February 28th 2020
Alison raced up the steps, slightly out of breath, in a hurry to get to Hanna's and Caleb's loft. A mixture of worry, sorrow and relief was flooding her thoughts as she rang the doorbell. The too annoying driiiing rang through the air.
To Alison's surprise, Mona answered.
For a second, Alison just stared at her. Then, without bothering to say hello, the blonde pushed past her former classmate into the apartment, marching straight into the living room. Hanna and Emily, who had come separately, were already waiting there, standing, while Aira sat huddled up in her chair as always, with the same haunted expression as usual.
July 22nd 2019
"To Aria!"
Spencer, Hanna, Emily, Alison and Ezra stood around the smiling brunette, champagne glasses in the air. It had been Ezra's idea, for the girls to celebrate Aria's birthday at their apartment, instead of in a restaurant like the girls usually did, and Spencer thought that had been a great idea. The night was beautiful, and Ezra's and Aria's apartment cozy.
Suddenly, the sound shattering of glass cut the air. What was once the champagne glass lay next to Ezra's shoe, the drink poured over his clothes and the floor before he had even had the chance to take a sip.
"Crap," the owner of The Brew muttered as he rushed to the kitchen to grab a broom. "I'm so sorry, Aria."
"Don't worry about it," the birthday girl quickly replied. "Spence, hold my drink so I can pour Ezra a new one. Everyone, wait a sec."
The next thing Spencer remembered was waking up, uncomfortably squished in an armchair with Hanna, with a throbbing headache. Rubbing her temples, the young Hastings gazed up. Something wasn't right.
Alison and Emily were cuddled up on the couch, Alison's head resting on Emily's shoulder, while Aria was curled up in one of the arm chairs, with Ezra slumbering on the floor right in front of it.
It wasn't until then that Spencer noticed a black Helium balloon, right in the center of the room. Spencer held her breath in anticipation and fear as it slowly turned. Finally, she saw the message, messily scribbled across it in bright red ink.
Did you really think you could escape me that easily, bitches? -A
Everyone else in the room woke with a start at the sound of Spencer's scream.
February 28th 2020
Alison had a number of questions directed at the crowd awkwardly standing in the center of the room, but the high school teacher only needed one answered immediately.
"What is she doing here?" she demanded, tilting her head at an determined-looking Mona behind her, who opened her mouth to defend herself. However, Hanna was quicker.
"She can help us, Ali," the fashion designer pointed out. "She can help Spencer."
At the mention of her friend's name, Alison's gaze softened. "Can I see her?"
Hanna nodded, so Ali turned and made her way towards the bedroom. Slowly, the blonde pushed the door open and stepped inside.
July 28th 2019
It had been a few days since the A-message, and none of the girls had heard anything else. Hanna had called Mona in Paris, who had assured her that Mary and Alex Drake were trapped in her dollhouse, with no way of escaping. However, once Hanna had explained the situation, Mona had panicked.
"I'm handing them over to the police," she had announced immediately afterwards. "And I'm moving back to Rosewood. If there is a copycat trying to intimidate us, I'm going to help bring them down."
Unlike Mona, Emily wasn't ready for A's return. "Alex Drake must have ordered that balloon ages ago," she argued. "Or she sent it to us from Mona's dollhouse. No way there is a new A. We have two daughters. They cannot grow up in a world where A is hunting us- them down all the time!"
Spencer wanted- no, needed answers.
Which is why she soon after found herself back at Aria's apartment.
"Do you want anything to drink?" Ezra asked. Aria was in the bathroom, so it was just the two of them at the moment.
"Water, please," Spencer replied while studying the window. Dust bunnies were gathered on the sill. Same with all the other windows, as well as the air shafts in the room. "So do you have a key under the doormat or outside the apartment? In case you forget yours?"
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "My wife was kidnapped before. I'm not enough of an idiot to leave a key to anyone who can take it."
"Oh ok," Spencer sighed as Ezra passed her the glass of water she requested. "Thanks. So, who has a key to the apartment. Besides you, Aria, and me?"
"No-one," the former teacher admitted. An awkward silence hung in the air, until the bathroom dirt opened and Aria stepped into the room.
"So, who wants to watch a movie?" She somewhat cheerily asked, and Spencer forced a smile.
February 28th 2020
In the dim light Ali could recognize the shape of her friend, curled up underneath the bed sheets, dark hair sprawled across the pillow.
