Chapter II: The Proposition
"Frank and I are worried about you," Alex said sliding a French fry into her mouth. "You're acting really depressed."
"Well that's silly, isn't it?" Artemis retorted, "What could I possibly have to be depressed about?" Artemis gave his friend a rare smile, then sighed as Alex slapped his palm down onto the table. Butler jumped to his aid almost at once. "Butler, leave us for ten minutes," said Artemis, "and then you can escort me to my next class." Butler eyed Alex and then left.
Alex turned to Artemis and said very seriously, "Snap out of it, will you? It's over with. Besides, you and your family are in this together."
"He shouldn't have done it," replied Artemis.
"For God's sake, your father said it was only a stupid joke! Your father doesn't take anything seriously on normal days! What made you think that he was going to act normally on the anniversary?" She studied Artemis with exasperation. "You're being real dramatic about this. The police are going to start asking dumb questions if you don't watch it.
"Don't lecture me on being careful!" snapped Artemis. "I've pulled off some of the biggest crimes in the world without being caught!"
"I didn't mean it that way."
"The police are going from house to house. They were at my house last night but they found nothing out because my mother and father haven't left their rooms since the accident." He stretched his arms and groaned. "Look Alex, someone was trapped in that car. I still see him or her being burned alive. We were. responsible."
"Oh come one, you didn't make them miss the road! Those people should have been watching where they were going!"
"It's never been on the news - I keep waiting and waiting."
"You said it was a two and a half hour drive from here! There's no reason why an accident that happened a hundred miles away should even be mentioned on the local news. Car wrecks happen ever day!"
"But they don't have anything to do with us!"
"And you don't have anything to do with this one. You're acting like this is a big tragedy or something and."
"You know my father's reputation! If this ever gets out I can't imagine the consequences. I just keep - feeling that somehow. we'll be. paid back for what we did."
"How many times do I have to tell you, you didn't do anything. And you stopped at that gas station, didn't you? Well, didn't you? It wasn't your fault that it was closed and the stupid pay phone was broken. Jeez, you're driving me nuts!"
"I can't get away from it," said Artemis bitterly, "I dream about it."
"Do you know how much trouble you would be in if you actually went to the cops? Nobody saw you."
"But what about the man I saw up on the hill," said Artemis stubbornly, "Someone saw us there."
"That was probably just a figment of your imagination."
"Are you calling me crazy?"
"No!"
"Alex, someone was there. I didn't imagine it."
"Okay, so if someone was there, why didn't they come down and help you?"
"Maybe they went to call an ambulance."
"Then what are you worried about?"
"Maybe they saw us chasing the car. Maybe they think that we pushed it off the cliff. Maybe he got the license plate number."
"Nothing is going to happen to you," said Alex soothingly. She gave Artemis a hug. "You're completely safe."
"I just."
"You have to forget about it. Besides, with exams, you're tutoring half the school!"
Artemis smiled. "Not exactly half."
"Your advertising worked. All the notes you put up around the school and around town. I don't understand how you can keep up with your own studies."
"That wasn't my idea," said Artemis angrily, "It was my mothers!"
"Yeah.well." Alex looked uncomfortable and hurried on. "Mrs. Luzon at the library said that some guy even asked about you the other day. He saw your card there and wanted to know more about you, so she showed him your picture in the yearbook and told him how qualified you are."
A twinge of fear hit him, though he wasn't quite sure why. "Who was he?"
"She didn't know."
There was an awkward silence between them. "I better get to class," said Alex eyeing her watch. She turned to leave but turned around to face Artemis and said, "You'd better get your act together. You're getting to be a real bore with all of this."
Artemis gave a vague nod and watched her walk back through the crowds towards the cafeteria doors. As soon as she left, Butler entered. He being 7, 1" meant that he towered over all of the students of Artemis' junior high. He also drew a lot of frightened looks because all of the other students saw him following Artemis through the hallways almost everywhere that he went. Butler waded through the sea of students towards Artemis' table and sat down.
"Is everything okay Sir?" he asked.
