(Alex Rider Fanfiction) Floating in the Dark

Nine

Alex stood still, head tilted upwards. Ice-cold water cascaded down from the shower head, numbing his skin with its icy touch. Behind his closed eyes, he saw it, over and over again. The dead man, the hole, the tears sliding down red cheeks, the anguish in Ricard's eyes. . .

The water was so cold – it numbed his skin so that he couldn't feel it anymore – so why couldn't it numb the pain inside? Why couldn't it simply wash it away, and leave him free?

Life wasn't like that, though. He had decided to kill, and now he had to face that decision. Even if the man was a criminal, like the file had said.

He took a deep breath, and turned off the water. He shivered fiercely, goosebumps forming all over his wet skin. Stepping out of the shower, he grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around his waist.

There was a mirror above the bathroom sink; Alex paused to look into it. The reflection was that of someone he did not recognize. The stranger's face seemed hard, like it was an expressionless porcelain mask. The eyes stared back at him hollowly, haunting him, and sending shudders down his spine. Those eyes – his eyes, scared him.

Abruptly, he turned away from the mirror, and padded over to the pile of clean clothing left on the counter beside the sink. Slowly, he pulled them on. Dark green cargo pants, a white t-shirt with some logo on it, and a black bunny hug. He laced up a pair of black boots on his feet.

Dressed, he unlocked the door, and went outside. A man he'd never seen before was waiting for him.

"Come," the man ordered. "They want to see you."

Why couldn't they leave him alone, even for a few hours? He had just gotten back from his last mission. Alex wanted nothing more but to go to his room, and sleep. But he didn't utter a word; instead, he nodded, and followed the man.

He was taken to one of the meeting rooms. The man knocked once on the closed doors.

"Send him in," Julia Rothman's voice sounded from inside. A cold prickle formed on the back of Alex's neck. What was that woman going to do with him now?

"You heard her," the man said. Alex clenched his jaw, and pulled the door open. Then he went inside.

The table had four people sitting at it. One was Julia Rothman. The other three he had never seen before; one was Japanese, another was French, and the last looked European. These three regarded Alex with intent gazes that seemed to pin him tp the place he stood.

"Hello, Alex," Julia Rothman greeted him with a cold smile. "I'm sure you're very tired, but this could not wait. These people here are members of Scorpia, and they very much wanted to meet you."

Alex didn't know what to say. He just looked at them blankly, not sure if he should feel awed or frightened. He was just so very tired and cold.

Julia gestured to the Japanese man. "This is Mr. Mikato, and this," she waved a hand at the Frenchman, "is Pierre. And the last – you may call him Mr. Shanks."

Alex gave an hesitant nod in response.

"Now please, Alex, sit down. We have much we wish to discuss with you."

Moving woodenly, Alex did as he was told. He chose a chair that was on the opposite end of the Scorpia members, and sat down at the large, cherry wood table.

"Why am I here?" he asked tiredly.

Julia smiled. "You're here because you've proven that you complete a mission that's been assigned to you. And I must say, you did quite a good job of it too. The way you've gotten that boy to trust you, in order to get to his father – brilliant!"