Mona sensed that Aria was feeling uneasy, but she wasn't sure what to do about it. She wanted the girls to trust her now. She understood that it would be a difficult goal to achieve after everything she had put them through, but she had to get them to believe that she really was on their side now. She now longer had the upper hand. She had to get them to truly let her in or she would be on her own, and that couldn't be a good thing.
She finished her tea and got up to rinse her cup and set it in the sink. "Well, I think I'll go back up and try to sleep. Are you coming?"
Aria shook her head. "No. I need to think about some things."
Mona stopped in front of Aria on her way to the stairs. "I'm sorry."
"I know, Mona."
Mona didn't think she really believed it, but it was true. Now that the tables had been turned on her she was scared. She was a target now, just like the rest of them, and she had no idea who was targeting her. She needed them to help her find out. With a sigh she climbed the stairs and slipped back into Spencer's room.
"Where's Aria?"
Mona jumped at Spencer's voice. They had all been asleep when she had gone downstairs wondering the same thing. She closed the door quietly and stepped over Emily. "She's downstairs. We couldn't sleep."
Spencer nodded, but gave her a suspicious look.
"Toby came by." Mona said, drawing Spencer's full attention. "He was worried about us. You girls, at least."
"I'm sure he was checking on you too, Mona." Spencer said.
"He was checking to make sure you were all alright." Mona said. "He was probably checking to make sure I wasn't hurting you."
Spencer sat in bed, Hanna sound asleep beside her, and looked at Mona standing in front of the window. The moonlight shown in behind her. "How is she? Aria."
Mona sat down in the rocking chair Toby had made for Spencer, hoping she wasn't about to be attacked for it, and let out a long breath. "Not good. She's scared and she misses Ezra." She paused to look up at the moon for a moment. "We were having a nice little conversation and all of a sudden something changed. I could tell she wasn't sure about me at first, and then all of a sudden she got suspicious again."
"I wonder why." Spencer said. It was an accusation.
Mona looked back at Spencer. "I know you all still hate me, but I'm on your side now. I have no choice."
"So I guess we just have to find a way to trust you." Spencer said. "After everything you put us through."
"You have no problem trusting Toby again." Mona pointed out.
"It's different." Spencer said.
Mona nodded, understanding. "I want to help you. I need you to trust me."
Spencer stayed quiet for a moment. "We'll figure it all out later. Go to sleep Mona."
With a sigh Mona got up from the chair and went back to her place in the floor, away from the rest of them. She pulled the blanket over herself and listened to Spencer settling back into bed. Emily shifted in her sleep. Hanna whispered Caleb's name. A door opened and shut quietly downstairs. Mona wondered where Aria was going as she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. She had to figure out a way to get them to trust her.
