Two Sides Of Life
Chapter Seven
One Day Later
"You see time has a way of screwing with us. If it wanted something to happen, you can't change it. She was meant to be in the timeline in some capacity. So time made it so, but rather than a twin, she became a daughter. Same first name. Different last. Completely different person. But still connected."
One Day Earlier
"No I definitely made it or a variation of it at least. But I didn't plan to send this riddle yet." She paused. "I haven't sent it yet." She corrected with thought. Alex looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. "And what gift?" She shrugged. Alex's eyebrow dropped as she studied Avery's face. She may not have seen her sister recently but her tells or therefore lack of had not changed.
"A farce from my personal file at the CIA." Alex answered as her eyes drifted back to the napkin held loosely in Avery's hands. "If it wasn't you, then who was it?" Alex wondered slowly.
"If I knew who you really think I would be confused?" Avery snipped resulting in Alex rolling her eyes and lifting an eyebrow.
"Think you can stop being a bitch long enough to figure this out?" Alex retorted dryly. Avery looked at her, lips pursued and eyes sharp. If was clear she did not appreciate the remark. Shaking her head in resignation, she silently dropped onto the couch adjacent to Alex not giving her a second look but merely looking at the napkin on the table. "So you're not going to talk to me now?" The question was met with only silence. Alex looked away before sighing and looking back at Avery from the corner of her eye. "You know, acting like you're not willing to really help me figure this out is pointless. I will never understand you. Or your reasoning behind doing everything you've done. But we still are blood. And that bonds us. So that is how I know you're going to help me. Because above all else, we were family at one point. And you may hate me for not being there, but you hate things being taken out of your control even more. This game… it's being taken from your control, for whatever reason. And you want it back. You're going to help me either way, so why not stop digging your heels in about it and let's just get on with it?" Get this over with faster." Alex suggested with logic that even Avery had to admit, was understandable. She turned her gaze to look at Alex only to see Alex was now looking down at the napkin. Her gaze remained watching Alex thoughtfully.
While she wouldn't admit it out loud, Alex was right. She would always be right. They were blood, it bonded them and while they may not be the true meaning of family anymore, they were at a time. That still did carry weight between them, that much was obvious, to both of them. They fought and did horrible things to one another and many of it they probably wouldn't forgive the other for, at the time, but eventually given the right reasonings and time, it was possible. They came from the same environment, they just turned out differently. Alex was a killer yes, but the people she went after deserved no less, it was always justified and many times the end goal in the eyes of mission procedures in CIA. Avery was a psycho torturer hell bent on some version of revenge.
Those differences made the sight Alison saw upon looking through the front window of the Brew such the shock that it was. With now knowing full well who A.D was and what she had done, confusion and questions was swirling around through her mind. But the one thing going through her mind that she didn't want to believe was that the other girls mistrust was well placed.
Had Alex and Avery been arguing or even had one of them been standing as if they had approached the other for whatever reason, it wouldn't be as bad. But they weren't, they were sitting on the adjacent couches, talking civilly about what Alison did not know.
It was only when Alex shot up standing abruptly that Alison held hope that things were not as it seemed. That hope was dashed when Avery followed Alex's gaze to the counter as someone was paying for coffee. Alison's gaze also followed to see the profile of someone she had knew all to well. It was a profile that Alex had also seen and recognized. Alex seemed about to take a step forward when Avery stood in front of her blocking her path as Alison watched on. Avery shook her head apparently saying something that Alison couldn't guess as her back was to her. But she could see Alex's piercing blue eyes looking over the shoulder of the slightly shorter sister at the profile of the father she hadn't seen in person at she was seven.
Though it was from a distance, and Alex held normally guarded and calculating eyes, Alison could see the pain behind them for only the second time since meeting her. It was obvious that Alex wanted to simply shove past Avery and make a dash for Toby. Why she didn't was a mystery to Alison. There were words exchanged between the half siblings before Alex's jaw clenched, her eyes took on their normal steely, calculating gaze and she nodded tensely before sitting back down on the couch with Avery following the action by turning and sitting on her own couch. Alex spared once last glance at Toby before it seemed her inner conflict was completely shoved down and her eyes drifted back to the napkin not to move from it again.
