The Blue Heart
Part One of Three
"Eh, uh…crap." Red grumbles as he hastily moves a piece to another square before snapping his head up to look at Abraham expectantly. "King-me."
Abe tilts his head in question before elegantly waving his hand upwards and swaying his finger to point down at the game. Hellboy watches this motion as if it were some mystical opening to a boring speech of some kind. He lets out a blunt grunt as Abe plainly states to him.
"This is chess."
"Chess?" Hellboy questions as he looks down at the game. "We're playin chess? I hate chess." He grumbles.
"We've already been playing for well over a half an hour." Abe offers. "We should finfish the match."
"Crap.' He grumbles. "I aint playin none of this war and strategy crap. I'm a man who lives on impulse." He leans back in his chair and gently puffs at his cigar with a sense of self achievement. "That how ya win a fight, Blue. Action, not all that think'n. Just gets you killed, in the real world you need to act."
"Yes, Red…your impulses sure do win a lot of battles. Just like that brawl last Tuesday with the snack machine." He notes, raising a finger in thought.
"Not my fault. Damn thing wouldn't give me my Red Bull."
"It certainly looked as if it were struck by a red bull after you had finished with it." He quips, a little faster than he usually is to crack a joke.
Abraham smiles at his own folly, until Hellboy reaches over and lets his stone hand fall freely onto the game. The hand crafted oak board shatters into two splintered pieces and all of the pieces that were in play shatter into tiny chips of wood. It had been a very luxurious gift from Professor Broom on Abe's last birthday, which causes him to stare in utter disbelief at his ruined treasure. Hellboy smirks a 'oops' as Liz enters the room sporting a new jacket. Black, naturally. She looks over at the two boys, recognizing Red causing trouble right away by his quick to fade wide eyed expression.
"Nice duds, Liz." He gives her a light whistle and she returns with a small death glare.
"Nice place to set your hand." She nods downwards towards his hand still resting on the table among the ruined game.
"Heh. I guess this is what they mean by getting caught red handed?" He lowers his head slightly to look away from Liz's scolding eyes. "Watch it, I might catch fire."
Abraham looks down at his game dishearted. He cannot blame his friend for acting childishly because, he really isn't the intellectual sort and as Hellboy stated, he does plan little. Sighing quietly as to not draw attention to himself as Liz scolds Hellboy for his carelessness, Abraham gently touches a shattered piece that was once a pawn.
"Abe." Liz calls. "Abe!" She starts walking back towards the door as he finally looks up at her. "Time to go."
Abe looks around, noticing for the first time that the red lights are going off around him. He gets up and follows Liz and Hellboy out of the recreational mess hall and down a passageway that leads to their top secret briefing room. Hellboy enters the room first and noticing his father, tosses his cigar out into the hall. Abe jumps as the glowing tobacco nearly touches him. Professor Broom, who is standing near a large bulletin board turn around to see Abe shut the door. He looks at his son, Hellboy with fatherly affection.
"What's up pop?" Hellboy asks. "Troll? Goblin? Demon?"
"No, my son. What we have here is a travesty." Broom begins as he walks over to the table and gestures the team to sit. "Your transportation will arrive shortly, but I want you to be forewarned. This which you are after today is very dangerous. Do not take chances if it attacks you."
"Sure pop." Hellboy nods. "I'll take care of the nasty."
"Then please, as always…be careful." He gestures for them to approach a thick metal door, which opens to reveal the back of the garbage truck.
The building's first impression is that it was probably once a very pleasant museum. As the three monster hunters cautiously enter the building, they notice its charming design and exhibits mean little when they are covered in human blood. Abe walks ahead of Hellboy and Liz, waving his hand gracefully through the air as if it were whisking through waves. For a moment he looks back at Hellboy, who is itching to pull out his gun. Liz's energy is twisted, but then again she always gets nervous during missions. Naturally, Hellboy is concerned for Liz's safety, which is why he is scooting closer to her the further in they go.
"Get out of my head, Abe." Hellboy growls, slightly irritated. "I got that itch that your in there so don't even try and fake a lie fishstick."
"Oh." Abe squeaks, slightly embarrassed to have been reading his friend on an almost subconscious level. "Sorry, Red." Abe stutters as he moves a little further ahead of his partners.
He sees a door, which catches his eye. Something eerie pulls him towards a source of energy he cannot place. Abe gently touches the door, but jerks his hand back as he sees the sights behind this structure. Hellboy and Liz stop just a few feet behind him waiting for a diagnosis.
