Hi everyone! I'm so sorry for taking so long to post this. I found it a little hard to write, I hope it doesn't show. It's always harder for me to get the story started, I'm fine once I get to the dark and gritty stuff! And there's lot of that to come!

Thanks for all the positive reviews! I'm really grateful! Hope you all have time to comment again :)

Obviously, still no beta for the story so all mistakes are mine and apologies if it sounds, well, too English. If anyone would be able to be a beta for me, please feel free to offer! I'd love any help I can get :)

Anyway, hope you enjoy this!

A Family Affair

Chapter 3

Gabriella walked slowly towards her school building. She had meant to have walked to school with Troy that morning. She scolded herself for being silly, for thinking only bad thoughts but she just couldn't help it. Why hadn't he called her? No matter how annoyed Troy had been the evening before, there was just no getting away from it - he would have called her.

She checked her cell for the fiftieth time. Still nothing. Troy's father hadn't contacted her again since that one phone call. Gabriella had woken her mom with the news that Troy was missing. She had to talk to someone about it. With her own thoughts, she was scaring herself stupid. Her mom had tried to reassure Gabriella, telling her that Troy would be fine. Perhaps he had gone to see a friend? Gabriella had immediately considered calling Chad but had decided against it. It had still been early and she didn't need Chad teasing her about being over protective of her boyfriend. So she had convinced herself that that must have been it. That Troy had swung by Chad's for some guy time, to perk himself up after their row.

That was the most sensible explanation, she told herself, again and again. After all, their lives were not a movie script. Kids don't just go missing. Troy would be okay. He'd be at school. And he hadn't called her because he was angry with her. Simple and innocent as that.

Gabriella walked through the school gates and had only got two steps inside the school grounds when she heard her name.

"Hey, Gabriella. Wait up!"

Chad was rushing towards her, as usual caring his basketball. She looked, hopeful but soon saw that Troy was nowhere to be seen. That horrible, stomach churning feeling was threatening to invade her insides again. She forced it away. She couldn't stop the guilty voice in her head though.

What if something has happened to Troy? Because you forced him away?

She forced herself to smile as Troy's best friend and fellow Wildcat reached her. "Okay Chad?"

He nodded, his face flushed. "I was just wondering if Troy was walking you to school today?" He glanced behind her. "But obviously not."

She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I saw him last night but he left early." She decided to keep her cards to her chest. "Why?"

He shrugged. "Oh, it's nothing."

"Chad?" She asked. She could feel herself turning pale. He must have noticed too.

"Honestly, I'm bettin' it's okay. It's just that the Coach called me this morning to ask if Troy was with me. Thing was, it was early, you know? And the Coach sounded pretty scared, I figured Troy hadn't been home." He looked down, kicking at a stone by his foot. "I was a little worried. Tried to call Troy but got no answer. I hoped he'd stayed with you last night."

Gabriella closed her eyes. This was the worse news she could have received. Chad had been her only hope. He was the only person other than her that Troy trusted enough to go to for help. If he hadn't heard from Troy either, then what had happened to him?

She sighed and ran her hand through her hair. "I haven't seen Troy since last night." She paused, wondering if she should tell Chad about the fight. She decided against it. The last thing she needed was Chad blaming her in some way.

Instead, she told him, "Mr Bolton called me too, around the same time he must have called you. I'm scared, Chad. It's not like Troy just to vanish into thin air without letting any of us know where he is."

He frowned. "Yeah, you're right." He glanced at her. "Did anything happen between you guys last night? Anything, eh, not good?"

She quickly looked up. "No, why?"

From his look, she knew she had been far to defensive.

"I wasn't suggesting anything, don't lose it, okay? I just want to know.. "

Another voice ran out, interrupting Chad, much to Gabriella's relief.

"Chad! Gabriella!"

They both turned to see Jack Bolton jogging up to them. He gave each of them expectant looks.

"Have you heard from him?"

They both shook their heads and saw the Coach's smile fade.

He soon attempted to cover his blatant worries.

"Oh, okay. Well, I'm sure it's nothing. He'll turn up. He knows we've got the big game today, hey Chad?"

Chad smiled nervously. "Yeah Coach, he'd never miss a massive game like this. He's probably in the gym now, shooting some hoops, last minute practice, you know?" He was clearly trying to make the situation seem a lot lighter than he actually felt it was. Gabriella felt very sorry for her friend.

The Coach clapped Chad on the back. "That's the Wildcat spirit, Chad. And that's where you should be, right now. Head over to the Gym, okay. I'll see you in a few."

As Chad ran off, Jack called after him; "And Chad? If Troy is there, tell him to get to my office, pronto."

"No problem, Coach." In no time at all, Chad was out of view.

Jack turned to Gabriella. She could sense the fear in here, being hidden beneath the "all is well" charade.

"If he texts or calls, let me know at once. Can you do that?"

"Of course, Mr Bolton." Gabriella replied. She hesitated. "Shouldn't we let someone know Troy's missing?"

He glared at her. "What, you mean the police? He's not be gone five minutes! The police don't wanna be bothered with stuff like this."

Gabriella stared. "Stuff like what exactly? Missing kids?" His attitude had iritated her. "Coach, Troy may have been kidnapped for all we know!"

He rounded on her angrily, causing her to back off slightly.

