Writer's Note: Still trying out stuff for the format and change of POV as my last attempt did not work. This time, I'm just writing [Change POV] to let you know there is a small break in text. Also, I still would appreciate feedback and comments via reviews or pm! I am also open for questions and will gladly respond to messages. And I apologize for minor errors—no matter how much I proofread, I always miss something. Hope you guys are enjoying my story so far!

PART FOUR

Mona was sincerely shocked that Spencer and Alison were letting her book a room at the Lost Woods Resort, especially after she had told them what transpired since Aria's wedding. She was even more surprised that Alison had included her in the group chat when she texted about her friendship bracelet and its accompanying A message. But the shock factor was tripled when Mona walked into the lobby room of the resort early the morning after to see Spencer, still dressed in her clothes from the night before, sitting at the front desk with a glass of liquor—the hard stuff. Her father's special collection.

Mona tentatively approached Spencer. She had learned over the years that Spencer could be carefully composed or downright falling apart depending on the situation. She assumed that last night, when the girls were still there, that Spencer had composed herself. Now, she looked more like the latter option.

"Spencer?" She reached the strung-out girl who was looking at her phone. Alison's text message was sitting in front of her with all its A message glory. She looked up at the sound of Mona's voice and her eyebrows furrowed together.

Sitting up straight, she asked, "Mona? What time is it?"

Mona gave her old academic rival a steady look. "It's 7 am, Spence. You might want to go wash up and change before your other guests come out and see you. Did you even go home last night?" She knew the question was pointless. It was clear Spencer had spent one of her many sleepless nights sitting in this lobby room by herself. Sure, she might have micro-napped every now and then, but the basket case was most likely exhausted and worn out.

Sure enough, Spencer said, "No, I never went to bed." Slowly, she closed her phone out, sipped the remaining liquor in her glass till it was gone, stood up, and walked unsteadily from the room.

Mona remembered when she had been envious of Spencer, much like Alex. She was envious of her well-known and respected family, of Spencer's achievements and success, of her friends as well as her ability to stand up on her own. Spencer was smart and manipulative. She was rock solid and stubborn—she stood her ground when needed. Mona aspired to be like her and even admired her when they were in high school. She almost wished she could have replaced Spencer in the friend group, but she knew it would be futile.

But even then, as she grew to know Spencer more, she also grew to know the Hastings and what they did to the poor girl. Mona knew Alex envied Spencer, but Alex had no idea what it was like to be raised a Hastings. The things that Mona did not envy were centered around the turmoil Spencer endured being a member of that family—even before all of the dead bodies and secrets. Spencer's parents would pressure her and they wouldn't acknowledge her unless she lived up to Melissa's standards. She was treated harsher by both of her parents, and one would say it was possible she was treated differently because she came from Mary Drake. Even more, Melissa would take advantage of Spencer's insecurities to order her around and treat her like a pet. This overbearing weight caused poor sensitive Spencer to be addicted to amphetamines—speeding just to keep up with the house of Hastings. It also didn't help when Spencer dealt with the family secrets and the A game, ultimately assisting her admittance to Radley.

That was when Mona realized she pitied Spencer. She pitied her more than she pitied Alison. God knows Spencer could be just as mean as Alison back in the day, but she learned those skills navigating to survive. Instead, Alison learned those skills just by watching her mother, Jessica Dilaurentis. Just imagining putting Alex in the world of Hastings from the start, Mona knew Spencer would have even less of a chance of survival in that family. She was better off not knowing about Alex, according to Mona. If only Alex had stayed hidden.

"Actually, Mona?" Mona's head shot up. Spencer had returned to the doorway. She was still in the clothes from before, but it looked like some of the grogginess of staying awake had washed away. Perhaps she found some caffeine already, Mona mused.

She nodded, acknowledging Spencer.

Spencer's face hardened. "I wanted to ask you. When you put Mary and… and—"

"Alex."

"—And Alex in that place," Spencer looked down at her hands, "What did you do to them?"

Mona appeared surprised. She wasn't positive if Spencer would be angry with her actions or not. She had given Spencer peace, but she had also taken some of her relatives. Contemplating, Mona realized that perhaps some of Spencer cared about Mary and Alex's well-being despite all they had done, much like Alison had cared for Charlotte.

