Her vision was blurred, though it wasn’t because of her tears. She never cried.
Her legs were screaming in protest, her arms agreeing with them, but she didn’t stop running, she couldn’t.
She also daren’t look back, in fear of what she’d see in the light. It was not the dark that scared her.
She had the familiar fuzz in her mind, that calm wave of relaxation, it was trying to get her to stop but all it did was urge her on further.
She used to have someone with her, whenever this happened, which was alarmingly regularly nowadays. Someone she thought she cared for. But it was one of the biggest mistakes she had ever made, one of the only mistakes she ever made. For the one she cared for grew obsessive, and clingy. Delphian did not do clingy. So she ended it as nicely as she could, but it got worse. They cried, begged for her back and it was all too much. After throwing a load of insults (and a few right hooks) they learned to hate her. That’s what caused them to go away, permanently. They got caught in the same place, at the same time and they had to run, but Delphian had gone too far, and the other had been taken into the light. Now they only needed Del.
Delphian had met death only once, and that was enough for her at the moment. Her life wasn’t normal, not at all. She was smart, reckless and just a little insane. But she cheats death, has been there once before. That would drive anyone just a little bit mad; it’s a good thing she’s fast.
She was away from the light now, her sight and mind clearing the further away she got. She slowed down to a jog and caught her breath, she knew she still couldn’t stop because her muscles would give and she would be vulnerable so she ran to the only place she could think of, Cemetery Road.
She tapped on the window outside the dark house at the end of Cemetery road, she waited a few minutes and decided he wasn’t in, so she picked the lock and made herself at home.
“Skulduggery, you really should decorate.” Valkyrie mentioned as they got out of the Bentley, it was a 1954 R-Type continental, one of only 208 ever made and was retro-fitted with all the modern accessories that the owner needed. It was beautiful, and fast, but not very sturdy after getting into a few fights over the years. “Why would I need to do that? It’s a house. Its purpose is to stand there and look like a house and act,” He hesitated, looking for a word. “Like a house.”
“That made no sense.”
“Yes it did, it made perfect sense. But what I am getting at Valkyrie is that this is indeed a house.” He seemed pleased with his own obvious revelation. They had only just made it to the door, and Skulduggery unlocked it, and stalked inside, completely ignoring Valkyries snarky remarks. He suddenly jumped a reasonable amount, and let out a surprised squeak causing Valkyrie to bust up laughing. Valkyrie heard another girl’s laughter coming from the living room, and she walked in next to a tense Skulduggery. “Sorry Skulduggery, did I give you a bit of a fright?” She was still trying to contain her laughter, but her accent was English.
“How did you get in here?” He asked, sighing.
“I picked the door lock of course. I learned from you, so it wasn’t hard.” She winked. It was odd to find someone younger than her act like this around Skulduggery. The girl looked around fourteen.
“I knew I’d regret that one day.” He muttered and slumped into his armchair, when he noticed the cup of tea on the coffee table. “You really did make yourself at home didn’t you? How long have you been here?” She shrugged.
“Couple of hours probably, I needed to rest, naturally you were the first person I thought of. I even tapped on the window instead of the door for you.” She smirked. “Now are you going to stop being rude and introduce me to Valkyrie or not?” She laughed freely and stood up.
“Valkyrie, this is Delphian Bleak.” Was his simple reply and Delphian shook her head.
“Hi Valkyrie, he’s useless at introductions.” She held her hand out to shake and Valkyrie took it. “Names Delphian Bleak, I’m two years younger than Skulduggery.” She smiled and Valkyrie stared in shock, “Yeah doesn’t look it does it? I’m an adept. But the way I look has nothing to do with it. It’s a long and painful story that I’m not in the mood to tell right now, but don’t worry about it.” She was still smiling and laughed at the expression on Valkyries face.
“So Del,” Skulduggery straightened up, “I’m really surprised your still here.”
“Trust me, my last run in was a few hours ago, and the one before that was only two days before. I think he’s getting impatient.” Frustrated she went and sat back down, Valkyrie following suit.
“I’m not surprised; it’s been quite a few years he’s been waiting, hasn’t it?”
“Yeah... I think,” She paused, “Thirty-four years. Wow, that’s longer than I thought…” She laughed quietly to herself. Valkyrie looked between the pair and sighed, frustrated because she hadn’t a clue what they were talking about.
“Sorry Val, leaving you out a bit?” Skulduggery laughed, and started taking off his disguise.
“Just a little,” She huffed in return. She expected Skulduggery to explain, but it was Delphian who carried on.
“I was meant to die thirty-four years ago Valkyrie, but I’m stubborn. I talked to death and he talked to me, it was all a bit to and fro actually. Anywho, I got out of it, and he wasn’t happy. He keeps on trying to get me, but I’m a fast runner.” The smirk on her face was a little bit smug.
“Oh, well that sounds fun.” Valkyrie laughed.
“Oh very,” Delphian giggled. Skulduggery moaned.
“Oh no.”
“Oh no? Why oh no?” Valkyrie asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Now, I’m going to have to put up with all three of you.” Both girls laughed, then Delphian stopped.
“Hold on, three?”
“Tanith Low.”
“NO WAY! She’s here?? You’re kidding!”
“Nope, Been here a while now.”
“Oh my gosh, Last time I saw her was like ten years ago!” Delphian was grinning. “Does she still go clubbing?” her grin was an evil one. Valkyrie answered her.
“Of course, it’s Tanith.” Now Valkyrie had a grin on her face, “But you look fourteen… If we were to go clubbing, how would you get in?” Delphian laughed again.
“Back to the long story, I’d need at least twenty-four hours’ notice, then I’d be how I’m meant to look.”
“If you can change your shape… Why do you look like that?”
“It’s easier, and unless I’m you, less people want to kill me if I look in my early teenage years.” She laughed.
“Not everyone was out to kill me!”
“Trust me, there was more than enough.” Valkyrie huffed, and tried to look annoyed. It worked, that was, until she bust up laughing.
“Delphian… Why are you here?” Skulduggery still sounded as tense as he had ever since he found her in his living room.
“Am I not allowed to be here?”
“Well, you’re allowed… Welcome however…”
“Skulduggery! Stop being rude!” Valkyrie hissed at him, she liked Delphian.
“Valkyrie, you don’t know her past.”
“I don’t know yours either.” That shut him up.
Delphian laughed.
