So, here it is! The prologue to my new story! Before you get started reading, there are a few points that I want to touch.

First and foremost, this story is going to be a little different than my other stories.. This story is going to be somewhat on the DARKER side, theme wise. Hence, the title. With as much sincerity as possible, drug mentions, profane language, topics of suicide/ self-harm, brutal violence, and depression will be included in this story. I'm just offering a warning before you start to read the story. I'm going for a more of an angst-filled Fanfic this time.. I'm not saying that there won't be good chapters with good times or that they won't get a happy ending, i'm just saying that it's not going to be all rainbows and butterflies.. So, if you don't think you will like that, I don't really think this story is the right one to read.

Also, its going to be a little more on the AU side of things. I want to pay a tribute to my favorite show ever, but at the same time i want to remain original.. Some of the characters may act OOC while others will be exactly like themselves on the show.

There, all of the negative stuff aside... I'm so excited to finally be uploading this story that's been in my mind for months! I really hope that the first part of this AN didn't discourage any of you.. I'm so excited to see what you all think!

I'm going to also be writing in some of my own characters, which will hopefully give me the chance to make things more original.. Along with Finn, Rachel, and all of them, they're going to be getting their own stories, and love interests, etc.. So, i'm excited for you guys to read that as well.

Lastly, I have to give all credits to Ryan Murphy and the writers, producers, etc... I do not own Glee, nor do i own any of the characters. The only ones i own are my own..

Well, that pretty much wraps up all that i have to say. Anything that i may have left out or need to explain in the future will be placed at the top or bottom of future chapters.. I look forward to this new journey that i'm beginning with all of you and really do hope that all of you enjoy this one!

Let me know what you think! :)-Kat

Prologue

45, 30, 25, 10, 5, 0… Once the yellow car came to a complete stop, it was parked and turned off. A small click in the air indicated the opening of the door. Then, out came the driver; a short brunette with amazement painted on the youthful features of her face.

The scenery was down-right breathtaking. It always had been; from the variety of beautiful wildflowers spread out for miles along the forest floor, to the vast source of tall green trees that towered over her. Her heart settled itself into a slow and steady pace; one that it hadn't been in years. All the while, her muscles loosened up, telling her that she could relax after years of her mind telling her she couldn't.

She could finally drop the weight that had made a home on her shoulders. Even if it was only for the time being. This place filled her up with emotions she hadn't experienced since she was young and ignorant. Those feelings of hatred and rage that she had been harboring, for the world and everyone in it, were slowly, but surely starting to seep out of her mind as she felt the wind against her porcelain skin.

She inhaled slowly, smiling with satisfaction. Despite the enormous amount of pollution produced by the outside world, she never had a doubt that this place would provide her with the fresh air that she needed. Tugging at the two ends of her black unbuttoned cardigan, she hugged herself, desperately seeking warmth. It was a little odd, seeing as it was the beginning of August and the air was already very cold. However, her preference for colder climates was very strong. So, she couldn't really complain.

Taking two steps, she began to make her way into the large forest that she imagined to be close to heaven. As she looked around, she tried to analyze what had changed since the last time these leaves crackled underneath her shoes. A lot, she told herself.

She had been gone for a very long time; a very long time of regret, pain, and malice. But, never did she forget about this place. She was glad that she could finally return to the forest that she once called home. She felt a sense of comfort revisiting the place that once held all of her joy, happiness, and laughter.

Since then, she had been through a whirl of events that scarred her life. She wanted nothing more than to forget every single thing that had happened and she just wanted a chance to escape from all of the noise. So, as she knelt down and picked a flower off the forest floor, she promised herself that she'd rekindle the love that she once had. She'd make it the safe haven that it was before when her life spun way out of control; the safe haven that she so desperately needed in her life today. Especially, if she was going to have to face the small town that awaited her return just a few short miles outside the forest.

Placing the small purple and white wild flower behind her ear, she looked up to see the top of the tree right before her. In one small motion impossible to any human, she was hugging the highest branch close to her chest, nearly 500 feet off the ground, as she focused her vision as far as it would go. The first sight that caught her eye was the large mountains in the distance, scattering themselves along a large water fall that seemed to have no end.

