Disclaimer: We should all have one of these, so why bother? Will Colfer really sue me if I don't have this? I think not.

This is my first attempt at a short story, all my other ones are intended to be longer. This is a two – shot. It is also very dark. Warning!! Character death, dark themes, and sexual situations!!

Summery:

Holly receives an email from Artemis, and her gut tells her that something is terribly wrong, but she ignores him, remembering what happened last time she got this type of email from him. It isn't until a week later that she faces the consequences of ignoring him. A/H

In Need of A Friend

Chapter One : He's Hurting, Holly

Monday, September 4, 2007

Artemis Fowl II sat on the edge of his bed, his palm covering his mouth as he stared at his computer. He had to talk to her. She may be the only one who could truly comfort him after the tragedy that had happened only an hour ago. After getting over his initial shock, his first thought was to run from his father's office and lock himself up in his room. His second thought was 'I need to talk to Holly.'

It had been almost six months since he had seen Captain Holly Short, and a month and a half since she had spoken to him. They'd had a fight after she brought up the subject of his lying to her about giving his mother Spelltropy, and she had stopped calling, or answering his calls. He had called her almost nonstop for three days after the fight, but the calls decreased greatly after that. After a couple of weeks, he had stopped trying.

Yet, he still thought of her as his best friend, and right now, all he wanted was to talk to her. She was his security blanket, he had admitted to himself. She could get him through anything.

He walked to his computer and typed her a short email.

I need you, Holly. It's bad. Come see me, or at least talk to me.

Holly noticed the email as soon as it popped up onto her helmet. She had just squished a goblin who had been trying to start up another Rebellion into the back of a squad car, when a red-colored email blinked at the bottom of her screen. Red, she thought,is me and Artemis' code for Urgent. I remember the last time I got one of these.

She knew that Foaly would be looking at the email, and if it was really bad, he would tell her. So she deleted it without reading it. She really didn't want to talk to Artemis right now.

"That might not have been the best idea, Holly." came Foaly's voice in her ear. She scowled. "Something might be up with the Mud Boy. The email sounded pretty serious."

"Hasn't anyone told you that it's rude to read other peoples' email, Foaly?" she scolded him, and pressed the mute on her helmet. She didn't want to hear it.

Artemis didn't think he would be able to sleep that night. Between his brothers' wailing and Butler knocking on his door every half an hour, asking him to unlock the door, sleep seemed impossible. But, somehow, it overcame him. Emotional exhaustion, he figured. He had been crying since seven that morning. He had broken down right after sending the email to Holly.

It was now nine pm, and he hadn't seen anyone all day, or eaten. The police had attempted to make him come out, but they would never get past Artemis finger-print access lock.

He replayed the awful incident from this morning in his sleep, instead of dreaming.

His father had called him into his office at Six AM that morning. Artemis had thought that it was odd, considering that the rest of the house, excluding Butler, who was outside the closed office door, was still asleep.

His father was sitting in an armchair, dressed in business attire. Artemis immediately sensed something was wrong. Butler had always told him that he had senses like a cat, and Artemis was beginning to trust his gut instincts.

The whole scene reminded Artemis of the father he had known before the Fowl Star had been sunk.

"You wished to speak with me, Father." Artemis asked, a slight hesitation in his voice.

"I have a contact, Artemis." Artemis Senior started, sounding more formal than Artemis had heard him speak in five years. "Now, do you know what this contact could have told me?"

Artemis narrowed his eyes. "I suppose, it depends on the contact, Father."

Artemis Fowl the First got out of his chair and began pacing the room. Artemis Junior noticed a few seconds later that his father was pacing in a circle around him. An offensive maneuver.

"My contact dug up some information on you, Son. You have quite an active criminal record." Artemis' father stopped in front of him, looking him in the eyes.

Artemis' eyes widened. He straightened his back. "That was a long time ago, I can assure you."

