Artemis Fowl: A Call for Help

Chapter 27

Outside of Tara, Ireland
"Put the gun down." Jade said calmly. "Nobody needs to get hurt."
"Oh, really? We'll see about that." Lana snapped.
"Yes, we will."
All of a sudden there was a knock at the door. Lana whirled around to see the source of the interruption. She opened the door cautiously, sticking her head out the crack. "Who are you, and what do you want?"
The boy's stare sent chills down Lana's spine. "I'd like to speak to Jade. Now if you'll let me in the door, I won't take much of your time." Lana spotted a huge man standing behind the boy.
"Who's he?" she asked nodding towards the giant man.
"He is my Butler. Don't worry, he won't use violence unless he has to." Artemis said, a vicious smile adorning his face.
Jade ran to the door and peered out. "What are you doing here?" she asked, shocked. She instantly recognized the boy.
"Hello, Jade. Nice to see you again." Artemis said with a wink. How audacious, Jade thought.
"Who are you, anyway?" Jade asked.
"My name is Artemis Fowl. This is my butler ah... Butler."
Artemis Fowl. Where have I heard that name? "Alright. First of all, how do you know my name? And secondly, what do you want?"
"Let us just say, that I have certain skills. And I simply want to talk to you, no more than that."
"You're not going any farther. If I were you, I would turn around and leave. That is, if you would like to see tomorrow." Lana cut in.
"Butler, we might have a slight problem." Artemis said.
Butler nodded. Artemis stepped aside, creating a direct path for the bodyguard. "What are you planning to do with us?" Jade asked. "Murder us? Steal everything we own? Kidnap us? Torture us?"
"No, nothing like that. I'm just here to talk. Remember?"
"They may not cross this threshold. If anyone moves, I will shoot them." Lana threatened, her eyes filled with malice.
"Not if you don't have a gun." Butler grunted. Before Lana could react, he jumped out and wrapped his hands around the barrel of the gun. He tilted it away from him, then wrestled it from Lana's grasp.
"Now you're in for it." Lana said, glaring maliciously at Butler.
"Might as well come in." Jade said opening the door wide. "It's not like we have any choice."
Artemis smiled. "Thank you." Lana glared at them, but then stepped aside.
"You better be good boys." Lana warned, wagging a finger in the air. She sounds a lot like Opal, Artemis thought. She's so condescending.
Artemis strode into the home, closely followed by Butler. "You have a lovely house. Very modern." Artemis remarked.
"Thanks... I guess." Jade replied. Lana slunk behind the group, probably planning her revenge. "So, since you want to talk, we should go sit in the living room." Jade said, leading the group forward.
The house wasn't overly imposing, compared to Fowl Manor, but certainly big enough. The decor was tasteful, with high ceilings and wood floors. It felt spacious and natural. The living room had a sleek black sofa and matching chairs. Lamps and side tables complimented them nicely. Green was a prominent color, along with cream. The room was simply beautiful.
Jade gestured for them to sit down. Artemis lowered himself into one of the chairs, Butler standing next to the chair. Jade sat across from him. Lana perched on the arm of the couch, suddenly neutral. "Let's hear it." Jade said.
"I only want to speak to you, Jade. If everyone else could please leave the room?" Artemis asked. Butler gave his charge a quizzical look.
"I'm not leaving." Lana said, crossing her arms. "This is my house, and I am not leaving. You shouldn't even be in here!"
"Fair enough. Jade, it is imperative that I talk to you alone." Artemis insisted.
"Fine. We can continue our conversation in my office." Jade said, standing up. "Follow me. We can leave the adults down here to chat."
Artemis stood as well. "Alright. Butler, I expect that you will be nice to our friend."
Butler nodded. "Yes, Artemis."
Jade led Artemis upstairs and down a few hallways. She stopped and pushed through one of the oak doors. The room contained a large desk with two chairs and many bookshelves. A large window overlooked the garden. Jade sat down behind the desk. Artemis sat down in front of her, steepling his fingers. "So, to address the question you asked earlier, I am very skilled with computers. Actually, I know quite a bit about you and your mother." Artemis admitted. "And that's why I'm here. I can help you, Jade."
"Oh, really? And how exactly are you going to help me?"
"Well, I know about your mother's... issues. I can help you both. I can fix her issues."
"Yeah, sure. If you were actually serious and weren't just scheming, how exactly would you fix it? And why would you want to?"
"I am not scheming, I simply want to help. I am a very smart boy, Jade. I know things that most of the world doesn't. With the technology I have, I can do whatever I want to. I can tell that your mother is under a sort of spell. She doesn't go out and drink, and she doesn't really want to kill you. Those are just orders, and I can prevent them, change them."
"I get it now, Master Fowl. You're very special and very smart. What are you asking for payment? Whatever it is, I'll pay it, just to see you do your magic tricks!" Jade said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Artemis smiled. "My only payment is the results. This will help not only you, but my friends. You have to trust me, Jade."
"I've heard of you, Artemis Fowl. You are nothing but a criminal, and I am ashamed to have allowed you into my home. I would not trust you if my life depended on it. You should take your business elsewhere, you might have better luck. I am smart as well, Master Fowl."
Artemis chuckled quietly, standing up. "Alright. Let me show you something." He pulled a small cube from his pocket. "This is my C-Cube. It has many capabilities, and it is programmed to my voice. You see, I have modified it into a time machine. My Cube is unique; ahead of its time. Watch. Cube, turn on." The cube lit up, humming quietly. "Cube, travel to predetermined destination." Artemis extended a hand towards Jade. Hesitantly, she took it. Something told her that it was the right thing to do.The cube shook violently, but stayed in Artemis' palm. Jade saw Artemis close his eyes, so she did the same. Within seconds, Jade felt a strange sensation. It was almost like being pulled and evaporated all at once. "Let it take you." she heard the boy's voice tell her. So she did. She relaxed and the pull got stronger.
And then it was as if she was floating in nothingness. The pull was gone, and she felt like she was no longer a solid being. So this is what it is like to be dead, she thought. I was a fool to listen to him. But then the nothingness spun around her, dizzying her. What the... Suddenly, her feet hit solid ground.