The bus roared down the winding roads of the Welsh countryside, its tires kicking up dust as it sped towards Brecon Beacons National Park. Inside, Alex Rider sat among his classmates, trying to blend into the noisy chaos. The laughter and chatter of his peers filled the air. Alex leaned his head against the window of the bus and looked at the passing scenery, rolling hills and dense forests bathed in the golden light of the afternoon sun. This was supposed to be a relaxing field trip, a break from the usual grind of school life.
The fact that the destination of the school trip was Brecon Beacons was just a coincidence. Or at least Alex hoped it was. He hadn't heard anything from MI6 after the horrific events in Cairo except news that Blunt had been asked to step aside from his position as the head of department and promise from Mrs. Jones, who took Blunt's position, that he would never need to go to another mission. That was five months ago. So the destination of this field trip, it had to be a coincidence. After all, even though he trained with the SAS in the Brecon Beacons months ago, the national park was just that, a park that all people were welcome to visit. Even bus full of school children. Most likely, they wouldn't even run into anything related to the presence of SAS in the area.
Alex was yanked from his brooding thoughts by Tom who was sitting next to him.
"Earth to Alex. You've been staring out that window for ages. What's up?"
Alex forced a smile. "Just enjoying the view, Tom."
Tom grinned. "Yeah, it's beautiful, isn't it? I can't wait to go hiking. And did you hear? There's a rumor that Mr. Donovan might let us go rock climbing if the weather stays nice."
Alex nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn't help but scan the bus, taking in the familiar faces of his classmates. There was Joe, who always had his nose in a book; Alicia, who was animatedly chatting with her friends; and Mr. Stevenson, their enthusiastic geography teacher, who was standing at the front of the bus, trying to get everyone's attention.
"Listen up, everyone!" Mr. Stevenson called out, clapping his hands. "We're about thirty minutes away from our destination. Remember to stay with your assigned groups once we get there, and don't wander off. The Brecon Beacons are vast, and we don't want anyone getting lost."
"Do you think they let us go off on our own for a bit?" Tom asked, leaning in conspiratorially.
"Maybe," Alex replied. "But we should stick to the paths. It's easy to get turned around in places like this."
Tom rolled his eyes. "You sound like a teacher. Lighten up, Alex! It's an adventure!"
Alex smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, an adventure," he repeated softly. He was no stranger to real adventures—ones filled with danger, deception, and high stakes. But this was supposed to be different. This was just a school trip, a chance to relax.
He felt something small hitting the side of his head and turned to look in the direction it came from. In the seat in front of him and Tom was Will Jackson, one of the boys in his class who apparently had a mission to make Alex's life miserable in school. He had twisted around to face them and risen to look over the back of his seat with empty candy wrappers in his hands. His best friend Sam sneering beside him.
"Hey Rider!" Will called and flicked a scrunched-up candy wrapper in their direction. Alex moved aside and it missed his head this time, hitting the window and falling to the floor. All the nearest classmates turned to watch with interest how the situation might evolve.
"How'd you manage to weasel your way onto this trip? Thought you'd be too sickly to go camping. You think a druggie like you is wanted here, just go home until you spoil this for the rest of us", Will sneered and flicked another balled-up wrapper, aiming for Tom this time. Alex's hand shot out, catching it before it managed to hit its intended target. He raised an eyebrow at Will and leaned back in his seat.
"Well, Will," Alex retorted with a cool, sarcastic tone, "I figured I'd tag along to see how you manage to survive a day without your private chauffeur and silver spoon. Plus, I couldn't resist the chance to watch you try to read a map. Should be entertaining."
Tom stifled a laugh beside him, and a few other students nearby snickered. Will's face turned an angry shade of red, but before he could respond, Mr. Donovan had appeared at the isle beside them.
"Will, sit down on your seat and face the front. And make sure to take all those wrappers to the bin when we arrive", the teacher said giving a stern glance to all of them.
Will shot Alex a final glare before turning back to the front of the bus and sitting down on his seat. Alex felt a small sense of satisfaction but also a renewed sense of unease. Confrontations with bullies were nothing compared to the dangers he usually faced, but they were still unwelcome reminders of how much had changed since he got involved with MI6.
Before his more than illegal job in the realms of espionage, he was fairly popular among his peers, being captain of the football team and having good grades in school. Now he was an outcast with rumors about him being a druggie and his grades had nosedived from what they used to be. After the latest mission, Alex had managed to be present in school for four months now, but the rumors persisted. Alex didn't feel like he fit in anymore, not after going through everything he had the last year. He felt like he had lost a part of himself, especially after losing Jack and what happened with Julius.
