The Forgotten Child

4

"Zayn is a pretty cool name." one of the boys complemented after Charlie had done his little introduction spiel, Zayn gave a small nod in response.

"Zayn that is Devon, Spencer, Billy, Ryan, and Will." Charlie said pointing to each boy who gave a small smile or wave. "Now you can sit there while I go grab the food." Charlie said pointing to a seat at the head of the table before walking into the, what Zayn assumes is, the kitchen.

"How old are you?" Devon asked.

"11." Zayn muttered looking down at his feet.

"Ah so you are the youngest, Billy is 12. And you are most definitely the smallest." Ryan laughed and Zayn blushed as Charlie began setting out sandwiches with crisps. Zayn ate a couple bites of his sandwich and a couple crisps before he was pushing his plate away.

"Zayn you have to eat more." Charlie whispered into the boys ear as he walked by, but Zayn just stared at the food. "Zayn you have to eat or you will not be allowed to leave the table."

Eventually Zayn was the only one left and glaring at Charlie. "Glare all you want, but you are not leaving."

"I'm not hungry though." Zayn says truthfully. He had eaten about half of his sandwich per Charlie's request but Charlie was still not allowing him to leave.

"Just finish your sandwich." Charlie said as he stepped into the kitchen. Zayn, being the stubborn kid he is, continued to sit there and stare at his half eaten sandwich.

"I am not hungry, my stomach hurts." Zayn admits, holding his stomach.

"Probably because you are hungry." Charlie said and Zayn glared at the man. He sat there for quite a few hours despite his need to stretch his legs. "Alright fine, you want to play this game we will play this little game." Charlie said grabbing Zayn's arm and leading him outside.

"Ow!" Zayn yelped as he was pulled quite harshly. Charlie forced the boys outside into the cold air and as soon as his arm was released Zayn backed as far away as he could from Charlie.

"Go run 6 laps around the yard then we will go inside and you'll eat. If you are not hungry now, you will be hungry." Charlie snapped and Zayn glared at him before sprinting off. Except instead of running laps he ran straight towards the fence and began climbing up it. "Get your ass back here you little shit." Charlie yelled as he ran towards Zayn. The boy was almost over but was yanked back by his leg.

"Let go of me!" Zayn says, wiggling in Charlie's strong arms. Charlie ignored the boy and brought him inside where the other five boys watched with sympathetic eyes. Charlie ignored them and brought Zayn to the kitchen before rummaging through a cupboard and pulling out a heavy looking bracelet. It was attached to his ankle and then Zayn realized what it was. A tracking device.

"Stop! Take it off, you bastard." Zayn said trying to unlock it and Charlie rolled his eyes picking the boy up once again.

"You are not going anywhere and if you do I'll know." Charlie grumbles, setting Zayn down at the table. Zayn ate his sandwich and crisps, to afraid not to, before Charlie finally sent the boy to his room. Zayn walked up there and thankfully the room was empty. He fell on top of his bed and let the tears fall.

"Zayn?" Spencer asked carefully as he walked in. Zayn was going to reply but he felt a weird, familiar rumbling in his chest and he bolted towards the bathroom where he emptied the contents of his stomach. "Oh buddy, you weren't lying when you said you couldn't eat anymore." Spencer soothes, rubbing Zayn's back. Zayn fell back once he was done and looked up at Spencer with big, watery eyes.

"M' sorry." he whispered and Spencer shook his head.

"It's Charlie's fault, not yours. I should have told you he's a bit crazy. Feels the need to be in control of everyone and everything. It's like he wants us to fear him sometimes." Spencer sighed picking Zayn up bridal style and carrying him to bed. Zayn thanked him as he was laid down on the bed and covers were drawn over him. "Get some sleep bud." Spencer smiled and turned off the lights.