Chapter 13- Vanishing Point
Haven Square 7:56pm
"What do you mean?" Holly asked. "You don't… see him?"
"Erm- I'm looking where you're pointing, Holly" Foaly said sucking his teeth in a mixture of disbelief and worry, "but I don't see a damn thing. The thought of him laying around after death gives me the feeling the boy's a little bit of a sap. Excuse me, I mean hopeless romantic".
"Whatever. You're not looking hard enough, obviously!"
"Hol- sweetie, I know this hard for you," Foaly continued, "I loved the kid, too."
"No! You're freaking looking right at him!"
"Okay. Yes. I see him."
"Ugh! God. Don't use that tone with me! You can't see him, can you?"
Foaly didn't even look up, "Hell no! I can't!"
Artemis shoved his being through a disbelieving Foaly and fluttered, if you will, in front of Holly.
Foaly shivered, "the least they could do was heat my office. All the time and effort I put into making top-notch force equipment and they can't even…" he continued but it was at this exact point Holly decided to stop listening.
"Why is it I'm that only one that can see you?" Holly said slightly disturbed seeing she was having a full conversation with something that was only visible to her.
Artemis was busy smothering flies. He'd catch a fly and watch it buzz around in his hands, bumping into the invisible walls that were his palms; releasing it at the last moment. "Maybe it's because you have feelings for me," he said catching a fly in his mouth.
"Foaly has feelings for you."
Artemis puckered then spit out the helpless insect.
"What are you doing?" Holly asked disgusted yet amused.
"They're the only things I have any control of anymore," Artemis said sadly.
"Oh," and Artemis continued, "don't think I didn't get your Foaly's-latest-gay-obsession-is-me joke. Beg my pardon, did I say gay? I mean homosexual."
Holly laughed.
"Holly," Foaly said looking up from his work, "What are you laughing at?"
"Artemis, he-" Holly caught herself. "I don't suppose you would be able to forget that happened by chance, would you?"
"Should I be concerned?"
Holly sighed, "You most certainly should be."
Chapter 14- HeartSick
Holly led Artemis into her apartment. Or rather, Artemis followed her there. She had politely suggested earlier that he sleep with the meth-addicts that peacefully subsided in her alley and occasionally back yard….but he insisted.
"They're friendly long as you don't piss them off, you know."
"No, no. I insist."
Artemis lingered behind Holly and watched her collapse onto her futon. He swung at the ferns that dangled just elegantly enough to anger him, out of his way.
"This is- nice" He said finally.
Holly propped herself up on an elbow and cocked her brow.
"No. I lied. It's crap." Artemis said truthfully.
"Tell me about it," Holly said satisfied, "I'm going to get enough money to get out of here though."
Artemis stared. He felt bad for her. Yet- he didn't pity her. She was too proud to rely on anyone for anything. Unlike him, of course.
"Now, you could always marry someone financially well-off…" he started smugly
"Mmm… getting cocky, huh? Get used to this shithole, Artemis. Cause you, my friend, are sleeping on the floor."
"Yes. I figured."
"I'll be back," Holly said in a parent-to-child manner, "so make yourself a little nest to curl up and die in. Do not touch my stuff."
Artemis waved her away and she left shortly afterward.
He casually walked over to the drawer in the far-left corner of the four-room apartment. Each room representing one of the four Chinese forces; air, water, fire, and earth. For such a cramped apartment, she had done a lovely job with the interior decorating. It was still a shithole, though.
He opened the drawer and started his search. He wasn't looking for anything in particular. Just curious is all. It just so happens, it is when Artemis is curious, he finds things he probably wish he hadn't. Fairy technology that led to the C-Cube, for good example.
"Let's see what I can exploit Holly with today…" Artemis said harmlessly, picking up a letter that would do just so.
Artemis found the letter already opened and underlined. Meaning whatever this letter contained had caused its reader some serious thought.
It was dated the Tuesday before today.
