Artemis found himself in car very similar to the one he just left. Same seats, same atmosphere- only difference was the noise level. A piercing silence with a drone humming noise coming from the engines. The quiet of the room was loud enough to cause his ears to burn gently from inside him, and his stomach to slowly twist in its disapproval.

Two familiar strangers looked kindly at him. Both male, possibly cross-breeds, to the best Artemis' knowledge, between a pixie and an elf most possibly. He glared at them for several moments- their half-elven features bringing him to the feet of his own weakness. Reminding him that he was in the presence of new elves, more or less like his elf. The one he had just recently abandoned. He stared on at their pointed ears and half-lit smiles. Smiles not of happiness...but of sorrow. Sorrow for what they were leaving behind. He reflected with a smile of the same, proving they were all in deep loss. But reminding that the loss would not go unforgotten.

"Gentlemen," he spoke with a shattered voice. He was tender with them. He had never spoken to someone tenderly. He always spoke loudly and confidently- to show he was in charge. With exceptions, of course. "I do not ask you to forgive me," for he had figured they blamed him, "but I do ask you to understand. You all have family. Well, I have family in the other car. And I would be more than willing to die for any of your loved ones. The only question is- would you die for mine?"

Authors Note! This Chp. Under EXTREME construction. And I promise I won't hold it off any longer either!! Don't forget to comment!! If I don't enough, I'll cry for several days before writing again. Really. To those who DO leave me lovely messages... I love you so sniff much. SO much that I hope to include all your ideas in, hopefully, this chapter. Story will last to at least Chp. 9- cause I like that number. Below is an events list of whats happening for those of you who are confused.

-A transportation device (picture a train) is trying to escape to the surface due to a leaking radiation issue underground.

-In order to reach the surface the two cars must "jump" to reach the cable line which consequently will bring them to safety.

-We're all more than familiar with gravity, so if an object is too heavy, it will be forced down more quickly. Hence, the two attached cars are too heavy to make the jump which will result in every ones death- unless, someone detaches the dead-weight of the other freight car. This must be done internally so the car will be left behind, along with the people in it.

Holly leaned against the glass window, pressing her cheek against a quick, crude carving of a romance forgotten, simply because it was not of her own. She peered in, past the Lee & Fidelio graffiti- longing for a sound, as did the other passengers of her car.



Somewhat, waiting for the sound that would finally put them at rest. Waiting for the sound of release. Its hard feeling to explain really. It was like... seeing someone in need on the streets- and quickening your pace past them, only to make oneself evade the situation. The quicker the problem the leaves, the easier it is to forget. Holly grunted. Stupid Boy. She didn't want to forget... She banged on the door. "Artemis!" she yelled banging furiously once more, "Artemis! Please! Don't do this!"."Don't!" she mumbled along with other mutterings of protest.

She scrambled over to Butler. "Butler!" she shook him out of a senseless daze. He looked up with tear-stroked eyes. "Holly, forgive me, it's my fault... but- I'm under his orders. I am to keep my post" he said almost abandoning his mono-tone and self-restraining nature. Almost.

"You are under his parents orders to keep in mind his best interest...this is most certainly not in his best interest!"

"I am his manservant!" he said more angry than he intended.

She resisted the urge to beat him within an inch of his life, or at least hit him hard enough to ease him out of his ridiculous banter.

"Go on. Continue your incessant banging," Butler said lowering his voice so that the others would not hear his sorrow. "Like hearing it will stop him."

She stumbled back to her graffiti infested door- and continued her incessant banging.

Artemis returned to his post. As did the two other inhabitants of the freight. He sighed lowly, as not to alarm the two men. He didn't want them thinking he was having second thoughts. No... he wasn't doubtful…

He was wearing his skin like it was too tight. He was second guessing himself alright. But then again, who wouldn't?

The others secured themselves. One was stationed at the back of the car, where the second emergency brake was positioned. On a secronized count, they would simultaneously pull the cable, and release the car. The two must be pulled in unison, otherwise the effort would be fruitless. The other man would disentangle the platform that binded the two cars together.

Artemis began his count, warning the other men. "On a count of ten!" he spoke with authority.

"Ten."



Artemis furrowed his brows and walked over to his station.

"Nine."

When he reached it he examined it carefully.

"Eight."

It was a rope-like handle suspended from the cerulean blue roof of the car. Red was the handle; with a comfort grip. And alongside it- a warning.

"Seven."

He figured he'd read the statement. He shook his head slightly...the things you choose to do moments before impending death.

"Six."

This brake is for emergency use only. Anyone pulling the emergency brake unnecessarily or without good reason is breaching By-law R-036
and is subject to a fine of up to 500 plus fees.

"Five."

"Mmm..." he mumbled at a loss for words.

"Four."

His thoughts strayed elsewhere.

"Three."

His family.

"Two."

His friends.

"One."

And Holly...

He reached for the handle...and pulled.