So I wanted to separate this rewritten version from the original rewrite, so I decided to repost it on a new book. I liked the cover so I kept that :]

Also, when I post a new book it tends to notify more people, so I wanted to do that too.

~•~

The world wasn't what it used to be.

Or maybe it had always been like this.

Cruel.

Brutal.

Unforgiving.

That's what they all have in common, is it not? Suffering. And while everyone has suffered, not everyone handles it in the best manner.

Many have faced the agony and pain at the hands of this unjust world. Some have been subjected to the pain that others inflicted upon them. And while most are able to press forward, to move on as the dust begins to clear, others are incapable. Some are too broken. Too damaged from the burdens they had to face. And at some point, the weight of it all can become unbearable.

I suppose that is where this story takes place. With the broken. Those who were never given the chance at a healthy life. Some are able to use their past to inspire, to strive to do better and help those who suffered like them. Still, there are others who still harbor that pain. That resentment. That anger. And they wish to strike back at the world that hurt them so long ago.

All of them have suffered, and they will continue to suffer until they take their very last breath. But it's what they choose to do with that suffering. It's how they respond. How they cope. How they learn. Some may never recover from their own trauma. From their pain. It will always be a part of them. But they must choose how that part affects them.

Our story started many years ago. Although, that is not where we will begin. We will begin back on that fateful day. That day that marked the beginning of the end. A day in a busy city, bustling with life. The air was thick with noise. The streets packed with people. Just like any other city.

It would have been overwhelming, if not exciting. Exciting for him, at least. A new life to start, leaving behind his very own fragmented past in favor of a fresh start. This wasn't the first time he had left behind his past, mostly due to running away from the ghost that stalks his life. The ghost of his first life. His true life.

That ghost wouldn't find him now. At least, he hoped it wouldn't. There was a reason he joined Watcher Architects, they offered a rather high paying job in a city far, far away. Though, it didn't come without its bittersweet ending.

"You're leaving?" Jimmy asked, watching as the last of his things were packed up into boxes. "You didn't tell me you were leaving!"

He laughed slightly. "Sorry Tim, I thought it would be funny to not tell you until the very end."

"Grian!" Jimmy threw his arms up in frustration. "You cheeky— ugh, I can't believe you would do this to me!"

Rolling his eyes, Grian chuckled as he tried to playfully shove Jimmy off of him. "Come on, I'll be back in Evo for business every now and again. It's where the Watcher HQ is! But Hermitropolis has the best opportunities for me."

"Watcher Architecture Firm still sounds sketchy to me." He grumbled underneath his breath, crossing his arms with a huff.

"Come on. They're one of the biggest architectural firms around. Working with them has been a dream!"

Jimmy sighed. "I know. It's just so far away from here."

"It's like, a five hour train ride." Grian responded blankly.

"Too far." He insisted.

"If you think it's so far then why don't you just move with me?"

"Because I'm not a rich architect like you." Jimmy said while throwing himself dramatically over the apartment sofa.

Grian rolled his eyes, picking up the clear packing tape to seal the last few boxes of his belongings. "I heard Pearl might be moving too. She said she's always liked bigger cities."

"Pearl too?! Why doesn't anyone ever tell me anything!?!"

"Come on, I'll be back and forth between Evo and Hermitropolis for the first couple weeks. It'll be like I never left."

"Until you actually have to leave." Jimmy let out an exasperated sigh.

"I promise we'll keep in touch." Grian said as he sat down on the couch next to his friend. "You can't get rid of me that easily."

Jimmy sighed, much more dramatically this time. "I swear if you get mugged there I will not feel the slightest bit bad. You should just stay here in Evo."

The city of Evolution had been his home for so many years, despite not truly being a city. It was supposed to be the next big place, hence the name, yet it never really grew out of a town. It was more like a cheap knockoff of a city, really.

Grian just laughed. "I'm not gonna get mugged. Lighten up a bit, Tim. Everything's gonna be okay."

~•~

The days leading up to the move flew by faster than Grian could have ever expected, before he was standing outside of the train station with all of his closest friends. His boxes had been shipped off to the apartment the Watchers had designated for him, so all the architect had was a backpack filled with more personal belongings.

"I never thought you'd be moving out of town." BigB said while pulling Grian into a hug.

"Seriously man, I mean, I bet you could have gotten some work here instead of having to move hours away." Martyn sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he spoke.

"Come on, this is Grian's dream job." Pearl argued.

"That's easy for you to say! You want to move to the city too!" Jimmy snapped as he wrapped an arm around Grian and pulled him close. "I'm losing my boy! I'm never going to see you again!"

"You can very easily see me again, Timmy." Grian chuckled, "It's just a couple hours by train. Plus I'll be back in town every now and again when I need to come back to Headquarters."

"Guys, guys." A voice spoke up, walking through the small crowd of people that had gathered to wish Grian farewell. "We're gonna make G miss his train. It's not like we're never going to see him again."

"Fashionably late, I suppose?" Grian raised an eyebrow with a smirk, Taurtis laughing in response.

"Oh, you know me. I just had to get my beauty sleep."

"You forgot to set an alarm, didn't you?" Pearl asked blankly.

Taurtis flipped his hair dramatically, placing his hands on his hips. "Yes, I very much forgot."

Grian laughed while rolling his eyes. "Come here." He said, pulling Taurtis into a hug.

After a few moments of the embrace, they eventually pulled away. "Call me before you come back to town. I'm not gonna be late that time, I swear!"

"You better not," Grian joked. "I don't care how much beauty sleep you need!"

"Oh, jeez, Grian!" BigB pointed to the electronic clock above the train schedule on the wall. "You gotta go! The train should be leaving in just a couple of minutes!"

"Oh! Thanks! Sorry guys, I'll call you when I get there!" He said with a wave, rushing off to board the train.

Everyone shouted their goodbyes as they all waved him off, watching as the architect disappeared out of view.

Though little did they know of the danger that he was running away from.

~•~

Somewhat short, I know. But this is simply the prologue! I've got a lot more content coming out soon!

I think with this story I want to focus more on quality over quantity to try and craft the best experience I can. So shorter chapters, but better written/crafted chapters. We'll see how things go. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed, and thanks for sticking around for the rewrite :)