Hello, guys!

This chapter is a little bit on the shorter side, but it does move the plot forward considerably, tying into a few loose ends.

Hope you guys appreciate it!

With love,

White Tigress


RULE XIII: The truth will come out eventually

Emily stared incredulously at the silhouette of her captor in the dimly lit room, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and disbelief.

"Paige?!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing in the empty space.

She couldn't believe in what she saw. Paige may have been unfaithful and a terrible girlfriend overall, but Emily still believed she was a good person. Or she did until she found herself in her current position.

Paige stepped forward, a twisted smirk playing on her lips. "I bet you didn't see that coming."

Emily's mind raced, trying to piece together how her ex-girlfriend could be involved in this. "But, why?!"

"Stop being so naive, Emily," Paige admonished, her tone dripping with bitterness. "Don't act like you don't know what this is about."

"If this is about the break-up, it's not gonna change anything," Emily protested, struggling against her restraints.

Paige laughed bitterly, shaking her head. "Emily, don't be so dense! It doesn't surprise me one bit that you still haven't figured out what's going on around you."

"What I don't understand, Paige, is why you abducted me and why I'm still tied to this chair," Emily retorted, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.

"You see, Emily," Paige approached her and caressed her face, making the brunette scowl in disgust. "You were so good at swimming that you didn't even have to try. It just came naturally to you. And no matter how hard we tried, the rest of us could never reach your level."

"What are you talking about?" Emily asked, her voice a mix of confusion and dread.

"I've been trying to steal your spotlight for years," Paige admitted, her tone bitter. "But no matter what I did, I could never beat you. Not even doping did the trick."

Emily gasped, the revelation hitting her like a ton of bricks. "Paige, but why?"

"I was trying to beat you in the pool," Paige said, her eyes burning with a mix of anger and frustration.

"We were engaged! It was not a competition anymore!" Emily exclaimed, disbelief coloring her words.

Paige's eyes narrowed. "It was always a competition, Emily. You just never noticed. You had everything handed to you. The fame, the medals, the admiration... and it drove me insane. I needed to prove I was better, that I could beat you at your own game."

Emily shook her head, her mind reeling. "Paige, I never wanted any of that to come between us. I loved you."

"Love wasn't enough," Paige hissed. "I needed to be the best. And if I couldn't do it in the pool, I had to find another way."

Emily's heart sank as she realized the depth of Paige's jealousy and resentment. "This isn't the way, Paige. This won't give you what you want."

"It's too late for that," Paige said coldly. "I've come too far to back down now."

Emily felt a surge of determination. "This won't end well for you, Paige. You know that, right?"

Paige's expression wavered for a moment before hardening again. "We'll see about that, Emily."

"Alison will notice that I'm missing," Emily mentioned the blonde out of spite. She knew she probably shouldn't anger Paige at her situation, but she was still trying to reason with her ex-fianceé.

Paige laughed bitterly once again, "You see, Emily, this is why you're so naive. Why do you think a woman like Alison would want anything to do with someone like you."

"Alison loves me!" Emily snarled in anger, struggling against her restraints. "And I love her even more than I loved you."

Paige's expression twisted with fury. "You think she really cares about you? Alison's using you, Emily. Just like she uses everyone else. She'll toss you aside when she's done."

Emily glared at Paige, her eyes blazing with defiance. "You're wrong, Paige. Alison isn't like that. She's different. She's been there for me in ways you never were."

Paige pressed her taser against Emily's shoulder and she screamed as the electricity zapped through her body. Paige stepped away and Emily looked down, trying to catch her breath.

"Enough talking," Paige growled darkly, her voice low and threatening. She stepped closer to Emily, her eyes narrowing with anger. "I've had enough of your self-righteousness."

Emily's heart pounded as she watched Paige's every move, trying to think of a way out. She knew she had to stay calm and focused, no matter how terrified she felt.

"You can't keep me here forever," Emily said, her voice steady despite her fear and the shock she had just received. "Someone will come looking for me. You know that."

Paige smirked, shaking her head. "You really don't get it, do you? No one's coming. You're all alone."

Emily swallowed hard, refusing to let Paige see how scared she was. "You don't have to do this, Paige. It's not too late to stop."

Paige zapped Emily once again. The brunette screamed and panted once Paige was done, "This isn't going to solve anything. It's only going to make things worse for you."