The entire exchange lasted at most a minute, and to anyone else it wouldn't have mattered but to Alison it did. It showed the connection Alison would've loved to pretend was none existent. It demonstrates just how much of the the familial connection still stood between the two. It also showed Alison how much without a doubt that Alex and Avery were Spencer's children. The exchange between the two held qualities that were every bit Spencer and there was no denying it. The reasonability and logical thinking that Avery apparently seemed to have shown, and the impulsiveness and possible recklessness of acting before thinking that Alex seemed to were Spencer's most prominent and consistent qualities even if the traits were incredibly contradicting at times.
It also put into perspective who each of them really were for Alison. Having spent the most time with Alex, Alison had believed she had a decent idea of the qualities of Spencer's that she inherited. Alex stilled remained the reserved one, never revealed what she was really thinking, hidden, cold, clever, and despite what Alison wanted to admit, ruthless when needed. But it seemed, that did change slightly with a second and deeper look. She was also the sometimes act before thinking one and slightly impulse and instinct driven. The instincts and cleverness that more than likely kept her alive along with the apparent ruthlessness.
It was the second look at Avery's personality that actually threw Alison for a loop. Everything she had known about A.D battled the person she just saw. A.D was a cold hearted bitch. She played and tortured them for what seemed to be her own pleasure. But that wasn't it, it was becoming more and more clear that it wasn't a game for just pleasure but rather it coupled with twisted revenge. A.D was the smart, devious and cruel one but it seemed Avery, was capable of logic, and reasoning as well.
All of the qualities put together were, while Alison hated to admit it, were visible at one time or another in Spencer. The traits in both of them were from the very best and the very worst of Spencer. But it seemed the trait both of them developed for themselves was their ability to lie and keep things secret. Sure Spencer had the abilities, but they weren't inheritable traits. Lying and secret keeping was a trained ability. An ability that Alex seemed and still seemed to be better at. Avery hid behind a tangle of mystery, Alex was upfront with the lies and secrets, though neither were in any way predictable.
Mistrust had been and in all honestly still was Alison's go to. It was her first emotion and instinct. Which was why she was currently making her way around the back of the Brew and entering through the back door as she slowly closed the door and came to stand on the other side of the wall from the alcove Alex and Avery were currently in talking. Pressing herself up against the wall, she strained her ears to listen.
"I'm back at my start but not exactly. The place many a go for a scholar and a voice. It's where the original lies and met the first. What ended twisted in a mystery and a two letter A name. Different going around, changing history by the time. Changes changed create one thing thought to break all. Come Find Me." She heard Avery's accented voice recite. She couldn't see them but she wondered if that was what was written on the napkin that was being held earlier.
"Where the original lies." Alex's voice followed. "And met the first." She continued. "Many a go for a scholar and a voice." She repeated random bits from it. "You created this didn't you? Shouldn't you know where this is?"
Avery shook her head and bit her lip. "I created a variation of this. This, in all honestly, was supposed to lead you to the DiLaurentis house. I don't know where this one leads but I know it isn't the same." Avery admitted.
"Wait." Alex frowned in thought. "Speak." She ordered causing Avery to raise and eyebrow in confusion. "Just do it. Say anything at all. I don't care. Recite it for all I care." Avery looked confusion but abided nonetheless, trusting it was for a good reason.
"I'm back at my start but not exactly. The place many a go for a scholar and a voice. It's where the original lies and met the first. What ended twisted in a mystery and a two letter A name. Different going around, changing history by the time. Changes changed create one thing thought to break all. Come Find Me." Avery finished looking expectantly at Alex, waiting to see what exactly was the purpose of that. Alex had her mouth agape slightly as she looked at Avery.
"A scholar and a voice." Alex repeated expecting it to mean something to Avery. When it didn't she shook her head and pressed, "Where is the placed stereotyped for scholars and certain voices?" She pushed. It took a second but only that and Avery's mouth dropped as her eyes widened.
