After The End: Alex Rider FanFiction

~Chapter Four~

It doesn't.

            He shrinks up even more than he already was, his head staying tucked down.

             He probably doesn't like me, I should've let Lucy come and check on him.

            She would know what to do.

             I'm probably the worst person you could send to do this kind of job.

             It's not that I'm a bad person, I'm really not. But I've been told that I generally come off as a tough-uncaring man.

              I can't help it.

It's just.....me.

             Deciding I can't just leave him to go fetch Lucy without feeling completely horrible about it. I look out over the fields, my eyes landing on the striking sunrise.

                "Lovely sunrise, mind if I join you?" I try again.

                At first I think he's just going to ignore me again, but as I prepare to turn around to go back inside, I see him give a small shake of his head no.

                 Surprised, I walk next to him, taking a seat. Stretching out my legs, I watch the sunrise.

               I guess this makes up for the hour of sleep I'm going to miss.

               After a couple minutes. I look back over at Alex, only to just now notice his arms are slightly trembling, small silent sniffles coming from his hidden face.

             My eyes move back down to his slightly exposed wrist as they catch something that makes them involuntary widen.

                Just barely peeking out from his shirt sleeve where its lifted up from his current position, is a discoloration about an inch wide that looks like it wraps around his whole wrist.

               Like some type of scar.

                I don't even want to think this, but it looks like some sort of mark a handcuff would make.

               Okay, so I did originally think Alex might be some stuck up brat that was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

                But since meeting him yesterday, I'm beginning to think he's the complete opposite.

               I come out of my deep thoughts as my stomach gives an unsatisfied grumble, the sun telling me it must be around six o'clock now.

             My breakfast time.

              I stand up, stretching my limbs out. My bones creaking and popping.

             I sigh.

I'm getting too old for this.

              Looking back down at Alex, I notice he hasn't moved at all since I've been out here. Still tucked up in a ball. Hiding.

                I lean down, stretching my hand out towards him.

               "What do you say we go get some breakfast? I'm famished." I ask, letting a small smile cross my lips.

                 Slowly, Alex raises his head. Eyes focusing on my outstretched hand.

                  Then he lifts his still slightly trembling hand to mine, grabbing it.