“Cuz I’ve seen love die, way too many times, when it deserved to be alive,” Emergency (Album Version), Paramore, All We Know Is Falling

After retreating a safe distance, Artemis answered his communicator. Looking for all the world like a teenager pretending to talk on a phone. “Hello Holly, what’s wrong.”

“Why do you assume that something is wrong?” Holly asked.

“You never call just to say hello.” Artemis answered, smirking.

“Well you’re wrong, nothing is wrong. Foaly came upon an interesting theory about a parallel world called Garth. He knew you’d be interested about it.” Holly told him.

“That is interesting. Especially because I just met a girl from this parallel world of Garth. Her name is Freedom” Artemis responded.

“Really? What is she like? What does she look like? Could you bring her down here so that I can interview her?” Foaly butted in.

“I’ll see what I can do, hold on.” Artemis told him, and went back to where Freedom and Marie were talking. Lowering his hand he asked, “Freedom? Would you consider meeting some of my friends?”

“Depends who these ‘friends‘ of yours are. If they’re cops, forget it.” Freedom responded, a hard edge entering her voice.

“Holly is, technically a cop. But she wouldn’t arrest you, you haven’t violated any of the laws she’s concerned about. Foaly is the technical wizard of the police force, but he can’t arrest anyone.” Artemis told her.

“Fine.” she replied. “As long as Marie can come.”

“She can’t. Their rules not mine.” he answered.

“Too bad, then.” Freedom told him coldly.

“They just want to know about your world and how it differs from ours.” Artemis explained.

“Well then, Marie should come with us seeing as she’s my cosmic double.” She replied.

“What exactly do you mean by that?” He asked, a curious glint in his dark blue eyes.

“It means that she’s basically the Earth version of me. And I’m basically the Garth version of her. It’s really a lot more complicated then that but that’s the general idea.” Freedom told him.

“Hold on,” He said, and went back to talking with Holly and Foaly out of Freedom and Marie’s earshot.

“Can she come?” Foaly asked anxiously.

“Yes she will, as long as Marie can come.” Artemis answered.

“Then it won’t happen, fine.” Foaly sighed, pouting.

“Actually it works in our favor because Marie is her cosmic double, basically the Earth version of Freedom. This way we learn more about the relationship between Earth and Garth.” Artemis told him.

“I’ll be there in a few minutes to pick you up.” Holly said, coming back into the conversation. She then terminated the connection.

“Looks like no one above or below ground bothers with good-bye any more.” Artemis muttered to himself.

Some other stories by Lydia Tall:

• D Is For Dead
• 9/11/01
• C Is For Conviction
• B Is For Betrayal
• Code Red Creations