"Behind this door…it's horrifying." He explains. "So much blood."
Hellboy gently moves Abe aside. All three stand in perfect silence as the door is slowly opened. "So much blood" is an understatement. Liz walks up and places her hand on Hellboy's shoulder. He gives her a nod and they enter.
"Abe…when you say blood…" Liz breathes. "This is so gross. What happened to these people? I'm going to be sick."
"A beast." Abe replies. "A wolf of some dark origin."
"Well this wolf obviously needs to be put down. I mean it stinks in here there's so much blood. A demon couldn't tell its tail from a rats ass in here." Hellboy grumbles as he covers his nose.
Abe waves his hand around the room, somehow knowing he should look for something. Then he catches a pulse. A very light heartbeat draws him to a large Victorian cabinet. He runs his hand along the side of it to be sure, retracting his hand as a body proves to be inside. Hellboy leans around Abe to watch the cabinet open, gun ready as he expects some demon thing with large snarling teeth to leap out. But instead, he sees a girl. She has stained white hair that is draped over her unclothed form.
Leaning down with his bare hand, Abe gently lifts the girl's head and it rolls limply to one side. Anxiously, Hellboy and Liz crowd Abe and the strange, seemingly dead young woman. Waving his hand over her face, Abe sees a flustering array of memory fragments. Images of rolling hills covered in green grass and flowers under a warm sun and a new blue silk dress unfold before his eyes. Hundreds, thousands of pages from books as old as the printing press itself flood in pieces to his mind. Abe can taste the sweet flavor of milk chocolate on his tongue. But most of all he fells the young woman's gentle heart and her eager mind. Her name is Maria Beauty…she loves romance novels and chocolate. Abe blinks. All of a sudden, nothing.
"I-I think she may have passed." Abe sighs.
"Naw, blue…" Hellboy awes. "Her eyes are cracked open."
Abe looks down and sees her half lit eyes, gray and grim with pain and despair. She parts her lips as if to speak, but falls limp. The water in Abe's breathing apparatus bubbles as he inhales sharply. Holding her head upright, Abe keeps her stable. Hellboy leans down next to Abe and whispers.
"What did you see?" He asks.
"Flowers and chocolate." Abe whispers, his mind far from this world.
"Uh, fellas?" Liz coughs. "You know that girl's naked? I'm not completely sure she's of age to be viewed bare by you two old crows."
"Uh…" The two guys say in unison.
Abe and Hellboy quickly avert their eyes.
"Hey Liz." Hellboy beckons. "Let me see yer jacket." He blindly reaches his hand out behind him expectantly.
"It's brand new." She sighs as she hands it over. "Why don't you use yours?"
"Do you want me wearing a jacket that some random naked girl was in. Little creepy." He notes, turning his head around to look at her.
"Point taken." She nods, rolling her eyes.
Hellboy throws the jacket on top of the woman and as gently as possible scoops her up into his arms. Her head rolls limply to the side and all three gasp at her pale porcelain face. Abe gently raises his hand to double check her pulse, but retracts it. She takes in a sudden breath and curls up against Hellboy like an injured kitten.
"Poor thing." Liz whispers. " We'd better get her to a hospital."
"We cannot." Abe insists. "She needs to be taken back to headquarters."
"Why?" Liz asks. "Does she have any information we can use to catch this thing?"
"If Abe has a hunch, then lets get her back to headquarters." Hellboy grunts as he turns to Liz. "For all we know…she is the attacker."
--
Professor Broom highly suggested the young woman be brought to the special infirmary located just past the library. He told Hellboy and the others to watch the young woman as she rested and to inform him if she awakens.
Laid out on the hospital bed the strange victim rests. Hellboy, Liz and Abe sit in a set of scattered chairs stolen from a nearby conference room as a nurse finishes up the last check up on the girl. Leaning over, Hellboy snaps his fingers to catch Abe's attention. Abe looks over at Hellboy with narrowed eyes as the action irritates him.
"Hey Blue. Why'd we need a nurse? How come your not bandaging our guest like usual?" He asks.
"Because, the young lady has several injuries that are not within my jurisdiction to view let alone touch even for medical purposes…it's better if I let someone of the same sex perform the repair." He pauses as Hellboy gives him a rather blank expression. "You see Red. The young lady…has several…areas…"
"Oh…" He nods slowly.
