DON'T SHOOT ME. ..PLEASE? I'm updating. Working on the next chapter now…

YOU GUYS ARE TERRIFYING. Sasha sat in the corner of the cell, a cold, stone wall pressed to his back. His eyes were dead. Those glistening deep Emerald gems had lost their shine. The pupils of his eyes were constricted, small and lost. His shoulders were heavy, and he wasn't supported by his own body against the wall, more like the wall gave him the support. His breaths were short and quick, and that was all that seemed to move at that current moment in time. His chest, which was built of solid brick like muscles, moving quickly to inhale a breath into his dry, almost desert like mouth. The air was stale, brittle and his tongue was dry.

His appearance had somewhat faltered, his usual high stance, which gave him authority, was now crushed. He was slouched, his shoulders curled over. He looked like a impression of a frail old man. A frail old man, who somehow, took on the appearance of a young man just at the peak of his 20's. His body was heavy, his arms feeling like dead weights, but his mind was alert and racing. His breaths were caused by the quick heavy beat of his heart, which then onwards caused the anxiety. Sasha could feel it, he was about to go into one of his Hypos. It burned his head, it was kick starting his brain into gear with a full throttle.

The clash and rattle of bars were distant to Sasha as he lashed out at the guard who dared to walk past his room. The feelings of anger overwhelming him. He lacked interest in everything around him, everything he loved and everything they offered. He didn't want food. He didn't want friends. He didn't want hobbies in the prison. He wanted to kill. He wanted to murder. He wanted to feel the thrill that drug had brought him. He wanted it so badly. He screamed, smashing his fist into the guard as he caught his collar with his left hand. Punching down again and again. The thrill burning, almost letting itself be awaken -

-Until Silver stormed into the corridor.

Sasha jumped back into his cell, curling up into the corner and watching Silver haul the guard up and slam him back on his feet. Forcing him to stand. Sasha could have giggled. Silver had returned after a month. With more of what he needed. And Sasha was desperate. He wanted it so badly. The door to Sasha's cell burst open, and Sasha looked up with frightening speed and agility, whizzing from the corner to his bunk in a matter of miler seconds. He sat on the edge, watching Silver with those green eyes.

"My, Mr Swift." Silver said, standing in front of him with two guards at his back. "You certainly know how to cause trouble around here, don't you?"

He knew what Silver was talking about - He was talking about the guard. "I couldn't help it, Sir. He was annoying me."

"He just walked past your cell, Swift." Silver said. "That's not exactly fair."

"He looked at me."

"I see." Silver said. "In a threatening way?"

Sasha was silent. "Can I have my package?"

"What package, Sasha?" "Silver…I need it. I need the drugs."

"I have no idea what you mean, Sasha. I do apologise. I think you're a little delirious."

Sasha groaned, coiling in a corner.

X…

Valkyrie felt like she was hallucinating.

It felt like Skulduggery was there. Like he was with her. She had her back pressed against the wall, and whenever she looked down. A pale figure with soft black hair was crumpled to his knees. His hands gripping her thighs. Although she could not feel the touch. He looked like a doll, but he had a ghostly touch to him. His once naturally bronzed skin was now so white and pale. So fragile that she almost saw the hard, cold stone floor beneath him. All the right colours were there, but they were drained. They looked as if someone had mixed white water colour to a Oil painting, sending the colours everywhere across the page. Sending Skulduggery scattering like butterfly's in the wind.

Skulduggery's face was buried deep into her neck, the only thing that Valkyrie could properly notice. Almost like he sort comfort. But he was nothing. He wasn't really there. She couldn't feel him. Compared to what she used to feel. He was ghostly. He was some sort of comfort between the spaces when Silver would visit. He held her, his voice like a song in her ear whenever she'd curl up and cry. He was just a memory, but one that stuck with her forever. One that kept her sanity in place.

