Alex Walker

Chapter 3: An unwelcome guest

ALEX'S EYES SNAPPED OPEN to the man's coarse voice, calling to someone as he looked back for a second to yell something in Arabic down an intersecting corridor. Something was telling Alex to act immediately, and almost in an unconscious trance, he seized his chance, as it could have been his only one. In one incredible act of bravery and strength, Alex sidestepped before attempting to wrestle the gun off the assailant. The man pulled the trigger, causing a deafening crack as the titanium pin struck the back of the bullet shell, detonating the high explosives and propelling a lethal lead dagger out of the barrel at over a thousand kilometres per hour. This was followed closely by a pinging sound as the bullet ricocheted off the ceiling. Alex summoned all his strength and wrenched the gun out of the mans grip, while giving him one incredible punch in the stomach, winding him instantly. The man fell in a heap on the floor, gasping for air like a fish out of water.

Alex stared down at what he had just done for a second, previously completely unaware that he had it in him. Comically, the name Fishy seemed to fit the man perfectly. Alex realised that there were other terrorists nearby, as he heard footsteps… and many of them. The sound of the gun blast must have alerted every other person in these tunnels to the security breech, who would now be running in this direction, so the clock really wasn't with Alex. The other people sure wouldn't be too happy to come running in, finding their friend Fishy gasping for air on the ground, so naturally, Alex needed to get as far away, as soon as possible. He already new that the door from where he had come from was locked, so he wasn't going to escape the way he had come from.

Too late. A group of around six hostile looking men came charging in the way their buddy on the floor had come from. Each armed with similar rifles, they didn't look pleased. One man helped Fishy up, who was only now regaining his breath. Another of the men who appeared to be their leader stepped forwards and spoke a variation of English with a thick European accent –not Arabic, like the others.-

"You is not a common intruder. You appear well trained in battle. What name go you by?"

Looking worried, fearing for his life, Alex replied "Ah, Alex."

"Well, Alex, from now on you will address me as sir. Now, a quick and simple bullet through your brain is too good for you." There was a long chilling silence. "Lock him up men."

One other man stepped forwards, and thrusted the butt of his rifle into Alex's head. The impact knocked Alex's world into darkness, as his legs buckled and he collapsed.

It was now 8:45pm local time, and Emily Tyler was getting worried. Emily and Alex had begun working together as business partners four years ago. She had flown to, and was staying at the island with Alex, to help with the workload. The two had met at University, both keen scientists, and had since been good friends. More than good friends.

Emily was born in Germany, but had moved with her parents to London when she was eight. The twenty-seven year old had radiant blonde hair which she kept in a short pony-tail. She had lustrous brown eyes, and was thought by many to be beautiful. Emily had arrived back at the building which they were staying in at 6pm, after a rather successful day. She had earlier started up a carpentry business, and had already employed a person who would find new recruits.

Concern now swept through her mind, and she instinctively reached for her mobile phone. Opening the flip top, the warning flashing on the screen, symbolising no reception was burnt into Emily's eyes. Then she remembered. Maunui was a primitive place, with no radio, television, or mobile reception.

Alex's words as he had left the door that morning flashed through her mind.

"I'll be back around five, don't be too late, I hear you get mozzies pretty bad round here."

To that Emily had replied, "Yeah yeah, don't worry 'bout me." She had then shown him a spray can of mosquito repellent. "I shouldn't be too late, seven the latest."

To that, Alex had left. He had promised he would be back at around five o'clock, yet it was now nearly nine. Four whole hours late. Something was wrong.