"England." She breathed as Alex nodded knowingly. That was where this was taking them. To England and they had just day to get there and figure out exactly where they needed to be. They exchanged a long look before they both shot up, Avery grabbing the napkin and bolting for the door as Alex grabbed her leather jacket and quickly throwing it on before bolting out the door just a second after her. Hot on Avery's heels, she threw open the passenger door to a black Mercedes in the lot as Avery yanked open the driver side quickly, jamming the key into the ignition and turning it.
They were gone seconds later.
Whilst Alison watched from her place beside the wall. It was unnerving to see them working together. But it was even more so to know that it wasn't in fact Avery, A.D, that sent the riddle, but rather than someone else was possibly stealing the game yet again. That was what pushed her to with the much needed motivation to take her cell phone from her jeans back pocket and press the second number on her speed dial.
"Meet me at the airport. Now. We have a flight to England to catch. Just you." Were the first words out of Alison's mouth.
One Hour Later
Alison walked up to Spencer, bag in hand just as Spencer was closing the passenger door to her silver Mercedes small duffel in hand as she slid it onto her shoulder. Spencer turned to see her and they started walking side by side into the airport. The second they entered the doors, Spencer spoke.
"Care to tell me why exactly we're going to England? Or maybe way we're leaving without telling the others?" Spencer questioned glancing at Alison from the corner of her eye as they continued walking. Alison didn't answer until they finished getting tickets and boarding passes for the flight into Heathrow in thirty minutes.
Walking through the international airport toward their gate, Alison answered, "Because if we told them, they would either want to come or Emily would just straight up try and stop me from going." Alison shook her as Spencer watched her. It was clear she wasn't going to let that happen. "Besides this is between family." She continued causing Spencer to frown in thought. There was only one thing that could've meant and while Spencer wanted to ask her to elaborate, she bit her tongue and waited for Alison to continue. "And as to why England? Because it just so happens to be the place the riddle was referring to." Alison answered nonchalantly as of that wasn't a small bombshell she was dropping. It wasn't the fact that it was England that was the bombshell, it was the fact that Alison somehow knew the answer to the riddle and that was only possible if…
"Alex told you." Spencer breathed as realization struck. Her eyes were wide and she completely stopped walking causing Alison to stop as well.
"Not purposefully?" Alison admitted albeit a bit reluctantly and sheepishly while refusing to meet Spencer's eyes.
"Not purposefully?" Spencer exclaimed. "Alison how did you find out?" Spencer demanded in a tone much like one Alison had heard Alex use when asking Avery about the riddle and whether she made it or not merely a hour prior.
"I may have eavesdropped on Alex and Avery." Alison answered as she started walking again, leaving Spencer standing there to process what she had just said.
"Alex and Avery?! Please tell me you're shitting me." Spencer demanded as she snapped out of her stupor and hurried to catch up with Alison.
"I found them at the Brew. They were sitting in the alcove talking about the riddle. Apparently A.D, Avery, didn't write it." Alison explained as they neared their gate.
"What? Did she say that? You really believe anything that comes out of mouth?" Spencer questioned dryly. Alison shook her head.
"No you didn't see it. The way they interacted." Alison paused and thought carefully trying to find the right words. "They-they didn't interact like anything even resembling friends or people that cared for one another, but they acted like people that once did. That knew each other, like actually knew each other. I saw a different side to A.D. Hell I didn't even see A.D. I saw Avery."
Spencer shook her head vehemently, "There is no other side to A.D." she countered.
"No there was-is. Toby was at the Brew." These words caused Spencer's head to whip to face Alison, eyes wide. "He was at the counter, paying. Alex spotted and recognized him from his side profile and shot up ready to go over to him. Avery stopped her, and I think actually reasoned with Alex." Alison recalled.
"Reasoned or threatened? And why the hell were they even together? Because if they're working together, I warned you not to trust her."
Alison sighed exasperated. Spencer just wasn't seeing her how she had. "No, look Spencer. She reasoned. And I thought the same things at first when I saw them, but they are only working together to find who made the riddle. Avery didn't make it. That means the game is being taken from her and the riddle is the key to finding out who it is. So they are doing the same things we were, trying to find who's behind it. And Spencer, allies, no matter who they are, can be a powerful thing. And having two more Hastings on our side right now, is the best possible thing we could be asking for." And with that Alison handed her boarding pass to the attendant and entered the boarding hall making her way onto the plane leaving Spencer standing there stunned.
