Chapter 1

The night air combed through her blonde locks with its frigid fingers as she glided through the clouds. Watching the twinkling lights of the sleepy Ohio town beneath her, she lighted upon her favorite Maple tree and gazed at the house directly down the hill. The light in the upstairs bedroom was on, as it always was this time of night, she knew. She sighed softly as she watched the curtains dancing gently in the breeze, her eyesight keen as a hawk. Literally.

She stroked her bright white feathers absentmindedly and shivered at the tickley feeling the action elicited. Quinn Fabray had had wings ever since she could remember; and had kept them hidden just as long. Luckily, this wasn't too difficult as they were almost completely retractable; only small scar-like marks could be seen near her shoulder blades where the white monstrosities burst forth when she needed them, or simply lost control. Birthmarks, she told anyone who asked about the pink lines on her back. Just birthmarks.

Oh, her parents knew, yes. She'd only managed to find one piece of physical evidence of herself and her wings as a small child. A photograph that got through, bent and mangled, but intact. Herself, no older than 4 years, standing on the piano in the living room of her family's home, laughing joyfully, small white wings widespread. So carefree. Once Quinn began school, everything changed. As long as she was inside, her parents had grudgingly allowed her to leave her wings out; it was more comfortable for her that way. But with functioning in society came going in public, and with public came hiding herself. The young blonde was forced to learn control over her wings very quickly, and so she did. Keeping them cooped up inside of her where no one could see.

The strain was taxing however, so Quinn took to nightly flights. Donning a halter top, she took off from her roof and soared freely over Lima, Ohio. She knew the skies of this town like the back of her hand.
And also the whereabouts and routines of its inhabitants.

Tonight, and every night, Quinn would fly to this very tree and watch the bedroom window of one particular person.

She steadied herself on her perch and sat, clutching her knees to her chest.
A young brunette approached the window. The breath caught in Quinn's throat and she froze in place; it appeared as though the girl was staring directly at her.

She twitched her wings nervously, folding them closer to her body. She knew their snowy white color was easy to see from the window, and though she had abnormally accurate eyesight, knew the girl's eyesight wasn't exactly awful either.

The two both stood in a silent standoff. Quinn realized she still wasn't breathing, and let her air out in a slow, shaky sigh. They'd never stayed this long before.

After what seemed like an eternity, the girl in the window slowly turned and shut her curtains; the light snapped off quickly after.

Quinn rested a few moments longer, before standing and taking off again for home.

She knew the nightly whereabouts and routines of all this town's inhabitants.

And this was her own.


A/N: Hi! This is my first attempt at any fic, so comments and critiques are definitely welcomed

and encouraged, but of course, not required. I have the first few chapters written already, and I

have some idea of where I want this to go...but if you have any suggestions or requests in the

plot, feel free to mention them and I'll see what I can do.

Thanks for reading!