Disclaimer: I don't own…you already know what I don't own. I do own…you already know that one too. Anyone who can tell me all those things I've mentioned from all those past chappies will get a big giant virtual cake and cookie platter of all assortments! So yeah…just go check the past 34 chappies for the answer…s…plural. Answers. Right…
Chapter 35: Recaps and More Problems
Sharpay and Rachael appeared in a familiar dark cell. It was exactly the same except…the bars were fixed. Sharpay moaned in frustration. "Where are we?" Rachael asked fearfully. "We're back in the cell next to our moms." Sharpay explained and then realized, "Oh my gosh, our moms!" "What about them?" Rachael asked worriedly. There was definitely something going on that she wanted to know about. "Rachael!" Sharpay stated ecstatically, "Our moms have been turned into the flying vampiric monkeys!" "What?" Rachael squeaked, "My mom can't be a monkey!" "Well, she is…they are." Sharpay repeated, breathing heavily and trying to calm herself down.
There was a moan from one of the darker corners of the cell. "Cloe?" Sharpay and Rachael both asked hopefully. They took a step closer to the corner the sound had come from. "Oh…what happened?" came a weak voice. "Cloe!" the other two girls cheered as Cloe sat up and the glow emanating from the amulet lit up her face. They ran over to her sobbing as they gave her a huge hug. "Oh, Cloe." Sharpay cried, "I just don't know how to tell you this." "What?" Cloe asked as dizziness took over. "Ryan was captured." Rachael sobbed hysterically, "Theresa took him away."
Just then, Ryan's agonizing screams echoed through the hallway. "Oh, Ryan." Sharpay cried even harder, "His pain is my pain and it hurts not being able to help him." Cloe, still not grasping the whole situation, broke free of their grasp and leaned against the wall to steady herself. The amount of distress in the room was overpowering. The last thing she remembered seeing was a bright light and Ryan's concerned expression. Now, she was being told that he was in trouble? Cloe looked around to see Rachael comforting an agonized Sharpay. "It's not our fault." Rachael whispered probably as a consolation to herself as well as to Sharpay.
Cloe closed her eyes and let herself fall asleep to clear her mind a little better. She eventually woke up to hear the barred doors slide open and the pattering of heavy feet. There was a set of forced steps and a set of heavy steps that clunked every time they hit the floor. Cloe couldn't manage to open her eyes so she listening as what she thought was a dark knight pushed someone into the cell with them. The doors closed and the clunking footsteps faded away. Cloe listened to the heavy breathing of the newcomer. She finally managed to open her eyes and take in her surroundings.
It was a lot darker now than it was before she'd drifted off to sleep, which meant it was night. Cloe used the glow of the amulet as a light to examine the cell. She saw that Sharpay and Rachael were asleep in another corner of the cell. Near the cell door, a figure sat with their knees tucked up to their chin and their forehead resting on them. The figure's arms were crossed over the knees, blocking their face, but Cloe thought she recognized who it was anyway. She attempted to stand, but found that her body was too weak to hold her, so she crawled over to the figure slowly.
When she got close enough to hear the person's heartbeat, she knew who it was right away. That same heartbeat had played to her on that first night she'd spent at Rachael's house. Still, she stopped soundlessly in front of the person and smiled as she reached out and grabbed their hand. The stress, pain, and fear in the person weren't showing too well on the outside. There was no immediate reaction to her touch, but finally the person lifted up their head after a second or two.
Cloe saw it was Ryan and then gasped in surprise. Using the glowing green light of the amulet to look him over, she noticed that he had scratches, cuts, and bruises everywhere. There was a long silence in which the two stared at each other waiting for the other to speak. Cloe moved closer as she sat net to him and gently squeezed his hand in comfort. Ryan looked back at her with sad, pain-filled eyes. Cloe leaned over to him, cupped his face in her hands, and kissed him softly and passionately. A tear rolled down Ryan's cheek and landed on Cloe's hand. She pulled away slowly.
"Are you…crying?" she asked him in a whisper. She hadn't expected it, even though he was the most dramatic guy in school. Ryan turned to her before nodding sadly and started to shake slightly. "Poor thing." Cloe sympathized. She kissed him again with all the passion she had bottled up and allowed Ryan to continue crying. She was him close his eyes and move his hands to her back so he could pull her closer to him. He needed her. He wanted her. He wanted her to need him too. Cloe separated from him and pulled away a little as she unbuttoned Ryan's shirt slowly so she could examine the rest of him.
When she finished, she gently slid it off his back so it was lying one the floor. Ryan winced only once and more tears filled his eyes. Cloe gasped as she noticed his upper body was covered in cuts and bruises. She ran her fingers across his chest and looked back up to his face full of longing. "You are so brave…and so sweet." She told him looking away and leaving her hand to linger on his chest, "Maybe you're too mice for me." Immediately, Ryan quickly pulled her so close to him that there was no space between them and Cloe looked back up at him in shock.
