A Prologue

          For a brief moment, she could almost believe the brilliant 



sunshine dappling the leaves of the ancient oak trees, the glorious beauty of the 



bright, fragrant lilies gracing her front lawn, was meant just for her.  Oh, how she 



loved to lie on the grass, still as could be, eyes closed, just listening to the sounds 



of the birds singing as the soft breeze gently ruffled the leaves in the trees.  



          Sighing, she glanced up at the house once more.  Despite the warmth of the 



day, she shivered.  No amount of nature's beauty could make up for the ugliness 



inside that awful place.  For her, it was a haunted place.  No spirits of the dead 



here, no.  The only ghosts to speak of here were memories, too many bitter, harsh 



memories.  



          Finally, she could escape.  She was leaving today, and she knew in her 



heart that she would never return.  She set out to make a new life for herself, away 



from this place, away from her shattered dreams, away from him.  She could 



finally make a fresh start for herself.  Perhaps she might even find happiness 



somewhere, somehow.



          For the first time in longer than she cared to remember, she smiled.