Infatuation (PLL Emison AU)

Shattered

A/N: It feels odd to post this chapter given what's happening in the world, though I've been told by readers that fiction is the only escape they have from the horrors of the real world. Note...this chapter was originally published at the height of the Ukraine/Russian conflict and I was torn between pausing this story or continuing. I've decided that if I can provide a comfort to anyone in these uncertain times by simply letting them get lost in a story, it is worth it to post. It sucks that this violence continues to happen in civilized society, over and over again...all over the world. And it's always innocent people who suffer. I'm sick of it.

I stand with Ukraine.

My heart breaks for this world.

Note: This chapter gets emotional. Have tissues handy.

*****

Chapter 33:

Shattered

Alison stared at the television screen, her eyes struggling to focus as she fought to stay awake. After Emily left she'd curled up in a blanket and laid down on the couch. The pillow smelled like the brunette, so she pretended it was her wife's lap.

She had planned to get in a quick nap before going in to the hospital for her overnight shift, but she was too anxious to sleep. Emily still hadn't come home, and she was afraid if she closed her eyes she would wake up in the darkest parts of her past. She slept better when Emily was around.

She used to covet nights when she had alone time. She was free to go out in Rosewood and murder criminals. A lone wolf.

She missed the hunt. She missed the way it made her feel.

But Emily was worth it.

It had been a new experience opening up to her wife completely.

They were still trying to find their footing, so every little setback was frustrating.

She didn't like the way they'd left things after their argument. It had been hours and she still wasn't home.

Alison started to worry that she wasn't coming home.

Had the brunette finally cracked? Had she decided to run away from her for good?

What if this breaks us?

She stared at the digital clock blinking on the end table. The numbers were slowly blinking, like they were mocking her.

Emily, where are you?

The rain was coming down at a heavier pace now. She could hear the overflow from the gutters pounding against the ground. The wind howled in the distance. Thunder rumbled. Several flashes of lightning painted the room in an eerie bright light.

She shouldn't be out in this storm.

She sat up, huffing in annoyance. There was no way she was going to be able to concentrate at work.

She picked up her phone, staring at the three texts she'd sent to her wife that were still unanswered.

Is she ignoring me?

She didn't know that Emily had been in such a rush to leave that she left her phone upstairs on the charger.

Alison brought her phone up to her chin, tapping the edge of it against her jaw as she tried to make a choice.

The AA meetings did not last this long. And Emily had always been good about letting her know if she was going to be late.

Something didn't feel right.