Chapter Eighteen: Only Just Begun
(Holly's point of view)
She had been too careless. In her deep preoccupation with Trouble's book, she had failed to realise that Trouble had woken up. Now, as she came face to face with Trouble's irate face, his anger making him larger than life, she felt an involuntary shiver run down her spine.
He brought his face close to hers, his pupils dilating dangerously with rage. "Why are you touching my things?" he hissed, punching every syllable with fury. "WHO GAVE YOU THE PERMISSION TO?!" he roared. "ANSWER ME!"
Terrified, Holly backed away, and leapt out of the bed, clutching the book protectively against her chest. She wanted to scream, "Don't come any closer!" or "Come any closer and I'll whack you!", but the intense emotions of shock and fear had built themselves so high up within her that she found it difficult to speak. Moreover, the crushing burden of the painful truth she had just discovered had muted her completely, and she only had the energy to send her feet scuttling for cover as she tried valiantly to avoid Trouble's wrath.
He stormed after her, taking long strides. With each step he took he gained closer. The gap between them narrowed, and Holly found herself holding on to the book more than ever. She backed up, but felt the wall behind her. Dead-end. She stooped to the ground, fear overwhelming her.
"You wretch! How dare you snoop where you don't belong!" Trouble yelled, reaching out to snatch the book from her arms. She watched, paralysed, as his fingers stretched toward the truth she had worked so hard to find, ready to rip it away from her...
"No!" she screamed, yanking the book out of his grasp. She rose to his height, but kept the book clutched tightly to her chest. Meeting his outraged gaze, she hardly saw what was coming as Trouble lifted up a hand and slapped her across the cheek. Her heart pounded with the pain she felt. No one had ever slapped her before, and the injustice done to her made Holly feel indignant. Suddenly, the shock and fear in her crumbled to reveal what she wanted to feel all along, ever since she had read Trouble's book. Fear changed into humiliation. Humiliation changed into seeking justice. Seeking justice changed into utmost rage.
The truth she had read burned tauntingly in her brain. Searing anger ripped through Holly's body as she lifted a hand to shield her cheek where Trouble had slapped her last. Fury reflected in her hazel eyes as she cast a piercing glance at Trouble and screamed, "How dare you!"
Trouble froze. He stared at her a moment, watching the woman he loved, the one he had just slapped in his uncontrollable rage. The usual docile Trouble everyone knew had morphed into a monster tonight. He almost felt ashamed of herself, but it was too late. For now, he felt regret. He should not have slapped her. For hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Just as he had been the one screaming at Holly previously, ironically, Holly's furious hazel eyes had now reduced him to a shivering mass of fear.
"How dare you slap me when you are the one who deserves to be slapped!" Holly yelled, letting her built-up anger pour forth like boiling lava, hopefully burning Trouble to ashes with it. She had never hated someone so much in her entire life. She had never felt so repulsed at someone just by looking at him, as the truth swirled about in her mind, the contents of the book torturing her, affecting her, berating her for being so foolish and believing him.
"W-wait, Holly. I - I don't understand..." Trouble began fearfully, stammering.
"Shut up!" Holly hissed. "What did you say to Artemis?"
"H-Holly...what - what are you talking about?" Trouble stuttered, as his fear made his previous rage deflate like an old beach ball. Now his shoulders stooped, and the angry colour was drained from his face, only to be replaced by the pale white of fear. His eyes darted back and forth nervously, his hands wringing with anxiety. Pathetic.
Holly narrowed her eyes dangerously, her teeth gnashing together silently with anger. "You don't know? Let me refresh your memory."
She opened the book, flipped to the last few pages and began to read:
"Die, Artemis, die! I think I have never hated anyone as I much as I hate that Mud Boy. For one, he stole my Holly, which rightfully, should have been mine. They don't even fit together, and I wonder what that silly girl sees in him. I must come up with a plan to pull Artemis out of the picture - only then, can the ultimate treasure be mine!"
Holly flipped to the next page. Another entry had begun.
"I swear, Holly's lips are coated with honey. We kissed when she came over today, presumably to see if I was okay. Of course I'm not okay! She's not MY girl! Just that very thought has gotten my blood boiling. And so, I've gotten everything that I needed. The chemist has given me everything I needed. Now I must find the time to put my plan in action. Tonight, I will hold a gathering. Then I will watch Artemis. I will watch Artemis. I will watch his every movement. Then I will carry out my plan. After the party, we will have a talk. I will force him to leave Haven. Force him to leave Haven forever. Force him to leave Holly. Then the next day, lie to Holly. Give a bad impression of Artemis. She must forget him. He must forget her. They will BOTH forget each other! Very delicious plan. I love it. I am a genius. More so than Artemis. It's a plan they both won't be able to see through. Finally, Holly will be mine!"
