skulduggery pleasant

Valkyrie Cain stumbled through the empty streets of Liverpool, dripping blood as if she were leaving a trail. The footsteps were still behind her. She glanced around her shoulder and saw nothing. These footsteps – they were always there, but she could never see what was making them.

Without Skuldug, there was a hole where her heart should be. She just didn't have the strength to carry on being a private detective – it didn't feel right without Skuldug. After all, he was the one who solved most of the cases, she was just there as his bit-on-the-side.

FLETCHERS P.O.V

It's fun following Valkyrie, it creeps her out. I dunno how she ended up in Liverpool though, I think it's because it's so closely tied with Ireland, y'know, where she's from. I dunno how her arm started bleeding either.

"Hey! Valky!" I yelled "What do you think you're doing?"

"Eff off Fletcher!" She replied bitterly. I don't think she likes me.

"Do you want a hand? Or maybe even an arm?" I laughed. She stopped, span around, and hailed abuse at me. Really, I thought it was quite witty.

She eventually stopped shouting stuff at me after about five minutes, and came over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Oh now who's all affectionate," I said, moving back slightly so that I could see her face. I rolled my eyes. She grinned and hugged me again. "You want something don't you?" I asked. She was lovely, yeah, but she wasn't usually this lovely unless she wanted something off me.

"Will you take me back to Haggard? Please?" I knew it.

"My teleportation skills are... limited." I replied mockingly. "And you expect me to get you all the way back over there in that state? At least let me take you to a hospital, get yourself fixed up, and then I'll take you back,"

"I hate hospitals," She said, scowling and detangling herself from me. I stared at her for a bit, then sighed and turned my back to her. There was no arguing with Valkyrie. After a few tense moments, I turned around.

"Fine," I rolled my eyes. "One condition,"

"Yes?" she said.

"I get to take you to the hospital when we get back to Ireland. In fact, if I teleport to the wrong place, we go to the hospital there. Okay?"

"Fine." she didn't look too pleased, but I guess she wanted to go home.

"Or, actually, you just tell me what happened to your arm when we get back. Or both, whatever works." She frowned. I stared at her. I know she finds me irresistible.

"For God's sake Fletcher, just take me home!" She yelled.

I wrapped my arm around her waist.

"Hold on," I whispered in her ear.