A/N Welcome to Against All Odds. I hope you continue to read this (And my other's if you are.) because I appreciate every read, review, fave and follow. :)

If you can hear me now,

I'm reaching out,

to let you know you're not alone,

and you can't tell,

I'm scared as hell,

cause I can't get you on the telephone.

Nicklelback-Lullaby

Prologue

13 year old Shayrene Blackburn awoke to the sound of several voices arguing. She pulled her 6 year old sister Evelyn's arm off her body and sat up in their small bed that they shared. Her feet touched the cold wood as she made her way into the hallway, the floorboards creaking under her weight. The voices grew louder and she bit her lip as she peered into her Mother's room. The sheets were ruffled untidily and her drawers were sprawled across the ground, covering the floor in piles of clothes and wooden holders.

Shayrene swallowed hard as she withdrew her head from her Mother's room and crept towards the lounge, the voices growing in noise once again. She took a deep breath, refraining from calling her Mother's name as she tilted her head around the corner, glancing into the living room. There, her Mother stood with tears running down her face, beside her, were three peacekeepers, arguing amongst themselves. One of the peacekeepers lifted their head towards Shayrene's and she hid behind the wall, her heart beating faster. A floorboard creaked beside her and she saw Evelyn's small figure standing in the hall.

"Shay? What's going on?" Her little voice asked as Shayrene ran towards her and picked her up in her arms.
"Nothing Evie. Go back to bed now, everything's alright," she answered, trying to reassure the younger Blackburn. Evelyn shook her head and pulled out of her big sister's arms, rushing towards the lounge. "No Evie! Wait!" Shayrene yelled as she followed her into the view of their mother and the peacekeepers.
"Mommy?" Evelyn whimpered as she rushed towards her side. Their mother stood emotionless as Evelyn clutched to her dress, "Who are they, Mommy? Why are you crying?" Their Mother shook her head and pried Evelyn from her waist, gently pushing her towards Shayrene, who stood in the hallway patiently. Two of the peacekeepers grabbed their Mother by the arm and practically carried her outside, making Shayrene release Evelyn.
"Stay here, Evie" Shayrene told her younger sister. Evelyn frowned and tried to argue but Shayrene stood her ground. "I mean it Evelyn. Don't come out no matter what." She orders as she leaves the confused and frightened child in the hallway.

Shayrene took another deep breath and followed them outside, noticing her mother trembling on the ground.
"Mom, what's happening?" Shayrene asked, Their mother bit her lip as another tear escaped her eye,
"I'm sorry my girls," She whispered as a peacekeeper pulled out a sleek, black handgun out and aimed it for her head. "Take care of my Eve.. I love you Shay.." Shayrene let out a gasp and ran towards them. "No!" Shayrene cried as he pulled the trigger, the screams of her Mother haunting the air. Shayrene slumped to the ground as the peacekeepers picked up her mother's limp body and carried her off, leaving Shayrene alone on the ground.

"Mom.." She sobbed into her hands as she heard the footsteps of a child's behind her. Shayrene stood from her position on the ground and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"It's fine Evie..." She stuttered as she pulled Evelyn into a tight hug, "Mom's gone away for a while. In the meantime I'm going to take care of you, alright?" Evelyn softly nodded her head and kissed her older sister on the forehead,
"Did those men... Kill Mommy...?" Evelyn choked out, surprising her sister. Shayrene gulped and silently nodded, making Evelyn frown.
"Were you going to tell me..?" She asks as Shayrene carries her inside, "Or were you going to not tell me?" Shayrene places her on the floor and slumps against the wall, sliding down to the ground,
"Yes, Evie" She answers, holding her head in her hands, "I was going to lie, I'm sorry, I was going to tell you when you were older but..." Evelyn interrupts her by crawling into her arms and onto her lap.
"It's alright, Shay," She replies, "I get it. Just please tell me the truth next time?" Shayrene nods, smiling through tears,
"Just me and you now, huh?" She said, making Evelyn giggle as she leant on her older sister's chest.
"Against the world."