Chapter 5, playing the hero
"I -isn't t-this a-amazing?" Jack asked, her teeth chattering with a mind of their own. Alex merely gave a grunt in reply; it was too cold to devote energy to replies. It had taken all of 30 seconds outside in the misty winter air to realize why this travel package had been so cheap. Despite the freezing atmosphere, Jack was still managing to be optimistic. Sighing, Alex turned his attention to the cathedral Jack was referring to. Quite frankly, he wasn't impressed. The building stuck out like a sore thumb in the bustling city. Yawning, Alex rubbed at his eyes. As he lowered his hands, he noticed a dishevelled man standing by the edge of the cathedral. Alex noticed that he watched all that passed him intently. As an older and feeble looking woman passed by, he suddenly lunged forward and snatched her bag and ran. Ignoring Jack's startled calls, Alex took off after him.
Watching the boy's progress through a pair of binoculars, Ivana smiled. Stretching lazily, she clambered down from the third storey balcony she was perched on. Yassen waited for her at the bottom, raising a single brow when she put the binoculars away.
"You were right; Rider can't resist playing the hero. He'll be here shortly."
Yassen smiled faintly, satisfied.
"We had better get ready then."
Sprinting after the thief, Alex cursed, suddenly remembering another time he'd done something like this. Venice had turned out to be a fiasco, if today was going to be the same, it might be better if he just went back to Jack. Even as he thought this, Alex pictured the smirking face of the thief and redoubled his efforts. He was forced to shove his way through the throngs, ignoring the angry outbursts that followed him. Twice, someone tried to grab him by the arm. Alex put one last spurt of speed and suddenly burst out the crowds. Looking around, he glimpsed his target slipping down a small back alley. Smiling grimly, Alex followed quickly. Fog swirled oddly around the alley, limiting his sight. Normal objects like dustbins and bags only loomed like giants out of the fog. Finally, Alex reached the end, a chain link fence blocking off the lane. Standing oblivious to him, the thief rummaged through the pilfered bag. Clearing his throat, Alex stepped forward, the fog clinging to him like greedy fingers. The thief looked up sharply and gaped. Terror spread across his face. Dropping the purse, he fled, climbing over the fence and sprinting away. Frowning, Alex walked over and picked up the bag.
"What was that?" he asked himself. Looking up, Alex felt his heart catch in his throat. Behind where he had been standing moments before, a dark, indistinct figure stood, watching. Staring, Alex backed up, feeling the cold, wet chain link fence press into his back. A disembodied laugh floated from the figure, mocking his fear. Suddenly, the fog shifted, revealing the terror to be a girl smiling chillingly. She walked up to Alex until they stood mere inches away.
"Hello Alex Rider, so good to finally meet you."