ACT FIVE
INT. THE REAR WINDOW BREW - DAY
Spencer stands at the counter where the cream and sugar is located. Five coffees sit in a drink carrier on the counter in front of her. She dumps some sugar into several of the cups and is starting to put the lids back on when -
CALEB (O.S.)
Hey.
Spencer jumps a little, then turns. There are dark circles under her eyes. It looks like she hasn't slept in a while - because she hasn't. Worry over Alison kept her up the entire night before.
Caleb walks over to her. His smile looks a little forced.
SPENCER
Hey.
Caleb's eyes drift down to the carrier full of coffees. He grins slightly and jerks his chin toward it.
CALEB
Isn't that a little extreme even for you?
Spencer rolls her eyes good-naturedly.
SPENCER
They're not all for me.
She meets his eyes, her brow furrowing.
SPENCER (CONT'D)
Didn't Hanna call you last night?
CALEB
I got a text from her saying that she didn't want to leave Emily alone. But judging by your expression, there's more to the story.
Spencer shoots a quick glance around, falling back into her old, paranoid ways. She gestures for Caleb to step closer.
SPENCER
Alison left Jason a voicemail last night. Screaming and pleading for help. She didn't just leave Emily at the altar, Caleb. Something happened to her.
Caleb stares at her in shock. A bit of hurt flashes through his eyes, too - why is Spencer the one telling him this?
CALEB
So you think she was...what, adult-napped?
SPENCER
The phrase is still "kidnapped." And none of us know what to think. All we know is that she's in danger.
Caleb stares past her at nothing in particular.
CALEB
I can't believe Hanna didn't tell me about this.
Spencer hesitates for just a moment before clearing her throat and attempting to make him feel better.
SPENCER
She probably just didn't want you to worry, too. Don't overthink it.
She reaches over and pats him on the shoulder, then checks her watch.
SPENCER (CONT'D)
I really need to -
CALEB
Spencer, wait. I want to help. Do you have Jason's phone? I bet I can track where the call came from.
An awkward look crosses Spencer's face. She knows he's not going to be happy with her answer, but she can't see a way out of telling him.
SPENCER
Yeah, um...thanks, but I think we've got it covered.
Caleb's brow furrows in confusion.
CALEB
By who?
SPENCER
Mona.
His expression immediately darkens, as if a switch has been flipped.
CALEB
She's back in Rosewood?
SPENCER
Yeah. She told Hanna that she's living here again.
Caleb looks at her in complete surprise.
CALEB
And you don't think there's anything weird about that?
SPENCER
I don't really have room in my brain to think about it right now. She's helping us find Ali. That's what matters.
She looks mostly unconcerned, but Caleb's face twists with suspicion.
CALEB
I don't like this. There's more to the story. There always is with Mona.
Spencer sighs and picks up the coffee carrier from the counter.
SPENCER
Look, Caleb, I have to go. Just keep your phone by you, okay? We'll let you know if we need help.
Caleb frowns. He looks like he wants to protest, but before he can speak, Spencer turns and heads for the door. He watches her go, looking frustrated and confused.
INT./EXT. ROSEWOOD MAIN STREET - EMILY'S CAR - DAY
Emily sits behind the wheel of the car, with Aria beside her. Emily is leaning back in her seat, her eyes on her phone. Aria is peering across the street with a determined frown. After a moment, Emily glances over at her and groans.
EMILY
This is pointless.
ARIA
Come on, just a little bit longer.
EMILY
Aria, we've been tailing Melissa for half an hour and all we know is that she drives like an eighty year old woman.
She leans down a little to peer through the front window at the shop across the street from where they're parked - "Nifty Thrifty."
EMILY (CONT'D)
And that she's surprisingly thrifty for a Hastings. None of this is going to help us find Ali!
Aria sighs and tears her eyes away from the street. She lays her hand comfortingly on Emily's arm.
ARIA
We don't know that, okay? For all we know, she could be the one behind all of this. She could lead us right to Ali.
Emily leans her arm against the window and rests her head against her hand.
EMILY
I wish I had your optimism.
ARIA
And I mean, we can't really do anything until Mona figures out where that voicemail came from.
EMILY
I guess you're right. I just...
She trails off as the door to the thrift shop opens and Melissa exits. She's carrying a narrow, navy blue box in both hands.
EMILY (CONT'D)
Wait, there she is.
ARIA
What is she holding?
EMILY
Probably just some stupid knick-knack. Come on, let's get out of here.
She starts to put the car in drive, but Aria stops her, her eyes still on Melissa.
ARIA
Wait. Just one more minute.
Emily sighs but relents, and they both watch through the car window as Melissa walks over to her own car, parked a few yards down from the thrift stop. She moves around to the driver's side, but just as she's reaching out to open the door, the box slides from her hands.
