Abe Sapien and the Witch

Chapter 4

Chapter four

Making her way into the library, she was amazed by the stacks of beautiful books, how ornate everything seemed and yet how homely the place was. It had been two days since her examination and she had promised Krauss that once she felt better, she would help him in the library with research, especially with witchcraft as that was her area of expertise.

Rather, he had asked in his usual forward manner and she had nodded gracefully- he always seemed to know what she was thinking, perhaps he had a knack for it. One wall of the library was taken up completely by a large tank of water, and she surmised this was Abe's space. Indeed, there he was floating peacefully further in, a pair of headphones covering his ears as he drifted, bobbing his head along gently to music only he could hear.

His eyes were closed, and he was clearly oblivious to the outside world, so she took a moment to study him in private. His frame was lithe, incredibly graceful and she mused that if he had to, he could probably swim incredibly quickly through the water. He only wore a pair of black shorts, and for a moment she felt embarrassed, like a voyeur, but then she realised she had never seen the fins on his arms before, the way they weaved softly along to his movements. The darker patterns that stretched down along the skin of his chest, accentuating muscles yet making him seem ethereal, like a painting that glows under UV lighting.

She realised her breathing seemed heavier when she looked at him, caught like a deer before approaching headlights on the road.

"He likes you too, ya know" a voice boomed from behind her and she turned, bumping against the tank. Hellboy stood in the doorway, smirking at her. He took a second to look at her, wrapped up in a simple cotton dress and summer shoes, and added "You don't look like a witch. Did I tell you I hate witches? Heh. You're okay, though. Seems like even without those powers a yours, you're bewitching people."

He nodded towards Abe, then looked back at her, a sadder tone to his voice this time. "Just don't break his heart. I've never seen him like this before, and we've known each other a long time. So just, try not to hurt him okay?"

She nodded up at him, serious now and his grin was back again "I knew I could count on you. C'mon over to the practice grounds sometime and watch us practice, I'll show you our weapons."

He waved and was gone.

Oh, what am I doing? She asked herself, sliding down the glass into a sitting position.

I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I could be putting everyone in danger just by being here. If they find me...I should leave.

"Please, don't leave." a voice echoed softly from behind her, startling her.

"My apologies..." Abe added, headphones abandoned as he swam down to her eye level "You touched my tank, and I could feel you. Please, don't leave, I don't know what I would do if you were to go..."

She placed her hand against the glass and he mirrored the action, her eyes searching his for something she didn't even know she was looking for.

"Meet me this evening, out by the lake. We have a lot of private land here at the B.P.R.D. and I usually swim outside in the evenings, it's quite beautiful there really. Gardens, flowers...will you please meet me there?"

_Yes_ she whispered in her mind, closing her eyes and placing her forehead against the tank. He could talk to her now, but she realised that clearly the lake was important to him. If he wished to take her there, it meant a lot to him and she would do as he asked.