Chapter 1

DISCLAIMER: My first name is not Anthony and my second is not Horowitz, therefore I do not own Alex Rider!

The plane has reached the start of the runway and was waiting there while the pilots made the final checks.

"Are you feeling alright Alex?" Edward asked.

I nodded "Yes, I'm fine"

The engines roared. The plane rolled forward picking up speed, then rose into the sky.

I looked out of the small aircraft window to see London gradually shrinking away from me, along with Brooklands, MI6, Tom, my house in Chelsea and the memories it held of Jack. I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts. There was no other option I told myself. I had to get better. I had to heal. I couldn't live in this state of depression forever. Trying to divert my thoughts, I switched on the small TV in front of me and flicked through the films showing. It was hopeless. Half of them I'd already seen and the other half were pointless romcoms that I was in no mood to watch.

Desperate for a space of my own, I got up and hastily went to the toilet to clear my head. I clutched the sink in the small cabin and examined myself in the mirror. I looked horrible. There were dark rings under my eyes from lack of sleep and I was in terrible need of a haircut. After splashing my face with ice cold water and brushing my hair with my fingers, I made my way back to my seat. After sitting down on the chair, fatigue gripped me and I sunk into a deep slumber.

I was woken by Mr Pleasure a few hours later saying "Alex we're ten minutes away, you need to get up." and gently shaking my shoulders.

Startled, I brushed back my hair from my face and looked around the aircraft. Had I really slept that long? I hadn't slept like that since Jack died. She haunted my every waking thought and followed me into my nightmares. I sighed loudly and sunk back into my chair, waiting for the plane to touch down. Hopefully, meeting Sabina and the rest of the Pleasure's would ease my mind.

At last the plane landed in San Francisco and I hopped out, eager to exit the airport. I dodged past the tourists with Mr Pleasure close behind me, the sun beating down as I did. After breaking through the crowd and collecting our baggage, we made an effort to small talk before reaching Arrivals. There was a huge crowd waiting there, eager to welcome family and friends. I scanned it, looking for Sabina or Mrs Pleasure. Suddenly, my eyes locked onto Sabina and she saw me too. Within moments, my suitcase was on the floor and she was in my arms.

"Alex, it's great to see you!" she shrieked. "I have so much to tell you, you're going to love it here!"

I hope I do, I thought to myself as we made our way to the Pleasure's huge Range Rover. Everything in America seemed so big. I opened the door and climbed in, to be met by a welcoming blast of air conditioning whilst Sabina nattered in my ear. I had the uncanny ability to tune out people when I didn't want to listen to them. Not that I didn't like Sabina. I just needed some quiet, to think and absorb what was happening. Here I was, starting a new life. A fresh start after the pain I had experienced in the last year.

Eventually, she realised it too when I forgot to nod at appropriate intervals and just ended up staring out of the window. The car was silent. Mrs Pleasure ended this by saying "Alex, you start school next week, it may seem a bit early, but I thought you would like to resume a normal life as soon as possible."

I thanked her silently as we made our way to Presidio Heights. The last thing I needed was a couple of weeks just stewing over what had just happened with Razim, Julius and Jack. I wanted to get busy as soon as possible. The road passed by quickly and the wind blew my hair in my face. That was when I saw it. A man dressed in black was son the top of a roof with a gun. I turned to look behind me and then stopped myself. I was done with that. That was what had ruined my life. No more I told myself. No more.

A few minutes later, the car rolled into the driveway of the most beautiful house I had ever seen. It was nothing like the small, compact house in Chelsea. It was every bit as grand as I had imagined it. I just stared in silence whilst the Pleasure's looked at me worriedly for approval.

"It's beautiful" I said and was met by smiles and a warm hug from Mrs Pleasure. I picked up my bags and made my way in. This was when my life began.

Authors note:

Thank you so much for reading! It's my first story so constructive criticism is appreciated. Please R&R, I would love to know whether the story is worth carrying on. Other than that, CARPE DIEM my friends!