This chapter is dedicated to lynns- for voting on this book and encouraging me to carry on writing it!

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The pan sizzles on the old metal stove, the oil spitting out due to the constant uneven heating the stove emits. He spins the meat-free bacon around in the pan, using his left hand to hold the pan handle and his right hand holding the spatula. A warm smell fills the open plan living room/kitchen area, attracting an elder man with short grey hair and dark blue eyes walks into the room, his pale nose scrunching slightly as he smells the air.

"This smells amazing Zane!" His father says, a smile forms across his face, which reaches his ears.

"Thank you father," Zane replies, a light blush dusting across his cheeks at the compliment.

Picking up the tongs, Zane picks the roof up and drops it on the two preprepared plates of eggs. Zane picks up the plates and carries them over to the oak table. Zane hands his father a plate before slipping into the free wooden dining chair.

The open plan kitchen/dining/living room is coated in dark wooden floors, a heavy contrast to the light wood dining table. The walls are painted a simple white, the paint chipping in most places. The kitchen itself is very simple, with two counters, a sink, a fridge and a stove. All the furniture in the kitchen looks broken and run down, but they've all had good use for the inventors. The living area has a battered, well-worn grey loveseat facing a dark wood coffee table which has a stack of books on top of it. On the wall next to the sofa is a dark wood bookcase, full of books about inventions and inventing. The dining area is very simple, a single light wood four-seat table with a couple of candles in the middle.

Picking up his knife and fork, Zane cuts some of the bacon before raising it to his mouth and devouring it. Zane's father follows his actions and begins eating the breakfast that was just made.

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Zane grabs the sponge and plunges the plate into the lukewarm water, scrubbing gently. Zane's father collects the glasses and gently places them onto the metal surface next to the sink. Moving to the other side of the sink, he grabs a towel and starts drying the plate Zane just passed him.

"Have you nearly finished your project father?"

"Yes. I can finish it today with your help."

Zane whips his head around to his father, his icy blue eyes shining in excitement. The older inventor chuckles at his son's reaction and nods, indicating that he wasn't joking or messing with the teen. Zane smiles up at the older.

"I would like that."

Placing the final dish on the drying rack, Zane washes his hands before following his father down into the basement.

The murky grey wallpaper is peeling off in the corners. A bright light shines from the ceiling, lighting the basement up, making it less creepy. Two wooden tables are pushed together to make a large table. Tools are scattered across the surface along with an open blueprint. Zane peers over his father's shoulder, his eyes widening in surprise.

Instead of a usual gadget or original invention, it's a human.

"It's...it's a...human?" Zane doesn't take his eyes off the prints, directing the question to his father who is shuffling around on Zane's left.

"Yes," Zane looks up as his father pulls a trolley over to the table.

The trolley is holding a pair of metal feet and legs up to the waist. Zane's eyes scan over the metal on the trolley. His father smiles and lifts the metal onto the table. Handing Zane a couple of tools, his father pins the blueprints down with a couple of rocks.

He guides Zane through the remainder of the tasks, smiling when Zane picks them up with ease. He steps away and allows Zane to fully take over, only giving gentle reminders of the instructions and guiding him if a new task arose.

Zane smiles to himself as he works. His father allowed him to pursue any interests he had but this was his first time helping with a major project like this. His father allowed him into the workshop whenever he wanted. Zane didn't need the supervision, as his father knew he'd come and ask for help and/or advice when he needed it, but he rarely got to see Zane work like this.

"That's it, Zane. You're doing amazing."

A light blush dusts across the teen's cheeks. It warms his heart every time he receives compliments or encouragement when he did something correctly. His father smiles at him as he walks over.

"Zane, you just helped me finish E-"

A knock echoes across the house, causing the pair to jolt at the sudden noise. There's a short pause before another knock echoes.

"I wasn't expecting anyone," his father murmurs as he heads towards the stairs.

Zane looks back at the project before following his father up the stairs and towards the door. His father checks the peephole in the door before turning back to Zane.

"Zane," his voice drops to a whisper, Zane catches a sense of fear in his tone as his father's voice shakes a little, "I-I need you to pack some things and go to this address," he reaches into his pocket and places a ripped piece of paper into Zane's palm with shaking fingers. He wraps Zane's fingers around it, giving them a light squeeze. "I will come and find you when this is over, okay?"

He pulls the startled teen into a quick hug, gently running his shaking fingers through his hair, trying to ease himself more than his son. Zane slowly wraps his arms around his father.

"Will...will you be okay father?" Zane murmurs, fighting to keep his voice even and hide his fear.

His father doesn't respond. He doesn't know how. He doesn't know himself if he'll be okay. But all that matters to him now, is keeping Zane safe.

"You-You'll be okay," his father dodges the question, something Zane picks up immediately.

A knock makes them jump and pull apart.

"You don't have much time. Go, now. I'll come and find you, I promise."

Wiping his eyes, Zane pulls away and runs to his room, grabbing his backpack and filling it with clothes, a couple of pairs of shoes and some essentials. Swinging it on his back, he makes his way back to his father but stops himself when he hears his father's distress.

"I won't let you take him!"

They're...after me?

