*Disclaimer: I do not own Alex Rider.*

Chapter 2

I stared at the normal looking build for a few seconds, weighting my options. Cursing under my breath when I realized going in was my best option although only slightly better than getting killed which I was actually considering. The only thing wrong with that plan was not being able to avenge Jack; god, I was becoming obsessed with revenge.

Anyway… I went into the "bank" not noticing that my eyes were scanning the place for anything suspicious, no matter where I was, no matter how "safe" it supposedly is, I always seemed to do that.

I walked up to the receptionist; she was a pretty blond in her mid-twenties. She had clear blue eyes that seemed friendly yet hard at the same time and she smelled faintly of lilacs indicating she was wearing perfume.

"Hello" I greeted her casually trying to keep my voice light, "I would like to speak to Mrs. Jones."

"There is no one here by that name." The receptionist replied, smiling though it was very obviously forced. I rolled my eyes, not pleased and let a bit of my anger show.

"Oh please, I know this isn't really a bank and is the headquarters of MI6, so cut the crap." I kept my voice low, almost a whisper but that only made me sound more dangerous and close to snapping. Which I have to admit, at the moment, I was. I almost smirked at the look on her face… almost. She looked so damn surprised, especially looking at the cold look on my face, probably wondering what made me this way. If she knew she wouldn't though, she probably wouldn't make eye contact either.

About 10 minutes later, I found myself in a dull and boring (1) office with two dull and boring people, the heads of MI6, Alan Blunt and Mrs. Jones. Funny how as soon as I stepped into that office I went from cool and collected to enraged and utterly murderous.

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED THIS AFTERNOON!?!" I yelled the question at them not able to keep my feelings bottled up anymore.

"Yes we are fully aware that 3 men from SCORPIA broke into your house at precisely 3:06 this afternoon and killed Ms. Jacqueline Starbright…"

"YOU KNEW AND DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP!?!" I cut Blunt off, too out of it to be rational.

"Alex." Mrs. Jones said trying to calm me down, "By the time we found out Jack was already dead…" She continued talking but I didn't bother listening.

"… So for your own protection, I think the best thing we could do is send you on a mission in Canada. By the time you get back we will have everything sorted out." Mrs. Jones continued snapping me out if my daze.

"WHAT!?! There is no way in hell that I'm going to Canada for a stupid mission for my protection! This is just another excuse to use me!!! Well let me tell you something, I'm not going to do it! I'm not putting up with this shit any longer!!!! I'm out." I yelled storming out of the room. They let me go probably thinking I needed time to cool off.

People shot me strange looks as I continued storming down the halls, they probably had heard me yelling, but I didn't care, why would I?

Once outside the fresh air cleared my head and I was able to think straightly again. I wasn't sure what to do exactly but I knew two things. 1. I couldn't go back home… well, I could, but that would be suicidal. 2. I would NOT go on another mission for MI6!

The first thing I had to do was get out of town, I could go by bus but first I needed money. I went to a real bank and withdrew all my savings since when they figured out what I was doing they would probably shut down my bank account.

I took the bus two towns over and headed straight for the woods for it would be easier for MI6 or SCORPIA to track me down if I rented an apartment not that I was old enough. So I will be camping until I can come up with phase two.

It took a while but I finally found the perfect place. It was a small clearing and the ground was flat and it was on higher ground to prevent flooding. The clearing was deep into the woods and had good covering, surrounded by lushes green trees and ferns. A fully grown adult would have some trouble getting here but I had no problem at all.

I had memorized the way here because it would be dangerous to leave a trail for someone could stumble upon it. I returned to town just to pick up a few things; tent, sleeping bag, blanket, flashlight, water and a bit of food. I would get the rest of the stuff I needed tomorrow. I was careful not to stay in town too long since it would be dangerous. I 'borrowed' a shopping cart to help me carry my purchases. I used it until the undergrowth was too thick and made several trips to get all the stuff to the clearing.

After that I cleared my tracks, ditched the shopping cart and made myself almost untraceable.

I got back to the clearing and got to work once again. Setting up the tent took no time at all. I unrolled the sleeping bag and sat down. A wave of tiredness washed threw me, all today's events finally catching up to me.

Being this tired, I could not stop the tears that began to roll down my cheeks. I cried for the loss of Jack, I cried for losing my last chance at a normal life and I cried for the way my life going. I hated crying it made me feel weak though this time there was really nothing I could do to stop myself.

I cried myself out after a while feeling more exhausted than ever. I forced myself to eat one of the granola bars that I bought knowing I would need the strength. I put the food into my backpack, which was one of the only things I had with me for I had been at school, and hung in on a tree so animals couldn't get at it and went to bed. I drifted off to sleep planning out my day two as a runaway.

Author's note: Was this ok? Was it too predictable? Please tell me. Thanks for reading.