"Yes, Butler, I'm just worried."
"You're going to be fine Sir."
"Why does everybody keep telling me that? I will be fine as soon as I know that this ordeal is over."
"I understand," said Butler soothingly.
"I should get to class Butler," said Artemis. "Let's go."
He got up and tossed his juice pack into the garbage can near the door. Feeling a little ill he though to himself that he should head for gym and pick up something to munch on between classes later.
When they were walking through the hallways, the intercom crackled to life, bellowing its message all over the school.
"Artemis Fowl - please report to the main office - Artemis Fowl to the main office - thank you." It was if someone had punched him. Freezing in midstride, Artemis grabbed his stomach and fought off a wave of nausea. They know! They know we killed that person in the car! His mind raced in a million directions but he took a deep breath and calmed his mind. How could they know? Just go to the office and see what they want. Act normal. They couldn't possibly know. Artemis felt a hand on his shoulder. "Come Artemis, I'm sure it is nothing." "You're probably right Butler, as always. Let's go." They walked through the hallways towards the principal's office. They entered the office and walked towards the reception desk. His mouth was so cottony that he couldn't speak. The secretary smiled at him and motioned them to the principal's door. "Go on in, Artemis - Mr. Patterson is expecting you." Artemis could never recall how he got into Mr. Patterson's office, but Mr. Patterson was nodding at her to sit down in front of his overly large desk. There was another person there. A tall woman dressed completely in black with a veil. Artemis walked over and sat down. "Artemis." Mr. Patterson leaned over and shook his hand. "Nice to see you. I wasn't sure if you'd be changed for gym yet - glad I caught you in time." Keeping his cool Artemis said, "I was just on my way." "Well I won't keep you in suspense, though I'm sure you'd never be afraid you're in trouble." Mr. Patterson eyed him knowingly. "Artemis, this is Mrs. Mason. and Mrs. Mason, this is the young man I was telling you about." Artemis nodded and glanced into the woman's dead black eyes. "Mrs. Mason is interested in hiring a tutor. So when she called the school about you I suggest that she meet you herself. "It's my stepson. My husband's child," said Mrs. Mason. Her voice was deep and gravely. "He's been ill. and it's. impossible for him to attend school at this time. His mother doesn't want him falling behind in his studies, so I'm trying to find a tutor for the boy." "Artemis is our best student," Mr. Patterson broke in. "Mature.dependable." "My husbands business takes up most of my time. My husband's in the hospital right now; he mustn't be disturbed or upset. I thought you could come in several times a week. and I'd be willing to pay very generously for your time." "This could be a trap Sir," said Butler behind him, "you can never be too sure." "And if you would like to meet my stepson before you decide, that can be arranged too. Mr. Patterson nodded emphatically. "You should have no trouble handling his. ah. problems." "Problems?" asked Artemis. "My stepson is very bright, although at this particular time. well. he's been rather depressed." "Depressed?" asked Artemis, who was beginning to feel that tight knot of fear tightening again. "It is a matter of no importance," said Mr. Patterson almost at once. "Maybe I should meet him first," Artemis stood up, speaking softly to Mrs. Mason, who was gathering her purse and jacket. "If he's really having that bad of a time, maybe we should all be sure he wants me there." "He doesn't know what he wants or what he needs," replied Mrs. Mason tartly. "Oh I'm sorry; it just seems that too much pressure seems to bring the worst out of little children. Mrs. Mason walking a few steps in front of her turned around in surprise. "Were you under the impression that he's a small child?" This time it was Artemis' turn to look surprised. "Well, when you said it was your stepson. the way you were talking about him. I just thought." "You and my stepson are probably around the same age. Harrison Mason," she said. "He just turned fourteen. In spite of the accident. Harrison. was in an accident?" he asked weakly. "You're a mature boy for your age, but you must have notice my injuries. It's a miracle I lived through it all. It's a miracle any of us did." "I'm sorry," said Artemis seriously. "My husband isn't going to make it, Artemis," her voice sank to a bitter whisper. "And now I'm stuck with Harrison. All because of that car accident two weeks ago."