"I have failed you as a father, Artemis." his father said sadly, the formality slipping slightly from his voice. "Since you were young, you began to follow my example. I was a criminal, and you grew up as one. The guilt rips my heart out." Tears formed in the corner of his father's eyes.

"Don't feel guilty, please." Artemis told his father, relaxing. "They were my mistakes. But I'm legit now, I swear."

Artemis' father walked to his desk and unlocked a drawer. He stood back up, with a gun in his hand.

Artemis' eyes widened in surprise, gasping silently. No sudden movements. Was his father under the mesmer? They had caught Opal, so who would mesmer him?

"They told me that I was a genius." His father started. "Just like you. But there is a fine line between genius and insanity. I've crossed over. I hope that you never have to."

He raised the gun.

"BUTLER!" Artemis screamed. He had meant to dive for cover, but he remained standing in place, to afraid to even move. His mind registered his need for protection, but before he could move, his father raised the gun to his own head, and pulled the trigger.

Butler rushed in as Artemis Fowl Senior fell to the floor, dead. Artemis was too shocked to move. Butler seemed shocked as well but ushered Artemis away from the room. Artemis was shaking.

He then proceeded to rush into his room.

He woke up then, and decided that it would be best if he never slept again.

Tuesday, September 5, 2007

Foaly was torn. He knew that Artemis had hurt Holly by lying to her, but he couldn't help but stress over the boy's email. Holly flat out refused to contact Artemis. So Foaly figured he would call him instead.

Artemis was still lying in bed when his phone rang. Only a few people had his phone number. His parents (Only Mother is left now, he thought to himself, growing upset again), Butler and Juliet, Holly, Mulch, Foaly, and Trouble. He answered when the caller ID told him that it was Foaly.

"Hello?" Artemis answered, trying to sound as put together as possible. Foaly heard the tone in Artemis' voice.

"Artemis, hey. I read your email to Holly. " asked Foaly, concerned now. "Are you alright?"

"No." Artemis answered truthfully. "I think it'll be a while before I can say that I'm okay again."

"What happened?" Foaly asked, taken aback by the sadness in the boy's voice.

"I don't want to talk about it." Artemis said hurriedly. "Is Holly coming?"

The centaur made a face. "Well, she tried to get a surface visa, but Trouble wouldn't let her off without a reason, so she can't make it." He decided that covering for Holly would be best for them all. Artemis sounded hurt enough without knowing that Holly didn't care what was wrong with him.

Artemis was silent for about a minute. His voice was shaky and broken when he finally responded.

"You don't have to lie, Foaly. If Holly... really did care... she would at least write... or call." Artemis took a deep breath to calm himself before continuing. "I guess it was... too much to hope for. Thank you, though... for trying."

Artemis hung up the phone quickly, before sobs shook his body. He knew that Foaly had heard his voice crack as he had said his last two words. He had cried too early, unable to hold them back.

Foaly looked at the phone in disbelief. Artemis had started crying, he was sure of it. He dialed Holly's cell number quickly.

"Yes?" Holly said when she answered.

"I just spoke to Artemis." He said quickly, not giving her a chance to hang up. "I think something bad happened. He started crying, Holly."

Holly's eyes widened, but she refused to give into her urge to check up on her friend. He had been cold with her, so she would be cold with him.

"So what if he's throwing a hissy fit?" she said to him. "What could have possibly happened?"

"He wouldn't tell me. But he seems to want to tell you. What if he's in trouble?" Foaly tried reasoning with her.

"He's at his house, with his family and Butler. He's fine. Maybe he just cracked?" Holly shrugged.

Foaly sighed. "He's hurting, Holly. I could hear it in his voice."

"Well, now he knows what hurt feels like." she said coldly, willing the conversation to end.

Foaly humphed. "Fine. Go ahead and ruin your friendship with the Mud Boy. He may have lied to you, Holly, but he cares about you." Holly made a noise, but Foaly continued. "If he didn't care, he wouldn't have gone through the trouble of saving your life on Hybras."

He hung up on her.

