Van Helsing

Hannah forced her hands into fists. It could have been worse. She thought grugdingly. He could have gotten me full on. Now that I think about it... why didn't he? She mused it over, not speaking to Elijah or his father as she and Edward left.

 

"What happened in there?" Edward asked as they walked. "I had a feeling I should go and get you... Jinx almost beat me to it. Why did you leave the inn like that?"

 

I'm not going to talk about Elijah.... Hannah couldn't bring herself to look at Edward. "I got...," She hesistated. "Hungry...." She finally said, though it was more of a defeated whisper than a strong explination. "That room seemed so small.... It held in the smell of blood rather well." She laughed weakly at her own instability.

 

"You could have just told me all that back at the inn," Edward said, clutching his arm now, unable to stop himself. "I would have understood, you know... or at least tried to."

 

Hannah nodded, deciding to leave out the details. "Edward, I don't feel well...." She murmured. "Can we... hurry back?"

 

"Yeah, yeah," Edward muttered, clutching his arm tighter and grimacing. "Let's... I shouldn't have left that room..." He tried to smile at Hannah's worried look. "I'll be fine. Let's go."

 

Hannah touched Edward's arm with her less burned hand. "Edward," She looked up at him, knowing he'd not like hearing this again. "Sorry."

 

"How many times do I have to tell you not to apologize?" Edward sighed with a smile. "And," he added more seriously, "I won't ask about your hands till you want to tell me everything."

 

Hannah pulled her hand back. "How'd you know?" She asked softly. I didn't say anything about it. Elijah didn't either. Well, of course Edward could have just seen. But I've kept them closed... painfully.... She looked at Edward for an answer.

 

"So... Elijiah, is it, did this to you?" Edward began, his pace quickenening slightly. "Yes, neither of you said anything. You didn't need to."

 

Hannah gave Edward a look. "Are you reading my thoughts?" She asked, only slightly surprised. She thought he'd done it before, but she took it as coincidence that time.

 

Edward sighed once more. Lying doesn't help... and I keep speaking about what she thinks without stopping myself, so... "Yes," Edward replied. "But how and why and when I became able to do so in my life story is not a discussion for right now. We need to get some rest and food... can you... go out with Jinx later when you feel stronger?"

 

Hannah settled for what Edward told her. "No." She answered to his question. "I won't do that. Not even to animals."

 

"What are you going to do, then, Hannah?" Edward asked as they neared the inn. "Starve?"

 

Hannah was lost for words for a moment. "Well I... I could...." She sighed. "I don't know. I've been fine so far," She paused. "Just a bit..." She sighed again. "I shouldn't have come in the first place. I'm just tired and hungry all the time, and Mr. Van Helsing doesn't help at all." She folded her arms, wincing but not complaining otherwise.

 

"I know," Edward sighed. "He's just like that... you can't blame him, though; this job is all he can remember in his life. I... I pity him in a way. Look, later if you want to leave, go, but make sure you take Jinx with you. And I'll... I'll wait up for you to make sure you get back."

OOC: bedtime... ZZZzzzzz.... :)

 

Hannah smiled crookedly. "I don't really know what to say to that. But if Jinx wants me to go then I will. I don't know what I'll do though." She kept her hands to her sides.

OOC: bed now...? *falls asleep on keyboard*

 

"Find something," Edward suggested. "You can live off animals, you know," he added. "It may not be the most pleasant thing in the world, but it's better than starving."

They reached the inn now. "Van Helsing has a new friend," Edward remembered. "He's a friar from the church, and it's a bit odd that he has to come with us, but I think we can trust him."

 

It's not what I do it to, it's what I'm doing. Hannah cringed. "A friar? Why did it have to be a friar?"

 

"I don't know," Edward replied as they climbed the stairs to the room. He lowered his voice slightly now. "He must know something about Dracula that can help us... or he just might be smart and good to have around. Look, Van Helsing saw it fit to trust all of us to be introduced to Carl... if he trusts us to not rip out the friar's throat if he makes us mad... well, then, I think he deserves our trust as well."