Zane ducks back around the corner, making sure he can't be seen from the door. He strains his ears to try and listen to the conversation.

"Take me instead!"

Zane's eyes fill with tears when he hears his fathers yell. A million thoughts and questions run around in his head. Yells echo around before the door slams shut, and the house falls into silence.

"F-Father?" Zane calls out after a moment, stepping out into the main room.

His icy blue eyes dart around. Tears leak out of his eyes as his heart plummets. Shakily, he unfolds the address his father gave him, wiping his eyes with his free hand.

"I-I will come back for you father."

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The afternoon had turned cold as the sun starts to dip. Zane shivers and pulls his coat around him tighter, his eyes darting around the forest. He sinks onto a fallen log to recollect himself, the events from a mere three hours ago replaying in his mind in an endless loop. An endless loop of fear and heartbreak.

Why do they want me?

Pulling himself back to his feet, Zane continues his trek in the forest.

A quiet boom makes the teen jolt and look up. The clouds are greying fast, almost like, it's going to start raining. Another boom makes the teen sigh and pull his hood up.

"Great. The last thing I want to get stuck in is a storm."

As soon as those words escape his mouth, his eyes widen, his mouth forming a perfect o. The worst place to be stuck in a storm is the woods! It's also one of the most dangerous places to be stuck in too.

Taking a wild guess, Zane sprints south, jumping over tree roots as he goes.

As Zane's backpack threatens to slide off his shoulders, he wipes the rainwater off of his face, desperately trying to find an exit from the gloomy forest. His shoes pound against the mud, the rain falling heavier and heavier. Zane gasps as lightning hits a tree a few meters away from him. Picking up the pace, Zane runs out of the forest, collapsing onto his knees, gasping for air on the soft sand.

Sitting on his heels, Zane takes in his surroundings. The beach is coated in a thick fog, the rain pattering against the lake. Coughing, Zane slowly stands up, his feet protesting, desperate for a rest. Pulling his backpack further up, his eyes land on a rope tied to a pole, leading back towards the forest. Zane hesitates before slowly walking towards it.

His shaking hand grabs onto the rope when he gets to it. Looking up, his eyes land on a beach house.

What if someone lives here?

I need shelter...and some food.

It could be a trap.

Zane shakes his head slightly and the mixed thoughts die down. Climbing up the decking, he reaches out and knocks gently on the door, pulling his coat tighter around him. He shivers violently as his wet hair sticks to his forehead.

The door swings open to an old man, wearing white robes, his white beard reaching his upper beltline. A rice hat sits on the man's head. He looks at Zane for a second before swinging the door open fully, allowing the teen to enter.

"Come in. I have some ginger tea boiling."

Blinking in surprise, Zane steps into the warm house. Placing his bag on the floor, Zane takes off his drenched coat. He holds it in his hand, looking up at the man.

"Hang it on the coat peg, we'll dry it tomorrow."

Zane hooks his coat onto the peg and sinks onto the sofa, shivering. A beep makes Zane's head snap up. The man is filling four cups with boiling water from the blue kettle in his hand. He picks two cups up before turning to face Zane.

"Tea?"

Zane slowly extends his hands out, taking the warm cup into his cold hands. Gingerly lifting the cup to his lips, Zane takes a sip, ignoring the fact that the tea burns his tongue.

"Ginger tea?" Zane asks.

The man nods and sits on the armchair next to him, sipping his own tea. Zane sips his own tea.

Silence stretches between them. A floorboard creak makes Zane jump and raises his head. Two teens are stood in the doorway, glancing uncertainly between the man and Zane. The taller has dark skin, his black hair drops on his forehead, his dark brown eyes showing no emotion as he glances between them. The shorter has curly ginger hair, his blue eyes reflecting uncertainty and fear.

The man looks at them before looking back at the teen. Zane shivers and pulls his hoodie closer to his body. The taller runs off down the hallway. The smaller shuffles on his feet before slipping into the sofa next to Zane's. The teen comes sprinting back in, a big blanket in his hands. He drops it on Zane's shoulders before heading to the counter and grabbing the two remaining cups of tea.

Zane's shaky fingers wrap around the blanket, pulling it around himself. He glances nervously at the small group around him, shrinking back as the taller teen sits with the ginger-haired male. Zane continues to sip his tea, trying to distract himself from the questioning eyes of the other teens. The man looks at him.

"This is Cole," he gestures to the dark-skinned male, "and that's Jay."

Jay smiles and waves at him. Zane fights to keep a smile off his face.

"And who are you?" The man asks.

His voice isn't harsh, it's gentle and soothing, trying to ease his nerves.

"Zane," he murmurs, keeping his voice calm and steady.

"Let's go and get you some warm clothes and food Zane. Then we'll talk."

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I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback about the fourth part of chapter one! I enjoy reading your comments and it really helps my writing to see what you think about my story! Thank you!

I'd love to hear your thoughts/theories about upcoming chapters!

Why I've not updated Forbidden since May:

1) College assignments
2) Starting a part-time job
3) Close call with COVID
4) My part-time job becoming permanent
5) Finishing college
6) Family plans
7) Working four days a week for 3/4 weeks of the summer holidays
8) Getting my first COVID vaccine
9) Sickness