Hi all! I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to update the story. I bet some of you thought I'd abandoned it! I'll never do that, it's just that sometimes I go through very busy periods and this was a very busy July for me! I should have a bit more time over the coming weeks though so hopefully I can get on with this more quickly.
This chapter focuses on Troy's situation. I did plan to bring Sharpay and Ryan into it but it was just getting so long! So, I'll be concentrating more on Gabriella, Chad, Sharpay and Ryan next time.
I need to warn you about this chapter. There is some sexual abuse. If that squicks you, you better leave this chapter out. I don't feel it is overly graphic but thought I'd mention it, just in case.
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed the story so far and also to all my readers. Thanks for sticking with me. Also, a thousand thanks to my fantastic beta Lelaofbast who has done another brilliant job!
Anywayz, enjoy and please comment!
A Family Affair - Chapter 5
Mikey edged the chair closer to Troy and smiled nastily at him.
Troy held his breath, wondering what the man wanted. He didn't want to show how scared he was, he knew Mikey would use his fear against him, given half the chance.
"It's time we had a little chat, " Mikey said, cheerfully. "We should try to get to know each other a little better, hey kiddo?"
Troy didn't answer; all he could do was stare numbly back. Mikey chuckled.
"Silent type when you want to be, aren't you?" Another smirk. "That's sweet. I prefer them quiet."
Troy's heart sank. This was not good.
"What do you want?" He whispered.
At his words, Mikey threw back his head and laughed.
"You're a smart kid, so your daddy tells it," he sneered. "I'm sure you can work out for yourself: what it is that I want?"
Troy tried to ignore this comment. Instead he muttered; "He's not my dad."
Mikey shrugged. "Not my problem. I'm getting paid. I don't really give a damn whose son you are." Kicking the chair over behind him as he rose, Mikey stood and began to advance on Troy.
"I just want to have some fun with you while I still can," he taunted. "Is that okay?" He reached in his pocket, pulled out his mobile phone and turned it off. Once he had replaced the cell, he grinned back up at Troy. "Just in case we get interrupted by Daddy!"
Troy paled. He shrank further back against the wall, feeling like a trapped animal. He wondered where Eddie was, not understanding why he would be left alone with this bastard, especially if Eddie truly believed that Troy was his son. Eddie must still be in the building somewhere. Troy opened his mouth, ready to scream the place down. Anything to get himself out of this current predicament, cornered by a man who clearly wanted to hurt him.
Troy only manage a weak cry before Mikey strode across the room and struck the teen hard across the face, sending him sprawling to the ground. Recovering quickly, Troy shoved out at Mikey, catching the large man by surprise. Mikey was clearly much more practiced in using brute force than Troy as even before the boy had begun to raise himself off of the floor, hoping to get to the door and make a run for it, Mikey was upon him again.
He pinned Troy beneath him, grabbing the Wildcat's wrists in one beefy hand and forcing them above his head, holding the boy in place. Troy could hardly move, let alone struggle. He moaned in pain but couldn't make a sound as the thug quickly covered Troy's mouth with his other sweaty hand. Mikey laughed softly at him, enjoying the boy's discomfort. Leaning down, he slowly licked up the side of Troy's face, causing the boy to whine in disgust.
Troy did the only thing he could think of. He bit down on Mikey's hand. Hard. The man let out a loud shriek and pulled his hand away quickly.
"You little shit!" He spat, backhanding Troy viciously. Temporarily stunning the boy, Mikey clambered over him, straddling him. Once he was sure Troy could offer no further resistance, Mikey released the Wildcat's wrists and began to move his hands up and down his body, pushing his clothes aside, touching and groping the teen as he wished.
Troy struggled as hard as he could, trying to kick the man off of him but it was futile. Mikey was far too strong.
"Get off me!" Troy moaned. "You sick freak!"
Mikey laughed. "Tough guy huh?" His wandering hands found Troy's groin. "You won't be so tough after this, Troy Boy."
He unzipped Troy's pants and felt inside his boxers. Troy froze. He gazed up in horror at the man who was now groping him and licking his lips as he did so. Mikey had his eyes closed and his face shone with pure lust and desire. Troy finally realized to his horror what the man intended to do and his heart sank as he accepted that there was nothing he could do to prevent it. All he could hope for was that it would be over quickly. And that maybe Mikey would kill him once he was done.
