Artemis Fowl and the Master Experimentation

Chapter 2

Butler sat with Artemis in his study, both in deep thought. What had the girl meant? She seemed under the impression that she was in a dream. It was then that Artemis got the video call he'd been awaiting. He reached over and pressed the 'enter' button and Foaly's face spread across his screen.

"Good morning, Foaly," said Artemis softly.

"Artemis," he said shortly, "I hope this is important."

"Would I ask for you to contact me if it weren't?" Artemis asked, raising an eyebrow.

Foaly snorted loudly and leaned back in his chair. He swept a hand through his unruly hair and pulled a carrot from a case beside him and began to chew it.

"Well, what is it?" demanded Foaly.

"The girl, she sent me this," said Artemis, lifting the piece of paper up to the screen.

 Foaly leaned forwards and squinted at it, frowning. Then he sat back looking shocked.

"Well, either you have a serious stalker who lives in another world or this girl does actually need your help."

"That's what I suspected. Would it be the best idea to confront her, though?" Artemis asked.

"I don't see that there's any other possibility to solve this," said Foaly, chewing his way through the carrot and starting another.

"That settles this, then," said Artemis, "thank you Foaly, for your imput."

Foaly sighed and switched off his camera. Artemis switched off his own and sat back down in the chair and turned to Butler.

"We set of in half an hour. We are going to Dublin," said Artemis, "prepare the car."

Artemis waited outside the cafe all morning, sipping at his Earl Grey and waiting for the girl to appear. It was late into the afternoon before she made her appearance. She was dressed in a turquoise top and grey jeans and her long hair trailed down her back as she came up the street. As she approached she looked directly at Artemis, but as always, didn't stop walking. He stood and started to walk after her through the crowds of people, Butler trying desperately to keep pace. Faylinn looked back over her shoulder, surprised to see Artemis following, so she seemed to speed up. Artemis's brow furrowed and he felt frustrated as he pushed past all these people, Butler falling seriously behind. Faylinn turned down a side street and Artemis almost ran after her, feeling his un-fit body protesting. 

"Faylinn!" called out Artemis after her.

He didn't know why he'd called out, but he knew it had worked as Faylinn slowed her pace and looked back at him, but still walking. He came to her side and walked along side her.

"Faylinn, why have you been following me?" he demanded.

She looked at him, surprised he talked to her, but continued onwards.

"Please, stop walking!" Artemis said, clasping a hand to his chest.

Faylinn stopped and looked at him with her haunting eyes. She smiled a little at him and he tried to smile back, but couldn't.

"Why have you been following us?"

She looked at him, confused, then shook her head. Over the sea of people, Artemis could glace the shaved crown of Butler. Faylinn saw him glance away and started to move through the crowds again. Artemis, frustrated, tried to grab her arm. It was a strange moment where for a fraction of a second he didn't believe what he saw. His hand passed right through her wrist. Faylinn Hayze was a hologram. Faylinn looked down at her arm, her mouth open, then looked up at Artemis.