In the eerie stillness before the hurricane strikes, sounds echo. The trees hang as if stunned, making for an abrupt change to their previous thrashing. The water flattens until it resembles a dead lake. The wind drops as if cut by unseen hands.
Valkyrie Cain experienced all of these various silences as the battle she was about to engage in loomed overhead.
Their enemies moved silently - or not at all, for all they knew - outside of the fragile shed. The icy wind stilled its gusting, leaving a fragile, crystalline quiet in its aftermath.
And right through the middle of the stillness, her heart galloped. Its pounding seemed ridiculously loud, like it could be heard by all for miles around. Her breathing also seemed excessive, despite her attempts to calm it. Yet even with all of the noises her body made, both Valkyrie and Skulduggery heard the small schick of the pin outside the still hut.
Her brow furrowed slightly at the sound. She turned to look at Skulduggery, to see him lunging towards her. By the time Valkyrie realized what the noise was from, it was already too late. The grenade detonated.
The aged wooden wall of the shed exploded inwards, spraying splinters at lethal speed as the rest of the wall flung its full weight upon her. She toppled beneath it. From the corner of her darkening vision, she saw Skulduggery tossed away by the concussion of the grenade. As he tumbled through the air, as the hurricane returned with a force, Valkyrie succumbed to unconsciousness.
"...and they ask us what we fear. What do we fear? Lies. We fear that those who claim to protect us, lie. And that is why, Miss Cain, you have been placed in this situation."
Valkyrie groaned and moved to sit up. Instantly, agony shot through her. She stifled a cry as the pieces of wooden shrapnel moved in her flesh, and the leaden weight above her forced downwards. The man sitting by her head chuckled.
"What a pity you can't even turn your head to look at me," he sneered.
"Darren Wield," she choked out.
"Surprisingly, no. He's not here yet, but I so kindly offered to babysit you until he arrives," Valkyrie opened her eyes and blinked rapidly as the voice continued, "so you and I get to have some fun."
He moved in closer until his cloying breath misted her cheek. Valkyrie struggled to clear her eyes, to see anything more than fuzzy outlines. The man's stink clouded her nostrils. She cried out and struggled, tears welling as fear of the unknown swelled. Just as she thought she might pass out again, a rough voice yelled out something, and the man's warmth disappeared. Another set of hands, soft and caring, alighted on her cheeks.
"You okay?" came the husky voice.
"Skulduggery?" whispered Valkyrie.
She opened her eyes. A brown-haired young man knelt by her side, dressed in a tweed waistcoat and beige shirt. His bright green eyes bored into hers.
"My name is Darren Wield."
So tell me what you think? It's a little shorter than last time, but this is chapter 2 of a story that's going to continue. I lurve ideas, anyone who reads this tell me what next, if you want any parts included. Sorry for any slip-ups! And thank you so much for readin' and commentin'. If you want. I'd really like you to!