The door to her cell suddenly rattled, and Skulduggery disappeared. She looked up, the rattle of keys and squeaking of hinges boomed in her ear drums. She fixed her gaze upon the figure that entered, his hair brushed away from his face. He was always so immaculate whenever he came to see her. Silver walked over to her bed, sitting on it and facing opposite her. His eyes, glittering with life and intelligence that Valkyrie hadn't seen for a while, locked with hers. His hands, clasped together in front if him whilst his legs, crossed at the ankle.

"Valkyrie,"

She looked up lazily.

"How are you feeling?"

"Skulduggery keeps on coming in here." She said. Her voice dry and cracked. "He keeps coming to sit with me."

"You want me to stop him?" He asked. "Because I can."

"No. He's alright. He doesn't say much. He keeps me company."

"You need company?"

"I need my friend."

"You need Skulduggery?" He asked. "Why?"

"Because I'm lonely."

"I do apologise, Miss Cain." Silver said. "I was considering moving you to somewhere different. Somewhere where you've got a comfy bed and warm sheets. Would you like that? Somewhere with a warm shower, fresh meals. Clothes. Would you like that?"

"Can Sasha come with me?" She asked. "I hate being lonely."

"I'm afraid I'll have to separate you both. But yes, you can see him if you wish."

"Then I'll do it." She said. "I just want to feel normal again."

"I know." Silver stood, his hands reaching out to pick her up. What he didn't realise, as he leaned over to her, was there was a figure in the background. Leaning against the wall. A fine man, dressed in a suit - all black. Even the shirt and tie. His eyes were cold. His shoulders were hunched. His fists were clenched. He watched Silver, picking Valkyrie up. Bringing her to her feet. His arms around her. He didn't like it. He didn't like the way Silver held her. The man's teeth were bared in complete and utter anger. He was livid. Although he was only a ghost.

Silver walked out.

And Skulduggery Pleasant followed.

X…

Sleep was something of a luxury to Valkyrie's eyes. She could never really afford such a royalty. Not when she was in the dungeons, after all. The blankets were warm, they were fresh. They were comfort. But they didn't have any likeness to her hallucinations when they were around. They were far more comforting than anything else. She pushed the blanket away, sitting up in the bed. Her hair was knotty again. She needed a brush. Her eyes wandered around the large room. With its fancy furniture and colour scheme. It reminded her of a royal family's mansion. With is deep burgundy's and rich gold's. It was all very fancy. Something Valkyrie Had barely appreciated back before the cell.

A figure lingered in the room, and he was pointing at something. Valkyrie stood, smiled and walked over. The figure smiled back. At least he was still here. She missed him. She stood there, About to pick up the brush from the tabletop that he had indicated to, but she was fixing her eyes on him instead. With his pale complexion ever more noticeable in this light. He was almost transparent. His soft, beautiful green eyes warming her. Comforting her. She stood there, her eyes intertwined with his. His eyes held a questioning look, like he was surprised she had looked at him and kept herself there.

"I thought you'd leave me." She said faintly. "I thought as soon as I would leave that cell you'd leave me."

Sadness crossed his face, now. His eyes holding nothing but sorrow. He tensed his shoulders, shifting slightly as he tried to comprehend what she was saying. His eyes looked hurt, his brow furrowed in such a way that she had barely ever seen. But like a mind reader, he pulled her in close to him. And she felt that warm, sweet presence he always had. The cold that was warmth, that's what she felt from him. His arms were tight, and she didn't move away. She just continued to stand there. Surrounded by him.

"I'll never leave," He whispered, his voice a mere whisper, but a gentle song to her ear. "I promise. I'll always be here. Regardless if you can see me or not."

She sighed, feeling her shoulders relax.

X…

Silver looked at the body on the operating table.

The man who it had once been, was a man who was filled with life. Filled with secrets, dark tales and strong wit. He was a man who would take down anyone who stood in his way. He was a man who stood with pride. A man who was clever right the way down the bone. A man who stood proud and strong. A man who had such a wild ego it was barely not seen. He was a man who had a glimmer in his eye, but always hid how he felt. He wasn't one to keep his mouth shut, though. No. He was a man who would openly let you know if he liked you or not. He would protect the ones he cared about. He had a fierce temper, but would take a bullet to the teeth if someone dared to hurt anyone close to him. He had so much to tell, so many stories drifting around him. So much he as a person wanted to say, but it was all cut off.

