Tag: Clara Grey

  • The Van Helsing Impetus – Excerpt No. 280

    That night, Clara hitchhiked her way towards the ferry station. Given that sitting on the bed evoked vivid imagery of sleeping in an overflowing ashtray, she figured this was a better use of her time. It’s not like I need to sleep.

    She enjoyed a late night meal at a steakhouse that several locals raged about. While waiting for her meal, she went online to secure a spot on the first ferry out in the morning. It was doubtful there was much demand, but this guaranteed her passage. 

    As payback, Clara charged it to Evelyn’s credit card. The one they provided her, when they first agreed to a proverbial mutual defence pact. Since they already knew her general whereabouts and where she would end up, Clara might as well take advantage of the perks.

    “Here’s to you,” Clara said while lifting her frosted mug of beer in the air.

    Picture of a sliced steak with seam still rising from the meat. While the cutting board is in focus, the rest of the surroundings are not. Image by Chil Vera from Pixabay.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from The Van Helsing Impetus is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth. The image is sourced from Pixabay.


  • The Van Helsing Impetus – Excerpt No. 279

    “Can I handle this by myself?” Clara asked.

    Was it possible for Clara to find her sister, someone who successfully kept out of sight all this time? With what resources? Her heart sank when she realised that the answer was obvious. The only course of action she had was to return to Evelyn’s sphere of influence. The last time I flirted with the devil, I got burnedstill; it was fun!

    She can’t be serious,” Silver said.

    What?” Sparky asked.

    Shut up you,” Ethereal snapped.

    She’d rather play with that harlot than us,” Silver said.

    Really,” Sparky confirmed.

    Yes, really,” Ethereal asked.“Shut it,” Silver hissed. “The both of you.”

    Picture of a woman wearing a red jacket, black necklace and two black horns sitcking out of her forehead. Has a suggestive look on her face. Image by Kyle Miller from Pexels.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from The Van Helsing Impetus is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth. The image is sourced from Pexels.


  • The Van Helsing Impetus – Excerpt No. 278

    She waited for the odours to dissipate before returning her focus to the phone. If she reached out for answers, that meant stepping through a door that was best left shut. That biscuit won’t cooperate unless I repay the favour.

    “Heh,” Clara said. “That’s a rather fitting nickname for her.”

    Biscuit was slang for a pettable flapper, or more appropriately a hedonistic young lady who would up for some fun. Evelyn certainly seemed to embody many of these elements. Perfect!

    Picture of a woman wearing a tight black dress, long gloves, a pearl necklace wrapped around her neck and holding a glass of wine.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from The Van Helsing Impetus is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth.


  • The Van Helsing Impetus – Excerpt No. 277

    “I need to find out what Evelyn knows,” Clara said.

    She leaned back in her chair, causing the scent of cigarette smoke to come out of the material. The nearest hotel to this bus depot only had smoking rooms available tonight. Everything she touched was greasy, even the walls had a tinge of brown, as the paint was impregnated with smoke.

    I like this place,” Ethereal said. “Reminds me of you.”

    “It’s hard to believe that I used to spend my nights in gin joints hoofing the night away,” Clara said. “The smoke was so thick that it was blue. What colour were my lungs?”

    Picture of what appears to be a lady wearing a black leather coat, her hair covering half her face and sitting on a chair. She is surrounded by thick blue smoke. Image by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from The Van Helsing Impetus is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth. The image is sourced from Pexels.


  • The Van Helsing Impetus – Excerpt No. 276

    She walked out of her bubble and left the room. Upon reaching an emergency exit, she pulled the alarm. The hotel was immediately bathed in a banshee’s shriek along with bright pulses of light. That would hopefully prompt people to evacuate. Clara pushed past the fire doors and found herself on the outside.

    Less than a minute later, the sun broke over the horizon, and an orange flash appeared from within her bedroom. With any luck, the authorities would link Smiley with the altercation at the pub. Investigating that mess should keep them off my ass for a while.

    “Do you know what’s going on?” an elderly couple asked.

    The old woman was still in her nightgown. While Clara felt a twinge of guilt for the inconvenience, at least they were safe.

    “I’m not sure,” Clara said. “I heard it was a man with a severe sunburn.”

    Picture of a firefighter atop a truck ladder spraying water below. In the background nothing by smoke is visible. Image by Brett Sayles from Pexels.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from The Van Helsing Impetus is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth. The image is sourced from Pexels.


