You know, normally I can’t stand stories where Holly has an abusive husband. They make her seem so weak, and Holly isn’t weak. But I decided to write one just because I had an idea of what I was going to do. So please enjoy my latest fanfic! Holly stood in the kitchen washing vegetables for dinner. Her husband of three months, Harran, came through the door. She smiled, looking happy to see him. But she really wasn’t.

Lately, Harran had changed. He was so… violent. She had grown afraid of him, and he had forbidden her to tell anyone about his rages. He even had banned her from completing the Ritual to restore her magic.

She ran up to him, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. They had met each other on the force, him being an old friend. After the demons had come back, she was saddled with him as partner to integrate them into modern fairy society. They had grown close, and eventually, married.

“How was work?” she asked.

“Good. A rather nasty demon came in today, and I had to shoot him with tranquilizer. Did you fix the drain like I asked you to?”

“No, I haven’t gotten around to it.”

Holly saw a spark of rage in the corner of his eyes. “ Why not?” he asked, grabbing her roughly by the wrist.

“I had to go to the grocery store. I was gone all day!” she explained hurriedly.

“Oh, so that’s your excuse? Damn woman, why can’t you do anything right!” he demanded, throwing her to the ground.

Holly picked herself up, her temper rising. She had a gash on her forehead, and the last dregs of magic hadn’t been enough to heal it.

“Why are you so violent?” she yelled, standing up.

“I do what I want.” he replied, slapping her with the back of his hand.

Holly was so weak, she fell easily.

Harran swooned dramatically and collapsed. “Holly, what happened? I felt like I was in a trance…” Then he saw the cut on her forehead. “Did I do that?” he asked, horrified. The method actor.

“Yes. You know you did.”

“I’m so sorry, Holly. I didn’t mean to!” he lied.

Holly looked skeptical, and went to their bedroom.

The next day, Holly went to Fowl Manor to visit with Artemis. It turned out badly, to say in the least. Holly had been expecting a nice, pleasant afternoon with her favorite Mud Boy. She hadn’t planned on telling him about Harren. This was supposed to be a break from her violent husband.

Artemis, ever the gentleman, invited the tired elf inside and she sat on the couch. The genius noticed that she was rather jumpy. He went to fetch drinks.

Artemis poured Holly a glass and headed back into the living room. She was sitting on the couch facing away from the adjoining kitchen. He brought over her cream soda and tapped her on the back. She jumped and whipped around, nearly causing him to drop the fizzy drink. She apologized profusely.

They sat back down and began to chat. Then Artemis noticed something that surprised him. He had noticed some bruises on her neck and the fading cut on her forehead, which she had tried futilely to cover with a turtleneck and makeup.

“Holly, what happened? You are hurt!”

Holly started, then blushed madly. “I tripped.” she explained lamely.

He rolled his eyes. “Holly, do not lie to me, because I can tell when you are not telling the truth. One does not sustain bruises on one’s neck and huge gashes from tripping. Who’s been hurting you?”

She stood up. “No one’s been hurting me! I told you I tripped!”

“It’s Harren, isn’t it? He’s been hurting you.”

“No! I can’t talk about it!” she cried, and ran out the door. Artemis was sure he saw her mouth the words “Help me.”

The fact that Holly lied to him was enough to make him suspicious. But the way she had reacted when he had blamed her husband told him that there was something wrong. Very wrong.

Some other stories by 1crazyhollyfan:

• Shifting Sands
• Still here.
• Heaven at Christmas
• "Foaly's Visit" announcement
• The Long Awaited Part 3 of The Breakup!

Skip to chapter: 1, 2, 3,