It hits the pavement and the lid flies off. Something silver and shiny slips onto the sidewalk. Both Aria and Emily lean forward as Melissa tilts her head back, looking frustrated.
EMILY
What is that?
ARIA
I don't know.
Melissa stoops down and grabs the object. As she stands with it in her hand, sunlight suddenly glints off of it - it's a large steak knife with an ornate, wooden handle. Aria gasps out loud.
ARIA
Oh my God, Em. It's a knife.
Melissa carefully replaces the knife in the box and gets into her car. Aria and Emily stare after her as she drives away.
EMILY
It's a coincidence, right?
ARIA
That would be a hell of a lot of coincidences.
Emily turns to her. Her eyes have grown wild with fear again.
EMILY
So what? You think Melissa's going to take that knife back to Ali and...
She trails off and touches her throat gingerly, unable to continue. Aria grimaces and peers down the street. Melissa's car has vanished.
ARIA
Let's not jump to any conclusions, okay? Anyway, we lost her. Let's just go back to your house.
Emily yanks the car into drive and pulls out onto the street.
INT. DILAURENTIS-FIELDS HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Hanna sits on the sofa, leaning forward with her chin in her hand. The five board game figurines are scattered on the coffee table in front of her. She's staring at them with narrowed eyes. Her expression is pure concentration.
HANNA
So if Ali was kidnapped, does that mean she didn't put these here herself? Maybe someone's trying to frame her. Maybe someone who knows that Ali used to have secret hiding places.
Her frown deepens - she's starting to confuse even herself. Shaking her head, she twists around.
HANNA (CONT'D)
What do you think?
The CAMERA PANS AROUND to Mona, who is standing near the fireplace. She's staring at the ground, looking lost in thought. Hanna watches her for a moment before raising her eyebrows, noticing that something's wrong.
HANNA (CONT'D)
Mona. Hello?
Mona looks up suddenly, like she's coming out of a daze.
MONA
Oh. Um, yeah.
HANNA
Did you hear a single word I just said?
Mona looks defensive for a moment, then sighs. Her shoulders slump with a loss of energy and she sits down heavily beside Hanna.
MONA
Sorry, Han. I'm just having a little trouble getting my head in the game today.
HANNA
Yeah, I noticed. Is something going on?
A beat, then, with suspicion -
HANNA (CONT'D)
You don't know anything about what happened to Alison, do you?
Mona gives her a withering glare.
MONA
I thought we were past that.
Hanna just looks away, clearly unconvinced. Growing more uncomfortable, Mona twists the ring around her finger before relenting -
MONA (CONT'D)
But you're partially right. I have been keeping something from you.
Hanna sits up straighter. Tension immediately fills the room. She can feel that something's not right.
HANNA
What are you talking about?
There's a long silence before Mona finally manages to go on -
MONA
Having a mental illness is like having a prosthetic limb. You can get used to it, you can even forget you have it, but it'll always be there. It's never going away.
Her voice is so low that Hanna has to shift closer to hear. She looks at Mona in obvious confusion.
HANNA
Are you talking about yourself?
MONA
I moved to France because I thought that getting out of Rosewood would help me. But then I spent nearly a month convinced that I had Mary and Alex Drake locked up in the basement of my shop.
She laughs dryly. Hanna reels back a little, clearly horrified. Mona rolls her eyes.
MONA (CONT'D)
It was just a hallucination, Hanna. But they seemed as real as you do right now.
HANNA
So how'd you snap out of it?
MONA
My boyfriend at the time followed me down to the basement one day, without me knowing. I was furious. I was sure that he was going to call his old buddies on the Rosewood police force and turn me in. It took him over a week to get me to realize that none of it was real.
A beat, then -
MONA (CONT'D)
By the end of it all, he was so freaked that he broke up with me. That's when I figured out how bad things had gotten.
She lifts her head. There are tears in her eyes. Hanna is staring at her, speechless.
MONA (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to freak you out, too.
HANNA
No. It's fine.
Her voice is faint. She's always known about Mona's illness, but they've never spoken about it so candidly before. She's scared, but she's not sure what she can do.
HANNA (CONT'D)
Has it...happened since then?
MONA
The hallucinations? No. But I can feel that something's not right. It's keeping me from sleeping, eating...it's the same feeling I had -
She cuts off abruptly. Hanna furrows her brow and leans forward, suspicious.
HANNA
The same feeling you had when?
Mona takes a deep breath. There is nothing she wants less than to speak these next words -
MONA
It's how I felt the day of Charlotte's hearing.
Hanna's eyebrows shoot up in alarm.
