Hello, everyone! Here's my next short story! This one's about Artemis when he's got the Atlantis Complex, and is undergoing treatment.

Artemis was in control of the situation. Yes, he was. There was absolutely no reason that he should fear the looming wave of fours in front of him.

Four people, four chairs, four o' clock. It was all the one single number that was now the bane of his existence. Then, the door opened and in came a girl, small and lethe. She stood in the far corner. Now, there were five people. Artemis sighed inwardly. Thank the number gods, he was safe.

He might trust the man who sat right next to him. He certainly did not trust the centaur that was in the room. But, the elven girl in the room unnerved him the most.

"Is he still...?" asked Foaly, and stopped himself. Crazy? The word hung in the air, even if he never said it. No one replied.

Holly was tired. She was exhausted to the bone. Not because of physical exertion, but rather of mental worrying. Artemis could not just fall to pieces like this. He was a genius; the thinker of the group. If he was out of the game, well then, Opal could break out right now, and none of them would be able to do a thing.

"Artemis?" she asked, softly. "Why did you have to be like this now? Why did you mess with something that was beyond your control?"

Artemis's keen ears caught the fairy's voice. I don't like that one, his mind confirmed. She knows too much of me for my safety. She should be eliminated from the scene. His pupils shrank to pin points. What if she's after my family? She already knows too much. It would only be the next logical step. She's out to kill me.

Fear spread through his system, and a glittering net of golden fours threatened to descend upon him. Death, he thought. Only death awaits my arrival now. His heart raced, and his breathing grew shallow.

"Five! Five!" he cried out loud, sticking out all the digits of his left hand at her. "Get away!"

Holly sighed, and got out of the chair. It was always like this. She would come into the room, trying to help Artemis snap out of it. But, it was like he had a phobia for her. She could not stay next to him for more than five minutes. He'd panic, and yell at her to get out. He was fine with Butler, Foaly, and even Trouble. It was only her that troubled his mind.

Butler, Foaly and Trouble gave her sad looks, but she only nodded bitterly. She shut the door behind her, and heard him calm down. Dr. Argon's voice was heard, and it was all soft tones. Artemis's voice eventually died away, and it was silent.

She was all alone in the highly polished corridor. It isn't fair, she thought. He has to be afraid of the very person who cannot live without him. She slid to the ground, and buried her head in her hands. Her shoulders shook, and tears rolled down her cheeks. It would never end, would it? It would just keep on going forever.

After some time, she wiped her face. She couldn't stay away from him. How much ever he wanted her to go, her heart would drag her back. I'll stay in the corner this time, she said, and walked back in. She saw him looking around the room, observing every little detail. She silently stood by the corner, and watched his gaze.

When will it end, she thought, if ever? She sighed. She stood there with the determination and stubbornness that was characteristic of her behavior. Then, his gaze fell on her. Panic ensued.

How was it? Please leave a review! (I'll give you a special cookie then.)

Author1720