Hi guys! Again, thank you for the reviews. I will do my best to keep this story updated as often as possible. I love Emaya and don't see that passion going away any time soon. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

Maya glanced over her shoulder one more time to see that Emily had picked up speed. Maya looked around and realized that the branches weren't as low anymore, which could only mean the clearing was coming up and Emily was speeding up. Focus Maya! Run damn it, run!

Although Emily had picked up speed, she could feel the fatigue taking over her body. Her legs were beginning to feel heavy and her breathing was getting harder to control. The day had taken its toll on her. The four-mile run with Paige, having the wind knocked out of her, and now struggling to protect her face and head from these damn branches. She looked up to see how far the dark figure had gotten, and was a little more than surprised to see that she hadn't gotten far.

Emily honestly didn't know how she was able to keep going considering how tired she was. It was as if something was pulling her forward; like unseen hands dragging her closer to the dark figure.

Maya knew Emily was close. She could hear the crunching of leaves and breaking of twigs and small branches getting louder. The clearing was within sight and she knew that she would have to give it everything she had if she had any chance of getting away. She dug in and propelled herself forward in a desperate sprint as soon as she hit the clearing. She didn't dare look behind her again; she kept her eyes focused on the other side of the clearing.

Maya's mind started to race through the events of the last several months and how everything came together to bring her to the very place, this moment, with Emily hot on her heels.

Without warning, it was as if time had slowed down as she felt her body being lifted into the air. She could see the ground moving under her but her feet were no longer touching it. She closed her eyes and was suddenly being transported to another time and place.

Maya found herself at the old boathouse. It was dusk and the sunset had left remnants of its beauty streaked across the sky. She could hear the crickets preparing their nightly ballots and see the fireflies beginning their teasingly elusive dances. Emily had laid out a blanket near the water. Maya watched as she pulled a roll of tin foil and a box of birthday candles out of her backpack. God, she was beautiful.

Emily looked up and caught Maya's eyes. A sudden blush crept over her face as she looked back down and continued laying items out on the blanket, sneaking glances from the corner of her eye. "Come here" she said innocently without looking up but Maya could see the smile lingering on her lips and the rise and fall of her chest as she took several deep breaths.

Maya groaned softly to herself as she made her way toward the beautiful girl. Emily, unknowingly, had a way of getting to her. She could make her lose all senses with just one look.

Maya walked up behind her and lowered herself on the blanket. She sat directly behind her, placing her legs on either side of her so that Emily was nestled in between them. She pulled a very blushing Emily closer to her. "Maya…" Emily giggled, blushing like crazy. Maya smiled and nestled her face into her long, dark, silky hair.

"So, what are we doing?" Maya whispered in her ear. She felt Emily stiffen as she turned and looked deep into her eyes. Maya felt her heart drop at the fear she saw in the beautiful almond shaped eyes that stared back at her. She knew that Emily was hiding things from her, and she knew what some of those things were, but she didn't want to push her. Emily didn't trust her yet and she understood that. Hopefully in time, that would change.

"The tin foil and candles? What are we doing?" Maya asked with a look of reassurance that said that was all she was asking.

Emily smiled; a smile of relief and Maya caught it. She pulled a piece of foil from the roll and Maya watched as her fingers went to work, bending, twisting and manipulating it. When she was done, she turned and showed it to Maya with a bright smile. It was a little boat and Maya couldn't help but smile just as bright.

"Wait, it's not done," she said as she pulled another piece from the roll. She continued her same pattern of twisting and bending, and produced an exact replica of the first boat. She took a smaller piece from the roll and twisted it. She then connected the two boats with the smaller piece.

Maya watched in awe, having no idea what Emily was doing but loving the focused look on her face and excitement in her eyes. Emily then took two candles from the box. She rolled them in her hand as she looked over at Maya. "Light, please…" she smiled at her knowingly. Maya shook her head and smiled as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a lighter. Emily took it from her and placed a playful kiss on her lips.

Emily lit one candle and let the wax drip into the first boat. Maya lost her breath in that moment as Emily turned to look at her, the light from candle's fire flickering and dancing in her eyes. Emily then let placed the candle into the wax. She lit the second candle and did the same for the next boat. She put the candle in the wax and took her creation to the water.

Maya watched as she delicately placed it into the water. She backed up and rested herself back between Maya's legs. She reached back and pulled Maya's arms around her.

