Chapter six: Toby's Day Out

Toby hesitated before going out into the world. If he had a stalker from the academy watching him, it was only a matter of time before they got brave and started hunting him down for capture. But Toby stepped out into the sunshine and made his way to his truck parked underneath the stairs. A couple of people who had recognized him from long ago even offered a friendly wave to him before carrying on with their day. That is a good sign. If he was on the wanted list, his face would've been displayed with some kind of alert for everyone to see. Not that he cared about being hunted, it's just that his plans will be a lot easier to achieve without someone hunting him.

He drove down the streets of Rosewood. It was a lovely day out. The sun was shining. A few white clouds sailed across the blue sky. A light fall breeze blew through the air causing leaves to rain down. Too bad none of it did any good for the coldness inside Toby's heart. His brain was foggy. Last night's sleep gave him some energy, but he still felt fatigued.

Moments later, Toby parked along a dirt road across the way from a small house that was sheltered by a wooded area. No one came down this road. It was marked a dead end and those who did come back here might recognize the tinted windows on the home to have belonged to a hunter. Common people knew not to bother the hunters because if they were to be here, that meant they were on a mission. This used to be Wayne Fields' house. He was the one who built the home when the academy believed he was working for them. The truth was, Wayne Fields was a double agent just like Toby. He didn't believe that these so-called witches were evil, and even if they were, that didn't mean they deserved to die. Wayne often brought witches here where they could stay for a bit, rest, and live with some peace. The home had been here for almost 30 years and no hunter has discovered it.

Toby got out of his truck then walked up the rocky sidewalk to the front door. He didn't bother knocking. He used a key Emily handed him after dropping him off yesterday. If you had a key to the house, that meant you were welcomed here. If you knocked, you were most likely a hunter or someone looking to snoop. Toby pushed the door open and carefully slipped inside.

"Hey," Emily greeted him.

Emily was sitting at the kitchen table with an empty plate and a half empty coffee mug. She was still dressed in pajama pants and an old torn up T-shirt. Her hair was a mess.

"Hi," Toby nodded. "I'm sorry I should've called before coming."

"That's okay," she waved him over. "I just got up a little late this morning. I wasn't expecting you so early."

"I won't stay long. I just wanted to check on Alison and make sure you girls are staying safe."

"We are," Emily said. "Don't worry about us. My dad has this place hidden well. Nobody ever comes here."

Toby nodded, "good."

"Do you want some coffee?"

"No, thanks. I'm already jittery."

Alison came into the room yawning while running a hand through her knotted-up hair. She went straight to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup. She took a few good sips before acknowledging Toby.

"What are you doing here so early?"

"I said I'd come visit, but I have other things I need to take care of today."

"Like what?" Alison slipped onto a chair.

"Would you like something to eat?" Emily whispered to her.

Alison shook her head, "no, I'm fine with just coffee." Then to Toby, "what do you need to take care of today?"

Toby shrugged, "nothing important. My house is completely empty, so I should get some shopping done. I haven't been keeping up appearances lately so I could use a haircut as well."

"Uh-huh, and then what?" Alison challenged.

Toby froze. He wasn't expecting to be questioned like this. He couldn't tell them that he planned to find Lucas again. Toby knows where he's staying. He planned to grab Lucas again and taunt him more about working for him instead of working for Tanner. Then, later he had a meeting set with someone unexpected.

"Then I have a therapy session at five o'clock."

Alison snorted, "what therapy office is open at five?"

"Alison," Emily tried to intervene.

"He's lying, Emily," Alison said. She shook her head at him, "if you're going to lie at least do a better job at it."

"Okay, fine," Toby gave in. "I don't have a therapy appointment tonight. I just plan to go home and cry into my pillow."

"You were only in Radley for a month, Toby. You went in with motives to kill, those motives don't just go away after a month. You're still on a mission."

Again, Toby froze. He tried to think of something to say.

"No," he said. He knew it was lame to deny it.

"Alison," Emily said. "I really think he's trying to get better."

"It's okay, you know," Alison said to him. "If you still plan to go after Tanner and her team, I support it. You can tell me. In fact," She stood up. "I want to help."

"Alison," Emily was shocked.

"What?" Alison looked at her. "Those people murdered my sister. They deserve it."

"I know they deserve some sort of revenge, but murder is not the answer!" Emily argued.

"I'm not going to kill anyone," Toby said.

Emily sighed in relief, "good."

"At least not today," Toby smirked a little, raising his eyebrow.

Alison smiled too, "what are you really doing today?"

"Stop!" Emily shouted. "Whatever it is, I don't want to hear about it."

"You can go into the other room then," Alison said.

