Alright so this is a prequel/tie-in to my.other story: Tree of Life Club. Feel free to check it out, it might help some of this make more sense. I'm don't have a schedule for when this will update again, cause it will depend on what's happening in the main story. Let me know any thoughts may have, and enjoy.

Joy comes in the morning

'I remember a time when I thought I knew what peace was. A time when I thought I could find peace myself or with others, that was before I knew the truth. Before I found real peace, before I found real meaning, before I found real Joy.

(5 years earlier)

A squeal of laughter echoed through the air, as the sounds of footsteps drew closer. I looked over my shoulder to see my brother and friend closing the distance between us. Thinking quickly I swerved to the left and ran quickly around some conveniently placed trees.

Coming out, and playing hide and seek in the forest had been David's idea, not that I'd admit it was a good one. Our game had been going steady for about a half hour before it devolved into a fast paced round of tag. Ten minutes later and I had somehow ended up being the one chased by these two numbskulls.

We had come to the town's main park area with our parents permission. We began our visit with the normal things that children our age did. However, before long we began to grow bored of the swings and playgrounds normal children would use. From there it had been decided that we would explore the forest connected to the park. The decision had led us to where we were, stumbling through the trees laughing like maniacs.

We continued to run deeper as time passed, until we finally came to a stop in front of an old Oak tree. Leaning against it the three of us did our best to catch our breath. The tree itself was incredibly large, with bright mossy vines that climbed the up to the branches. After circling around to the other side I found large round indention, big enough that we could sit inside it. Running my hand along the inside I could tell that the wood was fairly old, but surprisingly still healthy.

"Hey guys come check this out!" I called to the other two. Seeing them rush over I pointed to the large hole in the tree, smiling as their faces lit up. "You could almost fit inside of it!" David whispered excitedly. "You probably could little man, but with this old of a tree I don't recommend it." Katie said to my somewhat reckless brother, who was now pouting. "So what do you plan on doing with it pumpkin pie?" David asked tauntingly.

I thought for a moment before responding. "You know what we could do?" I asked as an idea began to form. "What if we turned this into a clubhouse of sorts? Use the hole to hide notes or other top secret stuff." I said with a mischievous grin forming on my face. Katie, having known me long enough to know this look, seemed sceptical. Raising an eyebrow she turned to look at the surrounding area before speaking.

"Not sure that's a good idea Joy, my mom told me the woods are dangerous." She said with a bored tone, of course she had to ruin it. Though examining her expression I came to the conclusion that she was merely binding her excitement. My grin only widened as I thought of how to draw that excitement out. "Ya know Kate, this place is pretty well hidden. I betcha nobody would ever be able to find the three of us here. Not the folks, and especially not a certain blonde bully." I said in what I hoped was a very convincing time of voice.

Looking up she released a sigh before muttering one word. "Fine." She said clearly trying to hide her excitement. "Alright we all gotta make a pact here. That we don't tell anyone okay, especially not our parents. They'd kill us!!" He said while dramatically falling against the tree. Rolling our eyes Kate and I nodded our agreement before sitting down next to him.

From then on the tree had become our home away from home. It was a place to get quiet when things were intense at home. A place to escape bullies, or the regular annoyances of public school. It was a safe haven, and it seemed like the calm would never end. At least until it did.

(1 year later)

My thoughts continued to dwell on the memories of our safe haven as the calm broke. I didn't have a clue what was happening, only that it hurt. As the pleasant dreams faded to darkness I began to feel a fear that I couldn't explain. It felt like something happened, something I needed to remember. Though as I focused my mind on those memories something began to change within the darkness.

Rays of light streamed in, voices seemed to be echoing through my mind. Urging me to wake up, to stay calm, to remember. And as the light poured into my mind I became aware. Of the pain, of the fear of all the shouting that wouldn't end. And with all that, memories began to follow, terrible memories. Memories of screaming, of fire and twisted metal, of David hold his bleeding head crying uncontrollably.

And with those memories came the one I wish had stayed away, the one I knew would haunt me for the rest of my life. The one memory that seemed to force out the consuming darkness and poured light through my eyes. The one that cancelled out all other voices due to the reaction it triggered within me. And all at once the single horrific memory had barreling upright and screaming and crying all at once.

My eyes flew to what I had believed would be my right arm. Only to find empty air from the elbow down, and bandages swaddling what remained. The sight itself took few moments to settle in my mind, and all when silent in the room. The doctors watched before chaos once more erupted that left me breathless. I wanted to scream again louder, harder, and not stop until the pain went away. But my raw throat wouldn't allow it, and all I could was sit there wondering what had caused this nightmare.

Okay so that's it! Please RR let me know any opinions or suggestions you may have. Shout out to my friend EMS, who has been doing all the beta-ing. And until next time God bless