"That's us, Maya…" Emily exhaled, sinking deeper into Maya's body. They both watched as the boats started to twirl and float off. The fire flashed against the foil causing shadows to dance on the water. "…away from everyone and everything. Just you and me, connected, floating off into the unknown," she continued just above a whisper. Maya pulled her closer and tighter. She only wished that she could tell this girl how much she loved her.

Suddenly, Maya felt herself being jerked away from the memory as Emily faded from her arms. Her vision got blurry as the scene changed. Bits and pieces started to overlap. Mona flashed before her eyes.

"I miss my dolls, all of them." She said staring off into nothing. Toby sat attentive at her feet as she slowly combed the hair of her new doll. Two other hooded figures sat around her and Maya knew exactly who they were, although their faces were covered. As Maya got closer, she realized that Mona's new doll looked just like her. Mona looked up at her with a gentle smile as she continued to comb the doll's hair. Maya stumbled away and fell against someone else.

"My dear, sweet Maya. You're a part of me now." The laugh that followed was so evil that Maya had to cover her ears. She pulled herself away and stumbled backwards as Alison's eyes burned into her. She struggled to block her out.

"Maya!" Emily streaked. She was snapped back to the boathouse by the sound of Emily's voice. The fear in her eyes sent chills up and down her spine. "Run, Maya. Please run!"

Maya's eyes shifted over to the make shift boats. She gasped as she saw them spinning in the middle of the water. The candles were still burning but with a furious flame, twisting in the air angrily. Maya backed away, unsure what to do next as Emily looked up at her with pleading eyes.

Alison appeared behind Emily, pulling her close to her. Emily seemed to go limp in her embrace but her eyes never left Maya. Maya moved forward with rage burning inside of her. The fire on the water seemed to reflect what she was feeling as it reached higher in the air, twisting and turning. Alison let loose a blood curdling laugh as Maya suddenly felt shock waves of pain shooting throughout her entire body.

Maya was forcefully pulled back to the present as her body flew through the air, just before gravity's cruel hand yanked her back down to the earth. She hit the ground hard, landing on her side and continuing to roll for several feet before coming to an abrupt stop on her stomach. She must have landed on something because the pain in her side was searing. She winced as she brought her hand up to her ribs. She looked over to see that Emily had landed only a few feet away from her and was slowly pushing herself up off the ground.

Emily was trying to clear her head as she pushed herself up. She had finally caught up to the dark figure and reached for her. The shear speed they were running at caused the dark figure to propel forward off the ground and her legs to fly backward, tripping Emily. They both flew forward and were now on the ground a few feet away from each other. Emily was able to position herself on her hands and knees as she tried to catch her breath. She looked over at the dark figure just as she felt heavy pressure against her back.

Jenna put her foot against Emily's back and forced her back down to the ground, face first. She looked over at Maya and ran to her. She bent down, wrapped her arms around her and lifted her onto her feet. Jenna stiffened when she heard the soft pain-filled groan come from her. "Oh God, you're hurt," she whispered worriedly; her arms still wrapped around her, holding her up.

Before Maya could steady herself, she felt her body hit the ground again as Jenna was ripped away from her. Spencer had grabbed a hold of her and they were now rolling around on the ground, fighting for dominance. Spence finally won as she straddled her, pinning her to the ground.

A few yards beyond them, Maya could see Hanna and Aria running toward them. Mustering up every bit of strength she had left, she pushed herself up off the ground and on to her feet. She turned away from them in an attempt to start running again. This time, she was stopped by the sudden feel of Emily's arms circling tightly around her from behind. She hadn't even noticed that Emily had gotten up.

Emily closed her arms around the dark figure, pinning her arms against her sides and locking her tight against her own body. The dark figure twisted, trying to break free but Emily just tightened her hold on her.

"Please, stop." Emily pleaded softly against the hood of her sweater. The dark figure immediately stopped moving and seemed to surrender as she let her body relax against Emily. That's when Emily noticed it. The way the dark figure's body molded against her. Emily's breathing quickened as she suddenly became aware of every curve of her body.

Jenna looked over and saw that Emily had caught Maya. Rage burned throughout her whole body as bucked and twisted under Spencer. Spencer looked over as well which Jenna took as an opportunity to rip her arms loose from Spencer's grasp. She clamped her hands together and drove them into Spencer's side, knocking her over. Jenna scrambled to her feet started walking toward Emily and Maya.

