Disclaimer: I don't own the Alex Rider series.

11/10/2001 - COPY OF LETTER FORWARDED BY THE NSA. LETTER WAS INTERCEPTED ON THE 10/10/2001. TO BE VIEWED ONLY BY THOSE OF LEVEL TWO CLEARANCE AND ABOVE.

Mom,

This is the hardest letter I've ever had to write. I'm crying a lot right now, so if the ink gets smudged don't worry. I miss you so much right now. More than ever before. You'd know what to do. And right now, I'm lost without you. Something horrific has happened.

Alex is gone. You remember Alex, don't you? The blond boy who I'm guardian of. You met him last Christmas. His uncle is the man who hired me when I arrived in England for the first time. He's gone. Just gone.

He ran off in the middle of school one day. I nearly died of shock when the principal rang. I thought he'd come home. But he still hasn't turned up. He disappeared eight days ago.

And yesterday they found his school uniform on a housing estate. With a black jacket that didn't belong to him.

So something is very wrong. Alex isn't the type to just leave. And now rumours are flying around. Nasty stuff. That he was taking drugs. And smoking. And drinking. That doesn't sound like Alex at all. But maybe I just don't know Alex like I thought I did.

I don't know. I just don't know anymore.

I'm living in terror, mom. The house is so big and echoey with no-one else to make noise to rebound off mine. I wake up in the middle of the night, thinking I hear him. I rush downstairs and there's nothing. I've been leaving the door open at night in case he comes back. I sleep with one of Ian's old golf clubs beside my bed, just in case anyone breaks in.

I can't really write everything I want to tell you, mom. There's a lot more to the story. But some things are better said face to face.

So i'm coming home, mom. I don't feel safe here. I'm jumping at shadows. And I'm becoming a nervous wreck. I'm going to give Alex five more days. But then I'm going back to America. Of course I'll still be looking for Alex. I'll hire a private detective. If he turns up, he can follow me out to America. He knows my mobile number.

I have things you need to hear. Things I need to tell somebody. But I won't say it now. That could put you in danger.

Don't worry mom. I'm coming home to you and dad.

Could you put me up for a few nights in your place while I try to get set up with an apartment? It'd really take a weight of my mind. Call me as soon as you can. You know my mobile number too. It's in that little brown address book you keep by the phone.

I've got to go and book a last minute flight now. I hope you get this pretty quick; I'm sending it by special post.

Buckets and buckets of love,

Jack

LETTER WRITTEN BY ONE JACK STARBRIGHT, CURRENTLY RESIDING IN LONDON.

STARBRIGHT ON EDGE. TO BE INTERVIEWED IMMEDIATELY. FLAG AS NO FLY WITH AIR-PORTS. PHONE TAP AUTHORIZED. TAIL TO BE PLACED.

12/10/2001- CONVERSATION TRANSCRIPT RECORDED BY MI5 AGENT WILLIAM GRANT.

Starbright - "Mom, my passport's been flagged. I can't get out".

(Starbright weeping into phone)

Presumably mother, to be referred to as B - "Calm down sweetie. What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Starbright - "No mom, I'm not. I'm not. I can't fly. The airports won't accept my passport".

B - "What? Why?"

Starbright - "Mom, I have to tell you something. Alex was used by the Government".

B - "Alex? The boy who's vanished? Wait, what?"

Starbright - "Alex was being-

AT THIS POINT, AGENT GRANT DISCONNECTED THE LINE. HOUSE PHONE WAS ALSO DISABLED. REQUEST. TERMINATION WARRANT FOR STARBRIGHT.

GRANTED. TO BE UNDERTAKEN IMMEDIATLY. STARBRIGHT TO BE DEAD BY MORNING. AUTHORIZED. BLUNT.

13/10/2001 - MI5 BRIEFING FILE FOR AGENTS HUGHES AND MIKELSON.

TARGET: Starbright, Jack.

TARGET DESCRIPTION: Starbright is 28 years old. Red-haired. Further description is unnecessary. She is currently the only occupant of the house.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Entrance to be made through front door, which is to be kicked in. Scene to resemble break in. Possessions to be stolen. Starbright sleeps through the first door on the left at the top of the staircase. To be stabbed in sleep.

Golf club will be beside bed. Starbright's finger prints to be left on grip. To be made look as though she fought her attacker.

BRIEFING TO BE DESTROYED IMMEDIATELY AFTER READ.

Not all the chapters will be written like this. If it annoys you though, I should point out that there will be more ones like it to come. Maybe this story's not for you.

I'd like a review to know what you think.

DIBAW.