BRAINS VS. BRONZE

"We should think of a plan?" Tanith guessed.

"Since when did we ever make a plan and have it work?" Valkyrie reminded and leaned against the wall.

No one commented. Are we at a dead-end?, Vendetta asked Rife.

"Maybe." He whispered.

"What did she say?" Larrikin asked.

"She asked if we're at a dead end. Are we?" He echoed.

"Maybe", Skulduggery muttered, "Seems that way."

Larrikin huffed and shifted to Vendetta's side, "You OK, babe?" He softly asked.

She sighed, Don't call me babe, OK?, she gave him and evil look.

"Hey, fine by me." He smiled and bumped her side.

"Tenterhooks,", Skulduggery began, "Find out where he was last seen."

"Got it." He closed the door behind him.

Why'd you do that? Ghastly could've found that info faster than Rife, She showed to Skulduggery.

"I just don't like him." He replied and locked the door with a shrug, "Besides, he'll find it sooner or later."

Vendetta scowled and slapped his arm.

"Can we get back to business?" Valkyrie suggested. On cue, Rife jiggled the knob but no luck.

"It appears that I'm locked out?" He hinted with another jiggle.

A beat passed and Vendetta elbowed Skulduggery's ribcage, "Fine." He muttered and unlocked the door. Rife entered with papers and he set them on his desk.

"Gale was last spotted in London, killed three people who were mistaken to be mages. I have several eye-whiteness accounts. He was believed to be trained by Lightening Dave, but somehow failed. His scarred hands are a dead giveaway." Tanith flinched and eased, "Don't what he's planning to do, though."

"Revenge?" Tanith guessed.

What did you two do, actually?, Vendetta asked.

"I didn't lie. Tanith?" Rife glared at her and she stepped back.

"Fine, I-" Ravel knocked on the door and Tanith eased more.

"Guys? Eliza and Murder are invading. They're demanding for Rife." Ravel opened the door and looked at Rife, "What did you do?" Vendetta glared at Rife, who gulped.

"Give me a second." He said and Valkyrie handed him her dagger, but he refused. He headed for the door and rounded towards the entrance.

Vendetta stalked behind him, What the hell are you doing?, she scribbled on the paper.

"I believe I was confronting Scorn and Rose, don't try to stop me, please." She yanked his shoulder to face her.

You don't have anything to defend yourself!, She scowled.

"It's brains vs. bronze!" He snapped and she flinched, "I'm sorry, Vendetta, I know what I'm knowing, OK?" She nodded and he walked forward.

Outside was Murder being taken down by a Cleaver while Scorn was just standing in delight, "You called for me?" Rife taunted.

"Maladroit paid us take you to him." Murder struggled to get free.

"Let her stand, please?" He ordered the Cleaver and it obliged. Rose stood up and Rife followed, "Mode of transportation?" He glanced back at Vendetta who stared. They got into a truck and Scorn drove off.

Larrikin went up behind Vendetta who's eye's were teary, "You OK, b-miss?"

She glanced at Larrikin, Why would you say that?, she scowled. Larrikin put his hand on her shoulder but she shrugged it off, not now, please. he stepped back and waited for others. Finally Ghastly joined Larrikin.

"You OK?" He asked softly and Vendetta glanced at him.

No, not really, she pretended to smile, what is Rife planning?

"I don't know." She sighed and went back inside, passed the two guys, "You alright, Larrikin?"

"I think I like her, but she doesn't feel the same." Ghastly sighed and patted his should, then left. Soon Larrikin followed.

"Why does Maladroit want me?" Rife calmly asked.

"Shut the hell up." Rose ordered.

"Is he going to kill me?"

"I said shut up!" she snapped and brought a knife by his throat.

"It's amazing," Rife struggled to comment, "that you can do that in this pick-up." Murder smugly laughed and pressed the knife harder.

"I can do other things in this truck as well." She taunted and the knife drew a trickle of blood, Rife winced and she let go, "Just shut up."

Like Derek Landy, "I'm taking a whole new approach with this one." (I tried to quote it word for word), but I am because I though ahead of time. Every chapter I planned out… thought you should know… yeah! Oh, hey I did read the end of the world, but did you? Tell me, what did you think? Who would think he was chubby, right?… Damn Deacon! Should he be used for Alice's Suspicions?… for each story there will be a dramatic ending (more and less). Sorry I haven't been updating in a while what with mass studying for finals, BFF break ups, Boyfriend issues of my own, criticisms of art and in the midst of reading the Workings of Shakespeare and Shakespeare Undead… both really good books!