Till Death Do Us Part..

Artemis nodded and hurried to get them, bring them back over and handing them to mark "do horses really like these?"

Mark put the horses back in their stall, taking off their bridels, and setting them on the hooks by the stalls. "They love them." He smiled and took them from her hand. "Hold your hand flat."

Artemis eyed him but obeyed, holding her hand flat and waiting for his next intructions

Mark stuck the cube in her hand. "Now, dont flinch away and keep your hand flat." He moved so he was behind her, his hand under hers as he lifted it to the horse. The horse sniffed her hand, then lipped the cube from her hand.

Artemis squealed but kept her hand in place "it tickles!" she laughed, the horses taking them from her hand

Mark chuckled and placed another cube in her hand for the other horse. This one muffled her hand looking for more then gave up and snorted. He chuckled. "Sorry guys, that was it." He said to the horses and wrapped his arm around Artemis and led her back towards the house. "So what do you think?"

"I think this so beats home" Artemis sighed, leaning into his arms "think they'll miss me?" she asked, thinking of her parents. they walked up the steps and into the hall, tuning on lights as they went

"Well..probably." Mark took a deep breath. "Probably have a search party out for you by now."

"this wouldn't be the first time. I have been gone for a good while" She frowned, truly not caring anymore. her parents were her parents, she never actually had bonded with them though

"They won't look for long." Mark looked at her and sighed. "I faked your death.."

Artemis's jaw dropped and she eyed him "you did?"

Mark gave a small nod and glanced at her. "Is that alright?"

Artemis snorted "yes. what did you do?"

Mark thought about explaining it, but instead he put the images in her mind. How he took a pair of her clothes and covered it in blood from the shed and strung them out near the lake and set one of her shoes just barely off shore so it would come floating back.

Artemis nodded her head appreciatively "yup" she sighed "that oughta do it" she sunk into his arms "thank you" she breathed. it felt good to be free of them, free of that past

Mark raised his brow and smiled down at her. He hadn't ever been told thank you for ripping someone from their family...but ok. He kissed the top of her head. "Anytime." He murmered as he took her to her room. "I'll go get the bags." He said and turned, going to the garage to retrieve their bags from the car.

Artemis explored the room a little before sitting down on the bed, still taking in the concept her parents thought her dead

Mark brought all the bags in, setting his outside her bedroom door and taking hers into her room, setting them on the bed beside her. "There's a bathroom right across the hall, and remember, if you need anything, I'm right next door."

Artemis nodded, "are you off to bed?"

Mark shrugged. "I'm going to go put my stuff away. We'll see about sleep."

Artemis sighed and moved to put away her stuff as well. "okay"

Mark smiled and left the room, picking up his bags and taking them to his own room. He set them down and sighed, unpacking them, hiding the contents inside.

Artemis unceremoniously unpacked her things, not really caring for them as she placed them where ever they would fit

Mark sighed and sat on the floor of his room. Back again to this stupid house. This house that held so many memories....Giggles ran through his mind, the sound of children running down the hall.
"Mark! Aren't you going to play?"
"I'm coming Sara! Come on Bren! We gotta catch her!"
"I'm coming. I'm coming."

Artemis finished and sat on her bed, staring out the window to the darkening lawn