Thanks to RHatch89, nick2951, Fun With Typing, and Guest for reviewing. The dollhouse is going to become a major part of the plot very soon...that's all I'm going to say. This chapter is a long one, but please be sure to review. I'm getting nervous that as this story gets longer, people are no longer reading, and I hope that's not the case because things are about to get interesting. nick2951, I have a feeling you're not going to be a fan of this chapter, but don't worry! What happens next changes everything...for good.

Chapter 39

"Hi, this is Aria. Leave a message and I'll call you back!"

I stifle a groan. "Hey, Aria, it's Viola…again. I really need to talk to you guys but no one's answering their phones…I guess you're still at the bridal show? Call me back as soon as you can. It's important."

I shove my phone into the pocket of my jeans and sigh, glancing up and down the street as if expecting the girls to appear in front of me. I suppose I could always go over to the DiLaurentis house, where a huge charity bridal fashion show is taking place, but I realize that even if I did, I don't have a ticket. I couldn't get in. And this isn't a conversation that I want to have in front of other people, anyway.

I check the time on my phone, frowning. It's nearly ten. The bridal show should be over by now. But maybe they're staying to help Mrs. DiLaurentis clean up.

Then I open my photos and begin flipping through the pictures that I took yesterday of the incriminating book pages, particularly the final one about Alison. After reading them in the bathroom, I'd snapped some pictures for evidence. I'd had a strange feeling that they would disappear before I could show the girls the actual pages.

And I was right. Even though I left them buried deep in one of my dresser drawers when I left for school this morning, they were gone when I got home. When Mona came home a few hours ago, she claimed that she hadn't taken them back, and she was in such a bad mood over something that I didn't push it.

I'm still in shock that Ezra knows for sure that Alison is alive. I guess I shouldn't be, though. He's not "A," but with all of his book research he might as well be. And I know by now that "A" knows everything.

Still, I think that this is information that the other girls definitely need to know. If only I could find them.

I catch sight of a dark figure across the street, walking in the opposite direction that I am. I can make out wavy brown hair and my heart leaps with hope that I'm looking at either Emily or Spencer.

I dart across the street and run up to the girl before she gets to the corner. "Hey!" I call, and to my surprise, it's Paige who turns to face me.

"Viola," she says somewhat flatly, and I wince. It's no secret that Paige and Mona don't necessarily like each other. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever make it out from behind my sister's shadow.

"Hey," I say again, as kindly as possible. "Have you heard from Emily? Or any of the other girls? I've been trying to contact them for hours but nobody's picking up."

Paige stares at me for a moment too long before she shakes her head. "Nope. Haven't heard a thing." She turns and begins walking away from me, quickly.

I jog after her, not giving in so easily. She clearly knows more than she's telling me. "Wait. Are you sure? I'm getting a little worried, I really need to talk to them."

Paige slows down but doesn't stop walking. Relieved, I slow my stride, no longer having to practically run to keep up with her. "Is everything okay?" she asks, but her tone doesn't match her words.

"Fine," I fib, biting my lip. "It's just…I need to tell them something."

Finally, she stops. "Something about Alison?"

I'm so shocked that I trip on the sidewalk, stumbling forward. She reaches out, grabbing my arm to steady me. "What do you mean?" I say once I regain my balance, my heart pounding. "What do you know about Alison?"

For a moment, Paige glances around, looking as if she's about to try and run. I'm so positive that she's not going to tell me anything that I actually jump when she bursts out, "Alison is alive, Viola."

I nod, and her brow furrows in confusion. "I know. Don't ask me how I know, but I know."

"And do you also know that Emily's been sending her money?"

I did not know that, but I am also not sure that I really believe it. To me, it seems like Paige knows a lot less than she thinks she does. Then again…I probably do as well. "Okay," I say slowly, taking another look around to make sure we're alone. "Yeah. Anyway, I really need to talk to them. Are you sure you have no idea where they are?"

Paige looks down the street nervously, in the direction of Emily's house. Then she says, "Fine. I talked to Emily about an hour ago. She was leaving her house with a bag, and she got into a car with Hanna, Spencer, and Aria."

So they're not still at the bridal show. And, judging by the fact that they had bags, they're probably not even in Rosewood. "She didn't say where they were going?"

"No," Paige insists, and this time I really do believe her. In fact, she almost looks close to tears. "She didn't tell me. Something to do with Alison, I'd guess."

I note the bitterness in her tone and sigh. It doesn't look like I'm going to get any more information, from her or anyone else. "So where are you headed?" I ask, hoping to cheer her up.

But instead of smiling, she gives me a strange, confused look. "I'm stopping at home then heading over to the Brew," she says slowly.

I can't get past her expression, almost like she can't believe I asked. "Why the look?"

"I'm just surprised you didn't know," she admits, shaking her head. "Mona invited me."

"What?" I immediately pull out my phone, realizing with a start that it has blown up with texts and missed calls, all from my sister, each one telling me to come to the Brew with increasing annoyance.

