Divine Right

[Gifted]

Caroline looked down at the floor, hesitating, scared. She wasn't sure she could go through with this. It sounded wonderful, too good to be true. But that was almost the problem.
Where she was now, wasn't good, wasn't safe... but it was predictable. Over her 16 years of life she developed defenses to not stop the abuse - nothing could do that, it wasn't predictable enough - but at least minimize the risk as much as was possible. Her whole life was focused around that, even though she saw herself slipping into a life that would leave her trapped eternally with her parents and there would be no escape. No money to her name, no job experience, only a high school education... she'd have nowhere to go. But if she took this offer, everything would change. Could she finally step into the light, out of her parents shadows?But if she made this decision, she would lose her defenses. If it ever failed her, she could never go back to where she was right now. She would never be the same. Would it be worse in the long run to let hope in? Could she risk letting these people take her away? She was uncertain.

[Raven]

"Trust me, Caroline. Once you're free, you will never have to worry about them again. Just like I didn't. Take the risk." He stood up and offered his left hand, so it would be easier for her to grab it with her uninjured one.

[Gifted]

She still hesitated for a moment, but steeled the last of her courage her parents had left her with and carefully, delicately took his hand, as if worried it would disappear. As if worried this was all just some mad dream.

[Raven]

Kenny led her back to his car and let her in the back. "I won't let you down, Caroline. Neither of us will." He brought both of the girls back to Hannah's house.

[Gifted]

By the time they'd gotten there, Caroline had closed her eyes on the car ride, just feeling the road speeding away underneath them. She had no idea where they were going, only that it was away from home. She still almost couldn't believe it and didn't know that she wanted too. She was scared, but also excited. And none of this was something she could articukate. So she just kept her eyes closed to whole ride there, until she felt the car roll to a stop at the top of a hill.

[Raven]

"We're here," Kenny said. "We've got the clothes you brought, and soon the new house will be finished."

[Gifted]

"Come on, come see!" Hannah pulled gently on her good hand trying to lead her out of the car. Caroline got out. The air smelled different here... cleaner. But maybe it was just her, hoping this would be a less oppressive atmosphere. She was very nervous. Once she opened her eyes her entire world would change. This was her last chance if she wanted to go back.

[Raven]

Kenny smiled and put his hand on her shoulder. "This will be your Eden too, Caroline. Everyone who lives here will be safe, especially you."

[Gifted]

"Who are you?" She asked him. She'd just realized she didn't really know. Who was this an who'd swooped down like an angel from heaven and promised to take her away to a new life?

[Raven]

"Kenny Clark. I'm a priest," he said, smiling.

[Gifted]

She gave a small smile. A priest who came in like an angel to rescue her from Hell. Kind of fitting. She opened her eyes.
Caroline let out a gasp when she saw the sprawling field of green grass, the bright blue sky, the forest surrounding them. The colours were vibrant and alive in a way she'd never seen before, with beautiful homes nearly built near the bottom and empty lad as far as the eye could see. She looked back at Kenny in awe, before looking out at the field again. "It's so beautiful." She whispered. Her family felt a million miles away.

[Raven]

"I'm glad you like it. That house down there is going to be yours and Hannah's," he said, pointing.

[Gifted]

"Really? We get our own place?"
"Yup! It'll just be the two of us living there, and the other houses will have other people we can help Kenny help. Tell you what; I cook, you clean." Hannah answered with a grin.
Caroline actually laughed. "Deal!"

[Raven]

"And I'll never be far if you need anything," Kenny added. "Just at the top of the hill."

[Gifted]

"Thank you for this. This is incredible..." Caroline didn't know what to say, just looking at him in wonderment and awe.