Disclaimer: If anyone says anything about like what I say about me acting like the characters are mine, they aren't. That's just the way how I write stories mind you. I just wanted to say that.
Izzy: You're weird.
Samm (that's me): Shut up already you damn cat.
Izzy: Waa! Samm is bugging me.
Ice: (sweat drop)
Chapter Five Missing and Heartbroken
Nothing got into the way of the second Artemis, a person who nobody wanted to mess with. He had no friends (except Butler), and he really didn't want any. Sometimes things would get a bit hectic for him, but he never showed a sign of uneasiness. Never, well . . . except when he was with Butler, but he didn't tell anyone that. Yes, young Artemis still remembered all of his adventures with our dear character Butler, and that's what caused him to have butterflies in his stomach every time Butler was around and they were completely, completely alone. Ever since he was six, he hadn't called Butler "daddy" yet, and that's what made Butler feel lonely sometimes.
Sometimes he thought that Artemis didn't remember, and then Artemis would go into this sudden daze and talk about something from the past. For instance, the mural, which is still there, but Artemis sleeps in different room near the attic on the third floor. Basically there is nothing on the third floor except rooms filled with artwork and Butler's bedroom (and some guest rooms that they don't use). Butler really wished sometimes that Artemis would just move on and try to live a normal life. From what Artemis has put Butler through, they did nothing "normal". Do you call being undercover all the time and stealing, gambling, and trickery normal for a boy eight years old, about to turn nine?
But sometimes, Butler realizes that Artemis is indeed like the average boy, for an example, he can't really stomach blood and gore too much, but he knows it is in existence in the world.
It is surprising for most, but Artemis is much like a tree hugger, but you don't actually see him going around hugging trees. He has held many fund-raisers in the past (anonymously of course) and done so much more.
Another thing about him is his connection with his father. At first, his father was like many fun loving fathers, but when Artemis turned two, he hardly existed in Artemis's life. Then came his sixth birthday. Artemis Senior placed him under the influence of being a business tycoon. A very deadly thing I might add, since the boy already has a file with Interpol while most Russian mobsters don't even have one.
But now, to end this little chit chat, lets go on with what is happening now. I have fast forwarded to a certain part of Artemis's life that no one knows about, except for another person that is.
"Artemis, do you think that we should do it?" I asked him as we waited outside a bank.
"Sure, why not? It's not much, but it is helpful."
"I mean, are you comfortable with it?" I asked him, turning my head to his face. He wasn't rigid like most young boys who commit crimes, but then again, he is a Fowl after all.
"Of course." he said, with no emotion.
"You know, I'm not forcing you to do this. You don't have to do it."
"Well I have to." Artemis stated, his face a cold mask. I felt like I was getting the cold shoulder from him, so I turned the other way and looked out of the window.
"Butler . . . lets go." he said, and I smiled a tiny smile. I turned around and drove out of the parking lot of the bank. H e was about to pull some money from his account to go to Australia for some business, but I didn't want him to go until his father got back. Good thing I said that.
"So, Butler, how was your day today?" he asked me while adjusting his school tie. We just came back from his boarding school, and he was rather happy to leave, I'll tell you one thing. I would be too if I was him. Like young Artemis, I didn't make too many friends, but when I did, I stuck to them good. I know what good friends look like, especially loyal ones.
He hasn't reached the age of maturing yet, if you know what I mean, but when he loosened his tie, a flash of pale skin became visible. I inwardly blushed looked the other way.
"Well, it wasn't actually enjoyable, since you weren't there." I said, bu then I blushed inwardly when I realized what came out of my mouth.
Why did that come out?
"True, mine wasn't either. That just goes to show how well we know each other, right?" he asked, looking up at me.
"Yes, I agree." Inwardly, I sighed. That was really a close one.
After a moment of silence, Artemis's cell phone started to ring, which was very strange, considering the fact that no one knew this number except for three people; Butler, Juliet, and his mother.
Mother? Why is she calling me?
"Hello?" Artemis said as he pressed the green button on his cell.
"Artemis dear, please come home quickly! There's been a . . . a . . ."
"A 'what' mother?"
"An accident. Your father is missing, but the major showed up on the shores dead and . . . "
An accident . . . An accident . . . An accident . . . An accident . . .
Those words repeated over and over again as if they were spoken in a time standing cave.
"I'll be there mother." Artemis said, his mask on once more as he turned his head at Butler, hanging up on his mother.
His bangs covered his eyes as he said "We have to be home Butler."
"What happened?" Butler asked, only to stop in his tracks when he noticed how cold Artemis suddenly became. And it just wasn't his body temperature . . .
