-3rd Person-

"Erica!"

"Erica!" the girls shouted near the chemistry labs. Spencer switched on the lights and the flickered but wouldn't turn fully on . She flipped the switch again and it stopped.

"Um, why don't we split up." Spencer suggested

"Um, why don't we not?" Hanna retorted

"Han you can come with me." Aria offered. the other two nodded.

"Wait just let me try her again." Aria called her sister. Aria's ringtone on her sister phone started ringing and the looked to the chem lab at the end of the hall. Aria picked her sisters phone up. As the three of them stared at the open door. Spencer went and looked inside as the other three followed . They looked at the messed up lab.

"Is that?" Em asked pointing ad the red liquid on the floor

"Blood" Hanna finished

"Don't go there." Spencer breathed heavily

"Why not. My sister was here with Toby. Oh my god, what if he's hurt her." Aria covered her mouth now having a panic attack about her missing sister.

Meanwhile, Toby was in his car, he looked at the rearview mirror and as the unconscious body of his best friend Erica, who had a bleeding gash on her head. He then looked back worried at the young girl who only an hour ago he was dancing and smiling with. He hear the familiar sirens of a ambulance as he pulled up outside the hospital. Toby got out of the car and went to get Erica out. lifting her into his arms he took her to a paramedic.

"She needs help. Please help her." The took over and watches as she went inside. He panicked , this was all wrong. He scared her, he didn't get to make sure she knew the truth now everyone would fill in the wrongful gaps. He needed to lay low. Getting in the car he drove off.

-Erica-

I sat in my bedroom with the Spencer, Aria and Emily telling me what they had found. I had a sprained wrist with cuts and bruises.

"It was all in his shrinks file. Toby and Jenna had a relationship." Aria informed me as she sat on my bed while I rested against the headboard.

"Way beyond step siblings" Spencer added with her arms folded, I told wth the hassles on my blanket.

"They were involved." Aria continued

"Romantically?" I asked looking up

"I doubt I'd call it romantic. I doubt she had much of a choice." Spencer answered

"And that's what Alison saw when she threw that stink bomb." My sis added to the explanation

"Yeah and she threatened to expose Toby, which is probably why he wanted her dead. Yeah and not just her. Us, and you." I cleared my throat and looked away.

"You don't believe us?" Spencer asked

"I do, I just don't get it. If Toby wanted to do to me what he did to Alison then why am I in bed and not a body bag? I mean we've been hanging out for a while, it just doesn't make sense." I sighed "He didn't look like he wanted to hurt me. In fact he looked scared when I freaked, I saw your message and then his tattoo, I put it together and ran."

"Have you told the police?" Emily asked

"No, I told them that I went out for air and my heel caught on something." I shifted my hair to my side

"Well, why didn't you tell him he attacked you?" Aria asked not getting what I had to the police.

"I wanted to speak to you guys first to get the full picture, but it's having the opposite affect." I admitted, what the feeling me was the truth but I knew there was more to it and they didn't know, Toby did but he wasn't here.

"Well you can tell them everything now." Spencer declared

"She can't tell them everything. She has to leave out the file." Emily rebuffed her friend

"Fine, leave out the file." Spencer sighed as Hanna came in.

"Who knew Rosewood had this many cops. They were outside the office talking to Toby's shrink." She pulled out a file "They know this was stolen."

"Can I see that?" Hanna gave it to me and I looked through it.

"If anyone saw me in that building last night, I am so hosed." Han commented

"Aria!" Mom called and I put my cushion on top of what I was reading.

"Will you ask your father if he plans to take the car in this week." She called up I breathed a sigh and took the cushion away.

"Ugh, my parents have gone from not talking to not texting to guess who's in the middle." Aria mumbled shaking her head and scratching her eyebrow.

"I better go home, my mom is freaking out." Em sighed

"Same." Spencer, and Em went to leave

"Well what am I supposed to do with that?" Hanna pointed to the file that was in my lap.

"Just shove it in your locker, we'll figure it out later." Aria said

"Bye." I waved as they left and it was just the three of us

"Hanna can I speak with you before I leave in fact." Hanna nodded and joined Em. I sighed and look down at my neck.

"Aria?"

"Yeah."

