Hello.
Unoriginal, I know, but I'm afraid that's your lot. For now.
A few formalities before we get started,
Firstly, I don't own Skulduggery Pleasant. Either the series, characters or indeed anything to do with Derek lady's intellectual property. Characters of my creation, I do own however. Be told.
Secondly, I just want to say thank you for taking to time to look at this, it means a lot.
Hope you enjoy, so please, read on.

The Dark Madrigal

Chapter 1

Fear.

That was all there was.

Pure, unadulterated terror and horror.

There was no reason for it, no rationale, only the trembling, and the tears, and the begging. Begging for it to stop, for it to end.

A thought.

A whisper.

Darkness.

Death.

The body fell forwards, it's face crunching into the cold tarmac of the street with the wet sound of shattered bone.

Far above, the nightmare lounged on a lamppost, chewing reflectively on a stalk of grass. He spat it out, and got to his feet, balancing like a cat.

The nightmare thrust his hands deep into the pockets of his black trousers. He considered making a smart comment, but decided against it. It wasn’t needed.

There was a cry for further down the street, and figures came running over to the body, their shopping bags bouncing up and down in a ludicrous counter to the seriousness of the corpse.  

The nightmare grinned in the darkness. He could see them, so small and confused. Frightened. They called the ambulance, and the police. Clinging to the system that formed their most precious shield against the truth.

The nightmare straightened up, and let out a long, slow breath. Far above them, the moon was full, a great silver orb in a sea of the deepest blue. The stars were just tiny pinpricks in the sky, their sharp lights blunted by the sickly yellow lights of the city. 

The nightmare glanced back down at the gathering crowd. Everyone loved a bit of drama.

He raised his gaze, and focused in on the hospital. A slim smile formed on his lips, and he vanished.