Mona decided that honesty was her best policy. She wanted to make things up to Spencer. And she was going to. She was going to figure out who stole the game from her, and she was going to fix this. For Spencer. For Alison. For Hanna, and all of the others.

"I did no worse than Charlotte did in the dollhouse."

[Change POV]

Emily had woken up early to pick up the twins from her mother's house. She left Alison sleeping soundly. She didn't want to disturb her, especially after Alison had woken her up last night in a panic. Emily couldn't believe she had fallen asleep on the couch so quickly and wasn't there for Alison immediately as she got that A message.

Emily grit her teeth as she turned her car into her neighborhood. Alison had woken her up crying and shaking the night before. She did everything she could to calm her down, but she hadn't quite calmed herself down. This would be the fourth time another A has come into their lives. Exactly when was the madness going to end?

She pulled her car into her mother's driveway. She braced herself for a million questions from her mother about the wedding and tried to wipe her mind. At least her babies were going to give her the calming effect she needed. She loved those little tykes with all of her heart.

[Change POV]

Hanna was shocked that the girls did not plan to meet that morning. Alison had gotten an A message, but everyone was going on with things as normal. Perhaps it was normal. Their lives were never really left alone for too long. There always seemed to be an A at some point, right?

Even so, Hanna felt a bit lost as she set to work that day. She laid out her fabrics and sketchpad to begin working on a designer dress for one of her clients. Most of her career had cleared up since A.D. had taken a stab at it three months ago. The fashion world moved lightning fast and Hanna was able to recover a lot of her reputation once some other upcoming designer had a major scandal.

Hopefully, she wasn't going to have another hiccup. So long as this new A allows, she chided herself. Yet, somehow, she didn't feel as concerned as she thought she would. Yes, she was upset. Yes, she was terrified. But it was almost as if those feelings were welcomed—as if it was how things were supposed to be.

Maybe I'm just broken?

[Change POV]

Alex stared at the food slot to the underground room she and her mum were still locked in. She felt as if she had been staring at the food slot for hours now. They weren't fed last night, either. Alex wondered if their captor had watched her fix up the makeshift metal weapon and was not risking feeding them.

Better be afraid, she thought, I'm out for blood.

Still, nothing happened at the food slot. There wasn't even a breeze or a shadow. Alex breathed out a big, heavy sigh. Out of boredom, she turned to her mum and asked, "You think Spencer knew Mona took us?" She asked about Spencer because she knew that her mum would respond to such a question. Even she favored Spencer. Her own mother favored her twin. Perhaps that's why she was the one who was sold, and Spencer got the Cinderella life she should have gotten.

She was right, for Mary Drake sat up on her bed. She responded slowly, "It wouldn't be like Spencer to let Mona do such a thing. Spencer was in that bunker of Charlotte's. I don't think she would wish that on anyone."

Alex smirked, "Maybe not you. Maybe me. She'd wish it on me, after everything I did as A.D." Thinking that actually hurt Alex a little, but she didn't want to give that away. Besides, she had also imprisoned Spencer. She had even tried to be Spencer. Why would Spencer ever hold any regard for her? And, from what Charlotte used to tell her, Spencer was a terrible person. That's why she felt justified in taking over Spencer's life—because she didn't think Spencer deserved to have everything while she had nothing herself.

"You don't know that," her mum said quietly and gently, "You never even gave Spencer a chance to know you. You never gave yourself a chance to know her."

Alex thought about that statement for a second, before saying, "Charlotte never gave either of us a chance. I wanted to meet Spencer before Charlotte left England, but Charlotte wouldn't bring me to the States."

Her mum moved closer to her, placing her hand on Alex's hand. She gave her a small smile. It was a sad smile. "Exactly, sweetheart. She's your sister. Your twin sister. Doesn't that mean something to you?"

Alex pulled her hand away abruptly. She had a flash of anger, and she knew she surprised her mum. Regardless of her mum's feelings, she spat, "Did that mean something to you when you killed your twin? And exactly what type of example are you trying to set here, mum?"

Her mum immediately withdrew. She didn't respond, but she simply turned away and went back to lying down on her bed. She watched her mum stare at wall and was surprised to see her mum mumble to herself as she did so.

