Alex Rider: Deception

Alex- Chapter 8

The girl spit in Alex's face and tried to squirm away, but he pushed down on her sore foot again, making her gasp in pain.

"What are you doing here?" he asked her, once again in a terrible mood because it had just occurred to him that he might be sucked back into the world he was so desperate to leave. "I could ask you the same thing." she shot back.

"I asked first."

"What are you, five?"

"I'm not joking around, and I'm in a bad mood, so I suggest you answer me."

"Neither am I, and now I'm in pain and getting mad, so get off me. Besides, how does a thirteen year old like you know how to fight like that?"

"You can't be that much older than me."

"My point exactly."

This girl- who's name he remembered as Sarah- was really starting to tick Alex off, and he was starting to cramp up from the awkward position he had to hold. In a flash, he sat her up and pinned her hands behind her back; she was very light and offered little resistance. Without warning, Alex found himself flattened on the ground, and this time Sarah offered him no opportunities for him to escape.

"Who are you working for?" she snarled. Bewildered at how she could've escaped so quickly without his realizing, all he could stammer out was "H-how?"

"Who are you working for?" she repeated.

"No one."

The girl studied him for a long while in the weak light, tightening her grip whenever he tried to wriggled out of her grasp.

"I believe you." And just like that, she released him and sank to the ground next to him, leaning her head against the brick wall. Alex sat stunned for a minute; no one ever believed him that quickly! He rubbed his sore wrists and groped around for his flashlight.

"You- believe me?" he asked cautiously.

"Yes."

Alex watched as the girl gingerly touched her swollen foot and winced in pain. He cleared his throat somewhat uncomfortably, "Uh, sorry about that." he offered. She didn't even bother to look at him, but snorted in reply.

She poked and prodded at her foot, grimacing in pain every once in a while. When she was satisfied, she looked back up and studied Alex. "So if you're not working for anyone, why were you following me?" Alex shifted uncomfortably and tried to come up with a reason. He didn't think "I just got a bad feeling" would go over well. "Please don't lie to me, I'll know if you do." Sarah sighed, and Alex had no doubt that she would know if he lied. So he settled for the truth, or at least part of it.

"I saw you run by me and I thought I recognized you."

Sarah looked thoughtful, "Where did you recognize me from?" she finally asked after a long pause.

"A magic show. You were performing in Golden Gate park with another boy."

She smiled for the first time, "Yes, we do a lot of shows. How did you like it?"

"Not going to lie, it was pretty amazing... And if you don't mind me asking, why did you turn into this alley?"

Like a shade had been pulled over a window, Sarah's countenance went from pleasant to guarded, but her eyes betrayed her; she was quite alarmed.

"I was just trying to lose you."

"I can tell when you're lying, too." Sarah looked very nervous and started fidgeting with the end of her shirt. "I think it's time for you to go." Now it was Alex's turn to study Sarah. "Your name's Sarah, right?" he asked. She looked up briefly, but immediately turned her eyes back to the ground. "Yes, and it's really time for you to go. Won't your parents be worried about you?" She stood up, leaning heavily on her uninjured foot. But Alex made no move to follow suit. "My name's Alex Rider. And my parents know I can take care of myself."