Skulduggery Pleasant

Madman

"Where do you want to go first?"

She paused. Where did she want to go first?

"Wha about the sanctuary? Then we can see Ghastly and maybe even Tanith-"

" Did I tell you They're together?"

"-And maybe China WAIT WHAT!?"

" I think I forgot."

" HOW could you forget? They're our Best Friends!"

" I suppose It never came up."

She was about to give out when he suddenly said pull over.

" Why?"

"You hide in the back, and I'll drive. If anyone's in the parking lot we can give them a surprise!"

She grinned. " I can do that!"

Unwillingly - and yet willingly, she was so confused she pulled over as he had instructed. Then she climbed over her seat and into the back where she quickly lay on the floor. Skulduggery slipped into the drivers seat and drove on.

"Comfy?" He asked amusement in his voice.

"Shuddup." She mumbled. He smiled.

They drove on in silence for a few more minutes until she thought of a problem.

" What are we going to do with the car?" Her voice muffled by the padded seats.

I left the Bentley at the sanctuary, so we can pick it up there; as for this car well we will see if fletcher is feeling generous."

They laughed.

Okay, get down, we're here! There's the sanctuary and the Bentley...hang on, what's going on? There's loads of people crowded around it... There's Ghastly, and China and even Tipstaff...?

"Enjoying driving?"

He froze in horror before groaning"this is going to be humiliating"

She cackled.

"Okay,now everyone's looking at us...No surprise who could miss a car like this..."

"Hang on they look... worried. What's happened?"

"Your asking me? I can't even see!"

"They're coming over...I'd better get out... Don't show yourself until I give the signal!"

He cut the engine and hopped out. She strained to hear what was going on outside. All there was was a hum of expletives talking.

"Hello, I'm back! Is there something wrong with my car?"

She held back a giggle.

There was silence.

Then, "Skulduggery?" It was Ghastly.

"The one and only! Are you alright? You seem to have gone quite red..."

There was silence. Then a crack. Then he yelped.

"ARE YOU INSANE SKULDUGGERY!?"

"What?! What did I - "

" YOU'VE BEEN GONE FOR THREE DAYS? WE WERE *crack* WORRIED *crack* SICK"

"OUCH! How many times am I going to get hit today?"

"Oh, that's only the START!" This time it was China. "Skulduggery are you out of your mind?! Ever since Valkyrie you've been acting strange... but this? You could've been anywhere!"

Val was confused before remembering what he'd told her; he had come straight for her when she had texted, without telling anyone.

She held her breath.