Holly had just finished on the east side when it hit her.
The code wasn't six numbers.
It was three.
Twenty-three, fifty-one, forty-two.
A combination lock.
She broke into a run, setting course for the kitchen, rather than the western side of the Manor. Fortunately, he was just coming to look for her, and they almost collided for the second time that day.
"Artemis," She said breathlessly, wasting no time. "I've figured it out."
His eyes went wide. He took her by the shoulders, looking her straight in the eyes. "What do you know?"
She took him by the wrist, continuing on her previous journey. She was almost up to her full speed, and she was practically dragging the Mud boy behind her. She swerved abruptly upon reaching her destination, nearly causing Artemis to fall on his face. He regained composure quickly, though, following her desperate gaze to the cupboard. He walked up behind her, looking up from just to the left of her small frame. It was then that he noticed it.
The lock.
He frowned. "How did that get there?"
She just shrugged, as if the things presence stopped her from speaking. She could feel something deep inside that told her whatever was behind those doors should never be discovered.
But it had to, if there was any hope for them.
Artemis, sensing the same thing, though in a very different way, reached up, slowly turning the dial to the numbers, instinctively knowing what they were. He slid the lock off the handles, setting it on the counter below him. He looked at Holly one last time, already having his theories as to what lay beyond those doors. She flinched at the intense emotion in his eyes, so many different feelings fighting for surface space in such a way that made them unreadable.
He turned away from her, reaching a shaking hand upwards. He tugged on the doors once, and they swung open all on their own.
Artemis struggled to process the object in front of him, and his suspicions were confirmed, though in a much more dramatic way.
The cupboard was completely empty, except for a loaded gun in the exact center.
But that was not what surprised him.
It was spray painted light pink.
He lifted it carefully, trying desperately to calm his trembling limbs. He pulled back the top, getting a real good look at the bullet. It, too, was pink, and a single set of numbers was carved into the side, facing up.
50/50.
Instantly, Artemis knew what it meant. Slowly, deliberately, he closed the weapon, raising it so the barrel was facing his own head.
"Artemis!" Holly shouted, tearing the gun from his weakened hand.
But he had to. It wouldn't kill him, just give him a chance. A chance to fight it. The thing in his mind.
A chance for escape.
He took a few slow steps backwards, facing the elf with grim understanding.
Because if he couldn't beat it, he would die. But it was worth the risk.
"Shoot." Was all he said, looking Holly in the eyes with the same torrent of emotion. Her eyes went wide, and she shook her head vigorously. But his eyes made her question her decision.
"Please." He whispered, just loud enough for her ears. "I'll be fine. Honest."
So, against her better judgement, she bit her lip, closed her eyes, and fired. The bullet met it's mark.
Artemis fell to the ground.
The last thing he heard was Holly's tortured scream before everything went black.
No, Artemis is not dead, and this is not over.
Just had to make that clear.