"Have you made the preparations, Nye?"

It looked up, its eyes emotionless as it nodded to Silver. Who started removing his jacket, preparing himself for the peril that lie ahead. The symbols carved onto the slab were the same sorts of what Nye had in his warehouse. Keeping the body and person alive, no matter what. Although the man that was there was currently dead. Nothing but lifeless. They were going to attempt something drastic. Something that only could be done since The Necromancer's high priest had meddled with his existence. Nye watched Silver, its eyes wondering as he walked over. Silver placed his palms on the table, looking down at the man bellow him.

"So," Nye said. "Shall we begin?"

Silver picked up a knife, ripping the man's chest right open. No blood was spilled, but it was rough and messy. Nye arched a eyebrow at Silver being so ruthless with his patient, but he shrugged and said something along the lines of "I'd like to leave him with a mark." Nye picked up a pair of pliers, his hands shifting the raw, toned fabric of muscle away from his chosen place of work. Silver followed in suit, picking up his own. "Shall we begin?" It asked. And Silver nodded, clenching his fist together.

And the first, sickening sound of a crunching rib was heard. Rattling through the hallways of the mansion like a explosion.

X…

Sasha looked at Valkyrie as he was pushed into the room, the door slammed closed behind him. He stared at her. Her pale, frail figure highlighted by the gold glow of the chandelier above them. Pure, complete and utter pain shot his features. He hadn't wanted her to be like this. He wanted her to be back home. He wanted her to be with her family. In the warm embrace that he would never again experience. She was so lucky, to have such a brilliant family. Full of thoughts, laughs, fights. Many Differences. She was so lucky to be able to say she had a family who were always there. He didn't have that, not any more. His own brother. He missed the light he always got from him. They were truly lost without each other. Sasha hadn't ever felt right since that day.

"Sasha?" Valkyrie asked, her eyes wide. "Is that…Is that you?"

He couldn't help it, a sob broke out from his throat and he ran forward. His arms wrapped around her tight. The drugs that had riddled his system were fading. Good riddance. He got his mind back whenever they were gone. He knew withdrawal would kick in, but he didn't care. Valkyrie was there. He knew she'd understand. That she'd make sure he was warm as he recovered. He suddenly realised he had picked her up, hugging her tight to him. Was this how Skulduggery felt with her? When he was with her? Did he feel the way she could set fire to the emotions within him? He hadn't felt so relieved in his life. The last remnant of his brother still stood strong. She had held him when he was crushed. She had stood by him when Sasha couldn't. He appreciated her more than anything else for what she had done.

"I'm so glad you're okay.." He whispered, setting her down gently.

"Sasha…" She said, touching his face. She knew, didn't she. It wasn't a question, it was a statement. She knew what was wrong with him with a single glance. That was Valkyrie for you. She had such great intuition. She always saw through lies. He loved her for that ability. She was ever so clever for that. Her hand locked with his, and she pulled him over to the bed, where she forced him to sit down. Sasha tried to shift out of it, but he couldn't. So instead, he pulled her down with him. So she was leaning right over his body. "What?" She asked.

"Do you miss him? Do you miss him like I do?"

"Of course I do." She said, straightening herself to sit beside him. Her hand still locked with his. "I miss him so much I hallucinate. He's always here, with me. Always watching over me. Its like that." She laughed at how silly it sounded, but something in Sasha's eyes told her to continue. "It seems like…Like he understands when I want privacy. When I feel upset, he's always there to comfort me. He's so cold. So frail. So pale. But…He's still warm. Its like…" Her voice cracked. What she wanted to say was on the tip of her tongue. But she couldn't say it.

"I know." Sasha said. "I get the same sort of thing. But he's always scolding me."

She laughed again.

