained me to see her so weak. I shifted, and that was when I felt my cell phone resting in my pocket. It was fully charged, and I could get bars here because I was in New Mexico. I tried to undo my hands, my basketball fingers moving quickly. I then remembered what Gabriella had taught me, and began rubbing them against each other. The friction caused the string to wear, making it easy for me to break. I brought my hands to my pocket and took out my cell phone. I knew that making a call would be too loud, so I decided to send a text message to my father.

Dad, Daniel had a cottage, remember?

I'm There now.

Gabriella barely alive needs medical care urgent.

Please come! 911!

Troy

I quickly sent it, turned it on 'silence everything' and turned my phone off. I needed to save the power, incase I would need it again. After sticking the phone back in my pocket, it was then that I crawled over to Gabriella. I didn't want to risk moving her, incase she had a broken back or spine, so I instead began stroking her hair. He remained unconscious, and I was afraid that she was dead, until suddenly to my relief, she began to stir. She moaned, and she must have felt someone touching her hair because she immediately froze and began shaking.

"Calm down Gabi, calm down. It's me." I whispered to her.

"T…troy?" Her voice was weak and raspy. I knew it took a lot of her strength to say that.

"Yes Gabi, it's me. Relax." I continued stroking her hair. She shifted slightly, and I could see a pained expression on her face. "Gabi, easy. Don't move too much. I don't know how badly you're hurt." She nodded and placed her head back down on the ground.

"T…roy?" she said.

"Yes Gabi?" I asked.

"I…lo…love…you" she told me. I smiled.

"Gabriella, I love you too! More than you could never know." I answered. I could see a smile form on her pale, bruised face.

"Now isn't that just sweet?" Said a voice. Not just any voice.

The voice of a killer.

AN: Sorry this chapter is short, but I am making room for the next one, which will hopefully be very long. This is just kind of an introduction to what will happen in the next chapter. Anyone have any predictions? I'm really curious to see what you guys think will happen!

Review please!

Xoxo,

Vfanforlife