Chapter 25 – Set-Up
After successfully sneaking Spencer out of the apartment without Jenna's knowledge, they loaded up in Spencer's sedan. Spencer volunteered Toby to drive, considering she had too much on her mind to concentrate on the road. Today, the two were going to bury Sandals. He deserved a proper burial. He also deserved justice, in which Spencer and Toby would eventually accomplish.
The ride over to Spencer's penthouse was eerily quiet. Toby wasn't sure if Spencer was on mute because of the loss of her pet kitten or because she wasn't ready to see his pet snake.
Assuming the former, Toby asked, "Do you have a shovel?"
Spencer, still gazing out the window, solemnly replied, "No. We'll have to buy one."
It broke Toby's heart to hear the glumness etched in her tone. He couldn't wait to find the bastard who killed Alison and Sandals. Apparently, the duo was close to finding out the truth; that's why Sandals was victimized, as a scare tactic to get them to back off. But the killer made one huge mistake—shem's cowardly approach only infuriated Spencer and Toby, thus motivating them to work harder on the mystery.
When Toby pulled up in front of Spencer's building, an irregular feeling consumed the brunette. Although she had happily called this place her home for years, right now it felt like a foreign place. She felt more at home last night when she was entrapped in Toby's safety net. Toby detected her reluctance.
Cupping her chin in his massive hand, Toby directed Spencer's attention towards him. He rested his forehead atop hers, forcing her auburn orbs to meet his cerulean ones.
"I'm going to be with you every step of the way," he professed.
"Always?" she winced; her usual raspy voice now resembled the small squeaks of a frightened mouse.
"Always and forever," he confirmed.
"Promise?" she tested.
Staring consecutively into her hopeless brown globes so she could detect his serenity, Toby avowed, "Spencer Hastings, no matter where you are, if you need me, I will always be there for you. I promise; I swear; I guarantee. I will utilize my last breath protecting you, because I lo-"
Fear overwhelmed Spencer when he mentioned dying; she interrupted him, unaware of the magical statement he was about to announce. "Don't talk like that!" she begged. Opting to change the topic, she pointed towards her building. "Come on."
When Spencer opened the door to her luxury suite, she suddenly became paralyzed in the doorway. She couldn't believe someone had easily invaded her living quarters and did the unthinkable. Tears clouded her eyes as she remembered the gruesome scene in her closet.
"Toby, I can't…"
"Oh, baby, I'm so sorry..." he pouted as he encased her in his embrace. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Amongst her agonizing cries, she managed to communicate the location of Sandals to the carpenter. After reassuring her that things would get better, once they got justice for Ali and Sandals, Toby followed Spencer's directions that instructed him in her bedroom.
The first thing he noticed was the light grey long sleeved shirt draped over the foot of her canopy bed. It was the first shirt he lent her. Toby smiled largely. Apparently, she slept in his shirt. He was flattered.
But his flattery was swiftly replaced with sullenness when his eyes scrutinized the grisly display in her closet. He knew it would take a long time before Spencer and Cody recovered from this. Nonetheless, he would be there for her every step of the way, as promised.
Concealing the carcass in a shoe box with a lid, Toby speedily exited the room. He vouched to clean the remains and ugly message after Sandals' funeral. She didn't need a reminder of her loss.
When Spencer saw him, she gasped as her hands flew to her vibrating jaws—the result of her hysterical sobs. She knew Sandals was dead, but seeing the box made it more realistic. It was unbearable. Her tears were freefalling; her volume was escalading.
The scene was equally difficult for Toby. It broke his heart to see her in this broken state. He wrapped his available arm around her abdominal, pulling her into him, permitting her to use him as her support mechanism.
Spencer latched onto Toby, never releasing her tight grip on him until they reached the Mercedes. Ushering her to the passenger's side, Toby's gentlemanlike mannerism caused him to open and close her door for her. Then, he popped the truck to store the box.
Toby scrunched up his face in confusion at the sight of the only item in Spencer's trunk. He placed the box next to the object before lowering the trunk. When he returned to the driver's seat, he turned to face Spencer.
"I thought you said you didn't own a shovel. There's one in your trunk," Toby informed her.
"Really? Hmm… I don't remember buying one, but of course, I don't remember purchasing a lot of junk I have."
Toby utilized the moment to add a goofy remark in an attempt to lighten the mood. "That's because you don't purchase some of the stuff you have. You steal them from TobyRUs," Toby joked.
A small smile invaded her face; she knew he was referring to his shirts.
Trying to keep the grin plastered on her beautiful face, he continued, "The boss doesn't mind. He kinda has the hots for you."
Spencer blushed, exchanging her wet face for a reddened one. "Well, I hate to inform him, but he's got some big competition."
"Wait. What? Who?!" Toby demanded, nearly slamming on the brakes at the revelation.
Spencer giggled tremendously, enjoying his jealousy. "There's this blue-eyed carpenter, this blue-eyed chef, this blue-eyed Superman, this blue-eyed Greek god… need I continue?"
Toby grinned, "Hmm. Seems like you have a thing for blue eyes."
Toby looked her way, batting his lashes to showcase his sapphire orbs.
Spencer pointed to the road. "You should keep your blue eyes on the road, because I think we're lost," she claimed as she viewed their green surroundings.
"We're not lost. We're here," he announced as he pulled over.
"Where is here?" she inquired.
Toby got out of the vehicle and circled it to open Spencer's door for her. She hesitated, nonverbally demanding answers before she exited the car.
