I have no excuses, y'all. Honestly, being on this end of the process, I sometimes forget that the people reading my stories are just that-people. I swear, all I did was forget. I feel like a horrible person. So, I've decided. I'm going to post four chapters today. You heard me-/four chapters/. In a row. All at once. Today. I recommend that you go back and reread the last chapter, since it has been an eternity. I hope you forgive me!
P.S. IDOAF
Fifteen minutes later, the little demon knocked on the door to the disarrayed lab, letting out a quick gasp when he saw the dent in the floor.
"Wow," he muttered. "What happened? How's A2.2? Where is she? How's her memory?" he asked, clearly unaware of the events of the previous night.
Foaly tried to explain, but didn't know how to say it to the demon. "You see, um, well...the thing is...A2.2...she, um..."
The look on No.1's face was heartbreaking. His first guess was that the clone had died, and to him, it was like losing one of his dearest friends, which in a way, it was.
Holly interrupted before the demon began crying. "She's alive, No.1, don't worry. And her memory is back as it should be. She's safe."
No.1 looked up, on the brim of tears. He immediately cheered up.
"Oh thank gods," he said. "Can I see her? Where is she now? Why isn't she here? How did she get her memories back? There wasn't enough DNA-"
Holly held up a hand to cut off the flow of questions.
"She escaped Foaly's lab last night, so I brought her to Fowl Manor. She got her memories by..." she hesitated a moment too long, although managed to keep her facial expression neutral. "Genetic restoration."
No.1 grinned fiendishly. "Like with a kiss?" Holly turned red. "It was a kiss! Oh my goodness. You must have been devastated, Holly! To see another girl kiss Artemis, even if it was himself. Oh wow, I wish I could have been there to see it!"
Then he saw how upset Holly was. "I'm sorry. That was mean. Are you okay, Holly?"
The elf forced a smile. "I'll be fine," she reassured him. Then her features grew serious. "It can't stay on the surface. It's too dangerous. It might expose the People's secrets," she said.
"There is just as much a chance of A2.2 revealing us as there is Artemis revealing us, but you don't see us doing anything to him," Foaly replied. "She knows better."
"But we can't have anyone notice that Artemis suddenly has an identical twin. Can't we just...turn it off, or something?"
No.1 was aghast. "You can't just turn her off, Holly. She's a person with feelings and memories. She's your best friend!"
Holly's expression suddenly turned grim and angry. "No. She isn't. Foaly is my best friend. You're my best friend. Hell, Artemis is my best friend. But this...thing," she said, motioning towards the empty pod, "Is not. I barely know her. She is a stranger. Why does everyone assume that because she looks like Artemis, that means she is Artemis? They are separate people!" she shouted.
Foaly and No.1 simply stared at her, unsure what to say.
"I'm done here. I'm going home. If anyone comes looking for me, tell them it's my day off."
And with that, she stormed out of lab and started running in the direction of her house. A careful observer might have noted the tears beginning to run down her face.