Even though Alison was well aware of what was going on, she was still surprised that the doorbell and the girls' bickering didn't wake her.
With a sigh, Ali sat on the edge of the bed.
"Hey," she whispered, despite knowing that Spencer wouldn't respond. "Hanna called this morning. Said you'd eaten something while she was out with Caleb." With a smile the high school teacher recalled Hanna's excitement over the phone as she had informed her that for the first time in two days, the plate that she had left outside of Spencer's room had been returned empty.
As if the sleeping brunette were awake, Ali continued. "So Hanna is taking the baby to infant music class with me and Grace and Lily every Saturday. Usually, Ashley and Pam pick them up afterwards, while Em and I eat lunch with Caleb and Hanna." A quiet laugh escaped her lips. "You know, before, you were so great with Grace and Lily. The way you played with them, the way you talked to them. They miss you." Tears began to form in Ali's eyes. "And so do I."
September 26th 2019
In order to calm her wife down, Ali had suggested a romantic picnic in a nearby park. Willing to do anything for her friends, Spencer had volunteered to babysit the twins while they were out. But although she hated to admit it, wanting to help out Emily was not the only reason why she had offered to come over.
The opening of the front door had interrupted Spencer's thoughts. Aria entered, wearing the usual crazy Aria-outfits, with the usual bright smile on her face.
"Hey," she greeted. "Sorry I'm late."
"No problem," Spencer replied. "So, where did Ezra say he was going while you babysit the twins with me."
Aria raised her eyebrows in surprise at the question. "He's just gonna spend a few hours at his ?"
"No reason," the taller brunette lied, doing her best to look calmer than she was.
Aria had been practically attached to Ezra since the A-message at her birthday. She had followed him around everywhere, never letting him out of sight, not falling asleep unless he was right next to her and waking up the minute he got up. Spencer knew this because the writer had complained about it really loudly to Caleb in The Brew. Although, who could blame her, after all she'd been through, to not want to be alone.
Aria stared at her friend for a second, but then let it go. Suddenly, a crash was heard behind them. Both girls spun around. Aria let out a yelp as she grabbed the nearest object, which happened to be a dictionary, and as Spencer protectively stood in front of her friend.
Turns out it was just Lily, who knocked over a stack of blocks. Letting out a sigh of relief, Spencer leaned over and picked up the toddler. She could feel Aria relax next to her. But only by a little bit.
After a moment of silence, the smaller girl finally asked, "Spencer, who do you wrote that message?"
Spencer tensed up at the question. "I have an idea," she cautiously started, avoiding her best friend's eyes. "But I need more evidence before I can tell you."
"You know you can al-" Aria started, but was interrupted by the familiar biiiings of text messages coming in.
Both girls' eyes widened in realisation. Trembling slightly, Spencer reached into the pocket of the jeans she was wearing to pull out her phone. At the sight of the message, the young Hastings' heart sank.
Keep a close eye on the babies. You don't want anything to happen to them, do you? -A
"I'm calling Alison," Spencer gasped as she took a screenshot of the text.
"Oh my God," Aria breathed. "Who is sick enough to threaten a toddler?"
Your husband, Spencer wanted to say, but didn't.
February 28th 2020
A stream of light entered the dark room as the door opened.
"Hey," Mona carefully whispered as she approached the bed, where Spencer's sleeping form rested under the blankets. Ali just ignored her.
"Have you seen her awake? Like since the incident?" the small brunette asked softly, not paying attention to the other girl's hostility.
"Once." Spencer had just come out of the shower, after scrubbing every inch of her skin like she usually did. "She didn't say much, though." Only a few quick apologies about being such a burden.
"Of course you're not a burden," Alison told her. "Hanna doesn't mind letting you sleep in the baby's room at all." She reached out to squeeze the tall brunette's hand. "We're just happy you're OK. We love you, Spence."
The former lobbyist didn't reply. There was an awkward moment of silence, during which Alison refused to let go of her cousin's hand.
Spencer finally asked, "How is Aria?"
"She just lost her husband." Emily was standing in the doorway. "And her best friend." The accusation in her voice was completely evident. Spencer went back to sleep minutes later.
Mona reached out to tuck a dark brown lock that rested on Spencer's face behind her ear. She was so gentle, as if any move could break the sleeping beauty. Wearily, Alison gazed at the horizontal red scratch on the young Vanderwaal's throat.
"This is all my fault," the petite brunette whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.
Yes, Alison thought. It is.