The Liar (ON HOLD)

Chapter 7

Finally! We have arrived at Zane. The only Ice Ninja around...as far as I know. Zane has a mother in this universe or had a mother more accurately.  Zane sometimes goes to see her though. Anyways, continuing...

Zane

The next day of school was quite normal for Zane, as usually everything went quite well...usually. Yesterday was another exception to his normal routine, but that's what you get for having the secret job of being the Ice ninja. His job was to come up with the plans and lead the group in battles. Strategy was his thing; however, Fire and Lightening had always been rebels. Earth was fine...mostly. Water was the only one in the group who made no move to take the situation in her own hands, though she was fiery and independent at times that never came between the missions. Energy was the actual leader of the group. He finalized the decisions and did his best to keep everyone together, which Zane greatly respected him for.

Strangely there were no criminal activities that morning. Though Zane was glad for the break, he was still concerned. No break ins or thieving meant trouble that was for sure. Zane switched his backpack to his other shoulder and kept on walking. He lived in an apartment near the lake that was at the edge of the city. His school was more towards the lake area, so it wasn't that bad to walk. When Zane arrived at his apartment, he kept walking towards the cemetery. He glanced over at the flower shop and walked over. 

"Good evening Mr. Humewood." Zane greeted with a smile. Zane pulled out some cash and paid the man for some flowers. 

"Hello Zane. Going to pay respects to your mother?" He asked kindly. 

Zane nodded in affirmative and waved. "See you later sir." Zane stated as he turned and walked away. 

When Zane arrived at the cemetery, he looked around sadly. The view was beautiful, overlooking the lake as trees and bushes edged around the gate. Zane walked in and quickly found a grave that bore the name "Martha Julian". 

"Hey mom. How are you doing?" Zane asked quietly, almost in a whisper. He knelt down and traded out the dead flowers with the new ones he had gotten. 

Zane sat there for a while...lost in thought. After a while he checked his watch and sighed. "Well, until next time mom." Zane said aloud. As Zane turned to leave, he saw Cole walk in with his hands shoved into his pockets. 

"Hey Cole, strange to see you here." Zane stated. 

Cole managed a small smile. "Just came to say hi to mom." He answered sadly.

Zane managed a small smile. "I understand. Well, see you around Cole." Zane said as he walked out. Cole smiled and walked past him.

"I never realized that Cole had lost his mother too." Zane thought. He glanced back and saw Cole sitting on the ground in front of a delicately carved grave. Zane sighed sadly and kept on walking. The moment he arrived at the porch to his apartment he heard drilling. Their apartment was more like a gym than a house. His dad just built things all day to make money for them. Zane walked into the apartment and smiled at his dad who was sitting at the desk that bore his newest project. It was to be an automation in the form of a fish.

Zane's father sat in a chair, drilling and crafting at what was supposed to be the fish's metal carcass. 

"Dad, you need to take a break. It'll do no good to either of us if you work with no breaks. You've been here like this since six." Zane stated with a concerned look at his father. 

Mr. Julian glanced up and his eyes rested on Zane. "I need to finish this, or else we'll never get money off of it. Great creations never build themselves; they need attention and care." He replied with a small smile. 

Zane noticed the dark rings underneath his eyes. "If you want, I can work on it for a bit while you go catch a wink." Zane suggested hopefully. 

Mr. Julian hesitated and frowned. "A-are you sure?" He asked. His voice was tired and unsure. 

"I'm sure." Zane answered with a nod. 

Mr. Julian relaxed and took off his glasses. "Alright...well I'm sure it won't hurt to take a small nap." He commented. Mr. Julian stood up and started to head over to the corner of the room where they had made their room. 

"Don't forget to eat." Zane added. 

Mr. Julian laughed, "Right." He replied. 

Zane smiled as his dad made his way to the kitchen corner. Zane dropped his books and bag on the floor and made his way over to the desk. Zane sat down and sighed as he quickly got to work. He pulled out a small wrench and worked on perfecting the tiny little metal scales that reflected the lamplight. Zane's eyes focused on the tiny details as he bent and shaped the thin pieces of steel to his will. 

Minutes turned to hours as Zane worked, his hand aching but not daring to rest for fear of disrupting the design. Soon the sun started to set, and the window light faded away until only the lamplight remained, glowing in the center of the room. Zane's phone buzzed in his pocket, and he dropped the tweezers he had been using to hold the little fin-shaped steel. Zane sighed and reached into his pocket. 

"Hey Zane, do you wanna go talk to Kai Smith tomorrow? I know this is a weird question, but I'll explain tomorrow at lunch." Zane read. Nya had sent the text with an awkward face emoji. 

"Um, sure. Why not?" Zane texted the reply. He quickly sent it and set his phone down on the ground where it wouldn't disturb him. Zane quickly got back to work and gently made his way through the little form, weaving his way through with tiny strips of steel. 

The dark blue sky turned to black, and the moon shone brightly and snow-like through the window...

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Zane awoke to his dad gently shaking him and smiling. Zane roused and rubbed his eyes. "W-what?" Zane asked. 

Mr. Julian smiled at him and gestured to the fish. "You finished it." Julian noted. 

Zane glanced at the completed fish that rested in front of him. "Oh, I did finish it." Zane muttered with surprise. 

Mr. Julian laughed, "And you did it extremely well." he added. 

Zane smiled. "How was your night of sleep?" Zane asked. His dad turned away from the fish to look at Zane. 

"It was refreshing. Thank you for that Zane. I haven't had a good night's sleep in... a long time." Mr. Julian replied with a smile. "You best head to school, or do you want a day to rest?" Mr. Julian added with a pat on Zane's shoulder. 

Zane shrugged, "I feel fine, I should probably go considering Nya asked me to talk to someone with her." Zane answered hesitantly. 

"Maybe stay just in case?" Mr. Julian asked.

Zane nodded. "That may be for the best, besides I don't want to get sick again." Zane replied with a small laugh. His dad smiled at him

"Yes, we don't want that." Mr. Julian stated. "Go on and head to bed Zane, I'll talk to the principal." He added. Zane nodded and stood up with a yawn.

Grabbing his phone, Zane quickly texted Nya and told her he wouldn't make it. Nya replied with a thumb's up emoji. Zane laughed to himself. "Her and her emojis." Zane thought as he set his phone down. Zane laid back and closed his eyes, letting the gravity of sleep overtake him.

Well, that's it for this chapter. I spent a lot more time on this chapter because of lack of ideas. So sorry about that. Because of Easter coming up in a few days I'm going to really busy, so I may not be able to post as much. Anygays Happy Easter everyone!