(Okay, it's been awhile. I was actually in the middle of redoing this chapter because the last revision flowed terribly.
Also, happy birthday to me! I turned one year older on November 2 and voted for the US President the next day.
Yay me.
Regardless of my political views, enjoy!)
Artemis?
The voice sounded far away, yet it reverberated throughout his body; so unfamiliar, yet almost as if he'd heard it a thousand times.
The voice of Holly Short.
Artemis raised his head, unwilling to face the possibility.
"Holly... can you hear me?"
I can.
"How is this possible?" Artemis was experiencing an onslaught of emotions he never expected to feel, much less in the space of barely a minute. He was finding it hard to concentrate.
He fought to regain what little composure he had left. "From what I can tell... I think you're in a sort of Limbo right now, similar to how I was during my six months being dead. If my assumptions are correct, you should be able to see me, at least."
I can see you. I'm close enough to you that I could touch you.
Artemis closed his eyes and concentrated, using the residual magic that had not been completely drained out of his system to try to 'feel around' for Holly's presence.
His arm shot out almost straight forward, catching Holly off guard.
How did you know I was there?
Now that not all was lost, Artemis regained a bit of his dramatic flair. "You'll just have to find out." In truth, he did not entirely know if that was going to work. He had operated entirely on a half-assed hunch.
Artemis had a lock on Holly now, and could feel where she was relative to him, and also her emotions. She was currently feeling just a little bit annoyed. Understandable, considering she had just been killed.
Wisely, Butler and Foaly had chosen to remain completely silent, and in Chix' case returning to the Fairy craft altogether.
How did you get here so fast?
"I think it's best to not focus on that aspect of this right now. We need to at least make a plan to get your body back, and then we can return to that question."
Does Foaly still have the Chrysalis?
Artemis' brain, which had been previously whizzing a hundred miles an hour, ground to a halt.
"He does. Holly, you're a genius!"
Why, thank you. But we gotta get my soul to the body somehow.
"That is also correct. Normally I would suggest a medium such as a dog or other wildlife, but..." Artemis glanced around at the lifeless island. "Seeing as there aren't any suitable volunteering bodies nearby, I suppose my own will have to do."
Shock filtered through Artemis' senses.
Are you sure? What'll it do to you?
"Likely nothing. I nested inside Butler's head for a time when I was an ethereal being, and no detrimental effects showed."
"You what?"
"Later, old friend. I need to focus."
If you say so. Artemis could clearly tell that Holly was, at best, skeptical of his plan.
What do I do? It's not like I have any practice with this stuff.
"The best way I can describe it would be to concentrate on moving closer to my location. Meanwhile, I will open my mind to accept you. Did that make sense?"
Only the part I was supposed to do.
"Good enough. Ready?"
I guess. I'm about as close to you as I can get.
Artemis sat on the hard earth, quickly assuming the lotus position. His mind went blank, and his senses seemed to be heightened. He felt two presences a short distance behind him, Foaly and Butler. There was a third directly above his head.
Holly.
Artemis concentrated hard, willing the presence to come closer to him, and eventually it rested inside his own cranium.
Artemis?
Holly's voice was ten times clearer, and Artemis nearly wept for joy, knowing he had succeeded.
Then he keeled over on the ground.
(Welp. I may not update right after I get the fifth review because, to be completely honest, I'm kinda running out of steam. I'm trying to finish up my GED (Only three more subjects to go! Aced the Language Arts, no surprise there lol) and I'm also composing a piece of music for my band to play next semester. If everything goes well, I might post a video on YouTube! There's also the issue of my relationship.
In early March, like I said, we were forced to break up. It was not my choice, or hers, but her parents'. They forbade her from speaking to any boys, and she is still off of all social media. The only place I could talk to her was once every Friday, beginning in September and ending November 21, with the band concert.
I do have good news, though! All is not lost! She still has every intention of getting back together once her FREAKING PARENTS allow her to! And we have been allowed to be friends until then. AND I got my job back, with a raise!
With all that depressing stuff out of the way...
5 reviews! Go!)
(Seriously though, I'm fine. Don't worry about me too much.)