Ugly Heart- G.R.L
Skulduggery strolled up the path of the large country home, with the stables to the left. China always did like horse-riding.
He smiled a skeletal smile, and waved his hand. The latches of the stable doors opened, and the beautiful stallions and mares enclosed within were set free. They whinnied happily, and galloped off across the fields, likely never to return.
Skulduggery stalked up to the cottage door and knocked, three short, hard raps. China opened the door, a rare look of surprise on her beautiful features. Her expression shifted slightly, and Skulduggery felt the pull as she tried to seduce him. As if that was going to work.
"Don't you dare play your little party trick on me, China," he snarled. He stepped into the house, and moved past her down the hallway, pretending not to notice that the symbols on the palms of her hands were lit up and ready to strike if need be.
Skulduggery entered a doorway, and found himself to be in a tidy living room. He took a seat on an ornate sofa. China came in after a moment.
"Can I get you anything?" she asked.
"What? Like tea or coffee?" Skulduggery muttered menacingly. "Hate to break it to you, China- I'm a skeleton. But of course you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?"
"Skulduggery, dear-"
"Dear?" Skulduggery repeated. "I'm no dear, least of all a dear to you. I know you love me, China."
China stayed silent.
"It's sickening," Skulduggery continued angrily. "You kill my family out of jealousy, then say you love me, and expect me to love you back."
"I don't expect anything of you, Skulduggery," China said quietly. "Not any more."
"So you expected me to love you back?" he scoffed.
"Yes. Once."
Skulduggery barked out a short, angry laugh. "Maybe I'm just crazy. Maybe I'm a fool. Maybe I don't know what love is. Maybe you, China Sorrows, know more than me. But one thing's for sure- I'm through with you. I want you to stay away from me and everyone else. Keep away from Valkyrie, Ghastly, the Sanctuary, everyone. Or I will not hesitate in killing you."
China's eyes widened slightly in shock. She couldn't believe that Skulduggery was talking to her like this.
"What's wrong?" Skulduggery asked. "Does it astonish you that I want nothing more to do with you? There was a time when I would have happily gone to see you, China. But not anymore."
He stood up, and adjusted his hat. "Yeah, you're pretty," he continued. "You're beautiful. It's all artificial, of course, but you are beautiful."
China smiled, obviously pleased, but her smile was soon wiped off her face when Skulduggery resumed talking.
"But it's horrible to see that such a gorgeous lady has such a black soul. Maybe one day you'll finally settle down, and get married, and your husband will worship the bloody ground you walk on. Maybe on your honeymoon, you'll remember me. But if you don't, fear not, China. I won't give a damn.
"Fact is," he continued, "you're absolutely beautiful. But behind all that beauty, you know what you are? A witch. And it's such a pity a girl's so pretty with such an ugly heart."
Skulduggery walked past China, and left the room. She followed him as he walked down the hallway, and she watched him as he strolled out the door and to his Bentley. He got in, and reversed out of her driveway, 'accidentally' hitting her priceless black Lamborghini whilst doing so, leaving a massive scratch along the beautiful car's body. China slammed the door shut.
