One Shot Too Many
Alex Rider froze.
It was pure, raw instinct that made him stop. He just knew something was wrong. It was a instinct that had saved his life on several occasions. Not today.
He glanced around, his serious brown eyes flicking from window to rooftop, seeking out the slightest detail that would tell him what was wrong. His eyes came to rest on a dark figure sprawled out on the roof of a house barely ten meters ahead of him.
He barely had time to blink before a searing hot bolt of metal slammed into his chest. His eyes widened in shock. The strong sharp metallic taste of blood made him gag as he fell to his knees. Looking down he saw a patch of dark red blossoming on his shirt.
"Alex!" The cry was fearful and loud but he hardly registered it as he slumped onto his side. He gazed up at the blue sky, his vision flickering.
Suddenly Jack was leaning over him, her green eyes flushed with terror. "Alex!" She gasped again.
He opened his mouth, willing himself to gather the strength to speak.
"No, no!" Jack was crying now, her tears wet on his face.
"Jack..." The effort of saying that one word was immense. His vision was failing, darkness was rushing in. He so wanted to speak, to say to her all the things he had never said, had always wanted to say.
"Alex?"
"Alex!"
Her voice was fading.
"Stay with me! There's an ambulance! I can hear it!" Alex could hear it too. But it was far too late.
"Alex!"