Van Helsing (Cont.)

"Oh, I won't kill him," Van Helsing muttered at Edward, his eyes on John. "I think you should turn around and leave," he directed at the vampire.

 

OOC: mmhmm john locke was an enlightenment philosopher... they must have named the character in lost after him :D i noticed that first time i saw his name in my history book, too! :D

"I think you'd best listen," Edward said after Van Helsing spoke.

 

How about now? Lestat muttered, drifting just behind Beatrice, close enough to reach out and touch her shoulder.

 

John tore his eyes away from Michael. "So you brought him as your little reinforcements?" He scoffed with false bravado. "Or did you know I'd want a big audience?" His hand moved from Hannah's shoulder to her neck.

Beatrice shivered. "You're right behind me, aren't you?" She laughed nervously, her hand going to her head, reflexively still looking for the wound.

 

Michael growled threatening, smirking when John and Hannah's scents separated as John moved away from Hannah. He purposefully showed off his fangs to John, another warning. "You really should listen. I could give you wounds you'd never heal from."

 

Edward tensed, cocking back the hammer on Van Helsing's gun. I've got to knock him out, he thought desperately to himself. That will work.

 

"Shall I shoot him, Michael?" Van Helsing asked, aiming his bow. "I'm not sure..."

 

Lestat caught Beatrice's wrists, stepping out of the shadow and spinning her around to face him. "Correct," he laughed, his teeth flashing.

 

"That's not my choice to make," Michael turned his sightless eyes to Van Helsing. When John stepped back towards Hannah, Michael snarled, "Don't move any closer to her. I don't have to look at you to see what you're doing."

 

Edward tightened his fingers around the gun and suddenly squeezed the trigger without even trying. His bullet flew directly into John's left kneecap, and Edward dropped the gun, amazed with himself.

 

"Edward!" Van Helsing snapped, stepping forward to stand next to the man. "What the hell are you thinking?"

 

Beatrice was surprised to hear herself laugh. "I think I'm getting the hang of this."

Hannah closed her eyes, the unending pain in her head threatening unconsciouness.

John fell to the ground from the impact of the bullet. He cursed and tried to dig out the bullet. He lashed out his anger at Hannah, disappointed by her soft groan instead of scream. He looked up from the blood mess of his knee to watch Hannah fall onto her side. "You did it better than I could have." He grinned maliciously at Edward.

 

Van Helsing stepped forward, reaching John and smiling. "I wish I could kill you now," he said. "But leaving you here half-dead seems to be something Edward and I both agree is the best idea for now."

 

Edward stepped over to Hannah, reaching out a hand to help her up.

 

"Get used to what, exactly?" Lestat asked, letting go of her wrist and folding his arms over his chest.

 

"Don't touch her," Michael warned Edward. "Give her a minute." He moved towards Hannah. "Hannah, are you still in control?"

 

Edward nodded stiffly, taking one step back and waiting for her reply.

 

"The changes," Beatrice answered carefully. She touched the back of her head. "That should have killed me..."

Hannah squeezed her eyes shut. She had the strongest instinct to get away from the cause of her pain... hurt anyone who got in her way. "Not sure...." She moaned. "I can't think straight..."

John pulled the bullet out and tossed it to the side. "I could still kill her."

 

Michael glanced at Edward and the picked up Hannah, careful to keep her head steady. He kept his grip on her comfortable but quick to change to restraint if needed. "You need to think of something calming."

 

"Not if you can't think," Van Helsing replied, and swung his bow at John's head, cracking it against the side of his skull.