Chapter 2

A startling revelation

Artemis, of course, was shocked when his mother told him that she has adopted Diana. But, as time went by, he realised that Diana could never, ever be called a ‘pain in the back’ daughter. She had helped Angeline a lot. And she knew how to program certain stuff, so she helped him sometimes as well. But, she hadn’t gotten used to calling Angeline ‘mother’, one of the main reasons why she seemed to be in David’s house more often.

Artemis sighed, and got back to surfing the net. He was absolutely bored, and Myles and Beckett were fast asleep in their room. He picked up his hearing communicator, and pressed the blue button to talk to Diana’s communicator. Fowl Manor was so huge, and sometimes Artemis needed to contact her immediately. But if she doesn’t pick up, it means she’s in David’s house.

After a few minutes, Artemis decided to hang up. Diana didn’t answer.

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Diana had put on her coat (the temperature was freezing) and had taken a stroll to David’s house. She really had to find out what happened there, it was not like him to sound choked, or cry, for that matter.

She reached his house soon, and nervously rang the bell. She didn’t want to fly in, unless she wanted to get screaming from Ellinia. After a few moments the door opened, and an unfamiliar woman opened the door. She was extremely thin, with huge glasses, and very thick lipstick. Diana wanted to look confused, but she smiled instead.

“Erm, is David in? ” she asked politely.

The woman squinted at Diana, and Diana had the itching urge to just push her away and stomp in. Then the woman said, “Sorry, he’s gone out. Perhaps you can come later, ” then she just slammed the door at Diana’s face. She scowled. Who was that woman? And what the heck was she doing in David’s house?

She sighed, and just walked away. Then, she heard something.

“Pst! Pst! PST! ”

It got louder, and Diana realised that it was coming from above her. But she was too lazy to look. Perhaps it was some person talking to his shadow.

“Diana! You deaf? Look up! ”

Now Diana had to look up. To her utter shock, the tired looking face of David Walter, her best friend, looked down at her, smiling. He looked like as though he had been doing the washing continuously for three days.

She gaped, and David chuckled. “Come up here! Don’t worry, Mom won’t see you. She’s too busy. ”

Diana had to smile. She looked around, making sure no one was looking and two elegant wings sprouted from her back. She flew up swiftly to the second floor window, where David’s room was, and entered through the window. Before David could say anything, she gave him a huge hug.

“I hope you ain’t angry, ” she whispered.

“Nah, I could never be angry with you. Besides, I have other things to worry about. Huge things. ”

Diana looked at him, her face serious. “Does it have to do with that freaky woman who opened the door for me? ”

David nodded. “My mom is in the toilet, so she answered. ” He paused, then he said, “You remember that freakishly nerdy girl in our school last time? Her name was Trisha. You remember? ”

Diana frowned, trying to rememeber, then her eyes widened in realisation. “Oh yeah! That was one nerdy girl. With the thick-rimmed glasses and braces. She looked just like that Ugly Betty in that show. ”

David didn’t laugh. “Her mother opened the door for you. ”

As David tried not to notice Diana’s disturbing shock, he continued.

“And a few minutes ago, my mother made me promise to Trisha, that I would give her a lift back home, on my brand new bike.”

Diana really tried not to cry, then she asked, “Did you…? ” David stared at her incredulously.

“Are you nuts! No way I am carrying a GEEK on my bike! I have a reputation! ” he almost exploded. Diana stared hard into his eyes, then she answered him.

“Walter, that’s not the only thing bothering you, right? ”

David looked at her. “Yeah, wait till you hear this. My mom called the insurance company, saying that her son wanted a job.”

Some other stories by shanette:

• Another piece of news.
• Dog
• Artemis Fowl and The four elements

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