The Scarred Rebel (Book one of A Selection Fanfic)

Prologue

Dahlia's POV

Paisley had locked herself in our shared room crying. It was her 10th birthday and our  mom announced that her and dad had gotten a divorce and we're moving to Kent. I was overjoyed at the fact that dad was gone but Paisley had never seen who he really was. Instinctively my hand went up to trace one of the scars on my back and I instantly pulled it away. Mom and Dad had been dating since they were 15 but Dad was drafted as a palace guard. They got married when he came back to Carolina and became an officer. 4 months after they were married my mom got pregnant with me when her birth control didn't work. At the age of 8 I saw my dad hit my mom in the kitchen when I was getting up to grab a drink of water. It was the day he started caning me. Apparently it was insurance that I wouldn't tell anyone about what he did to mom. Of course I told no one and would never let him hurt Paisley. No one questioned him after all he was an officer in our Province. Last week was the last time he'll hurt me and mom. Pulling myself out of that last memory I decide to knock on the door. "Paisley unlock the door please." her voice came out muffled 

"No." 

"Paisley I understand your upset and you have every right to be but I think this is what mom needs." 

I'm trying to be gentle but that's kinda hard to do when I'm so relieved.  I heard the lock click. "You can come in." Paisley said holding her pillow. "Thank you. I know it's gonna be hard to move but I think we'll find a way for everyone to be happy." I believed it, we could be happy just the 3 of us. "Promise we'll be okay?"  I had to smile at that in this family a promise is sacred. "I promise we'll be just fine." A determined nod of her confirmed that she trusted me.

"Can I stay with you tonight?"

"Of course. Oh! I have a birthday present for you!" 

"Can I have it now! Pretty Please!" 

"Ok, ok! Let me grab it!" I grabbed the present that I had stashed under my bed and passed it to her. The wrapping paper flew around the room and when she opened the box she gasped. "It's so pretty!" I had gotten her a silver heart locket that matched mine. They both had an eight point star engraved in the middle although she wouldn't meaning behind it. "I'm glad you like it!" she was grinning wildly all previous sadness forgotten. "Like it? I love it! Will you help me put it on?" 

I laughed "Of course! We have to clean up this mess in a minute though." She simply nodded, handed me the locket, and held her hair to the side. That night we all went to bed relieved, happy, or both.