"Don't be so freaking stupid! He's not the first kid to have a row with his girlfriend and run off to let off some steam, you know. He'll be out there somewhere, clearing his head. And as long as he gets his head straight and back in the game, I'm happy." And with that, he marched away, not giving her a backwards glance.

Gabriella was flabbergasted. She didn't know what to say. Firstly, didn't Troy's dad care about him at all? All he seemed to ever care about was basket ball! Secondly, he knew about their row. And he obviously blamed her. She cringed inwardly.

That hateful voice inside. It just wouldn't stop.

And why shouldn't he blame you? It was all your fault. You let him go!

The bell rang.

Feeling very much alone, Gabriella headed slowly to her home room, all the hustle and bustle of school going on all around her was lost on her. Her friend Taylor called out to her but she didn't hear. All she was concentrating on was her cell phone. She stared at it, not wanting to blink, willing it to ring.

XXX

Troy opened his eyes abruptly. There was a loud banging on the door. Then, he heard the key being turned in the lock. He cringed away, pulling his scummy blankets back with him.

The door creaked open and a small, bald head popped around it. And smiled straight at him.

"Troy! So, you are awake. Excellent!"

Before Troy could even register that this stranger had a. spoken to him and b. knew his name, the man had fully entered the room and was striding towards Troy, his hand outstretched.

The newcomer was dressed in a suit and was wearing reading glasses. He looked like he had just come from an office. In any regular situation, Troy would describe this man as a geek.

But this was no normal situation. The Captain of the Wildcats scrambled away from the man until his back was against the wall. He cowered, unsure of the guy's intentions.

Seeing the boy's reaction, the man stopped and frowned. He glanced over his shoulder.

"Mikey?"

Another man stepped through the open door. Troy presumed this was the man who had started to get "friendly" with him earlier. He was a large man, with untidy dark hair and small piggy eyes that now squinted as he grinned at Troy. It was a predators' smile.

Troy shivered.

The first man was addressing the second. Troy shook his head clear, trying to keep up with the conversation.

"Mikey, I told you to be gentle. Look at him, he's scared of us!"

"You told me to bring him here, Eddie. I did that."

"Did you hurt him?"

"He was struggling against me. Didn't have any choice."

"Well, my rules still stand from now on, Mikey. Remember them. You don't harm him. Understood?"

Troy met Mikey's gaze. The man winked at him. Troy looked away.

With an amused chuckle, Mikey answered Eddie with a shrug and a nod.

Eddie seemed satisfied. "Good."

He turned back to Troy.

"Now then. How are you, Troy? Headache? Did you take the tablets? I see you did. Very good! Pleasure to meet you, my boy. Wonderful!"

Troy stared at the gibbering man standing above him in stunned silence. The man was clearly mad. He carefully reached up and shook the man's offered hand.

"I'm Troy Bolton," he whispered.

Eddie laughed. "I know who you are, Troy. In fact, I probably know you better than you yourself do! A fine sportsman aren't you? I've seen some of your matches. I was a good basketball player myself back in the old days."

Troy didn't understand this happy chatter. He glanced again at Mikey who was stood by the door, watching the exchange, apparently entertained.

"Who are you?" Troy said quietly, again speaking to Eddie.

Edward's smile faded. "Yes, well, it does hurt to hear you say that. It's painful that you don't know me, no matter how much I have discovered about you. But that won't be for long will it? Not now that we are together. Reunited at last! No one is going to separate us again. Life is going to be so much better from here on in, Troy! I can promise you that."

Troy's uneasy feeling was getting stronger.

"What do you mean, reunited?" He asked.

Eddie and Mikey exchanged glances.

"Tell him," Mikey said, his eyes glinting. Troy had only known this man for a few minutes but he already couldn't stand him. Mikey had such a cruel, unnerving air about him. Troy couldn't help but be scared of him.

Eddie appeared nervous as he crouched beside Troy.

"I'm sorry I had to snatch you like this, son. If there had been another way... but still, I promise that nobody will hurt you. I won't let them." He placed his hand on Troy's arm. Unlike Mikey touching him earlier, Eddie's gesture was kind and reassuring., not pervy.

"What do you want?" Troy said in hushed tones.

"I've got what I want," Eddie told him, patting his forearm. "You."

Mikey let out a snort. Eddie glared over at him. Troy could already sense the unrest between the two men. If they were partners, it certainly wasn't a happy alliance.

"And why did you want me?" Troy moaned.

Eddie frowned. "Want from you, Troy? You don't understand. All I want is you to know and accept the truth."

"Truth?" Troy gasped.

"Yes, my boy. You've been lied to your whole life. My name is Edward Marsten and you are my son."

Troy froze. He stared into the man's face in disbelief, trying to find some hint of deception. There was none. The man was deadly serious.

How dare he say something like that? That was sick! Troy got quickly to his feet, his fear momentarily gone, replaced by pure unadulterated anger.

He shoved out at Eddie, knocking the crouching man to the ground.

"Get the Hell away from me, you freak!"

TBC.

Hope you all enjoyed that! More action to come soon. Next chapter should be up soon. I am having an operation on Thurs so please think of me! I'll try to get the next part up before that as I don't know how long it will be put me out of action. Anyway, see you soon!

Next time – Chad's worries intensify during practice and he argues with Jack and things get worse for Troy. Could it be true? Is Eddie really his dad? Stay tuned!