Thursday, September 7, 2007

Artemis stared blankly ahead of him as the minister said words that Artemis didn't even hear. He looked up as his mind registered the word 'bury'. He looked at his mother, who burst into fresh tears as his father's coffin was lowered into the ground.

Honestly, he thought, who was the first person to think it was a good idea to place a body in a box, stick it in a hole in the ground, and bury it?

He moved beside his mother, and placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him, and sobbed, wetting his shoulder, but he didn't care. He was taller than her now. He'd had a growth spurt within the last six months, and he was now a head taller than his mother.

He wrapped his other arm around her as well, pulling her into a hug. She cried into his chest, the fabric of his shirt, as well as her hand placed over her face, muffled the noise. His chin rested on the top of her head, and silent tears ran down his face.

Butler looked on. He was amazed that Artemis could comfort his mother. Artemis himself was showing his emotions, which was almost a miracle in itself. But the boy had changed over the years. He was no longer cold or heartless, but Butler had been sure that comforting someone else would be awkward for Artemis. He had been wrong.

Butler looked at the toddler in his arms. Myles was a spitting image of Artemis at that age, and almost just as intelligent. The only difference between them was that Myles would be raised differently than Artemis had been. Artemis had learned all about formality and crime at a young age from his father. And his mother had been a pushover, allowing Artemis to think that crime was ever okay.

Myles will grow up with more love in his life, and he would never be lonely, like Artemis had been. He had his twin, Beckett, and Artemis to keep him grounded as he grew older. Artemis was actually a very good big brother.

Myles saw his mother crying, and turned to Butler.

"Butler, what is Heaven?" Myles asked the large man.

Butler was surprised. "Where did you hear about that?"

"Weren't you listening to that man?" Myles scolded Butler, pointing in the direction of the Minister. "He said that Daddy will be welcomed into Heaven by the open arms of the Lord. What does he mean?"

"Well, Myles, Heaven is where good people go when they die." Myles narrowed his eyes questionably, but Butler spoke again before he could interrupt.

"Not physically." Butler said, knowing what Myles would ask. "Your soul goes to Heaven. It's suppose to be paradise. You get sent there as a reward for living an honest life, and being a good person."

Butler mentally slapped the minister. Artemis the First wouldn't be going to Heaven. Not after what he had done to Artemis. What sort of good person calls his own son into a room, just so he can watch him as he kills himself? Artemis was traumatized.

Artemis had refused to leave his room until the funeral. Butler had to bring his food to his room, and he didn't even eat a lot of that. He poked at his food, eating, what totaled, a small meal the entire day. And Butler just knew that Artemis had stopped sleeping.

Sometimes Artemis would dose off, but when he did, he always dream of his father's suicide. So he tried to avoid sleep.

When Butler had brought breakfast to Artemis that morning, Artemis had broken down.

Butler sat on Artemis bed, while the boy in question had his head on Butler's lap and was sobbing into it.

"Why did he hate me so much? What did I do?!" Artemis cried to Butler.

"He didn't hate you, Artemis. He loved you. I suppose, he just lost control." Butler tried assuring him.

"Why me? Why'd he want me to watch?"

Butler didn't know what to say.

"And Holly isn't coming. She's mad at me for lying to her. I've pushed away my best friend! I'm such an idiot!"

Artemis sat bolt up, still crying. "I'm sorry!" he said hurriedly to Butler. "I'll get dressed for the funeral."

Artemis walked slowly, head down and crying silently now, to the walk-in closet. He opened the door, stepped in, and closed the door behind him.

Butler was too shocked for words. Artemis had never referred to himself as anything less than a genius, yet he had called himself an idiot just then. Not only that, but the light in his closet had burned out and Artemis had never bothered to change it.

Did he plan on getting dressed in the dark, or was he hinting to Butler that he wanted him to leave?

He assumed the latter, and left.

