Pretty Little Liars: 16 & Pregnant (Sequel)

Second Generation Stalker

Piper's Pov

When I was eight, I sprained my ankle and couldn't go to dance for nearly a month; at the time I thought it was the worst thing that'd ever happened to me. Then, just last year, I got sick at school and threw up in the hallway in front of everyone; after that I was positive it was the worst thing that had ever and would ever happen to me. And then when V came into my life recently, I realized that all the things I thought were horrible before now paled in comparison, that having a psychotic stalker was most definitely the most unfortunate thing that could ever possibly happen to me.

But now, as I follow my Dad up the stairs at Auntie Hanna's house, I'm realizing that I was wrong. That having V practically control my life isn't the worst thing that could happen—having my Dad find out about it is. Because now, just as V promised, something bad will happen to Stella. My bad thing will soon turn into my eight year old sister's.

"Okay Piper, I need you to tell me the truth." The tone in my Dad's voice is one I've never heard before "I heard what you said so don't try and pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. I just...I need to know everything, what else has V made you do besides meet him at the park?"

I rack my brain for a way to make it seem less terrible than it is, but there's not really a way to sugarcoat this; a manipulative stalker is bad no matter how you put it.

As I prepare to tell him everything, tears begin to well in my eyes as I realize that I'm not on my own with this anymore. I don't have to be scared now, my parents will know what to do about this. I just wish I told them about V sooner. My Dad looks at me with expectant eyes, although I can't help but notice the fear in them.

"Daddy," I burst into tears, hugging him tightly. He does the same, placing a comforting hand on the back of my head as I press my face against his chest. He rubs my back for a minute or so, neither of us saying a word while I cry.

"How long have you been getting notes from V?" My Dad finally asks in a low voice. The way he says it is as if this isn't the first time he's heard of him.

"A couple months, I think." I reply, keeping my face pressed against his chest.

"Piper you have to tell me more than that, y-you don't understand who V really is and what he's capable of, I need to know everything I can so I can figure out what we should do." His voice quivers slightly, which catches me off guard "I-I can't believe this is happening, I thought V was gone for good. You should've told me Piper, you should've said something."

"I couldn't Dad, h-he said he'd do something bad to Stella if I told someone!" I cry "He didn't let me tell anyone!"

"Shhhh, it's okay." He answers, seeming to realize his rash behaviour "It's okay. We're going to figure this out, I'm going to keep you and Stella and Mom safe, I promise."

"Okay," I whimper, still holding onto him tightly. He kisses the top of my head, and although his strong embrace is comforting, I can still feel his body trembling slightly.

"How do you know about V already?" I ask, my voice hoarse.

"Years ago, we used to get notes from him too." My Dad tells me "Me, Mom, your Aunts and Uncles. And before that, we were tormented by someone who went by the name of A. V came along later, when you were six—"

"That's when he took me and tied me on top of that statue, right?" I cut in.

"Yeah, that's right." He answers in a pinched voice "I didn't know you remembered that."

"I didn't until a few weeks ago." I reply.

"When you met V in the park?" He asks "When did you even do that?"

"At night," I say, shuddering "When everyone was asleep." I half expect him to get mad, but instead he just hugs me tighter, staying silent.

"What are we gonna do Dad?" I finally break the silence.

"Well for starters, you and your sister are going to grab your things, and I'm going to text your Mom to come get us. Then we'll go home and discuss this as a family." He informs me "When we do, you have to tell us everything Piper, all the details."

I nod "I still have the notes."

"Good," My Dad replies "Let's go then."

When we go back downstairs, I can hardly look anyone in the eye; especially not Poppy and Bella. I don't know what's going to happen now that our secret is out, but if anything bad does, I'll feel accountable. As I watch my Dad leave the living room with Uncle Toby and Uncle Caleb in tow, I try to imagine how their conversation is about to go. If V used to stalk them too, they could be even more scared than I am now that he's back. They've lived through more torment than I have.

"What happened Piper?" Stella walks up to me, nervousness in her eyes after seeing the look on our Dad's face.

"Nothing," I blurt out "Well...something, but I can't explain it."

"Why not?" She asks.

"Because, Stella." I answer through gritted teeth "I can't." I turn away from her as my eyes begin to water, and before I burst into tears, I hurry to leave the room. Just as I step foot in the dark kitchen, I bump into Uncle Toby.

"Piper," He starts, immediately noticing my distraught face. Before he has a chance to say anything else, I wrap my arms tightly around his torso and start crying into his chest.

"It's okay," Uncle Toby says reassuringly, although his voice sounds far away "Everything's going to be okay."

"No it's not," I sob "N-now something bad is going to happen, it'll be my fault."

"That's not true, nothing's your fault." He urges "And we're going to figure out what to do next, all of us. You're not alone anymore." I continue to hug him as a response, squeezing my eyes shut as I try to pretend this is all a nightmare. I don't know how long Uncle Toby and I stand there, hugging in the near-dark, but when we do finally break apart, my Mom is there.

"Piper," She breathes, looking at me as though she hasn't seen me for years. After a quick embrace, she returns to looking at me, this time with tears in her eyes.

"This is why you've been so off the past little while," She starts, biting her lip nervously. I can't do anything but nod.

"I can't believe this is happening again," My Mom continues, her fingers in her hair. I just watch as my Dad hugs her, and I can't help but notice the tears in his eyes too.

"What're we gonna do?" I choke out, the sight of both my parents nearly crying causing me to do the same. Neither of them answer for a moment, which only scares me even more.

"We're gonna figure it out." My Dad's shaky voice finally replies. And though I know he's doing his best to reassure me, I could easily say that I've never seen him look so scared.