The Name's Alex

Chapter Thirteen

Despite the eerie silence in the room, all Alex can hear is his heart pumping in his ears. His heart speeds up as he struggles to maintain any semblance of control over the situation. He had just gotten back, the last thing Alex expected was a confrontation like this. In his own home, for one thing! He doesn't know how Edward was told this information, Tom was adamant about not revealing anything too important. But apparently, they didn't consider whatever informant Edward had access to.

Alex's right hand tightens around the fork he clutches desperately, his left bracing against the back of the couch. He does a quick mental check of all hidden weapons in the house, mainly the living room. The keys on the hook by the door, taser behind the couch cushion in front of Alex, a hidden knife taped to the back of the cabinet as well as another one taped to the underside of the third drawer on the second shelf. Having seen Edward move before, he knows that it's unlikely that he'll be able to reach any of them before the other teen catches him. Meaning he'll have to rely on the fork in his grip or risk trying to get the taser in time to use it.

While reaching slowly edging his hand towards the taser in the couch, from Edward's tense stance he can tell Edward recognized his Alex's up. By now it's been one minute and twenty-seven seconds and counting. Even though it hasn't been long, it's better to act fast before being caught off guard. Gripping onto the fork, Alex slowly tenses his back-left leg, ready to vault over the couch when suddenly Edward disappears from his sight. Unable to process it in time, he's suddenly grabbed from behind, cold hands gripping onto his arms and pulling them behind his back as he's forced to bend over the back of the couch.

"What the-!"

"Please, don't panic. Okay? I'll explain it just, please don't be scared." Edward whispers, his voice slightly rushed and....worried?

Alex tenses his arms to test Edward's hold on him, finding it impossible to even budge an inch. "If you don't want me to panic, then why not let go of me?"

"Because I know that as soon as I do, you'll try something. I don't want to hurt you and I just want to talk." He pleads, once again not budging as Alex tries to jerk suddenly out of his grasp. "I won't let go until you promise to just listen to me."

"Listen to you? You're the one who suddenly rushes me, by the way at an absurd speed, and pushes me over the couch." At this point Alex is more annoyed than anything and slowly starts to relax his limbs in an effort to maintain a calm façade. "...If I promise to listen to what you have to say will you please let go of me?"

It doesn't seem Edward is too keen on that idea, his grip barely loosening at all. Sensing his hesitancy, Alex looks over his shoulder and gives him a pleading look. "Please, this isn't exactly comfortable or helping my dignity..." Alex's voice catches slightly towards the end.

"I..." Edward pauses while loosening his grip before letting go of Alex and taking a few steps back. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that to you. It was inconsiderate of me despite the situation-"

"Ack!" The blonde yells, crying out in pain as his fist is caught in Edward's grasp before he can land a punch to his face. It feels as if he punched a brick wall, one that hurts like hell.

"Alex!" Edward loosens his grasp on Alex's fist, eyes widening in panic. "Are you okay? Please calm down, you're going to hurt yourself."

"You're not exactly helping me stay calm! And what's with your hand, it feels like I hit a wall!" The throbbing sensation in his hand doesn't help the stress and frustration building up within Alex. He's grateful that Edward finally lets, once free he gently cradles his hand against his chest.

Edward is clearly flustered as he takes a hesitant step towards the kitchen. "Let me get ice, please. I promise to explain, just please sit down."

At this point Alex can't be sure just how much Edward knows. It would be in his best interest to contact Eagle, demand for answers, but the pain in his hand is too much at this point. Despite the injuries he's obtained over the years, one would think that he would have been able to tough it out.