Holly couldn’t take it anymore. Harran had just added several more bruises to her already battered body. She had to tell someone. She decided that the only person that could do something about it was Artemis. He could come up with a plan for anything, including dealing with an abusive husband.

She dug her communicator out of her sock drawer and opened it with trembling hands. How had it come to this? She wasn’t weak, so why did she submit to this man? Because he was more powerful. That was so wrong.

She dialed Artemis’s number and tried to keep herself from crying. The Mud Boy’s face appeared on the small screen. “Yes Holly, what can I do for you?”

Holly couldn’t hold back the stream of tears any longer. “Artemis, it’s Harran! He’s been hurting me, and he’s forbidden me to complete the Ritual. I’m completely drained. What do I do? He’s threatened me that he will really hurt me if I tell anyone!” she sobbed her sleeve, trying to control herself.

“Holly, calm down. Shhhhh.” calmed Artemis. Holly wiped her eyes one last time and looked at him.

“Is he hurting you on purpose?” he asked, trying not to sound to concerned for his friend.

“Yes, and no. That’s why I called you. Every time after he hurts me, he tells me that he was in a rage and never meant to hurt me. Like in a trance. But I think he’s lying. How do I tell?”

Artemis thought for a moment. “Okay, install a fisheye lens and try to tape your next fight. E-mail me the video and I will analyze it.”

Relief passed over Holly’s features. “Thank you, Artemis. Kisses!” she blew him a kiss. She didn’t feel as guilty blowing him kisses now that her husband…well.

Artemis caught the air kiss and pressed his hand to his cheek. “Caught!”

Artemis smiled, and closed the communicator. His frown quickly returned.

He went downstairs and into the kitchen where Butler was sitting. His manservant noticed his worried expression. “Artemis, something’s bothering you.”

“It seems that Holly’s husband is quite abusive. He won’t allow her to complete the Ritual.”

Butler was shocked. “And she can’t defend herself? He seemed nice enough when we saw them!”

Artemis’s frown deepened. “That’s what disturbs me.”

Artemis didn’t have to wait long for the video. Within a day there was an email from Holly in his inbox. There were no words accompanying it. There wasn’t much to be said.

Artemis wanted to fast forward to the end, but he didn’t. He couldn’t rip his eyes away from the horrifying image. It amazed him that a man could do that to his wife.

Harran grabbed Holly’s neck and easily lifted her off the ground. She tore at her throat for a few seconds until he dropped her. Holly fell to the ground panting. She was totally powerless against her husband, who was nearly four inches taller and quite a bit bulkier. Harran then began kicking her while she was still on the ground. Artemis could hardly bear to look.

Then Harran helped Holly to her feet and apologized. Artemis zoomed in on his face. If the video hadn’t been high quality, he wouldn’t have noticed the most important thing. He zoomed in again, this time until all that was on the screen was the eyes. They were bloodshot and the pupils were ragged. He had been mesmerized.

Some other stories by 1crazyhollyfan:

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