Disclaimer: I do not own the show "The Following", or any of its characters or plot! This is simply me writing a fanfic concerning the show!

Dear whoever may read this fanfiction,

Before you begin I would like to make a few things clear. First off, this story contains graphic scenes, and forms of psychosis, particularly pertaining to Ryan Hardy and Joe Carroll as they are portrayed in my story. As a result of the latter, please understand that Ryan and Joe may seem out of character at certain parts. I say this now because I do not want you to get offended by it later. Just know that you have been warned.

Secondly, this story does involve both psychological and physical torture. The first is primarily felt by Ryan Hardy, and the latter will most likely be felt by other characters from the show. I would like for you to know that this is not simply a torture fic, however. This is more or less an exercise in both my knowledge of psychology (since I am in my senior year of becoming a psychology major from my local college) and my own feelings pertaining to the darkness of human nature. Since I was a highschooler, I have adored Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, and how it displays the darkness of man and the effects of facing this darkness can have on one's psyche. To me, I believe that there is good and evil in all of us, and it is our decision ultimately as to which side we will cater to. I will attempt to display that in this story. That is this story's purpose, not just mindless torture. Because believe me, I adored Ryan Hardy from The Following. And would not be writing this if I didn't not have a greater purpose than torture in mind.

Overall, I feel that this story will one of the best I've ever written, from the prologue right to the epilogue in the end. This show has inspired me to write this story, and ever since the idea began to solidify in my mind, I have watched the episodes at least 2 or more times over and over again to make sure that I can understand the characters as best as I can. I am going to put all that I know about good quality writing into this Fanfiction, to make it both entertaining and easy to understand. That is my vow to you, the reader.

Although I may not be able to update it on a regular basis, I will try to update it as much as I can, and will try to present quality material each time.

Now, if you're still reading this and still want to read the story, I have one final thing to say: this story is a story about looking back and retelling events that have occurred prior to its beginning, and the time at which the story begins is set one year after the episode "Guilt", while the events described in the story occur directly after "Whips and Regret". So basically, the first chapter occurs one year after "Guilt", and the chapters after that occur right after "Whips and Regret", up until the two final chapters. So I would recommend watching The Following up to right after "Guilt", which is where my story deviates from the show, prior to reading this story. Furthermore, there may be spoilers that involve information leading up to the end of the episode:"The Curse", although in my story there is a bit of deviation from the original information provided in the show. I took artistic liberty with that.

Finally, I'm going to say this: THERE WILL BE ZERO RYANXJOE INTERCOURSE OR ANYTHING ROMANTICALLY INTIMATE OCCURING BETWEEN THEM IN THIS STORY. IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT, I SUGGEST YOU TURN AROUND NOW. I'm not saying I'm against that type of story. That's just not what this story is going to be.

I think that's it! If you like what I've described for you, please continue, read, review, and give me any comments, anything this story made you think of, or any critique! I would love to hear what you have to say!

Yours,

Trikkster