Hellboy leans back into his chair, lazily reaching his hand over and draping it around Liz's shoulders. He gives Abe a devilish smile and chuckles from knowledge he keeps in his head. Obviously thinking something perverted, Hellboy wags his tail back and forth as he gives Abe an uncomfortable stare. Liz glares at Hellboy and he looks away at a wall. Abe settles for a moment, before a quick line from Hellboy catches his attention.
"What was that, Red?" He asks before he thinks.
Rather quickly Abe wishes he had kept his mouth shut.
"Heh. I said, I guess you've never seen a pair."
"I-I certainly have n-n-not!" He stammers.
Abe jitters uncomfortably in his seat, retracting his hands to his chest as he looks bashfully down at the ground. The action causes Hellboy to bellow out a hearty laugh. Abe's entire body stiffens as his face is splashed with a warm sensation only he can feel when his adrenaline rises. Naturally though, Hellboy knows the sapien too well and only laughs louder as he recognizes his embarrassment. Liz gives Hellboy a well deserved love-tap as he wipes a tear from his eye. The nurse gives the three friends a nod as she makes her way out of the room.
"You examined her when we got here…not that you peeked or anything." Hellboy grins devilishly. "I think this little mystery girl has you swimming upstream. Is that it? Specially since you didn't want to touch her."
"Red." Liz warns.
"I gave some initial care giving…I-I have obligations as a gentlemen." Abe states in his defense.
"That you do." Liz agrees, admiring Abe's old fashion manners.
"Eh, get a room you two. I was just joke'n" Hellboy whims as he makes his way over to the bed. "Lets get a good look at our little guest.
The other two follow behind him. Hellboy leans down towards the bed and tilts his head to the side. This young woman…is beautiful. Her hair is white, but it looks like strands of silver silk, her skin appears to be made of soft luminescent porcelain and her lashes are a thick feathery outline for the bottom of a very large eye. It is very easy to imagine that her eyes would be large and shinning. Liz walks around Hellboy and awes at the beauties eerie and mysterious appearance. Abe looks over Hellboy's shoulder and silently gazes upon the face of an angel.
"She's beautiful…" Liz awes.
"Quite." Abe quirks and attempts to cover his blunder with a forced cough. "Now…as to why she needed to be secured in B.P.R.D. headquarters." Abe gently lifts her puffy upper lip to reveal a pearly white fang.
"I was beginning to wonder…" Hellboy mumbles as he takes a closer look at the girl. "So she's the monster, eh. Wolf?"
"No…" Liz looks up at Abe with disbelief. "Blue, is she a vampire?"
"A venturess of the night, drinker of human blood…yes, most commonly known as a vampire." Abe states as if delivering a lecture.
"So what do uncommon people call them, professor?" Hellboy taunts.
Abe raises his hand as if to answer…but honestly has none so he directs their attention back to the young lady with a fluent wave of his hand.
"This woman was probably a target for a wolf as they are natural enemies of vampire folk." Abe continues.
"Cool." Hellboy nods as he looks down at the girl.
"This isn't a joke red." Liz crosses her arms as she speaks. "Aren't vampires, I dunno…dangerous? And werewolves? We could be looking at a really big problem here."
"Vampires…" Abe begins as he recaptures their attention. "…can be, when they are hungry." He pauses and looks back down at the girl while raising his bare hand. "This one appears to be quite tame. Not all vampires are evil."
"As demons can sometimes be good." Liz says with a soft smile as she gently grasps Hellboy's hand. "Sometimes." She gives it a light squeeze.
As the two lovebirds stare into each others eyes, Abe looks down at something with a frail, angel-like appearance. His large, amphibious eyes gaze at this mysterious damsel in distresses inhumanly beautiful face. Abe wonders what color her eyes are as he senses a mixture of emotions within himself. A familiar voice causes him to turn around.
"Evening, children." Professor Broom greets. "Where and who is our little guest?"
"She's right here pop." Hellboy points to the girl with his stone hand. "apparently, she's a vampire or something'."
Professor Broom raises a brown at the propostion that his team had captured an actual vampire. He exclaims an expression of brief surprise before by the aid of his cane, he makes his way to the young woman's bedside. His old hands switch his cane among them until he settles in a comfortable standing position. Hellboy and the others part to give him some room.