MONA (CONT'D)
Out of control. Like it's a struggle just to hold onto reality. Last time I managed to keep it together until I got addicted to the game again. But now...it's worse this time.
A tear slips down her cheek. Seeing this, Hanna shifts closer and wraps an arm around her shoulders.
HANNA
Oh my God. Mona...why didn't you tell me any of this?
Mona wipes away another tear and gives Hanna a dubious look, but doesn't pull away.
MONA
Let's not pretend that you didn't put me out with the trash the last time I was in treatment.
HANNA
Come on, it didn't happen like that.
Mona pulls away from her and jumps up from the sofa, suddenly angry.
MONA
You didn't even have the guts to tell me yourself that you wanted me out of your house. You made Caleb do it for you!
Hanna opens her mouth to retort, but can't find the words - she knows Mona's right. She shifts uncomfortably on the sofa, running a hand through her hair. Finally she stands and lets out a breath.
HANNA
Yeah. Maybe you're right. Everyone was breathing down my neck telling me that letting you stay with us was a mistake, and I gave in, okay?
By the time she's finished, her voice has risen. She looks almost mad. Mona stares at her, the hurt evident on her face.
MONA
Okay.
She meets Hanna's eyes for a moment, then seems to come to a decision, and moves toward the door. Hanna groans and grabs her arm.
HANNA
Mona, wait. That didn't come out right. I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. I did want you to stay with us. But Caleb insisted it was a bad idea, and so did my friends, and...I went along with it. I didn't know what else to do.
MONA
I get why they still have trouble trusting me. But it seemed like we were finally over all that. I thought our friendship meant more to you.
There are tears shining in both of their eyes now. Tentatively, Hanna reaches out and grabs Mona's hand.
HANNA
Remember the gift you gave me at my bridal party? Our old dream wedding book? When I got back from the hospital that night and saw that it was missing, I tore the whole loft apart. I even ruined my manicure digging it out of the trash.
She laughs warmly, and Mona can't help but smile.
MONA
The ultimate sacrifice.
HANNA
I'm sorry that I made you feel like I didn't care. And I promise that as soon as we find Ali, I'll help you through this. You don't have to go through it alone this time.
They exchange a somewhat teary smile, then hug tightly for a long moment. They're just breaking apart when the door opens and Spencer, Aria, and Emily all enter. Hanna and Mona smile at each other once more before turning to them, getting back to business.
Spencer raises the coffee carrier.
SPENCER
I brought sustenance.
EMILY
And we brought news.
She stands shoulder to shoulder with Aria. They both look grim and anxious.
HANNA
What?
MONA
Something to do with Melissa?
Aria nods. Spencer's face whitens.
ARIA
Come on, let's all sit down.
They move as a group further into the living room and sit down on the sofa and chairs. Aria and Emily exchange a look. Emily looks like she's about to be sick with worry.
ARIA (CONT'D)
We followed Melissa to a thrift store.
Hanna cuts in with a snort of disbelief.
HANNA
Melissa's thrifty? That might be the most shocking part of all of this.
EMILY
No. She wasn't scrounging for half-price designer bags. We saw what she came out with - a knife.
ARIA
Yeah, a big one.
Mona crosses her legs, frowning thoughtfully.
MONA
First Melissa reappears the same day that Alison goes missing, and now this?
Emily gives her a hard, suspicious look.
EMILY
She's not the only one who suddenly showed back up.
Mona raises her eyebrows, but before she can retort, Hanna jumps in.
HANNA
Emily. Stop it. I get that you're upset, but Mona's on our side.
Her words are sharp. Emily furrows her brow and looks away, clearly a little offended. Mona gives Hanna a grateful smile.
Aria looks over at Spencer, who is sitting silently, her hands clasped in front of her knees.
ARIA
Isn't this about the time you usually start defending Melissa?
Spencer flinches almost unnoticeably. There's an expression close to anger on her face.
SPENCER
I don't think there's anything to defend this time.
MONA
Really? I'd think it would take more than a steak knife and some strange timing for you to be ready to throw your sister to the wolves.
The others frown - it is odd. Spencer glances around at them and takes a deep breath. It's time to come clean.
SPENCER
You guys don't know the full story. Melissa cut me off a few months ago. All I got was an angry voicemail, no explanation.
The girls are shocked. Emily's brow knits together even more.
EMILY
Why didn't you tell us?
HANNA
Seriously.
SPENCER
It didn't feel like a big deal at the time. Just more Melissa weirdness. But there's obviously more to the story.
ARIA
Well, can you try and talk to her?
Spencer snorts, rolling her eyes.
SPENCER
Yeah, I'm sure that conversation would go well. "Hey sis, I know we haven't spoken in two months, but I just have a few quick questions about the knife my friends saw you carrying around."
Hanna gives a nonchalant shrug.
