Chapter Four: Escape

Yassen looked exactly the same as the last time Alex had seen him. Well, except for the pasty almost dead look that the assassin had going for him on Air Force One. He was still a pale man with close-cropped blond hair. The chiseled lips were quirked up in what one would only call a smirk. The sharp blue eyes stared frigidly at MI6 and SCORPIA.

Meanwhile, Alex seemed to have gone into shock. Seeing dead people come back to life does do that to you sometimes. He face had drained of all color and his eyes bulged. Odd half whimpers and abrupt sounds were issuing from the boy spy's throat. His mouth was agape. It was all together one of the funniest pictures Yassen had seen, but of course his face still bore that emotionless mask.

MI6 and SCORPIA were also highly surprised. It's not everyday that one finds a highly wanted person who has multiply bounties on their head walk calmly into a school parking lot.

However, these highly trained people were not the only ones astounded. Most of Brookland was still present and watching the events unfold in undisguised horror and a little bit of fascination. Of course, they didn't understand anything that was happening, except for that there happened to be two highly dangerous armed groups aligned on their parking lot fighting over one mysterious and obviously lethal Alex Rider.

The appearance of the Russian confused them even more. Who was this third party? Had he come to bargain for Alex as well? The students whispered heatedly amongst themselves while the teachers were surprisingly silent. Mr. Garner who had fainted halfway through the events had to be laid across the floor next to Mr. Bray, Brookland's principle, who had also keeled over.

Alex was oblivious to all this of course. His attention was still focused on the Russian. He felt as if the whole world had tilted on its axis. Or maybe it's me who's about to keel over, thought Alex, clearly muddled by the Russian's arrival.

Mr. Blunt, of MI6, seemed to recover first. He blustered for a few seconds and looked warily at Yassen.

"Gregorovich," the head of MI6 Special Operations spat. He floundered for a second trying to find his next words.

"Yes, that would be my name," answered Yassen coolly. He spoke to Mr. Blunt as if he were trying to explain to a child who was particularly stupid.

"I thought you were dead," piped in Seth. Clearly, he did not want to be left out of this conversation.

"It would seem that I am not," said Yassen, sneering. How did these monumentally stupid people become heads of these powerful organizations, asked Yassen to himself.

"So, what are you doing here then," quipped Alex who seemed to have found his voice again. He cast a withering look at the two groups who stood behind him.

Yassen replied, "Ah, finally a real question. What am I here to do? I'm certainly not here to bargain for you as if you were some piece of meat like those people are."

Both MI6 heads and Seth made a face. They didn't like being insulted, especially by a previously dead assassin.

"Unlike you, I'm here to offer Alex a choice. One that he may take or walk free from. You see, I'm part of a new organization now, a network actually, if you will. I am a member of the Shadows."

Mrs. Jones gasped softly at the same time Seth did. Many of the armed men also drew a collective breath. They had heard of this network before, but not much. There was never much information about its members, that was what made it so effective. Everything was heavily guarded.

Alex sighed. Nobody ever told him anything. Obviously Yassen was part of something highly secretive, if not dangerous.

"Hello? Some of us don't exactly know what you are talking about," said Alex breaking the tensioned fill silence.

Yassen glanced at Alex. Yes, Alex was a cheeky brat, he thought a bit fondly. He had a smart mouth that would go off at the most inopportune moments. Exactly like his father.

"Of course, let me elaborate. This is a good time as any to make ourselves known. Shadow, rightly named, has been around for quite a while. Specifically, we are a network of elite freelancers. Spies, inventors, assassins, people of this ilk. We keep to the shadows. It protects us. We do not even know each others names. We only address each other by code names," began Yassen as if he were discussing the weather.

The assassin continued, "However unlike other organizations in the world, we do not possess a leader. Everyone in our network has the same status. We are not ruled by each other which effectively destroys the need to 'climb' the power ladder. You can think of us as a big group of allies, if you will. We protect our own."

Ah, I can see where this is going, thought Alex thoughtfully. He was particularly taken with the idea of this organization. MI6 wasn't too pleased, however. They liked control and information, both which they had scarce amounts at the moment.

