Toby

I suppose in a way I was a perfect candidate for becoming a stalker.

Mona had approached me when I wasn't in Rosewood, and I figured she'd waited especially for such an opportunity. It raised less suspicion this way, and I was thankful for that small concession. It gave me time before I had to face Spencer. I didn't want to see her yet, figuring she could easily work it out.

If I was A though, I could help her somehow – not Mona. Mona's plans were based on revenge and anger because Alison and the other girls had drawn her best friend away from her. In a way, I kind of understood it: Mona was scared to lose the bond she had with Hanna.

Mona conceded to a few things the first time we met in Bucks' County: she didn't know specifically who she was working for. All she knew was that she had someone else to answer to, and I imagined that the someone had even grander plans, plans that made angry revenge look petty in comparison.

Naturally, Mona threatened me: if I didn't join, I could be made to disappear. Even Mona, as A, didn't know every last detail surrounding Alison's disappearance. I had to admit defeat: I might be able to get some information useful to Spencer, and people did morally questionable things every day, in the name of helping someone else.

Mona seemed both gleeful and vaguely concerned when I agreed to join her. Gleeful, because I was now her pawn to command as she pleased, but concerned because I could still prove to be dead weight and end up being something she had to deal with. She made sure to wield her superior A ranking over me, taking the time to get in various jibes.

Even as she did, I had some kind of understanding of her. We both had parents who didn't feature in our lives much – I guessed her parents must be pretty oblivious to not have any idea what their daughter was doing – and I was basically emancipated from my family.

The sky was dark as she handed me the heavy black hoodie and gloves, correctly estimated to fit my hands.

I remained silent as I shook them out, half-heartedly examining them before stuffing them into a bag – a mockery of a girl giving a boyfriend a nice shirt – and waited for her to leave. Once gone, I stared at myself in the dingy mirror. I half expected my features to illustrate this new role I'd taken up, maybe a darkening of my eyes or a different twist to my mouth.

There was nothing but my face, familiar as ever. It was the same reflection I'd looked into for years.

Now I was unsure. I turned away from my reflection, not quite recognizing myself.

Sure, I'd had a grudge against Alison, but who hadn't? Even her closest friends had had grudges of a sort: Hanna had envied her looks, Aria her personality – though I wasn't quite sure why – Emily had loved her, and Spencer had been overshadowed by her. That grudge I had against her had transferred over to her friends, and I tried to remember it.

I'd hated her for making life look so easy, when some of us had to deal with new step-siblings and grieve deceased parents. She'd glided through life on her name, and if that didn't work, she manipulated people until she got what she wanted. I'd hated that, righteously thinking over the wrongness of it.

No more wrong than what you're about to do, my subconscious reminded me.

I managed to summon up the anger necessary, remembering that I was probably going to have to attack Spencer at some point. No doubt it would be an A-test, to see if I truly was loyal. Much as I didn't want to attack her, I would have to do something. Still, I'd go easy on her.

The plastic bag crinkled as I kicked it across the room, making a dull thud as it hit the wall.

Inside was a slim journal, full of neat handwriting and some photos, detailing what Mona had done and to whom, and the various incidents she'd recorded for future reference. I choked out a laugh – I hadn't noticed Mona putting it in the bag. Then again, I was going to have to get used to stealth and sleight-of-hand movements if I was to not give myself away.

This really wasn't some little scheme, that was for sure.

I pulled on the hoodie and gloves.

It struck me, how much I could've passed for anyone in that instance. If Mona and I both had our hoods up and gloves on, there really was no telling who we were. Now, I definitely didn't recognize myself.

I'd not had much time to consider Mona's offer, and from what little I already knew about A, I probably wouldn't have been given much leniency. A was ruthless and if I'd refused, nothing good would've come of it.

I wondered how Mona had become A.

I still couldn't quite believe I was doing this, but when I looked in the mirror, I had all the proof I needed. The black clothes that masked everything about me confirmed it.

I couldn't back out now.