The Van Helsing Conjecture – Excerpt No. 237

“It figures that the elevators are down,” Clara whispered.

Evelyn had a private elevator that led directly to the roof. Of course, having reliable power would have taken the challenge out of this journey… As if recovering from death wasn’t enough…

Julia was armed with a shotgun, wearing the same red backpack that Clara gave her when freed from prison. It showed signs of fraying and the red had faded from exposure to the elements… At least she got some use out of it…

Evelyn was harder to see, and that was by design. The vampire was holding Clara over her left shoulder while making her way up the stairs. It was humiliating in a way to be lifted so easily by someone who more appropriately belonged on the runway during the Paris fashion week.

A high-contrast, cinematic photograph of a statuesque woman with long, raven-black hair and piercing emerald green eyes strutting confidently down a dimly lit, smoke-filled runway of a fashion show, her sleek, high-fashion outfit gleaming under the catwalk's spotlight. The crowd is comprised of dark, featureless silhouettes of a diverse array of monsters, ranging from mythical creatures to horror icons, all fixated on the model, their presence both ominous and mesmerizing. The atmosphere is tense and foreboding, with an air of dark glamour and mystique permeating the scene. The image is rendered in rich, bold colors, with deep shadows and dramatic lighting that accentuate the model's striking features and the eerie, otherworldly atmosphere.

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.