Artemis Fowl: The Unpredictable Future

Chapter 7: Just Friends

Holly closed her eyes as the wind hit her face. She could almost imagine that she was flying again with her hummingbird wings. She felt Artemis wrap his arms around her stomach and push against her slightly in a protective kind of way. She reached down and held his hands with one of her own.

"Hold on tight!" yelled Rachel as she pushed Ottoman to go faster.

Holly looked back to see Fulton and his gang were now further behind. As she made eye contact with their pursuers, Holly quickly shut her eyes closed. "I'm... scared?" she whispered but was inaudible to either Artemis or Rachel. She could feel Artemis' hold get a little tighter as if he knew what she was thinking.

After a series of turns and backtracks through the ruined city, they found themselves on the outskirts. It looked like a barren wasteland.

Rachel looked back, "Okay. I think I lost them. At least for now."

Descending into a slow trot before stopping completely, Holly slid off Ottoman's side. She let out a gentle laugh as the horse nuzzled its face against her neck. "I think Ottoman is hungry."

"Give me a moment," said Artemis. "We might have something in here he can eat." He rummaged through one of the bags they had acquired and discovered an apple, carefully offering it to the horse with an open hand. Ottoman whinnied as he happily munched on his reward. Artemis looked at Holly and smiled in relief at being safe for the moment. Again, without thinking, he leaned his face in close to hers, but was interrupted by Holly placing a finger on his lips before pulling him into a hug. Artemis awkwardly hugged her back, trying to suppress the embarrassment he was feeling.

Holly pulled back and crossed her arms, smirking. "Remember, mud boy, we're just friends."

"Right." Artemis scratched the back of his head, looking to the side. "Of course."

Rachel giggled. "Come on." Rachel pointed to a small cave where the back of it was slightly visible. "We should probably set up camp." She stroked Ottoman's mane and beckoned him to follow her to the cave.

Artemis paused and looked at Rachel curiously. If she is from this time period as well, it makes sense that she knows the area. Can we trust her? He turned to see Holly already chasing after Rachel before deciding to walk after them. I'll find out one way or another. As night time approached, Artemis had been attempting at making a fire for them. It took longer than he anticipated and a few more blisters than needed before he had a mini bon fire steadily burning near the entrance of the cave. He had folded his suit jacket and tie neatly on the ground by his makeshift bed before sitting next to the girls who were huddled closely by the fire. After several minutes, Artemis decided to break the silence.

"Not that I'm ungrateful of your services, but I can't seem to understand why you're here helping us, Rachel. What were you doing with that group anyway?"

She twirled a strand of her hair around her finger as she looked down, "Well... That other pixie who punched you and hog-tied Holly is my father. You see, after my mother died, he fell into a deep depression. Without really thinking it through, he made us join the K'lor Bellos in hopes of making enough money to support us. Fulton kept talking about a scheme that would set us good for the rest of our lives. I had no idea it was a kidnapping."

Holly tilted her head a little, "Then why bother saving us? You could've gotten a better life by helping them."

Rachel smiled but shook her head, "I never wanted money. My dad was never one to dwell on money either, but for some reason that's what he felt needed to be important for the both of us. Not to mention, there is no justifiable reason to have kidnapped you."