"Maybe," Paige laughed darkly, "but it will get worse for your first then it will get for me."

Emily lost consciousness as Paige tased her once again.

Alison grabbed Jenna's cane, shoving her against the wall. "Where's Emily?!"

Her anger overrode any rational thought, and she knew she would be canceled online if those creeps from Rosewood Hawks caught her physically assaulting a blind woman, but Alison stood her ground: Jenna was dangerous, blind or not.

Jenna, however, remained unfazed. She chuckled against Alison's grip. "Beating me up won't help you find her."

"Tell me where she is, or I'll kill you!" Alison threatened.

Jenna's expression remained calm. "I will, once you let me go."

Alison considered taking more drastic measures but eventually relented, letting Jenna go. Jenna took a deep breath, rubbing her throat before speaking.

"Emily Fields has been abducted."

Alison felt adrenaline rush through her veins. It took everything in her not to lash out again. "Where did you take her?!"

"I didn't take her. I wouldn't be here talking to you if I had," Jenna pointed out.

"You still hate me for blinding you," Alison muttered bitterly. "If this is some kind of elaborate ploy to get revenge—"

"I don't hate you, Alison," Jenna interrupted. "Losing my eyesight opened my eyes, if you pardon the joke."

"What do you mean?"

"You find out who people truly are when you lose everything. That's what happened to me," Jenna smiled bitterly. "After I got blinded, not a lot of people stuck around," her eyes lit up, "but she did."

Alison raised her eyebrow, "Who?! Emily?!"

"Sydney Driscoll," Jenna replied and Alison briefly remembered Emily's teammate who she had the chance to interrogate. "We were already in a relationship before I got blinded, and she took care of me in ways I didn't even know I needed."

Alison could empathize. Emily had taken care of her in ways Alison didn't even know she needed too. "I know how that feels."

"She's the one who told me about the doping scheme in the swim team," Jenna revealed, surprising Alison.

"You're Lorenzo's source?!"

"I am. That's why I'm telling you that you can trust me for that," Jenna promised.

"And do you know who has Emily now?" Alison questioned.

"Her ex-fianceé, Paige McCullers."

Alison's fists clenched in rage. "I'm gonna kill her."

"You need to be careful, Alison," Jenna warned. "This isn't some passionate crime. Paige is connected to a criminal organization, and they're using her to target Emily to hurt you."

"What do you mean?"

"Part of the criminal world knows about your identity."

Alison gulped at the thought of Emily being targeted to hurt her. "Who are they?"

"They're called the A Team. Their leader knows how to avoid the spotlight. Sometimes smaller waves are more violent than big ones."

"Is Ezra the one behind this?"

"Ezra is an idiot, Alison," Jenna chuckled. "He only thinks with his lower head and that got him where he's at. The money trail will come back to him, but he's not smart enough to figure it all out."

Alison hummed in thought. Jenna had given her clues, but the pieces weren't falling together just yet. Never mind, her priority was to rescue Emily and ensure she was safe.

"Where did Paige take Emily?", she asked.

"People from my team have tailed them. Paige's at the abandoned factory just outside of Rosewood now."

"That's where I'm going."

Alison headed for the door, but Jenna grabbed her arm before she could leave.

"Be careful, Alison. Paige's got minions waiting up front, but you can sneak in through the backdoor."

"Noted," the blonde nodded.

"If you and Emily come back alive, please consider dropping your CIA act," Jenna suggested. "The thrill isn't worth the risk."

"I'll think about it," Alison replied and left Jenna behind in her apartment, not even bothering to show her out or lock her door. She was dead set on saving Emily first.

Alison drove through the streets of Rosewood, her mind racing. She was in her full Vivian Darkbloom disguise: brown wig, red trench coat with a bulletproof vest underneath, and a gun. She had also slipped a Swiss knife in her back pocket, knowing it could be useful in case she needed to cut rope, hopefully not from around Emily's wrists.

The blonde put her phone on speaker and dialed Spencer's number. It rang three times before her CIA partner picked up

"Ali? Is everything okay?"

"Spencer, Emily has been abducted. I'm heading to where they're keeping her," Alison announced, not in the mood to explain everything in detail.

"Wait, how do you know she's been abducted?!"

