My Artemis Fowl fan fiction

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Heavy raindrops pounded against the thick glass windows of Fowl manor. The winds pushed against the ancient stonework of the estate, yet the mansion remained stable and undeterred. Artemis sat with Butler in front of a crackling fireplace, content with being inside and thoroughly protected from the harsh elements that dominated nature that weary evening. He sat in a comfortable velvet lined, high-backed chair, elbows propped on the armrests and fingers steepled into his usual thinking position. His eyes were closed as to block out any distractions that may disrupt his thoughts. The sounds of the angry gusts that blew outside the windows bothered him immensely, but he knew there was nothing he could do, so he tried his best to ignore them.

"I feel very sorry for whatever poor fellow is caught in that brew." He commented dryly. Butler simply nodded, being in one of those states where he was more comfortable when he was not talking than when he was. Artemis didn't bother to look over at his bodyguard, knowing that he had most likely responded silently. He preferred the manor that way at the moment, completley silent. It was almost peaceful, if it wasn't for that blasted storm...

A knock sounded at the front door of the estate and echoed throughout the halls. Artemis was startled, and opened his eyes momentarily to watch Butler get up from his chair and lumber down the halls to answer the knock. It wasn't so much that he had lumbered, like any old eight foot tall goon, Butler walked like a man who knew that he was large and powerful yet had a large amount of common sense and even intelligence, which was rare for a man of his stature. Artemis heard him demanding the stranger at the door his or her identity, but with no response accompanying the order. He could understand the stranger's hesitation, anyone whom Butler first approached would be left speechless by his size, but after three and then four times of asking, Butler became frustrated and bellowed,

"Are you going to answer me at all?" Silence follwed his question. Finally, the door slammed loudly and Butler returned to the sitting room ushering in a young girl around Artemis's age. All she had on was a very damp red hoodie, some wet jeans and sloshy sneakers. In her dripping-wet hair was a purple barette that blinked rhythmically. Artemis crossed his legs to stare thoughtfully at the girl.

"Who is she?" Butler shook his head and handed Artemis a soggy piece of paper. He took it and read the odd and dangerous note:

LOOK AROUND FOR A CASTLE, OR MANOR. GO THERE. DO NOT REMOVE YOUR BLINKING BARRETTE OR SPEAK, OR YOU WILL SURELY DIE.

Artemis snorted skeptically and handed the piece of paper back to Butler. "How do I know this isn't a trick?" he asked. The girl stared back at him, with pleading eyes and Artemis couldn't tell if she had tears or just rainwater trailing down her cheeks. Artemis, who wasn't the compassionate type, stared blankly back at her. She shivered in response, which caused him to sigh in defeat and say, "Very well, come in. Sit by the fire and dry off. You must be cold anyhow." The girl nodded once and trudged over to the fireplace. She stood and stared absently into the crackling flames, the orange glow of the light reflecting off her stiff face. It was the face of someone who had experienced many sadnesses or struggles, and sometimes it was the face of Artemis himself. He suddenly felt very connected to this girl, but drove the feeling away and said to Butler, "I thought I said I felt sorry for whoever was caught out in that storm, not that I would bring them into my home."

"She was suffering, what was I supposed to do? Leave her out to die?" Butler asked his employer. Artemis sighed again, implying a yes to his rhetorical question and holding out his hand for the note again.

"Check around her ear. I have my suspicions as to who wrote this..." He said as Butler again handed him the note. Artemis examined the handwriting, and could only determine that the person who had wrote it wrote with their left hand. He knew at least six left-handed people who, at the moment, would like to harm him. One of them could be identified by one little thing behind this strange girl's ear.