The Van Helsing Incursion

GLOBE AND MAIL MOMENT

"Vincent," Julia muttered in her sleep.

Despite being covered with nothing more than a loose sheet, Julia was bathed in sweat. It was enough for the white fabric to appear translucent.

"Noooo," Julia said as though she were far away.

Her jaw tightened, grinding her teeth while her head jerked from side to side. Unconsciously, her hands probed the bed until they came across a pillow. She latched onto it and hugged it for comfort, but this dream was not over.

"Vincent!" Julia screeched before her body shot straight up.

The sheet clung to her skin, which arguably maintained a modicum of modesty. However, Julia was caught between the dream realm and reality. Unaware that she was awake, anxiety poisoned her thoughts. Her breathing grew rapid while skirting the edge of hyperventilating.

A stray sound forced her eyes open, and darted across the non-descript hotel room. This place was not by any means luxurious, but compared to what she called home, it was palatial.

Her eyes spotted a glass of water at the bedside. Julia reached for it, but in her haste, spilled some of the contents. Normally, that would bother her since clean water was in short supply on the streets, but she was so thirsty. Once the glass came to her cracked lips, she greedily gulped down all that remained.

"Ah," Julia said, letting the glass drop between her thighs.

Now that her base needs were met, Julia's ears perked up. Farther down the room came the sound of running water, a big hint that she was not alone. The presence of a second bed only reinforced that notion.

"Why would someone bring me here?" Julia asked, while racking her brain as to why anyone would be so altruistic.

Of course, when she looked down and noticed that she was effectively naked, another theory gelled in her mind. The thought of it made her skin crawl, that someone was out to take advantage of her and had undressed her while she was unconscious. It was hard enough living on the streets. What did she do to deserve this?

In anticipation of that slimy guest's return from the bathroom, Julia slid off the bed. Alas one of her legs was bound, so she lost her balance in the attempt. Julia fell forward and crashed head first into the laminate floor.

"Fuck!" Julia yelled as stars filled her vision.

That word caught the attention of whoever was in the shower. The flow of water was immediately cut off, followed closely by the curtain being drawn. Julia sensed that her window of opportunity was gone. Still she looked over her binding just in case. The knot had been made by an expert, which meant that she would not be going anywhere... not with that around her leg.

A bright white light flooded the room when the bathroom door opened. While ignoring her worsening headache, Julia made out a long and slender silhouette. She thought it would be a burly man, but those curves were clearly feminine, and that's before those wings came into sight.

"Oh shit," Julia whined.

The silhouette unleashed a coquettish laugh that filled the room. That only served to enrage Julia, but in her current state, what could she do?

"I'm sorry," Clara said. "I thought you'd be asleep a bit longer, and I wanted to wash up before you woke up."

"Why?" Julia asked. "You were planning to dazzle me with your fashion sense before slitting my throat?"

"No," Clara said firmly.

Clara reached inside a nearby drawer and pulled out what looked to be a throwing knife. Julia eyed the angel moving towards her and backed away instinctively. Without even batting an eye, Clara lifted the mattress and cut Julia's binding from that end.