A/N: I know this chapter is a lot shorter than the last one, but it's also a lot quicker, right? Enjoy!
Her mind is blank, (vacant, empty) in the barren void. She lets herself fall into the soft embrace of the nothingness and all her worries (fear, anguish) dissipate. Yet there is still that feeling, (always that feeling), that there is something she needs to do, something so, so important. It rests in the back of her mind (always there), and stops her from completely letting go. What (who, where) is the feeling? Why must it torment her? She just wants to surrender, but it pulls her back down (up?) like gravity.
She floats for an eternity and her mind wanders, but not too far (never too far) from the nagging disquiet. It strengthens, slowly, and for the first time she wonders if she still has substance (a body, a form). She concentrates and consciously tries to feel her nerves (Aha, there!), tracing them to the very ends. With the greatest effort it has ever taken her, she wiggles her fingers. A pause, then she tries to open her eyes. She struggles, and then winces as the bright light pours in. She looks around and sees nothing- an empty, never ending landscape of light and fog.
Her surroundings have a kind of harsh beauty, yet she feels vulnerable (and cold, so, so cold), until she feels it. It starts as a spark, a hint of warmth, and she sees a thin red cord (or was it blue? Or green?) vanishing into the distance. She trusts it implicitly.
Taking hold of the link, she walks for days (minutes?), each step strengthening the feeling of trust (love, hope, safe, home). The light ends abruptly and she stops short. Without any prior warning, she has stumbled upon what looks like an invisible border, where the light and dark battle for dominance in an eternal conflict. She hovers indecisively. The light may be cold, but it is honest, and the dark reeks of evil. She looks at the path of the cord, and takes a leap of faith.
The darkness is suffocating and she is surrounded by her friends and family calling, crying for help. She is tempted, but she must not look (can't, won't) or she knows she will fall. She closes her eyes and tightens her grip.
Suddenly it all stops.
She opens her eyes and finds herself standing on the pier in Haggard with the sun bright in the sky. She turns and runs to her house, finding her parent kneeling in the garden, with their backs to her, weeding the flowers. She sighs in relief and calls out to them. ('Not them' a voice whispers)
"Mom, Dad! You're fine! I think I must have fallen asleep, 'cause I had the weirdest dream!" Unnoticed by her, dark clouds start to form in the sky above (It's all wrong). "It all started after Uncle Gordon died. There was this skeleton who said I had magic and- Mom, Dad, are you listening?"
The two figures turn to face her. The heavens open up. She screams.
The figures cock their heads to the sides, and seem to be looking right at her as best as they can without eyes. The skin on their faces melt and drip, colours mixing together like bled ink.
She runs, spurred on by her fear (terror, despair), unconsciously gravitating towards something familiar (the feeling). She realises that it calls her, her name (but she just can't remember).
She reaches the tempestuous sea and flings herself in because she has to escape, has to get away.
And she can hear, at last!
"Val? Valkyrie? Come back to me, Valkyrie!"
And she remembers. She escapes the fog and looks up at him. Her saviour (love, hope, safe, home). Skulduggery Pleasant. Valkyrie launches herself into his arms.
She has just seconds to gather herself before the memories catch up with her. She remembers the hate and rage, the power, a murderous rampage. Memories that are hers, but not hers at the same time.
"Sh... She was back again, wasn't she? Darquesse was back." Valkyrie knows it's the truth, but she desperately hopes that someone will contradict her.
It's Tanith that delivers the news. "Yeah. You... She went on a rampage and killed eight civilians in Monaghan. I'm sorry."
Valkyrie looks down at her shaking hands and feels her eyes burn.
"It will never stop, will it?" The sympathetic looks she receives as good as answer her question.
A/N: I have no idea where this idea came from, (probably from reading and watching Alice In Wonderland too much...) so it's probably a bit weird and hard to follow. If it sounds rushed, that's probably because it is. I wanted to get something up for you guys because you spent so long waiting for the last one. I hope you enjoyed it anyway.
Please review with feedback or story ideas!
Amara Calla xoxoxoxoxo