Alex shook her head. How dare she tell her to love her twin sister when she had murdered her own? How dare her mum be angry with her for trying to kill Spencer when she had successfully killed Jessica? It wasn't fair! Nothing was ever fair for Alex!

All thanks to Crazy Mary, she thought as she turned back to glare at the food slot.

[Change POV]

Alison was woken up by a sharp rapping on her front door. Someone was knocking at an early hour. She jumped out of bed, glimpsed at Emily's note saying she was grabbing the little ones, and headed for the front door. Peeking through the doorway, Alison breathed in sharply.

She creaked the door open and crossed her arms. "Lieutenant Tanner, what can I do for you?" Alison greeted in a steely tone.

Lieutenant Tanner stood on the stoop with two other Rosewood P.D. officers flanking her. She had the same old smug expression she always wore when interacting with Alison and the other girls. Her outfit was pressed and ironed, and she was fairly well-groomed for a detective.

Alison waited patiently. Finally, Lieutenant Tanner spoke, "Miss Dilaurentis—that is the name you go by again, correct?"

Alison nodded. She ditched Rollins' last name the second she could.

Lieutenant Tanner continued, choosing her words carefully, "Early this morning around 4 A.M. I received an anonymous tip. This tip included information on the Addison Derringer disappearance. With the information, I was able to achieve a warrant—as a precautionary measure—and a forensics team to search the lake behind the Lost Woods Resort. If I am not mistaken, you are a co-owner of this establishment?"

"Yes," Alison answered, her stomach twisting into a knot, "Spencer Hastings and I own and maintain the motel."

The lieutenant smiled. "Good, good. Well, the forensics team and myself were at the lake, and we didn't have to look far. Now, we were not on the property line of the motel—which is why the warrant was precautionary—but I must notify you, Miss Dilaurentis, that the body of Addison Derringer was found fairly close to the Lost Woods."

Alison's mouth opened and closed. Addison's disappearance was now ruled a murder. The déjà vu nearly swindled her, but the panic of the body being so close to her property was even worse. This would mean that—

"And so, I would like to invite you down to the precinct for some questions."

[Change POV]

Spencer was craving a large glass of wine, but the only refreshments offered at the Rosewood Police Department were water and probing questions. She had seen Alison in the waiting room, as they were both owners of the Lost Woods Resort, but Lieutenant Tanner had placed them in separate interrogation rooms once they were ready to ask their questions.

For once, they have brains, she thought.

But this was not where she wanted to spend her morning after not sleeping the night before. She even still had liquor on her breath from drinking all night. Did she really have the gusto to answer questions right now?

But it is only custom, of course. A new A is here, so she must be involved with some type of murder investigation, because if there isn't a dead body, there isn't an A. The monster manifests from the deadliest of secrets. And what is deadlier than murder?

Lieutenant Tanner slithered into the room smoothly and sat across from Spencer. She placed a thick file in front of her much to Spencer's amusement. This was a tactic she had not seen Tanner use before.

"Miss Hastings," the lieutenant mused, "I would say 'I didn't think I would be seeing you so soon', but if I am being honest… Well, even if you have gotten away with murder before—perhaps once or maybe even twice—I am not shocked to see you again."

Spencer threw up her hands sarcastically and snided, "Because I must be guilty of something, right?"

Lieutenant Tanner smiled, opening the file, "Because you have been involved in multiple murder investigations, and you have been the prime suspect of several of these investigations. Because you have several delinquencies throughout high school, such as but not limited to: drug abuse, trespassing, breaking and entering, stealing, bullying, vandalism, destruction of property, assault, disturbing the peace, lying to the police… must I go on? Or because—" she continued to flip through Spencer's records, "—you were admitted to Radley as a Jane Doe under the false pretense of Amnesia, but you were held for a mental evaluation as well as outbursts and severe mood swings. Because you were in and out of rehabilitation for drug use, and you have abused multiple types of substances. Because—"

"Do you really think I need a recount of my lowest moments?" Spencer interrupted, "Plot twist, lieutenant, I lived through those events."

The lieutenant chuckled and closed the file. "Yes. You lived through these events. You made these decisions. You unburied graves and reburied graves. You messed with evidence and hid secrets. You only ever told your parents or the police what you wanted them to know. And I know you have been the victim of many, many, many unfortunate events, but you have also continued to make decisions and choices that lead to severe consequences."

