Author's Note: As I am trying to take a new direction in my writing with my first piece for this fandom, I'm trying to come out of my comfort zone, so I've decided to go for some dark themes. I'll include a warning for every chapter at the top, specifying what sensitive material might be ahead such as violence, addiction, smut, etc.

I have always loved feedback, as it is the most direct way to share with me your opinions on the plotline and the direction of the story.

I am also open to a beta for the future chapters, if anyone is interested. As this is just the prologue, I just wanted to introduce the idea of a beta here and give all of my main author's notes here, rather than farther into the story.

Enjoy!

/Prologue/

She had never felt such ease as she did basking in the dying light of the sun. It illuminated her petite figure and created one lone shadow in the large pool she lay at the surface of. She relished in the lingering warmth of the day, as the cooling California sea breeze lightly caressed her skin. The sounds of waves crashing against the shoreline was muted but ongoing, effectively blocking everything else her increased hearing allowed her. The sky was starting to darken, intensifying the orange and red hues of the sunset, creating violent streaks fighting for dominance over the never ending canvas. She gently lifted one hand and made to caress the vision before her. Her heart warmed at the simple beauty of a sunset, something so common, yet so divine.

Closing her eyes, she relished in the last rays of light before succumbing to the dark.

Sinking deep into the pool, she hit the floor, immediately grabbing the large chest she had dropped in before, lifting it just enough to wedge herself underneath. Immobile under the immense weight, she lay surrounded by other heavy furniture seven feet deep underwater.

Tick tock.

At first, she was calm; her logic knew that as a vampire, actually dying would not be the end result of this exercise, but as time went on her humanity started to surface, triggering her survival instincts.

Tick tock.

She thrashed in the darkening water, searching for a way out.

Tick tock.

As time slowed, her muscles were the first to give out. They were ablaze with a fire so intense, it started to pain her to continue her search, but still she persisted. She finally opened her mouth, letting the last small remaining slivers of air escape in minuscule bubbles. She watched them float up and disappear, causing her to emit silent screams.

Tick tock.

Her dying energy finally started to shut down her mind. Her consciousness came in and out as the water became blurry, slowing her vision.

Tick tock.

She opened her eyes one last time, imagining the vivid sunset, and weakly lifted her finger, pointing it to the surface.

Tick tock.

Darkness.

She awoke, gasping, but intaking copious amounts of water instead of air. Her vampiric abilities allowed her body to recharge for a moment of adrenaline. She wrapped her fingers around the edges of the chest, gripping them with any traction she could find. With her surge of energy, she mustered any inhuman strength she could find, pushing it up just enough to roll out underneath, and the large thud accompanying it's fall came barely a second after. She pushed up weakly, moving her legs slowly to rise up. Nearing the surface, she reached her arms up, and she broke the surface, the air hitting her like a ton of bricks.

Dragging herself to the edge and out of the pool, her breathing was erratic as she still spluttered out water and desperately tried to breathe in as much air as possible. Gripping the table, she snatched up the blood bag, ripping off the top, and quickly draining it of it's contents.

The taste was a mild imitation of what it used to be for her, but it was tolerable, and she could stomach it enough to regain energy. Draining three more bags, she fed as quickly as she could to try and gather enough energy for the next few days. She only rarely fed now as it is, and the disgusting taste it had under normal circumstances prevented her from consuming it as regularly as she used to.

She finished her ration hurriedly, thankful she had downed it all in the time where her body was still reeling from her recent death, too weak to reject a source of strength, regardless that it wasn't what she craved by any means.

Still breathing heavily, she slowly walked into the modern fortress she currently inhabited as of a week ago. The plain white walls adorned modern art and other decor, no doubt the home of some tortured artist or obsessive interior designer.

Pouring herself some of the last remaining whiskey she had brought from her old home, she relished in the burning sensation.

Anything to keep her mind off of it.

Walking up to the open electric fireplace, she flipped a switch and watched it ignite itself. At first she slowly traced the edges of the cold stones all the way down the length, swiftly finishing her drink. Instantly pouring herself another one, she ventured back and directly let her hand fall at the top of the flames. The heat started to slowly burn her, but still she lowered her hand into the midst of the flames. They slowly engulfed her hand and in an instant she recoiled back, the fire becoming too intense. She squeezed her eyes shut, clutching the tumbler full of amber liquid, almost cracking it.

A deep laugh broke the silence.

"Really, love, did you think you could avoid me forever?"

Her eyes snapped open at the sound of his drawled words.

I know it was kind of weird and cut off abruptly, but I didn't want to reveal too much in the prologue.

Anyways, leave feedback, and thanks for reading!