"Frank and I are worried about you," Alex said sliding a French fry into her mouth. "You're acting really depressed."
"Well that's silly, isn't it?" Artemis retorted, "What could I possibly have to be depressed about?" Artemis gave his friend a rare smile, then sighed as Alex slapped his palm down onto the table. Butler jumped to his aid almost at once. "Butler, leave us for ten minutes," said Artemis, "and then you can escort me to my next class." Butler eyed Alex and then left.
Alex turned to Artemis and said very seriously, "Snap out of it, will you? It's over with. Besides, you and your family are in this together."
"He shouldn't have done it," replied Artemis.
"For God's sake, your father said it was only a stupid joke! Your father doesn't take anything seriously on normal days! What made you think that he was going to act normally on the anniversary?" She studied Artemis with exasperation. "You're being real dramatic about this. The police are going to start asking dumb questions if you don't watch it.
"Don't lecture me on being careful!" snapped Artemis. "I've pulled off some of the biggest crimes in the world without being caught!"
"I didn't mean it that way."
"The police are going from house to house. They were at my house last night but they found nothing out because my mother and father haven't left their rooms since the accident." He stretched his arms and groaned. "Look Alex, someone was trapped in that car. I still see him or her being burned alive. We were. responsible."
"Oh come one, you didn't make them miss the road! Those people should have been watching where they were going!"
"It's never been on the news - I keep waiting and waiting."
"You said it was a two and a half hour drive from here! There's no reason why an accident that happened a hundred miles away should even be mentioned on the local news. Car wrecks happen ever day!"
"But they don't have anything to do with us!"
"And you don't have anything to do with this one. You're acting like this is a big tragedy or something and."
"You know my father's reputation! If this ever gets out I can't imagine the consequences. I just keep - feeling that somehow. we'll be. paid back for what we did."
"How many times do I have to tell you, you didn't do anything. And you stopped at that gas station, didn't you? Well, didn't you? It wasn't your fault that it was closed and the stupid pay phone was broken. Jeez, you're driving me nuts!"
"I can't get away from it," said Artemis bitterly, "I dream about it."
"Do you know how much trouble you would be in if you actually went to the cops? Nobody saw you."
"But what about the man I saw up on the hill," said Artemis stubbornly, "Someone saw us there."
"That was probably just a figment of your imagination."
"Are you calling me crazy?"
"No!"
"Alex, someone was there. I didn't imagine it."
"Okay, so if someone was there, why didn't they come down and help you?"
"Maybe they went to call an ambulance."
"Then what are you worried about?"
"Maybe they saw us chasing the car. Maybe they think that we pushed it off the cliff. Maybe he got the license plate number."
"Nothing is going to happen to you," said Alex soothingly. She gave Artemis a hug. "You're completely safe."
"I just."
"You have to forget about it. Besides, with exams, you're tutoring half the school!"
Artemis smiled. "Not exactly half."
"Your advertising worked. All the notes you put up around the school and around town. I don't understand how you can keep up with your own studies."
"That wasn't my idea," said Artemis angrily, "It was my mothers!"
"Yeah.well." Alex looked uncomfortable and hurried on. "Mrs. Luzon at the library said that some guy even asked about you the other day. He saw your card there and wanted to know more about you, so she showed him your picture in the yearbook and told him how qualified you are."
A twinge of fear hit him, though he wasn't quite sure why. "Who was he?"
"She didn't know."
There was an awkward silence between them. "I better get to class," said Alex eyeing her watch. She turned to leave but turned around to face Artemis and said, "You'd better get your act together. You're getting to be a real bore with all of this."
Artemis gave a vague nod and watched her walk back through the crowds towards the cafeteria doors. As soon as she left, Butler entered. He being 7, 1" meant that he towered over all of the students of Artemis' junior high. He also drew a lot of frightened looks because all of the other students saw him following Artemis through the hallways almost everywhere that he went. Butler waded through the sea of students towards Artemis' table and sat down.
"Is everything okay Sir?" he asked.
"Yes, Butler, I'm just worried."