"Vampire…haven't seen one of those in awhile." He chuckles. "And it's a young lady…very pretty." He nods. "How is her health fairing Abe?"
Abe steps forwards timidly looking away from the girl. He explains to Professor Broom that she will need plenty of bed rest as her injuries are substantial. Professor Broom notes an odd air to Abraham, as his eyes dart to catch the girl in his peripheral vision and then spring back to him.
"Well, you see…" Abe stifles a cough. "She has a great deal of physical stress immanent, but no scars besides a large gash across her chest. It should heal fine as long as she is provided for." Abe pauses, mentally imagining what a vampire feeds on. "S-She, uh-oh excuse me…has a concussion as well as a head wound, but no brain damage as well." He pauses, before informing. "…I managed too get the young ladies name as well. Maria Beauty."
"Eh, she is quite a looker." Hellboy jokes, earning a punch from Liz. "Crap. Just kiddn babe."
"Don't call me babe." She grunts, giving him another light tap.
"Thank you…Hellboy." The professor sighs. "Thank you Abe." He gives him a light smile.
"My pleasure, professor." Abe waves his hand gently in the air as he speaks.
"What are we going to do with her professor?" Liz asks timidly.
"First we must get her well." He begins. "Then we determine if she is willing to cooperate or not. But, with a face like that…I cannot imagine we would have a problem." Professor Broom , muses.
"Vampires have a natural aura…a scent that attracts others to them." Abe recites.
"Yes, I am aware Abraham. But, something tells me this young lady is going to give us very little trouble at all."
Recalling the images he saw when he first found her, Abe has to silently agree. The young woman tilts her head to the side as she lets out a groan of pain. Her body is tired and worn from running, but she is attempting to wake up. Everyone stands still. Professor Broom looks down at her pained expression and turns to Abraham with his hand raised and pointing. Abe stands to attention, ready for orders.
"Go and fetch her a glass of cold water." Broom instructs.
Abe nods his head turns to leave.
"Of course, professor. I'll be right back." He calls as he turns the corner.
"I'm sure you will." Hellboy chuckles.
As Abe runs down the hall towards the private kitchen for him and his comrades he cannot help but feel an air of something new within himself. Something about this woman seems to have everything about him in a knot. Her aura is just so gentle, yet alive with passion. He felt her sense of humanity when he accidentally peeked in her mind, though she managed to keep him out after a moment even in her state…which is very amazing in itself, Abraham learned of her love for reading romance novels and walking in the rain under a full moon. And of course, he also got her name. Maria Beauty…and she is quite beautiful.
Just as Abe enters the kitchen and opens the fridge, he hears a horrible shriek. It is unlike anything he has ever heard before; loud and shrill, so filled with terror it makes his skin crawl. His heart threatens to leap from his chest as he recognizes where it is resonating from. Abe runs with all his might down the hallway, his webbed feet hitting the floor with hard smacks. The medical ward is reached in no time at all with his long legs and Abe swings the door open full force. As he looks into the room, he is utterly speechless.
There, pressed against the wall is Maria, her long hair flowing around her as she clenches the cloth blanket to her bosom. Her beautiful face is filled with fear as tears well up in her wide eyes. She screams again at Hellboy and Abe looks down at himself for a good minute. He steps back and hides behind the wall.
"A-A-Demon!" She screams. "Oh, God! I've died and gone to Hell! Stay away from me! G-Go away! Lord I couldn't have been that bad!" She cries as she snatches any little thing within reach and hurls it at Hellboy.
"I had her figured to be the fainting type." Hellboy grunts as a pen hits his head. "Lady calm down. Control yourself, will ya? If its about the water, I'm sure Abe will be back any second!"
"Go away!"
"I'm nowhere near you!" Hellboy shouts, blocking her weaponry with his stone hand.
"Please, people…be civilized." Professor Broom booms his voice through the room. "Young lady you are in B.PR.D Headquarters…far enough way from Hell. You are alive, well and safe, so please calm yourself."
Maria freezes in place and eyes the professor questioningly. She sniffs as tears continue to lightly stream down her flushed face. Broom gestures for Liz to approach him. Maria seems skeptical, but takes Liz's hand and is brought over to the professor. Maria sizes up Broom, intentionally or unintentionally she deciphers that he can be trusted and cautiously extends her hand. Broom notices the young woman's shaky movements and sure enough, she soon passes out from the sudden excitement. Liz catches her and Hellboy helps heave the girl back onto the bed.