How could he ever face his family and friends again, even if he did get rescued?
He closed his eyes and, as usual, immediately saw Gabriella. She was standing before him, beautiful and graceful. She smiled at him, willing him to fight on, too survive, for her. He longed for her; for her touch and her strength. He wanted her there with him, holding his hand. She reached out for him and soon, he could imagine that he was with her. Away from Mikey and the assault. Away from that tiny, horrible room. Away from the humiliation and fear. It was just the two of them, Troy and Gabriella, in the world. Locked away in his own mind, he could stay safe.
A roar of anger brought him swiftly back to the real world. It took Troy seconds to realize he could not still feel the wandering hands. Opening his eyes cautiously, Troy saw that Mikey was no longer leering down over him. The weight that had been holding him down was gone. Rolling over onto his front, Troy saw that Eddie had hold of Mikey's shirt and had pined him up against a wall. The man's face was murderous. Neither man spoke, they jut glared daggers at each other.
Finally noticing that Troy was watching him, Eddie reluctantly released Mikey and drew back, moving closer to Troy, perhaps in an effort to protect him. Troy felt a spark of gratitude towards the man.
"I told you very clearly, Michael." Eddie said softly. "You don't touch him."
"I was just having some fun! I didn't hurt him, man."
Eddie stole a quick glance down at Troy. "He looks terrified to me."
"Well, that's because your kid is a wuss, Eddie."
"Get out of here now!" Eddie yelled, his anger boiling over again; "Just leave!"
Mikey stayed put. He met Troy's gaze and blew him a kiss. Troy felt sick to his stomach and looked away.
"I said, GO!" Eddie shouted, pointing at the door.
"Fine," Mikey said quietly. "You're the boss." With one last grin at the trembling Troy, Mikey marched towards the door, opened it and slammed it behind him, causing both Eddie and Troy to jump violently.
Eddie turned and looked down at Troy. He offered out his hand.
After hesitating for only a moment, Troy reached up and grabbed his extended hand. Eddie pulled the teen to his feet and clutched his shoulder. Troy gazed back at his savior with watery eyes.
"I'm sorry." Eddie whispered.
"You left me;" Troy muttered. "With him."
Eddie sighed.
"I know. I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"Where were you?"
"I... I was on an errand." Eddie said, absently. "From now on, I'll send Mickey. You won't be alone with him again."
Troy nodded. Eddie's words had not completely satisfied him but he realized he couldn't expect anymore. He was still this man's prisoner after all. And besides, he was suddenly more interested in Eddie's errand.
"What were you doing earlier? When you left?"
Eddie wouldn't meet Troy's gaze. "Just putting some plans into place." He smiled at the boy. "You'll find out soon enough."
Troy didn't like his tone. Unnerved and no longer wishing to probe the man any further, Troy hurriedly changed the subject.
"Eddie;" he whispered. "How did you know my mom?"
The man seemed surprised and pleased by the question. Indicating for the boy to sit back down, Eddie grabbed the chair and moved it closer. He sat, facing Troy. The boy knew he was finally going to get the whole story. Well, Eddie's version of it anyway.
"I went to school with her," Eddie said softly. "Your mom and me, we were good friends. Pretty soon after we met, I fell in love with her."
Troy watched him, hoping to catch any sign that Eddie was telling a cock and bull story. But the man's face showed nothing but sincerity.
"She was beautiful, your mom." Eddie suddenly began. "We started dating and we were very happy. We were together all through our senior year. I even went to the prom with her."
The smile faded; his face darkened.
"That's when Jack Bolton noticed my Lucille. He was captain of the basketball team; hero of the entire school. He walked in one day and stole her away. The next thing I knew, they were an item. Lucille had forgotten all about me and people were telling it like they were serious. I still loved her, but it was over."
A tear ran down Eddie's face. Troy pretended not to notice. He needed the man to get to the point.
Quietly, he asked, "Why do you think I'm your son, Eddie?"
Rubbing at his eyes, Eddie looked at Troy. He didn't blink when he replied to him.
"I don't think, I know. I met up with your mom again, years later. She was engaged by then, about to get married. I did something I shouldn't have done, I told her I still loved her. She admitted the same to me, told me she still wanted to be with me but now felt trapped. I asked her to runaway with me."
