"Is Spencer Hastings begging?" I heard someone say.
The voice was definitely digitally enhanced, but there was something eerily familiar about it. I couldn't place it though.
"Yes," I said frantically, "I'm begging you, I'll do anything you want, please, just don't hurt Aria!"
I could practically hear the smile forming at the other end of the phone. Whoever it was obviously knew me, and how much I detest having to beg for something. I worked hard for everything, and sometimes for nothing at all. The thing about begging is it means you're not in control, and I hated not being in control.
Two Hours Later
It was days like today I was thankful for my family. They haven't always been there when I needed them, in fact, my parents tended to favor my sister, leaving me to fend for myself, but they had successful careers, leaving my sister and I with rather large bank accounts.
I stood in line at the bank, preparing myself to wire whoever had Aria ten thousand dollars, just as they had requested. They had given me an account number to wire it to, which I was pretty sure was under a fake name and would not help me in finding out who they were.
I was happy I was one of the few teens in this town who could come up with that kind of ransom money on their own. I had plenty more than that in my bank account as the things my family and I tended to purchase were by the thousands anyway. The perks of being a Hastings I suppose.
I probably should have consulted my parents before paying this ransom. They were lawyers, they'd know the best approach, but I was too afraid of doing something that might upset whoever it was and cause them to hurt Aria. That was the only thing that mattered. Making sure Aria was safe.
Twenty Minutes Later
I walked into my house. As usual, nobody was home. My parents had gone back to New York on work, and Melissa had went back to her townhouse in Philly. Sometimes I wondered why she even had the townhouse in Philly. I mean she was here half the time anyway.
It was good that nobody was home though, I didn't need anybody seeing me in this frazzled state. I was too worried about Aria to care much about my outward appearance. Only when I had gone to the bank had I bothered to change out of my pajamas, but even then, I didn't bother with anything remotely sophisticated as I usually did. I wasn't as anal about my appearance as Hanna was now, not that I talked to her much anymore, but I did tend to be particular about what I wore. Another product of being a Hastings I guess.
I started pacing in the kitchen. I was waiting for some confirmation that they had received the money, waiting for them to tell me that they would return Aria unharmed. I just wanted this nightmare to be over. I wanted to wake up holding Aria in my arms, to be able to see her smile and hear her laugh, and look into her beautiful hazel eyes, knowing that everything would be okay as long as I had her.
But she wasn't here. And nothing was okay. And it wouldn't be until I could see her with my own two eyes and hold her in my arms.
It pained me to think if I had just taken the time to walk her home as I had so many times before, that she wouldn't be missing now, our fates tangled up with someone else's who was calling all the shots.
I thought of the voice on the phone. The one I couldn't place, but something told me I had heard that voice a million times before. But who did it belong to. I was sure, if I heard it without the digital enhancements, that I would know exactly who it was. And if I ever found out who it was, they would pay. They had no right to do this to Aria. Aria was sweet and caring, she often found ways to be not just civil, but pleasantly social with those whom she found…distasteful.
My phone buzzed. One new text from blocked number.
Game Over. –A
I fell to my knees. My entire body was shaking.
No. It couldn't be. I had done what they had asked me to.
Just then the doorbell rang.
I had a glimmer of hope. Maybe that was Aria. They had gotten the money and had let her go.
I ran to the door, but when I opened it, it wasn't Aria.
"Spencer Hastings?" The man standing in front of me asked.
I nodded. He was obviously a police officer. Probably a detective. Mr. Montgomery had probably talked to them. They would want to talk to me, but I wasn't sure what I would say. Would talking to the police anger whoever had Aria? It was more than likely that it would. They'd also probably want Aria's phone, which was still upstairs in my bedroom. I could get that for them. Not that I'd really have much of a choice.
"Spencer Hastings you're under arrest for the murder of Alison DiLaurentis."
So what do you guys think happened? What do you think is going to happen? Please Review!