Holly looked up from the book, her hands shaking. Trouble was muttering to himself, out of fear she presumed, and had fallen to his knees, shaking all over.
Holly's anger had not yet simmered. "What did you say to Artemis, Trouble?" she said softly, dangerously, angrily.
"H-Holly...I - I can explain..." Trouble murmured.
"YES! I WANT AN EXPLANATION! YOU JOLLY WELL GIVE ME THAT!" she screamed at him, and flung the book at him. She yanked him to his feet and forced him to look at her. "Look at me, D'Arvit, and answer me! What did you say to drive Artemis away?"
"H-Holly..." Trouble stammered.
Holly threw Trouble a loathsome glare, and crossed her arms. Suddenly a timid voice spoke up behind her as the door to their bedroom opened.
"Mummy? Daddy? Why are you screaming at each other?"
Holly's rage wavered for a moment at the sound of Ophelia's voice. A child's naivety always managed to throw her off, and she turned around to face Ophelia, who was staring at her incredulously.
"Ophelia," she said gently, trying to keep her rage under control. "Stay out of this, okay? This is between your father and I."
"But -"
"Go back to your room!" Holly said sternly.
Ophelia scuttled off, throwing her mother a terrified look.
Holly turned back to face Trouble. She narrowed her eyes and spoke, with a dangerous tone of someone who had been greatly antagonized.
"It doesn't matter if you answer me or not anyway," Holly hissed. "It's all over. It's all over between us. You have managed to destroy just about any affection I had and would ever have for you, so don't even think about trying to regain my love back. I'm going to say this once, and only once, so listen up. I was going to leave you, but it wouldn't be fair to Ophelia. I'm only staying with a miserable scum like you because of Ophelia. You must know, I don't love you anymore. I can't love a monster who destroyed every bit of my eternal happiness!" she yelled, and strode out of the door, slamming the door behind her.
Trouble stared after her, spaced out for a minute, before he chuckled maniacally to himself. No, it wasn't over. Far from it.
"No," Trouble said softly, with the tone of the over-obsessed. "No. I don't believe you don't love me anymore. I'm going to fight for you....and your heart. You just wait."
~*~
One year later
Christmas Eve, late afternoon
Year 2013
Seven years since Holly and Artemis met
Somewhere Underground
Back to the present
(Artemis' point of view)
A blast of hot air slapped Artemis' face harshly as he walked on, leaving a soft red glow on his face, the result of someone who had been sunburned. Placing a hand on his cheeks, he lamented how horrid the heat was Underground. Even Ireland wasn't that hot.
Oh, stop complaining, Artemis. Don't be such a child. You've got to move faster. You've got to see them again. You've got to see...her again, he thought, his steps moving against the heavy air with fierce willpower.
The determined man looked to be in close proximity to the age of twenty-four, with hopeful and vulnerable blue eyes that looked like they had seen both heaven and hell. Yet, full of expression as those eyes were, he looked like an overly haunted and broken man. Dark circles under his eyes added to the effect of him looking tired, as if he hadn't slept for the years that he had been away.
It's just a little farther. Come on, you've got to do this. Everything's going to be fine once you see her again.
Holly Short. The one name he kept so close to his heart, the one name that was so dear to him he barely mentioned it to anyone, afraid that if he did, the whole magic in their relationship would be broken. This woman was one of the reasons why he continued to hold his existence in the palm of his hand. She was one of the reasons why he continued to breathe, even when it proved to be useless. She was the one who made him feel worthy of living a life of meaning, a life of frivolity, just by allowing him to hold the emotions they both shared in his heart, something so precious and pure.
You're going to see her again....that is, if she'll forgive you.
It was the one mental revelation that had tortured him cruelly for years. For the seven years they had been apart, Artemis had a constant nightmare that had tormented his mind, one that caused him to wake up and break out in cold sweat. It was so realistic, that he had always believed that one day, it would happen to him.
In it, he saw Holly walk up a mountain, and then after a few minutes, throw herself down from it. Artemis could do nothing to save her, but only watch on, helplessly. Then suddenly, the whole scene would flash black and Holly would stand in front of a guilty Artemis, a look of disappointment on her face. Her lips would be stained purple and a lack of skin pigment would be noticeable on her fragile body and face, the signs of one who had just died.
"Why weren't you there for me?" he would hear Holly moan, like that of a zombie.
He would plead with her guiltily. "Please...Holly, I'm sorry I left you, but now I'm back. I'm back, aren't I?"
Sneering suddenly, Holly's nostrils would flare as her eyebrows would furrow deeply near the crevice of her eyes. Snapping her pointer finger at a shivering Artemis, Holly would scream loudly, "Shut up! It's too late! You did this to me! I thought you weren't coming back and I ended my life! You didn't help me when I needed you! I'll never ever forgive you! For that, I'm going to take you straight to hell where you belong! Straight to hell!"