Alex shook his head to try and banish the thoughts about Jack and Julius. It didn't do any good to think about that now. His life had changed and there's nothing anyone can do about it. He had his new guardians, the Pleasures. After trying to live in America with them for a month, Alex had decided to come back to England, back to his old school. In here, he at least had Tom.
The guardianship was mostly a legal arrangement now and it suited him just fine. Maybe when he healed a little bit and got through his thoughts with the help of MI6 assigned therapist, he would be able to join the Pleasures as part of their family. But not yet, not when the feelings of losing Jack were still so fresh. He just wanted to live alone for a while, attend the familiar school with familiar teachers and his old class. Luckily he was allowed to do that and he had lived by himself for four months now. Attending school and going to therapy. Ready to leave the world of espionage in his past and move on.
The bus continued its journey, the scenery growing more rugged and beautiful as they approached their destination. Alex tried to relax, letting the rolling hills and dense forests distract him. He would try to enjoy this field trip, take it as a break from his mess of a life back in London.
"Hey, Alex," Tom said softly, breaking through his thoughts. "You know you can talk to me, right? Whatever it is that's bothering you. Don't think that I can't see that there's something on your mind. If it's related to school or…that other stuff, I'm here to listen"
Alex looked at his friend and saw genuine concern in his eyes. He wished he could tell Tom everything, but it wasn't that simple. Not after everything that had happened with Scorpia, not after losing Jack. He wouldn't drag Tom with him to the darkest corners of his mind. Alex tried to smile at him.
"Thanks, Tom. I know. But nothing's up, I guess I just feel a bit tired from sitting in the bus so long", he lied to try and ease Tom's mind. "Okay", Tom replied but there was doubt in his eyes.
Tom studied Alex for a moment, clearly unconvinced by his friend's reassurances. But instead of pressing the issue, he chose to steer the conversation towards something lighter, something that might genuinely distract Alex from his worries.
"Fair enough," Tom said with a slight smile. "You know, I've been reading up on Brecon Beacons, and did you know there's this waterfall called Henrhyd Falls that's over 90 feet tall? I'm hoping we get a chance to see it. It's supposed to be stunning, especially with all this nice weather."
Alex accepted the change in topic with gratitude. "Really? That sounds pretty cool".
A memory of diving down a waterfall in a made up kayak flashed in his mind but Alex forced it aside. It was in the past. The memory couldn't hurt him, he was here. He had survived. Still Alex could feel that his pulse was more rapid than normally. Breath in, breath out.
"Yeah," Tom continued, leaning in. "And apparently there's a legend about a hidden cave behind it. Maybe we can convince Mr. Stevenson to let us check it out."
Alex felt the tension in his shoulders easing slightly listening his friend talk.
"Yeah, maybe, that actually could be pretty cool" Alex grinned.
As the bus continued its journey, the landscape growing ever more breathtaking, Tom kept the conversation going with more interesting facts and stories about the Brecon Beacons. He told Alex about the wild ponies that roamed the hills, the ancient standing stones scattered throughout the park, and the dark, star-filled skies that were perfect for stargazing.
By the time the bus finally pulled into the car park at their campsite, Alex felt more at ease. The natural beauty of the Brecon Beacons and Tom's enthusiastic chatter had managed to push his darker thoughts to the background, at least for a while.
The students spilled out of the bus, stretching and looking around excitedly. Mr. Stevenson and the other three teachers began to hand out students' backpacks from the bus, reminding everyone of the rules and the schedule for the evening.
"Alright, everyone," Mr. Stevenson announced once everyone got their belongings on them. "We've got a busy evening ahead. First, we'll set up our tents, and then we'll gather for a briefing on the park's history and the activities we've planned for the next few days. Let's get to it!"
There was a short hike ahead to reach their destination and the students followed the teachers on the path leading to the assigned camping site.
As they set off on the trail, Alex adjusted the backpack and looked around him. The hike was beautiful, the air crisp and clean. There were voices filling the air when the students talked excitedly, going through all the things they had heard they would be doing on this trip. Some of the speculations might be true, others not so much.
Alex wasn't paying much attention to the chatter until he caught someone's voice saying: "Yeah, I heard that Sam's cousin is in the SAS and we get to visit their camp. They are the best of British military and they train here in Breacon Beacons. That would be so cool, see them in action."
Alex didn't get to listen more to decide if there was any truth in that when Will appeared beside him.
"Enjoying the hike, Rider?"
"Yeah, it's great," Alex replied, trying to keep his tone light.
"Good. Wouldn't want anything to spoil it for you," Will said, a hint of menace in his voice.
