A/N: Okay, angst-y much on this one. This'll explain itself as it progresses, especially in the case of Danny's past. But first, the prologue in which we get a small peek at his life. By the way: THIS IS EXTREMELY AU!

8888888888888

Prologue: Moving

8888888888888

He looked around cautiously, freezing in the negative thirty-degree snow. He shivered wishing he had worn warmer clothes, even if he was just "taking out the trash". He walked back up to the door, looking ahead to see him standing there. Knowing this was obviously bad news, he ran forward, tripping in the snow and falling. He was covered in snow almost immediately. Shivering again and rubbing his uncovered arms, he approached the door, trying and failing to open it. He drooped his head, his arms and shoulders sagging. He'd locked it, and she wouldn't be home for hours. He knew better than to go around and try the back door; no doubt it had been locked already.

He prepared himself for the coldest day of his life, not even conscious or visible when his mother came home the next morning, calling his name.

He jumped up straight, sweating and gasping. Why'd I think of that? he thought. It… it happened ages ago, I shouldn't be … thinking of that.

"DANNY!" his mother called from downstairs. He heard her walk up to the first floor and got up, counting how many steps she took so he would be ready when she got there. He gathered up his clothes and shower things and headed to the door just as it opened. Sure enough, his mother was standing there, half-smiling at him as he grinned sheepishly. She knew he played this trick everyday, and he knew she knew. The reason why he even bothered was so he wouldn't get upset. But his mom didn't need to know that.

"Morning, Mom," the sixteen-year-old said, smiling.

"Good morning, Danny. Don't forget we're moving today," Maddie replied, ruffling his mostly-black hair. An icy blue glare met her indigo eyes as he headed into the bathroom. She shook her head, red hair flying about. She went back down the three flights of steps to the ground floor after hearing the shower come on.

There she met up with her husband of nearly ten years, Vlad Masters. Her first husband, Jack Fenton, had died years ago in an accident. Shortly after, Vlad had come in to comfort Maddie… and torment Danny.

Vlad had white hair and cold blue eyes, a well-known, successful businessman. He was able to buy this not-quite-a-mansion, and another one in their new town. They'd been moving around so much since Maddie got remarried that Danny could hardly remember his true home town. The place he remembered most was definitely in Wisconsin. They were there just for the winter, leaving again when spring began.

Danny shivered, even in the near-burning water. He always felt frozen when he thought of that place, reliving that horrible moment when he was eight. He shook his head, trying to remove the bad memories as he turned the water off.

After the less-than-refreshing shower, Danny helped Vlad put boxes into the moving van. In reality, Danny did all the work as Vlad watched, yelling orders at him.

"That box goes over there!" he shouted.

Danny, having just carried the giant, heavy box halfway across the large yard, bent down again and picked it up, taking it the rest of the way to the sidewalk. He wiped his forehead, panting in exhaustion. Looking up and seeing no more boxes, he smiled and walked inside, going as far from Vlad as possible.

Once again in his room, Danny sighed. He disliked Vlad, and his mom knew that, but she didn't know the reason.

And he was not going to tell her anytime soon.

Picking up his backpack full of things to do on the trip, Danny looked in his mirror for the last time in this house. His hair had red streaks in it, tipped white. He had to have surgery on his right eye so he could see again, but barely, causing him to shift slightly right in order to see someone and his eyes to be two different shades of blue.

His shirt was black and sleeveless, covering a bloodred, long-sleeved turtleneck. "I have just kidnapped myself. Pay me one million dollars if you ever want to see me again." was proclaimed in red on his top shirt. His pants were black and white camouflage cargos, and he wore dark brown combat boots.

He wished he was normal. He wished he had grown up in a normal family in one house instead of moving every few months. They had usually just finished unpacking when they had to move again. They'd been in this house for nearly five months. Danny had, against his better judgment, become attached to this home. The best part was, most of the houses separated Danny and Vlad by at least two sets of stairs. Of course, that wouldn't stop Vlad.

Danny sighed, slinging the backpack over his shoulder and walking down the stairs again and out to the car. There, Maddie and Vlad were already waiting, ready to drive to their new home.

"Buckle up, sweetie," his mom said, smiling back at him from the front passenger's seat, "we don't want you getting hurt!"

"No," Vlad said, glaring back using the rearview mirror, "we don't."

Danny fastened his seatbelt, mumbling, "I'm sure that's how you feel, Vlad…."

All in all, it was an uneventful thirteen-and-a-half hours. Maddie was constantly in the dark as to what all the vague statements and replies coming from her husband and son were, but felt she'd be better off not to ask.

Vlad, meanwhile, was inwardly seething. Danny was cutting so close to telling Maddie that Vlad was surprised she hadn't figured it out yet. He kept his replies as short and as general as possible, hoping to stray out of these dangerous waters. Danny, however, would not allow such an easy escape. He knew that Vlad made mistakes when angry, but he also could possibly be fueled by his anger. He'd take the chance, and the punishment, when it came.

They finally drove up, and Danny sighed. There went his thirteen point five hours of freedom. Now, he had to survive this new town and his step-father.

"Hello, Amity Park," he muttered.

8888888888888

A/N: There's your prologue! Next chapter introduces people from Casper High, so see y'all then! BYES!