As Artemis' mother sobbed into his shoulder, Artemis thought about Holly. So this is what it feels like to be hurt by a friend? Artemis understood now why Holly had stopped talking to felt betrayed, angry, and nauseous. Well, maybe the nausea was just him.

But Artemis couldn't stay mad at Holly. He felt a lot towards her, but anger was never an emotion that would stick for very long when she was concerned.

Artemis was defeated by his own emotions.

Guilt for lying to Holly and pushing her away.

Hate for his father for putting him and his family through this.

Fear for his mother's sake. What was stopping her from sinking into another depression?

Sadness, a lot of it, for his father's death and losing Holly.

And probably the most painful of emotions, heartbreak. Because, after all that they had been through, Holly had taken up a big part of his heart.

For the first time since he had met her, Artemis admitted to himself that he loved her.

Sunday, September 10, 2007

Artemis hadn't eaten since the funeral. He had crawled into bed, and remained there for three days.

Butler would bring him meals and leave, knowing fully well that Artemis would not want to be bothered. Artemis would simply push the food off of the night stand by his bed, onto the floor. Once, Butler had brought bacon, and the smell made Artemis so nauseous that he had thrown the plate against the wall.

The hunger hurts, Artemis thought, but it also keeps me awake. And I would rather starve than sleep.

He didn't get out of bed, he didn't talk to anyone, he didn't sleep, and he didn't eat.

Butler'd had enough. Angeline Fowl was doing as fine as anyone would expect a grieving widow to be, but Artemis was sinking into a depression.

He called Trouble. Artemis had told Butler Foaly's Story about Holly being unable to get clearance for a surface visa and Butler had believed him. So Butler decided to ask Trouble himself.

The phone rang once before Trouble picked up. "LEP Commander Trouble Kelp speaking." Trouble answered.

"Commander Kelp, this is Butler."

Trouble furrowed his brows. "Butler, what is it?"

"It's about Holly coming to the surface."

"You need Holly on the surface?" Trouble asked.

"Yes. Artemis is not well. At all."

Holly walked past Trouble's office and she heard him call her name. She walked in, surprised that Trouble did not look very happy with her at all.

"Sir?" she asked.

"I'm disappointed in you, Short." he said bluntly, but sadly.

"What?! Why?" she asked in disbelief.

"Have you spoken with Artemis Fowl since he emailed you?" He asked accusingly, knowing the answer.

Holly narrowed her eyes. "No? Why should I? You know what he did." She crossed her arms. "What is this? An intervention? Have you been talking to Foaly, or something?"

Trouble glared at her. "Or something." he said. "Butler called me. Almost begged me to give you a surface visa. Apparently, I didn't let you have one the first time you asked." Holly looked at the floor.

"Don't worry, I covered for you. Artemis obviously doesn't want you to appear uncaring in Butler's eyes." He glared again. She put her hands on her hips.

"Commander, what -" she got out before she was interrupted.

"Do you even know what happened? Did you even bother to ask?" He was laying it on pretty thick.

This must be bad, she thought.

"No, I never read the email." She said quietly.

"Yeah, I know, Foaly told me." Trouble was angry with her. What on earth had happened to Artemis that had made her friends choose his side?

"Artemis' father is dead, Holly." Holly looked up with wide eyes. "He shot himself right in front of Artemis' eyes." Holly gasped.

"Oh my God." She said lamely. She had to sit down.

"Yeah." Trouble's voice got softer, but the accusing tone was still there.

"Butler told me that Artemis has drifted into a depression." He informed her. "Partially from trauma, and partially from..." he paused, unsure if he should tell. He decided to tell her. "you not being there." he finished.

Holly covered her mouth with her hand and closed her eyes.

"He apparently wanted to be comforted by his best friend. That's what Butler said that Artemis had referred to you as."

Tears formed in the corners of Holly's eyes.

"I didn't know." Holly said.

"Well, now you do. Do you want to go see him?" he asked.

She nodded her head.

"Good." Trouble said, leaning back in his chair.

End of first chapter!

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