"Neither she nor Aria have been picking up our calls. Then Jenna popped up at my apartment and told me."

"And we're trusting Jenna now because…?"

"Spencer, she's Lorenzo's source for this investigation."

"Ali, I think you're in over your head with this," Spencer admitted. "You're being reckless. This could be a trap!"

"I know, Spencer! But Paige has her, and I need to save her. Now!" Alison growled through the phone.

"Paige as in Paige McCullers?!"

"The one and only," Alison smirked, though Spencer couldn't see it.

"What would she gain from kidnapping Emily?"

"Jenna says she's part of this criminal group called the A Team," Alison recalled. "They're behind the drugs Dunhill was using and Ezra's money."

"I still think the whole situation is very sketchy," Spencer admitted. "But if you're doing something stupid as usual, at least share your location with us. We'll track you down and provide backup."

"I'm going to the abandoned factory just outside of Rosewood," Alison shared. "Using the backdoor because apparently Paige has minions standing guard at the front."

"Copy that. I'll call Lorenzo and be on it!"

Before hanging up, Spencer had one last thing to say. "Oh, and Ali?"

"What?"

"Be safe."

Alison clenched the steering wheel. She didn't care about her own safety; she just wanted Emily to be safe. "I will," she promised Spencer nonetheless.

Immediately after she hung up on Spencer, Alison received a call from Hanna.

"Ali, they're not at Aria's," Hanna informed, a slight panic creeping into her voice. "I'm calling the police."

"Hanna, call the police and tell them to come to the abandoned factory just outside of Rosewood," Alison instructed, hands shaking as she turned the wheel. "Emily's been abducted, and I think Aria may be with her."

"Wait, how do you know that?!"

"I can't explain everything now, Hanna!" Alison retorted. "Please, just call the police, and I'll explain everything to you later."

"Okay, okay!" Hanna relented

"And don't think of coming here!" Alison warned.

"Why do I get the feeling that you're doing something stupid and dangerous, Ali?" Hanna questioned.

"I'll bring Emily home, I promise," the CEO replied firmly.

Alison ended the call with Hanna and focused on the road ahead. The abandoned factory loomed in the distance, a dark silhouette against the night sky. Her heart pounded in her chest, the urgency of the situation weighing heavily on her. She parked her car a short distance away, ensuring it was hidden from view, and double-checked her disguise. The brown wig, red trench coat with the bulletproof vest underneath, and the gun and Swiss knife were all in place. She was ready.

Alison ended the call with Hanna and focused on the road ahead. The abandoned factory loomed in the distance, a dark silhouette against the night sky. Her heart pounded in her chest, the urgency of the situation weighing heavily on her. She parked her car a short distance away, ensuring it was hidden from view, and double-checked her disguise. The brown wig, red trench coat with the bulletproof vest underneath, and the gun and Swiss knife were all in place. She was ready.

Approaching the factory, she moved quietly, her senses on high alert. The building was old and crumbling, with broken windows and rusting metal doors. Alison spotted two guards at the front entrance, just as Jenna had warned. She slipped around the side, looking for the back entrance.

A rusty door at the back of the factory, partially obscured by overgrown weeds, came into view. As she crept closer, she heard faint voices and the sound of someone struggling. Her heart clenched painfully, but she forced herself to stay focused. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead, and carefully pushed the door open.

Alison slipped inside, her gun at the ready. The interior of the factory was dimly lit, filled with the echoes of distant machinery. She moved stealthily, her senses hyper-aware of every sound. She paused to listen, hearing muffled voices and footsteps approaching. Alison ducked behind a stack of crates, holding her breath as two of Paige's henchmen walked by, their conversation blending with the hum of old machinery. Once they were out of sight, she continued her search.

The factory was a maze of old equipment and debris. The air was thick with dust, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the vast space. Flickering fluorescent lights cast eerie shadows, making her heart race faster. Alison moved cautiously, her training kicking in as she stayed low, using the cover of the equipment to hide her approach.

A scream pierced the silence, undoubtedly Emily. Alison's blood ran cold. She rushed through the hall as quietly as she could, her heart pounding in her ears. At the end of the corridor, she found a door leading to a stairway. Stepping carefully, Alison climbed down the stairs, gun in hand, throat dry.