She laughed to herself when memories of her father taking her to this exact fall for sight-seeing resurfaced. She loved the way the water hit her toes when it seeped in through the foot of her dress. But more than that, she loved her father's undying passion for the falls. He always saw the smaller things in life with a magnifying glass. That's where she learned to see the beauty in it all; to take comfort in the stillness.

She closed her eyes and took in the soothing wind that blew above these trees. She wished, more than anything, that she was that little girl again; holding her father's hand as he guided her with a compass in the other.. If only that version of herself would see the girl that she had become today, she thought to herself. She had no idea how her life had become so screwed up. But, now, that same little girl who used to be filled with so much joy was now the girl who saw everything with hatred, and anger, and disappointment. And through everything, she only had herself to blame. And him; she would go to her grave hating him for causing all of this...

As usual, she got caught up with the demons running around in her head. She took a sharp inhalation, followed by a loud exhalation. Clearing her mind, she decided to just stick to her original purpose of being here. Not to get caught up in her past, but to focus on the beautiful nature that surrounded her; the beautiful nature that she had gone so long without being able to see.

Slowly, she perched herself on the branch that she previously stood on. The sky was awfully grey, but it was starting to darken out, so she thought she'd sit and watch an imaginary sunset. She took in the peace and silence the outside world failed to provide her with; the only noise being the chirping of birds in the distance, the water from the falls pouring over the mountains, and the very distant sound and smell of her biggest temptation. However, she didn't want to talk about that right now.

If she could, she'd stay here forever. And don't think that she wouldn't try. But, for the time being, she only rested her head against the branch she was holding onto and closed her eyes again, taking in the amazing feeling against her face. Soon enough, she drifted off, using the wood she was clinging to as a pillow…

After about an hour or two, she woke up to complete darkness. The only source of light that she could see for miles was the small town on the other side of the mountains and the stars and moon in the sky. A minute of confusion played itself before realization dawned over her. Quickly standing up on the branch, she made a swift motion before she was back on the ground.

She already knew that she was going to get it when she arrived at the new home they insisted on showing to her. She ended up talking her way out of it once they arrived, like she did with every other decision that they made for her. That or she ended up ignoring them and going about things on her own. This was one of those moments. They wanted her to help unpack moving boxes and get to view the home that had happily been purchased in the Chicago penthouse they shared earlier last month before they let them go about on their own explorations.

Yes, they were loaded with money. But, that had never been a big thing in their household. Of course, they liked to take advantage of it, especially by the yellow Ferrari she had received on her birthday last year. But, mostly they used it to help others. Hell, she couldn't even count on her fingers and toes collided how many times she was forced to put on a dress and heels with a smile for all of the charity events that they hosted.

She just didn't see the point in any of it. Giving to the less fortunate was a great thing of course, but she didn't know why they insisted on smiling away and befriending everyone in the communities they'd lived in over the years that she had been with them. She knew for a fact that if just one of these people knew the secrets that they'd kept behind closed doors, charity would be the last thought on the mind. And, they knew that. But still, they smiled and waved and pretended that they were all one big family; turning their heads away from her in disappointment when she tried to remind them that everything was the exact opposite.

So, it was safe to say that she, in fact, did not want to take extra time to see their big, plantation-home-looking, show-off mansion that they had purchased, right in the middle of town; next door to the mayor himself. Instead, when they arrived she placed most of her things by the door, and bolted before either of them could tell her anything.

She remembered that she left her phone in the car. So, on the short trip back, she began estimating the number of calls, voice-mails, and texts that she would receive. Once she reached the yellow automobile, her guess was around 25, but knowing them, she'd reach for a good 50 times.

Once she felt that it was time to return to the real world and drive away, she stood outside the unlocked car and gathered one last glance. She then proceeded to make a temporary farewell before getting into her car and buckling up. Turning on the engine, she placed the car in drive and headed towards the new town that she had been acquainted with only hours ago, and the old town that she had spent so many years dreaming of escaping.

Hope this is a good start...