The newsboy has sold all the newspaper he could, this is his happiest day in his life, ¡°Sold, all sold,¡± he thought delightfully. He hopped down the alley, he saw the rich children playing in the street. Maybe he would sob yesterday, but not today, he is definitely the happiest person in London, or maybe England.
The newsboy ran like the wind, twirling and hopping with out looking. He bumped into a man and fell back sitting hard on the floor; he felt he could fall apart if he moved a single bit. Slowly he opened his eyes and saw a strong man kneeling in front of him, ¡°Are you all right?¡± was what he said.
¡°Oh, it just hurts a bit. It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± he mumbled, although there was strong pain all over. He tried to get up.
¡°Here, let me help you.¡± The man laid out his hand, waiting for him to hold it. The newsboy didn¡¯t hesitate; he took the man¡¯s hand.
¡°Thanks¡± the newsboy patted the dust off him; strength had come back to him now.
¡°Next time be careful where you¡¯re going. If you aren¡¯t lucky enough next time, you could crash into a carriage. You look too weak, you should eat more food. Here¡¯s some money, go and buy something good to eat.¡± The man exhorted the newsboy.
¡°OK, sir. Thank you, sir; really I don¡¯t how to thank you. I got too selfless just then, I am sorry.¡± Excitement shone in his eyes.
¡°I should be going, bye kid.¡± Artemis started to head off.
¡°May I know your name sir?¡± the newsboy cried out.
¡°Artemis Spiro¡± was the last words he heard from the man.
¡°You are a kind man.¡± The newspaper boy whispered quietly. He kissed the money and walked off even happier than before.
Artemis Spiro quickly walked down the alley with his head hidden underneath his hat, but it was no use. Most of the people were staring at him already, whispering in other¡¯s ears. Artemis knew why, he started to regret he told the boy his name. All he could hear was:
¡°¡Lord Fowl¡¡±
¡°He?¡±
¡°¡Sailing for the¡
¡°¡Forbidden sea¡¡±
¡°¡Poor guy¡¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Artemis walked even faster; the thrilling news had spread in London like plague. He only wished to be home¡
Finally, he opened the doors. Anne- Artemis¡¯s wife was standing in the kitchen, looking worried at him.
¡°So you have heard the news?¡± Artemis puts his hat and coat away.
¡°Yes, so it is real. We are, me, Domovoi and you are heading for the forbidden sea.¡±
¡°I think we need packing up then.¡±
¡°Sure. Of course. But why Domovoi, too?¡± there was a little bit outrage and sadness in her voice.
¡°It is command, Anne. I need some rest, please excuse me.¡± Artemis went into the study room.
Anne walked away with her head down.
Artemis stood solid in front of the globe for a while, he turned it to where the forbidden sea was-his final destination in his sailing career. Artemis started to feel fear growing in his mind and started to drift off in his memories¡
Meanwhile in the bedroom.
¡°Mother, I want to take that toy with me, too,¡± says Domovoi Spiro, he is the only child Artemis and Anne have.¡°Sweet heart, there is not enough room on the ship for so many useless things.¡± Anne Spiro tries to explain to his naughty son.
¡°Noooooooooooooo! I want it. Didn¡¯t you say it was a big ship?¡± Domovoi starts to cry, ¡° Daddy! Mummy¡¯s teasing me.¡±
¡°Honey, what is going on?¡± Artemis Spiro mutters while he puts a pile of folders on the ground, ¡°And put these folders in the luggage, too. I think it may be useful. He takes a quick look around the messy room, full of toys, clothes and luggage.
¡°Our son, he wants to take all of these toys out to sea. It is impossible.¡± She stares at Artemis; she saw a hint of fear ness hopping around his eyes.
Artemis gazed at his son weeping on the ground. He fells sorry to take his whole family out with him to accomplish Lord Fowl¡¯s mission, maybe it will be better if only he and Anne went. He can¡¯t afford to lose his only son out in the sea, it is the toughest one he had ever experienced, not like usual, just going out sailing in the sea, having no destination, exploring for new land. This time he has to explore the forbidden sea.
When he was young, an old sailor who had lots of experience, said: ¡°It is forbidden, just like its name. It is so dangerous; you never survive and I mean never. Lots of people think it cursed by some kind of spell. I agree with them. The only time I saw it, was from a far away distance, but you could still feel the darkness and danger pressing on you like pressure. Too many people have been missing from that sea. Only once, a man sailed through it, he came out on his lifeboat, but already dead. My son you are young and you have a family. Where ever you go never dare sail near it. There is no sun; it is stormy and black as black, frost everywhere. Listen too me, don¡¯t even think about looking at it. Do you remember?¡± that old sailor didn¡¯t live very long; they say it was because he saw the forbidden. After that Artemis was always wanting to see how fearsome the forbidden sea was, but he was still afraid. Now that it was time to make his wish come true, he feared more than ever. Artemis quivered.
¡°Darling? Are you OK?¡± Anne was worried about him; there were some sweat on his forehead.
¡°What? Oh, yeh, I¡¯m OK. What was I up to?¡± He tried to get back to earth, stop thinking about the words of the sailor.
¡°Are you sure? You look a bit pale.¡± Anne was worried even more.
He held Anne¡¯s small hands in his,¡± Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m OK. I¡¯m just a bit anxious about you. This is your first time going to sea for so long, and our whither is¡¡±
¡°I will be OK. I sometimes go sailing in the sea looking at its beautiful view. It¡¯s just Domovoi, this will be his first time on sea, we didn¡¯t let him go on those boats since he was young, and now just let him go on a ship for, oh, Artemis how long are we going out?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know, Anne, I don¡¯t know.¡±
They both looked down at the little boy sobbing with his little bear.
Artemis kneeled down, and looked into Domovoi¡¯s eyes, he could see lonely less. ¡°You want to take your toys with you?¡±
Domovoi nodded silently.
¡° This time we may go out for a long time in the sea. Lot of these toys will get lost in the sea, because what if the wind blew it away? You want to play with them still when you come back, don¡¯t you?¡± Artemis heard a sound calling to him: ¡°You aren¡¯t coming back.¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Domovoi breathes out.
Ignoring the thoughts deep down in his heart, Artemis talked on ¡° So, why don¡¯t you just bring some of your favourite toys with you, to let you stay in company? But I doubt there will be lots of fun waiting for you on the sea.¡±
Domovoi gave a nod and smiled. Artemis smiled too and gently rubbed his hair. But the smile looked numb; he was afraid too. He had a bad feeling; this would be his last time for sailing¡
