Hastings Residence

Veronica could hear the sounds of men yelling outside the house, her vision blurred as she opened her eyes. Smoke began to fill her lungs as she coughed repeatedly, there was a loud crash as part of the roof fell into the kitchen. Knowing she couldn't even manage to stand at the moment, Veronica had to stay calm. She was positive the firemen would find her, at least she hoped they did before it was too late. Even though she was mad at her daughter, Melissa was all she could think about. If Veronica did get out of this alive, she would make sure somebody knew what he was planning.

Emily ran up beside Hannah and Aria "I just got your message, how did this happen?" Hannah shook her head "I don't know, I just heard the sirens and then saw the house on fire" Aria put a hand to her mouth when she saw the roof collapse.

"You don't think anyone was inside do you?" Emily bit her lip "I hope not..." Just then the girls saw a fireman carrying someone out of the house. "Is that...Melissa's mom?" Hannah asked squinting.

"Oh my god it is..." Emily shook her head "Wait a minute, why is Melissa's mom even back? She wouldn't come home unless something was wrong," Emily and Hannah looked at Aria. "That's true, maybe something was wrong with Melissa" Hannah looked at Emily after she said that

"So then...where's Melissa?" Emily and the others heard their phones go off, they opened them and read the message "If you play with fire, someone is bound to get burnt...-A"

Along The Highway

Garret pulled the car over and got out to stretch, he rubbed his head and sighed as he looked around. Inside the car Melissa began to stir, she looked in the rear view mirror to see her daughter safe and sound. Melissa took a deep breath, she knew if she tried anything he would kill her or worse her daughter. But she had to get away, slipping out of her seat belt, Melissa slid over to the drivers side.

She started the car, Garret turned around and ran towards the car "Hey!" Melissa wasted no time in speeding off. "Get back here you bitch!" Melissa looked over her shoulder then turned back to the road.

Regretfully the only thing Melissa could do was go to those she wanted to tear down by words and threats, she had to go to the girls.

Rosewood Hospital

The girls sat in the waiting room patiently, since none of them were related to Veronica they were given no information. Luckily enough Aria's mom had convinced the doctor to tell her how Veronica was doing. As Ella walked into the waiting room, the girls stood up, "How is she?" Ella sighed looking at her daughter.

"Well she doesn't have any type of burn injuries, I'd say shes just a bit shaken up from the fire" Hannah leaned forward resting her elbows onto her knees. "Did they say what caused the fire?" Ella shook her head. "No, but I overheard one of the state troopers talking, somebody purposely set fire to the house"

Aria felt a tug in her heart "Who could do such a thing? I mean, is Veronica alright? What about Melissa and Taylor?" Ella shook her head "Melissa and Taylor weren't in the house, but from what I overheard Veronica was attacked. The doctor said she had been hit over the head with a blunt instrument. "

"So somebody was trying to kill her?" Ella nodded silently "Why would somebody do that?" Ella stood up looking at the girls. "It's hard to say, but thankfully she's alive"

Ella looked at them "I'm going to go on home if you need me call me Aria" Aria nodded at her mother. As soon as Ella was gone the girls looked at one another "You think A had something to do with this?" Hannah and Emily looked at Aria.

Hannah sighed "It'd be a pretty big coincidence if A didn't. I think Veronica must of known something" Emily paced around. "So if she did know something then A must of wanted her out of the way" Aria stood up and shook her head.

"We should leave and figure this out at home" Just as the girls were getting ready to leave, Melissa walked in. She ran up to the girls "Is my mother alright?" Aria and the girls nodded "Yeah, she doesn't have any burn wounds, but she was hit in the head"

Melissa looked at Hannah after that comment and felt a tug in her chest "I need to tell you guys something, but not here" Emily looked at Melissa curiously.

"Whats so important that you can't tell us now?" Melissa sighed "Just come with me to the cafe" The girls only nodded, as Melissa left, Hannah and Emily got into Aria's car. Aria started her car and drove to the cafe.

Cafe

Melissa exchanged looks with the girls for a few minutes before she decided to speak up, taking a deep breath she looked at the girls. "The reason I called you here is because, I know about whats been happening with you three"

Hannah looked at Melissa with a blank expression "What do you mean?" Emily and Aria were just as confused. Melissa didn't feel like playing around or waiting for the girls to figure out what she was trying to say. "I'm A"

The girls felt like their hearts stopped, they looked at one another and then to Melissa "Wait a minute...we thought Ian was A..." Hannah looked at Aria and Emily before glaring at Melissa.

"Wasn't it enough that you didn't believe your sister over your psychotic husband? and now your telling us your the one who's been sending us threatening messages? So what were you the one who nearly killed Aria?" Emily and Aria told Hannah to keep it down.

Melissa shook her head "No, no. Thats not it. I never attacked Aria, that was Garret. I was just so mad that I wanted you three to suffer like I did." Emily felt a lump in her throat "So Garrets still involved...where is he now?" Melissa said nothing.

Aria reached across the table to place her hand onto Melissa's "We all know you wouldn't of come here to tell us all this unless there was a good reason. Melissa bit her lower lip. "I never expected things to get so out of hand. He said if I didn't do as he asked he would take Taylor away from me. He made me hit my own mother over the head with a bat...he forced me to tell her about Ian"

Aria and Emily should of been mad, but they couldn't be, Melissa looked like she was in enough pain, she was hurting, but Hannah thought otherwise. "I'm sorry guys but I don't feel bad for her, in fact I could care less what happens" Emily and Aria turned around sharply "Hannah!" Hannah shook her head and ignored Aria.

"Look in my eyes this is what she gets. She sided with her husband and look what happened to Spencer. Now she wants our pity after getting involved with Garret and becoming A? Hell no."

Emily looked at Hannah. "Hannah, how can you be so mean?"

Hannah crossed her arms as she stood and looked at Melissa "Im not mean, im just not blind to the truth. You of all people Aria should feel the same way as me. She nearly killed you twice. What about your family that night?" Melissa stood up quickly.

"I had nothing to do with that!" Everyone was beginning to stare. Hannah scoffed and walked away. "I'm done with this bitch" As Hannah walked away, Emily and Aria looked at Melissa "I don't blame her...I wouldn't blame any of you for hating me"

Emily shook her head "All that matters is you came to us. Now all we need to do is go to the police and..." Melissa cut Emily off "No. No cops. I can't If I do that I may never see Taylor again." Aria let out a sigh. "Just tell us everything you know, and we will go from there" Melissa nodded. It was going to be a long tough road ahead for the girls, but maybe just maybe they could end this nightmare, for good.

A/N TWIST!