Van Helsing

"Her face," Van Helsing replied, walking over to the window. "She was so afraid when I found her. That was the one time I've seen this Lestat character. Half in the shadows, her blood on his lips, grinning and bowing at me like a performer on a stage... but I saw what she looked like. For a moment it seemed like she wanted to me lower the gun at her instead of him, finish what he started. I don't know," he sighed, taking off his hat and running a hand through his hair. "I guess it's also because I knew her before he did... what he did to her."

 

"I see... that's really sad, but really good at the same time. I hate that she has to be like us... be a vampire... because she deserves human life. But she's still a good person, it's like it barely effects her mind at all. Which is a miracle... and not getting shot is also a miracle I think. One more and she's a saint." she smiled.

 

"I don't think so," Van Helsing replied. "It's just the enviornment she's been raised in as a vampire. I know I don't understand much, but if Lestat had taken her and taught her instead of leaving her with us, she would be our worst problem right now."

 

"I'm only kidding... but your right. She would be our worst problem... well Carl's worst problem, then the rest of ours." Jinx said, "But, thankfully, she doesn't want to hurt anyone, she's got more self control than most vampires centuries old, and she's our friend. So, we're lucky."

 

"I guess lucky could be a word to use... define luck, especially for our group," Van Helsing sighed.

 

Hannah squeezed her hands together and risked at glance at Edward. Seeing him struggling with the cloth brought a slight smile to her face. "Do you want me to help?" She asked carefully.

John sighed. "It's you girl." He folded his arms and leaned against a tree. "Though it would be much more entertaining if it was the werewolf."

Beatrice bit her lip, contemplating making a run for it. Jinx had said she was faster and stronger than any of their group, but did that apply to outside their group as well?

 

"Yep, we're all very lucky. But luck runs out, I hope we can get rid of Dracula and the others before that happens." Jinx said, seriously.

 

Van Helsing nodded in agreement, walking over to sit next to Jinx on the other bed. "I have a feeling that I can kill Dracula, even though all those other people who have died trying couldn't. I want to do it alone, but at the same time I have the strong belief that you and everyone else has to be there as well."

 

"I won't mind," Edward smiled, handing her the cloth. "One thing I am not gifted with is extra long arms. Thank you."

 

"Well, just let her be, then," Lestat sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "I have no business or interest in her."

 

Hannah stood slowly and went over to Edward, taking the cloth. "I'm sorry about what's happening." She mumbled.

John contained a sigh. "I don't understand you sometimes."

Beatrice took the chance and bolted back towards the stables.

 

"Don't apologize," Edward replied. "I will gladly let Lestat beat me half to death whenever he feels like if it means I can keep you alive and with me."

 

"Good," Lestat smiled. "I don't want you to or expect you to, my friend."

 

"I hope you don't mean that literally." Hannah stood on her tiptoes and held her breath. Gently, she dabbed the cloth against Edward's wounds.

"That could cause complications." John muttered.

Beatrice went straight in to Sorin's stall and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh, Sorin, I don't know what to do."

I don't really know what to tell you. Sorin lowered his head in a kind of return hug.

Beatrice exhaled, trying to calm herself so she could think reasonably. "Hannah's going to mad that I didn't do what she told me to."

You should go do it quickly then. Sorin advised.

"But I don't want to go back out there," Beatrice confessed. "There's a hunter who's a werewolf prowling the forest I'm sure and John and Lestat are too close. And I don't want to have to go past them again. What if I go too far if I do make it past them and I run into that hunter again? What if-"

Sorin nipped Beatrice's shoulder to cut her off. If I've learned anything with you, it's to not go by 'if's'.

 

"Of course I do," Edward cringed, though the cloth felt cool on the tree's laceration's along his back. "I will do whatever I can."

 

Lestat winked nonchalantly. "I'm not worried about it," he replied smoothly. He threw his arms up dramatically and then let them fall back to his side, in a very "what will be will be" attitude. "Whether you trust me or not is not something I should completely worry over."

 

"Of course not." John murmured, looking up at the sky, pleased to see the sun was almost completely set now.

Beatrice gave Sorin a light squeeze and the hesitated. "I don't know if I should go back now. Maybe I should wait for the streets to clear."

Sorin went back to eating his hay. That would be a good idea.

"Love is unreasonable." Hannah said through clenched teeth. She hoped she wasn't hurting Edward too badly, and that Beatrice would be back soon. She focused her thoughts on those ideas instead of on the blood.

 

"I'm sorry I'm bothering you," Edward apologized. "It must be hard for you... but I do feel better."

 

"Hungry?" Lestat muttered, smiling. "Or were you planning to disturb your girl this evening?"

 

"You know," Van Helsing began after a moment. "I never imagined myself to be sitting here... without you hitting me, of course," he added with a grin.