Hey, guys!

More hectic days to come for Emily and Alison! I hope you enjoy this and how I plan on wrapping a few PLL storylines in here. This is a short chapter, but it was fun to write.

With love,

White Tigresss

Chapter 10 - The Ones We Can't Let Go

Seeing Mona standing inside the barn sent a jolt through Alison's chest. A mixture of old grudges, regret, and distrust tangled inside her. Their history was complicated, and that was partly Alison's fault. But Mona had her own demons, ones that went far beyond Alison's past bullying.

She definitely didn't deserve to be locked in the dollhouse. That much, Alison could admit. But that didn't mean she trusted Mona. Not after everything she put them all through.

After all, Mona had once locked Emily in a barn just like this one. Alison would never let that happen again. She still remembers the frantic beat of her heart when Mona texted her that Emily was running out of air that afternoon. It made Alison risk everything in order to save her.

But Mona wouldn't try to lock them inside a barn this time. Alison was sure of it. Still, the words coming out of her mouth could be dangerous. Mona was also the one who convinced the other girls—including Emily—to turn on her, which eventually led her to being arrested.

Needless to say, Mona didn't evoke good feelings in her.

"Didn't expect to see you here, Mona," Alison said, folding her arms, her voice edged with suspicion.

Mona glanced sideways at Emily, subtly signaling that she wanted to talk to Alison alone. "I came to talk to you."

Alison considered asking Emily to step aside, but before she could, Emily stepped in front of her instead, shoulders squared. "Whatever you have to say to Alison, you can say in front of me too."

Something flickered in Alison's chest—pride, warmth, maybe something deeper. Emily's loyalty was unwavering, and for the first time in a long time, Alison allowed herself to believe that maybe they could make this work.

Mona sighed. "Alright. Hanna came over crying yesterday. She told me she had an argument with all of you."

Alison rolled her eyes. Of course Hanna went straight to Mona. She should've expected some sort of retaliation coming from Mona, but it never crossed her mind that Mona would go after them so soon. Still, Alison didn't regret the things she had said to Hanna.

"That's true," Alison confirmed it to Mona, unimpressed. "What did she say to you?"

"She told me she's very concerned that you're going to hurt her best friend," Mona replied, gaze pointed directly at her. But Alison knew better. There was more to this visit than Hanna's feelings. If Mona truly wanted to confront her, she would have knocked on her door, not at Spencer's barn, where Emily was staying. And if she wanted to talk to any of the other girls, she would have gone to their houses.

No. Mona had come to the barn for a reason. She had wanted to talk to both her and Emily.

"That's not all, is it?" Alison prodded.

Mona's lips twitched slightly, almost like she'd been waiting for that. "Well… you told Hanna that she's 'your Emily,' right?"

Alison met her gaze without hesitation. "I did."

Mona raised a brow.

Alison smirked. "And? Was I wrong?"

Mona smirked back at Alison. "Unfortunately, you've got a point. Can't say I agree with your methods, but you've always been insightful, Alison."

Emily frowned, glancing between the two of them. "Wait, so you're both agreeing on something?"

Mona sighed, rolling her eyes. "Yes, although it pains me to admit that Alison is right. Hanna's been as forgiving of me as you've been with Alison, Emily. If not more."

Emily processed the words carefully, but it made sense. After all, Mona had put their lives in danger more times than they could count. Yet Hanna—Hanna would still trust her. Even if kicking and screaming.

"Where are you going with this, Mona?" Alison interrupted, frustrated at the circular conversation.

"As you may have noticed, Hanna isn't doing too well," Mona began, her voice quieter now. Hanna was her soft spot and they all knew it. "She had an argument with me, too, when I agreed with what Alison said. Then Caleb came along, tried to help… and she pushed him away again. Went home and locked herself in her room. She's clearly processing her pain and anger, but she's doing it all wrong."

Both Alison and Emily were startled by the revelation. They all knew what Hanna was going through, yet they didn't expect that Mona would agree with them and that Hanna's erratic behavior also applied to her and Caleb.

"Wait, I thought she was on good terms with you," Emily said, her confusion evident.

"We are on good terms," Mona stressed. "But… Hanna's become overprotective of me after what we went through in the dollhouse."

Alison watched as Emily nodded, her gaze distant. She knew that their group had yet to share everything about what happened in that place, the horrors they all went through. Some of them might never want to speak of it again. Alison's heart clenched with frustration and a guilty ache. Maybe if she hadn't dragged everyone into this mess, they might have been safe.

"It's gotten overbearing," Mona continued. "I get it, she's anxious, working through her trauma. But it suffocates me. And it's hurting Caleb, too. She keeps pushing him away. He's trying, but she won't let him in anymore."

Alison shot Mona a pointed look. "And what will you do about it, Mona?"

"For starters, it pains me to admit that you were right not just once, but twice," Mona scoffed. "You've been trying to own up to your mistakes and take responsibility. It's time I do the same."

Emily frowned. "What do you mean?"

"It means I'm going to come clean to the police about what I did when I was A," Mona revealed, making both Alison and Emily gasp. "I've already spoken to my mom, and with the information I have on Wilden's operations, I should be able to cut a deal. I'll face whatever consequences come my way, but once it's over, I'm leaving Rosewood. Staying here just brings up bad memories, and I need to move forward."

Alison processed Mona's words carefully. She could understand wanting to leave the past behind. But she also knew this would devastate Hanna—she wouldn't let Mona go without a fight.