"Nothing, now, home." he said, his features not changing. I stopped the car on the side of the road and took the keys out of the ignition, facing Artemis.
"Artemis, something happened, and I know it. Just please, tell me what happened." Butler pleaded, looking at him.
This was one of those moments where Artemis just couldn't refuse, even though he has done so many times to so many people. So what made Butler any different?
"There's been an accident. Your uncle showed up on the shores dead, but my father is still missing." I said, saying it as slowly as possible. Though I knew that Butler never really liked his uncle too much, and that the reason he hates . . . well, hated him was over me. It still doesn't make any sense to me why, but I also know that my father knows the reason too.
"Oh." he said, staring into space. I turned sideways to see that he too, was wearing his mask.
I reached out and brushed a tear from eyes, and he turned to look at me.
"I don't feel so good." I stated, my stomach twisting and jumping around while his eyes looked into mine.
"Okay, we'll head home now." I said, placing the keys back into the ignition. Before he could turn it though, he looked at me fro the corner of his eye. I could tell Artemis was about to cry, he wasn't sick, but I didn't say anything about it. I just extended a hand and wiped away an imaginary tear.
I turned the keys and started up the car, heading toward the Fowl Manor.
When we reached home, I opened the door for Artemis and he dragged his feet into the manor, where his mother hugged him so tightly. He didn't return the hug, he just shuffled away, up the stairs, and towards his room.
Juliet, who was sitting on a chair with a sorrow face, said "Go after him Butler. I'll make dinner down here."
"No Juliet, just for the two of you." I said. "I don't believe Artemis is hungry right now."
"Okay." she said and I went behind him.
"Artemis!" I yelled while I was pounding my fists on his door.
"Artemis, open up already!" I commanded, and finally, after two minutes, the door opened.
Butler pushed the door to see a lump under the covers of Artemis's bed.
"Artemis?" I said softly, closing the door behind me. I didn't dare turn on the lights, as I stalked the dark room. The sun was covered by dark clouds, the sky turning a dark blue instead of the multi-color scene it usually is.
"Artemis." I said softly, placing my hand on the lump.
"Go away." I heard, his voice full of sorrow.
"Artemis." I said softly, nobody hearing this but him. I ripped the covers off of him and what I saw almost ripped my heart out.
Artemis was curled up like a ball, tears everywhere and still leaking from his eyes.
"Artemis, shhhh, don't cry." I said, placing my hand on his shoulder.
"How . . . how can y-you keep on your mask?? Even now?" Artemis said, sobbing between words.
"Artemis, you can't tell right now, but you're ripping my heart in two. Please, just . . . stop crying."
"H-how can y-you say that? MY FATHER IS MISSING, HE'S PROBABLY DEAD!" Artemis screamed.
"Shh, it's okay Artemis." I said, wrapping my arms around his small body.
After half an hour, the two were lying down on Artemis's bed, with Artemis staring nto space and Butler staring at him.
"Butler?" Artemis said, turning around to face him.
"Yes?" Butler inquired, staring at Artemis.
"Thank you." Artemis stated, wrapping his arms around Butler's neck.
"What're friends for?" Butler stated, smiling.
"No, you mean what're dads for." Artemis corrected, burying his face into Butler's chest.
Sighing, I looked down at the charge. If only he knew how I thought of him, but, he's too young.
"Artemis, I really think you should change into your pajamas."
"Okay," he said and started towards his closet.
"Where are you going?" he asked me as I started for the door.
"I need to change too." I responded, but reached for my wrist, holding onto it as tight as possible.
"No, I'll go with you. Lease, stay here." he said, and I sighed. Going towards his head and sitting down on the edge, I watched him take off his clothes and replace it with his night suit.
"Okay, you can go now." he said, and I left the room, with him following me.
It felt awkward, with him in my room. I changed very quickly into my striped pajama bottoms and a white t-shirt.
I could feel his eyes on my body, my muscles flexing under my tanned skin (only slightly, but it is dark).
His blue night eyes followed me when I came up to him, watching him with my amber eyes.
"Are you still sad?" I asked him, cupping his chin with my colossal hands.
"Mm hmm." he said, and I followed him back into his room.
"You know, let me get a sleeping bag." I said, but he said no.
"Sleep with me daddy." he said, and I imagined him being three again.
"Sure." I said, my mind returning to the memory of sleeping with him in the sun room while everyone was away.
"Good night Butler." he said, facing me and burying his face into my chest once more.
"Good night . . . Arty." I said, pecking his forehead and we both fell asleep together.