"Has a little fight in her." Liz comments.
"Yes…but, she was so afraid." He looks down at the sleeping woman before looking up and around. "Did Abraham return yet?"
Abe feels like a stone has taken a place in his heart. He had hoped so deeply to be friends with this girl…but if she reacts that way towards Red she will surely hate him. Then again, how self-conscious has he ever been before? Plenty of people have seen Abe and yes, some freak out but most are just shocked. Women usually feint, with one exception. Being, Liz of course.
Some time ago, Abe had been interested in vampire ways after a rumored attack in Transylvania. Vampires need fresh blood as nourishment and develops a scent that attracts others to them. Being fish and man, Abe shouldn't be affected by her power…but he admits his own loneliness might be the cause. Regardless, Abe wonders why he should care so much because she would never like him more than a friend, though the thought crosses his mind.
He sighs deeply, wondering if there is a way to show how similar they are without physically confronting her. At the least, he can make her stay more comfortable. Regardless, he feels her vampiric powers affecting him in more ways than one and mentally notes that keeping his distance would be wise whether she freaks out or not.
"Abe." Hellboy snaps as he leans out into the hallway. "Stop sitting on the floor and get in here with that water. Don't worry, the crazy vampire is sleeping now."
"Oh…yes." Abe slowly gets to his feet and cautiously enters the room.
--
Maria sits in her own little room, given to her upon clearing the hospital tests. She still has to get plenty of bed rest, but at least she can walk down to the kitchen if she wishes or as the professor mentioned…the library.
She is very grateful at how accommodating the people are being. Abraham, apparently a medical expert of some kind diagnosed her with a case of amnesia so no time can tell how long she will have to wait to remember...anything. For now, she feels a contentment, as this place which does resemble something of an underground prison also seems to be very safe. No one is mean to her and everyone goes out of their way to make her comfortable. She looks at herself in the vanity and admits that some of that care may be because of her natural beauty.
Maria sits down at a simple vanity and looks at her green eyes. They resemble spring.
…you should see them when they're red…
"W-Wha-" She shakes her head.
"Maria?" Liz calls as she gently raps on the door. "You here?"
"Y-Yes. Please come in Liz.
"I hope the clothes fit okay?" Liz asks. "Sorry, but we have to finish filing your paperwork before we can get you some clothes of your own."
"It fine." Maria says as she looks down at the long blue gown and then up at Liz's dark clothes. "Does not seem like an article you would wear." She comments idly.
"It was a gift from an agent on my birthday." Liz says with a smile. "Never worn, see there's the tag sticking out right over there." She points.
"Oh." Maria exclaims, slightly embarrassed. "It's very lovely anyway." She comments as she carefully removes the tag.
"I, uh have something for you." Liz awkwardly offers Maria a small book with an envelope stuck inside like a bookmark. "It's from…"
"Abraham?" Maria asks as she reads the name signed at the bottom of the paper. "He diagnosed me." She says, waiting for a nod from Liz. "How nice. I love books." She gently says as she cradles the item to her chest.
"We have a library." Liz mentions.
"I forget." Maria says softly. "I don't like to wander around." She adds as she reads the note.
Dear Miss Maria Beauty,
I wish you the best of luck in your recovery. Please enjoy this small token of an extended hand towards friendship. Please do not hesitate to request anything from me. I think you enjoy books. Here is one I am sure you will like if you wish to indulge yourself.
-Abraham
"He wanted to help you feel a little more welcome." Liz adds.
"What a sweet man." Maria whispers as she gently runs her fingers over the cover of the book. "I-I think I love this book." She smiles, almost smitten. "How utterly sweet…and thoughtful." She sighs. "You know, the stories in books are eternal. They never age." More of a misplaced thought than a statement, she gets an odd nod from Liz, but continues on topic. "How did he know?" She asks, her eyes laminated with intrigue.
"Honestly, Abe is a telepath and can read minds. He was the one who found you and when he picked you up, he probably accidentally read a bit of your mind." Liz answers honestly.
"Everyone here is so inhuman in the most peculiar way." Maria muses. "I feel oddly…at home. Among these rather irregular creatures." She chuckles. "But, I shouldn't because I'm only human."
The professor had thought it better to tell Maria the truth when she was ready. Liz wonders how long it will take for her to remember on her own. Another thought beckons the idea of feeding. Will Maria get that lusty hunger everybody muffles about behind her back…or can she simply, not remember?
