Okay guys, I tried putting this chapter up for you last week but for some reason FF wasn't letting me log in. I waited a few says but here it is! I had three exams this week, and two next week. I'm pretty sure I'm going to fail them all o-o" But anyway, enjoy the chapter! It's a little short but I wanted to get something up for you guys before you started hating me :')


Chapter Eight

"How is he doing?"

"His wounds are healing well, but I don't think he's ready…"

"Ready? It's not about being ready. It's been three days already. He's due to make the next choice in four days. As long as he is conscious he can make the decision."

"But Sir…"

"Yes?"

"Nothing."

Alex Rider lay still listening to the conversation. The man being addressed as 'sir' was no doubt Turtle. The man he hated more than anything. Four days until his next choice…four days to escape. He wondered about Ellie- if she was safe, and he tried to ignore the gut wrenching feeling whenever he thought about Frank. If Jack was here, she would have been comforting him. Telling him he had made the right choice, but no. He hadn't. Both choices were wrong, but one had to be made.

He couldn't feel much pain, probably because of everything that they had injected into him. The bullet wound had been treated, and so had all the other various injuries he had sustained. He was sure that many of his bones were broken. His head pounded as he remembered the dreaded night. He couldn't actually remember everything- just random memories here and there. He was glad for it. There was something he had to find out though- what audience was Turtle talking about? Although the man hadn't actually said the word, it was the only thing that fit…and why was there a camera in that room?


Jack was a mess. She had hardly eaten anything over the past few days and was permanently glued to the television. She had seen everything. Alex being shot. Alex being tortured. Alex having to decide which one of his friends to kill. It would have been too much for her- but she knew he was stronger than her. Although it was hard, she knew he would make it through this. It was the only thing that kept her going.

There was a knock at the door, but she didn't move. Whoever it was would just think she was out and leave. The knocking started to get louder, and more irritating. She stood up and walked over to the door, preparing to give the visitor a death stare. She was halfway through her stare when she realised who the person was. The woman she had been trying to contact for the past few days to no avail. Tulip Jones.

"Good evening Miss. Starbright, may I come in?"

"What do you want?"

"I need to talk to you. I understand you have been trying to contact me for a while now? I'm sorry it has taken so long but you must understand we have been very busy. There are many people out there who wish ill intent on the boy, and MI6, so as you may have guessed we have had several threats to expose the boys secret. Of course, they all have been dealt with," she cleared he throat slightly. "May I come in?"

Jack hesitated, but moved away from the door nonetheless. Ms. Jones followed her into the living room, where she wrinkled her nose at the sight- and smell of the place. On the television screen was a boy lying on a bed. He had various tubes going into and out of his body, and countless bruises. Although he was asleep, he still managed to look exhausted.

"Have a seat," Jack gestured to the sofa.

She just looked at the sofa and back to Jack. "I'll stand thank you, I won't be here for long."

"Suit yourself," Jack said, taking the place she previously offered the woman. "What is it you wanted to tell me?"

"It's about Alex."

"So I guessed…"

"As you full well know, the boy hasn't been in the best condition over the past few days. What you may not know is that we think we have found the location of the boy."

"What? Why hasn't it been on the news?" Jack almost screamed at the woman.

"If this information was known to everyone then the boys captors would be expecting us."

"Expecting you to do what?"

"I have spoken with Mr. Blunt and we both have come to a decision. Even though it is a very high risk, we think it is about time we take action. We are sending in a few people to rescue the boy. You may know of them."

"Who?" Jack couldn't think of anyone she knew other than Alex and a select few who worked for MI6. She didn't care though. Alex was finally going to be rescued.

"Alex may have mentioned them to you. He trained with these four men before his first mission. I believe they were called the 'K-Unit."