"Crap," I mutter, ignoring Paige's alarmed look. "I've got to go. I guess I'll be seeing you soon, then?"

"What's this all about, Viola?" she asks, and I can only offer a shrug in response before taking off, literally running down the street to my house.

Five minutes later I'm walking into the Brew, not knowing what to expect. A crowd of people, maybe, or at least a group, especially considering it's after hours and it couldn't have been easy to get let in.

But only Mona and Lucas stand in the otherwise empty café, their eyes on the television. "What the hell, Mona?" I demand, the door slamming behind me. I hold out my phone. "I don't check my phone for five minutes and you basically have a stroke?"

"This is important," she snaps, and I freeze, my anger dissolving into anxiety. I recognize that low, dark tone of voice, and that paired with the black shirt and jacket that she's wearing instantly reminds me of being a member of the "A" team.

Suddenly wary, I cross my arms and glance up at the television, ignoring Lucas' nervous glance in my direction. My mouth drops open. Pictures of Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer fill each corner of the screen, and in the very center…is Alison.

"Police have also widened their search for the four missing Rosewood teens, who they believe are in Philadelphia," the reporter's voice blares through the silent room, and his next words send a chill up my spine, "with Alison DiLaurentis. The youth went missing two years ago and is thought to have been brutally murdered."

I did not even know that the girls were missing, but I am now having a hard time breathing. Suddenly, my information about Ezra seems very insignificant. "They know she's alive," I breathe, my hand curling around the silver heart on the end of my necklace. I always knew that eventually word of Alison being alive would spread. I just never expected it to suddenly appear on the news.

Mona glances at me, then turns her focus on Lucas, who most likely knows a lot more about what's going on here than I do. "This changes everything," she says sharply, pulling out her phone.

I open my mouth to question this, but don't even know where to begin. Anyway, she's already holding the phone to her ear. "You need to stay on top of this," she says to whoever is on the other line. I strain my ears, but can't make out the voice through the phone. "We're mobilizing."

I lean back against one of the tables and say as she hangs up, "I don't see us going anywhere," mostly just to be annoying.

Mona ignores me, as usual, and turns to Lucas, who is still lurking by the doorway, peeking out the window with an anxious expression. "They're not in Philadelphia," she tells him. "They're in New York."

New York? I raise my eyebrows, trying to think of every possible reason for that trip. The only thing I can settle on is that they must have gone there to meet Alison. Maybe they're with her right now. Maybe they're fine, having a nice reunion, not even realizing how late it is or how worried their families must be.

I hope.

Lucas crosses his arms and turns away from the door, his eyes narrowing. But he looks more worried than angry. "You said there'd be more people here."

Mona frowns, like he's being ridiculous, but glances at the window anyway. "They're coming."

I jump up, unable to take being left in the dark anymore. "Will someone please tell me what's going on?"

Lucas opens his mouth and I think for a moment that I'm actually going to get answers. But my sister shushes him with a piercing look. "You'll find out soon. With everyone else."

I grimace and flop down on one of the bar stools, crossing my arms. There is something strange in the atmosphere here, something serious and even…cold. I send a quick text to my mother, to tell her that I'm sleeping over at Macy's. Then I smile at Mona and say sweetly, "I hope you made up a really good story to tell Mom, because I did not cover for you."

Revenge is sweet, but it probably would have been sweeter if she looked even a little put-out by this.

The door to the Brew bursts open and I jump, twisting around on the stool just as what seems like a million people pour in, silent and frowning. They're all kids from my school, most of them seniors, and by the time they arrange themselves on the couches in the back of the room I realize that there's only about a dozen.

The three of us walk over to join them, and Lucas immediately goes to stand behind the full couch. From the way she's standing, facing the group, it's obvious that Mona is the leader of whatever's going on here. Unsettled, I move to join the others, more curious than ever as to what this is about, but she grabs my arm, pulling me back.

I glance over, expecting her to say something to me, or at least look nervous, but she's looking out at the others, almost expressionless. I fold my arms and sigh, staring at the ground until my sister speaks, her voice ringing out in the quiet room.

"Some of you may know each other, some of you may not. But I picked you because we all have one thing in common, and that's Alison DiLaurentis."

I blink, raising my eyes in surprise. That's what this is all about? Alison? I'm caught off-guard, but I really shouldn't be. Lately it seems like everything in my life has revolved around Alison, even more so than around "A."

I glance out at the small crowd sitting in front of us. No one looks particularly happy to be here. In fact, they all share the same expression, slightly uncomfortable, that I'm sure I'm also sporting. But Mona surges ahead, looking at each person in turn. "When Alison was here," she says slowly, "I wasn't Mona. I was Loser Mona. Who were you, Lucas?"

His eyes widen from his place behind the couch, and I wonder if he's going to protest, but then a calm frown replaces the surprise. "Hermie," he says, nearly spitting the word out.

