Hey guys! I just wanted to say thank you for being such awesome/avid readers. I've been sort of free-writing, you know just trying to clear the brain. I came up with this little entry. I know it's not much, and that it jumps around a lot. Give me thoughts and feed back on it. I want to make this into another story, that people want to read. Feel free to comment with ideas or PM me. THANK YOU! LOVE YOU! I hope you enjoy this sneak peek.

Chapter 1

Seven Years Ago:

"911 what's your emergency?" Silence. "Hello? Is anyone there?"

"M-my friend…we're driving…a-and…I can't feel my legs," the girl panicked.

"Alright sweetie, don't worry help is coming. I want you to stay on the line with me. Now can you tell me what happened? Did your car crash?"

"It's raining," the girl said, looking out her shattered window. "Is it raining?"

"It is raining."

"I can't feel my legs…" the girl repeated.

"It's okay honey. Try not to move."

The girl heard sirens in the distance. Red and blue lights reflected off the shattered glass scattering the ground. She heard muffled voices shouting all around her. A bright light shone in her face, causing her to squint. She could just make out the shadow of the man standing next to her.

"Over here!" she heard him shout. "Can you hear me?" the girl nodded. "Okay, that's good. I

want to stay still. Your legs are pinned under the dash board and you've got a metal shard in your back so I need you to remain very still. We're gonna get you out of here."

"What about my friend?" the girl asked, turning her head toward the driver.

"Your friend is just fine," he said, unconvincingly. "Let's just focus on you. Can you tell me

your name and how old you are?"

"10."

"Can you tell me your name?"

"P-paige," the girl responded, trying to keep her eyes open.

"Okay, Paige. You're going to be just fine, but I need to you stay awake for me. Do you think you can do that?" Paige nodded.

Two Years Ago:

"Emily, I want all the deets," Hanna pleaded.

"Hanna. No."

"Oh come on Em. Ben's like the hottest guy in the school, and he chose you! Can't I just have like one detail. You've been dating for like six months, and you never really talk about him…I bet the sex must be great."

"Hanna!" Emily shouted, playfully slapping Hanna on the shoulder. "God, do you even have a filter?"

"So that's a yes to the amazing sex," Hanna confirmed. When she caught sight of Emily blushing hard, "I knew it."

"God Hanna, sometimes," Emily said, standing up.

"You know you love me," Hanna cooed.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm leaving," Emily said, gathering her things and heading out to her car.

She pulled into her driveway ten minutes later. Pam's car was in the driveway. She'd taken a few days off to clean up the house before Emily's father got home from his final tour. When she entered the house, she knew something was wrong. She didn't smell her mother's cooking, the house was silent, and her mother didn't come to greet her at the door.

"Mom?" Silence. Emily wondered around the house. "Mom?"

"Uh…in here," she heard her mother's voice. Something was off, it sounded like her mother had been crying.

Emily entered the living room and found her mother sitting on the couch. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying.

"Mom, what's going on? Is dad okay?" Emily asked desperately.

"No…" Pam responded, breaking into tears.

"Mom. What happened? Where's dad?"

"Emmy, sit down," Pam said, motioning for Emily to take a seat next to her.

"No…no…he-he was supposed to come home on Sunday," Emily said, shaking her head. "This can't be happening. This-this isn't happening."

"I know, honey," Pam said, pulling Emily into her arms. "I know."

"It's not fair…he was supposed to come home!" Emily sobbed. "He was supposed to come home.

One Year Ago:

"Last week a body was discovered under a gazebo. Property is said to have belonged to the DiLaurentis's, before they sold their house two years ago after the disappearance of their daughter, Alison DiLaurentis. Alison DiLaurentis disappeared two years ago from Rosewood Central Park. No one has seen or heard from her since. The body that was discovered was sent the coroner's office. Officers believe that the body discovered could in fact be the body of Alison DiLaurentis…"

Two Months Ago:

"Girls, this is not a discussion," the detective spoke sternly. "This is for your own safety."

"You expect us to completely uproot our lives and leave?" Spencer argued.

"Yes. These threats are serious. Two weeks ago Emily was almost run over by a car."

"But she lived!" Hanna added. "We can't just leave. You really expect that if we leave this will all stop."

