Aria's POV:

All I can remember is being helped up the ladder. I don't know by who, but I was too focused on the light shining under the heavy metal doors. Just thinking about pushing them open made my eyes harder to keep open. We were all tired, weak, and at our breaking point.

"1..2..3...push!" I struggle as I lean against the door trying to force it open. I press my palms against it, and shudder from how cold it is. I push with all my might, but it's obvious I'm the least help. My eyes droop as I hear shouting from the outside, and everyone is shouting except me. I feel like my vocal cords would snap in two if I tried to say anything above a whisper.

As the door opens and we all gasp as I see a forest filled with the greenest greens and I breathe in the outdoors' scent for the first time in God knows how long. I fall to my knees as everyone runs frantically and I feel someone wrap their arms around me and hold me close, but my eyes are already shut and despite the rampant volume and commotion around me, I fall asleep.

5 Months Later

I stare at the wall in my room and my eyes trace over the wallpaper's pattern. The beige somehow makes me feel calmer, and I lay my head back down on the pillow and adjust myself until I feel comfortable, which isn't that difficult, seeing as I'm still considering my old, squeaky bed luxury. Just as I close my eyes so I can go back to sleep, there's a knock on my open door, and I look over and give a small smile. Even though I just woke up, I still couldn't get enough of sleep, it worked better than any medications I took.

I pat the spot next to me softly, and he sits down. I timidly take his hand and I sigh softly once I feel the warmth from his palm on mine.

"I didn't know you were here." I whisper as I look up at him.

"Of course I am. I had to see my girl." He grins as he kisses my forehead. "You should use your voice, you know. Your doctor said using it would help strengthen it, remember?" I just nod. "And I've missed it." I gently clear my throat and take a sip water, which makes my dry and cracked lips feel a lot better.

"Sorry." I apologize softly.

"Don't apologize, I hate hearing you say sorry."

"Ok." I set the water back down and I look back down at my blanket-covered lap. As we sit in uncomfortable silence, I feel bad for not putting any effort into this conversation, but in all honesty, I still feel exhausted, even nearly half a year later.

"Look Aria..everyone knows that you had it w-"

"Stop." I interrupt. "Don't pity me Ezra, I hate it when you baby me." I mimic him and he sighs.

"You know, I was thinking. What if you take a class or two at Hollis? You can nap in my office after and then I can bring you home." Ezra suggests with little hope of his idea being accepted.

"What kind of classes?" I ask, propping myself onto my elbows. And I chuckle to myself when I see his eyes shoot up from the blanket to look at me.

"Really? You're interested?" He wonders, now holding both of my hands and I nod."Well what about an art and english class? I can pick you up during one of my breaks and I'll drive you back after. I thought it would be a good way to ease into college."

"Sign me up." I smile and I lay back down. "Will you spend the night?"

"Are your parents fine with it?"

"They're fine with anything now as long as I'm happy."

"Then I'd love too." He climbs in next to me, and he kisses my head once more. I close my eyes and let him hold me close, it feels sort of good. "I'm glad you're speaking again." He whispers as I drift off again.

I shoot up in a cold sweat, my eyes wide open. I'm too scared to even blink, I'm afraid they'll get me, and drag me back down to that terrible dollhouse, where I'll be nothing but their doll again. I dreamt of the way they would blast that siren until I wanted to go deaf, the way they'd hit me until I wanted to just die already. The sensation I remember most is feeling water touch my chapped lips. I should just go back to sleep. I feel delirious. I feel paranoid. But I also feel bad. The doctors and detectives wonder why Hanna, Emily, and Spencer came out of there practically unscathed, while I look like I had gone through World War III. I decide that I will go back to sleep.

1 year later

It's been nearly a year and a half since I've been so lucky to experience the normality of civilization again. It's been a year since I started college, and I'm grateful that I was able to start when I did. I can just act like I'm a regular girl who took a gap year to go to Italy or something. It's been a year and a half since lots of things. Since I got to see Ezra's face, since I got to see my mom and dad, my brother, since I got to read again. But most importantly, it's been almost a year and a half since CeCe Drake, Wren Kingston, and Melissa Hastings were caught. Unfortunately, this is the first time I'm telling everyone what really happened. The only person who knows besides me is the prosecution and the defense, so they know what questions to ask me. The only way I agreed to testify if they kept that information private.

I sit in the courtroom waiting to be summoned, secretly hoping that it never happens. I know Ezra will never treat me the same once he hears what happened. My parents will act like I'm made out of glass, and people at Hollis will look at me weirdly.

"The prosecution calls Aria Montgomery to the stand." I sigh softly and let go of the breath I was holding. I go and put my hand the book and raise my hand.

"I swear that the evidence I shall give, shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." I say as bravely as I can. I then sit down, and I can't bring myself to look at all three of those monsters. If I do, I'll just break down, which I can't do. I know my testimony is the thing the country needs to win the case. I just look at Ezra. The prosecution's lawyer stands up.

"Ms. Montgomery, thank you for appearing in court today. We understand that you've been through a lot." I clench my jaw as I stare at him. He can never know what I truly went through, nor can anyone. But I can't be mad, so I just nod, and say "You're welcome."

"You were one of the four girls who was held in an underground bunker by the three defendants, otherwise known as…" He flips through his notes. "...The Dollhouse?" I shudder at the name.

"Yes."

AN: Do you guys like this so far? I don't have much to say about this chapter, but what do you think happened to her? why do you think only she was hurt? leave a review, it means I'm doing an ok job :)