Chapter 4: The Cafe

Last night wasn't easy.

I'm not just talking about the Basilisk; I was up all night wondering what I was going to say to Valkyrie and Skulduggery. My past had been mine alone for so long I couldn't even begin to think of the right words to explain it. There was also the fact that Skulduggery was such good friends with Elder Bespoke, one of the last people who I wanted to know I was here.

Still, if I didn't tell them they'd just keep searching; and I'd prefer it if I could explain some things rather than let them read about it in a dusty file below the Sanctuary.

Squinting into the mirror I made sure all weapons were concealed before straightening my blazer. It was sort of a nervous twitch I used to say I was going into battle.

I locked the door and left to tell my story for the first time in six years.

I'd barely sat down when they came in.

They waited in the doorway for a while, scanning the landscape. Didn't they realise that if you act suspicious people will start to wonder what's going on?

Waving, I got their attention from the empty cubicle I'd got so we wouldn't be disturbed. Sitting across from me they seemed to try and stare me down. I just waited for them to say something, trying not to let that uncomfortable feeling sink in.

"Well this is fun." I stated after 4 minutes of silence (I'd ended up glancing back and forth from the clock to the faces of my wary companions) "How about after this we go watch paint dry. Maybe we could have a competition of who can step on the most thumb tacks without squealing."

There gazes drifted around the room like smoke, never quite staying in the same place but searching out all it can find.

"OK!" I held my hands in the air for a second. "This is my first time doing this, and by this I mean being the one interviewed. How about since I have no idea how to start you just ask me questions and I'll answer all of them, if the answers won't endanger me or someone else. What do you think?"

"Who are you?" Valkyrie spoke for the first time since we got here, and I had to stop myself from groaning.

"I told you, I don't know the best way to answer that."

"How about you start from the beginning?"

"I also said I can't say anything that will put me or someone I know in danger."

"So?"

"So, do you realise how easy this can turn from an interview to a confession?"

"What do want to confess to?"

"I don't want to confess to anything that makes me end up in a Sanctuary prison cell."

"So you're a criminal?"

"No, I'm the world's best prison cleaner and I don't want to get a job at another Sanctuary!" I replied sarcastically.

There was a minute of silence before both of us ended up laughing. We only stopped when the waitress asked if we wanted anything to drink. Skulduggery and Valkyrie both said no so I bought a tea, two sugars, so we wouldn't be at risk of getting kicked out. When it came it was cold and sickly.

"You owe me £1." I told them after setting the tea down.

"You asked us to come here, you're paying." Valkyrie pointed out.

I smiled at her across the table before turning to Skulduggery.

"I assume you have a question?"

He remained silent for a second.

"If I'm going to ask a question I need something to ask you about. How about we start from what we know, how did you know where the Basilisk was?"

"I have a couple of cameras in the sewer. Some people I know don't realise that underground network is just a figure of speech. I saw the Basilisk, realised where it was heading and went to make sure it didn't make a mess."

"Why were you keeping an eye on underground networks?"

I took a deep breath.

"People like that can get hired in a heartbeat, but they're sloppy. If they start tracking my house then I'll know something's wrong and leave."

"Who would anyone hire an underground network to watch you?"

Looking at my cup I tried to figure out the best way to answer. It was an important question; it was the reason I was here for one thing.

I'd opened my mouth to speak when someone walked into the cafe. I glanced up to see who it was then quickly averted my gaze.

"Sorry Skulduggery. I would answer you but an assassin just walked in."

Authors Note

I thought it would be better to do this at the end because you would probably want to get on to reading the chapter. I just wanted to point out that I accidentally published this story twice. It was my first story and I hadn't quite got the hang of it. It doesn't make any difference though; I'll publish both at the same time.

All chapters will be uploaded in pairs so I'll publish the fifth next week.

4. What is probably the worst book you ever read?

My Answer: I don't remember the title; I just remembered that the blurb made it sound great. It explained about a boy who found a monster claiming to be his father, which could be interesting. The book then explained that his Dad was a scientist that had found an animal that could talk and the father had named it after himself, and the disappointment was probably the most interesting thing about that book. If you've read it tell me, that way I can warn people not to read it.