Hey people, how'reyou doing? I've been working on my story-to-be-published lately, and it's really coming off quite nicely. (both of them, the sequel to this, and the story to be published in novel form) Once I get writing I can't stop, so here's the next chapter. I hate waiting weeks to update:)
(Spring break is coming up, so I won't be able to update for a week, since I have no web access at home, I'm so sorry people:( I really am)
Disclaimer: This isn't mine. I just hope my stories might somedaycome close to it. (it's Eoin Colfer's, and I wish it wasn't)
aperfectattitude: Thanks, you still haven't told me why you like it (or don't you know:)
chocolate smudge: Why aren't you updating your own stories?
RaevanDawn: Thanks, I'll try to update as much as possible. It really bugs me when people take forever to update. (this story is finished, so I promise you'll see the end. I will finish the sequel too.)
Sgarecool321: Are you there? Review!
Holly was silent through the rest of the trip, waiting patiently for them to drain what little magic was left from her; listening as Julius recited monotonous rules; taking the weapons she was handed in silence; watching the land outside the shuttle.
The first test into Retrieval had been hard. Now it was harder. Instead of facing Julius one on one, Holly would be facing the other five men. Julius had brought an extra, who behind on the list by half a point. Probably, she reasoned, because she didn't count.
To add the finishing touches to the nightmare, the island was covered with traps. All about multitasking.
Each captain was assigned to a commander, who would take notes, and track progress.
Holly got Julius.
There was only one advantage to this. She knew where the others were dropped off, and she knew what the island looked like.
A field in the middle. Forest around it. An old house on the side of a hill. A stream the wound its way round the east side. Rocky beaches with a small amount of sand.
When Julius finally landed the shuttle, Holly dropped out, and glanced around, studying the area tiredly. Sand. Mud. Gravel. Rock. Trees in one distance, sea in the other.
Julius drummed his fingers against his Neuron impatiently. "Well Short?"
Holly looked up. Julius held her gaze for a moment, and finally spat, raising his pencil to write something down.
Anger welled up inside Holly. A tired anger, but that first bit sparked more, and more. She was careful not to let it show though. Anger at Julius, at the world. At everything.
She knew no matter how good she was, she'd never make it. That made her the angriest of all. She could blow it, like they knew she would, or surprise them, and better her reputation.
Perhaps though, she would be best to lead them on the wrong track.
She moved across the sand at a toilsome pace, that bothered even Julius's low hover. Once in the gravel however, she trekked down the beach, careful not to disturb the stones.
From gravel, to rock, to forest she went, and she knew that besides her slowness, she had not given Julius much to grumble about so far. Try as he might, Julius would not be able to find a trace of her, and neither would the others. She had wiped her boots off as soon as she had stepped off the sand.
A noise up ahead warned her that there was someone there. Now for a little trick her uncle had taught her. He had been into that kind of thing, and when Fowl had been a problem, it had been more than useful.
Julius blinked stupidly. He was sure Holly had been just in front of him. Where— right there. Holly stood poised on her toes, almost part of a nearby tree. That was the first surprise.
The second surprise soon followed. Holly began to climb.
She climbed expertly, without breaking any branches, or rustling any leaves.
Quiet reigned.
Julius wondered what she was playing at. It would be much better to be on the ground, than cornered in a tree. Surely Holly wasn't that stupid. Or did she see something he didn't?
Another noise, and Julius realized that whoever it was, they were coming closer.
After a few breathless minutes, Newt worked his way into view, eyes searching the area.
A single shot erupted in his face, spattering him with red paint. Had it been a real gun, Newt would no longer have a head. As it was, Newt completely lost what was left of it. He panicked, blundered forwards, and finally dropped behind a tree for a late shelter.
Silence.
It was almost as if Holly Short had never been there. Only the stains on the moss told of the first one shot. Obviously, Julius realized, Holly did not want anyone to know it was her.
Perhaps she wanted the others to all be guessing as to who it was when they got back on the shuttle. Perhaps she had her own reasons. Holly was the strangest elf.
He supposed though, that with his infrequent experience with women, Holly might possibly be considered normal by other's standards. He certainly wouldn't let her near the word.
After a long stillness, Newt began to inch his way backwards, finally disappearing behind a tree about half a mile down the hill to the beach. No doubt shamed, and ready to give up and go home to his mommy. Still, Holly did not move.
Julius waited, now curious in spite of himself. Holly wasn't going to play out any macho clichés, instead, she was going to play strategy games. Those were undoubtedly the most interesting of them all.
