Chapter 1

All she could do was run. She was finally free, free from the shackles of Jason DiLaurentis. As one foot leapt in front of another, her duffel bag, filled with clothes, toiletries, books, a burner phone, and hundreds, maybe even thousands of twenty dollar bills, wrapped tightly and carefully with paper bands by the bank. She didn't know how long it would take to start her new life, or how much cash she would need. As she felt the long grass itch at her ankles, she recalled the two, maybe 3 years of torture she endured, saving up that money. And now, she was so grateful that she had just stuck it out. 'Finally free.' Aria Montgomery repeated in her head.

She reached the train station, which would take her to New York City, another one to Philly, and from there she could take a bus into Rosewood. She clenched the address her friend had given her, a friend Jason hadn't known about. A friend from college that Aria would spend late nights with on the computer while Jason slept. While she was nervous Jason would track her down, she knew there was no way he knew about Spencer. If he had, he would've disciplined Aria mercilessly for having a friend he didn't know about. Her heartbeat quickened as the Amtrak doors opened. She stepped onto the train, and presented her ticket. She then found a small place to sit and keep to herself. She wanted to be as inconspicuous as she could, attention was the least needed thing currently. Aria's heart fluttered with joy as the train began to move. Her new life was ahead of her, and she could almost taste it.


Aria yawned and opened her eyes droopily, and then scrambled to reorganize herself when she realized she had been asleep. She looked to her left - her bag wasn't there. Terror flashed in her eyes, only to realize there was a woman her age sitting across from her, and her bag was now under her seat.

"I hope you don't mind I moved your bag. There's thieves everywhere-especially on the Amtrak." She chuckled. Aria rummaged through her duffel as she nodded, making sure all of her belongings were still there. "I'm Hanna Marin. You?" Aria stayed quiet for a second. Was a mere stranger knowing her real name worth possibly being subjected to the inhumane lifestyle she once had? Not a chance. Hell, her last name was more common than her first.

"Lucy Montgomery. Nice to meet you."

"Where'd you get on? I got on at Cincinnati. I'm headed to Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania." Hanna explained. "I'm meeting my boyfriend there, and we're finally opening my very own boutique. Fun right?"

"Very." Aria gave her a small smile. Hanna's volume was attracting attention, exactly what she was avoiding. "I forgot where I got on." She kept repeating to herself that her safety outweighed her social standing.

"Come on, you have to know where you got on! That makes no sense." Hanna whined. Aria began to internally panic. She was getting excessive attention, all of which she didn't want.

"I got on in Chicago. I'm going to New York." She'd just text Spencer and get picked up there. She grabbed her burner phone and sent Spencer a quick message. Rosewood here she came.


He stretched, knowing he had to get out of bed soon. If he wanted a real breakfast, that is. Just then, his phone rang from across the room. His job was done for him, just like that. He got out of bed, and put the phone on speaker, and began to cook himself eggs and potatoes.

"Ezra. Something terrible happened." The voice on the other line said.

"What, your girlfriend finally left you?" He chuckled.

"Yes."

"Come on Jason, stop playing. You're supposed to get defensive, remember?" Ezra laughed, flipping the potatoes.

"I'm serious! I woke up and she isn't here! Her drawers are empty, all of her tampons and shit are gone, and her phone is here!" Ezra couldn't distinguish if Jason was angry or worried. Maybe both. Ezra knew it was bound to happen, he just couldn't believe Jason's girlfriend, well, ex-girlfriend had actually done it. He'd never met her, but he knew all about her. He felt rather awful for her actually. Jason was horrible to her, pushing her around, and belittling her. He could never do that to a girl, but he couldn't say anything. They were friends after all.

"I hope you find her. She probably just went to a friend's."

"...Yeah, probably. Just tell me if you see any signs of Aria. You never know how far she could get from Chicago."

"I will. Bye." Ezra sat down and opened his book. Would he tell Jason on the off chance he did run into her? Did he even deserve his girlfriend back? He shook his head, and then downed the rest of his coffee, getting ready for school.