I wince, remembering that nickname, and how it spread all the way down to the middle school, where most of the kids who called Lucas that terrible name didn't even know what it meant. Alison had power like even she didn't recognize.

"How about you, Paige?" Mona asks, nodding at the brown-haired girl standing off to the side. I hadn't even noticed her come in, and I raise my hand in a wave, which she doesn't return.

Paige falters, looking uncomfortable. Pigskin, I realize, recognizing another widely used term that even the seventh and eighth graders referred to her as. Unlike "Hermie," I have no idea how that nickname originated, though I'm sure there's a story there. Alison had a story with everyone.

Mona crosses her arms, waiting for Paige to respond. "I can say it if you don't want to," she says finally, shrugging.

I feel something like a jolt of electricity down my spine, suddenly nauseated. I don't like this. "Mona, don't," I hiss, glancing over at Paige, but my sister cuts me off.

"She called you Pigskin."

Paige's eyes narrow then lower, and I frown down at my shoes as others begin sharing their own Alison-induced nicknames, as if invigorated by the first few confessions.

"I was Pus Face."

"I was Newt."

"Lez."

"Whore."

I shift back and forth where I stand, in front of everyone. I don't like being up here, like I'm somehow sharing in the leadership of this group…this army. But I can't help the anger that grows every time someone new speaks up, announcing the nickname Alison bestowed on them, back in middle school or even freshman year. She really was terrible.

And it occurs to me, hitting me all at once like a train, that out of everyone here, I'm the odd man out.

"But you weren't those people," Paige bursts out, her face reddening. "That's just what she called you. Not who you are."

I am embarrassingly aware of the fact that I am the only person in the room who hasn't spoken. In the moment of silence that follows Paige's declaration, I take a breath and say, "Alison never called me a name. She never bullied me, or spread rumors. In fact…" I laugh a little, even though none of this is funny. "I never really knew Alison at all."

Everyone is staring at me, their eyes wide. Mona looks like she wants to murder me. I remind myself that this is her own fault for making me stand up here, and go on, "But that doesn't mean I support how she treated all of you. I knew what Alison did to people, even when I went to a different school than her. Her influence was unlimited, probably even more than she realized. But Paige is right, guys. We can't focus on the past." Smiling now, I gesture around. "Look at you guys now. You got through it – you all got through it. Why should we let Alison DiLaurentis control us again?"

Lucas jumps in, nodding. "Sticks and stones, Mona."

"I'm not afraid of her anymore," Paige adds, her voice fierce, and I smile wider, though everyone else still looks mildly uncomfortable.

My sister glares at me and I shrink back, glad that I drove here myself, because I'm pretty sure I am not going to be offered a ride home. "Well, maybe you should be," she says, pacing back and forth in front of the group. "She's not even back yet, and she found a way to break up you and Emily. There's no way Ali's gonna let you guys be a couple."

This is news to me. I think back to Paige's tear-filled eyes when we were talking earlier tonight, and feel a surge of sympathy. This is probably the last thing she wanted to do tonight. Angry, on behalf of Paige and everyone else who was just forced to admit their old middle school nickname, I turn and snap out, "Cut the crap, Mona. Why are we here?"

"Yeah," Paige adds, standing and placing her hands on her hips. "Exactly what is it you want us to do?" Murmurs of agreement make their way through the rest of the group.

My sister looks unfazed. "I want us to stick together," she insists. "There's strength in numbers." I let out a breath. Okay. None of that sounds so bad, until she goes on. "The bigger we are, the harder she falls."

Paige looks just as disgusted as I feel. "I don't think I want to be a part of this," she murmurs, shaking her head, and heads for the door.

"I can't protect you if you're not with us," Mona calls after her.

I frown, feeling my hands start to shake. Suddenly I feel like I'm back in middle school, forming cliques and dealing with mean girls. I thought we were all past this. And I don't want to go back.

"You know what?" I say, stepping closer to Mona and looking down at her. "I'm out, too. I thought you worked passed how Ali treated you, but if you want to form some little army against her and stoop down to her level, be my guest." I turn for the door but glance back, aware of the eyes of every person in the room staring. Smiling, I add, "Let me know when you're coming home. I'll be sure to deactivate the alarm system."

I spin around before she can respond and storm toward the door after Paige, only to be knocked to the side when the door flies open and none other than Melissa Hastings bursts in, alarm written all over her face.

"We don't have much time," she says, her voice low and filled with apprehension.

I'm curious about this, I have to admit, considering Melissa is in her twenties and should probably not be hanging out with teenagers, but after the rant I just delivered, there's no way I can plop back down and pretend this is now all okay.

Paige, however, apparently feels differently. She pauses, watching Melissa carefully, then moves to take her place back on the couch.

I roll my eyes and push past the older Hastings sister, giving one last look to the group behind me before I shove open the door and let it swing shut behind me.

...

Again, let me know what you think! Next, the events following Alison's first day back at Rosewood cause Viola's loyalties to take a major turn.