Spy Guy: Here's the chapter you've all been waiting for. I hope it doesn't disappoint, even though it's kinda short.

Thanks so much for reading!

-Lor

Chapter 4: All in a Row

Tulip Jones leaned over the desk of her superior, spreading out the photographs and screenshots that proved her word. For a moment, Alan Blunt remained coldly silent, his fingers laced together as he contemplated what he saw. So long, he had been denying it, but, with the pictures laid out before him, the truth was all too clear, and he could ignore it no longer.

Alex Rider was alive.

"We have no way to confirm it," Mrs. Jones continued, picking up a photocopy ripped straight from a Russian broadcast. "But you know it's true. Considering that it was Sarov Alex was ultimately tangling with. And the call from the airport..."

"Of course it's Alex." Blunt sighed. "Sarov wants us to know and he's made no attempt to hide his 'son's' identity. You can tell me all you want, Mrs. Jones, but there is nothing I can do to get him back. Right now, the country is more important..." He paused a moment, wondering if he should continue. He knew the thoughts in his head were harsh...but... Mrs. Jones was the person he trusted most (though he would never admit it aloud). He wanted to share his dark thoughts with her...because the dark thoughts were part of his job.

"If anything," Blunt began, his gray eyes staring down at his desk. "you should be worried about what Alex can do in Russian hands. Everything he's done for us...he can do for them as well."

The old man cleared his throat, pushing his glasses up his nose, waiting for a response.

After a few moments, Tulip nodded in defeat, silently gathering up her papers. Blunt knew that she would keep them in a file somewhere. Children were a soft spot for her, and she had never approved of using Alex in the first place.

But...there was really nothing he could do. The country was more important than one boy.

"If Sarov only wanted to use him..." Mrs. Jones said, turning to her superior, rolling a peppermint into her cheek. "Why would he keep him out in the open? Wouldn't he be better hidden away?"

"Who knows." Blunt replied, shaking his head sadly. "Maybe Sarov has a plan--"

"Or maybe, he's just insane."

And with that, Tulip turned on her heel, storming from the room. Blunt pressed a hand to his forehead, sighing again, closing his tired eyes. He was getting too old to be dealing with all of this. The world was in shambles, crumbling around him with each passing second...

Maybe, Alex was the lucky one...

If only, he could believe that.

Алексей

The keys of an old-fashioned typewriter echoed loudly in the small room. Each sound send a jarring pain through the man's skull...

He knew that if he was heard, it would be the end, and everything he had done... that he had accomplished for the people...would be for nothing. It would be better for him to simply put a bullet in his brain and go out with some shred of dignity. He would never be humiliated...would never be eliminated like a dog.

In the still night, a lone man typed by candlelight...one hand limp by his side, gripping a tiny revolver...

Soon...it would begin.

Алексей

The last time he had been in Sarov's limo he was handcuffed to the seat. The time before that, he had been hiding in the trunk. This time, though, he simply had Vyacheslav beside him, holding tightly to his arm as he was bundled inside. Sarov was dressed in his military finest, medals shining in the dim Russian sun, while Alex was wearing a full-piece suit, his hair slicked back with gel.

Despite his age, and slim build, Vyacheslav was strong, holding his charge's arm in an iron grip. It seemed that there was more hidden behind the man's face than first met the eye. Alex could feel the raw strength bubbling beneath the surface...and knew that his teacher could be just as dangerous as Sarov.

"You don't let that boy out of your sight, do you hear me?" The president growled as he took a seat beside Alex, rolling leather gloves over his hands. "I have no qualms about throwing you alongside the vermin."

Vyacheslav nodded, murmuring something in Russian. Sarov nodded as well, replying gravely.

Alex was nestled between the two men, staring at the window as the limo began to move. He could hear its wheels grinding against the stone driveway, as it left the compound, moving gracefully through the heavy line of security at the gate.

"A little, father and son outing, isn't it?" Sarov asked, smiling slightly. "I thought about going to see a show afterwards, but, alas, there is more trouble brewing, and I would rather have you safe in the compound, Alexei."

The boy held back a scoff. Safe? If he was safe, would his back feel raw? Would he be afraid of Sarov's anger...of the red that crept up the man's face when pushed too far? Would he be afraid of the pain...the beatings...the feeling of a belt across his skin...of a whip?

No. If he were safe, really safe, he wouldn't be afraid at all. He would feel protected, and be surrounded by the people who loved him.

Tom...

Jack...

Silently, the limo rolled onto the road, flanked by other cars, all guarding the president of their country, willing to follow him to the death should the occasion arise.

Alex almost wished it would.

Алексей

There was a row of ragged men, at least twenty of them, lined up against the concrete wall of a derelict warehouse. Their hands were chained behind their backs, eyes blindfolded, mouths gagged. Alex stared ahead in horror, unable to look away. Many of the prisoners were greatly injured, limbs twisted, and clothes soaked in blood.

There was a barbed wire fence surrounding the area, soldiers everywhere, fingers on the triggers of their guns. Vyacheslav was almost plastered to Alex's side, and the boy saw the man reach into his jacket, fingers wrapping around a shining weapon of his own.

Crowds of people were gathered on the other side of the fence, chanting Sarov's name, waving banners and signs emblazoned with his face. Someone struck up a chorus of the national anthem, and a thunder of voices followed in discord.

After a few moments, Sarov stood to face them, stepping onto a raised dais, instantly silencing his people with a wave of his arm. Behind them, soldiers lined up in front of the prisoners, taking aim...and waiting for the command.

"You're going to have to watch, Alexei." Vyacheslav whispered in the boy's ear. "If you don't watch, Sarov will be mad. Keep your eyes open."

"This is wrong." Alex growled in reply.

"This is life." The teacher replied, pulling away. "Just keep a stiff upper lip ole' chum." Vyacheslav continued, trying to impersonate a British accent. "Isn't that what your people always say?"

The boy simply shook his head, turning toward Sarov, trying to focus on anything but the prisoners and the men who were poised to murder them.

Alex could feel his heart pounding madly in his chest, his palms becoming sticky with sweat. He tried to focus on his captor, but found it impossible. In just a few moments, the men behind him would die. Whatever reasons they had for being in the mafia...surely it didn't warrant death...at least not like this. Not out in the open, humiliated. Not blind and helpless. Just...not like this.

Sarov began a charged speech, speaking too fast for Alex to understand. Someone had given him a microphone and his voice crackled through old speakers, bouncing off the concrete warehouse behind. All around, cameras rolled, showing everyone what was happening on the outskirts of town, to a group of convicts who were to be put down for their crimes.

Time seemed to still as Sarov turned around, the cheers of his people falling on his back. Alex could feel the president's eyes on him, commanding him not to look away. The boy dug his fingernails into his palms, heart beating unbearably fast...

And then, Sarov gave the signal...

Spy guy: sorry about the brutal cliffhanger. I had originally planned to make this chapter longer, but it just came out like this, and...I could have continued it, but that would mean i was giving up a perfect opportunity. But, thanks for reading everyone. If you ahve any questions or comments, please drop me a review, I would very much appriciate it. :D

-Lor