Ms.
Holly J. Short
Law Enforcement Federal Bureau of
Investigation
Illegal Operations Unit
Dear Ms. Short:
This letter will serve as a written warning concerning the performance deficiencies which have been the subject of our ongoing review.
As I mentioned in out meeting yesterday, your overall work performance is above satisfactory. However, in two key areas I have noticed problems which must be immediately corrected. The first is the increasing amount of time and frequency of personal phone calls. You have been observed receiving as many as nine (9) phone calls on a restricted line in a single day.
I have noticed personally that your means of contact is a police force-issued communicator. What is more disturbing is that the calls that have been placed are generally directed to the human species above-ground.
Moreover, during the last week at least three (3) lasted over 30 minutes. An occasional call of an emergency or critical nature is understandable. The number and frequency of your calls is totally unacceptable, and must be stopped. You have not offered any explanation of these phone calls, so my assessment is based on objective observation.
My second issue as I am sure you have already guesses is the one being contacted during these calls. Further investigation speaks of a Mr. Artemis Fowl II. I will be frank with you Miss. Short, I do not know the depths of this relationship- nor do I wish to, but if my assumptions are anything like a reality you face, this contact must be terminated immediately. If I suspect you are involved with a human above-ground, friendship or otherwise, you will deported immediately. This is a serious offense to your species and will be dealt with harshly. This is a warning, Miss. I hope you take advantage of this opportunity.
Sincerely,
Monty Uconn of Labor Relations
"Oh, Christ. What have I done?"
Holly returned home from whatever she was taking care of and strolled over to her answering machine. The machine spit out a crude "You have seven new messages" and Holly readied her finger on the ERASE button.
"Ey there! Et's me! Mulch!-" …delete
"Ay! Why ain't you answooring yur phone!?"…delete
"whispers"…delete
"Hey Holly, its Doohdah. About Mulch… I think he's had too much to drink and-"…delete
"Hey, it's Chix. Heard Artemis' disappearance had got you down. Don't worry, baby" she heard him smirk, "I can make it better…" –delete
"Hol- It's Foaly. Come' on! I know what'll make you feel better! A nice fat bag of carrots. Yupp. I bet"…delete
"Hey, Holly. It's Trouble. …sighs I'm sorry you're having a bit of a rough time. Shame about Artemis. You'll find another human to harass I'm sure. You know you'll always have me. I was wondering if maybe you'd like to get a drink later so we can both forget Artemis. What do you say?"
Artemis practically flew to the phone and reminded her finger that it was supposed to be deleting the crap.
"…so we can both forget Artemis?" Artemis said smirking, though he had been genuinely hurt for the second time this evening, "You're supposed to be deleting the crap."
"And you're supposed to stay out of my crap. Why is my drawer open?"
Artemis hung his head in defeat and passed over the letter.
"You- read this? Artemis! I'm going to stab you! This..." she said looking for the words, "This is none of your concern!" slamming the letter back into the drawer.
"I'd say it was- considering it involves me."
"Shut your head. Crawl into your nest and sleep, because I don't even want to see your face."
Artemis cocked his head and grinned charmingly, "You know, firstly- that's no way to treat a guest. Secondly, It's not a big deal considering I'm no longer alive. Hence, no longer a problem."
"Feeling sorry for yourself?"
"Yes actually. My life is crap. I'm dead to everyone I love and my money is-"
Holly glared angrily.
"And- I'm dead to everyone I love." He crawled into his make-shift bed while Holly had lain in her futon across the room."
"I mean…" Artemis called into the darkness
Holly shushed him
"I can never touch…I can never be with the woman I love." He whispered lowly to himself
"Holly?" he said more loudly.
"Mmmhmm…"
"Where'd you go today?"
"You'll see."
He mumbled something, but she couldn't quite make it out. Something about never touching…
"Artemis?"
"Yes."
"I'm gonna fix this." She said with meaning. "I swear."
