Van Helsing Rising - Helen Scott Page 0,16

send a streak of pain through my body. I try to crawl away from the heavy body that covers me, but it’s too much. I half-twist and see Phoenix behind me, and he looks pissed.

For one minute he reminds me of my ex, of my life before the experiment, and my mind goes blank. Suddenly, Phoenix screams and leaps off of me. I look down at myself and see nothing, but it feels like a vibration is moving through my body… like electricity is dancing around me.

What’s wrong with me?

It’s strange, like being in a nightmare, but I stand again and turn toward the woods. The strange feeling vanishes, and my heat races. The only thing I can hear is the sound of my pulse beating in my ears, and then I’m knocked down again. I feel my head hit something hard, and then the world goes black.

I’m gasping in air, confused and disoriented, but I feel myself being lifted.

“Whatever that is? That. Was. A. Mistake,” Phoenix growls. “You’re in trouble now.”

Did I punch him? Knee him? Is that what that weird vibration is?

I wheeze in breaths and struggle, but even I can feel how weak my attempt is. The wind whispers around me, and the smell of nature and the outdoors is amazing. Tears sting my eyes, but my vision remains black. After a time, I hear the sound of a door opening, and then the scents of freedom are gone.

Phoenix’s steps are heavy as he climbs stairs, and I open my lips but only a moan of pain comes. Another door opens, and then I’m dropped on an unexpectedly soft surface.

Spots grow before my vision. But it’s a relief from the darkness.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

It takes me a second to answer. “No.”

He hesitates, then lets out a slow breath. “Then that’s a good lesson for you. You ran from us and got hurt. You were lucky. The next time, you end up dead. Got it?”

So, this really is just trading one cage for another. I was right.

I roll away from the sound of his voice, and I feel a tear slide down my face. Some people are just unlucky, but I’m not. Every single moment of my life was marked by my own bad choices, all of which led me to here. As much as I hate to admit it, all the fault lies with me.

I sniffle, fighting back a full-blown crying session.

Phoenix speaks again. “I’m not going to tell the Prez about what just happened, but I am going to keep a closer eye on you.”

Then I hear the door close again.

And as much as I hate myself for it, I start to cry.

9

Crash

The hard drives these fuckers used were top of the line, and if we ever decided to wipe them clean they'll make a nice addition to my collection. It’s not that I’m a hoarder, just that I hate destroying valuable tech, though it isn't like the MC can’t afford it. I’m just not used to spending money, though I have enough to burn some if I want to.

The Immortal Hunters MC is just like any other one percenter MC. We have our hands in a little bit of everything and most of it is outside the law. We cater to people's needs in a variety of ways, usually the guns and ammunition kind. If they want smack or blow we can get that for them too, we just don't go out of our way to provide it. The only thing we don't touch is trafficking. Women, children, animals, any of that is not up for sale. The bulk of our income comes from private organizations that have strange things happening around them. That and some credit card fraud.

People, even some law enforcement and government officials, will hire us when shit is getting weird. Sightings of bigfoot, werewolves, and the like. We go in and clean house without leaving a shred of evidence behind. And we get paid well for what we do. That work is usually kept to the inner members of the club though. The Sons of Helsing.

We have to keep up appearances with the MC community so we have some general members that have no clue about the supernatural elements of the world they live in. We are all part of the Immortal Hunters MC. The guys who have no clue just think we like going on hunting trips, which is true...in a way. The inner circle? We are the Sons