Why Me?

Artemis's POV (in his dreams)

I can see father. He is still alive. In fact, he was walking towards me, seeming as though he is happy to see me. He walked to me and hugged me. I have never felt his arms embrace my body, and while he was embracing me, emotions mixed up inside me. Happiness, Pride and…love. He removed his arms around me, and smiling, he said,

"Son, take care of everything while I am gone. Promise me that you will do everything to protect our name and promise me that you will continue in where I have left. I will be back." He turned around and walked away. Before he disappeared he said," Take care of Angie for me." And he disappeared. I was left sitting there, alone. Then suddenly flashbacks of what happened from my past flashed before my blue eyes. they were not good ones.

Flashback

"I told you Fowls don't cry!" Artemis Sr. shouted to his 2 year old son.

"Don't shout at him! He's only 2 years old." Angeline Fowl retorted.

"I don't care what age he is! When I was one, my father taught me that Fowls don't cry and I gladly obliged. Nobody, and I mean nobody, in the Fowl line would ever cry." And with that, Artemis Fowl Sr. left the room. Artemis Jr. sat on his crib, tears welling up on his eyes, mouth hanging open.

"Don't cry, Arty. But if you need to then do. Don't listen to what your father says. He's just been through a lot lately." Angeline Fowl said, picking up her small son. She cradled him on her arms. After a few minutes, he fell asleep.

Butler POV (3 days later)

The doctors said that Artemis was okay, but after 3 days, it suddenly changed. His temperature started rising. He's very hot now and the doctors are unsure of what happened to him. He won't wake up and he seems as though he is in agony while asleep. I am really worried now. I am worried for my job, for Mistress Fowl, Master Fowl Sr. and Artemis. I am starting to feel the worse, and I wish that what I am fearing may not happen…

Artemis's POV

Flashback

I think this is going to be the best birthday ever! Artemis Jr. thought to himself. It was his 5th birthday, and his father had promised that he would go home early so he can celebrate it with him. He had been hoping all day long that he will keep his promise. Of course, he was not sure if his father would really come for he was always busy. Artemis woke up early that day and got into his favorite clothes. He ate breakfast with his mother who was shouting all around the house, "Today's Arty's birthday!" He was exuberant all day, for he felt sure that his father would come home early that night. When night came, Butler and Juliet got the party ready for when Artemis Fowl Sr. arrives. Artemis Jr. waited excitedly by the main entrance, hoping that his father would come….

(11:00 p.m.)

Artemis fell asleep sitting by the door. He had waited for a very long time now, and it seemed as though his father would never arrive. He felt hungry and sad. At last, his father's car arrived. He stood up slowly, tired. He did not know whether to feel excited or angry. His father had promised to come home early and he went home in the usual time that he does. When the car stopped in front of Artemis, his father came out, talking to someone on the phone. He entered the Manor as though his son wasn't there. He walked up to the Fowl Study. Artemis Jr. followed him, making sure to walk fast enough to keep up with him. His father finished talking on the phone when he was just outside the door to the study. Artemis tugged on his shirt.

"Yes? What is it?" he asked impatiently.

"Today's my birthday." Artemis mumbled.

"Yes. And what?" Artemis sr. asked.

"Well… you promised to come home early to celebrate it with me. I had been waiting all night outside." Artemis replied a little loudly.

"I did? I don't know I made such a promise. I had a very important meeting with my…um… colleagues. Besides, it's not that important." And he entered the Study, slamming the door on his son's face. Artemis stood there, his eyes welling with tears. He stopped himself from crying. Fowls don't cry, Artemis thought to himself. What he didn't know was that somebody saw he whole incident; Butler. Butler approached Artemis.

"Artemis, do you want to eat? You must be very hungry."

Artemis had forgotten all about his hunger because of his father.

"No, Butler. I am not hungry." Artemis left walking very slowly to his room. This is the worst birthday ever ...