"What?" For a moment Gabriel was entirely confused, because Skulduggery certainly wasn't responding in any way conducive to escape. Then the penny dropped and Gabriel's eyes widened, his expression sliding easily into consternation, grief, and then gentleness in the space of a few seconds.

"No, Skul," he said--whispered, really, because he couldn't afford to aggravate his voice more than necessary. "I'm really here. I promise." He squeezed Skulduggery's arm, or the bones of it at least, pouring his concern and care into the touch in a very literal metaphysical sense, transmitting those feelings to Skul as proof that, yes, he was real.

"And I believe these are yours." He reached into his pockets, still not releasing his friend's arm, and pulled out the rosary, which he wrapped around Skul's wrist and fingers. The bag with the detective's arm-bones came next, accompanied with an apologetic, "I'm sorry; I didn't have time to put them together. We need to go, Skul. I don't know how long I can keep them from finding me."