This chapter is a lot shorter but it's also pretty crucial. Big thanks to pygmymeese who pointed out that having Wolf reveal Fox's name was a bit unbelievable, my thinking was that their captors already knew his name, he only told him Ben's first name and Jack's a kid anyway so he doesn't see him as too much of a threat. I also tried to fix the formatting a bit so let me know how I did!
Disclaimer: If I owned Alex Rider I'd probably faint, and since I'm currently still conscious I obviously don't. I know, sad:(
Back in the minimal comfort the cell provided Jack sat down heavily and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. Why did this have to happen to him? It was just his luck to be used as a pawn in some mad man's game.
Jack flinched when a soft hand on his shoulder interrupted his thoughts. "Are you okay?"
Jack opened one eye and squinted at the figure, "Yeah, you know, just wallowing in self pity." He replied with a wave of his hand.
Ben flashed a smile that was almost a grimace, "I wish I could say 'It'll be okay' but I think your smart enough to realize I really don't know."
Jack grinned, "You could always lie."
This time a real smile graced Ben's face, "It'll be okay," he said with a sincere look.
Jack stared at him seriously, "Don't look now, but your pants are on fire."
Boredom. So far tat was the main enemy Jack had to contend with in captivity. Not that he was complaining; he shuddered to think what could be happening otherwise.
On what Jack guessed was the third or fourth day an alarm broke through the relative quiet of their prison. Eagle and Snake, who had been quietly talking in a corner of the cell, shut up abruptly.
Everyone in the cell held their breath as they heard footsteps closing in.
Suddenly the door was opened and Jack, who had been sitting close to it, was grabbed. He let out a surprised yelp as he was forced into the hallway,and he froze as he felt metal kiss the skin on his throat. He could feel strong arms encaging him and he knew that, at this moment, there was no hope for escape.
He was faced towards the end of the hall, which was at this time deserted. Then he heard it, anxious footsteps making their way down the hall and his heart began to thump faster with slight hope. That hope exploded in a race of joy when he saw the owner of the footsteps.
Standing there, at the end of the hallway with the most terrifying expression Jack had ever seen and a cold, military issued gun, was his dad.
His captor spoke and Jack recognized the voice as that of the moan who'd promised revenge. "Not bad rider. I'm slightly impressed, but you are still out of practice."
His dad's face remained impassive and when he spoke it was in a tone he'd certainly never used with Jack. "Sorry," he apologized. "I changed my hobby from catching psychos to knitting about 20 years ago. It's a difficult skill, but I can still make you a killer scarf!"
His tone lost its mocking nature and became more aggressive; "Now back the hell away from my son before I make a pretty picture on the wall behind you with your brain matter."
Instead of backing away like Jack surely would have done at that point the man just chuckled. "You seem to be missing the key point, Mr. Rider. The time it takes the bullet to hit me is plenty enough to slit the poor boy's throat. I also have your old unit behind that very door." He said, jerking his head to indicate the cell.
His dad never took his eyes of the man's face, not even exhibiting any shock or curiosity on his own.
"So I advise you put that gun down and walk into the cell before I do something drastic." The man finished.
Still refusing to look away his dad slowly lowered the gun and placed it on the floor.
Jacks hopes plummeted, and yet he couldn't deny the inexpressible feeling of safety hed gained since his father's arrival.
His dad crossed the hall and put his hand behind him to grasp the handle and open the door. Once the man saw he'd backed far enough into the cell he walked forward and roughly shoved Jack in.
He had not been expecting it and would have lost his balance and fallen had it not been for his dad catching him and quickly pulling him into an embrace as the door snapped shut behind him.
Jack buried his head in his shoulder as his dad stroked his hair and whispered, "Hey buddy, I got you. It's going to be alright," and despite everything, this time Jack believed it.
Tell me what you think about Alex joining our little party! Review! (or else)