Chapter 1

2052, Castle Hill, England.

Ava kept her gaze fixed on making it to the kitchen as quickly as possible. All her instincts for survival were in overdrive. As she ran ahead of the African American man behind her, she felt a slight twinge of courage. She could hear his heavy breathing and determination to get to her, as she knew she was in great danger, hoping that her head start was enough to get away from him. Fear, exhaustion and adrenaline were running through her like hot melting lava. Her heart felt cold and clammy as she ran with all her strength towards her only defence, a gun she had strapped below the kitchen counter. It all seemed surreal. Her long black hair curled over her face as she ran, focusing only on making it to the gun. She grabbed hold of the kitchen towel rail as she entered the kitchen. Panting like an engine, she dived towards the kitchen counter and crashed to her knees. All she could hear in her head was ‘make it to the gun Ava!’ Gasping, she looked back to see how close he was.

The thought of Rebecca kept her focused as she twisted herself to pull the gun from under the counter. The tape creaked and snapped as she pulled it towards the floor, the gun now firmly in her grip. Logan’s tall, muscular body was frighteningly close to her. She would do whatever it took to ensure she escaped this dangerous situation. Otherwise, there was no chance of saving Rebecca. Even if it meant killing him. A scream of fear broke out inside her. She felt sick and could almost taste it in her mouth. It felt like her blood froze in her veins. The moment was overwhelming.

A million thoughts went through her head like a bullet train and she could feel her eyeliner running down her face. Tears and sweat mixed, touching the corners of her mouth. Then, for a moment, everything felt like it was slowing down, her eyes fixed on his.

“Ava, I’m not going to harm you! Put the gun down,” he ordered sharply.

“Get away from me!” she shouted, her lips quivering. She heaved herself up and when he was about two metres from her, she pulled the trigger. The shock of the bullet going off pushed her backwards. The gun was light and pulled to the right. Bullets drilled into the wall and ceiling as she struggled to control the weapon, but she remained focused. She kept firing. Another bullet whistled through the air and missed. Glass and wood from the kitchen door sprayed over them. He backed off in fear wondering whether a stray bullet would kill him. She was unsteady on her feet as she tried to stand.

She threw her head back and tried to get away from him. She swung the gun round to the left and fired again. One of the bullets missed him by millimetres. He gritted his teeth and steeled himself for the impact. He leapt behind the counter as plates and glasses exploded. She staggered to the passage, hearing him gaining ground. The tears running down her face stung her eyes.

“Where is she, Ava?” he asked.

“Go to hell,” she hissed, knowing it was his turn to vent.

He sighed and walked towards her. “Where is she? I’m not going to ask again.”

Her silence was deafening and her mind was racing with multiple scenarios.

His voice was calm as he tried to make her feel less in danger. “I just want to talk, to understand what happened,” he said, panting. “I can’t wait to see her, Ava. E17 is as much mine as it’s yours,” he snarled, narrowing his eyes, “No one could have expected her to survive that ordeal and yet here we are.”

“You will never have her Logan. Never!” she shouted, feeling her throat cutting her voice.

Again she fired at him, tearing gaping holes in the wooden door frame close to his face.

She pushed herself forward, aiming again at him, but the magazine was empty. She furiously clicked and clicked and in desperation threw the gun at him. He caught it in midair and smashed it to the floor, letting it slide up against the skirting. He moved swiftly towards her and clamped his fingers around her neck. Logan was transhuman and very strong. His legs were robotic and powerful. Ava was panting for air as he gave her a punch in the chest, making her back smack against the wall. She made her fist into a cup and slapped him on his ear, sending clusters of pain down his neck.

She moved forward swiftly and punched him in the throat. He gripped her by the neck and hit her with the back of his hand. She was seeing herself in a fresh new way, almost unknown to herself. Her expression and diction became fitting for the moment in front of her. With her chest burning like it was on fire, she gave constant punches. He grabbed hold of her legs and twisted her again down to the floor.

“Ava, give it up now!” he shouted with his breath caught in his throat as he moved closer to her personal space. In a swift movement, he twisted her arm and brought her down to the floor. He took out digital cable ties that automatically snapped around her wrists and tied her to the chair. With all his strength he dragged her back to the kitchen, pulled out a chair and forced her to sit down. He snapped his fingers around her chin and forced her to look up at him. He seemed agitated. A small trickle of blood ran down her face and she was panting like a dog. He came closer and forced his face right into hers, making laser-sharp contact with her dark brown eyes.

She stayed quiet.

“Did you really think you could hide here forever, hmm?” he asked.

Ava allowed a chilly smile to form on her lips.

He stood up and turned away. Ava remained quiet. She looked in his direction and chewed her upper lip.

“I saved her,” she said, keeping her tone even and clear.

“You need to be reminded that you are the one who created her to be what she is,” Logan said insistently, swearing under his breath as he remained silent for a second.

Ava felt her tolerance for him evaporating.