The Van Helsing Incursion

A DAY WITH THE INDOOR AVIATOR

Julia had not stepped inside Clara's building before today. It was best to keep away from prying eyes, and distance permitted her to keep an eye out for that murderess and her so-called roommate. That way, they could carry on with their lives, while Julia gained intelligence without detection.

Surveillance. That task was made far easier due to the opposing building being condemned, an address that gained notoriety for being the site of several ritualistic murders.

This time, there was a real need for her to take the initiative. She knew that Clara would be taking a shower, which meant that she was alone and isolated from her wide array of weapons. This would be her best shot, and she doubted a better opportunity would present itself before Adrienne lost patience.

"Get in," Julia said while visualising her plan. "Grab a knife."

While Julia's objectives were straight forward, maintaining an element of surprise was the problem. That woman killed her father on a cold autumn night... naked! The thought of facing an armed opponent that skilled made her cringe.

"Yeah... easy," Julia said and then gulped.

She considered adding a witty one-liner to get pumped up, but such words would only ring hollow. This was her chance of exacting her revenge and to be welcomed back into the pack. Surely the rewards were well worth the risk? As long as Adrienne follows through on her promises.

After mulling over the scenario, she slipped off her boots and placed them beside the open window. The damned things were big and clunky, to the point of nicknaming them her moon boots. They would make an awful racket while trying to sneak across that wooden floor.

"Besides," Julia said. "I'll be able to get my boots and jacket later, once I'm done."

That thought brought a smile to her lips. This winter had been hard on her, the result of spending most nights out under the loving care of mother nature. That's why a twinge of pain shot through those cracked lips when she smiled. She licked them to taste the fresh blood which helped her to get into the zone.

Her next step was a bit more challenging. She pulled herself up onto the metal railing and balanced herself on the thin ledge. While werewolves were not known to be particularly graceful, that trait was reversed while in their human form. Sure, she was not super strong, fast, or dextrous in this form, but these aspects were tweaked in her favour. That also included her ability to—

"Jump," Julia whispered prior to vaulting over the void between the buildings.

As expected, she dropped a level beneath Clara but grabbed on to the railing from below. The momentum forced her to swing towards a window. Julia spread her legs and straddled the window frame. Despite bending her knees, her body continued to drive forward, pushing her ass dangerously close to the delicate glass. Shit! Breaking that window would be like breaking down the door.

"Fuck," Julia let slip as her mind processed what might end up going wrong.

With luck on her side, she managed to arrest her trajectory less than an inch away from the glass. Julia pushed away from the window and let herself hang loose. Even in this position, she barely felt the railing with her toes. Before letting go, she ensured that no one was looking, glanced at her feet, and fell. Still, she almost lost balance which forced her to grab on to the stairwell leading up.

This time she bit her tongue and tasted the iron of her blood. She slid along the railing and transferred her weight onto the steps. As a precaution, one step was taken every time a car rolled by until she reached the window. Based on observations, Clara made use of the middle window to fly in and out of because it led directly into the living room.