Artemis Fowl: Held Captive

Chapter 6: When In Terrorion

Chapter 6: When In Terrorion

Artemis tapped his fingers on his phone case. He was planning on phoning in to the manor to update his family. He would do it if he could talk at all without breaking down. Terrorion market was his last hope. If he couldn't get rid of Redalion once and for all, he could become a problem again, and what then? Another goose chase? He couldn't take anymore of this. And Ellie? What about his daughter? She wouldn't remember this now, but if it happened again, what then?

This will not continue, Artemis thought, tightening his grip on his phone. This will not be happening again. Not if I have anything to do with it, which I most certainly will.

Artemis drew a slightly shaking breath. Time to brave the first storm of many, he thought, dialling the number on his phone.

The phone rang twice before it was picked up by Artemis Fowl Senior.

"Hello?" Artemis Senior said. "Artemis?"

"Yes, it's me."

"Just a moment, I'll put you on speaker." The phone switched to speaker at Fowl Manor.

"What's the story?" Beckett said, not waiting for anyone else to respond.

Artemis sighed. "She," he cleared his throat, "she wasn't there. They were already gone." He said firmly. The phone shook slightly in his hands. "We are on our way to Terrorion Market right now. I am sure they will be there."

The room was silent. "So, you, don't have her?" Beckett said.

"N-no. Not yet." I can't do it, Artemis thought. I can't do this.

"Artemis, she's going to fine. You will find her." Myles attempted to reassure his brother.

"Yes Myles," Artemis said. "And when we do, we must put a stop to things once and for all."

"Of coarse. The FBI will be notified once more."

"What good will the FBI do?" Artemis said. "No. He must be hindered for good. Not behind bars, not in an asylum."

"Artemis, you can't-" Angeline tried to intervene.

"I must." Artemis said. He wasn't pained to say it anymore. It was as if he wasn't saying it anyway.

Meanwhile, Butler was in the front of the Bentley overhearing this conversation. He immediately became aware and pulled the Bentley over to the side of the road.

"Artemis," he began, "hang up the phone and get out of the car."

"Wha-"

"Artemis." Butler said again. "Now."

"But-"

"Now!"

Artemis was stunned. "I'll, call you back." He said, hanging up. He exited to the outside of the car with Butler. "What?" He asked.

"Artemis, you need to get a grip. Stop and think. Breath."

"What?"

"Just stop."

"Is this about Redalion? I'm doing what must be done, Butler. I am going to kill him. It's the only way."

"Artemis, stop. It's the illness. Is getting to you." Butler said. The illness he referred to was Artemis's condition known as the Atlantis Complex. He had acquired it first when he was fifteen from his dabbling in fairy magic. It was and had been treated, but would always be with him. "Orion could come back. You don't want that do you?"