Alex Rider 2 - Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz

Author:Anthony Horowitz
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780142500507
Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper)
Published: 2011-04-18T05:00:00+00:00

SEEING DOUBLE

JAMES WAS ALREADY EATING his breakfast when Alex came down: eggs, bacon, toast, and tea. He had the same breakfast every day. He raised a hand in greeting as Alex came in. But the moment he saw him, Alex got the feeling that something was wrong. James was smiling, but he seemed somehow distant, as if his thoughts were on other things.

‚So what was all that about last night?‛ James asked.

‚I don’t know.‛ Alex was tempted to tell James everything—even the fact that he was here under a false name and that he had been sent to spy on the school. But he couldn’t do it. Not here, so close to the other boys. ‚I think I had some sort of bad dream.‛

‚Did you go sleepwalking in the snow?‛

‚No. I thought I saw something, but I couldn’t have. I just had a weird night.‛ He changed the subject, lowering his voice. ‚Have you thought any more about your plan?‛ he asked.

‚What plan?‛

‚skiing.‛

‚We’re not allowed to ski.‛

‚I mean … escaping.‛

James smiled as if he’d only just remembered what Alex was talking about. ‚Oh—I’ve changed my mind,‛ he said.

‚What do you mean?‛

‚If I ran away, my dad would only send me back again. There’s no point. I might as well grin and bear it. Anyway, I’d never get all the way down the mountain. The snow’s too thin.‛

Alex stared at James. Everything he was saying was the exact opposite of what he had said the day before. He almost wondered if this was the same boy. But of course it was. He was as untidy as ever. The bruises—fading now—were still there on his face. Dark hair, dark blue eyes, pale skin—it was James. And yet, something had happened. He was sure of it.

Then James twisted around, and Alex saw that Mrs. Stellenbosch had come into the room, wearing a particularly nasty lime green dress that came down just to her knees. ‚Good morning, boys!‛ she announced. ‚We’re starting today’s lessons in ten minutes. The first lesson is history in the tower room.‛ She walked over to Alex’s table. ‚James, I hope you’re going to join us today.‛

James shrugged. ‚All right, Mrs. Stellenbosch.‛

‚Excellent. We’re looking at the life of Adolf Hitter. Such an interesting man. I’m sure you’ll find it most valuable.‛ She walked away.

Alex turned to James. ‚You’re going to class?‛

‚Why not?‛ James had finished eating. ‚I’m stuck here and there isn’t much else to do.

Maybe I should have gone to class before. You shouldn’t be so negative, Alex.‛ He waved a finger to underline what he was saying. ‚You’re wasting your time.‛

Alex froze. He had seen that movement before, the way he had waved his finger. Joe Canterbury, the American boy, had done exactly the same thing yesterday.

Puppets dancing on the same string.

What had happened last night?

Alex watched James leave with the others. He felt he had lost his only friend at Point Blanc, and suddenly he wanted to be away from this place, off the mountain and back in the safe world of Brookland Comprehensive.

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