I don't own anything associated with Pretty Little Liars.
So, this is a speculative future fic, or peeks into how season 4B could go. In other words, events in these chapters will be affected by a lot of off-screen events (like in this chapter, Spencer discovering earlier that Melissa is running an 'Anti-A' team), which should hopefully explain any discrepencies between this and canon.
Oh, and this is my first fic in this fandom, so if anyone is OOC, please feel free to tell me.
Chapter 1
She remembers when she thought she knew everything.
The front door slams closed behind her, and she suddenly feels like a rat caught in a trap. Spencer takes a deep breath, trying to swallow down her nervousness, and marches right into the kitchen. Apart from her, there's only one person there, seated at the table, calm as can be. Spencer takes a seat, and stares intensely at the person across from her.
That person stares back, eyes cold and uninviting.
Finally, Spencer manages to speak: "How could you do this to me?"
Those cold eyes narrow, appraising her like one would a prize horse. "You know why."
"No, I don't!" she spits out. "Tell me."
It's a lie, of course. She knows why. Or at least what Melissa claims to be the reason. A small part of her wants to believe Melissa because sisters aren't supposed to lie and they're supposed to look out for each other . . . but Melissa had never been prime sibling material. And there have been so many lies told by so many people that it's impossible to tell who can be trusted.
"Everything I've done is to protect you," Melissa hisses.
Spencer grits her teeth and struggles not to reveal everything there and now because she still remembers when they thought Melissa was A.
"Bull," Spencer growls.
Melissa's expression doesn't change. "It's the truth, Spencer."
Spencer leans close, speaking so lowly that Melissa has to strain to hear her. "And pushing Aria off a train was supposed to protect me? You swore that wasn't you!"
"I was warning A to back off!" Melissa snaps. "Don't tell me you didn't notice that little Aria had it easy for a long time."
"Aria has nothing to do with A!" Spencer slams her hand on the table, making Melissa recoil in surprise. Even in defense of her tiny friend, she's not normally that aggressive. But lately, A has been going after Aria, and that means Spencer's protective instincts are always just below the surface.
Melissa scoffs. "Right."
She meets her sister's sneer with an equally venomous one. "It's funny that you're pointing fingers when you're the one the police are watching."
Melissa leans in dangerously close, as if itching to throttle her. "Someone's trying to frame me. You know that. I didn't kill Wilden!"
Spencer keeps her mouth shut. She's discussed it with the girls, and they all agree it's quite probable – almost certain - that Melissa's telling the truth (because A seems to have a hand in every murder in this town). Still, there's still a possibility she's lying. And Spencer can never let go of a possibility.
Melissa's eyes widens when Spencer doesn't say anything. "You can't honestly believe I did it," she says. "Well? Say something, Spencer!"
"I don't believe anything," Spencer says.
For a moment, there's utter rage scratched across Melissa's face. Then, it fades, replaced by smug confidence. It's probably an act, but it's still unnerving.
"Who were you working with?" Spencer demands.
Melissa says, "Now, Spencer, you know I can't tell you that."
"You're on my side, aren't you?" Spencer shoots back. "I don't see any reason why you can't."
Melissa leans back in her chair and weaves her fingers together. "Because some of us would like to stay alive."
"Like me?"
Melissa shakes her head, like Spencer's a toddler trying to prove an impossible fact. "Spencer, your story isn't the only one going on here. There's so much you don't understand."
Melissa stands. "And so much you won't get to know."
Spencer can only stare at her, shocked. She waits for Melissa to keep talking. But Melissa doesn't, instead she moves to walk away, and Spencer's temper flares. No. Melissa doesn't get to play keep-away with her information while A is haunting them. No way.
"Hey, get back here!"
Melissa keeps walking.
"I said get back here! I'm not done with you!"
Melissa walks into her room, and the lock clicks, but Spencer doesn't give up. She slams her hands against the wood, ready to tear it down with nothing but raw strength. It comes as a complete shock when she's grabbed from behind and hauled back.
Spencer struggles. "Let go! I'm not done with her!"
"What is wrong with you?" Veronica Hastings demands.
"Why don't you ask Melissa that?" Spencer snarls. "Melissa, I'll-"
She never gets to finish her threat, because at that moment, she's hauled into her parents room, and the door closes. At that, at being cut off from the source of her anger, she calms down. She hangs limply in her mother's grip now, breathing heavily.
"Spencer, what is the matter with you?" her mother hisses.
"Nothing," Spencer says. "I just need air."
She wrenches herself out of Veronica's grasp, and leaves the house with as much dignity as she can muster. All the while, her insides churn like the winds of a hurricane.
Closing her eyes, she lifts her chin skywards and bites back a scream, remembering when she used to have all the answers.