HANNA
Hey, it gets the point across.
SPENCER
And it also wouldn't give me an actual answer.
Emily is beginning to get frustrated with all of the back-and-forth. She stands abruptly and turns to Mona.
EMILY
Can you track the location of the voicemail now?
MONA
The data transfer should be finishing up as we speak.
She stands as well and walks into the DINING ROOM, with Emily following close behind. Spencer, Aria, and Hanna remain seated. Jason's phone is sitting on the dining room table, hooked up to a laptop. Mona pulls it closer and wakes up the screen. She frowns almost immediately.
MONA (CONT'D)
Wait.
Emily moves closer, noticing her concern.
EMILY
What's wrong?
Mona's eyes widen as she clicks around on the computer screen.
MONA
No, that's not possible...
Spencer, Aria, and Hanna appear in the doorway.
ARIA
Did you find out where the call came from?
Mona steps back from the laptop, completely stunned. She looks around at the girls.
MONA
No. Someone corrupted the data. I can't access it.
SPENCER
You're kidding.
HANNA
How did that happen?
MONA
I thought I had it completely locked down. But someone must have hacked into it remotely.
Emily rushes over to the laptop. She peers at the screen with a look of growing horror.
EMILY
So that's it? We can't find out where she is?
Aria walks over and puts a comforting hand on her arm, trying to be uplifting.
ARIA
Em, no, we'll figure something else out. There has to be another way.
Spencer and Mona exchange a look. They both know this has just gotten a whole lot more difficult. But before anyone can say another word, an ambulance siren begins to blare.
SPENCER
That sounds close.
Hanna folds her arms, grimacing as the wailing grows louder - the first siren has been joined by several others.
HANNA
Yeah, a little too close. What's going on?
Emily's face grows sheet white with dread.
EMILY
Alison!
She sprints toward the door, with the others following. They slam out the front door -
EXT. DILAURENTIS-FIELDS HOUSE - FRONT YARD - DAY
The girls run into the center of the yard and freeze, squinting into the swarm of flashing red and blue lights. Three ambulances and four police cars are piled up on the street.
HANNA
Oh my God.
ARIA
What is this?
The girls stare, shocked. At first, it appears as though the police and EMTs are here for them. But then the back doors of one of the ambulances fly open, and paramedics begin to run toward the HASTINGS' HOUSE, with several officers following.
Spencer's heart sinks.
SPENCER
They're going to my house.
She breaks into a run across the lawn to the HASTINGS' FRONT LAWN. She comes to a stop, surrounded by police officers and paramedics, and turns, looking around in a confused and terrified daze.
SPENCER
Mom?!
VERONICA (O.S.)
Spencer!
VERONICA HASTINGS appears at her side. Her face is streaked with tears and her hair is disheveled. She has never looked so unkempt. Another wave of fear rushes through Spencer as her mother grabs her arms.
SPENCER
Mom, what is this? What's going on?
Veronica clutches her hands tightly.
VERONICA
It's your sister.
SPENCER
Melissa?
She turns, horrified. The world begins to spin around her. She is just starting for the house when the front door bursts open. Two paramedics rush out, rolling a stretcher between them. Melissa is strapped to it. There is an oxygen mask over her face and a large bandage, soaked with blood, on her exposed side.
Hanna, Aria, Emily, and Mona run up behind Spencer and watch with wide eyes as the paramedics wheel the unconscious Melissa toward the ambulance. Spencer's chest is heaving. She can barely speak.
SPENCER (CONT'D)
What happened?
VERONICA
I don't know. I found her in the kitchen when I got back from the store. Lying beside her was a knife.
Her voice breaks. She watches desperately as Melissa is loaded into the ambulance, her face twisted in agony. An officer walks over and touches her arm.
OFFICER
Ma'am, there's space in the ambulance if you want to come along.
Veronica immediately steps toward the street, but hesitates and glances back at Spencer. Spencer urges her forward.
SPENCER
Go. I'll meet you at the hospital.
Veronica nods and rushes off toward the ambulance. Spencer turns to the girls, wrapping her arms around herself. She's not crying - her face is pale and her eyes are wide with pure shock. Hanna touches her arm.
HANNA
Hey, she'll be okay.
SPENCER
You don't know that.
Aria squints, watching a few police officers walk into the house.
ARIA
So Melissa was stabbed?
She looks like she's come to a realization. Spencer nods slowly, still dazed.
SPENCER
She must have been. My mom said she was attacked with...
She trails off as what Aria's getting at dawns on her. It seems to hit everyone else at the same moment - their expressions begin to shift from worried to incredulous.
SPENCER (CONT'D)
A knife.
They exchange looks of renewed horror as we -
FADE TO BLACK.
End of Act Five.