"You're special too." Maria softly says, catching Liz's attention.
"Yes." Liz states unashamed. "But you know, those who don't look normal…like me, you know how Red-"
She's cut off by Maria's voice.
"Abraham?" She asks, her green eyes wide. "I remember him finding me." She gently hold up his note. "He smells like rain."
Maria's mind seems to jump quite often, as when her fascination with a subject is sparked she can completely forget about any previous thought and merely focuses on a new on. Sometimes Maria seems like a child with her inability to stay focused on certain subjects as she often only hears and says what is at the top of her head. If something is deemed any less important than critical to explain or consider, she simply forgets about it.
Liz shuffles from side to side, not really knowing how to dance around Abe's appearance. Yeah, Hellboy is a weird looking guy, but Abe…he's a walking fish. Not wanting to harm Abe's chances of making a new friend and a simple knowledge of how fondly he thinks of the beautiful young girl, Liz attempts to deliver an explanation that does hardly any explaining at all. Much like a politician.
"Abe…" She draws his name out for more thinking time. "He's special, like Red and me…but not the same as either of us."
"I've heard his voice." She says, picking the book up. "I could sense him somehow, when I was frightened in the room…because he was so sad." Maria looks out into the hallway.
"Can you read minds?" Liz asks.
"No." Maria answers. "I'm pretty sure I'm just a normal girl. Though I pick up how people feel pretty easily." She gives Liz a warm smile before fiddling with her fingers. "Is…he nice?" She asks.
"The…nicest guy in the world." Liz whispers as she goes to leave Maria with her book. "It should be a crime."
--
Maria quickly becomes fascinated with Abe and he only grows more and more infatuated with her as time passes by. A month later and they have exchanged more letters than most write in a lifetime. Maria tells him everything about the memories she is slowly getting returned to her and he tells her about all kinds of information he learns through his constant reading. Abe carries a new kind of spring in his step. The contents secrecy of his letters to Maria become more and more revealing of his inner most thoughts as she tells him hers.
Meanwhile, the Professor watches her closely without hovering, just to keep an eye out for the day she recalls what she is…for it may or may not be a good one. It is easy and true to say that her attention to Abe is nothing short of unnerving. No one can say that a vampire does not feed wherever there is food…but feedings are generally backed with some kind of preference to the vampire. After all, when one generally dines they tend to eat what they like.
Something in particular that had first sparked Broom's concern is Maria's longing to go on walks at night. Special meals have been prepared for her consisting of very rare cooked steaks and anything filled with iron…but Broom worries she may be remembering what it tastes like to have a thick red liquid freshly sucked form the neck of a hansom young man. He cannot ignore how often she speaks of Abe with her questions…and then the letters.
" Dear Abraham…The moon was so beautiful last night, I wish you could have joined me for a stroll. How I wish I could have." Abe sighs as he sits at his desk and gently sets the returned book down. "…please let me say how flattered I am that you enjoyed my thoughts on Dickinson, as I must say the text was a bit hard to follow, though I know I've read it before. I love to read, but sometimes things don't go through so well." He smiles to himself as he imagines her wrinkling her nose as she gently smiles.
…Though I love writing to you, dear Abraham I wish to at the least speak with you. I know I said I wouldn't at your discretion, but I am in dire need of some comfort and advice. Please come to my room as soon as you can. I will wait up all night if you make me…
Abe looks up at the door to the library. He gently touches his breathing apparatus as he takes the letter and places it within the book. Swaying his hand he reshelves the novel and walks over to his tank in deep thought. Abe gently touches the glass and thinks about actually talking to Maria and maybe…even seeing her face. Ashamed as he may be, Abe has seen her in the library numerous times and has spied on her reading books for hours on end. He loves to look at her beautiful silk hair and catch a glimpse of her bright green eyes. Of course, if he could just see her without her screaming and freaking out, Abe would not have to resort to spying, but in the meantime…it's a dirty little secret no one has to ever find out about.
Before he even realizes that he is walking, Abe is at her door.
"Maria?" Abe gently taps on the door. "M-Maria?" Nervously, he twitches a turn to leave.
"Abraham?" Her sweet silver bell voice calls. "You came!"
"Of course. Anything you need…" He stops as he sees the handle to the door turning and throws all of his weight into the door. "Please Maria! You can't see me, that's the only way I can stay. I-I'm sorry."
