Chapter 2- First Deserve, Then Desire

"No," she said, "shut your head and go come up with a better plan," indifferently adjusting herself in the curve of her seat. Apparently all this has gotten to his head too.

The car jerked and shrieked in protest, sending its passengers reeling and begging for its mercy.

"Go now!" she said alarmed, pushing him slightly so he'd get the hint.

"We have ten minutes, Holly. There are children on this car. No- there are twenty-one people on this car who are all going to die because not one person will risk their lives in the other car… one life as opposed to twenty-one."

"I'd go, but I have no idea how to operate it" she said with wide eyes.

"No- you're going to stay here," he said decisively, "I'm going to try the other car."

She furrowed her brow, "-but you said..."

"I know, but no one else is going to- No one else knows how to- besides Foaly, or the tech crew. But I have my reasons, you know I do."

"Artemis, for heavens sake sit down, you're starting to make me angry."

"You think I'd even bother mentioning it if there was another way?" he explained frustrated.

Foaly couldn't help but notice the outburst. "Someone has to..." he muttered adding to the argument.

"You knew then, did you?" she said rather loudly. He was just going to let Artemis kill himself? She'd rather one of his selfish fruits he called crew boys do it. No, she resolved silently. No one should have to.

"Why waste our time then?" Butler muttered, speaking for the first time.

"Because either way lives are lost," Foaly said angered.

Butler turned away. As long as that life wasn't Foaly's. Figures.

Artemis turned to Foaly, "I'm going to."

"No you're not," said Holly. "Butler won't let you."

"I already instructed Butler to remain at his post in this car to aid anyone who- needs it."



Foaly left them to return to his knowingly helpess work either to leave Artemis to his privacy or out of shame. He couldn't help- and he knew it.

"Listen Holly, please. Are you listening?"

She ignored him.

"Holly. Please."

"Its stupid," Holly repeated, looking for Butler around the car to hide the tears that would form at her eyes and die at her lips any moment now.

"You have to stay in this car," he said thinking aloud. "I'll have to be in the next car to detach it, though I might need some help" he muttered thinking of the predicament. "So, when it comes down to it, it's either me- or its you." He said quite plainly, though his face was anything but plain. It was just- conflicting emotion. His brows, angered. His mouth relaxed and parted with thought. His eyes, downcast, trying to make her understand.

"Did you hear me?" He asked slightly out of breath, breaking the silence.

"No," Holly lied. Making as little conversation possible. The lump in her throat was either the tears she had swallowed but moment ago or the words she didn't yet get to say.

He adjusted himself, kneeling at the front of her seat so he could make eye contact.

whispers "Remember when I brought you back to life?" he asked, "Do you remember how I felt? The shock of loosing you? I can't even begin to describe it, but I can't feel like that again. To know that I could have saved your life instead of my own would haunt me forever. So please, as a friend, understand."

"I'd hurry if you intend to do anything, we have ten minutes" said Foaly, "at the very most".