"It's worth a shot."

"Worth a shot my ass," Hanna argued.

"Look, I don't like doing this anymore that you do. But if it means that we have a chance at keeping you safe and ALIVE…then it's a chance I'm willing to take."

"And what if A finds us, then what?" Spencer confronted. "Are you going to uproot us again?"

"If we have to…yes. All social media will be erased, no phones, no internet, you'll be completely off the grid. Only a few people will know where you are."

"Well that's just great," Hanna said angrily. "We don't even get a fucking phone. At least we'll be together."

"Unfortunately not," the detective responded. "But you'll be given secured phones for calling only."

"Well that's just great!" Hanna shouted.

"It'll be harder to find you if you're in separate places."

"Okay, well where are we all going then? Timbuctoo?" Spencer asked sarcastically.

"Unfortunately, we can't share that information with you."

"Great!" Aria said, frustrated. "My life just got so much better."

"How long is this supposed to last?" Emily asked.

"Until we catch the suspect."

"So for all we know we could be uprooted until we're 30?"

"Well…yes…this will all go into affected at the end of June, after you finish your junior year."

Present:

The detective had told Emily that she would be going to Northern Georgia to stay with a 'family friend'. She tried to think of people she knew who lived in Georgia, but she couldn't think of a single person.

"Em, Ben's here," Pam called from the stairs. Emily heard Ben's footsteps coming up the stairs and soon he appeared in Emily's doorway.

"Hey."

"Hey. I didn't mean to come here unannounced. I just wanted to see you before you left."

"It's okay. I'm glad you came," Emily said, pulling Ben into a hug.

"I just wanted to say 'I'm sorry for the way things ended, and I'm sorry for being an asshole."

"I know…" Emily said, placing a gentle kiss on Ben's cheek.

"I do love you Emily, and I want you to know I'll always be here if you ever need anyone."

"I appreciate that…and for the record. You're not an asshole, just a dick sometimes."

"Fair enough," he chuckled. "So…are you excited?"

"I don't think excited is the right term."

"I know. I'm just trying to—"

"I know," Emily said, cutting him off. "I guess I'm just frustrated by the whole thing. And the worst part about it, I have to keep a 'low profile' which means no swimming."

"This won't last long. I promise. If you need anything, I'm only a phone call away or letter or whatever you're allowed to have."

"Emily the car's here!" Pam shouted from the foot of the stairs.

"I'll be down in a minute!" Emily called back. "I guess this is it."

"I guess so. I'm gonna miss you Em."

"I'll miss you more. But, can you do me a favor?"

"Anything."

"Look after my mom…"

"Of course, besides, who could resist her cooking," Ben said, smiling.

They carried her suitcases down the stairs and put them in the car the police had sent over.

"So this is it," Ben said sadly.

"I guess so…"

"'I'll see ya soon, Em."

"See you soon," Emily said, pulling Ben into a tight hug. She watched Ben get into his car and drive away before turning to her mom.

"Oh, Emmy," Pam said, giving Emily a hug.

"Mom. Promise me you'll take care of yourself."

"I will. Be safe out there, you hear?"

"I will."

"Oh, I love you so much!"

"I love you too, mom. I'll call you when I can."

"I know you will," Pam said, kissing Emily on the cheek.

Emily gave her mom one more hug before getting into the car. She watched her house become smaller and smaller, before it eventually disappeared. They arrived at the Philadelphia airport about an hour later. The detective guided her threw the airport, until they reached the gate. Emily glanced at the gate screen: Atlanta, Georgia.

Things were finally becoming a reality for Emily. She never thought the day would come where she'd uproot her entire life and go live with strangers in Georgia. This couldn't be happening…this wasn't happening…but it was.

"When you get to the airport, they'll be someone there to pick you up. You've been given your mother's maiden name, Woods. They have all the things you'll need when you get there. Now get on the plane. We'll be in touch."

"Okay," Emily said quietly.

She handed the flight attendant her ticket and boarded the plane. She took her window seat and put her headphones in.

Two hours later she was filing off the plane with the rest of the people. She navigated her way towards the baggage claim, and found it swarming with people. She waited for the bell to ring before the bags appeared on the carousel. She spotted her two bags and quickly grabbed them before looking for a woman holding a 'Woods' name plate.