"Where's my locket." Aria looked around and got up for my dresser she lifted the necklace up and handed it to me.

"Thanks." I slipped it over my head and played with it. Feeling a lot better, this object became a very comforting object.

"I'm gonna get some sleep. Will you give this back to Hanna." i hated the file over.

"Sure." I shuffled down in my bed and my eyes closed. When they opened everything was blury but I could make out a dog who was barking at me, I then saw Jenna then my Mum holding a plate.

"You're awake." Mom chimed 

"Am I?" I asked feeling a little confused.

"Yeah, I told Jenna, that you already had a lot of visitors today. But she insisted. She and her mother baked you some cookies." Mom told me I then saw Aria who looked worried

"They taste even better with milk....you do have milk right?" Jenna asked as I sat up

"Yeah. Yes of course we have milk." Mum handed the cookies to Aria and went to get milk. Jenna came over and felt the bed before sitting down and stroking her dogs, head.

"How are you feeling?" I looked at my sister who sat down on the other side.

"Why are you here, Jenna?" I questioned her, suspiciously.

"I'm worried about Toby. I think you're the only person who knows where he is. Sit Shadow." her dog sat.

"How would I know?" I folded my arms

"Because you're one of the few people he trusted. Look, Erica. Toby is troubled . I'm really afraid of what he might do." that was bullshit, she was trying to freak me out and the meds weren't helping with my anxiety.

"What do you mean?" Aria wondered

"Now that the police are looking for that file and people think he's..." she huffed "If it falls into the wrong hands I---"

"I don't get it. I thought you would be happy he was gone." My voice had a bit of an edge to it.

"So you read it. Your friends have shared it with you." she deduced from my words.

"No one's gonna tell." Aria replied

"Well you say that but secrets have a way of getting out. Like what Alison shared when she visited me at the hospital. I've kept quite about a lot. The least you can do is get me that file. You owe me that much." Jenna left and Mom said that Aria had a package. I was left alone in my room. I looked at the cookies then called Hanna to get that file, but she didn't pick up.

"Hanna where are you? Call me. Jenna came..." I saw Mom enter with two cups "Yeah so whenever you get this just come over please. Thanks." I hung up.

"Everything okay?" Mom asked

"Yeah. Hanna borrowed my gloss and if I don't pester her, it will be lost forever." I fake joked. She grabbed a chair and sat down. "Mom you don't have to stay Aria here and you can go watch Mike's game."

"No, it's fine. I'd rather not do that avoid and start rumours." She handed me the hot milk and I sipped it while flicking through a magazine.

"Honey, did you think I wouldn't let you go to homecoming if I knew you were going with Toby Cavanaugh?" She wondered addressing the elephant in the room. I assumed the Police of my sister told her about who I came with, not that it was a secret.

"What? No. I just, you have a lot on your plate right now. The little things don't really seems to matter." I shrugged her off

"They do. I looked silly when I had no idea what the officer was talking about when he said date. How long have you been talking again?" she wondered not letting it go

"Not long."

"Look I can't tell you what to do and I'm sure he's a good kid deep down but Jenna is blind because of him." That just irked me, but i couldn't blame her since she didn't know the truth. I only fed into the lie even more.

"He's misunderstood, it was an accident." She sighs heavily

"Then why did he drop you off and run if it was just an accident?" she questioned

"Because no one gets him like I do. Everyone sees him and crosses the street because they think he's a freak or bad news. To be honest I don't blame him, get treated like a monster for long enough he might actually start to believe it." she sat on my bed

"Did he pressure you."

"No, look. I'm tired I need some more sleep." I put my cup down on my table

"Okay." she got up and left my room. Following after her I locked it and grabbed my phone. I scrolled down the contacts and pressed dial. There was a ringing out before it went to voicemail.

"Hey, it's me. I uh...I know this is probably like the 20th message I left since... well since then, I guess I should have gotten the picture by now but. Everything is so mad here and I don't know, I guess I called the first person that seemed a safe bet. Especially after last night. Look you know what, I think the message just hit me in the face.20 calls and no answer so I get it. You don't want to talk. But Ali's memorial is coming up soon and well, it's nearly finished. Yeah bye." I hung up

"Why do I even bother." I whisper to myself. My door rattled and I jumped.

