Chapter Two

"What are you doing here?"

My unexpected entrance made the intruder jump and spin around, eyes wide. Nonchantlently she pulled her shiny, dark brown hair so that it was over one shoulder. "You scared me," Kelly said laughing a little to a joke that I hadn't heard. I entered the room and picked up a pulse gun, pointing in her direction. It felt wrong but I couldn't take any risks.

"I asked you a question."

I waited for an answer but I didn't get one. She sat down on the sofa casually despite the fact I was pointing a gun at her. "You can put that down. It won't work," she said trying to change the subject but my hand didn't waver.

"Why should I trust you?" She just shrugged.

"You don't have to and I didn't say you should."

I decided to try a different approach and asked a different question. I asked, "How did you get in here?" I attempted to say it a little more aggressively but I didn't seem to bother her at all and yet again she ignored it.

"I didn't think you'd be here." The cheek. I actually had a reason to be here. She however had none whatsoever. Before today I'd never laid eyes on this girl. Yet she was so calm that I lowered the gun. It was a stupid thing to do since she could be anyone (or anything) but for some reason I did it anyway. Something was making my trust her despite her evasiveness.

"That's funny because I was thinking the same thing about you."

"How old are you?" she asked from nowhere.

Slightly confused I told her, "Nineteen. Why?"

There was no answer to my question but she asked another. "And your name's Luke Rutherford right?"

"Yeah pretty sure," I said and couldn't help but laugh a little. There was no real reason why I should be answering her questions when she was ignoring mine. She frowned once more. "Look, why are you here?"

"I couldn't wait to see you again," she smiled. I knew she was trying to be charming to get me stop asking her questions and it worked even though I knew what she was trying to do. It bemused me long enough that I forgot what I was previously talking about. She smiled again knowing that she'd clearly gotten to me. The level of her self confidence was amazing. Saying that though she had a perfectly good reason to be. She must have been the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen.

"What in God's name is going on here?" shouted someone from behind. Great, Galvin was here. How was I going to explain this? He'd ultimately blame me and I hadn't had anything to do with it. "Well?"

"I wish I knew," I said honestly. He didn't seem to like that answer much though.

"She can't be here. I don't care how desperate you are to get laid. Don't use this place to bring back your girlfriends."

"Umm excuse me," Kelly said standing up. "I find that one incredibly rude and two incredibly insulting. Plus, I'm not his girlfriend and this isn't his fault."

"This has nothing to do with you," he told her dismissively with a fierce scowl.

"Actually it does," she said getting more defensive. "Luke didn't bring me here. As handsome as he is I'm not that easy nor am I impressed by a room full of books."

I came here looking for you."

That took him aback but typical Galvin took over. "Sorry sweetheart. You're not my type."

"Wow. I'm crushed." She rolled her eyes. "I need you're help. I'm looking for someone that is even more illusive than you are. My name's Kelly. I think you know my father Sam. Sam Richards."

"You're Sam's daughter?"

"Yep."

"The last time I saw you, you were just learning to walk."

"Yeah, I've come a long way. I can even run now. So are you going to help me or not?"

"Ugh of course." It was weird to see Galvin backtracking like this. I'd never seem him go from rude (his normal self) to helpful. "How's your Dad? It's been a long time."

"He's dead," she said coldly.

"What? When?"

"Two years ago."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know. I assumed he'd just slipped under the radar because I hadn't heard anything."

"Don't be. He was a bad guy. I'm over it." There was an awkward silence as Galvin and I didn't know what to say. "But like I said, I'm looking for someone."

"Who? I'll do anything I can."

"I know it's a long shot. But I figured you'd be the go to guy since you were friends with Jay," she said. I stiffened at my dad's name. How did she know him? "I need a Van Helsing."

"We-"

"Look I understand that it's not supposed to be public knowledge but I really need your help here." I shared a look with Galvin the she noticed straight away. "What?" she asked.

"You're looking for a Van Helsing," Galvin said still staring at me. "You found one."

It took her awhile but she got it. "Him?"

It took her awhile but she eventually got it. "Him?" she said with an extremely insulting tone. "He's a Van Helsing."

"Took me by surprise at first as well. You wouldn't expect the last in a long line of excellent hunters to be a pretty boy with a fringe."

"Hey," I said which made Kelly smile. God she had such a nice smile. I noticed that she was staring at me with some kind of interest. "What?"

"Nothing. I'm just a little surprised is all. I should have been able to tell straight away."

"Tell what?"

"That you're a Van Helsing idiot," Galvin stepped in. "At least try and keep up with the conversation."

"There's something strange about you," she said keeping her attention focused on me which made me feel a little… not uncomfortable just… funny. "Something's blocking me," she said walking closer to me. "You're all fuzzy."

"Fuzzy?" I asked confused. "What are you talking about?"

Galvin started towards us with a frown. "Do you mind?" she asked, gesturing with her hands to my face. I looked at Galvin who nodded.

"Sure…" I said. With that she placed a hand on either side of my face and closed her eyes. When her skin connected with mine it was like an electric current began to flow. I'd noticed it earlier but it was more intense now. Perhaps it was her proximity. The way that I was continuously breathing in her perfume. I looked back to Galvin, now even more confused.

When she opened her eyes she didn't look happy and neither did Galvin. "What is it?" he asked.

"I don't know," she said taking her hands away from my face. Her fingers trailed along my face I couldn't breathe properly until she'd walked back a few steps. "It's weird. Like something's trying to stop me from seeing him."

"Maybe you need glasses," I suggested.

"Shut it Luke," Galvin told me sternly. "Do you have any idea what it could be?" She shook her head. "Well that's just dandy."

"Don't get funny with me it's not my fault."

They looked at each other and I grew more and more uncomfortable. He finally spoke and said, "No you're right. Sorry."

She nodded slightly and sat down. "Whatever it is, it can only be a good thing. If I can't find him, then the bad guys certainly can't. It's like you've got some kind of shield protecting you."

"I am thoroughly confused. What are you talking about?" I repeated.

She turned to Galvin, ignoring me. "I'll try and find the source but it might take some time."

"Take all the time you need," Galvin told her. He patted her on the shoulder and she slipped down onto the floor, crossed her legs and closed her eyes. "Luke, come with me."