Chapter 3 – Confused and Determined

Fowl Manor, Artemis's study

Artemis junior walked on tiptoes as he went to his study. He hadn't had much to enjoy about these past few months, but this upcoming get together was certainly a big surprise and at the same time pleasure to him. He has really undergone substantial transformations regarding his personality. Perhaps this self-innovation was made possible by the return of his father. And believe it or not, he seems to take delight in his new self.

A loud knock on the door broke Artemis's thoughts. "Come in", he ordered. Butler came in, holding his copy of Guns and Ammo, which he has been reading since God-knows-when. "Oh Butler, it's you," Artemis said, slightly disoriented.

"I just came to check," he replied. "Is something bothering you, Artemis?", he went on, looking at him meaningfully.

Artemis tried to fight back a chuckle. His bodyguard knows him very well. Why won't he? Butler has been his bodyguard from the time of his birth at Sisters of Mercy ward, almost thirteen years ago. Since then, they had always been together. He has witnessed all Butler's efforts to keep him safe, especially his astounding prowess in combat. Something's changed, though. Two years previously, he has miraculously aged. A mere fifteen years by the look of it. Which was very puzzling, seeing that he was only almost forty years of age. Still, he went on with his duty, the thing which Artemis most admired about him.

"What's with the chuckle?", Butler queried.

"I really cannot hide something from you, old friend.", he said at last. "So I'll get to the point. As you may very well know, I seldom have dreams. Yet, I started having those since last week," he narrated.

A slight nod from Butler signaled him to continue.

"I see faces which I do not know, faces with bodies in the wrong proportions for a human, and they are engaged in conversations. Sometimes I see myself in there, sometimes, I don't. I also see places I've never been into. Weird ones, I must say," he went on. "Different scenes, different happenings, but still always the same faces. I know for a fact that this isn't just some dream."

Butler was silent for a moment, processing all what his employer just said. "If you ask me, these dreams are normal. "You had been very busy these days working on your invention. It's natural.", he assured him.

"Recurring dreams are natural? I do not think so," Artemis replied.

"Well, not really, but there are cases of recurring dreams you know. Only, they are rare cases." Butler said. "Give it a rest, Artemis. Do not stress yourself with irrelevant dreams." He put his hand in his charge's shoulder for a moment, and then walked out of the study.

Butler's rationalizations all make sense. But then, I know those dreams are telling me something, he thought. He just didn't know what.

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Operations Booth, Police Plaza

Foaly was flabbergasted. "I'm not sure I heard you correctly. You want to be human?", he asked, his voice rising slightly.

Her silence confirmed her decision.

"Holly, are you nuts! What lunacy made you want to become one of the Mud Men?", he demanded, shock registering in his voice.

Holly's voice was lost in her throat. She really did not know what made her say that, but just thinking of Artemis brings courage to herself. She spoke at last. "Please, Foaly, you have to understand me," she implored. "It's because… It's because of Artemis," she finished.

Foaly did not say anything for a few minutes. He paced uneasily to and forth the Ops Booth. This was too much for him. "I get it. You love Artemis, don't you?" he ventured.

Holly was astonished at Foaly's revelation. She had the first instinct to deny it. But to what cost? "How did you know?" she asked instead.

"I guess I know you better than you know yourself." He sighed. Holly face was questioning. "Holly, Holly, Holly, I'm your friend, you silly girl! How wouldn't I know that? You were all touchy and that when they did the mind wipe on him," he explained.

Holly chuckled. "You know me pretty well", she said.

"Yes, I know you, but I do not believe feelings are valid grounds for you to make such an astounding decision", he answered.

"I know, but it's what I want," she countered, determined.

"What about me? Your work? Haven?", he asked sadly. "Will you throw it all away for love?"

Holly stopped. She hadn't thought of that. Her feelings blinded her to the other things she has to face. She wasn't able to say anything.

Foaly stepped in front of her and put his hands on her shoulders. "What you must do, is go someplace quiet, here in Haven or aboveground, I don't care. You mull over all these. When your mind's made up, whatever it may be, come back to me and we'll talk, ok?" he advised.

"Thanks friend," Holly said, grateful. She went to her office and picked up her DoubleDex and other paraphernalia. Then she set off to get her Visa. She needed to go somewhere peaceful. And there was a perfect place she had in mind.

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Holly sure was torn. What will she choose? To be with her kinsmen? Or be with the person she loves so much? Tell me what you think. Please r&r! thanks!

P.S. The first chapter is entitled The Great Decision, but it was not included in the list. Check that out too!