Artemis shuddered at the dream which had distressed him for years. Part of his guilt had probably caused that dream to formulate, his guilt at leaving Holly behind without a proper explanation. He wondered if Holly would still remember him. He wondered if she still had any affection for him, or if he was too late. He wondered if she would understand why he left. He wondered if she could find it in her heart to forgive him for leaving so abruptly.
Unless Trouble's already told her, he thought bitterly, his hackles raised at the very thought of that traitor's name.
I just ask for one more chance. Just one, last chance to do things right, that's all I ask.
Suddenly, the city of Haven visualized before him, as he realised he had reached his destination. The place that had not left his conscience for years. Haven. The hustle and bustle of the city, as citizens went on their daily routine. It made him feel renewed. It made him feel rejuvenated. He had finally made it.
Artemis smiled to himself.
Suddenly, a loud voice boomed harshly and coldly behind him.
"You worthless piece of scum...!"
Artemis whirled around to see a fuming, red-faced male fairy, his eyes clearly reflecting the anger at seeing Artemis himself. A look of disturbance was clearly becoming evident on his tan features, and Artemis' smile wore away as he registered the fury emanating from this fairy.
"Commander Root..." Artemis began lamely, his blue eyes hesitant with fear at the anger etched out all over Root's face.
"Don't even call me by my name because you make me sick!" Root growled, and yanked Artemis by the arm, pulling him into a bar nearby. Artemis could hardly find enough time to react as he was dragged off his feet, and into a dingy, empty bar where a female fairy stood cleaning the tables, looking at Root with an amused expression. Then her eyes registered Artemis, and they widened with surprise, before the fear of the unknown overtook her and she gave a little cry, hiding behind the counter, cowering. Artemis ducked just in time to avoid his skull getting crushed by the heavy doorframe. These fairies were as short as they looked.
"We're - we're not open for business yet, Commander, and what the - what the bloody hell is that thing?" the female fairy squeaked. Commander Root threw the frightened fairy an annoyed glance before going behind the counter to pick the squealing fairy up by the collar and throwing her out of the door.
"Hey -!" the female fairy protested.
"Sorry, Veronica, need some privacy while I sort a few things out. And that thing? It's a filthy monster hardly even worth mentioning," Root said scathingly as he shut the door behind him, leaving the owner of the bar outside.
"Why the blatant insult towards me?" Artemis inquired amusedly, arching an eyebrow.
"You deserve that insult, Mud Boy. You got a whole lot of guts coming back here! After you left Holly like she was some piece of garbage. You've got a whole lot of nerve showing your pale white ghostly face here again!" Root barked, his face steadily turning red as rage overtook his sensible soul. The whirlpool of morbid depression that Holly had been sucked into was a memory that was hard to banish from his head, and Root, feeling a certain protectiveness against the girl in a fatherly sort of way, was ready to dole the revenge treatment out on the one who had completely destroyed Holly's strong fighting spirit, just by taking off with the wind and not even leaving a note of explanation. He had thought better of Artemis, but such irresponsibility had completely shattered any good impression of Artemis he once had. If it weren't for that kind soul Trouble, he wouldn't know what would have happened to Holly, and he shuddered just to think of it.
Artemis opened his mouth angrily to defend himself, but told himself that getting into a rage when Root was ready to throttle him was not the best thing to do. Furthermore, tantrums were for the immature. He immediately withdrew into his safe shell of icy composure, and in a voice layered with even calmness, he began, "You don't understand, Commander. It's not as simple as you think. I -"
"Bloody hell!" Root yelled, and banged a fist furiously on the table. Artemis gave a jump, but just a very small one. The heat radiating from Root was dangerously powerful, and Artemis wisely decided to keep quiet as Root's wrath broke over him. "I don't understand? I don't understand?! D'Arvit, Artemis, I've seen a lot in my time, and I've never seen a sight as devastating as the pitiful state Holly was in. If it's anyone who doesn't understand, it's you, damn it! So get out of here before you cause any further pain!"
Artemis shut his eyes, the dream coming back to him. Gathering up enough courage, he opened his eyes and asked, "What - what exactly happened to Holly?"
At the mention of Holly's name, the hard features on Root's face which had been contorted in a rage softened a little. Then he remembered who he was talking to, and his fury got the better of him again. "Even if I told you, you probably wouldn't find it in your heartless soul to understand!" he spat angrily.
Artemis felt the tendrils of irritation begin to wrap itself firmly around his mind. "I'm sorry I left, all right? Now I'm back to make things right," he retorted.
