Ivy lay on the cold concrete, shivering and covered in blood. What had she just done? And what was that name she had told the woman she was? Ivy's eyes widened. Darquesse. She was inside her. Ivy was going down the same path Valkyrie did, thirteen years ago. But darquesse was stronger this time, and Ivy was weaker than Valkyrie. Ivy stood, still shaking and pulled her coat tight around her. As she began to walk through the streets, looking for Roarhaven, it began to rain. Ivy sighed. She zipped up her coat and stuffed her hands deep into her pockets. She frowned. What was that in her pockets? She pulled something out of her left pocket and something in her right too. She examined then as she continued to walk. One looked like just a bundle of material, But… It was a hood. Ivy smiled weakly. Valkyrie had always thought about asking for a hood. Ivy now had a detachable hood for her jacket. She managed to get it on and pulled it over her head. Ivy then checked the rest. Black gloves. Seamless and awesome. A mask, just like Valkyire's. She put the gloves and mask back in her pocket and cursed quietly when she saw the blood still on her hands. Ivy stopped walking and looked around. There were no bathrooms or faucets nearby. The best thing she saw was a large puddle halfway down an allyway. She dashed over and washed her hands and then washed her hood and pockets out. Then she rinsed her gloves and mask. She pulled on the gloves and left, walking faster.
Back at the medical facility an hour earlier.
Valkyrie contemplated the possibilities in her head as she was heading back to Ivy's room. She looked up and saw Ivy's empty bed. Valkyrie froze. Where was Ivy. She certainly wouldn't wander around looking for her, would she? Valkyrie dashed out and left the medical bay. Standing in the old cinema, she dialled skulduggery.
"hello?" Alice answered sleepily.
"Is skulduggery there?"
"he's sle- meditating"
"wake him up"
"kay" There was a russle and hushed words before skulduggery's voice came on.
"What's wrong?"
"she's gone" Silence on the other end of the line.
"I'll be there as soon as possible." Dial tone. Valkyrie put her phone away and re-entered the medical bay to search. Even if Ivy had left, she wouldn't be that far yet. Skulduggery would find her.
About two hours later.
Skulduggery strode back to the front of the medical bay. By the door that led to the old cinema entrance. He and Valkyrie had agreed to meet once they finished searching their half of the large building. They had double searched everywhere and not yet found Ivy. Skulduggery sighed when he saw Valkyrie and Alice standing at the door with no Ivy.
"What now?" Alice asked.
"I search Roarhaven while you and Valkyrie check Haggard. After that we fan out and check every corner of the world until we find her." Alice gulped. The group exited into the cinema, then left the cinema. Ivy was standing right in front of them, about to open the door.