Fire in the hole!

There was an explosion, thengun fires, then screams.

Alex Rider stood still, in shock, unable to think. He was dazed: what had happened?

Answer came soon after the question; the lights flashed red "Intruder alert. Intruder alert." But Alex doubted that there was more to it, the explosion that loud couldn't be mistaken.

Another explosion came, more gunfire, but less scream. "Intruder alert. Intruder alert." The blond hair teenager was mystified. Then he remembered the golden handles. Alex quickly climbed. He launched forwards the hatch and uncomfortably climbed out. Alex carefully grabbed a pillar. "Screech!" At the very moment the elevator fell, releasing sparks like crawling bugs. Alex squeezed tight and began shaking himself. He swung and landed almost perfectly on a ledge.

Alex painted quickly, adrenaline like fire rushing in his red pipes. He swore-that was close. The survivor glanced back; the elevator was still falling, falling and falling. Then the elevator hit the floor! Flames rise. Alex whelped, he reached for the door (luckily it was there, next to him) and, with all his might, managed to crack opened the thick, silver nut shell. Quickly, Rider squeezed through. But he wouldn't fit, the opening was too small! Flames were now only 4 floors from him! Squeeze. Squeeze. SQUEEZE! He made it! He was saved! Bumped in by the fires, but he was safe and sound.

When his heart beats had relaxed, Alex quickly explored the surrounding; he was facing 2 identical corridors. 1 leaded to an angry looking door, another to what seemed to be a fire escape.

The choice was obvious; he picked the fire escape, plain wrong.

Alex's plan was clear: go down, get out, call for help and stay out of problems.

Sadly, after a few floors he ran into 2 invaders, they hadn't spotted him yet so he hid behind a grey door. As they walked past, Alex peeked through the tiny keyhole and listen.

"The boss would be pleased," one muttered.

"Yeah, it was worth the shot," the other replied.

Between the 2 of them was a man, a grey man.

"Where are you taking me?" Blunt demanded.

"You'll see soon enough, she would give you a homey welcome." The guard laughed.

"And there's no way you could escape, we had the lobby secured," the second guard added.

Alex could hear nothing from that point on, but he heard enough. He can't leave, he can't fight, what should he do?