The Van Helsing Conjecture – Excerpt No. 126

14 January 2025

Travelling in an instant over a short distance was a snap for the brain to accept. The prevailing weather conditions and stars visible in the sky remained the same.

That was no longer true as the distance increased. For this particular transition, she moved through four time zones and skipped over a country entirely.

Warm tropical air and the scent of brine were the first differences noted. Clara smiled, taking in a breath of the salty air, reminding her of home.

The natural ambient heat was also a welcome change. It was winter back home, which meant exposure to the bitter cold of winter or confined to an artificial climate indoors.

a cinematic photograph of a woman with long, dark brown hair falling down her back and piercing grey eyes, gazing introspectively into the distance, standing near the desolate, crumbling ruins of a centuries-old stone church, overgrown with vines and moss, amidst the eerie, fading twilight atmosphere. She wears practical, earth-toned hiking attire, consisting of a lightweight jacket, breathable pants, and sturdy boots, suitable for trekking through the dense, vibrant tropical jungle that sprawls behind her, with its lush, emerald green foliage, exotic flowers, and towering trees that seem to stretch up to the gloomy, cloud-covered sky.

Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.