"You're going to be fine Sir."
"Why does everybody keep telling me that? I will be fine as soon as I know that this ordeal is over."
"I understand," said Butler soothingly.
"I should get to class Butler," said Artemis. "Let's go."
He got up and tossed his juice pack into the garbage can near the door. Feeling a little ill he though to himself that he should head for gym and pick up something to munch on between classes later.
When they were walking through the hallways, the intercom crackled to life, bellowing its message all over the school.
"Artemis Fowl - please report to the main office - Artemis Fowl to the main office - thank you." It was if someone had punched him. Freezing in midstride, Artemis grabbed his stomach and fought off a wave of nausea. They know! They know we killed that person in the car! His mind raced in a million directions but he took a deep breath and calmed his mind. How could they know? Just go to the office and see what they want. Act normal. They couldn't possibly know. Artemis felt a hand on his shoulder. "Come Artemis, I'm sure it is nothing." "You're probably right Butler, as always. Let's go." They walked through the hallways towards the principal's office. They entered the office and walked towards the reception desk. His mouth was so cottony that he couldn't speak. The secretary smiled at him and motioned them to the principal's door. "Go on in, Artemis - Mr. Patterson is expecting you." Artemis could never recall how he got into Mr. Patterson's office, but Mr. Patterson was nodding at her to sit down in front of his overly large desk. There was another person there. A tall woman dressed completely in black with a veil. Artemis walked over and sat down. "Artemis." Mr. Patterson leaned over and shook his hand. "Nice to see you. I wasn't sure if you'd be changed for gym yet - glad I caught you in time." Keeping his cool Artemis said, "I was just on my way." "Well I won't keep you in suspense, though I'm sure you'd never be afraid you're in trouble." Mr. Patterson eyed him knowingly. "Artemis, this is Mrs. Mason. and Mrs. Mason, this is the young man I was telling you about." Artemis nodded and glanced into the woman's dead black eyes. "Mrs. Mason is interested in hiring a tutor. So when she called the school about you I suggest that she meet you herself. "It's my stepson. My husband's child," said Mrs. Mason. Her voice was deep and gravely. "He's been ill. and it's. impossible for him to attend school at this time. His mother doesn't want him falling behind in his studies, so I'm trying to find a tutor for the boy." "Artemis is our best student," Mr. Patterson broke in. "Mature.dependable." "My husbands business takes up most of my time. My husband's in the hospital right now; he mustn't be disturbed or upset. I thought you could come in several times a week. and I'd be willing to pay very generously for your time." "This could be a trap Sir," said Butler behind him, "you can never be too sure." "And if you would like to meet my stepson before you decide, that can be arranged too. Mr. Patterson nodded emphatically. "You should have no trouble handling his. ah. problems." "Problems?" asked Artemis. "My stepson is very bright, although at this particular time. well. he's been rather depressed." "Depressed?" asked Artemis, who was beginning to feel that tight knot of fear tightening again. "It is a matter of no importance," said Mr. Patterson almost at once. "Maybe I should meet him first," Artemis stood up, speaking softly to Mrs. Mason, who was gathering her purse and jacket. "If he's really having that bad of a time, maybe we should all be sure he wants me there." "He doesn't know what he wants or what he needs," replied Mrs. Mason tartly. "Oh I'm sorry; it just seems that too much pressure seems to bring the worst out of little children. Mrs. Mason walking a few steps in front of her turned around in surprise. "Were you under the impression that he's a small child?" This time it was Artemis' turn to look surprised. "Well, when you said it was your stepson. the way you were talking about him. I just thought." "You and my stepson are probably around the same age. Harrison Mason," she said. "He just turned fourteen. In spite of the accident. Harrison. was in an accident?" he asked weakly. "You're a mature boy for your age, but you must have notice my injuries. It's a miracle I lived through it all. It's a miracle any of us did." "I'm sorry," said Artemis seriously. "My husband isn't going to make it, Artemis," her voice sank to a bitter whisper. "And now I'm stuck with Harrison. All because of that car accident two weeks ago."