You Saved Me (Emison Fanfic)

Ch. 23 - Wake Up

No One's POV

The night was over sooner than it had started and other than - who Mona revealed was very inebriated - Caleb, no one forgot what happened. Especially not Alison.

Today was a heavy day. There was nothing light about going to track down a psychotic brother that you had no idea about who's hiding in the middle of the woods and who has has lived to make your life and your friends' lives a living hell, not to mention almost get you and your girlfriend killed.

Yeah, the mood Alison was in wasn't what one would say was a good one.

She woke up last, Mona and Caleb scrambling to re-organize their bags while Toby and Ezra were discussing what to do with Wren.

"Hey," Ali called to no one in particular, her voice scratchy, "where's Emily?"

Caleb was the first to hear Alison among all the hurried rustling around, "hey, she's in the bathroom. She just wanted to freshen up. You okay?"

"Yeah, are you? I think you were a little loopy last night."

"Loopy," Mona scoffed, "no. Try sneaking out to the liquor store to guzzle down a bottle of whisky on the walk back."

"Wow, and you didn't share Caleb? I'm surprised you're not hungover."

"Hey, I know what I can handle," Caleb defended, "I wouldn't go into this drunk, we all need to be on top of our game today."

"Right," Ali nodded, "of course." She smiled and took a deep breath, finally standing up and stretching her muscles, "let's end this so I can sleep on an actual bed."

"Yeah, yeah, humor is good Ali." Mona nodded and swallowed hard.

Truth was everyone was on edge, neurons firing every known chemical signal that indicated nervousness, fear, anxiety, all of what anyone in their position could possibly imagine feeling.

"So we're doing this, it's happening finally." Alison said more to herself, forgetting that everyone was so close.

"Hey, you gonna be okay?" Caleb put his things down and approached Ali carefully.

"Yeah," but Ali's voice rose an octave and Caleb quirked a brow.

"Ali," he said knowingly, "this isn't going to be like the last time."

"What? I wasn't even thinking abo-,"

"Yes. Yes you were. You think loud. And believe it or not, but under that hard exterior you shed so long ago is the real you and I can read her face just as well as anyone else now."

Alison turned her head away but Caleb gently grabbed her shoulders and made her face him, "it's not a bad thing, it's good. It means you can't hide how you're really feeling from us anymore."

"Hide? That's what you think I was doing?"

"Yeah, Hanna used to tell me that she knew you were suffering but were good at hiding it. I don't know, I never believed her until now."

"Well," Alison took a deep breath, "make sure to tell Hanna I said thank you."

"No, you can tell her yourself later."

Alison swallowed and just nodded her head, "yeah, sure."

"Alison," Caleb said sternly, "you will."

"Okay, you're right, I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Hey, listen, Toby and Ezra were talking to Wren, we don't know what to do with him."

"What do you mean, we turn him in."