Alex didn't respond, keeping his eyes on the path ahead. Whatever Will's problem was, Alex wouldn't let it bother him. He had decided to have fun and enjoy this trip, to be a part of his class and try to be just another of the school kids again.
As they reached a scenic overlook, Ms. Bedfordshire, who was also attending their field trip, announced that they had arrived at the camping area. The students spread out, some taking pictures, others chatting and snacking.
Alex and Tom quickly found a spot for their tent and started unpacking it. The late afternoon sun dipped toward the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the campsite. The sound of rustling nylon and pegs being hammered into the ground filled the air, accompanied by laughter and the occasional shout of frustration.
Alex knelt beside Tom, securing their tent with practiced ease. His mind was on autopilot, his hands moving almost of their own accord. Setting up a tent was second nature to him, a skill he had learned very young when camping with Ian. He tried to focus on the moment, to enjoy the camaraderie of his classmates. But a part of him was distracted by the thoughts of his uncle.
He had a rocky start with the therapist he had been seeing, but after overcoming his first reluctances he had talked a lot about his uncle. Wondering Ian's motives and how his life might have turned out if Ian never took it upon himself to teach him all the skills that made him so useful to entities like MI6 or Scorpia.
"Looking good, Alex," Tom said, admiring their handiwork and pulling Alex out of his wondering thoughts. "I think we've got the best spot."
"Yeah," Alex agreed, glancing around. The campsite was picturesque, surrounded by towering trees and with a clear view of the distant mountains. "Not bad at all."
As they finished up, Alex noticed Will and Sam struggling with their tent a few yards away. Will's face was flushed with frustration as he tried to untangle a mess of ropes. Sam was standing beside him looking confused and rolling the tent fabric in his hands. Alex stood up and went to them. Maybe he could start to try and improve his image in the eyes of his classmates on this trip. Get them to leave the druggie rumors to past and start to accept him again. He might as well start by offering help to the two students that kept the rumors going strong.
"Need some help?" Alex asked the two boys, keeping his tone neutral.
Will sneered. "Oh, look at the druggie, trying to come and save the day. We don't need your help, Rider. We can handle it ourselves."
Alex shrugged. "Suit yourself." He turned to walk away, but Will's next words stopped him in his tracks.
"Or maybe you're just too scared to help, huh? Scared you'll mess up in front of everyone."
Alex turned back slowly, his eyes locking onto Will's. "I'm not scared of you, Will. If you need help, just ask. If not, stop wasting my time."
Will's face turned red, and for a moment, it looked like he might take a swing at Alex. But then one of the teachers called out, announcing that dinner would be served soon. The tension broke, and Will muttered something under his breath before turning back to his tent.
Alex walked back to his own tent, feeling the eyes of some of his classmates on him. He hated being the center of attention, especially in situations like this. He sat down next to Tom, who gave him a sympathetic look.
"Don't let him get to you, Alex. He's just trying to provoke you."
"Yeah, I know," Alex replied, trying to shake off the encounter. "Let's just focus on enjoying the trip."
As everyone finished setting up their tents, Mr. Donovan approached the group. "Good job, everyone. Once you're done, head over to the main area for the briefing. And remember, always have a friend in sight and stay within the marked trails."
Dinner was a lively affair, with the students gathering around a large campfire to warm up their meals and excited to know what plans were made regarding their stay here. Alex found himself relaxing a little, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the company of his best friend.
Mr. Stevenson cleared his throat and students quieted almost instantly, eager to hear what the teacher had to say. Smiling, he looked at his unusually attentive audience. "Welcome to Brecon Beacons National Park, everyone! This place is a treasure trove of natural beauty, rich history, and outdoor adventure. Over the next few days, we have a variety of activities planned to help you explore and appreciate this incredible landscape."
He paused, allowing the students to settle before continuing. "First, a bit about the park. Brecon Beacons covers over 500 square miles, offering stunning views, waterfalls, forests, and ancient sites. It's a haven for wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for red kites, wild ponies, and maybe even some otters if we're lucky."
A murmur of excitement ran through the group. Mr. Stevenson's enthusiasm was contagious, and Alex couldn't help but feel a small spark of anticipation.
"Now, let's talk about what we'll be doing. Tomorrow morning, we'll start with a guided hike up Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales. It's a bit of a challenge, but the views from the top are worth it. In the afternoon, we'll visit the picturesque Henrhyd Falls, where you'll have a chance to explore and maybe even see the hidden cave behind the waterfall."
Tom nudged Alex, whispering, "Told you it'd be cool."
Alex nodded, managing a small smile. Mr. Stevenson continued, outlining the next day's activities. "On our second day there's a special treat: we've arranged a visit to an SAS training camp, thanks to one of our students' connections. You'll get a tour of the facilities and a chance to see some of their training exercises."
