The Sparrow Flies North for the Summer (Valduggery)

It's What's On The Inside

Skulduggery: so-

"Uh, guys?"

They jumped, looking at Tanith. She was staring at them, confused. As was everyone else.

"Yeah?"

"...what were you doing?"

"What were we doing?"

"You tell me."

They looked at each other again.

She nodded quickly.

"Well, there's actually something we have to tell you... but it's a rather, ah, sensitive subject right now."

They looked at the two, knowing that this would be what they'd held back before.

"Ah... well, it all started with Skulduggery forgetting to stop for petrol-"

"Haha."

And so she recounted her nightmare, which was new to everyone in the room; she hadn't told him about it. She got to the part when she was slipping back into her panicked state...

"And I was just freaking out and I didn't know what to do. And then Skulduggery-"

She choked back the words.

"I just kind of talked, and then she calmed down." He shrugged.

"Right," said Tanith, nodding her head, "and then...?"

He sighed and continued, Valkyrie taking over when he got to the part where he was knocked out.

"... So we decided that it was probably necromancy; how else could it have been made of shadows? And the fact that it knew what to change into-"

"Telepathy." He finished.

They looked around at everyone, shock dominating their features.

"That's... that's crazy..." Ghastly started, "And to think you hadn't even made it home..."

"Sounds like Skulduggery got on someone's nerves." Fletcher added.

"But who? I mean, it's not like you were ever really into necromancy," Skulduggery was suddenly glad he didn't have a face, else he would've look quite sheepish, "So what necromancer would want to get you particularly?"

"It doesn't have to be personal, remember," Valkyrie cut in, sensing his discomfort, "Some people could still be sulking about the Faceless Ones."

"True..."

"Guys," Tanith sighed, "Do we really have to talk about this now? All that matters is that Valkyrie is back; let's just enjoy the rest of the day."

"Hear hear!" Fletcher held up his mug. They all made a toast, and soon they were back to making jokes, winding each other up, having a good time.

****

By 12 o'clock, the group were slumped in their chairs, feeling warm from the vast amount of tea they'd had.
Ghastly and Tanith were talking quietly, holding hands, while Valkyrie and Fletcher were falling farther down their seats, eyes drooping.

Skulduggery watched, amused.

He waited until they were both on the brink of sleep before-

"VALKYRIE!"

She jumped, eyes wide, looking around for trouble. When she saw him chuckling to himself, she scowled, rolling her eyes.

"What was that for?"