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Books » Artemis Fowl » Artemis and Ajay

Author: Spinnika

Rated: K+ - English - Adventure/Supernatural - Reviews: 106 - Published: 03-11-10 - Updated: 01-09-11

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Well, guys, here's a new chapter. It's pretty long, you'll be pleased to know. And in this one I thought I'd introduce a new character. Tell me if you like him in your reviews.

Artemis shoved aside some corrugated iron and stepped out into fresh air. It had taken him several minutes to navigate his way through the wreckage that, until recently, was his home. But of course, Artemis had no way of knowing that. The blow to his head had been hard enough to knock the past memories out of his head better than any mind-wiping devices.

Every minute seemed to increase the amount of pain in his head and Artemis didn't think he could stand much more. He was all ready pressed to his limits as it was.

Stumbling forwards, Artemis somehow managed to reach the bottom of the Fowl Manor grounds without passing out. He gazed down the majestic hill that upheld Fowl Manor. The beautiful Irish countryside swam before his eyes as his vision became more and more blurry. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Artemis started downwards.

Halfway down the hill Artemis fainted. The abominable pain in his head became too much. In fact, it was amazing he'd made it this far. Most people's brains would have automatically shut down if they'd somehow obtained such a grievous injury to the head. But Artemis was different. He'd been different since the day he was born. Artemis' brain was not like other's. When he'd realised how much danger he was in, Artemis' brain had resisted the natural urge to shut down the body's primary functions and had instead begun running through the possible solutions to Artemis' dilemma. But, like all things, Artemis' fantastic brain had a limit. Artemis had stayed awake as long as possible before this limit was reached, but eventually he could take it no more. With a final strangled sob of pain, Artemis sank to the ground and fell thankfully into the dark fathoms of unconsciousness.

Then, gravity took a hold. Artemis' inert body began rolling down the rest of the hill. Luckily, the grass was soft and did no damage to his injured head. Finally, he reached the base of the hill. Artemis rolled to a stop facing the sky. His face looked awfully pale in contrast with the vibrant colours of nature around him. Blood still leaked from the terrible wound on the back of his head. With every pulse of his heart more of his precious lifeblood seeped from his body.

Les Sheehan was a young Irish fisherman who enjoyed travelling to various parts of Ireland to practise his life's trade. Although, with modern technology, fishing was not something Les needed to do out of necessity, he still enjoyed fishing the old-fashioned way. He disapproved of the new modern ways of fishing that made it quicker and easier. He thought that real fishing could only be achieved by a steady hand and lots of patience.

As it was, Mr. Sheehan happened to be in the town that was near where Fowl Manor stood. Young Les was out for a spot of afternoon fishing when he became lost in the unfamiliar landscape. Instead of finding water, he found trees and bushes. Eventually, he found a long black road that wound it's way through the trees like a black snake. Quickly, he stepped onto it, not wanting to become lost in all those identical trees again. After around ten minutes the road took a sharp turn and began heading up a towering hill.

Although he was sure this did not lead back to town, Les' curiosity was piqued. He walked towards the hill but just as he reached the base, he saw a small figure sprawled on the ground just off the side of the road. Les hurried off the side of the road toward the figure. As he neared the still form on the ground, Mr. Sheehan saw it was a boy. He lay on the ground with one arm out stretched and the other across his stomach. Les felt his heart jump into his mouth when he saw the dark red stain that covered the grass around his head like some grotesque halo.

Falling to his knees beside the boy, Les quickly checked his pulse. It was faint and irregular, but present. Gently, he rolled the boy onto his side to asses the damage. Les had taken a First Aid course at his university and knew the basics of wound assessment and care. Even his inexpert eye could see the damage was bad. Les didn't know how much blood the boy had lost, but judging by the amount of it in the grass, he could tell it was a lot.

Climbing to his feet, Les gently lifted the boy into his strong, muscle-hardened arms. Turning back to the road, he began hurrying down it as fast as he could without hurting the boy. Les had seen a medical centre when he'd first arrived in the town and that was where he intended to go. This boy needed help and quickly if he was going to live through this ordeal.

"Is he going to be ok, Doctor?" Les asked anxiously as he and the doctor strolled down one of the hospital's many whitewashed walls.

It wasn't the same hospital that Ajay had found himself in a few hours earlier. Butler had taken Ajay to an expensive private hospital about two hour's drive from here. Les had taken Artemis to the local medical centre that he'd spotted on his arrival.

"I don't know. The wound was pretty serious. A bad skull fracture at least." the doctor replied, scribbling frantically on his clipboard. "Who are you, anyway? His father?"

Les opened his mouth to reply that he was most definitely not Artemis' father but stopped as a thought came to him.

When he'd found Artemis, there hadn't seemed to be any parent around. In fact there were no adults within a kilometre of that spot. So if he claimed to be no relative of Artemis' the boy might be left alone with parent or guardian to watch over him. Even worse, if he told the doctor that he wasn't Artemis' father then the doctor might think he was some felon who'd attacked an innocent boy on the sidewalk. Then, he, Les would be charged with child abuse and possibly sent to jail!

All these thoughts passed through Les' head in less than a second. He opened his mouth the second time and said:

"Uh...Yeah, yeah, I'm his father."

"Oh, good." said the doctor, "You'll be knowing his name then?"

This stumped Les for a minute before he blurted out the first name that came into his head.

"Lucas! Uh...Yeah, that's his name."

"Indeed." said the doctor, peering at Les over the top of his glasses. "And you name is...?"

"Les. Les Sheehan."

"Ok, I'll need you to write down few details..."

"Then can I see him?"

The doctor looked doubtful. He's had a severe ordeal. Maybe it's best if we leave him alone."

"It'll only be quick, I promise." Les looked pleadingly at the doctor.

The doctor sighed.

"Technically, you're not allowed to see someone after a general anaesthetic operation, but maybe I can pull a few strings."

"Thank you, doctor!"

After ten minutes of filling out boring hospital forms, Les was allowed to see Artemis. He slipped quietly into the room and sat down. Artemis was lying in bed, his face a shade paler than death. Only a few dark strands of hair were visible beneath the white bandages that covered Artemis' head like a turban.

Les sat looking at the boy he'd found so close to death. After a while he began to speak.

"Well, I know you can't hear me but I've gotta tell you a few things anyway. First of all, your name is now Lucas Sheehan and I'm your dad. I know, kinda strange, huh? But what else could I do? I couldn't just leave you there! You were, like, dying and I had to do something! I couldn't just..."

Les trailed off as he realised how stupid this must look if someone was watching him. Talking to an unconscious boy! What was he thinking? Why hadn't he just told the truth and been done with it? Someone would have eventually realised that he hadn't attacked the boy and then he would've been free to do whatever he wanted!

But although these thoughts rushed through Les' head, Les knew the real reason why he'd lied to the doctor. It was because he'd taken a liking to the boy he'd rescued and Les didn't want him to be left alone without a parent. Suddenly, Les came to a decision.

"As soon as you wake up you can tell me who your parents are and I'll take you to them." Les told the sleeping Artemis.

He stood up and patted Artemis' cold hand.

"Don't worry, we'll find your parents."

Ok, do you like Les? Should I make him a main character? I've got a few ideas set aside for him.

Tell me your opinions! And keep those reviews flowing!

~Spinnika