Emily felt a guilt wash over her. By using the name Woods, it felt like she was turning her back on her father, like he didn't exist anymore. It's only been two years since he passed, but everyday, it felt like the Band-Aid was ripping open a fresh wound.

She spotted a woman holding up a 'Woods' name plate. The woman had auburn hair with a few grey strands. She was wearing blue jeans and a white blouse. She looked oddly familiar, but Emily couldn't figure out where she'd met her. The woman obviously recognized her, because when she spotted Emily, she immediately put her sign away and went to help Emily with her bags.

"Emily," she said politely.

"Hi."

"Oh, you probably don't remember me. You were pretty little when we met," she said. "I'm Christine McCullers."

McCullers…McCullers…There was a Nick McCullers that served with her father back at Fort Hood when she was little. She didn't remember much about them, they had a daughter. They used to play together all the time when they were little.

"It's nice to meet you…again," Emily said, awkwardly.

"How was your flight?"

"Quick."

They made their way out into the parking garage. Emily was surprised to see that Christine drove a truck, but maybe that was what people drove in Georgia. She wouldn't know.

"So do you live near Atlanta?" Emily asked.

"You could say that. We live in Suches. It's about two hours away. It's a small town, but the people there are extremely friendly."

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude, but how exactly do I know you?"

"Oh, my husband was station at Fort Hood with your father," Christine said. "Once he was discharged 12 years ago, we moved here. We have a daughter. You two were attached at the hip when you were younger." It was the McCullers that Emily was thinking of.

"Paige right?'

"Yup. She's about your age."

"So…um the detective said that you'd have all the things I needed."

"Oh yes. Check the glove box. There should be a yellow envelope."

Emily opened the glove box and pulled out the yellow envelope. Inside there was a cellphone and a new license. She pulled out the phone. There was a note attached to it. You can use this phone for calls. It's a burner phone so it can't be traced. Be cautious. She turned the phone over in her hands before pocketing it. Next she pulled out the license. It was a Georgia license, with the name Emily Woods on it. There was a address that she didn't recognize, but she assumed that it was the McCullers.

Two hours later they turned onto a dirt road. Emily saw a white two-story country house come into view. A porch surrounded the front of the house. She was able to make out the shape of a barn through the darkness, and she swore she heard a cow mooing in the distance.

The inside of the McCullers's house was homey. There was a fire place in the corner of the living room. Christine led Emily upstairs. There were only two bedrooms upstairs that were conjoined by a bathroom.

"Well, home sweet home," Christine said, placing Emily's bags next to the bed. "There are towels in the bathroom closet if you want to take a shower. There's food in the fridge if your hungry. If you need anything our room's downstairs next to the kitchen."

"Thanks."

Emily glanced around the room. The walls were a light shade of blue. The only pieces of furniture were a desk, bureau, and nightstand. Emily spent the rest of the night unpacking her suitcase into the closet and bureau.

"Hey Paige," Kelsey shouted. "Catch!" Paige caught the wad of money that Kelsey tossed to her.

"All this from the tips?" Paige asked, unrolling the bills.

"I guess it was a lucky day. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah."

People's Café was the local café in Suches. Paige had been working there the moment she turned 14. She usually worked the morning shift and sometimes closed, which was around 10:30pm. The drive from Suches to her house, was about a 15-minute drive. Both her parents' cars were in the driveway, which meant that Emily was there. She glanced up at the guest bedroom, but the lights were off. Emily had probably already gone to bed.

Paige quietly made her way into her house and upstairs. Emily's door was closed when she made it onto the landing. She quickly changed out of her work uniform and into shorts and a t-shirt. The bathroom door was slightly ajar on Emily's side. Paige quickly shut it to prevent the light from entering Emily's room.

It'd been 12 years since the last time she'd seen Emily. She wondered if she still had the cute baby cheeks. Her parents hadn't told her much about Emily's situation, only that Emily needed to be away from Pennsylvania for a while. She figured it was best not to ask questions unless Emily decided to tell her. Who knew what tomorrow would bring, she just hoped that she and Emily could get along, like the used to do when they were kids.