"What is your point, Lieutenant?" Spencer deadpanned, "Am I being accused of something here? Am I being arrested—because, if so, I would like to call my attorney. If not, I would like to take my leave."

"Miss Hastings, you are not above the law," said Lieutenant Tanner, "You have been the victim of several crimes, but that does not mean you cannot break the law yourself."

Once again, Spencer asked, gritting her teeth, "Am I being accused of something?"

Lieutenant Tanner paused for a moment. Then, she began a rapid sequence of questions, "Did you know anything about the disappearance of Addison Derringer?"

"No."

"Have you had any contact with the deceased before she originally went missing three months ago? Or even after she originally disappeared?"

"Never spoke to the girl in my life."

"Did you know Miss Derringer was Alison Dilaurentis' student?"

"She might have mentioned it."

"Are you aware of any ill will that may have been between Miss Dilaurentis and Miss Derringer?"

"I wouldn't know."

"Do you know anything about the body being behind your motel?"

"I wouldn't know anything, Lieutenant. I didn't even know the girl was dead," Spencer leaned forward, "I just thought she was missing. I figured she skipped town, perhaps like Alison did when we were younger."

Lieutenant Tanner corrected, "Miss Dilaurentis faked her death and hid in New York City. In which, I never truly found out what happened that night she faked her death. All I know is that the person sending those cyber messages to you and your friends scared her off. And that Charlotte Dilaurentis took full responsibility for most of those incidents before her admittance to Welby."

"Then perhaps you should be interrogating Addison Derringer's friends," Spencer suggested crudely, "And not the unlucky owners of a motel that are going to have to do damage control in order to maintain and keep guests interested in staying there."

The lieutenant did not respond to Spencer. She merely looked at her with a glint in her eye that told Spencer she wasn't getting away with anything. Spencer knew this detective was determined to slam them with some sort of crime, but Spencer honestly did not know anything about the poor teenager who wound up dead behind her and Alison's resort. And she knew Alison, who was previously questioned once the girl disappeared, did not know anything because she had privately questioned Alison herself. Alison didn't enjoy Spencer's own interrogation, but Spencer knew that Alison had nothing to do with the girl's disappearance. At least, Alison swore she didn't.

But, of course, a body would be found behind their motel the same night a new A reveals their presence to the girls. The same night Mona books a room with them, too, she remembered.

Finally, Lieutenant Tanner dismissed her from the interrogation room. She took Spencer's statements and lead her to the front desk. It looked as if Alison was still being questioned.

To ease some of Spencer's own suspicions about this girl's death being connected with this new A, Spencer asked the lieutenant before leaving the precinct, "If I might ask, Lieutenant—out of general curiosity—how was Addison Derringer killed?"

Lieutenant Tanner eyed Spencer sharply before answering, "She was bashed in the back of the head with a shovel."

[Change POV]

Aria bit her lip as Ezra rolled over in bed and wrapped his arms around her. They had slept in. Ezra was sleepy from staying up late writing (when Aria found him asleep on his laptop the night before), and Aria was exhausted from panicking for most of the night after reading Alison's group text. She still wasn't ready to tell Ezra that yet another A was here to torment her and her friends.

But that thought and those worries began to be far from her mind when Ezra pulled her closer to him, kissing the back of her neck while they still laid in bed. Her mind wandered as his hands moved underneath the blankets and touched her familiarly. Only he could touch her the way he did, the same way he had since they first got together. His kisses were gentle, but his hands were probing. Aria moaned as he hit her spots, and she leaned into him, eager for his touch and his hot breath on the back of her neck.

After a hot few minutes, they both calmed and relaxed into each other. Ezra whispered into her ear, "How do pancakes sound? Maybe some breakfast in bed?"

Aria sighed a barely audible agreement as she rested her head on her pillow. She felt Ezra grin against her ear before he sprang out of bed, stretching like a cat. He took his boyish smile into the kitchen to fry up some breakfast.

While the smell of love and food wafted into the bedroom, Aria's phone chimed. She rolled over and opened it, her hand flying to her mouth as she read a message from the one and only blocked caller I.D.:

Still hot for a teacher, even after graduation? Naughty bitch. —A

No freaking way, Aria thought, A really is back.