The Van Helsing Conjecture – Excerpt No. 362

7 September 2025

“Do you suppose our volunteers—(had the same problem?)”

“Most certainly,” Clara said.

In the background there came a blast. Clara snapped her head to investigate and found the charred remains of a couch. Julia was in tears, overjoyed that Agnes handed her a grenade.

“Cute,” Clara said.When the angel turned to face Amelia, something caught her eye. It was a formal portrait, and judging by the colouring it had been done recently. Even a glimpse was enough to send a chill down her spine. You’d think I’d seen a ghost.

a cinematic photo of a brunette woman with expressive brown eyes and smooth pale skin wearing a flowing black skirt and a tightly laced corset with large black wings attached to her back, she turns around with a curious expression and spots a formal portrait of an older woman with a gentle face and wrinkled skin wearing a traditional nun's habit, the photo is shot in a dramatic style with deep shadows and soft lighting, with a mix of dark and muted colors, the overall mood is mysterious and intriguing, the subject is centered in the frame with the portrait hanging on a wall in the background, the photography style is highly detailed and realistic.

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.