  • The Van Helsing Impetus – Excerpt No. 275

    “She said that Clara would be back one day,” Smiley said. “We were instructed to take her alive.”

    “She?” Clara asked in a sultry voice.

    “I-I-I can—” Smiley said.

    Clara took out her phone and pointed the screen back at them. She tapped on the camera app from her lockscreen for a selfie.

    “Silly me,” Clara said. “We simply must commemorate this—”

    “Ada!” Smiley yelled.

    The vampire had no need to breathe, but as the sun threatened to peek over the horizon, his baser instincts asserted themselves and he began panting. Elements of his mind that he spent years mastering were now entirely beyond his reach. This was precisely where Clara needed him to be, granting her access to a mind on the cusp of losing sanity and devoid of defences.

    Picture of the sky and waters as the sun is about to peek over the horizon, partially covered by what looks to be a rain cloud. Image by Roberto Nickson from Pexels.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from The Van Helsing Impetus is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth. The image is sourced from Pexels.


  • The Van Helsing Impetus – Excerpt No. 274

    “I could cut off your fingers, rip out your fangs, gouge out your eyes, or fillet your hand’s favourite friend,” Clara said.

    “Go ahead,” Smiley said. “You won’t get anything out of me.”

    “What?” Clara asked. “Why would I ruin this outfit?”

    “Then what are you going to do?” Smiley asked.

    Clara smiled, mimicking the one he sent her way last evening. The vampire furrowed his brow, unsure of the message she conveyed, until that ocean breeze rolled in from the Atlantic.

    “You’re just going to let me fry?” Smiley asked.

    “You said it yourself, why waste my time?” Clara asked.

    Picture of a mannequin chained up to a central pillar in a dark and dingy space that looks like a dungeon. Image by Jonathan Cannon from Pixabay.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from The Van Helsing Impetus is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth. The image is sourced from Pixabay.


  • The Van Helsing Impetus – Excerpt No. 273

    Clara pointed a finger at an overhanging light. A blue bolt filled the expanse between the two points and caused every light in the pub to overload. Everyone was bathed in a shower of sparks. To her left, the breaker box by the bar caught fire.

    Nicely done!” Sparky exclaimed.

    Don’t encourage her!” Ethereal snapped.

    Vampires hated fire but did not fear the dark. However, Clara was using this tactic as a distraction.

    It was time to give up her plain Jane persona, Clara’s blouse tore at two points, and her wings spread out in the shadows. She grabbed the pistol from her clutch while time slowed around her. It was just enough to make it fun and go toe-to-toe with their kind.

    A worker is grinding a surface, creating a shower of sparks in a spark room. Image by Spektrum78 from Pixabay.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from The Van Helsing Impetus is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth. The image is sourced from Pixabay.


  • The Van Helsing Impetus – Excerpt No. 272

    “I haven’t seen one of your kind in almost a century,” Smiley said.

    “Sounds about right. What gave me away?” Clara asked.

    “That religious trinket of yours for one, and your scent,” Smiley said.

    “No fair!” Clara exclaimed before pouting. “I showered.”

    “At least there will be plenty of alcohol coursing through your veins,” Smiley said as they converged.

    “Oh, I doubt that,” Clara said in a steady voice.

    Her eyes came to life once more, flooding the room in electric-blue light.

    Picture through a window, looking at a the outside of a bar or club, the entire room is dark but bathed in a blue hue. Image by Caroline Cagnin from Pexels.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from The Van Helsing Impetus is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth. The image is sourced from Pexels.


  • The Van Helsing Impetus – Excerpt No. 271

    “Can I get you anything,” the bartender asked.

    “No,” Clara replied just as her eyes took a bright blue glow. “Thank you.”

    As expected, the unearthly colour got his attention. He nearly backed himself into the shelf of the bar. It was fortunate for the living that nothing had fallen, otherwise this party might have started early.

    “Why don’t you go take a long break along with the rest of the kitchen staff, love?” Clara said in a matching accent.

    No amount of politeness or authenticity in accent would shake his newly found fear of the one with glowing eyes. She silently hoped that he remained oblivious to the real threats in here. That poor man wouldn’t stand a chance.

    Picture focused on a eye, with the eye a bright vivid blue as thought glowing. Image by Wendel Moretti from Pexels.

    Disclaimer: This excerpt from The Van Helsing Impetus is currently in development. There may be typos, errors, omissions, inconsistencies and so forth. The image is sourced from Pexels.


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