The Angelic Paradox

Fretful Pondering

I wake with a start at the sound of pounding on my window. The pane rattles violently. I jolt up in my bed and narrow my eyes at the dark shape silhouetted. Small, clearly pointed ears exemplified her identity as Holly Short. I scramble out of bed, anticipating unpleasant news awaits in her company.

I throw open the window and she flutters inside, landing on my plush carpet floor. I sit heavily on my bed and await the news come by my midnight messenger.

"Artemis," she says gently.

I put my head in my hands, "She was taken, wasn't she?"

Holly nods.

I fall backward onto my bed, the beginning of tears prickling my eyes. My body shakes. My mind races with worry. Is she still alive? What has he done to her?

Holly sits beside me, "I presume you want me to get the crew and put the plan into motion immediately?"

I just stare at the ceiling.

"Artemis, we'll save her. There's no ifs, ands or buts about it. You're a genius. You've outsmarted many a villian. Emerald will be alright."

I sit up, "No, Sabriel will do horrible things to her. I can't believe I consented to this risky plan. Who knows how badly he will scar her."

She shakes her head, "Fine. Be pessimistic. Get dressed while I get the others."

I drag myself to my feet, "Very well," I mumble.

Mother walks with me in silence to the rendezvous point where she will see me off. I stare at my feet. I can't think of Emerald. The pain she must be feeling hurts me just to ponder it. I feel a horrible pang of guilt shoot through me. It should be me. Not her. She's innocent, living in a world naïve to war and ruthless murder and torture. I can only imagine how Sabriel will take advantage of that innocence.

Mother glances at me, worry scribbled across her brow, "Arty, may I ask who you implanted to be captured? You were vague and your demeanor portrays is was someone you cared about."

I sigh, dragging out the name with my forced footsteps, "Emerald. Sh-she insisted."

She nods, "Artemis...is there anything I can do?"

"Stay safe. A Retrieval squad is stationed around the manor but they can do only so much. If I lose Emerald, you are all I have left. Stay safe, please," I instruct half-heartedly.

"You really care about this girl, huh, Arty?" she says softly.

I snort, "Am I that obvious?"

She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes, "I see how worried you are, and how you looked at her. Even a blind man could see you are two are a match made in heaven."

I hope, I can't help but think but say instead, "I will deal with my emotions at a later date. At present, there are lives, one life in particular, that I am obliged to save," I sigh, "I find this world saving is growing tiresome."

Mother stops and I halt beside her. She looks at me inquisitively, "Then live normally, Arty," she reaches out and strokes my face, "Let go of your world saving hobby."

I shake my head, "You know I can't. The world needs a genius who knows how villians think, not to mention, with magical associates, and I'm the only man for the job."

She hugs me, "No matter you do, I will always love you, Arty. Let that drive you to come home a victor, maybe not holding the trophy of defeating Sabriel, but being alive. Come back because, yes, I have a family but who are the Fowls without Arty? Who are the Fowls without my little genius? Who is Angeline Fowl without her first son who see has watched grow up faster than she did?" she touches her fingers to the gray roots of my black hair, "Who am I without the only person I knew when I was delirious for two years? The person who made me who I truly am? I'll tell you the answer to all those questions. We, I, am nothing without you, Arty. Nothing."

I feel a salty tear trickle down my cheek, "Mother, I---"

She starts walking again and slowly, I follow suit, "Shh. It's past midnight, Arty, so it's Thursday. You have to call me Mum."

"Very well...Mum."

"And regular people don't say very well. They say okay."

"Okay, Mum," I say, the words strange on my tongue.

About ten feet from the border of the rendezvous point, Mother stops and turns to me, "I believe this is the part where I leave you to your world saving. I won't say good bye. Just that I love you and will see you soon.

I nod, "Of course, Mot---Mum."

She smiles, "Love you, Arty.

"I love you as well."

She rolls her eyes, "The correct phrase is 'I love you, too' but I'll let it slide. For now."

I smile weakly and watch her gracefully exit. I barely have time to breathe when Foaly clops up beside me, "There you are, Mud Boy. I presume you want to view the surveillance of Miss Tate's abduction? I assure it is not pleasant but..."

I nod and he leads me off.

"Okay... and, go."

The screen shows Emerald's bedroom empty, her bathroom light on. I hear her voice singing and the sound of a shower. I notice all the Artemis Fowl things all around her room. One illustration I find a particularly interesting is a cartoon of me and her with heart between our heads. Each us are labeled. Except, she is labeled Me (Emerald Fowl). My mouth twitches upward.

Suddenly a figure appears. A figure I recognize as Sabriel. He picks up her copy of Artemis Fowl and started flipping through.

The water turns off and Emerald walks into view in just a towel I can't help but admire her beauty. Sabriel looks up and says something that aggrivates her slightly. He comments and they go back and forth until he declares it time to go.

"Look! Someone who cares!" she exclaims,pointing at the blank wall. I can't help but chuckle.

She procedes to tell Sabriel, and I quote, "I'm not afraid of you, Swabe-Babe."

Foaly shakes his head behind me. The spell of amusement is soon extinguished as Emerald suddenly doubles over in pain, her blood dripping from her mouth onto her towel.

I clench my teeth in anger, my eyes glued to the screen. She straightens back up and stands her grond. Sabriel respondes by bringing her to the floor, blood gushing from her nose. When she recovers, he threatens her family, and suddenly she is cooperative. He grins and beckons her to him.

His last sentence sends anger through my every cell, "Now let that towel fall, my dear."

I turn away. I could never watch what I know comes next