The Illness and the Curse 3
The hospital spy
"Actually…" said Foaly, who had been listening at the door since Lucinda left. "Actually what?" asked Holly sharply.
"Actually that's what I have come to tell you. I got a message from Opal herself. She's broken out and back home. This about Artemis and a curse is bad news. I'm afraid you'll have to stay away from any cameras, Artemis. If someone gives you a common everyday order, even if they're not trying to order you to do anything, that you don't like, you'll have to do, and that'll keep happening until she figures it out."
"That's a shame." Said Holly, looking at Foaly meaningfully. "Or maybe his present will help."
"No." said Foaly. "If Coboy is on the other end, she could see him just as clearly as he could see her. This causes a real problem."
"May I ask what you are referring to?" said Artemis.
"Just open your Christmas present. Maybe it will come in useful after this is cleared up." Said Holly.
Artemis picked up the little box that Holly had put down by her feet and unwrapped it. To someone who didn't know any better, they would think it a common flashlight. Artemis however could see that it was a device that basically made a camera reverse its beam so it allowed one to see who was watching through a camera. Artemis had always thought it would be useful. He smiled slightly and nodded to show his thanks and reached for a stack of fairy software. Taking out a computer-like device, he switched it on.
"What are you looking for, Arty?" asked Holly.
"I'm researching the obedience curse." Artemis said carefully. Five words. Good.
"Oh no. Are you doing that again?" said Holly, exasperated.
"I know but I can't help it."
"Haha! I know you can't, dear." Said a voice. "Now go to Opal Coboy's lab! Hurry!" Holly spun around so fast she was a blur.
"Who said that! Foaly, can you tell…?"
"Nope."
Maybe I can tell, Holly." Said Artemis.
"How?" asked Holly skeptically.
"It was coming from that wall, and nobody is there, so obviously, there is a camera." He said, putting down his research and picking up the camera refractor. He walked toward the wall, counting eight steps. Those eight were definitely close enough, but that was two fours. Four is death. So he took two more, making it two fives. Now the refractor was nearly touching the wall. When he got close to a certain point, a light would shine through the wall. Artemis put down the refractor and started feeling the wall. "This has to be a ray-cam. "If Opal can see through a place in the wall, the camera must have the ability to lengthen the light waves so they can bend through the material."
Artemis scratched at every bump in the clinic wall. "It has to be inside the wall, otherwise it would be in a different room, and so, be seen by others next door." He said. Finally, his nails caught on a hook-like piece. He pulled away and a section of wall went with him. He picked up the refractor.