Emily's head hung to the side after Paige was done shocking her. At this point, she didn't know if she would make it out alive. Paige hadn't been open to talking and seemed intent on torturing her as much as possible. Emily tried to keep her spirit unbroken, but it was hard after losing count of how many times she had been tased.

"I bet you wish you'd stayed with me now," Paige smirked, chuckling at her state.

"This changes nothing, Paige," Emily forced out, her voice weak but defiant.

"Oh, but this will," Paige said, turning the taser to its highest voltage. Emily steeled herself for what could be the final blow.

She thought about her parents, taken from her in an accident. Maybe she would see them again now that she was about to meet her end. Then, she thought about her career, the dreams unfulfilled. If she had another chance, she would work to help others, to give back to the community that had helped her grow.

Finally, she thought about Alison. It was the first time she had felt a love so deep, and it broke her heart to know it would be ripped away. She feared for what her death would do to Alison, how it might send her spiraling back into old, destructive patterns. She'd rather see Alison with someone else than watch her self-destruct.

Emily closed her eyes and waited for the final blow.

"Hands in the air!" a voice with a distinctive French accent yelled. Emily recognized the voice but couldn't place it.

She forced her head up and saw Vivian Darkbloom aiming her gun at Paige. How Vivian found her was beyond Emily's understanding, but she hoped Alison had called Lorenzo, who then had the CIA agents storm the place. For the first time in hours, Emily felt a glimmer of hope.

Instead of panicking, Paige grabbed Emily by the hair and pointed the taser at her neck. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," she sneered.

"It's over, Paige," the agent said. "The CIA is ready to storm this place at any moment. Let her go, now!"

Paige laughed darkly. "Funny that you think you have the upper hand." She adjusted the taser to its highest voltage. "One more zap of this, and Emily will be dead. I've lost count of how many shocks she's already had. You want to try me, agent?"

Vivian swallowed hard but kept her gun steady. Inside, Alison's mind raced. Had it been someone else, she might have taken the risk and shot Paige already. But the possibility of Emily dying paralyzed her.

"You may be fast with your gun, but are you fast enough to save Emily?" Paige taunted.

Vivian looked at Emily, seeing the exhaustion and pain in her eyes. She could see that Emily was at risk of heart failure from the repeated shocks.

Vivian did the one thing she never does: she withdrew her gun and raised her hands in the air, praying that Spencer and Lorenzo were close. She had to stall Paige long enough to save Emily.

"Fine," she agreed. "As long as you let her go."

Emily's heart dropped. She knew Vivian was considering her safety first, but now they'd both be at Paige's mercy.

"Thought so," Paige smiled cruelly. "You're not as bold as people claim you are, Agent."

Vivian bit her lip to keep from responding.

"Now, pass me your gun," Paige ordered. Vivian had foreseen this. Slowly, she knelt and slid her gun to Paige, who picked it up and aimed it at her. "This is fun. Now I get to hold both of you hostage."

Vivian tried to stay calm. Paige's inexperience with guns could either be an advantage or a danger. At long range, Paige's poor aim might give Vivian a chance to dodge. But it also meant Emily was at risk of being hit by a stray bullet.

"Now, take off your trench coat. Red is really not your color," Paige ordered. Alison had no choice but to comply. She knew Paige was checking for a bulletproof vest, which she found after Alison threw her coat to the floor. "You won't be needing that vest."

Vivian swallowed hard. Being without her vest left her vulnerable, but she had no other choice. She unclipped the vest and let it fall.

"I could kill you right now, but I'm not done yet," Paige said with a cruel smile. "Now, take off your wig."

Alison froze. Paige knew about her secret identity.

"Her what?!" Emily mumbled in disbelief.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Alison tried to hold on to her secret.

"I'm not playing," Paige threatened before zapping Emily again, making her scream.

"Okay, fine!" Alison relented.

"I knew you'd see things my way," Paige smirked, moving the taser away from Emily.

Alison stared at the ground in shame as she removed her wig, letting her blonde curls fall freely around her face.

Emily gasped in surprise. She would have fainted if she weren't tied to the chair. It was the second time that night she felt betrayed.

"Alison?!"


The secret is finally out. Kudos to EmisonLove123, who guessed that Paige was involved.

Also, WHEN WILL EMILY CATCH A BREAK?

Reviews are much appreciated! Tell me what you guys think!