Two days, he had said. I'm on day three now with nothing from him. God I sound like a survival show. Of course I hadn't done much... Or anything. It had felt pointless to try and do work when that was what I so clearly did with HIM. I had been around the house trying to look for anything that would help me get Tanith back. Maybe she could help me with my current situation. It would be a lot easier than trying to go to one of my other friends. I still had nothing though.

I sighed, I was scrolling through my phone with my feet up on Gordon's desk. Gordon had asked me about him and why he wasn't here but I had turned quiet immediately.
We didn't bring it up again.

I felt numb and the best way to hide it was to not think about it right? Wrong. It got to me every single minute of the day. He just walked out. He left me there, with nothing. Until the end? That was the end. I rolled my eyes at how dramatic I was being. It was true and that was how I felt. I pushed off from the table and said a mumbled goodbye to Gordon who had disappeared. I shuffled down the stairs with the book that Gordon had said to take to China. Of course I should just pick myself back up from this and continue working, so I decided to visit China myself.
Getting into the garage my ford fiesta was there, along with a car under tarpaulin. I hadn't ever driven it and was working up to showing Skulduggery, knowing he would be proud. I shrugged and grabbed the front of the tarp pulling it off in a fluid motion. The car underneath was a Bentley Continental Supersport Coupe, so maybe Skulduggery wouldn't be so proud and sure it wasn't as elegant as his- but I should stop thinking about him anyway. I got into the drivers side and felt the leather wheel, having not driven it before I was a little scared. The black leather was cold and unyielding to my touch. The car still smells new. I sighed and pulled out onto my driveway.

If I was honest going to China without Skulduggery was the last thing I wanted to do. After finding out what she had done to his family then him acting fine with her- it freaked me out. How could you stand to be around someone that had led your family to their death? Not only that but me going to her now could look like I was consolidating her behind his back.
I decided that keeping myself busy was better than thinking about him. Anything was better.
Soon roads traded for dirt tracks and I had to watch my driving carefully. A cottage came into sight with a field behind it, simple but elegant- China all over.

"You knew, and you still didn't tell me?" Ice hissed at Daughter.
Daughter sighed and jumped for the tree, hearing Ice follow her.
"I thought you knew. My mistake, although I can understand why they didn't tell you." Daughter replied.
Daughter saw the shadows curl around her from the corner of her eye.
"If you try to kill me, you make sure you do it first time." Daughter turned and looked straight at Ice.
She hated being told what to do, but Daughter was notorious for being hard to kill. Ice looked away.
Valkyrie Cain wasn't anywhere to be seen and Daughter was worried.
"She's been inactive for days, where could she have suddenly gone?" Ice wondered out loud.
It made sense, Ice and Daughter had seen the whole occurrence between the skeleton detective and his partner- who wouldn't want to run?
And it made sense to not want to do anything, as strong as she was physically, Daughter doubted Valkyrie Cain could deal with things emotionally.
"Maybe she did the job for us?" Ice was hopeful.

"She isn't so weak."

Daughter turned and bounced to the ground.
Where are you, little Valkyrie?

I have to admit it didn't surprise me to find China inside looking through her books. "Valkyrie what a lovely surprise! But no Skulduggery.." China's perfect voice trailed off. I smiled at her confused look, normally she would know things and would have perhaps known about our argument. "Doing a little solo thing for now China" I replied with such ease. Solo thing...Sure. She gestured for me to take a seat which I declined "I'm afraid it's just a short stay today.". China raised one perfect eyebrow "Would this be why you aren't with Skulduggery?" I shook my head at the floor and smiled a thin lipped smile.
I leant forward and placed the book on the desk, China picked it up and opened it flicking through the pages. "Something my late and great Uncle had, and it could be of use to me... If the symbols were progressed or rather finished." I explained, China finished flicking and placed the book closed on the table. "You know Valkyrie I am wiling to offer you a substantial amount of money for this-" I cut her off "I have money China, how about you can copy it and put it in your diary- I need the symbols and the book back.". China's eyes narrowed at me and I didn't break eye contact with her. "This is the only time I'll let you walk away with this Valkyrie." China said after a moments silence. I nodded at her and she begun to work.

************************************************** ************************************************** *****************************
After about two hours maybe more, she was done. "I suspect you'll catch the person and call me before you try to draw the symbols." China said, handing me the book. "Be expecting a call soon then." I stood and went to leave. "Valkyrie, you're a fighter. Don't let it end like this." I turned and saw the beautiful sadness etched onto her face. I didn't say a word and left.

The drive home was short and consisted of seeing how fast this car could really go. I didn't stop on the way home until I hit Haggard, then I slowed. Funnily enough I didn't want to be caught speeding in my home town. I looked out to sea as I drove past the pier, knowing all the stories of diving off there as a child- then the horrific ones of being chased by vampires as an adult. I realised I was a child of two worlds, born into one but meant for the other. I just had to find out which one I was meant to be in.

I hadn't really thought of what I would do without Skulduggery because him leaving seemed like such an unlikely occurrence. I could continue with the detective work, but who would be my partner? Would I have to have countless ones dying while I lived to find the right apprentice like Skulduggery? Or would I work alone, where I was less likely to be made to watch a partner die- but more likely to be killed myself?
I pulled onto my driveway- Gordon's driveway. To see a gleaming black Bentley waiting for me.

Don't end it like this. Those twisted true words echoed in my mind just as searing hot ones did. You can't end your own life. I'm here, I'm always here. If you try, you get to watch me kill the world and lets be honest you'll enjoy it. But you'll loose whatever you have left of your beloved Skulduggery. Although I hate this teenage life stuff you have going on- you are right.
You loose both ways.

I panted as Darquesse returned to wherever she had been hiding. I couldn't deal with her right now.
I had thought about death and dying before this, but being told that your ageing slows once you hit a certain age gives you the invincible feeling.
A feeling that goes once you are left alone.
I turned the engine off, Skulduggery wasn't in his car.
I had butterflies, the door had been opened.
Adrenaline rushed through me as I twisted the door handle.
Easy like Sunday morning rushed through my head as I peaked around the door.
A tall Skeleton in a black and white pinstripe suit.
Turned and put his gun away.
Hyperventilation.
Rushing towards me.
Darkness.

I'm so sorry it took me so long guys! It takes time and I've got my GCSE's coming up soon and I get sidetracked by all your stories...

Yes, I'm blaming your beautiful pieces of writing.

I love you all.

Em x