"Silly, isn't it?"

"It is." She laughed again. But he's kept us sane, hasn't he?"

Sasha grinned at this. "Thereabouts."

"What was it Skulduggery said? Embrace your inner lunatic."

"Fun times guarantied!" He chimed.

She laughed again. "I've missed you. I always heard the guards talking about how you screamed at them and rattled the doors. Or punching them."

"I know." He said. "The drugs did that. But now I think about it…" His eyes were locked with their hands. His thumb gentle stroking her palm. She was so warm. Although she hadn't opened her mouth about what Silver had done to her, she was still the gentle Valkyrie she had always been. She hadn't lost that character. That shine. "If I consider it, I think I would have beaten them to death anyway." Sasha concluded. Nodding gently to her. His eyes didn't leave their hands, it was the sort of comfort he had craved ever since he got there.

She smiled. "If I had the energy, I would have." She looked away then, and he noticed the scratch and bite marks on her neck. Through pure instinct, he reached out to touch them, but Valkyrie sensed it immediately. She turned round to him, giving him a vicious glare. Hearing her growling slightly, he retracted his hand. And looked at her softly. Sadness crossing his features like he had been struck with a bullet. She didn't look like she wanted to bring it up. Therefore he didn't want her to talk about it. He didn't want her to bear anymore pain than she had done. Not again.

"Sorry."

Like that anger hadn't been there, She smiled lightly at him. "No worries."

Her free hand reached out, parting his shirt. Exposing the warm skin and the toned muscles. Even here, he remained with remarkable likeness to Skulduggery. She sighed, running the hand across his toned chest. Sasha's breath grew relaxed, soft, gentle. And she noticed the way his shoulders became even more sagged than they were. He was begging for that gift of sleep. She continued to rub Sasha's chest gently, soothing him like a child. He had the right to be a little selfish, she didn't mind that at all. He had been through a lot of chemical warfare through out his body. And worse was yet to come. So she continued to work on his chest, gently tripping him into unconsciousness. His body wasn't as rigid, but she could sense the withdrawal slowly kicking in. His body began to slowly tremor, and Valkyrie bit her lip.

This was going to be a long couple of hours.

X…

Nye looked down at the heart through the ripped apart ribcage. It was clean cut through its hands, all very well and pretty. The man's chest was a exquisite thing. Compared to most, this sort of perfection was rare to find. His years as a skeleton had a better affect on his actual body. By magic of course, or possibly not? Nye would have to investigate. He thought the muscle may have stayed identical to before, but it had increased over the hundred or so years. This man was remarkable. Still standing after being put to death? He was a specimen that Nye would love to work on. But of course, this mere thought was pure treason against Silver, the man who stood opposite, working away. Nye knew it would be the end for it if he dared to move out of line.

"There," Silver said. Standing back and looking down upon the body - The heart, more specifically. "Now, given about, ten minutes, the heart should start to beat again. And the symbol will fade. If that goes to plan, we can stitch him back together. And then monitor his recovery." Nye nodded again, it's eyes locked on the heart. The symbols were carved inside of the thing, and they had made thorough checks that it was still in tact. Which of course, it was. They stood there, waiting. The seconds ticking by so slowly the clock might as well have stopped. After what it seemed like hours, a minute passed. 2 minutes. Three. Four now, nearly five. Six was close, seven was there. Eight. Nine…Ten.

There is was, the first, slow, gentle beat of the man's heart. Soft, beautiful. It set its own rhythm, slowly and carefully moving back into gear. Nye took hold of some equipment, gently pressing needles through the skin of the man's arms. Lights and images flashed up on a screen. And Nye inspected the diagrams. "His pulse is slow, but its getting a rhythm. Brain activity normal. Magic normal - for him anyway. He had such a remarkable balance on him, Silver. I can tell why you wanted him." He flicked switches and pressed buttons. Giving the body a decent healing boost.

"That is good to hear. Lets start to stitch him together, Nye."

"Very good, sir." it said, both Doctor's beginning their work.

X…