The Van Helsing Incursion

THE BEST LAID PLANS OF BATS AND MEN

"Horsefeathers," Clara said under her breath.

"What's wrong, ma chère?" Evelyn asked from the far end of the limo.

At Clara's request, the limousine had pulled up alongside Elizabeth's place so she could check up on her friend. It was rare for Clara to show such concern, but there had been no word since the work day. Alas, there were no signs of her roommate and nothing had been disturbed since this morning.

The only detail that surprised her was the odour of wet dog from her nosey neighbour's door. Odd, seeing how Clara figured that this man was so vile, but no living creature would dare trespass on his domain.

Clara chose not to linger on that thought. Instead, she returned to the limo and focused on thumbing away a message on her phone, wondering if Elizabeth was ghosting her. Although that idea made no sense on so many levels.

"Elizabeth is not answering—" Clara said.

A series of thumps came out of the trunk which drew Clara back to reality. In response to this faux pas, the driver's door opened, followed by a series of precisely paced steps. Someone is going to get it.

Evelyn ignored the muffled sounds Horace made. This man had banked on their stopping at a light and hoped that the commotion would be enough to get help. Alas, the sound of the trunk popping open reached her ears, and just like that, everything was silent.

"Do you have any reason to be concerned?" Evelyn asked.

Clara looked up from her phone out of habit while she got a better read on this baby vamp. Alas, Evelyn was still wearing that latex suit and mask, so it was impossible to read her. Not that reading Evelyn's emotions was a snap. Like Clara, both women had spent their lifetimes honing the ability to hide behind a figurative mask.

"I... I'm not sure really," Clara replied. "She did make a reference to a dog house earlier."

"Does she make such statements often?" Evelyn asked.

Now the footsteps were heard travelling back towards the driver-side door. Once the steps stopped, the limousine shifted slightly, and the door slammed shut. It seemed that Horace would not interrupt again.

"No," Clara said. "Although, I did deserve that one."

Clara smirked when she remembered this morning's exchange and was surprised that it had not been months ago. Since she had no real need to sleep, her days could stretch on. However, the emotional toll of fighting with Elizabeth and the incident at the club left her with a warped perception of time.

"Some people need their space after a spat," Evelyn said.

"You think that's all it is?" Clara asked.

Evelyn giggled, her shoulders exaggerating the movement to add a bit of theatricality. This elaborate show left Clara to wonder if all of this was part of an elaborate joke. Either that, or Evelyn was trying to make a point.

"Have you ever come across an instruction manual for men?" Evelyn asked.

"...no?" Clara responded.

"Men are such simple creatures," Evelyn said before pausing long enough to let those worlds sink in. "Despite their simplicity, no one has ever written a guide that would help deal with them under most situations."

"That would be too easy," Clara said with a smirk.

She looked down at her notifications one more time just in case, but it was all for naught. Elizabeth was not responding, and she had no idea why. It was the uncertainty that made it worse, poisoned her mind, and left a bitter taste in her mouth.