I do not own Pretty Little Liars or any of their characters.

It's been five years since I have been home. Rosewood. The name alone sends shivers down my spine. I hate it here. I used to love it. Being able to bike to friend's houses, walking distance to downtown, and the beautiful trails for running or hiking. I never wanted to spend my life here, but growing up it was prefect. The perfect little small town, in prefect small town America.

Then it all happened. A came and Alison disappeared. My life in the headlines, and all my secrets coming to light. We learned quickly we were better together than on our own, and I loved the friendships I made with the girls. Aria, Spencer, and Hanna. I loved them like my sisters, and then Alison came back.

I had thought it was over. Alison was back and A was dead. I had never been so wrong. Games of murder, torture, and kidnapping came, and we were forced to play.

Who do you trust the girl who's lied all her life, or the girl she tortured and had tortured you in return? Do you trust your lover or the girl who is supposed to be your best friend? Do you trust the police? Can you even trust what you see with your own eyes? I never figured out the answers and that cost me dearly.

One month. 30 days. 720 hours. 2,592,000 minutes. Whichever way you want to count it. That was the time stolen from me. The amount of time stolen in the most brutal of ways.

Who do you love more? Who deserves water? Who deserves to eat? Who deserves pain? My choices in these games? The people I had loved most. The people who had been by my side through everything. Aria, Spencer, and Hanna.

I remember the shocks, the screams, the days without the necessities. All while living in a replica of my home, my safe place knowing who caused my pain and suffering. Who can I trust now? A had won. I wanted it all to end and then A made a mistake.

'Please exit your rooms and follow the lighted path way to prepare for arrival.' Dread. That was all I could feel, and when I saw who was arriving the dread I felt doubled. Alison. The girl I still loved, the girl I had betrayed, and the girl who had tried to protect us was coming.

Then I thought of Mona. Yes, I hated her. She had tortured me. She was the reason we were here, but I worried what would happen now that she was no longer needed. Why would Charles need a fake Ali when the real one was on her way defenseless and unknowing? Then I remember fire, yelling, and running. Although it was hours of preparing, and enacting our escape that day passes like a blur.

What I really remember is strong arms wrapping around me and the scent of vanilla. Ali. I remember the sirens and seeing Ezra and Caleb. Tears streaming down everyone's cheeks. Alison had saved us. Alison had risked herself for the four people who had turned their back on her. The people who had shunned her and sent her to jail. When I think of the day we were rescued I think of Ali.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts when the barista asks for my order. Large Americano and a large black coffee to go. I moved to the side to wait for my coffee a little jumpy.

'You can take the girl out of Rosewood, but not Rosewood out of the girl.' my wife had said as we drove into town. I hadn't understood at the time what she meant, but now I do. I can feel anxiety claw up my throat. I may have escaped this town, but the memories and fears never left me. I can feel myself looking over my shoulder and jumping every time someone says my name.

My parents still lived here, and now I'm living in my wife's childhood home. It feels like high school all over again. My mother had told me last night that all my old friends were returning home. Aria had never really left going to Hollis for college, but Spencer and Hanna had. The four of us were coming back to Rosewood, and unlike all the previous times I had been forced back to this town this time we were coming back for good.

'Game on, Charles.' rings through my head. It's Spencer's voice and although she has matured and changed it still sounds like it did that night. An eighteen year old Spencer scared but defiant. But the hope that had run through my veins the night she said it, hearing the confidence in her voice the thoughts that Spencer hadn't been broken even as the rest of us were, that hope has faded. Instead dread and fear has taken its place.

I haven't heard from A since I left the doll house, but I also know he is still out there. Charles is still out there just out of my peripheral watching, waiting, collecting secrets. Waiting until he has us all in his cross hairs and then: 'Game on, Charles.'

I'm still working on my other stories. I know I haven't updated in a while, but I'm working on it and I will finish them. I promise, but this idea just popped into my head after the season premiere and wouldn't leave me alone. If you have any thoughts, comments, or concerns just send me a review or a pm. I'll be happy to read any suggestions too on any of my stories. - Allen