It was seven or eight hours later that the plane began its descent into Heathrow. It was another forty five minutes before they had the keys to a rental car and were sitting in it debating what to do. Alison's plan hadn't really gone much further than actually just getting to England. They had over a dozen missed calls each all from the other three once they turned their phones back on and at least thirty text messages.
They made a silent agreement not to answer except for a simple message even though it could easily make things worrying for the three. They did agree on the fact that this was just family and while Emily, Hanna and Aria would always be true family, this was something darker, it was the mess that was the past and the future of their messed up family and it was their mess.
Don't worry, we're safe and together. -Alison's & Spencer. Was the simple message that was sent in reply.
Spencer eventually pulled out her laptop and went to work on pinging Alex's GPS. Something Alison doubted was possible but at the same time was impressed and surprised that Spencer even knew how to go about it. Spencer knew a lot of things but hacking and tracking had always been Caleb or even Mona's strength. Yet Spencer seemed to have a fair idea of what she was doing.
And that was how nearly an hour later, they had found out that Alex and possibly Avery were both at the Ace Hotel, a London five star hotel replacement of the Hilton.
Knowing this information, they decided to wait and sit on the fact that they could follow them rather than barge in there. It wasn't until late, nearly midnight England time that the signal showed they them or Alex leaving the hotel. In agreement, Spencer and Alison followed but not before giving them a half hour head start.
They wound up at a bar. The Scholars Voice. Now that was fitting and quite possibly the entire meaning of the riddle. Upon seeing the name, they shared a knowing look and entered cautiously.
Alex and Avery entered the bar quietly. Finding nothing out of the ordinary on the ground floor, they made the decision to check the basement, where they found a closed door. Slowly, it was pulled open and the two half siblings entered the room slowly. Both immediately on entering scanned the room. There was another staircase in the far corner that led back up to the main bar. But that wasn't the most important thing in the room. The room held shelves, a queen bed and in all honestly, was basically a loft above the bar just rather than above it was below. It was clear someone had been inhabiting it. Checking around, they looked for any idea or indication of what they were meant to find.
"Alex!" Avery called out from in front of the bed. Alex turned and looked at her from over near the desk and approached at her beckoning only to see exactly what she was looking at.
"Holy shit." Alex breathed out. There in the ground was a woman identical to Spencer, the young current Spencer. The sisters shared a look of confusion as they tried to understand what exactly any of this meant. Alex crouched down while looking up at Avery and placed two fingers agains the woman's neck, feeling for the beat they both subconsciously hoped to find.
There was no beat to meet Alex's fingers. No pound to signal life. Nothing. Just silence.
Then there was a slam as they both whipped around to see the door they entered through had been slammed shut and a woman identical to the one on the floor, just many years older, standing by it.
The woman both siblings grew up hating.
"What did you do to her?" Alex demanded standing up and gesturing to the woman on the ground.
"Better question, who the hell is she?" Avery interjected. Both sisters watching every move their mother made as she moved away from the door and got closer to them. "Because I know she sure as hell isn't the current times Spencer." The two moved away from the woman and moved to the side as their mother moved to stand in front of the body where had previously been. What none of them knew was that Spencer and Alison were know outside of the door that had been slammed just a minute previously, listening.
"It's all about time. You see time has a way of screwing with us. If it wanted something to happen, you can't change it. She was meant to be in the timeline in some capacity. So time made it so, but rather than a twin, she became a daughter. Same first name. Different last. Completely different person. But still connected." Older Spencer smirked as she turned to look at the two. It was the confused look on both of their faces that brought the smirk to her lips. "Alexandria Drake. My twin and fellow daughter to Mary Drake. Original timelines A.D. Oh and Alison, Spencer, why don't you join us?"
Now that's interesting. It seems Alexandria Drake is a thing in this universe. But how? Well guess we'll find out next chapter. Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed! Let me know what you're thinking over in the reviews. See ya next chapter! -DS
