"Hey kid, need some help?"
Artemis turned sharply at the unfamiliar voice behind him.
A pale boy with white hair and a blue sweater stood opposite of a pale boy with black hair in a suit, the first a playful smirk on his face, the second a derogatory scowl.
The forest around him was silent, animals quietly shuffling around, not making a sound, as if sensing the meeting that was taking place in the heart of nature. The trees' light green leaves let light shine through, onto the forest path both eleven year olds stood.
Artemis looked the boy over skeptically. He was barefoot, leaning casually on a big oak, twirling around a long stick.
The stick was more of a staff, really, smooth and well-used. Although Artemis didn't know why it would be, since the boy didn't seem to need walking aid. Interesting
Artemis turned an unimpressed gaze toward the strange person.
"How, exactly, did you wish to help me? I observe neither vehicles, nor people nearby."
Jack blinked at the boys wording, but he understood the general message. He had already thought of flying them both, but was afraid his staff might not be able to bear that weight.
"There's a path south of here. It leads to a nearby town, which I'm guessing you're from."
The boy's calculating gaze seemed to bore straight through Jack, and he shifted uncomfortably.
Finally the boy had apparently decided Jack was telling the truth, and turned sharply South. When he began walking away, Jack would have normally considered his job done, but something in him protested the boy's rudeness.
"Wait a minute, no thank you or nothing?"
He shouted after the boy, jogging to catch up to him.
"I don't even know your name!" Then Jack realized he had never introduced himself either. He had just assumed that because the boy could see him, he'd immediately know who Jack was. "I'm Jack, by the way."
Before the boy could answer, he thought of something else.
"Where are your parents? Are they lost too?"
The boy's voice took on a dangerous undertone. "Artemis Fowl II. You will getget your nose out of business it doesn't belong in, Jackson."
Jack stood still and narrowed his eyes, while 'Artemis' kept walking.
"Fine. But if your parents are eaten by a wild animal while you are relaxing by a fire, remember that I could have helped them."
He flew away, and did not see Artemis' nails digging into his palms.
Jackson was going to pay for that.