"No." he whispered desperately ignoring the pain he was in, "I need you." Before Cloe could answer, Ryan's mouth was on top of hers. He kissed her hard and Cloe grabbed his arms and pushed herself away from him so she could catch her breath. "I do need you." She whispered to him, looking into his eyes meaningfully, "You mean the world to me. I am so sorry that you are getting tortured this way because of me." "Listen…" Ryan told her sternly, "I would die for you and I would never let them hurt you."
Cloe's heart skipped a beat. He really did treasure her. "Love hurts…but this is nothing compared to the pain I experienced when I thought you were gone." Ryan told her and watched as she released her grip on his arms and placed her head on his chest. He hugged her tight as she listened to his heartbeat. She curled up into him and went to sleep. Ryan held her close to him, sat back against the soothingly cold stone wall, and closed his eyes.
Morning came and Sharpay had not enjoyed the night at all. She sat up and looked over at Rachael, who was still sleeping a few feet away. Sharpay looked over and noticed Ryan was back still asleep by the door…with Cloe wrapped in his arms. They were squished together on the floor limbs entangled. Sharpay narrowed her eyes and turned back to Rachael, who moved in her sleep. Sharpay crawled over to her and nudged her in the side. "Five more minutes…" Rachael muttered sleepily. "There's no time for that." Sharpay whispered violently giving Rachael another nudge, "We have to get up, now." She pushed Rachael hard enough so that she rolled into the wall and jolted awake.
"Ow, Sharpay." Rachael moaned sitting up and turning to stare at the blond girl irritably, "What was that for?" "We have work to do." Sharpay responded roughly, "And besides…Ryan's back." Rachael's face lit up excitedly. "Where?" she asked, quickly glancing around the cell. "Over there." Sharpay moped as she pointed to the two by the door, "It seems like he had it bad and seeked kind relief from Cloe." "Aw, I think it's cute." Rachael laughed thoughtfully as she watched the peaceful couple sleeping. "Cute? It's disgusting." Sharpay stated scrunching up her face, "Every time they do this…it's public display for crying out loud; Ryan doesn't even have his shirt on!"
Rachael looked from Sharpay to the sleeping couple and back again. "I think you're jealous." Rachael stated simply. "Then you go wake them." Sharpay said to change the subject, "I…I'm going to work out a way to get us out of here." With that, she stood up, walked over to a corner, and sat down facing the wall. Rachael sighed, stood up, and walked over to the couple. She sat down in front of them and debated over what to do. She looked at Ryan and scanned his cuts and bruises. Most of them were swollen. Rachael leaned over him and kissed his cheek. Then, she whispered into his ear, "Wake up, sleepyhead."
Ryan shifted a little and Rachael pulled away. Ryan blinked before slowly opening his eyes and looking around. He looked over at Cloe who was cuddled up into him limbs entangled with his. He felt the presence of someone watching them and looked up to see Rachael smiling back at him. "Hey." She said to him softly, "Come on, wake your girlfriend. We've got work to do." "Got it." Ryan stated softly with an embarrassed smile. Rachael just winked at him and got up before walking over to Sharpay.
Ryan sighed and looked at his sleeping angel. She looked so peaceful and her body was warm against his. He put his hand under her chin and lifted her mouth up to his. He gave her a gentle good morning kiss and her eyes fluttered open. Ryan pulled back slowly. "Morning, Angel." He whispered softly to her with a gentle smile. "Mmm." Cloe hummed in response, "I like the way that tastes." "Well, then…if you're still hungry, here's a little something to keep you awake." Ryan muttered to her and kissed her again. Cloe moaned in delight. She loved the way his lips felt on hers. They were so soft and pleasurable.
When they finally broke apart, they stared at each other before Ryan sat up. He helped Cloe sit up and they stood. Ryan picked up his shirt and put it back on before the two of them walked over to the others, who were whispering violently at each other. Ryan cleared his throat loudly to announce their approach. The two girls whirled around quickly. "Miss me?" Ryan asked his sister and smiled warmly at her. Sharpay glared questioningly at Cloe for a moment before returning her attention back to Ryan. "Of course I did." She reassured him with a small smile and held him in a tight embrace, "I thought I'd lost you."
"Hey, don't hog all the hugs." Rachael stated, happy to see the blond boy, "I missed him too." She joined in and hugged Ryan tightly. "I missed you too." Ryan told them squinting to keep his eyes from watering because of the pain, "But if you keep squeezing me, you'll break my spine." "Sorry, Ry." Sharpay apologized before giving him one last squeeze and letting go. Rachael released her grip and backed up. "I didn't tell you to stop." Ryan said to them, "I just asked you not to break me." The two jumped forward and gave him one last quick hug each before backing up again.
"I just didn't want to hurt you anymore." Sharpay explained and grinned, "I mean, being the fact that you're so fragile…you might snap." "It's great to be back." Ryan laughed softly to himself, "You're still the same Sharpay I've always known and loved." "I try." She smirked back at him, 'How are your cuts?" She eyed them nervously. "Better. They aren't bleeding anymore." Ryan answered reluctantly, "It hurts on occasion, but otherwise they're fine." "Oh, you poor thing." Rachael cooed in concern, "How badly did Theresa hurt you?" "Enough that I thought my bones would snap." Ryan stated nervously not wanting them to worry too much.
