(A/N: So, do Alex and Luke kill each other? Let's see...)
22. Explanations
Alex had no idea why he was doing this- with Luke, of all people. Something about the chemistry between Carson and Lissy just felt important to him- especially since Alex knew what kind of guy Carson was. He ran pretty quickly, but he hadn't counted on Luke being on the track team. Unfortunately, Alex's attempt to ditch Luke had been unsuccessful.
"Rider, that's not funny. Wait up."
What choice did Alex have? He reluctantly did as Luke said and sowed down. Luke was breaking into a sweat, and truthfully, so was Alex. He decided to walk like a normal person and quit trying to get away from Luke- the guy was impossible.
"Where do you think she went?"
"It's Lissy, Rider. She could be anywhere. Sometimes, she's actually worse than Vivie- and I definitely know Vivie pretty well."
Alex chuckled. "I can't believe that you and Vivie… that's just way too funny."
Luke scowled. "Yeah, says you."
"What was she thinking saying yes to you?"
"I don't know," Luke admitted. "It was right after her father's death and her mom told her that she wasn't allowed to date. Well, that happened to be when I asked her out, and even with me, she was willing to break her mother's rule. We never kissed, held hands, or even hugged- she wouldn't allow it, not that I wasn't willing to. She was the last girl I dated before Angela. Of course, the relationship didn't feel right, and she did break up with me- but we did learn a lot from that relationship. Even Vivie isn't perfect."
"Is anyone?" Alex rolled his eyes but was surprised by the new insight to Vivie. "Was Meyer around then?"
"Heck no- if he had been, I wouldn't have stood a chance." He chuckled and then his eyes widened. "There she is."
"Who, Lissy?"
"No, the Cookie Monster." Alex rolled his eyes. "Of course it's Lissy. We might have to hold her down, or she'll just run away again."
"You don't have a problem with touching your ex-girlfriend's sister and Fisher's girlfriend?"
"Just go with it, Rider."
For once, the guy was talking sense, and Alex nodded his agreement. Together, they mouthed the counts and then sprang forwards, Luke taking left and Alex taking right. She let out a piercing shriek, and both guys attempted to cover her mouth unsuccessfully. They both uncovered her mouth.
"What are you two doing?" she demanded. "And especially you two together… don't you guys hate each other?"
"We decided that Fisher is more important than our petty differences, so we called a truce," Luke explained.
"Lissy… you didn't see the look on his face. I did- and he just seemed so lost and broken. And all three of us know that Carson doesn't lie to anyone- especially not to you."
"What Rider said- and Lissy, Carson was always talking about you since we were this high," Luke added, indicating two feet off the ground. "Fisher and I were best friends, remember? Come on, Lissy, he still goes on and on about you at home. Listen to him, okay?"
"You and Fisher were best friends? You really are full of surprises today."
"Good to know- but yes, Fisher and I used to spend every waking moment together until Vivie broke up with me and things went downhill…"
Lissy chuckled, bringing them back to the scene. "Guys, I'm not breaking up with Carson. Chill. I overreact when I'm angry, okay? Nessa gets on my nerves. I'm sorry, but that's the truth."
"What is it about Nessa that you dislike, Lissy? I'm curious."
"She's… she's always too freaking happy, okay? And as if that's not enough, she ruined our entire family's lives! Losing parents and a sister and having the stepfather and stepmother from Hades is freaking messed up- and she's all a part of that!" she savagely seethed.
"Are you sure that you aren't blaming her for something outside of her control, Lissy, or do you just have to pin the blame on her?"
Alex had asked a good question- her blue eyes widened when she heard it- and suddenly, she broke free and ran in the direction of Andrew's house. Vivie and Lissy had had yet another sister? What was wrong with this world? He kind of knew, had experienced it, but to be honest, he was still utterly clueless…
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"He's dead," the officer pronounced.
"Oh snap," Alex mumbled.
"What did you do to him, and what did he do to you?" he calmly inquired as Alex and Vivie sat across from him. Carson had excused himself, and Alex hoped that things would work out between him and Lissy.
"He caught me last night and locked me in the back room. I understand that he left a message on Luke's answering machine," Vivie stated.
"It also seems as if he tampered with the phone lines. We tried to call, but it didn't work. The time frame didn't allow us to get outside help. If we hadn't come, he would have shot Vivie- or worse. We also had to relinquish the tape, and then he chained us in the basement."
"How did you get out?"
"Zit cream." Lissy, Alex Rider, and Luke had arrived. Alex Rider pulled out the tube. "It's an MI6 invention."
"Impressive."
"You guys, where's Cars?" Lissy interjected.
"The bathroom," Vivie informed her.
"Thanks. Nessa, I need to talk to you later."
"Oh, sure," she distractedly decided. "Later."
At least Lissy had come back safely. They continued to explain- and Alex Rider jumped in.
"I got Meyer and Vivie out, and we made a grappling hook by cutting up metal bars with the zit cream, gum, and paper clips. That's how we got out of the basement- Andrew didn't bother to close the tiles. We then got sunglasses, and Vivie got on the phone…"
"He stole my wallet," Alex added.
"When he tried to get it back, there was a snake," Vivie continued.
"I instinctively reacted. Rider gave me a Tree Frog bottle, I emptied it out on the snake, and stuck it down Andrew's shirt." Alex wondered if that connection could be applied to an aspect of his life. He certainly understood the betrayal that Andrew must have felt. Alex could remember prime examples from his past that correlated to the picture very clearly in his mind- especially when it came to dealing with Jane while she was alive…
"Then Meyer and I got him handcuffed and threw him out the window. We guessed that that would knock him out… not kill him…"
"I sprained my ankle getting the handcuffs from the basement- that room is a mess," Alex added, smiling wryly. He was worse than Aaron and Vivie combined- and Vivie was actually pretty messy. "Hey, Viv, could you get me ice?"
"Sure." She got up, and Alex glanced at Alex Rider.
"Uh… I've killed people before… but not with my own hands."
"Was it the snake bit or getting thrown out the window?" Alex inquired.
"He was already in deteriorating health- as far as I can see- but we'll be doing testing. We'll call you about the results. I'd continue the questioning, but with Alex Rider here… that's rather unnecessary."
Vivie reentered, her eyes shut as she held the bag of ice out to Alex. "What is it?" he asked.
"I don't need to see my sister making out with her boyfriend," she grimaced. Alex grinned to himself despite the expression on her face. If that fight could work out okay, then surely so could this whole mess…
