Eh, welcome to chapter one of Clarabelle's Reputation! Yeah! By the way, Dusk is looking as hot as he ever been, OK?

Clarabelle's reputation

Clarabelle hailed a taxi and got a short ride to the Sanctuary. She rushed to the infirmary to find Nye glaring at her. "Where have you been?" it irritably asked.

"Sorry I was late, I was walking in Downtown Dublin."

"I doubt it, you were in Haggard checking on the annoyed patients, weren't you?"

She couldn't lie, it could tell, always. "How'd you find out?" she meekly asked.

"You have that look in your eyes that tell all."

"Uh, what are they saying?"

It stared at her for a moment, "You're in love."

She started laughing. "Love? Love? What on Earth are you talking about, Professor?"

"Love, noun, a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, a friend, or a deeper companion. Is what I'm talking about, Clarabelle." it coughed hard, "Now, check on patient four-seven-eight. Thank you."

She nodded quickly, "Yes, of course. Do we have any of that Vampire serum?"

"No, not that I'm aware of. Go."

"Alright, then." she bit her lip and shuffled to Patient four-seven-eight and parted the curtains. Holding the clip board she didn't look at him. "How are you feeling, Mr. Jack?"

Springheeled Jack rattled his cuffs, she finally looked at him. Sitting up, looking better than before, wearing new-Victorian attire. "Peachy." he muttered, "Can I go now?"

"I think so, though it says here you're going to jail, so, uh, good luck with that."

"But I can go, right?"

"Yes, why are you so eager?"

He stared at her, "I-I don't like Nye, plus at least I can have some exercise."

"Alright, I'll just call in the Cleavers." she hit a green button on the near wall and two Cleavers found her a few minutes after. "You know where he goes, guys." they dragged him away and she returned to the front.

"Is he gone? No more patients here?" Nye asked and coiled to the door.

"Uh, yeah, he's gone. Can I go now? It's ten-forty-six."

It muttered something to itself, "Yes, go."

She nodded and reached for her purse. "See you tomorrow, Nye."

"Professor!" he screeched back and Clarabelle ran out the entrance way, catching Valkyrie Cain along the way.

"Oh, hi, Clarabelle." she said.

"Oh, hi Valkyrie. How's your hair?" Clarabelle asked randomly. When on the spot she always asks the weirdest of things.

"Um, fine thanks."

"Good, good. Can I ask you something, like, important?"

"Um, OK…?"

"Didn't you use to date a Vampire?"

She stared at her, "I, uh, I-I- yes I did." she stuttered with all color gone from her face.

"What are they like?"

"Stalk-ish, sweet, naïve-like, and loyal." she slightly smirked.

"Aw, they're like a little puppy then!"

"Vampires aren't cute!" Valkyrie snapped back. Clarabelle arched her eyebrows. "I'm sorry, Clarabelle. It's just that don't you dare try to date one. OK?"

"Alright."

She waved back as she walked to Skulduggery's Bentley and they drove away. Clarabelle started walking to her apartment, being greeted by Caelan along the way - though she didn't know…

"I hear you panting, assuming you're trying to keep something down, you're a Vampire who took a serum that's making you stay human." she took a breath and turned to face him, "And I only know two Vampires who take it, you and Dusk." she smiled at the name. "What is it? You left me."

He stepped back, a tad offended, "True accusation, you are insane."

"Than why are you stalking me?"

"I am not." he defended.

"I heard you panting behind me for the past ten minutes." her eyes nearly narrowed, "Oh, sure you're not, Caelan."

He hunched a little, "Best if you run, now. That serum wasn't as strong

Clarabelle nodded, "Agreed." and she headed down the streets. Caelan howled far behind her and she ran to the only place she could think of, Dusk's. She was still in Haggard anyways, she didn't run far at all.

Clarabelle banged on his door, "Dusk! I think a Vampire was chasing me!" her hair played in front of her eyes.

"Who?" he responded in a shout.

"Caelan!"

"Him? He's an exile."

"I know, now please." the screams and hollers were coming louder and closer. "He's nearby!" the vampire was standing at the top of the street, trying to find her. "Dusk! I'd do anything!"

Vampire-Caelan leaped greatly and landed less than twenty feet away. He was charging to catch her and rip her apart. "Anything!"

Will she be saved from this dramatically bad ending? I think so anyhow. How'd you like it?