Hey guys and gals! Sorry this chapter is coming on really slowly. The full version will be up later but I wanted to post what I've got so far. So please enjoy this PREVIEW of Punzie's back story.

"Rapunzel!" a shrill voice rang through the loft apartment.

The young girl in question hugged her pillow tighter, hoping she might be able to disappear inside of it.

If I don't respond she'll forget I'm here.

"Rapunzel, I'm not getting any younger down here!"

With an exasperated sigh, Rapunzel heaved herself out of bed.

"Coming, mother." she croaked, rubbing her eyes.

Minuscule rays of sunlight peeked through her blinds, which had remained closed for the past month. She squinted as the dim room came into focus. Sketches that had covered her walls were now disseminated across the floor. Books lay opened, scattered amongst broken pens and paint brushes. Paying them no attention, Rapunzel shuffled toward the antique full length mirror. It was difficult to get a clear picture from the shattered glass, but she managed enough. Her golden blonde hair was tangled and matted like frayed rope. Purple half-moons crested her eyes, making her look years older.

"Rapunzel! Rapunzel, let's get a move on, please!"

"One moment, mother!"

Bringing her fingertips to the bridge of her nose, Rapunzel took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she would smile. She would dress like she was expected; bright colors, fun patterns. She would fix her hair; neat, tidy. She would be the perfect, put together, well mannered Rapunzel she'd always been. She'd go downstairs, shut her door, and leave this dark reality behind her.

"Honestly, Rapunzel, I don't understand what takes you so long." Mother said when she spied her daughter at the top of the stairway, "What could you possibly be doing in there?"

Rapunzel's delicate hands strangled the banister. It was baffling, really, the magnitude of Gothel's blindness. One look, one real look at her destroyed bedroom would send any loving mother into a tearful fit.

I should be grateful, Rapunzel thought, her ignorance keeps my secret safe.

"I just needed to clean up my paints." she said with false cheer, "I wouldn't want to make a mess."

Her only reaction was a roll of the eyes, and just like that, the subject was dropped. Rapunzel bit her tongue to keep herself from saying anymore and made her way down the stairs. The open loft was far too sunny for her mood, but she did appreciate the view. The New York skyline was breathtaking, no matter the circumstances.

Fetching herself a bowl and box of cereal, Rapunzel joined Gothel at the island counter. The dark haired woman eyed her cautiously as she crawled atop the wooden barstool. Her thin lips pursed together, poised for a verbal attack.

"How are you feeling, Flower?" she asked, drumming her long fingernails against the polished granite.

"Great." Rapunzel said bluntly, knowing where this conversation would soon lead.

Somehow the monosyllabic response seemed to satisfy. A bizarre smile, small but disturbingly genuine, spread across the woman's face.

"Good, that's how you should feel." she mused, "First night in your own bed. It must have been nice."

"Mother," the blonde sighed, "I only spent one night. It isn't a big deal."

"Oh darling, of course it's a big deal." Gothel squawked, hand cupping Rapunzel's face. "Hospitals can be such scary places. And after the whole ordeal-"

"Mother, really," Rapunzel snapped, "I'm fine."

Withdrawing her hand, Gothel rose slowly. Her raven hair added to the heavy shadow she cast over the younger girl. Rapunzel sucked in a breath. She should stand, as well. Show her mother that they were an even match; that she wasn't some gullible, naïve child still afraid of ruffians or thugs or hospitals. But that would do no good. Even if they were true, her words would do no more than get her punished. After everything, doing battle with her mother was honestly the last thing Rapunzel wanted.

"All I mean, Mother," she said swallowing her pride, "is that I'm okay, now. I wouldn't want to discuss things any further, it'd just upset you."

The hard creases in Gothel's face softened, slightly.

"Alright, darling," she leaned forward to plant an empty kiss on her daughter's forehead.

I'm not fine.

"I best be getting to work," Gothel said, removing herself from the kitchen.

I'm not fine.

"Flower, it's nearly seven." she remarks, fastening her coat, "Haven't you got so much to do?"

I'm not fine.

"Oh, I just remembered, I'm having a group of friends over for dinner tonight. I'll need you to stay in your room from eight until midnight."

"Can't I meet them, this time?" Rapunzel's lip quivered.

Gothel's gaze fell on the back of her golden blonde head. She couldn't see the tears threatening to fall from her peridot eyes.

"No, I think not." she said after little consideration, "You wouldn't like it anyway. They're a dreadfully boring crowd. You just get your work done. When I get home we can talk."

Rapunzel didn't turn her head. She could only hear the clicking of her mother's heels as they made contact with the hardwood floors. Each clack felt like a nail being driven into her chest.

"Ta ta, I'll see you in a bit, my flower."

The force of the door slamming shut made Rapunzel jump. Water finally spilled from the corners of her eyes. She looked down at her untouched breakfast. The routine had been the same for weeks. Staring down at her food, Rapunzel would remember an exchange between her and her mother.

"Take it easy, Flower." she had said one morning, "You're getting kind of chubby."

It was a quick conversation, but it had imbedded itself deep into Rapunzel's mind. What her mother said next made her feel all the more sick.

"I'm just saying because I love you."

How could any woman, any mother make those three words feel so terrible?

So, as she had been doing for weeks, Rapunzel poured the food into the garbage disposal and hurled the bowl into the sink. Snapping the switch above the counter on, the disposal roared to life. The noise consumed to entire room and blocked out any coherent thought one could be thinking. It was now that Rapunzel took the opportunity to scream. She sank to the floor, thin fingers curled into fists, pushing against her forehead. She screamed with no words, no vulgarities or curses; just raw pain. She screamed until the sobbing replaced it.

Eventually she would blink and find that she had finished. She didn't remember stopping, but indeed her cries had ceased and the only sound in the apartment was the humming coming from the sink. With shaking hands, Rapunzel gripped the edge of the counter and heaved herself to her feet. Turning the disposal off, she turned on her heals and retreated back up the stairwell. Locking her bedroom door behind her, Rapunzel allowed herself to fully succumb to the darkness, forgetting the skyline and the sunlight.

Are you sad yet? No? Oh well, I'll have to try harder. Thanks for reading! I wanna get the full chapter up soon, I swear!