Chapter 6: Plan Gone Wrong

ARTEMIS'S P.O.V

No matter how upbeat Holly was, I knew this mission was going to go wrong. It's elementary really; the criminal waits for the victim's kidnappers to arrive, and they fall right into their plan. I had to construct a different plan. Trouble was, I had no idea who I was facing, so therefore, I don't know their weaknesses or strengths. This was going to be tricky... I rotated each finger, making sure my muscles work. I smiled at each crack.

Holly spotted me. She scowled; an often facial expression of hers. "What are you smiling at, mud boy?"

"Nothing... Just how pretty you look, Holly." I wasn't the best charmer.

"Stop the flattery, mud boy, it doesn't work on me."

I just raised my eyebrows, smiled, and leaned back in my chair.

"Watch out for those lava rocks, Short!" Root barked.

Holly turned her back on me, and focused her concentration on piloting, and swiftly dodged a cluster of rocks. Shortly, I spotted light up ahead and fresh air.

"Artemis." I turned to Butler. His brow furrowed. "I'm concerned... about our enemy. We don't know who we're facing. It could be anyone."

"Stay calm, old friend. I have a few suspects in mind."

Butler was desperate to ask more, but he knew with Artemis answers didn't come straight away. The car... no, van stops outside of a warehouse. Cobwebs hang off the building, moss grows on the corners of it, and rats scuttle out. Charming. As usual, it's Holly who takes control of the situation.

"Come on, we'll take the back entrance." She hops out, straddling a blaster. We follow like crabs. Perhaps crabs aren't the best simile.

"Holly, dare I ask... what's the plan exactly?"

She grimaces at me. "We bust open the door, Butler distracts them while we search for Hazel. That's what you want, isn't it?"

I blush. Holly can read me like a book.

"Wouldn't it be more...tactical," I have to choose my words carefully. "To go for a different... strategy?"

"What do you recommend?"

They're all looking at me now.

"I have researched this building. It seems there is a secret tunnel entrance, leading to a basement. I propose Butler and I take that route."

"Oh no mud boy, you're sticking with me. I won't let you out of my sight, not after last time."

"It's decided, then. What about... Commander Root and Foaly?" I whisper. Not quiet enough, clearly. Root steps forward, showing his authority and over-confidence.

"I'm going with Butler. Wipe out those goblins as quickly as the Spelltropy."

I notice Foaly and Holly wince. Sensitive subject. That's useful.

"How about I just stay here, then?"

Holly nods approvingly. "Good idea, Foaly. I've got my communicator clip on my eye."

Foaly's never been one for missions.

"I'll show you where the tunnel entrance is, then."

"No need." Holly pushes past me. "I know already."

Female elves. So temperamental.

HOLLY'S P.O.V

Typical. Five of us and I end up with the genius. Artemis is drumming his fingers against his knuckle, humming softly. Strangely enough, he always remains calm, even in situations like these.

Especially as it's Hazel. A pang of jealousy goes through me, and quickly fades. Why am I jealous? Of Hazel? That's ridiculous. I dismiss the idea quickly. I know he likes her, though. He doesn't know it, but whenever he speaks of Hazel, his voice goes soft. Sometimes, I look at Artemis, and all I see is a lonely boy that misses his father. His mother's sane now, but before... I can see how he became a criminal. He's not just following in his father's footsteps, it's also because of his misguided childhood.

"Artemis?"

"Yes, Holly?"

"I hope you're OK with getting your fingers dirty."

"Why?"

"Prepare yourself, mud boy, dwarf tunnels aren't pleasant."

I study his reaction carefully.

"What's wrong with them?"

I'm going to enjoy this. "Oh, it's just... Let's just say the mud on the walls isn't mud."

He almost retches, but controls himself. I smile. We reach a pile of upturned mud. Think, Holly. What's the best way to do this? I spot a spade stuck in mud, and decide it's the best option. After elbow grease digging, and sarky comments from Artemis, the tunnel is revealed. I can hear gunshots being fired, but I have bigger problems.

Artemis wrinkles his nose. "This... is... disgusting."

"Get used to it, because it's what we're going to be crawling in.

"Crawling?"

I point to the roof of the tunnel, and he follows my gaze.

"Dwarf's aren't exactly known for their height. Neither are their tunnels. If we want to fit into this, we have to crawl."

I hear goblin voices, one high and reedy, the other deep and husky.

"Now, hurry!"
Artemis is reluctant, but he eventually crawls in. I follow him, firing a few shots to scare the goblins. It'll distract them, but not for long.

The tunnel is dark, and the stench of manure is too strong not to notice. It takes a few minutes, but we reach the end of the tunnel. Surprisingly, there's no light shining through at the end. This part is going to be tricky.

"We're going to have to navigate our way by feeling."

There's no answer, but I know he's heard me. Suddenly, a hand brushes against me.

"Holly? Oh God, sorry. I didn't mean to, honest, I was-"

"Say no more if you value your head."

He says no more. Convenient, I'll use that tactic in future. From outside, I hear a cackle, and the low monotone of talking. Who is it... I wander outside, too busy in my thoughts to see the gun slowly creeping up behind me. I hear the cock of a gun and the voice.

"Get up, Short." I recognise that voice...

I turn to face my captor. "Opal. Opal Koboi."

"Holly Short. Nice to see you, too."