What's the penalty for breaking a year's lease in North Carolina? I
know that all lease agreements are different and I need to talk to my
leasing office but I want to be prepared when I go talk to them.  Can
they make me pay the duration of the lease even if I move out? Do I
have any legal protection? I wouldn't mind paying a months rent as
penalty or something similar but I'm afraid if I ask them without any
knowledge they will just tell me I'll have to pay the duration and
won't be up front with me.  I also don't want to hire a lawyer to
anaylize the "War & Peace" length lease agreement.  Any help will be
greatly apreciated. I know this sounds super strange so let me know if
you need any clarification.

This isn't strange at all - people break leases all the time. Some
people are not concerned with their credit rating and the reference so
they just disappear and don't make any more payments. However, I hope
the vast majority of people are honest.  It varies by state, but the
typical law is that you are responsible for rent until the landlord
starts getting paid by the next tenant. The landlord is obligated to
make a "reasonable" effort to find a new paying tenant. You may be
responsible for advertising costs, etc for the landlord to do this. 
This is a gamble though, because if they find a new paying tenant
right away, you have little liability. However, if they are unable to
find someone to pay the same rent as you, you have to keep making
monthly payments until they do (which could last the duration of your
lease.)

Oftentimes you are made to put down a security deposit, just in case
you break the lease you won't get it back. I'm not familiar with North
Carolina law, so I am not sure if there is an actual law against
breaching the contract. I suggest going back and reading the lease
agreement that you signed.