Alex and Tony both froze. Tony's grip loosened, and Alex was finally able to think clearly. Alex was afraid that tony would start putting bullets through people if he didn't say anything, but he didn't know what to say. Nothing to worry about Jack, he's just choking me, no biggie though right?

"Oh my god, Jack I'm sorry. Alex said something about feeling threatened by me, that I was taking his place in this family, and before I knew it he started attacking me. I was just defending myself and was trying to keep him down when you came. I really didn't want you to see Alex's lapse of control." Tony said.

"What!! What the hell are you talking about?" Alex and Tony were now standing. Alex was furious. What was worse was that Jack actually seemed to believe him.

"Oh, Alex, You know I love you as if you were my own son, there's nothing to worry about." Alex knew there was no way he could talk himself out of this one.

"I'm going to take a shower." He simply said.

When Alex arrived at the bathroom, he tore of his shirt and stared. There were new bruises and cuts, the type that he used to get all the time when he was working for MI6. But what disturbed him the most, were the dark blue-purple marks on his neck. It was obvious even to the untrained eye that he had nearly been choked to death. The only way he could hide it was if he wore a hoodie, but that would also be a problem considering it was summer.

Alex slept in on Tuesday. He barely got sleep the night before, tossing and turning all night, trying to figure out how he could get actual evidence against Tony. Although he knew Tony was part of SCORPIA, there was no way he could actually prove it.

Alex produced a yellow paper that he received from the office. "Here's my late slip." He told the teacher. A few bored classmates watched Alex as he sat down.

"Hey Alex, got more cuts and bruises you need to hide? What gang are you involved in this time?" Riley taunted.

"Shut up Riley." Was all Alex said

"Alex, I need to talk to you for a sec." Tony said from the doorway. Alex really didn't want to, but he looked at his science teacher for permission, and when he nodded, Alex reluctantly got up. He followed Tony out. He wasn't sure where he was being led, but he knew it was somewhere private.

Once Riley had finished with his business in the washroom, he went to go get a pop from the vending machine. He knew he had to bring it to his locker because the teachers were very strict about what the kids brought to the classrooms. They were afraid that anything you drink could be mixed with alcohol.

Riley headed down to his locker, swinging his hall pass in his hand. He was trying to figure out Alex Rider. He was an interesting boy, and he didn't actually hate Alex as much as he let on. He was just really curious. Riley was lost in his thoughts when he heard a voice. Not like it's unusual to hear a voice in school, but it was the tone of the voice. The type that tells you to hide. Riley quickly hid behind a garbage can next to the janitors closet, where the voice was coming from.

"-mess my plans up again, you'll truly regret it." Riley stifled a gasp. It was Mr. Hangair. Slowly he moved in closer to see what was happening. There was Alex pushed up against the wall, with Tony grasping his neck.

"I am going to complete my mission, and there is nothing you can do about it." It was the closing type of a sentence, so Riley went back to his position behind the garbage can.

Tony stormed out angrily and headed the opposite way of Riley. He breathed a sigh of relief. Then Alex appeared. He looked weary. As he rubbed his neck he said

"You didn't see anything. No more questions if you know what's good for you." And then he walked away. Riley was surprised. There was no way Alex could have known that he was there. Everyone knew that Mr. Hangair and Alex's guardian were together. But Riley had a feeling this wasn't just a classic case of family abuse.

Alex knew that he had to do something soon. Riley had witnessed something he shouldn't. And Tony was planning on killing him. He wasn't supposed to know that, but it was an obvious plan.

Alex was well aware of the fact that he was being followed to his locker, he knew Riley was trying to be discreet, but he was doing a terrible job. Alex shoved his books into his locker before turning to the boy some feet away who was trying to remain inconspicuous.

"Stop following me Riley." Was all that Alex said before turning to walk away.

"I'm going to find out what's going on, you know that right?" Riley said walking alongside Alex

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about." Alex said. Riley suddenly went to push Alex up against a wall, but Alex knocked him aside. Riley got up angrily but didn't do anything except stare into Alex's menacing eyes.

"Yes Alex, you know exactly what I'm talking about." Then he turned and walked away. When he was out of view Alex turned to look at the pair of eyes that he had felt on him since Riley appeared. Tony was watching him.

Alex left the house at five in the morning. He had been up the entire night trying to make sure that Tony wasn't going to try anything. It had been sufficiently awkward to try and appear nice to each other in Jack's presence. Alex didn't know what Tony was waiting for. What was with all the fakage?

He wandered around for a few hours, getting his breakfast at a coffee shop that was open twenty four hours, before heading to school. As soon as he was settled in class deep in thought, there was a call for him from the office. There was the usual commotion from the class, when Alex realized something. Riley wasn't there to torture him. He tried not to get worried over that considering that Riley never skipped as he headed to the office.

Surprise, surprise. Alex thought as he was sent, once again into an office with Mrs. Jones.

"I know he plans on killing, me but that's all the information I have right now." Alex said immediately.

"That's not why I'm here." Mrs. Jones said.

"Huh?"

"Well, it's a related matter. We believe Tony is at fault, but we don't know any details."

"Well what is it."

Pause

"We believe Tony has abducted Riley."