"Erica, open the door." I got up and unlocked it . Aria came in.

"Have you heard from the others. I can't get through to them?" I ask her having another painkiller.

"No, nothing. Look I'll go find them." she assured me.

"Make sure they don't destroy it."She nodded and went to leave but turned back to me.

"Did you know that Dad is moving out?"

"Aria, as long as the fighting stops, right now I don't care. Now I'm actually... Mike." I saw him walk past and told him to come in.

"How was the game?" I question, i was going to see it but I was committed to bed rest after the night's events.

"We lost." he told me

"I'm sorry. Why don't you go shower and then we can watch a movie yeah." He smiled a little and left.

"File." Aria went and I switched the tv on. Mike came back and I leaned my head on his shoulder, during the film I fell asleep again.

-------------

The next day at school I was talking with Spencer. I was rubbing my head it hurt like hell.

"Hey, you taking something for the pain?" she wondered

"Yeah but nothing that stops Mom's questions. She's directed her attention toward me asking me things I can't answer." I answer

"I can't believe Jenna, was at your house. You didn't eat that cookie did you?" Spence questioned

"No." her phone rang

"It's not from A. I think we can finally stop flinching every time our phone rings. Oh it's from Alex." I looked away. Still finding it hard that Toby was A. Spencer turned round, not happy.

"What's up?" I asked

"Alex just blew off our do over date. Says he has to work." she informed me and I hummed given the fact that he worked at the country club

"Well that sounds legit." I voiced

"It's not. Club is closed on Mondays." She walked away and I went to my locker. Opening it up I got books out for my next class hearing clacking. Looking over, Jenna was heading my way.

"Erica." she called out to me and I shook my head, the last person i wanted to deal with right now was her.

"Yes, Jenna." I sigh

"Do you have it?" she inquired

"No, and no one else does either. So you can stop worrying that pretty little head of yours. It's gone for good." I retort wanting her to leave already.

"What? What are you talking about?" She questioned

"Exactly what I said. It's gone."

"I hope you're not lying to me." she clutched onto her stick.

"I've had enough of people second guessing me. it's gone, get over it." I walked off. My phone started ring and I saw who it was.

"Wow, you actually call me back. Did I make a wish on a star or something?" I sassed him, 

"Hello, Erica." he answered

"Full name, must mean business." I look down at my feet then made my way to the courtyard and sat down.

"You're the one who called me remember." he retorted back. It felt a little weird that I missed his voice and now we are having a heated discussion.

"20 times I learnt my lesson." he sighed

"Look, I don't want to argue."

"Then why did you call?" I questioned I folded my arms even though he couldn't see me.

"Because like you said 20 times." he answered. I shook my head and licked my lips before talking back.

"Yeah all ignored. I'm not stupid. Look Ali's memorial will be in a few days I just wanted to know if anyone she was actually related to was gonna be here. There is only so much as her friends we can do." I unfolded my arms and picked at the chipping paint on the table.

"Yes I know, I should be there in the next few days." I heard a fight going on and I saw my brother.

"Yeah, bye." I hung up and ran inside

"Hey Mike!" I heard Aria

"Stop, Stop" she broke the two of them up and I pulled Mike towards me

"What is going on?" She asks he shrugs me off. The fury in his eyes unsettled me.

"Leave me alone."

"Hey, man what are you doing, they're your sister." Sean grabbed onto his arm and Mike shrugged him off.

"Just go to hell" I look at the two of them and run to catch my brother.

"Mike, Mike wait please." He just ran off. I let out a frustrated scream. I got my phone and text Aria saying I was going home.

I sat on the couch reading a magazine when I heard my arguing parents come in. It took them a sec to realise I was there.

"Erica, why aren't you at school." Mom asked me

"My dearest little brother has gone rouge and won't talk to me. I'm waiting to try and fix your mess." I drawl continuing to flick through the magazine.

"Excuse me." Dad said I looked at them and stood.

"Sit." I ordered them. They did say anything

"Swallow your pride and park it." They sat down, Mom flicked her hair back.

"OK enough. Just enough. You know I knew it would be bad when the crap hit the fan but you need to pull it together. You have 3 kids who feel abandoned." I began to rip them a new one since no one else was going to do it.