"I'm going to visit Lucas and later I have a meeting with a person I can't tell you about," Toby said.

"Can you at least give me an idea who this person is?" Alison asked.

"It's someone that's been known to work both sides," Toby said. "I haven't talked to them in weeks, but they've helped me before. I'll meet with them tonight and see if I can trust them again."

Alison nodded, "keep me posted."

"I will," Toby promised with a nod of his head.

"Okay, I give up," Emily stood up. "Whatever it is you guys are planning, I want no part in it. But I also won't say anything either. Just know that I think what you're doing is very wrong."

"Your input is noted and appreciated, Emily," Toby said. "This is just something I have to do."

Emily shook her head then without saying a word, dumped her dishes into the sink and walked out of the room.

"I should go," Toby said.

"Toby, wait a second," Alison caught him at the door. She lowered her voice so Emily wouldn't hear. "Have you been seeing Spencer around?"

Toby shook his head, "what do you mean?"

"It's probably just grief playing with me, but I've been seeing her. In my head. In my dreams. Sometimes I think I see her outside in the dark. Last night I swore I saw her face outside the kitchen window. She was covered with a black hood."

Toby thought back through his memory. Last night after leaving the Brew, he noticed somebody dressed in black watching him. He assumed it was just a hunter, but now that he thinks about it…he did see a glimpse of brown hair. Then there was the house fire. Toby still doesn't know how he got out of that burning house. He passed out inside and woke up outside. He remembered feeling a hand on his cheek and another hand combing through his hair. Was someone really there? He had to imagine it. Oxygen deprived people often hallucinate. It had to be a dream. He was there with Spencer when she died.

"No," Toby said. He wasn't sure if this was a lie or not, but it felt like one. "I haven't seen her. I mean, I supposed I've had a dream about her a couple times, but that was it."

"Okay," Alison seemed to buy it. She shook her head, "yeah, I guess I've been dreaming about her a lot too."

They stood in silence for a moment. Then, "I should go."

Alison nodded. Toby opened the door and left leaving Alison to stand alone with her thoughts. Emily returned to the kitchen dressed in everyday clothes.

"I'm sorry," Alison offered. "I know you're mad at me for siding with Toby."

"I'm not mad," Emily said. She avoided eye contact and started doing chores around the kitchen.

"I wish you would at least try to understand how we're feeling right now. You didn't know Spencer the way we did."

Emily slammed her hands down on the counter and stared bullets at Alison.

"Enough!" Emily shouted. "Okay, enough! I'm tired of hearing 'you don't understand.' I do understand. From ages six to eight my dad didn't let me leave the house at all because he suspected our next-door neighbor knew what I was and would turn us in. I lost my mother after she was caught giving blood at a donation center! I've had to hide, but my father was the one who taught me that being bold is better than hiding. Hiding is what makes us look guilty. Giving the public a reason to fear us makes us look guilty! And you know what? I may not have known Spencer as long or as well as the rest of you, but she was my friend too!" Emily's eyes filled with tears. Her voice quivered. "She was my friend."

Emily sunk down in a chair and buried her face into her hands to cry. A huge sob that she had been holding in since the news of Spencer's death finally erupted. All this time, Emily had been the one to remain strong. She wanted to be the rock her friends could lean on. Alison fell into a deep state of depression. Aria completely abandoned the group. Hanna checks in from time to time, but because of Alison's distrust towards the blonde, she doesn't come around often. Toby went completely off the rails. No one was really there to comfort Emily because she was too busy trying to take care of everyone else. Just like Spencer used to do. In a way, Emily was not only crying over Spencer's death, but she was also crying because she felt like she failed at taking care of the people Spencer loved.

Alison walked over to Emily sitting in the kitchen chair. She slowly reached her arm out to place a comforting hand on her shoulder. Emily instantly felt warmth traveling through her insides.

"I'm sorry," Alison whispered. "I guess I never thought about how Spencer's death could be affecting you."

Emily lifted her head from her hands, her eyes were red and puffy, "that's because I've been trying not to show it." She sniffled. "I tried so hard to be strong for everyone."

Alison leaned down and wrapped her arms around Emily to hug her from behind. Emily tried to move away and said, "no, I'm okay."

She started to stand, but Alison got her to remain seated and said, "you've held me many times while I cried over this. It's your turn to cry."

Emily sunk back down in the chair. Her eyes darted around the room as her vision blurred with tears. Finally, after all these months of being solid, Emily let herself melt into a puddle of tears.


I thought it was time we showed Emily's emotions through all of this and little bit of a backstory on Emily that I never touched in the first story. Whose side are you on? Do you agree with Alison and Toby's way of fixing the broken system or do you agree with Emily?