The Collaboration Files

Stupidity Is Not An Option

Artemis and Butler were no fools. It took Artemis a moment to locate the two blips on a screen, heading east. After transporting the two faerie-humans to a rented lake house off the edge of a secluded lake in Wisconsin, he interrogated each one in the order they awoke, and efficiently placed trackers on them. Once the proper gadgetry was fired up and the proper codes typed in, they could be found in a matter of seconds.  Getting to them, however, was a different matter. Usually, Artemis would be flying a jet to the spot, or hire a chauffer, but this was serious. These two faerie-humans could destroy the world if left on the wrong hands. This was a delicate operation.

Meanwhile, Lizzy and I were hailing a taxi. I had to go to my house, leave a note on the table saying I was in London (My parents probably wouldn’t care), and change clothes. My clothes were so raggedy from gravel, dirt, and dust that it was probably a permanent stain now.

I let Lizzy borrow some old clothes of mine, filled my wallet with cash (Foreign and native), and grabbed my passport. My fake one, mind you. A minor genius on her way to Oxford, accompanied by her sister. My real sister’s picture was in black-and-white, and was fuzzy enough that if you squinted, it looked a bit like Lizzy. Probably wouldn’t stand up to close examination, though.

I filled my backpack with more clothing, books, cash, and even a little food. Then I grabbed my Mobile, hijacked our Toshiba laptop, and took a bunch of other useful things, including the small sword on my wall. Then, we were gone. I had been planning for a moment like this all my life, where I could run for a reason. I’ve always wanted to run away from my family, my life, but only if I could come back.

We hitched a ride on a cola truck and made it to the airport in time to schedule two first-class tickets to London. Smart as they seemed, Artemis and Butler did not seem to be following. Thank god. I was about to relax, before I saw a flash of raven hair in the crowd. I was never at ease until we were on the plane, and the plane was lifting off the ground. I was nervous to go on a plane. I hate planes. Still do. Though, I have to admit, If I’m being chased by some psycho teenage criminal mastermind that thinks I’m a faerie, I’ll go on a plane.

I looked overhead at the luggage rack. Then at Lizzy. She was dozing, but I could see the one hand on her ankle that I knew led to the other dagger, concealed. It was easy to get past airport security, because I had done the trick with my eyes on the security guards. Now, I felt drained. I rolled my fingers together, and turned to look behind me.

A flash of raven hair…

No. I mentally smacked myself. I get it together, man. Artemis can’t have followed you. You’re fine. You’re fine….

And I succumbed to fatigue.

*    *    *

Turbulence awoke me, and I’m guessing Lizzy as well. Or maybe she was already up. But anyway, over the rattle of plastic doors and loose jangly stuff, I could hear the captain announcing that we were nearing London. Buckling in a bit tighter, there were a few minutes of rattling before the nose of the plane lowered. As the great metal bird descended, my ears popped. After what had seemed like forever, I felt great metal wheels skid across pavement. We were grounded. I allowed myself one small smile before we stopped.

Once we gathered our stuff and were out of the airport, there was the matter of hailing a cab. I’ve been practicing for weeks, so when I whistled shrilly, a cab deposited itself on the curb inched from our toes.

“Where to?” The driver grinned. I looked on my Mobil for the place, and showed the driver.

“Can you take us there?”

“Yep,” He grinned again, reminding me of my demented driving skills.

In minutes, we were strolling up to Peckham Library. It is a striking building that looks like an upside-down capital ‘L’. It won the Sterling prize for architecture in the year 2000. Of course, I was only here for the seclusion a library might bring, but I wanted to see this building as well as visit a library.

In a far-off corner somewhere, Lizzy and I began our battle plan.