Holly Short

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I'm left to clean up his mess.

And I won't say no. I can't say no. It's Butler.

I want nothing more than for the Mud Boy to learn his lesson-for him to see what his actions do to other people. I want him to understand he hurts everyone close to him.

But these lessons, they don't need to cost another human being his life. Especially not Butler. Hell, I think Butler deserves a medal just for putting up with Fowl everyday.

Ever since I first met him, I've equated the Mud Boy's name with trouble. Needless to say tonight has done absolutely nothing to sway that notion.

This is the turning point for him though. He knows it and I know it. I have never trusted Artemis Fowl. Can you really blame me? But tonight, I saw it in his eyes. That look...you can't fake it.

It's caused me to feel something towards him I've never felt for him before. Pity.

What can I say? Maybe I'm going soft.

But that look on his face-in his eyes-was of utter defeat.

He's been beaten by himself. He lost his gamble and the price was someone he couldn't afford to lose.

And now I have to come in and clean up his mess, make everything right. He's put faith in me and my healing abilities, in Foaly and his knowledge.

But what-what if it's not enough?

Fowl showed me a side of himself tonight that I've only ever glimpsed once before, when we were saving his father.

What if I fail tonight? What will happen to him? As much as he may try to hide it, he's still a kid.

A kid who has succeeded in killing his best friend.

What have you done Artemis?

I always figured you'd be your own downfall. I just hope you haven't brought about Butler's downfall as well.

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AN: I hate this, I absolutely hate this. For some reason Holly's voice just won't come to me. I spent a lot of time agonizing over this piece. It's quite a let down after Highest Honour, which I consider one of my best pieces ever. I'm posting this with the hope that you will be able to give me some help with what I need to do to improve this.