The Van Helsing Conjecture – Excerpt No. 236

There came three long thuds resonating from deep within the building. Evelyn turned to face the source. Those lips moved as though she was counting.

When another two came after the count reached four, Evelyn returned to face Clara.

“You’ll need to excuse me, I have to prepare…”

Clara could guess what that entailed. Power might be out in the city, but Marc would ensure there were alternate sources… Always prepared for the apocalypse…

“Please,” Clara said.

Clara yawned, as a wave of fatigue hit her unexpectedly. She had no idea why, but some rest would do her a world of good.

“Get some rest, ma chère.”

“I will,” Clara said as her eyes grew heavy enough that they could no longer be kept open.

a dramatic, high-contrast, cinematic photograph of a determined-looking boy scout in his early teens, wearing a utility belt and backpack, with a badge on his chest that reads "Be Prepared for the Apocalypse" in bold, distressed font, set against a moody, ominous backdrop of a deserted, post-apocalyptic landscape with dark clouds, ruins, and sparse, twisted trees, lit by a warm, golden light, with the boy scout's facial features illuminated, showcasing his focused expression, prominent eyebrows, and freckled skin, with a subtle, gritty film grain effect to enhance the photograph's cinematic feel.

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.