A/N: So it's been like what…a month? Guess what? My laptop has a virus! I'm currently on my sisters' laptop, which she wouldn't let me use. So I had to sneak onto it just to write this up and post it. My laptop should be 'virus free' by next week…hopefully :'(

.. SO SORRY.

I wish I could type up my whole idea for the story in one day and post it for you guys. I've started college and it's actually REALLY tiring, and requires like 2 hours of revision every day. I think I can hear my sister coming now so I'll just post this quickly.

OH and to those who are wondering, my other story is on Hiatus at the moment. I will continue with it once this is over and done with o-o"

Anyway, onwards to the story!

Chapter Seven

Alex lay sprawled on the floor, pain shooting through his arm and forehead. He could barely remember how he had gotten there in the first place. The pain in his arm was sharp and felt as if a knife was lodged onto one of his bones. The pain on his forehead didn't hurt as much, but was still there. His vision was blurred and black dots danced across his eyes.

Someone was laughing.

"Oh Alex, playing the hero are we?"

Turtle stood over him, gun in hand. Alex didn't reply- the man had gone too far. It was hard to believe that someone could shoot at an elderly man and a pregnant woman simply because they were part of a game, but the man did just that. Alex had barely managed to jump in front of his friends before the bullets struck home. Turtle stooped down and grabbed Alex's hair tightly.

"You realise you're just causing yourself more pain, right?"

Again, there was no reply.

"Very well."

He lifted the gun slowly towards Ellie.

"Wait!" Alex gasped.

"Yes?"

"You said…you said I can extend my time right?"

"Mhmm…" Turtle confirmed.

"Do it. Extend my time." He was still in pain, but he needed the time. He was lucky as the bullet had only grazed his forehead and his vision was clearing up. There was still the bullet in his arm, but he would worry about that later.

Turtle was outright smiling right now. It was as if he had been waiting for this moment.

"What a splendid idea Alex! Let's get started shall we?"

As if on cue three burly looking men entered the room. They walked in unison, as if they were part of the army. The first of the men grabbed Alex by his good arm and pulled him to his feet. He swayed a little but was able to stand after a few uncertain seconds. He saw Ellie and Frank staring at him, still in shock after what had just happened, both with tears in their eyes. The man who had lifted Alex to his feet was now leasing the way out of the room. Alex followed him; the other two men close behind him and Turtle at the back.

He was led down a flight of stairs, to some sort of cellar no doubt. It was dark, like something you would see in the movies. He could feel goose bumps on his arms as cold air hit them. Suddenly, lights flared around him. Torches were lit around the cellar casting shadows around the room. What Alex saw next was horrifying.

A tall largely built man stood to the side of the room- if he was worthy of being called a man. His looked as if someone had tried to burn it off. His eyes were black holes; Alex could see no compassion in them. He was staring directly at the boy, and if his face was capable of showing emotions Alex would have sworn he looked almost…eager.

Alex's eyes settled on the contraption at the centre of the room. The hairs on his arm stood on end. Recognition washed over him as he looked at the circular item. A wooden wheel. If he had never had numerous history lessons in his high school, he would have probably laughed. Who in their right minds would use a wheel as a torture method? Unfortunately the memories of his history teacher explaining what this item was used for echoed through his mind. 'The Breaking Wheel'. One of the most brutal methods of torture used during the Middle Ages. The victim would have his or her limbs attacked to spokes on the wheel, which was then slowly rotated around. The worst part about it wasn't getting dizzy though. It was something much worse. That's when he saw it.

The man with the burnt face was holding a large iron hammer. It swung threateningly back and forth in his grasp. Alex watched knowing full well what it was used for. The pain of his bullet wounds felt like nothing knowing the pain he was about to go through.

"This, Alex Rider, is the Breaking Wheel. It is sometimes called the Catherine wheel but either name is fine. What is important is what it is used f-"

"Save me the history lesson. I know what it is." Alex cut in.

Turtle looked a little disappointed, but continued nonetheless. "I was explaining it for the audie-" he coughed loudly and looked away as if he had said something wrong. If his ears weren't playing tricks on him yet Alex could have sworn he was about to say audience. What audience? The only people around him were the men who had brought him into the cellar- and of course the large disfigured man with the hammer, but he was sure Turtle wasn't referring to them. Was there some sort of one way window somewhere in the room?

"Well seeing as you already know what's going to happen, let's get started!" there was a hint of annoyance in Turtle's voice to the amusement of Alex.

He was roughly pushed roughly forward. In a matter of minutes he was strapped down to the wheel. Fear coursed through his veins as he pictured the man with the hammer. As if reading his thoughts the burnt face appeared above Alex, smiling down at him which, of course, did nothing to calm his nerves.

"You have an hour to make your decision Alex. You have already witnessed that I was not lying when I said I would shoot your friends. This is your last chance to save one of your friends."

The wheel started to spin and he felt his body tense, awaiting whatever impact was coming. His eyes were tightly shut, and he tried to control his breathing.

The first strike was to his leg. The pain was more than he had expected and had him gasping. It felt like the iron had directly hit the bone on his leg. The following blows weren't any better, and Alex was surprised he was able to stay conscious. As to blows progressed so did the pain. Each time he didn't think it could get any worse, but each time he was wrong. Fifteen minutes into the torture, he'd had enough. The hammer struck down onto his arm. The same arm that had been shot not long ago. A howl of pain escaped his lips as he felt the hammer slam into him.

"Stop…" Alex cried out. His eyes were watering, and he sounded helpless but he didn't care. All he wanted was for the pain to stop.

The wheel slowed down.

"Have you come to a decision?" Turtle smirked.

"Yes."

"I'm waiting."

"Frank…" Alex felt warm tears stream down his face. He was shocked that he had actually found the courage to say it.

"Ahh, finally," Turtle let out a fake sigh of relief. He looked pleased with the boy's decision.

Alex felt the straps around his limbs being loosened. He was lifted to his feet and half dragged out of the cellar. Turtle led the way back to the room they had just come from. Frank and Ellie looked up as they entered the room. They both let out gasps of shock at the sight of Alex. He wondered just how bad he looked.

"What have you done to him?" Frank said through clenched teeth. Alex hated how the man still cared for him…even after he had just made the decision to end his life.

"We simply helped him with his decision," Turtle grinned at Frank.

He lifted the gun and pointed it towards the old man's forehead.

"I'm sorry Frank…" Alex whispered. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't stop the man being shot this time. He didn't have the energy.

"Take care of yourself Alex. You too Ellie," Frank smiled at them both, his eyes shining with tears. Ellie was sobbing quietly as she watched events take place. "I'm glad I was able to meet the two of you."

The bullet went straight through his forehead, killing him in a matter of seconds. His body slumped over and fell to the floor, the smile slowly fading from his face.

Alex felt sick to his stomach. He fell to his knees and threw up. His limbs were screaming out in pain, and he could feel every movement. The tears weren't going away as much as he tried not to think about it. Even through all the physical pain he felt the emotional pain twice as much. Rolling over onto his back he let the darkness consume him. The last thing he saw was an object at the corner of the room.

A camera.

A/N: I shall reply to all reviews to this chapter! I'm so sorry I haven't been able to reply to them all, but this is a promise. I promise on my life!