Troy was frozen to the spot. How could this be true? His parents were happily married! His mother didn't love anyone but his dad! But Eddie certainly didn't look like he was lying. If Troy didn't know better, he could almost have believed the man.
Eddie rose to his feet and approached Troy, his hand extended towards the boy.
"We had one night together, one last night. And you were the result of that. I want you to understand Troy, you were a product of love. It's important to me that you know that."
Troy didn't speak. What exactly could he say if he did? All he could do was stare back dumbly.
"Bolton knew you were mine before you were born but he married Lucille anyway and then left with both her and you. I saw you once, as a baby. Your mom brought you to see me. Your stepfather found out and then, within a week, you were both gone." He closed his eyes, as if the pain of the memory haunted him.
Still speechless, Troy covered his hands with his ears. He didn't want to hear anymore.
"I wanted to be in your life, Troy. I loved you and your mom but I didn't know where to start looking for you. I moved away, got on with my life. I got a well paid, respectable job and threw myself into that, trying to put the family I should have had out of my head. The family that was stolen."
Eddie was sobbing, his whole body heaving. Troy moved his hands away from his ears and reached out, grasping Eddie's hand. He didn't know if he wanted to comfort the man or push him out of the way and run. The teen was so confused. If this was true, how could his parents never have told him? Had they thought the truth would never come out if they just brushed in under the carpet?
Eddie had calmed down.
"My life changed for the better recently; an even higher paid job, more prospects. I was finally in a position to take back what was mine and I knew I could give you the life you deserved. I decided it was time to come back for you. I knew Jack Bolton would never move too far away from East High, he was top dog there afterall and that made him feel important. And sure enough, as soon as I drove into town, I saw a poster of you and recognised you at once. Basketball player extraordinaire! You look so much like your mother when she was young, you know."
He leaned forward and stroked Troy's hair. This time, Troy didn't flinch.
"And Mikey, how do you know him?"
Eddie pulled away, once more looking tired and worried. But also guilty.
"He is someone I once knew who owed me a favor. I needed help in getting you back Troy, and he was available."
"And what if he comes after me again?"
"He won't."
Troy shook his head. "You can't know that for sure."
Eddie again grasped the boy's shoulder.
"Son, trust me."
As Troy stared up into the man's bright blue eyes, he actually realized that for the first time since he had met Eddie, he DID trust him. And the sudden realization stunned him. Whether Troy could ever believe what the man had told him remained to be seen. How could Jack Bolton not be his father? It was a notion Troy simply could not, would not, entertain. But why was there a nagging doubt, now, as he looked into Eddie Marsten's smiling face? What if he was telling the truth and Troy's whole life up to that point had been one big fabrication? And what could he expect his life to be like from that day on?
With a wide grin, Eddie ruffled Troy's hair fondly and then back away from him, heading back towards the doorway.
"I have to leave you now, Troy. There's a few final preparations for me to deal with and then, we'll be all set!" He clasped his hands together in glee.
Troy's stomach lurched.
"All set for what?" He asked, as calmly as he could muster.
Eddie chuckled. "Well, there's no harm in telling you now. Especially as the two of us have made some steps forward in our relationship."
Troy watched him nervously. Relationship? He may not actively dislike the man anymore, he perhaps even had trusted him for a moment, but Troy didn't feel anything more for the man. What relationship could he believe they could ever possibly have? No matter whose son Troy turned out to be! He had still kidnapped him and nothing would change that fact.
Eddie continued on, regardless of Troy's obvious panic.
"It's been a few hours since I took you Troy, so we had to move things on quickly. Mickey has some friends who have agreed to help us. They'll be here in less than an hour and we'll be gone!"
"Gone?" Troy whispered. He was sure he was going to be sick.
Eddie nodded, still choosing to ignore Troy's apparent terror.
"We'll be driving to an airfield not far from here where a pal of mine has a small plane. He'll take us across several states. By the time Jack Bolton works out where we are, we'll be far away from here, hidden away, starting our new life, together." His grin widened. "Doesn't that sound good?!"
And with that, he took his leave, leaving a horrified Troy in his wake, of course not forgetting to lock the door behind him.
The Wildcat was trembling as he brought his hands up to his face. He fought back tears, knowing that he couldn't crumble at that moment; he had to be strong. If he knew one thing, it was that he couldn't be on that aeroplane in a few hours. He would have to think of something, and fast.
TBC