"Here is where we'll bury Sandals. I think it's a great place where he can rest in peace. And you can come visit him in a serene setting. A place reserved exclusively for you and Sandals."
During his explanation, Spencer emerged from the vehicle to see the view. The setting was breathtaking. An interruption in the rows of trees provided a quiet, secluded area that overlooked the town of Rosewood from the top of a hill. Spencer moved closer to Toby and interlaced her fingers with his.
She corrected him, "A place reserved exclusively for you, me and Sandals."
Crinkles formed around his eyes. He was happy she trusted him to be a part of this sacred moment. She planted a light kiss on his cheek before moving back towards the car.
Toby dug a shallow hole near the sign that read: You are now leaving the city of Rosewood, Population 7,989. After the box was placed into its designated spot, Spencer and Toby began covering it with soil. In the midst of the emotional moment, Spencer's tears detonated. Toby pulled his weeping girlfriend into his embrace as he sat down on the massive boulder stationed behind them.
Spencer couldn't believe how comfortable she was around this man. She wasn't the type to let anybody in easily. She always played it smart and shielded her heart with a thick wall to avoid heartbreak. That's why Spencer hadn't been in a serious relationship in years. She dated a few guys while she attended UPenn, but those were always casual and short term at her discretion. She hadn't anticipated falling for Toby, especially not this hard so soon. But she didn't regret permitting him to penetrate her guarded wall. Moments like this, with him being there when she needed him the most and holding her ever so close, she knew he was the one.
It was just unfortunate the monstrous amount of baggage that came equipped with their relationship—namely the unsolved DiLaurentis case, the fallout with Jenna, the confrontation with Jason, the disapproval of her parents. And now they were the target of a deranged murderer.
While one of his hands performed the windshield wiper effect across the small of her back to soothe her, the phalanges of his other hand drummed timorously on the large stone they employed as their bench. There was a conspiracy growing in her mind that he desperately wanted to share with her, but he wasn't sure now was the appropriate time. Little did he know, Spencer's thoughts mirrored his, except she wasn't patient.
"Toby," her voice came out small and fragile, but she still proceeded. "I think I know who's threatening me."
His voice matched her glumness as he lowly proclaimed, "Me too."
Spencer disconnected the friction between their bodies as she sat upright. Her teary eyes met his. "Seriously? You do?" she vexed.
"These threats started Thanksgiving Day, right?" Spencer nodded, affirming his statement. Toby continued, "I know we made a LOT of enemies that day, but there is one in particular who obviously carries an interest in us pursuing this case."
Spencer nodded again. Assuming they were on the same page, the pair prepared to cast their votes. Her lips separated to voice who she suspected at the same time his did.
"Jenson!" was the misconstrued moniker that surfaced.
The duo looked at each in astonishment, honestly disappointed in the other's answer.
"Wait. Did you just say Jenna? As in my stepsister Jenna?" Toby inquired.
"Yes, I did. Isn't it obvious why? She wasn't shy about expressing her utter dislike of me."
"Yeah, that's true, but that was over Garrett's case. I don't understand how this case would affect her at all."
"Well according to you, Garrett was a member of your fraternity. Right?"
Toby's brows furrowed. He wasn't seeing the relevance in the matter. "Yes. But I'm still not connecting the dots."
"Well, that means Garrett was at the Labor Day party, considering he's a member of your frat house. At the time of the party, Garrett and Jenna were dating. That means Jenna was at the party."
"I don't remember if she was there or not, but it's possible she was. But what would be her motive?"
Spencer shrugged her shoulders. "That's what I'm still trying to discover," she stated. "What's with that look on your face? You don't look convinced."
"Because I'm not," he admitted, frankly disgusted with Spencer's accusation. "Jenna and I barely knew Alison. I told you—she had just returned home after spontaneously transferring to a college down south about two years prior."
"Well maybe something happened at the party between the two that angered Jenna. At least my theory is better than yours. You said Jason."
"You saw how aggressive he was Thanksgiving. He nearly knocked you out with a damn rake!"
Spencer explained, "He was distraught, which was understandable considering the circumstances. Alison was his sister. There's no way he'd hurt his own sister…"
"You don't know that. It's not like they were the best of friends. Of all the brothers, Jason inhaled the most poison. Maybe he had a drunken moment and hurt her."
"That's highly possible, too, but…"
Toby interrupted when a supplementary theory invaded his critical thinking. "Maybe he's the reason she suddenly transferred schools. I mean, she didn't even tell her parents she was thinking about it. They got a call from Ali after she was in Georgia. Something had to have happened to cause her to move so quickly."
Spencer probed for more of his theory that she wasn't supporting, "Like what?"
"I don't know. That's what I'm still trying to discover."
Spencer sneered, "I still think Jenna is sketchy as hell…"
"What you need to do is shut up about my sister," he defensively blurted without thinking. "No, I'm sorry; I didn't mean it like that…"
Spencer leaped off the boulder, her arms flailing crazily. "No, what I need to do is smack those shades off your stepsister's face, because the BITCH CAN SEE!"
…
Oh, stop pulling out your hair over there. Spoby will make up next chapter. Toby's final dialogue seemed completely out-of-character, huh? Well, if you're an obsessive PLL lover like me, you'd know Toby stated that exact line in 2x23.
I'm going to be the one pulling my hair out if no one detects the obvious revelation in this chapter—it's hidden in Spoby's early dialogue. The title of this chapter conveys a strong meaning to help you pick up on the biggest clue of this story. If you pick up on it, please brag about it in the reviews and I'll eagerly update tomorrow.