"Erica." Mom sighed

"No, Mom. I've had it. As the eldest child I think it's my responsibility to tell you this. But your seriously screwing up." Dad went to say something and I shushed him.

"You, this is all your fault. You should have never cheated in the first place. You should have told Mom and you shouldn't have kept Aria and me quiet. That's not fair. I spent over a year hating you but now I pity you. I pity you that you stooped so low when you had a great life. You need to stop fighting and sort yourself out. Because I can't keep trying to be parent anymore." I take a deep breath and go upstairs. Mom came into my room a little later.

"Hey." she gave me a small smile

"Hey." I replied

"I wanted to tell you in person that I'm going to be moving into the apartment above the gallery for a while." I sat up straighter, not believing my ears.

"What? I thought Dad was leaving?" I questioned, this was so stupid, he's the one who cheated, why was mom leaving?

"He was but he wants to stay so I've decided to go. But we'll still see each other, I promise I will be there for your next recital." she assured me taking my hand in hers

"But Mom, that's not fair, he's the one who made the mistake not you." I started to cry

"Oh sweetie, don't cry. It's gonna be okay." She kissed my head and I went back to my bed. I heard Mike come in and talk with Aria, then he passed my door.

"Erica." I looked up and wiped away my tears.

"Hey." he came over and hugged me. I hugged back then pulled away.

"Can I ask you something?" He nods

"Would you be like super mad at me at me if I ditched this house for a couple of days?" I asked him, I knew Aria would understand, but I wanted to ask Mike because I didn't want him to feel like I was abandoning him as well.

"Not you too." he signed clenching his fist to his mouth.

"Hey look. I just need to chill. I wanna punch him right now and I don't think that would be very good for you or Aria." I explained and he un-tensed a little.

"A couple of days." he stated

"Yeah and I will come and pick you up for school as well. It will like every other day just me not sleeping her for a little bit. You know it makes sense." He sighed but nodded in understanding.

"Alright."

"Cool." He left for his room and I packed my things when I got a text

'Poor, poor Toby, Thanks for the help -A'

"Toby, please, not Toby." I rang Emily, it rang and rang till she finally answered

"Hello."

"Em please tell me Toby is not dead." I rushed out.

"Ri." she breathed and my heart dropped. I hated when my name came out all pity like because that never meant anything good.

"Emily!" My voice cracked in fear.

"I don't know for sure but I saw his bike it was pretty messed up and it didn't look like happy news." she told me 

"Look, Spencer and Hanna are here."

"Can you put Spencer on." There was a exchange as she put Spencer on the phone.

"Hey how are you doing?" Spence wondered

"Our Mom has moved out. Mike is losing it and I find out Toby is possibly dead. How do you think?" I retort and sigh. I didn't mean to e so snappy at her.

"Sorry."

"No it's fine Look can I crash with you for a couple of days? I need to cool down." I ask her

"Yeah sure I'll come pic you up now." she agreed and I could hear her picking up her car keys.

"Thanks. I'l talk to the others later." We said bye and I went to Aria's room she was sat there reading a book.

"Bitch strikes again." I showed her my phone. Aria put her book down to take a good look at it.

"Toby sent you a message?"

"Unless he's referring himself in the third person no. You got it wrong Toby is not A and now he could possibly be laying dead in a ditch somewhere." I huff my leg was jittering up and down.

"I'm staying with Spencer for a couple of days. I've told Mike and he's okay with it for now...surprisingly." I tell her and she moved to face me properly

"Erica."

"Please, just give me some space." I grabbed my bag when Spencer texted me she was outside. I jogged down stairs where Dad was sat in the living room.

"Where are you going?" He wondered seeing my duffle bag.

"Spencer's." I answered as I raced for the door, he got up.

"I don't think that's a good idea." he told me and I turned back to him fucking pissed and fully of defiance.

"Tough, I'm going."

"I'm your Dad." I scoffed, like hell he was.

"You're the ass that broke this family apart. Now Mom's gone, Mike's pissed and Aria's lost. Now I am going to cool off for a few days or would you like to wind me up to the point where I may actually hit you." he was silent "Didn't think so. Oh and by the way, you come anywhere near my recital I will scream bloody murder you'll be talk of Hollis." I left and got into the car with Spencer.