"Very well." She sighs after a moments pause. "Abraham…I couldn't take the chance of someone reading my letters. You're the only one I can talk to." She slides to the floor on the other side of the door. "I sleep all day and want to stay up all night…and I've been having the utter most horrid nightmares." Her voice begins to quiver. "And sometimes without any reason at all I get this metallic taste in my mouth…like I've been licking a battery." She gently touches her lips and feels her sharp teeth.
…and…you like it…
Maria briefly looks around, but they are the only ones there.
"I think I'm going insane. There's this voice…" Her voice drops to utter. "It makes me feel odd."
Abe freezes. Maria is remembering her hunger most likely.
"I-I'm sure its nothing." Abe stammers. "Perhaps you are just feeling ill and have yet to realize it." He offers. "Maybe you should lie down."
"Abraham." She breathes, sounding mesmerized. "I…don't know how to say this, but…" She takes in a sharp breath. "My body feels empty, like its missing something. I don't know exactly what it wants, but when I hear your voice…"
…You get a little thirsty…
Maria stops to listen, but the voice is already gone. It had not sounded like Abraham, but who else could be speaking? It still sounds odd to Maria, but she would be able to smell another person if they were there. As she gently sniffs the air she can smell Abe, and he smells like rain.
…Go on dear, invite him in for a drink…
"Did you say something Abraham?" Maria asks, a little shocked.
"W-Why…no. I was w-waiting for you to continue." He stammers, still a little flushed by the derogatory way she was explaining her predicament. "Please…c-continue."
"Abraham. I'm just so confused." She dryly sobs. "I'm missing something, I know I am…but I don't know, what it is." Maria grabs a hold of the hem of her blue dress and swishes it lightly. "Oh, I can't stand being so close to you…yet I cannot see or touch you." She lowers her voice to a soft whisper towards the end. "I like to see people when I speak to them. It's hard to tell what others think when you cannot see their eyes." She pouts.
"I know…and, I'm deeply sorry." He says. "Perhaps you should tell…the Professor of your ailment though. Maybe he can help."
"Abraham…am I different like Red and Liz…like you?" She suddenly asks.
"Maria." He pauses, considering what to say. "You are very special."
"What am I?" She asks.
"I cannot tell you…you must remember." He says, leaning against the door. "I-I have to go Maria. Goodbye."
"Goodbye Abraham…" She softly says as she listens to his soft steps fade.
…Yes…Goodbye Abraham…
The voice again. Maria tenses her body, listening for it to speak again.
…Dear, Maria I'm glad you're starting to listen…took you long enough…
Maria darts her eyes back and forth as a chill runs up her spine.
…What a smooth voice that man has, though you can tell he's got that older gentleman speak…
"What?" Maria jumps, looking around. "Who's there?"
…just your conscience Maria, here to guide you…
"Guide me? Is this a trick?" Maria asks as she begins searching around her room for a microphone or camera. "Is this a trick?"
…Not a trick. All I want is to help you…
"How exactly?" Maria asks as she takes a seat on her fluffy bed.
…You really like Abraham…
"Yeah. I do." She smiles, gingerly tilting her head and lightly biting her lower lip as she grins..
…He's the proper type…old fashioned…but I can get him in your bed…or you in his…
"I didn't say I wanted to sleep with Abraham." Maria huffs, a little offended. "What gave you that idea?"
…perhaps all those dreams gave me an idea…
"What dreams?" Maria says defensively. "Who told you?" A deep red hue covers her cheeks.
…there is a reason why you feel the way you do when you speak to him…
"I really do like him." Maria says as she twiddles her fingers.
…you really like him…you want him…
"Will you stop with that!" She shouts as she shoves her head into a pillow. "Go away!"
…dear, it is okay to feel this way…it is in your nature…it is what you vampires do after all…
"Vampire?" Maria quirks as her head springs form the fluff of the pillow. "Did you say vampire, mysterious voice form nowhere?"
…it's perfectly normal to want…
"But…what…" Maria stammers as memories trickle into her head.
…you're starting to remember what you are…those cheap tricks won't keep working for long…
"Tricks? The steaks and liver?" Maria asks, and answers her own question as all pieces begin to make sense. "I am…a vampire." She falls back down onto her bed with a heavy sigh. "I'm getting hungry…" She mumbles, stating the fact as it dawn on her. "That's what's happening to me. It's coming back." She looks up at the ceiling drearily.
