Chapter 2 : Nightly Cravings
I heard it all about a week before when I was wandering about the manor at two in the morning. All I wanted was a bit of caviar to satisfy my midnight cravings. The problem was: I forgot which door lead to the new wet bar that we had installed in my wing of the manor.
I was strolling down another long corridor, half asleep, when I started to hear voices. Step by step, they got louder.
"Captain Holly Short, we have known each other for so long and yet you still greet me with hostilities," said a voice I knew to be my father's.
"Honestly Fowl, don't try to buy me with your tricks. I don't take as many wild chances as I used to. Especially when I'm dealing with you," muttered a feminine voice with a strange accent. There was an ominous metal click from some sort of weapon.
"Goodness, Captain. I'm almost flattered you still consider me a threat."
"I'm not here to listen to your stupid jokes, Artemis. This is serious."
"It must be serious, for the LEP Recon to seek me out when I'm in my bathrobe."
For a second I thought my father had said "leprechaun", but then I dismissed it on me not hearing him correctly. I turned the corner and saw a stream of light stretch across the floor. It blinded me after searching in the dark for so long.
I could hear Captain Short take in a breath of frustration before stating, "Fowl, we has reason to believe that you are in immediate danger. The Council considers you an important, though unstable, asset to the People. In such a case it is vital we keep you in our sights, as the enemy may use you against us," she paused and thought for a moment. "Or whatever psychotic plan they have in mind for you. Anyway, since I am unfortunately the leading officer in your department I got sent here."
I thought I heard Short say "leprechaun" too. Was my hearing going bad? Then I remembered she said my father was in danger. How could my father be in danger? It seemed like nothing could threaten him. All of this new information started to make me dizzy as I continued to stumble towards the door.
"In other words, you're worried about me?" asked Father quietly through the awkward silence.
"No!" Holly said abruptly. "But we have decided the wisest choice of action was to alert you and-"
I finally reached the door. As silently as I could, I propped my face as close to the crack as I dared.
There was another deathly silence.
Suddenly an invisible force that knocked the wind out of my lungs. Soon I was bounded and thrown onto the marble floor. My vision swam before my eyes. A small shadow crossed my face. It was the shadow of a gun. I could see that clearly enough.
"Stop Holly! That's my son!" The shadow drew away.
"Your son?" asked Short, obviously shocked. "Your file doesn't say anything about a son."
"Perhaps Foaly has been slacking the surveillance on Fowl Manor? It has been several years since our last... get-together." I could feel my father's smirking face looming over me, "Yes, this is my son. My uppity and foolish son."
"Figures it runs in the family," Captain Short said as she undid whatever was cutting into my wrists. I got onto my feet uneasily. A small hand steadied me. "Sorry about tackling you. I thought you were a spy, the way you were lurking behind the door."
How could I let Father see me like that? It wasn't as if he didn't look down upon me before. Now I've embarrassed him in front of this Holly person.
"What were you doing out there in the first place?" my father demanded as he turned me roughly to face him. I jerked away from his hand. I could see him clearly now that my eyes had adjusted to the light. I didn't let that straight face of his throw me off. I could see in his eyes that he was furious.
"I was . . . I woke up and . . ." I started. The reason that had gotten me out of bed made me feel more like a fool. "I felt like a bit of caviar and . . ."
That's when my father's face broke into a grim smile.
Holly spoke my thoughts. "Just what are you smiling about, Fowl? I say, it's a frightening sight."
"Because I was up for the same reason," my father admitted.
"Like father like son, I suppose," Holly joked. I turned toward her voice. My eyes must be going funny along with my ears, I thought. There was a three foot tall figure in an odd suit with wings standing next to the fridge. Somehow, it resembled a little girl holding a helmet in one hand and a gun in the other.
"Who...what...are you?" I asked.
