Sorry that the chapters are so short but come on! I'm typing with one hand here! Plus I gotta fit it all in with school and stuff. Anyway, here's the next chapter.
Artemis woke the next morning feeling exhilarated. Today might well be the most important day of his life. He might have discovered a whole new type of magic! A type of magic that even the fairies knew absolutely nothing about!
When Artemis came down for breakfast, however, there was not a trace of emotion on his face. No one could tell what he was thinking and Artemis wanted it to stay that way. If anyone found out what he was about to do, the liquid would be confiscated and he would be in so much trouble he wouldn't be allowed in the lab for months!
"So how are you this morning, honey?" Artemis' mother Angeline's voice cut straight through Artemis' thoughts. "Fine as always, Mother." Artemis replied but then added, after seeing his mother's look, "I mean Mum."
"That's better. I don't want any of that, "mother" business any more. It's just too...too...formal for someone your age! You need to start acting like a normal teenager, Artemis! You're too responsible."
Artemis gave a mental snort. He didn't think he'd ever hear a mother saying her child was too responsible.
Artemis bolted down his breakfast as fast as he could. He almost bowled over poor Beckett as he was walking, bleary-eyed towards the table for breakfast.
"Artemis seems a little hyper this morning." Artemis' father remarked from over the top of the newspaper. "I know. I don't know what's gotten into him." Angeline said, twisting a strand of hair around her finger the way she did when she was worried.
Butler was silent but he was watching the door Artemis had just ran through with eyes narrowed with suspicion. Artemis is definitely up to something, he thought. And I'm going to find out what.
Artemis quickly punched in the entry code on the keypad next to the door and jumped through into the lab. There it was. Sitting on the bench just as he had left it the night before. Turning around he shut the door making sure he heard the click of the mechanical lock before he faced the bench again. Walking forward, he lifted the tiny vial off the bench. As Artemis held the bottle to his lips, he felt his heartbeat quicken till it was hammering against his chest. What if it kills me? He thought fearfully but then his iron core took over. It will not kill me! He told himself sternly. There's nothing wrong with it and I know it. There's no time for doubts now. And with those thoughts echoing in his head he swallowed the whole thing in one gulp.
Instantly he felt very dizzy and grasped the edge of the bench for support. It felt like someone had dropped a large, heavy blanket over his brain. But the weirdest thing was, he could sense someone or something else experiencing the same thing he was. He didn't here a noise yet he could sense some other being was present. It was a bit like that feeling you get when you know someone's right behind you but you can't see them. Suddenly, the dizzy feeling vanished and he felt normal again.
Except...
He could still feel that other person in the back of his mind! He knew it was a person now. He wasn't sure how he knew, just that it was human or part human anyway...
Wha...Where am I? Artemis almost jumped a foot in the air. He could have sworn he'd heard a voice inside his head! He must be imagining things...No you're not imagining things! The voice said again and this time Artemis caught a distinct note of indignation. "Can...Can you hear me?" he said aloud. Yes I can. But I don't think you need to say it aloud. I can hear your thoughts. The strange voice said. You an hear my thoughts? Artemis did not appreciate all his thoughts being read like a book. Well not exactly...I think I can only hear what you want me to hear and vice versa. The voice said again, floating around Artemis' head. Artemis felt a blast of relief. The thought of an unknown creature reading his thoughts was horrifying. Um..who...who are you? Artemis "thought-spoke" to the voice. Me? Well to tell you the truth I'm not really sure. Do you have a name? Artemis asked. Ah...Yes. I think it's Ajay.
Ajay? That's a weird name. I've never heard of anyone called that before. Still I must be polite. My name's Artemis Fowl the Second. I'm 14 and also the smartest person on the planet. Ajay snorted. I highly doubt that. Oh do you? Artemis replied. Well I was the one who created you so you're not one to talk! Ok,ok. You win. But do have any idea how you created me? If I was you, I wouldn't think it was possible. Ajay said. Well you're not me! Only I could create another being that lives inside another's head! There was a sceptical silence from Ajay.
