Artemis Fowl: The Unpredictable Future

Chapter 22: Let There Be Light?

Holly eyed the ceiling as the lights flickered on.

Foaly rushed out of the bedroom and ran straight to the fireplace, tapping furiously on the computer screen, "Defense system two-three-one activate!" The house started to vibrate and gave off a low-pitched humming noise. He turned his gaze outside and let out a happy laugh as he saw all twelve custom positron blasters emerge from the ground in front of the door.

Rachel raced out and jumped onto Holly, hugging her extremely tight, "You're not dead! We're not dead!"

Holly smiled and let out a cough, trying to laugh. Rachel released her grip and looked towards Foaly as his computer began to speak in a fluid android type voice, "Defense system two-three-one activated. Locating all Class two and higher lethal weaponry within a hundred meters." There was a moment of silence, "Two weapons located. Now eliminating."

Before she could blink, the pistol Holly had in her hand simply imploded on itself, turning into dust. They watched outside as one more blast was let loose into the forest. They heard the similar noise behind the line of trees where Fulton was the last time they saw him. Foaly scratched his chin, "Only two? That entire group had guns didn't they?"

Rachel looked outside and gasped, "That's impossible. I thought..." She tried to walk out of the door, but Holly held her back.

"I wouldn't do that just yet. We don't know what's going on."

Foaly walked over to his family portrait on the wall. "I don't exactly have an answer, but I know someone who might. Just try not to be... too overwhelmed." He muttered to himself as he began unlocking his lab room. Holly and Rachel stared as the wall slowly descended.

"I sincerely hope you can all forgive me." Artemis was standing behind the wall with a sort of disheartened smile.

A river of tears forced themselves through Holly's eyes as she ran as fast as she could towards him, slamming her embrace against his mid-section. He grunted as he tried to brace himself for the impact, only to be knocked back. She straddled his stomach and began beating her fists against his chest as her tears continued to fall, "You inconsiderate son of a...! How could you do this to me!"

Rachel fell to her knees as she tried to understand what was happening, "But he... If he's here, then who was..."

Foaly was only standing there, rubbing his forehead. Enduring several hits onto his actual body, Artemis grabbed Holly's hands and pulled her into a tight hug as he sat up. Holly cried wholeheartedly into his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him.

He kissed her forehead and stroked the back of her hair, whispering gently, "I'm sorry dear. I will never scare you like that again, I promise. From here on out, I will never allow another lie to escape my mouth. At least, not to you." He pulled back a little and let out a smile.

Still unable to stop the flow of tears, Holly slapped Artemis across his face, full force. He grunted and winced as he held his cheek. After his shock of being struck, he looked at her surprised. She placed one hand on his other cheek and her other on top of Artemis' hand, pulling him into a deep kiss. Foaly gawked at the sight, unsure how else to react.

Holly pulled away and pressed her forehead against his as she sniffled, "You better have one hell of an explanation Artemis." She stood and walked her way back to Rachel, Artemis following behind her.

He helped Holly pick Rachel up onto her feet and patted the top of her head, "Foaly, do you still have that note?"

Foaly nodded and opened it, reading it out loud, "Please bear with me Foaly. I know things look bad, but I trust the three of you to play this out with the pieces I've given you. When the fighting has stopped, please open your false wall. It is imperative that you do not tell Holly or Rachel, but I do not know how to open it from this side."