Hiya! Has it really been so long? ...I'm losing my mojo 3

I'm so sorry its been so long! If I still have any readers out there, I want to really apologize.

A special apology for people who have faithfully reviewed my fics every time as well, you guys deserve better! If you can all find it in your hearts to keep reading my chapters, regardless of the length of time inbetween, I'll also try and update so much more frequently!

You guys are the best!

Without further adieu, tHe NeXt ChApTeR!

Disclaimer: Ok, so I don't own Alex Rider, but dammit, I have rights too!

XxxxxxX

Alex paled. His knuckles whitened.

No.

XxxxxxX

She bared her lips, licked her canines and grinned. No-one was leaving this room alive, save for one boy.

"I see you."

XxxxxxX

Alex gulped heavily. There was nowhere to escape. Not when she was there. Not with half of the student population surrounding him, like a cage.

Think, Alex, think!

He kept his eyes trained on the young red-headed feline at the podium, watching as her eyes swiftly roved the hall in search of him. Alex slouched as far as possible on his seat, hoping to hide from the scope of her view, knowing, however, that it was futile. She'd found him last time, and she'd find him again.

Tom shifted his eyes towards Alex's direction, his face creasing as lines of worry appeared on his forehead. Alex's shoulders had slumped imperceptibly, and panic flickered in his irises. At that moment, he resembled a mouse caught in the clutches of a cruel eagle's talons; paralysed.

XxxxxxX

The woman continued to search for Alex. She wasn't about to give up, not when she had come so far. Not when his death lay so close to her red manicured nails.

A flash of movement fled across her vision – blond, tufty hair. It swept like a gazelle just visible over the seats, leaving startled students in its wake. Yes, she thought.

Her fingers moved towards her hip and brushed a concealed metallic surface. Her movements, so snake-like, whipped out the gun.

However, her fingers held it from view, just behind her jacket. It wasn't time yet. The woman's broad coppery lips released a contented sigh, before her stormy eyes steeled, and a shriek of "Stand!" echoed in the hall.

The sound reverberated throughout the auditorium, and quieted the students instantaneously.

"You," she whispered to the blond hair still hidden in the seats, "Stand up." Her hiss was louder than the ringing silence in the hall, and it sent shivers on the arms of every student.

Slowly, he stood.

XxxxxxX

Alex watched as Matt Healey slowly straightened up; fear evident on his adolescent face. Tom frantically searched Alex's eyes for answers, answers he knew with every certainty that Alex had, and kept to himself.

What does she want?

Has she followed you?

What have you done?

Eyes still trained on the woman at the podium, Alex slowly reached his arm back and patted the gun nestled behind his shirt front. The reassurance that it gave Alex made him breathe an internal sigh of relief – If things headed the way his thoughts had, Alex knew he would need the dangerous safety that the gun could provide for him.

Tom, still searching Alex for answers, furrowed his brow in confusion at Alex's movements. He reached out a questioning hand. His movement came to a jerky stop as Tom stilled at the sound of a safety switched off. He fearfully looked at Alex's eyes again.

They were as cold and dark as the night, and were coated in icy steel.

XxxxxxX

Yes, I know it's so short and there was practically nothing in it, I just thought that after such a long time, something was better than nothing, right?

Besides, I'm hoping that with shorter chapters, I'll be more motivated to start new ones, as I know that it won't be as time-consuming. Therefore, the story might be completed quicker! No more extra-long periods of time! (Probably)

Also, to my betas, I'm probably the most suckish beta-ee you've ever had – and it wouldn't be fair of me to ask you to beta my story again after such a long time – so you're all off the hook! (Figuratively speaking)

Anyway, on to the awards!

My Honoured Reviewers List!

These awards go to: Ambrele, Sparkiebunny, iamlordmoldyshorts, DoubleTime, Sabsi13, It's A Bonsai Tree, marisje, Wolfmonster, xXxShiniXKazexXx, puddingisevil, chariots99, 32-star, shadow936, Olympiangirl, LittleShush, Wildfury, Sueberry, Mainn, Emily, Legolas Thranduilion, Celestial Flower, aiimee, Blown, emilyyy5254, R, ReillyScarecrowRocks, iamtherealmaverick, anime-lyric, notnow.

Thankyou guys so much!

Anyways, I'm off to rediscover my story now!

Multicoloured carpet, out.