Alright, alright it was a complete accident that I created you. I was trying to create a more efficient fuel and I accidentally knocked a bottle of Lactic Acid into my formula and there you were. Artemis explained to Ajay.
Weird. Well it looks like you're stuck with me. Artemis considered this statement. He wasn't sure if this was good or bad. Having another person living in you're head was an entirely new concept to Artemis Fowl. The possibilities were endless. But then again, it could get really annoying. Don't worry I'll try not to annoy you Ajay laughed. Artemis shook himself mentally. He'd need to get used to shielding his thoughts from Ajay.
So what are we going to do now? Ajay said "Well first I'm going to research the effects of Lactic Acid, ground Bauxite and Chlorox, the three main chemicals I used for my formula." Artemis said aloud more so he could hear an actual human voice then for any other reason.
Over the next few hours, Ajay berated Artemis with questions ranging from how coffee makers work to what Artemis' name meant. It's the name of the Greek hunter goddess ok? Now will you stop asking me things! It's really annoying! Artemis cried. But Ajay's curiosity had sparked. Ohhh! Is my name the name of a Greek god? Well it depends...Artemis said spinning round on his swivel chair. ...Is your name Hermes? Poisedon? Zeus? Because if it's not then your answer is no. Well what does it mean then? Ajay said huffily. I'll only tell you if you shut up for at least an hour! Fine. Said Ajay shortly. Right. Your name, Ajay, is of Sanskrit origin and means "unconquered". Cool! I'm "unconquered". You are so immature. And what happened to our agreement? Oh, well I wasn't serious. Shutting up for an hour is the one thing I can't do! Oh yeah, sure. Artemis said sarcastically, getting up from his chair. Where are you going? Ajay asked. I'm going to get something to eat, I've had nothing to eat since breakfast. What time is it now? Uh... 3 o'clock. Ok, maybe you should get something to eat.
As Artemis entered the kitchen, he noticed that the room was empty except for Myles and Beckett who were playing some game with marbles.
"Hi Artemis! Want to play?" Myles asked. "No, not now Myles, I'm working on an important project." Artemis replied. "But you're always working on an important project!" Beckett piped up. "Yes, but this one is one of the most important ones I've ever had in my life." Artemis replied truthfully. "Ok fine. I knew we were wasting our time." Myles sighed, returning to the game.
Artemis felt a twinge of guilt at rebuking the twins. Then he remembered. He had another person living inside his head! Myles and Beckett could wait.
Artemis got out some things for lunch. He wasn't used to making his own lunch, but it seemed his parents and Butler had gone out for the day.
As he quickly spread jam on a piece of bread, he heard Ajay ask another question. What's that red stuff you're putting on that white thing? "It's called jam and the white thing is called bread." Artemis said aloud without thinking.
"What was that, Artemis?" Myles said, a confused look on his face. "Uh...nothing." Artemis said hurriedly and quickly scooped up his sandwich and ran out of the kitchen.
"Did you hear that?" Myles asked Beckett. "Yeah, Artemis was talking to himself." Beckett replied. "And I heard him chatting away to no one in the lab this morning as well." Myles said looking worried. "Should we tell Mummy?" Beckett asked. "Yeah I think we should."
"What did you say?" Angeline cried rising from where she was crouched in the garden.
"It's Artemis, Mum. He's talking to himself." Myles said
"Are you sure? Maybe he's just reminding himself about something."
"No, he's really talking to himself. Like having conversations." Angeline looked worried. "I think we should tell your father and Butler. Butler suspected something was wrong with Artemis. He's not going to like this." Angeline said, dashing towards the house.
So is that long enough for you? I got up at 6 am this morning to finish it! Remember to give me feedback. Is there anything I should edit? Please R&R!
~Spinnika