I didn't get a lot of reviews, so I'm not sure if I'll continue after this. Hopefully I'll get more reviews for this chapter. I don't own anything.
Several weeks earlier.
Spencer's POV
"This is all my fault." cries Emily. "I'm so sorry."
"Stop Emily. You didn't do anything wrong." says Hanna.
"It's my fault all of you were there. It's my fault A has pictures of us at Ali's grave." says Emily.
"No it's not." says Aria as she helps me gather up all the incriminating pictures that are scattered in my car.
"A would have just found something else to blackmail us with." I say. "Stop blaming yourself for this."
"Spencer's right. We're here for you Emily." says Hanna.
"Yeah, we're in this together." says Aria.
"Thanks guys." whispers Emily.
"That's what friends are for Em." I say.
"Not just friends. We're family." says Hanna. We all hug Emily before returning to the mess in my car. I pick up the last few copies. I examine one of the pictures. It shows all four of us huddling around Alison's empty grave, with a shovel on the ground next to us. I sigh. If the cops got a hold of one of these pictures we would be thrown in jail.
"I think that's all of them." says Aria, checking the car one last time.
"So now what do we do?" asks Hanna. I look around at the girls. They're each holding a stack of pictures, waiting for someone to tell them what's next.
"We burn them." I say.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" asks Aria.
"What else should we do with them?" I say. "Gift wrap them and send the to the police."
"I think we could all do without the sarcasm right know Spencer." snaps Aria.
"Sorry." I say.
"Sarcasm or not. Spencer's right. We need to destroy these." says Emily.
"Ok, fine. So let's burn them." says Aria.
"I'll go find some matches. Come on Em." says Hanna. The two of leave and search the Lost Woods Resort, leaving Aria and I alone.
"I didn't mean to be such a smart ass. I'm really sorry Aria." I say.
"It's ok. I think we're all under a lot of stress right now." says Aria.
"You're right. But I shouldn't be taking it out on my best friend." I say. Aria smiles and hugs me.
"Look who already kissed and made up." says Hanna as walks up to us.
"We found a lighter in the room." says Emily. We all throw the pictures in a pile on the ground. I take the lighter from Emily and I set the pictures on fire. We stand there until there's nothing but ashes.
"Come on guys. It's getting late." I say. We all get into my car and head back to Rosewood.
It's a long drive back to Rosewood from the Lost Woods Resort. We don't talk much as I navigate the twisted roads back into town. It's dark by the time pull up to Aria's house. Hanna and Emily were spending the night with Aria, so it's the only stop I have to make before I go home.
"Are you sure you don't want stay with us?" asks Aria. "I know you're parents are out of town, and after everything that's happened I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to be alone."
"Thanks, but I think I could use some alone time." I say.
"Ok." she says. "Just call us if you need anything."
"I will." I say.
"Be careful Spence." says Emily.
"Okay, bye." I say. The girls get out of the car and walk into Aria's house. The drive to my house is only about five minutes. I park my car in my driveway and get out. My phone beeps as I walk to the door. I open the text and read it.
Poor Spencer. Looks like you missed one - A.
Along with the text is a image of someone holding a copy of the picture of us at Ali's grave. I couldn't tell who was holding it. Was it A, or did A send the picture to someone else. My heart starts to race. I knew A probably had other copies of the picture, but I didn't think they would do anything with it. At least not yet.
I shove my phone back into my purse and walk into my house. I walk through the living room and right when I start to walk up the stairs, I'm startled by a voice.
"Spencer!" my Dad yells.
"God dad. You scared me to death." I say. "I thought you were in Philly with mom and Melissa."
"I was on my way to meet them, when I found this." he shoves a piece of paper in my face. It's the picture of us at the grave.
"Dad. I…" I try to think of something to tell him, but he interrupts me.
"I found it in my briefcase. I don't know how it got there, but I don't really care." he yells. He rips the picture out of my hands and throws it into the fire place where it's quickly engulfed by the flames. We stand in silence for a few minutes. He turns to leave.
"Dad, let me explain." I say. I reach out and touch his shoulder. He spins around and slaps me hard across the face. I stumble away from him. The left side of my face is throbbing, but I'm too shocked to really feel the pain. I look at my dad. His face is red with anger. Like it's my fault that he hit me.
"Dad.." I try to speak, but he doesn't let me.
"No! you don't get to say anything!" He screams. "You've brought so much shame to this family already, and there's no way in hell I'm letting you bring more. I didn't burn that picture for you, I did it for the rest of us. As far as I'm concerned, you're not even part of this family anymore. You're nothing but a burden."
By now I have tears streaming down my face. I want to say something, but I can't find my voice. He walks up to me and pushes me against the wall, cornering me like an animal.
"You are not to tell anyone about this, any of this. Not your mom, not your sister, and not those good for nothing friends of yours. In fact, I don't want you even speaking to them anymore." he say.
"NO! you…." I'm interrupted by his fist slamming into my face. The force of the punch knocks my head into the wall behind me. I cry out in pain and slid down to the floor.
"You don't get a say in this." he yells. "I've been so patient with you. Even after all the shit you pulled in the past, I still gave you a second chance. But this is it. I can't take you and your drama anymore. So from now on, you are going to do exactly what I say or there will be serious consequences. Do you understand." I don't answer him right away. He bends down, grabs my arm and hauls me to my feet.
"I said, do you understand." he yells. I nod my head and he throws me back to the floor.
"Good." he says while looking down at me. "Stop looking at me like I'm the bad guy. This is your fault. You deserve this. You're lucky I don't just call the cops and have you thrown in jail where you belong." he grabs his keys and jacket. "I'm going to meet your mother and sister. I'll be back if a few days." he walks out the door. I listen to him start his car and drive away.
After I'm sure he's gone, I break down and sob uncontrollably. I'm still on the floor where he left me. It takes me a few tries, but I eventually get up and slowly make my way up the stairs and to my room, sobbing the entire time. My head is throbbing. I'm forced to lie down on my bed because I'm so dizzy.
I can hardly believe what just happened. I don't know what to do. My head hurts to much to even think. I need help. I need someone to help me make sense of what just happened. I wipe away my tears and pull out my phone. I can call Toby and the girls. They'll know what to do. I'm just about to call them when I get a text.
Do what your daddy says and keep quiet. Or your friends will pay the price. - A
I throw my phone the across the room. I bury my face in my pillow and cry myself to sleep.
I hope you guys liked this chapter. If I get enough reviews I'll continue the story. If not, I'll just quit while I'm ahead.
-Rin Shade