Alex sat in the hotel lobby, anxiously waiting. Every minute or two, he had to wipe the sweat off his palms. Why was he so nervous? Just then, Tom bounded happily into the lobby.

"Where are you off to?" Alex asked his friend.

"Just out. I'm going to go check out some French girls. Have fun with Emily."

Alex forced a nervous smile. "Thanks."

"Oh, hey, there she is," Tom said.

Alex stood up and whirled his head around. His eyes quickly scanned the lobby. "Really?! Where?!"

Tom laughed. "Gotcha."

"Tom!"

"Just relax."

Alex sighed. "I'm so nervous. I haven't been out with a girl since Camryn-"

"Hi, Alex!"

Alex whirled around. Emily flew into him and threw her arms around his neck. Alex hugged her back.

"Hey," Alex greeted. "So, where are we going?"

"I really don't know. Anywhere."

Tom headed toward the front door. Once he was behind Emily, he turned around and mouthed, "Kiss her". Alex blushed deeply.

"Is something wrong?" Raelyn asked.

"Huh? Oh, no. Everything's fine."

"Okay. Let's just go for a walk. We can go to the beach later this afternoon."

"Sure."

Alex and Emily left the hotel and began wandering the streets of the seaside city of Montpellier. It was a great day. It was warm and sunny. The sky was clear and bright blue. A few white, puffy clouds floated gently in the sky. The cool sea breeze kept the temperature from climbing too high. Birds soared through the air and sang their joyous songs. The salty ocean air made Alex feel happy and free.

The streets were crowded with tourists mixed in with native French citizens. An abundance of shops, restaurants, and cafés lined the streets. As Alex sat down at one café with Emily, memories flooded back to him. A few summers ago when he was fourteen, he had come to Montpellier with his old friend, Sabina Pleasure, and her family. He remembered it as clearly as if it was just yesterday that he was sitting in this same café with Sabina. Alex pushed the memories aside. He hated thinking of Sabina. Ever since the incident in Los Angeles last December, Alex couldn't bare to think of his old friend.

Alex enjoyed spending the morning with Emily. He liked her a lot and hoped that he could have another chance at a relationship. He missed having someone to run to and to hold. He never thought that he would lose Camryn for forever.

Alex and Emily walked back to the hotel, slurping their milkshakes after lunch. Someone in the crowd caught Alex's his eye. It was a fair-haired boy about Alex's age, or maybe a year older. He was athletic and well built. He was tall and had an attractive face. He slightly resembled Alex; except his eyes were two deep pools of shining blue instead of serious brown. A strand of wooden beads hung around his neck.

"Alex…?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry. Did you say something?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I just saw someone I thought I recognized," Alex replied, keeping the boy in the corner of his eye.

"So, I'll meet you later this afternoon?"

"Sure. Two o' clock?"

"Yeah. I'll see you then." Emily walked away, leaving Alex in front of the hotel. Once she turned the corner, Alex focused his full attention on the blue-eyed boy. He couldn't shake the feeling that he knew the boy. Alex merged into the crowd and followed the boy. He followed him up and down the streets, never taking his eyes off his target. It took a while for Alex to notice that the crowd had gradually became smaller. Most people were going different ways. This area was almost deserted. The boy took a right turn around the corner of a run-down bakery. Alex took a deep breath and turned the corner. Suddenly, an open hand lashed out toward Alex's throat. Any ordinary person would have been knocked out, but Alex was able to dodge the attack just in time. Over the past six months, he had secretly trained with a martial arts master from Japan. His extra training made his reactions as quick as lightning. Alex twisted his body around and sent a firm back kick into the boy's chest. The blue-eyed boy stumbled off balance and fell backward onto the sidewalk. He immediately sprang back up to his feet and punched Alex in the jaw. His attack had the speed and accuracy of a cobra. Alex didn't have time to comprehend or evade the punch. As he stumbled backward, the blue-eyed boy sent him falling to the ground with a sidekick. He grabbed a handful of Alex's T-shirt and hauled him up so that the two fair-haired boys were face to face.

"Why were you following me?" the blue-eyed boy demanded.

Alex glared at him.

"Answer me!" The boy carried a distinct, American accent.

"I don't understand," Alex grumbled in French.

"Don't give me that crap. Who are you?"

Alex kicked the boy hard in the shins. Then he lowered himself and elbowed him in the stomach. He grabbed the boy's throat and shoved him hard into the brick wall of the old bakery.

"Tell me who you are, and I'll tell you who I am."

"Forget it. I asked you first." The blue-eyed boy threw his fist into Alex's stomach, and then punched again for Alex's head. Alex grabbed the boy's fist before it made contact.

"Fine, I'll tell you," Alex said, giving in. He was an advanced martial artist, but this boy was even more advanced. He didn't want to get too beat up. He'd never be able to explain it to Emily. "I'm Alex Rider."

The boy frowned at him. Then he turned around to leave without saying a word. Alex grabbed the boy's arm and twisted it behind his back. The boy cried out in pain.

"Tell me who you are," Alex demanded.

"Let me go."

"Are you Daniel Walker?"

"What's it to you?"

"Are you Daniel Walker?" Alex asked again angrily.

"Yeah."

Alex released him. He took a step back as Daniel turned around.

"How do you know my name?" Daniel asked, setting a steady glare on Alex.

Alex didn't answer him. He just stared in disbelief. How could this boy be Daniel Walker? It was impossible.

"You're supposed to be dead…"

Daniel narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"Last November, you died in a car accident. That's what Camryn told me."

"Camryn? Camryn Albright?"

"Yeah."

"How do you know her?" Daniel asked.

"She was my girlfriend. Why did you fake your death?"

"It's complicated."

"Try me."

"I dated Camryn a long time ago. Some of my enemies made her a target. I later broke up with her, hoping that I could protect her that way. When that didn't work, I had to fake my death."

"Who were these enemies of yours that you had to go to desperate measures to protect Camryn."

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Are you a spy or something?"

Daniel's face went pale. Alex didn't need a verbal answer. Just the boy's reaction was answer enough.

"I understand," Alex said.

"I doubt it. A spy's life is so lonely. Anyone who gets close to you is putting his or her life in danger. It's not a life someone my age should be living."

"How old are you?"

"Nineteen."

"I know people younger who have had to deal with the same kind of life."

"Yeah? Who?"

"Camryn and myself."

"So you are him."

"Him?"

"You're the great Alex Rider of MI6, aren't you? You're the reason I became a spy. You worked with the CIA on a mission in Skeleton Key. After that, the CIA wanted teenage spies as well. I was forced into the field. Then later, Camryn was forced to work." Daniel couldn't hide his scornful expression as he told his story.

"Being a spy wasn't my choice," Alex said, annoyed that Daniel blamed him. "My uncle was a spy. When he died, I was forced to take his place."

Daniel sighed. "How's Camryn been?" he asked, changing the subject.

From one gloomy subject to another, Alex thought. He wasn't really sure how to tell him. He thought for a while, then decided there was no other way to say it.

"Camryn died back in January," Alex muttered.

"What?"

"She was killed in Chechnya."

Daniel gaped at Alex. Tears welled up in his eyes. "That's not possible."

"I'm sorry."