"No, but 'sorry' doesn't fix everything, you insufferable jerk! You try telling that to Holly, and I'll be damned if she doesn't hit you in the face and slam the door while she's at it too! On second thoughts, don't visit her. You'd only bring back all the pain she's managed to forget! I suggest you leave, and that's the best thing you could do in your entire miserable life."
"Wait, Commander! You didn't even give me a chance to explain!" A desperate plea began to rise up within Artemis' throat. "You don't even know half the story behind why I left!"
"I couldn't care less about why you left! The fact is, you did, and you completely ruined everything that was actually going right in your life! Strange how you're a genius but have managed to make some very dumb choices in your lifetime!" Root retorted.
Artemis sighed. "Maybe you're right, but now I've come back here, thinking that maybe fate would give me another chance to make amends."
"Make amends for what, kid? There's nothing left for you here to mend. It's all over. Go home," Root said, his rage having taken a toll on his energy level. He almost sounded tired.
"What do you mean, it's all over?" Artemis asked, frowning.
Root heaved a sigh, and looked up at him with the eyes of a man who had a terrible piece of news to unleash, and it wasn't going to be easy.
"One thing you have to know, Artemis...Holly wasn't going to wait around for you forever. Well, maybe she would have, I don't know. That is if, Trouble hadn't come into the picture."
Unknowingly, Artemis felt his hands clench into fists.
"And for the first time, he made her smile. He made her move on. He told her it wouldn't do her much good to keep dwelling on your memory, because seriously, you were a jerk to have left her all alone, and that you didn't deserve her. For the first time after you left, she found a reason to smile, to laugh. Because she deserved to. She didn't need to waste her life pining over someone who wouldn't even return her affections." At this point, Root glared angrily at Artemis. "For the first time, she was happy. And she's doing good. She's maintained her good job, she's getting along well with everyone. I've never seen someone so content in my whole life." As he said all this, Root's eyes gleamed with a tinge of jealousy at the fact that Holly had finally gotten the good life she deserved, while he was still in the world, looking for the perfect destiny that continued to elude him. But the envy lasted just for a moment only. Then his eyes reverted back into the ones everyone usually saw; calm, brown eyes with just a hint of a storm brewing within them, giving one the sense that he was a level-headed chap, yet could be powerful and unyielding when he wanted to.
"So I'm trying to say that's she got over you, Artemis. There's no way you could reconcile with her."
"I don't believe you," Artemis said firmly, calmly. "I bet she's not happy. I bet she's still searching for that missing jigsaw puzzle piece in her life. Where is she? I want to talk to her."
"Didn't I tell you not to bother her anymore? You'll only bring up so many unwanted memories and pain. Furthermore, I'm sorry that I had to be the one to tell you this, Artemis, but she's married. With a child!" Root exclaimed.
"Married?" Artemis repeated, dumbfounded. "Why? To whom?"
"What do you mean, why? She couldn't dwell on your memory forever, and you'd be the most selfish brat I knew if you expected her to! She deserved to live a better life, and honestly, I'm glad she found it. She's married to Trouble, Artemis. The man who saved her from depression. You couldn't find a better choice. I know he'll be good to her. He'll take care of her, like you never did."
Artemis scowled at the last remark. Obviously Root still had not forgiven him. "Just to set the record straight, Commander, I cared for Holly, and I still do." Artemis began to feel the knife of jealousy plunge into his heart and turn three-hundred-and-sixty degrees, causing him to feel the painful twist of hurt and the feeling of being betrayed. Even as he stood here, another person was holding Holly, kissing Holly, loving Holly. "I don't care if she's married or not. Tell me where I can find her," Artemis said bitterly, adamant to make things right with Holly.
"Don't be stupid, Artemis. If you truly cared for her, you would just leave her alone to be happy," Root insisted. "You would let her live the life she always wanted, no matter how bad it hurts."
Artemis smirked. No one could ever replace Holly's place in his heart, that much he knew. "Thanks for the words of wisdom, Commander," he said sarcastically. "Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything to ruin Holly's life. I just want to explain to her some things."
Root relented. "All right, but you've got to promise that you won't take away the happiness Holly's feeling right now. She deserves it. You just tell her your pathetic story and leave, got it?"
"I promise."
"All right. Holly's having a Christmas party this evening..."
Author's Note: Time to answer some questions!
Idria: Artemis does have blue eyes. In the first book of the Artemis Fowl series, it says on page 71, "Something was troubling Artemis. It was plain in the web of premature lines that spread from the corners of his deep-blue eyes." At least that's what it says in my version. Mine is the British version of Artemis Fowl. If you have the U.S. Edition, maybe it's a little different. I always try to get my facts right before I start a story. Of course, I do slip up now and then. And no, you're not getting incredibly annoying. I'm glad you've taken the time to actually raise questions to improve my story.
Thanks to the rest who have reviewed!