A/N: thank you to the people who reviewed! I didn't expect to get reviews at all, let alone this fast. It's my first time on this sight, so thank you… :) Anyway, you can kinda see where I'm going with this at the end of the chapter. I hope you don't click away as soon as you find out. ;)
Love Me Dead: You're Still Learning
The boy knocked on Jeffrey's door, and after a few seconds of suspense it opened. There were pictures of Jeffrey, of course, and videos, but it was nothing like seeing him in real life. There was still a bit of mystery to what he would look like.
A man with dirty blonde hair and rusted blue eyes stood in the doorway. He had a plaid shirt on, unbuttoned with a black shirt underneath. His hair was messy and not brushed, but it somehow made him better looking.
He leaned on the side of the doorway, a bottle in his hand, and that reminded Artemis and Butler that Jeffrey wasn't sober.
"What is it, kid?" he asked. He'd seen Artemis first, since he was shorter. But then he looked up to Butler, and stood there in astonishment. He locked their eyes. Not let them lock; he made it happen. Artemis's stomach turned, and got a horrible feeling about this, but he didn't say anything. "Hello…" Jeffrey said slowly, in a different tone.
"May we come in?" asked Butler. He remained stoic.
Jeffrey, captivated, nodded and let them in. In his mind, a plan hatched. With their backs to him, he smiled evilly.
"Can I offer you something to drink?" he asked nicely, while shutting the door.
Artemis smiled; he loved the feeling of being one step ahead. He turned around. "No thank you. We don't care for any of your sleeping pills."
Jeffrey stayed calm, even though inside he was freaking out. How could someone know?! "Sleeping pills? Why do you say that?" His lie was convincing.
"Because, Mr. Dahmer, I don't want to end up in your refrigerator."
Jeffrey grinned. He turned his head around. Artemis was very confused. "I'm shocked, kid," he chuckled.
Artemis's eyes widened and he glared at him. "Kid?" Artemis growled. For some reason he started to turn red, whether it was from embarrassment or anger.
"How did you know that stuff?"
"I… I just told you I knew you were a serial killer, and you hardly even react?!" he exclaimed.
"Well, I've taught myself to be calm in these situations. After all, you're just two people. Good liars are always calm… You're obviously still learning." Jeffrey grinned again, and drank some more out of his bottle.
Artemis couldn't believe himself. He just hissed furiously and sat down on the couch. Butler sat next to him, and Jeffrey walked over closer to them.
"You know who I am," the killer said. "Now who are you?"
"I am Artemis Fowl," Artemis said. "And this is my bodyguard, Butler."
"Butler, eh?" Jeffrey sat next to him. "Is that a last name, or a position?"
"A last name," Butler said.
"Then what's the first?"
"That's classified," Artemis said quickly.
"Uptight," Jeffrey mumbled. "But anyway, what's your business here, Fowl? Come to stop me?"
"No. We want you to spare one person. Ernest Miller."
"Who's he?" Jeffrey asked, drinking some more.
"One of your future victims. You'll kill him, which will lead to some problems in the future that conflict with Butler and my family."
There was a short pause before anyone talked again. "Wait, hold up… you're from the future?" he asked, cocking his head and looking at Butler. Their faces were close.
"Yes," Butler said slowly, putting his hand on his shoulder and pushing Jeffrey away.
Artemis knew what was going on, and he started figuring out how to prevent it. He knew that if Jeffrey wanted something, he was going to go to his grave trying to get it. Persistence was always the key; Artemis knew this better than anyone.
"Why should I believe you? You could be lying," Jeffrey said.
"How would we know you're a serial killer?"
"There's ways."
Artemis was prepared for this, like always. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. "Turn on your TV," he said. "To the horse race happening today."
Jeffrey did as he instructed. The race was just starting, and he took the slip of paper from him, then looked at him curiously.
"I researched who was going to win this race," Artemis explained. "It's going to be exact; down to the very last second."
They had a minute left, and the three sat in silence. Jeffrey looked at Butler, and smirked at him. Butler tried to avoid his gaze, but couldn't. He felt himself blush, but glared at the same time, and Artemis caught this. The child tapped his bodyguard's arm, making him look away from the killer. Jeffrey glared at Artemis, who didn't pay any attention to him.
Then the race ended, with the right horse winning at the exact time that Artemis had said. He looked at Jeffrey with a proud smile on his face.
"Okay fine, I believe you, kid," Jeffrey admitted, looking at Artemis from the corner of his eye. "But I don't like missing a chance to kill. This Ernest must be my type, so if I agree to this I want something in exchange."
"Name your price," Artemis challenged.
"Oh, I don't want money."
Jeffrey, from the side of Butler the kid couldn't see, took Butler's hand in his and squeezed it. His face grew red, but Dahmer just smiled. To his great happiness, the bodyguard didn't pull away.
"I'll leave Miller alone…" he smirked evilly, "if I get to go on a date with Butler."