"Let her go!" Jenna growled at Emily with pure anger burning in her eyes. When Emily didn't move, she lunged forward reaching for her arms. She was immediately pulled backward as Aria and Hanna each latched on to an arm. She struggled to shake them off but it was useless. They had both their arms wrapped around each one of hers.

Spencer slowly got to her feet and walked around them, stopping right in front of Jenna. Spencer stepped right up to her face, contempt flashing in her eyes. "Now let's see who your little girlfriend is. Shall we?" With that, Spencer turned her back on her and took a step toward Maya.

"What do you hope to gain from this, Spencer?" Jenna asked bitterly.

"We are going to put an end to this sick, twisted game right now," Spencer shot back, turning around to face her again.

Jenna laughed. "Oh, really? You're not putting an end to anything. You're only starting something that you're not ready for. None of you are," Jenna looked at all the girls with an evil smirk on her lips.

Spencer stepped right back in her face, looking down at her with suspicion. "Is that why you look so scared?" she challenged her.

Jenna ignored her question. "Who do you think she is, huh? A? Is that what you think? Let me give you a clue. That is not A. In fact, A is trying to kill her." Jenna said as anger filled her eyes once again.

"I don't believe a single word that comes out of that lying mouth of yours." Spencer spat back her.

"Oh, I'm the liar? You are so fucking self-righteous, Spencer. You're willing to put all your little friends in danger just to try and prove something. You have no idea what you're dealing with." Jenna seethed.

Jenna and Spencer stood staring at each other. Neither of them flinching or showing any sign of backing down. The contempt between them was so thick that Hanna and Aria looked over at each other nervously.

Aria found herself remembering what Jason said only moments ago. "Please, don't. You'll get her killed and the rest of us." She felt a cold chill run down her spine as she remembered his words. "Spencer…" she said with fear in her eyes.

Spencer looked over at her friend and saw the fear. She then looked over at Hanna who was looking very nervous and very uncertain. Spencer dropped her head for a moment to think. When she raised it again, her attention was drawn to the edge of the clearing. She watched as Jason stumbled into sight.

"No. This ends now." Spencer turned around quickly and headed for the dark figure. She placed one hand on her hood and another on her mask, and with one quick motion she pulled them both off.

Jenna watched helplessly as Maya's hood and mask were ripped away. She closed her eyes and bowed her head towards the ground, silently cursing herself for failing the only person that had ever been there for her, the only person who she ever really loved.

Loud gasps echoed all around them. Spencer stumbled backwards with her hands reaching up to cover her mouth as shocked and disbelief covered her face.

Hanna stood in complete shock and Aria covered her mouth with wide eyes as she sank to her knees.

Maya had her eyes closed the entire time. She was lost in the moment, feeling Emily's heart beat against her back and hearing her breathing so close to her ear. She only became aware of her surroundings when she felt the hood and mask being roughly ripped away from her. She opened her eyes to see the shocked expressions on their faces but didn't move.

Emily's eyes were also closed. All her senses were alive but only tuned into the girl she held in her arms; the feel of her body against her own; the sound of her breathing. She didn't need to see her face to know who she was holding. Her body and soul told her who it was no matter how much her mind tried to deny it. The truth is, she knew from the moment she laid eyes on the dark figure.

Emily felt the girl jerk forward slightly but only for a second. Suddenly, long soft curls brushed against her face and hair. Emily could feel herself becoming intoxicated by the all too familiar, subtly scent of vanilla. She braced herself as she slowly opened her eyes.

Maya stood still, not knowing what to do next. She wasn't prepared for this. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. She felt Emily's arms slip from around her and her body move away from her. Without thought, she spun around, stepping forward and catching her around the waist just before her knees buckled. Emily's body fell against her, causing her to stumble back a step. She used every bit of energy she had to hold her up. "Emily…" she whispered.

Emily put her hands on Maya's shoulders, trying to steady herself. She raised her head slowly and looked down at her. Her eyes flashed with so many emotions that Maya couldn't identify a single one.

Emily slowly moved her trembling hands from Maya's shoulders toward her face. Tears swelled in her eyes as she looked down at her. Her hands hovered just over her mouth and cheeks as if she was afraid to touch her. "Maya…" Emily exhaled.

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