Seth was even more upset. Another organization, that could possibly and most likely be better than his? Impossible! SCORPIA was the one feared by countries around the world, not some fancy shmancy new Shadow.

Smirking at the various reactions he got, Yassen turned to Alex and said, "I offer you a choice Alex. Would you be willing to join Shadow? If not, I will still allow you to walk away. We do not force members." He gave a pointed glance at MI6.

Alex stared at Yassen, deeply in thought. Join Shadow? This was an interesting development. I could even walk free if I wanted to, not that MI6 and SCORPIA wouldn't immediately pounce on me when I do. He ran a hand through his hair. This new deal really appealed to him. Freedom. No superiors. Hidden from MI6. Somewhat safe from SCORPIA. Not bad of a deal. Yassen sure knew how to sell it well.

"Whose to say we won't shoot you where you stand?" asked Seth in a spiteful tone to Yassen as he watched Alex muse.

"Well, seeing that you might hit Alex, I suggest you don't," replied Yassen coldly. "I also happen to have ten friends surrounding the area who could pick you off quite easily. Both of your groups."

Said groups looked into Yassen's eyes. They did not doubt him. One of the soldiers foolishly twisted his assault around as if he could shoot the hidden snipers down. Mr. Blunt gave him a warning look. The guy looked down meekly and resumed his previous position.

"So Alex, what do you want?" asked Yassen.

Everybody watched with bated breath. It was his choice.

"Shadow. I pick Shadow," said Alex loudly for everyone to hear after a moments pause.

Yassen had a triumphant look on his face. Pandemonium ensued. MI6 and SCORPIA were angry. Alex picked Shadow?! The tension was so thick, you couldn't even cut it with a chainsaw. Both Alex and Yassen watched quietly at the reactions. They smirked together. That was a frightening sight.

While MI6 and SCORPIA were arguing with each other and shouting at both Yassen and Alex, Yassen pulled out his cell phone. He spoke rapidly and put it away again. He beckoned Alex to come closer.

Soon the air was filled with a steady thwap, thwap, thwap. Alex's hair blew around his face. The wind swirled around him and the surroundings kicking up everything that wasn't tied down. Everyone looked up and fell silent.

They watched as a black helicopter slowly descended through the air towards them. Alex had reached Yassen by now. Standing side by side, they looked almost like father and son. Both had a closed off expression on their faces as they watched their helicopter land in the middle of the parking lot.

Yassen started walking towards it with Alex following.

A shout amongst the loud whirring stopped the teenage spy.

"Alex! Wait! What about Jack?" It was Tom who had shouted.

Alex walked over to Tom and said regretfully, "Tell her I'm sorry and that I can't stay here anymore. She must understand. I'm sick of being used. I have to escape, or I'll never be free. She can go home now too. Please, Tom. Do this for me. And t-t-tell her I love her. Always." Alex reached to the back of his neck and unclasped his beaded necklace. He handed this to Tom.

"Give this to her please," he said.

Tom's eyes were suspiciously shiny. He didn't refuse Alex. This was important to him, Tom knew. He nodded and clasped the necklace tightly in his hands. Alex clapped his shoulder and looked into his eyes.

"Be safe," Alex whispered as he turned away. Tom caught the edge of his sleeve.

"Will I ever see you again?" Tom asked.

"I don't know," replied Alex truthfully. He pried his best mate's fingers off of him gently.

Without looking back, he headed towards the helicopter and got in. He strapped himself in next to Yassen. The helicopter slowly rose back into the air. The sound of the blades faded away as the helicopter became a black dot in the distance.

AN: So…..what do you think? Did you expect this? Well, I know most of you suspected that Alex would go with Yassen, but did you enjoy the addition of a new organization? I hope this seemed realistic enough. I had trouble trying to find a nice escape route for Alex and Yassen. This was the best I could come up with. MI6 and SCORPIA are undoubtly angry, but its not like they can do anyting. They did say Alex could choose whoever he wanted, they never even specified. Of course, Alex made for Yassen's side and it did help that Shadow protected "new members". Woot! So tell me what you think in reviews!