Van Helsing

Lestat laughed to himself, his run through the shadows keeping in at a steady half an hour behind Beatrice's carriage.

 

Hannah looked at her hands in her lap, her cheeks turning pink. "Um, I promised Van Helsing I would tell him what happened.... I'm sure he's waiting...."

Beatrice switched the reigns to one hand while she brushed her hair out of her face as the wind picked up. Well it was a nice, calm, quiet night. I hope this wind doesn't get too bad.

 

Edward grunted. "Go," he said, rubbing his head and wincing once more. "At I can lean back without screaming..."

 

Lestat picked up Beatrice's thoughts, the new voice intriguing him. Un petit mon cherie, he thought happily. This will be fun...

 

Hannah went back to Van Helsing, taking a second longer. "Where was I?" She asked, her tone a bit disinterested.

So I have to work on my sword skills, maybe learn a bit of first aid, and see if I can fix Sorin's shoe. Beatrice mused. Though I would like to relax for a bit. She sighed. Maybe I've been doing too much of that. I should help out more I guess. But what can I do? Learning more useful things would help everyone more than anything else. Or I could- She sighed again. It's getting harder for me to fit in here.

 

"Elijah shot you a second time," Van Helsing muttered. "Is Edward alright?"

 

Oh, I can help you be useful, my dear, Lestat smirked. Don't you worry... I'm on my way...

 

"I'll get to that." Hannah said before continuing the story.

Beatrice looked down at Sorin. He's really working. It's like he wants to outshow the other horses. She smiled. Silly Sorin, you'll always be the best one to me.

 

Van Helsing listened carefully, trying not to interrupt.

 

Edward tried to hear Hannah talking, but the noise of the carriage and the wind were too much. All he could decipher were mumbles.

When are we going to stop? was the only thing going through his head.

 

"... It's not like we had a choice," Hannah said, reaching the part of meeting John. "Edward insisted on coming. It was a bit less frightening with him there. But once we actually met up with John...." She paused. "You saw how I am around him. Anyway, Edward held onto me, but John's a very good tormentor. He got Edward to let go of me, and then another vampire, Edward said his name is Lestat, took Edward away." Her voice started to shake. "I was alone with John... and I was really afraid.... Not just for myself, but for Edward too. More for him really. John said some things to me.... Things I really don't want to believe about myself but sound so true." She paused again. "Edward came back.... He told me Lestat let him go.... He managed to get a few good punches in on John. That's the last thing I remember before waking up in the carriage." Hannah had her arms wrapped around herself at this point to try to control her shaking. "What I saw... What John made me see... What I'll probably see if I go to sleep again... It was so scary. They were images of Edward... dying.... I- I know Edward told me that it won't happen... but they're so...." She couldn't continue. Her frame shook from her tears, part of her embarrassed that she had started crying and part relieved to do so.

 

Van Helsing frowned, not sure how to show his pity or sympathy. "Edward will be fine," he tried. "He won't let anything happen to you, and all of us will help him if he needs it. Lestat..." he let the name roll off his tongue. "Sounds French. I'm assuming he's like John, not you or Jinx?"

 

"A thousand times worse!" Edward snapped up at Van Helsing, hearing the last part of his statement. "And he's never heard of you!"

 

Hannah wiped her tears away. "Now you can't say I'm keeping things from you." She tried to get rid of her fear and sadness. "Edward and I don't know who he's helping. He told Edward that he knows of a way to kill John without... without killing me. But he did attack Edward. I don't really know if I can trust him, but I'm going to trust Edward."

Beatrice thought over what she'd heard. Lestat. It's a nice name, but Hannah's right not to fully trust him. I don't know if I can make heads or tails of him either. I wish she'd described him.

 

"Alright, alright," Van Helsing muttered. "I understand. But a vampire that hasn't heard of me? That's odd. I'd love to meet him."

 

"No, you wouldn't," Edward whispered to himself, shutting his eyes.

 

Hannah shook her head fervently. "He's already hurt Edward; I don't want anyone else to get hurt."

He must be really strong. Beatrice thought, already forming a picture of Lestat in her head.

 

Edward grimaced, but was able to free his mind as relax now; the pain was finally gone.

 

"You really shouldn't be perched up here like that," Van Helsing cautioned. "It's dangerous... but thank you for telling me everything."

 

You're going to enjoy me, dear, Lestat laughed, wishing he'd seen the owner of the voice so he could connect to her mind and speak to her directly. I'm worse than even Edward says... but I can be gentle and kind if I wish... it depends what you're up to...