Chapter One

It's always a shock when you recognise somebody you know on TV. Some people are jealous, others are happy for their companion- it all depends on the situation. When the person you recognise is chained to a wall though, with a bloodied face...you feel nothing but horror.

'His name is Alex Rider.'

Jack just stared at the screen, transfixed. Was this really happening? Alex was supposed to be at a friend's house. Tom to be exact. Maybe her eyes were playing tricks on her. Rushing over to the phone, she searched through the contacts. She pressed call when she found Tom's name. It rang a few times until someone answered.

'Hello'. Said a rough voice.

'Hi, this is Jack Starbright, Alex's guardian. I'm just calling to see if he's okay…' she trailed off.

'How would I know?' The man replied.

'You called earlier telling me he was staying over…' Jack felt her insides drop. She prepared herself for what was coming.

'Look lady, I really don't know what you are talking about. Nobody is staying at this house except me and my son.'

Tom Harris sat in his room staring at his 12 inch TV. He had found a new channel on it, and decided to take a look. Nothing prepared him for what he saw. Eyes not leaving the screen Tom grabbed his mobile. He heard the phone downstairs ringing, but his dad would answer it. Searching his contacts, he found the name the was looking for. Sabina Pleasure. Alex had introduced him to her, and the two had become friends almost immediately. He decided to text her.

'Sab, I hav sumthin important 2 tell u. Txt bck asap.'

Sabina Pleasure felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Whoever it was, they could wait. She sat with her parents in the living room, staring at the television.

'Is that really Alex…?' her dad asked.

She nodded slowly…she could recognise him anywhere.

'We have to help him...' Her voice was barely a whisper.

'I'll call MI6.' Her father offered. He had been given their number, as well as the CIA- in case they were in any trouble again. The phone rang a few times until Alan Blunt's secretary answered.

Mrs. Jones sat opposite her superiors' desk. They had received news that an unauthorised TV channel had been added to every TV across the country. A few minutes later they found out that it was not only this country, but every country across the globe. This caused them to pay more attention to the matter, and they decided to watch it so see what was going on. Half an hour later they both sat staring at the plasma screen, neither showing any emotion. It was the second that they heard his name being called that their mouths dropped. After what seemed like forever, they turned to each other- their emotions hidden once more.

'What do we do, sir?' Jones asked.

'We find out who they are.'

'What about Alex? Shouldn't we try to help him?'

After a moments silence, he answered.

'No…we can't- at least not yet. You heard what they said. If we try to save him, he will be killed.'

Alex Rider felt something wet on his face. It stank of blood- which almost certainly meant it was blood. Stirring out off unconsciousness, he slowly lifted his head.

The boy on the screen stared directly at the viewers.

A/N: I'll post another chapter tomorrow, or more like today seeing as it's 2:30 am… Glad to see people are enjoying the story! More about Alex in the next chapter I promise! Sorry this one is so short as well :s