Broken Promise
100 Theme Challenge #69

"Promise me, Alex. Swear on Ian's grave that you'll return. You'll come home."

Jack Starbright was normally the very image of optimism. Her fiery red curls often framed her round, boyish face, lips curled in a genuine smile that could be a beacon in even the darkest night. Bright colors surrounded this woman and she strived to see the best in everyone. The latter had become increasingly hard.

She held his gaze, daring him to make the vow she'd set.

No small amount of sadness and defeat were evident in his unnaturally steady eyes. It was with tentative pity he spoke.

"I'll promise. Just for you, Jack, I'll promise."

Alex turned for the door. A cab idled outside the house, average to any onlooker but those who knew the truth beneath the façade. The windows were bulletproof, the outside armored, the driver an agent.

"But I can't be sure to keep it," he muttered, just loud enough for her to hear, "I'm a chronic liar."

It had been a month since she'd said goodbye to her charge. In that time, there had been a smaller and smaller possibility of him keeping his promise as each day passed by. Of course no-one kept her up-to-date on his movements, MI6 seemed they could care less, but when had they never?

Mrs. Jacqueline Starbright,

We're sorry to inform you that on the third of July, your charge Alex Rider was confirmed dead by our search and rescue corps. The explosion of the oil tankard that was reported in the news was the last act of this brave agent, and we are proud to inform you he ceased the production of what could have been a national tragedy.

Presently, Jack read the last sentence of the inappropriately short letter before her, silent tears staining the white paper.

…We offer our condolences.

They couldn't even be bothered to see her in person.

Jack had always feared this day would come. Now that it had flung itself onto her, sorrow resonated deep within her soul. All sorts of thoughts flitted through her head, the most prominent aimed at herself.

She should have done something.

She had been too weak.

If only she had tried harder to free Alex.

Jack, Said another letter. It was in Alex's chicken-scratch handwriting and on a piece of notebook paper.

If you're reading this, it probably means something's happened to me that I won't be recovering from. First of all, I'd like to apologize for that. If it was MI6's fault, do me a favor and write a strongly worded letter to Blunt. If it was mine, I regret whatever it was that caused it. I know you never expected this when you signed on with Ian all those years ago, and if you were still with me when you get this, thanks for sticking by my side. I've never had anyone like you before.

Tell Tom not to grieve too long, you too. I tried my best and I don't want my curse to affect you two.

MI6 has my Will, I'm sure it will come in the mail with this letter.

I love you Jack.

~ Alex Rider

Alex had broken his promise, he wouldn't be coming home. Not even in a casket.

. . . .

Authors Note: I need to try to write something happy... nah. I'll stick with this stuff. It's kind of hard to write something happy when the challenge is "Broken Promise."

WHY IS IT SO SHORT? I tried to make it longer but it's just so short!

Dedicated to Albany (the anon reviewer). Thanks for reviewing every chapter of The Venus Contract so far!