Previously –

Ezra looked dejected. His eyes were puffy and red. He looked sleep deprived. Emily tried to find hint of anger on his face she had witnessed on Byron's face. But she could only see sadness.

Finally after few minutes Ezra took a deep breath and said, "I have a confession to make"

Chapter 18

Emily was preparing for some angry hateful words or even tears and mourning for Aria. But this was what she least expected. What can Ezra Fitz, their innocuous high school teacher, possibly have to confess? She was utterly confused. She couldn't even form a coherent reply.

Ezra was looking warily at Emily. He could see that she was confused by his words. After waiting for a minute, he realized that she was too baffled to reply. He could not blame her though. These girls had gone through much more than any other girls of their age. Ezra sighed audibly and braced himself. He was having continuous internal battle whether he should trust girls with his deepest secret or not throughout his ride from his hiding place to this police station. He had not even told it completely to Aria. Maybe he can only tell girls that he knows about Alison and CeCe. But then they will get more curious and suspicious, which is not a good thing considering previous incidents when girls were teased with insufficient truth. He knew that police station is not exactly perfect place for confessing his involvement with A. After thinking about it for hours, there he was sitting in front of Emily ready to spill his thoughts. Yes, he was that desperate to get anything from girls which will help him find Alison or CeCe or even Aria if she is alive by any chance.

Ezra's silence was now intolerable now. She was getting too anxious and she could see Ezra was now having second thoughts about his decision of confessing. She decided to encourage him a bit, "okay, I am ready to hear it."

That was all it took for Ezra to push away all the thoughts about running away from police station and start talking.

"I believe you when you said that you are innocent", Ezra said each word carefully trying to gauge Emily's reaction. She was too stunned to move. Once again Ezra had surprised her with his words.

"Why? You of all people should hate us considering we are person of interest for Aria's murder."

He knew that it was the moment. It was now or never. He opened his mouth and said, "Because, I.."

He was interrupted by annoying vibration of his phone notifying him of new message. He decided to have a look at it. Somewhere in mind he knew he was just checking the message because he wanted to procrastinate his confession. It was from unknown number. He opened the message, all the time feeling Emily's curious gaze on him. His face turned paler if it was even possible. He just stared at his mobile screen. He didn't know what exactly he should feel. He slowly met his eyes with Emily's. He knew he could not tell her the truth now. Especially not after the message he received. He decided not to let it show though. He continued it very convincing way, "Because, I knew her well. I know you were her best friends and she trusted you with her life. She had good judgement of character. I don't think any of you could have done anything to harm her purposefully."

Emily seemed to buy it, but still had dubious look. So, he decided to spice it up a bit.

"and as for my confession, I am telling you this because you were closest to her. I could never confess this to her after our break up. It feels almost like I am telling her when I am telling you. I just wanted to say.."

He pretended to take deep breath and appear nervous.

I loved Aria and I still do. I have never loved anyone as much as I love her. I am going to help you find her killer."

She could notice that his voice was ringing with sincerity. But she still had the nagging feeling that this was not exactly for what Ezra will come all the way down to Police station. Maybe he was just overwhelmed and needed an outlet for his emotions. She managed to nod at his confession before he bolted out of the room hurriedly. She just sat there staring at the door he went out thought, until she felt guard nudging her to go back. She could help but wonder what was Ezra Fitz trying to convey so cryptically?

Ezra half walked and half ran out of the station. He again checked his mobile. He opened the picture that was sent to him. It was picture of Aria's bruised and dirty face. It did nothing to mar her beauty. He has sudden urge to hold her and comfort her. Seeing her like that and being helpless about it was killing Ezra. He now had only one way to save her. He decided to comply to the text he received. Filled with new determination to save Aria, he picked his phone and dialled the number.

"Hello?"

"Hello! Looks like someone is ready at last to save their missy!"

"Just say what you want."

"Whoa, I will tell you all in good time."

"I want to see Aria and I don't have time", Ezra's blood was boiling with rage now.

"Okay, then listen up now..."

So finally, website is working for me! I was having problem Logging in.

Anyway I'm really really sorry for long wait. I'm bit busy with college applications. I got deferred from my dream university (Duke University) :( but on the bright side, I got in University of Illinois at Urbana-Caimpaign. Well, now filling out more forms and more essays :( But I'll upload next chapter soon.

I hope everyone wants me to continue the story.

Please please review! It means a lot to me!