"That doesn't take much, you know." Sharpay teased to lighten the mood before getting serious again, "Did she get someone else to beat you up?" "Yes." Ryan sighed uncomfortably, "One of the dark knights." Sharpay gasped and her eyes started to water. "That's terrible!" Rachael squeaked hoarsely. Ryan just nodded sadly in response. He still didn't want to worry them too much. Then, Sharpay started to cry. "What's wrong, Shar?" Ryan asked her in concern. That was one of the downs of hanging out with only girls. They cried a lot. He didn't want their pity, but he wanted them to understand him.
The good thing was that they were always understanding. They showed sympathy, were supportive, and weren't shy to admit how they felt. Ryan kind of felt like he could relate more to girls than to other guys. Maybe that's why the rest of the school thought poorly of him. But he couldn't worry about that because, right now, he had to solve one big problem; how to get out of Magicath alive…and get rid of Theresa in the process. Sharpay continued to cry and shake with tears. Ryan sighed painfully and put a hand on his sister's shoulder comfortingly.
"It's only me, Shar." He stated softly, "It's fine. Really. Don't worry about me, okay? It doesn't matter." "Doesn't matter?" Sharpay screamed, "You're getting beaten and it doesn't matter?" Her fists were clenched at her sides and Ryan pulled his hand away in sudden fear. "Shar…I –" he stuttered before he was cut off again. "You think that just because Cloe's your girlfriend you can get away with her begin the cause of what's happening to you." Sharpay barked angrily as she glared menacingly in Cloe's direction for emphasis, "Well, let me tell you something, Ryan. You can't! I always knew you would get hurt like this. The first time I saw Cloe, I knew she was trouble, but I gave her a chance for you. I gave her way too many chances! And now you're the only thing keeping her alive."
She had returned her attention back to her brother. "I can handle it." Ryan interrupted sternly, "Plus, Theresa can't kill me." "With magic." Sharpay reminded him as a wave of emotions washed over her, "What happens when she decides to get rid of you another way? What happens when she realizes that there are non-magical ways to get what she wants?" Rachael, who had been watching the entire argument, backed away from the twins. Sharpay had begun to sob again and her voice started to plead. "What will happen when she…she…she kills you?" she whispered begging her brother to see what she feared for, "Please, Ryan, tell me you understand. If anything were to happen to you, it would tear me apart. Please understand that." Her eyes were hurt, pleading, and wet.
Ryan sighed and a familiar pain ached in his chest. This was too much for him to take, but he nodded in response, still not daring to speak in fear of shattering the moment. "And if you're going to risk all that for Cloe then you just may be the most stupid person still alive." Sharpay was yelling again, "I love you because you are my brother and I respect that you care enough about someone that you'll die for them, but is she more important than the family?"
The room went silent in shock. Ryan couldn't answer. Sharpay stared at him with mixed emotions. "If something were to happen to you, it would kill me." Her voice was no more than a hoarse whisper, "Does Cloe mean more to you than mom…dad…me?" Ryan thought about that for a moment. "She'll kill you, Ryan." Sharpay pleaded, 'If you don't choose now…I'll…I'll be forced to take action myself. Something you'll regret." "I've made up my mind, Shar." Ryan sighed, "I'm not changing it."
"Fine." Sharpay snapped back loudly, "Then, I've made up my mind, too. I can't take it anymore. You've never risked everything you had for anyone until she came along. If you're willing to hurt yourself to hurt us in the end, then I'll give you something to regret. If you're willing to die, well, I'll help you with that one." Her fists clenched at her sides.
"Very good." Theresa's disembodied voice boomed throughout the cell, "I've been waiting for this moment." Rachael and Ryan looked around to see where the voice was coming from. "Yeah, I've made my choice and I'm all yours." Sharpay called. "Perfect." Theresa's voice mused. "No!" Ryan exclaimed as Sharpay was transported out of the cell leaving them speechless.
(A/N) Well, this is the next chappie. Number 35. Did everything make more sense now? I hope it does. Let me know if it's still confuddling to anyone. I want everyone who's reading this to take the 2 seconds just to leave me a review even if it's just to tell me to update soon. Okay? Can everyone here do that? Cuz so far, I only know that maybe 5 different people are reading this. And even if all five of you were to review for every single chappie there'd be about (thinks for a minute to do the math) 175 reviews already left for me to read. So, will all of you plz go back and leave reviews for me in all the chappies you missed. I know Char left me loads of reviews so thx for that! Means loads to me! Hugs. Okay, so will the rest of you plz R&R and I'll finish this fic even quicker. So pretty much I'd need at least 6 reviews for each chappie posted so far to make a total of around 200 that I'm asking for. =D Thx everyone who reviewed and who are still reading this. Luv yas!