Seraphic opened the door to her apartment and sighed. Her cat, Nibbles, ran up to her and started to purr. She smiled and closed the door, being careful not to catch Nibbles' tail. The last time she did that, she got the claws from hell scratching all down her leg, then some apoligetic licks later.
She went through to the kitchen and made herself some hot chocolate, then wandered into the room. The T.V was switched on to a football match with her favourite team Man United playing the dreaded Chelsea.
"Come on!" She waved her arms in the air. "My granny could have scored that!" She had never even met her granny, yet that's all she seemed to shout when she watched the footy.
As she sat down, something poked her leg. Frowning, she looked down to see the envolope from China sticking out her pocket. She carefully pulled it out then placed it on the table, turned off the telly, and went to bed.
She heard a scream and got out from under the bed.
"Auntie Gemima?" She shouted as she searched the rooms for her aunt. The house she had once laughed and had fun in now stood silent. No noise could be heard.
"Auntie Gemima?" Tears began their long journey down her face.
She stopped in the hall. There was a noise outside. A drum... No, footsteps... A knock on the door followed.
"Auntie Gemima!" She ran to the front door and pulled it open. A skeleton stood there. She screamed.
Seraphic sat up and frowned. Why was this the only dream she could remember? Her worst memory. Losing both parents, an aunt and meeting the remnants of a deadman. She turned and looked at the clock on the table near her bed. 5:30.
Sighing, she got dressed.
Seraphic played with the envolope in her hands. She was on her way to Gordon's manor to meet Valkyrie and Skulduggery. She hadn't seen them in four weeks and she missed talking to them.
As she came up to the drive she started to think. What if the envolope just makes things worse? What if he asks how I got it? What if... What if he hates me for giving it to him? She got to the door and knocked. A moment later, Valkyrie answered.
"Hi! I haven't seen you in ages! Skul will be so happy to see you. Go on through, he's in the living room."Valkyrie moved out the way to let Seraphic pass and closed the door after her.
"Hey Skul. How are you?" She sat down next to him. He didn't answer.
"He's not ina good mood." Valkyrie said, shooting a glare at Skulduggery.
"It seems his manners are in a bad mood too."
"What's wrong?" She turned to face Valkyrie.
"China tried to contact him... Again. Third time this week. He's getting sick of her now.
"Oh." Her hand went to her pocket containing the envolope. "Shall I go and make us some tea?"
Valkyrie nodded. "Oh, yes please. Skul?" He gave a small nod.
As Seraphic stood up, the envolope fell out her pocket. Valkyrie nodded to it.
"What's that then?" She looked round to Skulduggery, who was watching her every move.
"Nothing," she said, retreiving it off the floor. "Just an old shopping list from last week, that's all." She gave a tight smile, then went into the kitchen.