Chapter 4

It had been a year since Eddy left, and Finn had just turned 14.

Saying he was in trouble was an understatement. The first thing his father did was strip away his martial arts training and double down on his academic workload. He lost all his field trip money and was essentially confined to the family estate.

Finn's mother kept constant tabs on him, while his father went back to ignoring him.

When Alexander found Finn, the first thing Finn said was, "Why did you make that report?"

Alexander's response was dripping with passive aggression. "Oh, Finn, we're just looking out for you. Clearly, you needed a bit more structure in your life."

Determined to understand his sister's role in the betrayal, Finn then sought out Amelia. He found her in the library, surrounded by books and notes. Without preamble, he asked, "Why did you and Alexander report me to Grandfather?"

Amelia's eyes narrowed slightly, her analytical mind clicking into place. "You were wasting resources, Finn. All that time and money on your martial arts, for what? You weren't contributing to the family in any meaningful way. Alexander asked me to help with the report, and I agreed with him. It was the right thing to do."

"For the best," Finn repeated bitterly. "For who? Certainly not for me."

Amelia's expression remained cold and calculating. "It's about the family, Finn. We can't afford to waste resources on pursuits that don't benefit us. If you don't understand that, you're more lost than I thought."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Finn alone with his thoughts.

Imprisoned by the walls of their expansive estate, Finn felt like a caged bird, constantly watched and stripped of his one true passion. Each day melded seamlessly into the next, a monotonous cycle of waking, studying, eating, and repeating. Yet, Finn's spirit remained unbroken. He rose at 4 a.m. every morning, carving out an hour for training in his room before dawn's light. As night fell, he stole another hour before bed, dedicating himself to his craft in the quiet solitude.

Finn basically ignored his siblings. Amelia was too busy being a human computer to notice, and Alexander had tried to get a rise out of him, but Finn simply didn't respond unless he was required to.

Now Finn was in his room, effectively on lockdown. A couple of days ago, Alexander had tried to get physical due to Finn's lack of response. He had pushed Finn, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of asserting dominance.

Finn had acted submissive, his posture drooping as if he were going to take it. Alexander, five years older and much stronger, took the bait. As his brother leaned in, relishing the moment of perceived victory, Finn moved with the swiftness and precision of a striking snake. He punched Alexander in the groin, the older boy doubling over in shock and pain. Without missing a beat, Finn delivered an elbow to Alexander's nose, breaking it with a sickening crunch and covering Finn in a spray of blood.

Alexander was now in the infirmary.

His father was furious, and his mother barely held him back. Finn stood before him, still covered in Alexander's blood, the metallic smell heavy in the air.

When he finally got a chance to explain, Finn simply stated, "Look at the cameras." The estate wasn't just luxurious; it had a state-of-the-art security system. As far as Finn knew, the only places without cameras were personal bedrooms and the bathrooms.

Apparently, the camera had been under maintenance. It was just like Alexander to ensure the corners were covered.

Finn had told his side of the story: Alexander had attacked him, and he had defended himself.

His father glared at him. "Alexander claims you attacked him without provocation. He said he was coming to check on you because you seemed upset, and you lashed out. He was trying to help, and you broke his nose."

Finn clenched his fists, fighting the urge to retort. "That's not what happened. He pushed me first."

"With no evidence to support your claim, it's your word against his," his father snapped. "And given your recent behavior, why should we believe you?"

Finn met his father's gaze, the weight of his own powerlessness pressing heavily upon him. The endless rules, the suffocating wealth, and the pervasive influence that dictated every aspect of his life filled him with a deep-seated loathing. He despised it all. As his father's tirade continued, the chiding and yelling blending into a familiar cacophony, Finn sighed inwardly, his hatred for the world he was trapped in growing ever more intense.

As he sat on his bed, brooding over the injustice, a blue box suddenly appeared in his vision.

**Welcome Humans of Earth…**

(To be continued)