A collective gasp and excited chatter erupted from the students. Will nudged Sam with a grin on his face and Sam smiled looking pleased with himself. Even though Mr. Stevenson didn't mention him by name, everyone already knew who this student with connections was.
For most of them, the SAS was a distant, almost mythical organization. The chance to see their training camp up close was thrilling. For everyone except Alex who felt his heart race at the mention of the SAS camp. He had hoped it was just one of the wild rumors when he overheard it before. Could this really be just a coincidence? Did MI6 have something to do with their field trip after all?
But it was impossible, Alex told himself. This trip was planned over six months ago by the school staff. And the trip to SAS camp was because Sam's cousin was part of the forces. Just a coincidence, Alex thought as he focused to ease out his beating heart. Breath in, breathe out.
He glanced around, hoping his anxiety wasn't too obvious. But the thought of returning to a place filled with intense memories was daunting. He remembered the bullying, the intense training, the hostility and the feeling that he wasn't wanted there. Even though he had met Wolf and Fox on his missions after the initial training and gotten along with them just fine, it didn't mean that all those nasty memories would have been erased from his mind.
Alex reminded himself that this time would be different, this time he was just a visitor, part of the group of kids. And they would just visit the camp briefly. No one would let a class of school children train with the SAS. K-Unit wouldn't probably even be there since they were an established unit already and Breacon Beacons was a training camp. No one would recognize him. Hopefully. Alex let out a breath.
"On the third day we'll have some free time for smaller group hikes and a bit of orienteering to test your map-reading skills. At the end of the week, we might also be able to do some rock climbing if the weather stays nice. And finally," Mr. Stevenson said, raising his voice to regain the students' attention since the exited whispers after announcement regarding SAS camp hadn't yet completely died down, "we'll have some downtime in the evenings for stargazing and storytelling around the campfire. The Brecon Beacons is a Dark Sky Reserve, which means the stargazing is phenomenal. Make sure to bring a blanket and get comfortable under the night sky."
The briefing concluded with a reminder to stay safe, stick close to a friend all the time, and respect the natural environment.
Tom turned to Alex and his eyes flickered briefly in the direction of Sam and Will who, Alex noticed, were paying close attention to them.
"Can you believe it?" Tom said," We're going to an SAS camp! I mean, I knew this trip would be fun, but this is next level."
"Yeah," Alex replied, trying to match Tom's enthusiasm. "It should be interesting, for sure."
Tom leaned in closer to Alex when Will and Sam had returned to their own conversation. The glow from the flames danced around, casting long shadows into the gathering twilight.
"Hey, Alex," Tom said quietly, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "I know I said it sounds cool, but honestly, I'm kind of nervous about the SAS camp."
Alex turned to his friend, sensing the genuine concern in his voice. "Yeah? Why's that?"
Tom shrugged, his eyes flicking to the fire. "Well, I remember what you told me about your time there. You called it hell on earth. I guess I'm worried it'll bring back bad memories for you."
Alex sighed, appreciating Tom's concern.
"It's not going to be the same, Tom. We're just visiting. It's not like we're going through the training again." Alex assured, as much to himself than Tom. "But, yeah, I can't say I'm looking forward to it."
Tom nodded, looking somewhat relieved but still anxious. "I just want you to know that if it gets too much, you can talk to me. You don't have to go through it alone."
"Thanks," Alex replied, feeling a surge of gratitude for his friend's support. "I appreciate it. And who knows? Maybe it'll be interesting to see it from a different perspective."
As the evening wore on and the students settled into their routines, Alex found himself reflecting on the days ahead. The hike up Pen y Fan and the visit to Henrhyd Falls were genuinely appealing. But the trip to the SAS camp loomed in his mind, a mix of dread and anticipation.
For now, he decided to focus on the present. The beauty of the Brecon Beacons was undeniable, and he was determined to make the most of this trip. It was a chance to find some semblance of normalcy, even if just for a few days. As he sat by the campfire with his friend, listening to the crackling flames and the soft murmurs of conversation, Alex allowed himself to relax, hoping that this trip would bring more peace than anxiety.
Alex and Tom watched the fire fading away, the surrounding nature appearing darker by the minute and stars becoming visible on the night sky. Students began to disperse to their tents one by one.
"I guess tomorrow's an exciting day," Tom said keeping his tone light.
"Yeah," Alex agreed. "I'm actually looking forward to it."
Tom smiled, clapping Alex on the shoulder. "That's the spirit. Now, let's get some sleep. We've got a mountain to climb in the morning."