Why was it, Julius wondered, that Holly got into so much trouble, and yet always managed to rise to the occasion? If she did not attract so much of the trouble, just rose to the occasion, he would prefer her to his male officers.
Somehow though, Holly brought with her the kind of trouble that could destroy the world. In such a high risk business, it was unlikely that she would always be lucky. That was the problem. He never knew when it was time to save the world again.
The crash of water on breakers signaled the turn of the tide. A seagull screamed overhead, wheeling and darting through the air. A soft wind swept the forest, whispering through the firs to the left, and playing with the leaves that littered the ground.
Another noise came from the same direction. Newt had been followed. Oak this time.
Oak saw the stains on the moss, and stepped closer to make certain. He apparently didn't expect anyone to hang around in one place for long. Assumptions.
A second one for Holly. Oak was a little faster on the reflex though. He dropped into the hollow of a tree immediately, searching for his attacker. Again, that uncanny stillness.
It was as if Holly was not there. Again. Oak faked a very believable exit, sneaking back to a vantage point. Still, nothing moved. Julius had to admit, Holly was patient.
A bird flew by, settling on a branch a few feet away from Holly. Julius couldn't believe how still she was. Like a statue. It looked as though she wasn't even breathing.
After Oak was gone, a few leaves wavered in the air and the bird rose. Julius looked again, just in time to see Holly slip out of that tree into another.
She followed a line of trees inwards, until she came to the crest of a large hill overlooking most of the surrounding land. Not once did she touch the ground. A few times, she swung downwards, squinting at the rich earth to distinguish a faint footprint, or some other sign of an intruder on the island.
Again, she stopped, waiting, and watching.
Julius studied her, as she watched for her prey. He could have been wrong. Holly two hours ago had been a hopeless wreck. Now, she was doing better than he had done on his trial.
The headset inside his helmet beeped. "Julius?" it was Vinyáya. "Coral's down. The idiot fell into the ravine, and broke his leg. I'll take him back to the shuttle. He's through."
"Right."
That left Trouble and Vein. His best two.
A sound he could not hear alerted Holly. He watched in reluctant admiration as Holly rose, gliding along the branches, smooth muscles rippling like water. She'd come a long way in stealth.
A third time she raised her gun, aiming at an invisible target were a small stream came around a bend.
Vein had barely appeared by less than a sliver, when the paint found him too.
He fell back into the water with a yelp and a splash. Julius winced. Not the best stealth tactics.
Holly had one more to go. She seemed to know however, that Trouble Kelp was not on his way.
Trouble Kelp, she would hunt.
Julius had never so appreciated Holly's skill. The way she floated through the trees, becoming part of the shadows; her quiet; the quickness of her eyes, detecting signs that not even he knew were there; the way she listened to the silence, and heard the land around her.
At last she stopped, studying the ground with a frown. Something was bothering her. She inched forwards bit by bit, peering at the damp earth, and Julius suddenly realized that there was a trap directly ahead of her. Did she see it's boundaries?
On the very edge, she stopped, brushing away the dirt to reveal a slender wire. Her fingers cleared the small area, light, and cautious.
When she was done, she found a stone, finally climbing another tree. Julius watched as she measured out the distance with her eye.
Finally, she let go, hitting the wire perfectly. A pause, and then a small landslide, making a lot of noise, and an even bigger hole. That would bring them.
Holly moved to another tree, crouching low, gun ready.
Julius started, as a rush of static filled the radio in his helmet. Then quiet. Strange, maybe the reception was bad. It shouldn't be. Maybe it was interference by a flare with a call from below ground. That almost never happened.
Holly fidgeted slight, turned, and swung herself higher still, viewing this part of the island.
Julius started to rise. Without warning, a heavy something rammed into him from behind, jettisoning him forwards to the ground.
He groaned, reaching automatically for his gun. It seemed to have disappeared. "Naughty, naughty Julius," tutted a voice. "Guns are not for little boys to play with."
Julius opened his mouth to call for Holly, but caught his breath in an exclamation of pain, as something sharp stung his side. Blackness descended.
I know some of you are reading and not reviewing. That's really annoying me, just so you know. Those of you who do not review: "I have hated with an everlasting hatred." (that's the Bible with words changed around obviously. Some old testament prophet. I'm so sorry, I just couldn't resist the temptation:)) Please email me at or if you have the time. I promise I'll write back, and I'd really enjoy talking to you!
