Chapter 1: Vivid memories

Disclaimer: I do not own Artemis Fowl.

"Artemis!"

Holly shuddered, bringing her knees up to her chest, cradling them. She hurt. She couldn't tell if the pain was physical or mental. All she knew was that it killed. It absolutely killed. She watched in horror as he fell to the ground, his eyes wide with pain .Red, dark red liquid ... blood. Holly tightened her grip around her legs, pressing her mouth hard against her knee.

"Artemis, wake up! Please, Arty, please!"

But he couldn't hear her, and she knew it. The vivid flashbacks wouldn't go away. Holly whimpered quietly. Just leave me alone, she thought. But she kept seeing his face, hearing his pained cry as the bullet struck him in the chest. She wanted to pull her hair out in frustration. Oh, Arty, why do you always get yourself into trouble? She knew it was pointless pondering over it, but she couldn't help herself.

She leaned over Artemis, touching his face, begging him to open his eyes. She couldn't think. She didn't notice anyone but him. Even as Butler leant over Artemis, she stared at his face, his beautiful, beautiful face, the throbbing agony in her chest reaching a new level of pain she had never felt before.

"Holly?" Holly stood up so quickly that her vision temporarily filled with black spots. She had been so lost in her memories that she hadn't been aware of Juliet entering her office. "Holly?" she repeated worriedly. "Are you okay?"

Holly nodded slowly, keeping her eyes averted from Juliet. She didn't trust her voice. She felt as though she was about to burst into tears. She heard Juliet sigh and approach her. A gentle hand came to rest on the miserable elf's shoulder.

"I-I'm scared," Holly admitted, her voice trembling.

"I know, Holly," Juliet replied gently. She unexpectedly grasped Holly's face in her hands. Holly was stunned to see how worn out Butler's sister looked. Her usual bright, happy eyes seemed to be missing their cheeky glint and her hair wasn't shining and bouncy like it usually appeared to be.

"He's going to be alright, Holly," she said softly. "He's a fighter, you know that." She smiled, but it looked more like a grimace. A tear slipped down Holly's face. Juliet frowned and wiped it away with her finger. "Have faith in him, Holly."

"Can I see him?" Holly asked hopefully. Juliet's calm expression faltered. Holly felt her heartbeat accelerate. "What's wrong?" she asked nervously, unsure of whether she wanted to hear it or not.

"Well … he hasn't … woken up yet," Juliet answered timidly. She raised a hand to silence Holly's objection. "But he has just had surgery, Holly. The sedatives haven't worn out yet, and even then, he's only human. He needs rest. Dr. Argon said that he is going to be fine."

"It's been two days, Juliet," Holly whispered, her lips trembling. Juliet just looked at her gently. She searched Juliet's eyes as if she could somehow find the answers to her doubts. "Please, let me see him," she pleaded.

Juliet hesitated. "I don't know, Holly …"

"Please?" She grabbed Juliet's wrist. Juliet knew she was going to have to give in. "Please?" she repeated quietly. Juliet paused and studied Holly thoughtfully. She sighed in resignation.

"Okay, but please don't … freak out when you see him."

Holly felt her insides flipping. "Why? What's wrong?" Juliet hesitated again. Holly tightened her grip on her wrist.

"Juliet," she said firmly. "Just tell me."

Juliet sighed. "Holly, he looks really ill. Dr Argon is worried that he might have damaged his brain when his head hit the ground." There was a loud thud as his head came into contact with the ground. His eyes rolled back into his head. Holly whimpered, and Juliet pulled her into her arms. Holly sank into her embrace, her feet unable to support her any longer.

"It's okay. Artemis—" Holly burst into tears as soon as she heard his name. Juliet grimaced at her stupid mistake, and tightened her grip on Holly's shaking body. All she could do was hold the poor elf as she sobbed uncontrollably.

After Holly regained control over her emotions, Juliet released her and looked at her anxiously. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked. "You really don't have to." Holly took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. She had made her decision.

"I want to."

Holly wasn't surprised to see Butler outside his door. He was on the phone to someone. He sounded tired, and it seemed like the person on the other end was yelling, because he was flinching every few seconds. It must be Angeline.

Butler had to do a double take when he saw Holly. He was vaguely aware of Angeline's loud voice thundering out of his mobile phone. "Mrs. Fowl, I really have to go."

"Don't you dare—" Butler had already pressed the button. Angeline's going to kill me later, he thought momentarily before approaching Holly. She looked like she had just been crying. He glanced at his sister. She gave him a helpless look. Holly frowned.

"Hey, I'm right here," she complained. "Please, let me see him." She strode bravely to the door and placed her hand on the knob. You can do this. Butler and Juliet came behind her.

"Do you want us to come?" Butler's voice asked gently from behind her.

Holly shook her head. Butler frowned and opened his mouth to argue, but Juliet silenced him with a glare. Holly slowly turned the handle and stepped into the room. She closed her eyes and pushed her back into the door, closing it behind her.

The room was utterly silent. The only thing Holly could hear was the occasional beep of a machine. But wait … What's that sound? It was a steady rhythm. It was breathing, his breathing.

It's going to be okay. I am not going to react badly to this. Get a grip, you wimp. Open your eyes. Holly anxiously opened her eyes, peeking through her lashes.

She gasped.

There lay Artemis Fowl II, his skin even more pale than usual, dark bags under his eyelids, his dark, raven hair a dishevelled mess. There was a massive bruise where he had hit his head. Holly's feet subconsciously pulled her towards the hospital bed. She reached out and realised her hand was shaking. Her hand skimmed across his cheek. It was hot. Artemis. She couldn't believe how sick he looked.

"Artemis," she whispered. But his body stayed limp, and his eyes remained shut. The only thing that suggested he was alive was the fact that he was breathing.

In. Out. In. Out.

Holly sank into the chair beside his bed. She stared at him. How did everything go so wrong? It seemed that bad luck found them no matter how hard they tried to avoid it. But this was so unfair. Artemis hadn't done anything wrong. Holly clenched her fists in hate.

"I'll make sure whoever is behind this gets caught. I promise," she vowed to the lifeless teenager on the bed.

Where am I? Artemis wondered. It was like his eyes were weighed down by some invisible force. He was aware of his head throbbing, as if someone had just smashed it with a hammer. That was a gruesome metaphor, Artemis, he thought to himself. There was nothing he could do for the moment, but think, since his eyes were still forced shut.

Thinking is my thing.

Suddenly, the mysterious weight on Artemis's eyes dissipated. He opened them and nearly feinted when he saw him.

Orion smiled. "How are you feeling?" Artemis glared at him.

"Why am I here?" he asked harshly, ignoring the question. He was in his dreaded mind-office. Here we go again. Maybe it would have been better if I had died.

Orion shrugged. "I don't know. Why are you here?"

"I asked you, so I obviously don't know!" Artemis retorted angrily. I am stuck with an absolute fool. This is great.

Orion held his hands up in defence.

"No need to get so upset," a voice said. Artemis paused. It sounded like his voice but something was different about it. It was more … teenager-like?

Orion turned around and grinned. "Artemis, this is Alistair," he announced happily, as the identical boy came to stand by him.

"Dude, Orion has told us so much about you," Alistair said, an annoying smirk on his face. Artemis's eyes widened. "Hey man, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean us?" Artemis demanded irritably. Alistair's smile grew wider.

Kill me now. No, seriously.

Obviously, I own Alistair and every other alter that Artemis has, except for Orion. I hope you enjoyed it! I'd love to hear what you think.