17. The Plan
The cuff relocked itself around Alex's wrist, and he cursed under his breath so that neither of the other two heard him. This was just like it had been four years ago- and he had to outsmart someone again for the good of the world. He hoped that what he had prepared had been enough. For now, he had to wait this out.
"Did you really think that I would let you go, foolish ignorants?"
"Why do you use the plural? I only see one."
A jolt of pain shocked his left wrist, and Alex's eyes subconsciously widened. "I was not talking about me, MI6 agent and little Miss's boyfriend. I suggest shutting your mouth if you want to know how I am going to take over the world."
"And if we don't care?"
"Then sleep."
"What if I can't sleep in this position?"
Another jolt ran through Alex's arm. "I am sure that that will keep you awake- or I could always go with hypodermic syringes."
"Let's not." Alex enjoyed angering this man- from past experience, he knew the right buttons to push- and which ones not to. For now, he would leave him alone- he was curious to hear what the plan was since it was outside of his knowledge.
"Well, as I am sure you all know, I am the weatherman- a position that is not easy to get into in this town, compared to where I used to live- Littlebrook- I am sure you have heard of it." Alex Meyer winced at the sound of the other town's name. "But with my charm, I managed to woo the lady into allowing me to have the position. She was the first one that I put under the trance- a trance in which the one put under the spell will do as I instruct them. I am sure that you have figured out that there is one cure, but it is unavailable since I have the whole supply. But of course, I had subliminal messages inputted into the program and controlled the weather, just as Miss Little Rivercreek guessed. Of course, I didn't want to fall under my own spell-"
"Egotistical much?" The jolt ran through him again. The adrenaline shocks were actually keeping him awake. Alex grinned wryly.
"As you probably have also figured out, wearing sunglasses allows the viewer to still have their own mind after watching my show. Of course, most people don't wear sunglasses while watching television. You got lucky."
"Have you considered turning it around?"
"It's all about me, Alex. Which one are you- Rider or Meyer?" Wait, you're Rider, I worked with your uncle."
"Great- tell me something that I don't know."
"He was my good friend- when I used to live near him, of course, until I murdered my parents and came here. I was like you too- a teenage assassin for Scorpia, who I work for now- although I understand that you were too chicken to kill."
"A man doesn't take another man's life if he really is a man," Alex snapped.
"I believe that I am above that." Another shock ran up Alex's arm. "I may not be the Antichrist, but I certainly am above mortal men. My plan, of course, is of genius quality and it cannot be foiled."
"Should we play the guessing game, or are you going to come right out and tell us?" Alex asked.
"Rider, do you want us to get killed?"
"Hey, I'm still alive."
"I suggest that you listen to your friend over there- in case you don't know already, I am brutal and utterly ruthless. I do not have a lot of patience for stupid people."
Alex decided that enough was enough, grinned to himself, and sat back and pretended like he was actually listening.
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Alex could tell that Alex Rider was trying to annoy Andrew, and he was doing it successfully, but he was getting a little sick of the wise-cracks. Yes, Alex Rider was smart. Yes, he was funny. Yes, it was hard for Alex to refrain from laughing at certain points. But there were lines to be drawn.
The connection between Ian Rider and Andrew had to be slightly disturbing for Alex Rider- and that he had been the complete opposite of him. His face might not show it, but Alex guessed that he had to be grateful now that he hadn't gotten stuck with Scorpia- as little as Alex knew about the organization. It couldn't be easy just glad that he had come out the way he had.
"Anyway, my mission statement is to get everyone in the town to be captured under my spell, and then destroy first everyone that is not going to cooperate, then basically take over the world. It is for my older brother's legacy. Since you guys did not let him take over the world, I had to step up and take his place. There will be no stopping me. They will destroy you as soon as I debut this to New York, Chicago, Phoenix, you name it- I will be a worldwide sensation soon. People will be eager to embrace me. They don't know any better. And since you three are too nosy to live, I am going to lock you guys up."
"Let me guess- a basement?" Alex sarcastically asked, remembering that Aaron had built his own basement and held people there as needed. Knowing how Aaron had worked, Alex guessed that this basement would only be bigger.
"I am like my brother, am I not?" he inquired softly. "Alex Meyer, correct? You and Miss Rivercreek can come with me. I will take care of Alex Rider."
"Are you going to kill him?"
"No, of course not. I'm just chaining you and the little lady up first."
"Vivie- you can call me Vivie," she bluntly stated as Andrew fastened handcuffs around her wrists and pulled her up. He did the same to Alex, then led them to the room from the day before and smashed a tile, shoving them down into the hole and then following after. He fastened Vivie's ankles to a wall as he reached for Alex and he couldn't help wondering if he was just as creative as his brother when it came to handcuffing.
"You two are in a relationship, correct?"
"It is as you say," Vivie confirmed.
"Good- even I am not that cruel." He disliked contractions- he didn't use them. Alex knew that much. Andrew dragged him, spun him roughly to face the wall, then attached each hand to handcuffs that were attached to a wall that Alex hadn't seen because it was so dark. Everything about the wall seemed adjustable- Andrew moved the wall further away from Alex, then dragged Vivie in front and locked her hands to the opposite wall. Alex and Vivie had never been so close. Fortunately, Alex hadn't grown too much- they could rest their heads on each other's shoulders. Their chests were actually touching- and Alex had full view of Vivie's green eyes. Okay, maybe this wouldn't be so bad- or at least, this was definitely bearable. Andrew seemed satisfied- he was gone pretty quickly.
"Alex?" Vivie breathed.
"Yeah?"
"At least Luke didn't come- imagine if Luke and I were handcuffed together."
"Oh boy," Alex chuckled, trying to imagine the disaster. "You and Farrior would probably mutilate each other."
"Well, I'm not going to pretend like this is actually comfortable- but if I had to be handcuffed like this to a guy, I'm glad it's you."
"Why, because I'm allowed to kiss you repeatedly?" Alex inquired, unable to quit from grinning at her. He knew that Vivie could handle the joke- they needed to relax a little, after all.
"It would make this a little more bearable for me."
"It doesn't involve any sacrifice on my part," Alex pointed out, placing his lips very close to hers. "Just one, okay?" he whispered quietly.
"Two."
"One."
"Three."
"What? Oh, fine." He closed his eyes and leaned in just a little bit more, and everything around him might as well have stopped- he was totally wrapped up in the moment.