"Mona, have you thought about what this would do to Hanna?" Emily asked carefully.

Mona let out a slow breath. "I know she won't take it well. But staying here... it's suffocating. And she deserves better than me constantly dragging her into my mess. We all deserve better."

Alison studied her carefully, recognizing the conflict in Mona's voice. "I suppose there's nothing we could say to change your mind."

Mona shook her head. "You get it, Alison. You've been trying to change, too."

Alison didn't argue. Instead, she reached for Emily's hand, feeling a quiet strength in the simple touch. "It's as hard as it gets, but it's worth it."

Emily just stared at her with pure love, not even minding that Mona was witnessing their gesture.

Mona didn't acknowledge the gesture, but something flickered in her eyes—recognition, maybe understanding. "I just thought you should know," she said, her voice softer now. "Before I make it official."

Alison captured a tension in the air—something she couldn't quite explain. She believed Mona was telling the truth, but a nagging feeling in the back of her mind warned her there was more to this visit. Mona wouldn't just come looking for her and Emily without a reason.

"There's something else," Alison said quietly.

Mona met her gaze. "I know why Mrs. DiLaurentis did what she did."

Alison flinched. The question had haunted her for years, buried deep but never forgotten. It lingered like an old scar that ached in the cold rain. Her hand latched on to Emily's and the brunette stepped forward protectively.

"Mona, what are you trying to—"

"Calm down, Emily," Mona cut her off and turned back to Alison. "When I was looking for you the night you disappeared, I happened to stumble upon the scene. Mrs. DiLaurentis was covering for someone else."

Alison's stomach twisted. "Who?!"

"CeCe Drake," Mona revealed.

Alison's breath caught in her throat. CeCe had been her mentor, her closest confidante. The idea that she had played any role in that night was impossible to comprehend.

"What did CeCe do?" Emily asked when she realized Alison couldn't.

Mona hesitated only briefly. "She was the one who threw the rock."

Alison swayed on her feet. Emily tightened her grip on her, grounding her.

"No," Alison murmured. "That doesn't make sense. CeCe helped me when I was on the run! Why would she—"

"I don't think it was intentional," Mona admitted. "But Jessica saw her do it. And instead of turning her in, she covered for her."

Alison's mind reeled, memories flickering through the haze of that night. CeCe had been there. She had always been close. But was it truly an accident? Or something more?

"You should talk to her," Mona said, watching Alison carefully. "She's in town. And she knows I'm going to the police. She's waiting for you."

Alison barely registered Mona's words before she turned toward the door. She hesitated for a second, glancing back at them, as if debating whether to say something else. Then, without another word, she left the barn, leaving behind an astonished Alison and an Emily who was trying her best to keep her together.

Alison hadn't moved. She just stood there, staring at the barn door like Mona might walk back in and take it all back.

Emily shifted beside her, still holding onto her hand. "Ali…" she said softly.

It took Alison a moment to respond. "She knew," she murmured, more to herself than to Emily. "This whole time, Mona knew what really happened to me that night."

Emily's grip on her tightened. "Are you okay?"

Alison let out a bitter laugh. "No. No, I'm not okay." She finally turned to look at Emily, her expression unreadable. "My mother protected CeCe. She let me think—I never understood why she did what she did. And when I finally had the chance to ask her, I found out she was dead." Her voice broke slightly.

Emily took a breath, choosing her next words carefully. "Ali, maybe it wasn't that simple."

"Isn't it?" Alison snapped before sighing and pressing her fingers against her temples. "God, Emily, I don't even know what's real anymore. I thought CeCe was my friend. I thought my mother loved me."

"She did. I talked to her when you were on the run and she definitely loved you," Emily insisted, stepping closer. "But she wasn't—she wasn't like other moms. She made some bad choices and threw you into this mess. That doesn't mean you didn't matter to her."

Alison wasn't sure if she believed that. She wanted to, but the weight of everything felt crushing.

A sharp breeze drifted in from the cracked barn door, making Alison shiver. She suddenly felt trapped, like the walls were closing in on her.

"I need to talk to CeCe."

Emily hesitated. "Right now?"

"Right now," Alison confirmed. Then she paused, frowning. "Except… I don't know where she is."

Emily thought for a moment. "Mona said she was in town. That means she has to be staying somewhere."

Alison exhaled. "Maybe."

She stopped. Her mind flickered back to Mona's words. She's waiting for you.

Alison's eyes narrowed. "Mona was being deliberate."

Emily blinked. "What do you mean?"

"She didn't just say CeCe was in town. She said she's waiting for me." Alison turned, suddenly decisive. "Mona knows exactly where she is."

Emily caught on immediately. "Then we go to Mona."

Alison nodded. She wasn't sure what Mona's game was, or why she was holding back details—but she would find out.

She reached for the barn door, pushing it open. But as she stepped out onto the porch, she froze.

A tall, blonde figure stood just beyond the porch light's glow, hands tucked into the pockets of her coat.

CeCe Drake.

Alison's breath caught in her throat.

Emily tensed beside her, instinctively stepping closer.

CeCe tilted her head slightly, studying Alison with an unreadable expression. Then, finally, she spoke.

"I was hoping you'd come find me," she said quietly. "Guess I saved you the trouble."

Alison's stomach twisted, but she didn't look away.

Neither did CeCe.