Disclaimer: I do not own the Artemis Fowl series.

Between Brick Walls

They were rounding up the corner. I knew there was not enough time. Hiding in the dark, I did not dare to breathe. The palms of my hands were sticky with sweat and the strong pounding of my heart all added up to the fact of how stupid I had been. Stupid.

I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the noise of my surroundings. My sight is useless here in the dark. Everything depended on instincts. No deep calculation or careful intricate planning. Just me and my intuition. And luck.

I stood completely still, straining my ears. Their unhurried steps were slow and heavy, so confident and so fearless. Drawing closer by the second. They stopped once or twice, as if checking along the rows of filth and garbage. They knew I was here!

One deep breath. I could feel the terror and fear spread across the small of my back. With one deep breath, I took one step, then another……and another……..and broke into a run. My breath came in gasps this time. And I was lost in the cold blackness.

Instincts. Funny how they are always wrong.

xxx

"Nope, he's not here."

Holly cursed for the umpteenth time that night. Their search had been tiring and fruitless so far.

Where is he?

"How 'bout you Grub? Anything on the roofs?"

"Holly, just so you know that was the third time you asked-"

"IS he there or not, Grub? Answer the question!"

Captain Grub Kelp sighed, tired and weary from hours spent in the pouring rain. He hated it when Holly was all moody and lashing out at people. Especially at him and Foaly. He swooped down low, shimmering in the air while giving one more look around. He had a bird's-eye view of the area.

"He's not here Major," came his reply. They were exhausted and some of them had pulled out from the search.

Just then, Foaly's voice cut in through her helmet. "Holly, maybe you should call it a day. We still have a lot of area to cover and…..well…he's not here Holly," his voice was soft. "Let's move on to the next one tomorrow….ok? I'm sure he'll be there," Foaly said reassuringly.

But she was unfazed.

"What I want to know right now is how you can't even track him! With all your-"

"Holly I've told you! The system was hacked, whoever did this knows about us," he cuts in. "or is one of us….." the last part was barely a whisper. "That's why it's dangerous for you to just…just send up a small squad like that with barely enough info on what's going on here. The Commander is going to kill us if he finds out."

"Trouble is the least of my worries right now. I –"

Cold. That was the first thing she felt when she stepped into one of the many dark alleyways. A coldness that not even her suit can help neutralize. It was dark, yes. But her helmet's visor, equipped with a colored night-vision feature would not allow her the mercy.

What lay in front of her eyes was a figure. Slumped in a corner against the dirty, red brick walls. But its red could not hide the flowing crimson that was his blood. Its red could not hide the ebony black that was his disheveled hair. Its red could not hide the dirty-white that was his tattered shirt. Its red could not hide the bruised figure that was a broken man.

And its red could not hide the broken man that was Artemis Fowl II

"Holly? Is-is that who I th…think it is..?" Foaly stammered, clearly seeing what she was seeing through the iris-cam. "Holly? Holly, STOP! It could be a trap!!"

She heard none of this as she made her way- as fast as the fastest lightning among lightnings -to Artemis. Her mind was set on the dying (or is it dead?) boy who remained in the center and the focus point of her vision. Using every ounce of will strength to maintain herself, restraining the chaotic feelings and tears that threatened to show.

No, no, this isn't real. Her thoughts went into a frenzy.

More of your devious schemes, Artemis?

Do you ever get tired of torturing me?

Lies, you can't fool me, you lying greedy bastard!

But it was her that was lying to herself.

Am I too late?

Oh god, please don't let it be too late….

Artemis…

Tears were streaming down her face, blurring her vision.

"Artemis," her voice cracked with the faintest of sobs.

xxx