…yes, you are…and I know what you want…
Maria digs her nails into the sheets as images flood her mind without warning. Red, everywhere everything is red. She shuts her eyes tight, but still…red.
…you want blood…very specific blood…more than just blood…
"I want…" She forces her eyes closed and rakes her nails across her bed sheet as her body stiffens. "I-I want…" Gritting her teeth, Maria slowly rises from her bed, eyes glowing red. :I want…Abraham…" Her voice is a quiver as she fights the inability to control her bodies reaction to the thought.
…yes…that is the only thing that will make the red go away child…
"B-But Abraham…" Maria stammers as her hands clench. "I don't want to hurt him." She quivers.
…take your time and be gentle with him…while you can still control yourself…
"Abraham." She sighs dreamily as she gently bites the end of her pillowcase.
…yes young, beautiful Maria…go woo your first evening meal in weeks…
"Only if he wants to…I won't force him, just dance around the idea and if he, you know goes along with it…" She muses.
Outside the library, Maria adjusts her dress, tugging it down to show a little of herself off. She peeks inside to see that a reading light is on. Creeping into the room, she sighs as he manages to sense her anyways and scrambles off into the shadows. Her eyes light up with curiosity. He's very tall and thin, with broad yet slender shoulders and seems to be wearing a pair of tight swimming shorts. Maria had imagined he would be quite skinny considering his constant mentioning of how much he enjoys to swim. And Abraham does seem to be built like a swimmer.
"M-Maria! Oh, my. Oh, I-I must go!" He quivers as he goes to open a door.
"Abraham…" Maria pleads, gently sliding her hand along the top of his desk as she walks towards him. "Please don't go. I…I can't do it any longer."
"W-What?"
"I know what I am…" She whispers. "And everything that has been happening to me is because of it. It won't be long till I can no longer fight. I need comfort, please help me."
Her voice is so soothing to the ears and enticing to the soul that Abe finds he cannot move, let alone get away. Maria bats her lashes at him and sways her hips as she leans against the chair. Purposed movements or just habit Abe cannot tell, but she does seem to genuinely need his help. Abe watches her size him up by his silhouette, her eyes roaming everywhere. He makes a small choking sound as her eyes fall upon his flesh like a blistering heat. Leaving would only hurt her feelings, but revealing himself may prove a drastic decline in her letter writing. Either way, he might as well get it out there…his appearance and all.
"You will not like what you see." He warns.
"I don't care what I see." She whispers as she beckons for him to come into the light. "Please, you said you would do anything for me…let me see you. Let me know that, you do exist. Give me a face to put in my dreams to give my mind some peace, Abraham."
Abe stares into her red eyes hypnotized. He cannot help but obey her command as he slides his foot out into the light. Maria recoils back, struck by surprise as she sees his webbed toes.
…Abraham is an animal…
The voice echoes in Maria's head as she tries to make her body run to the door, but the entity makes her body stiff and immobile. Once in full lighting, Abe looks down at Maria and gives her an awkward smile. She crooks her neck to see his face clearly and notices the most odd, yet beautiful markings on his skin. She wonders if he is real though he is right in front of her now. Reaching her hand out Maria gently lets her fingertips touch the cold, smooth skin of his stomach. Abe shivers at the gentle touch on his sensitive skin. Surprised by the gesture, he recoils back into the shadows.
…It's like wanting to sleep with your goldfish…
Maria takes a light step back as she brings her hand to the crook of her neck. Her large eyes are open wide and display an array of emotion flowing through her mind like a raging river. She breathes very quietly, afraid to startle Abraham further and yet she also wonders how she can make an excuse to leave. Abe tries to remain as still as possible. He twitches his fingertips, feeling something from her though it is difficult to get a clear reading from her without waving his hand. Even without a scanning he can tell she is afraid…but also intrigued to a degree. Whether that is generally good or not is still up for grabs.
"Maria." Abe speaks at last as he nervously cups his hands together. "We're two civil…creatures…" He notes, realizing he is not technically a person and she, used to be a human at some point. "Please, do not be fooled by my appearance." He emphasizes by waving his hand over his face with a fluent gesture. "As my letters have explained to you, I'm a very well established intellectual. As are you, with all that you have read in your lifetime." He offers, lightly moving his center of gravity forward.
" You do appear to be." She whispers. "You…think I'm intellectual?" She asks.
"Your thoughts on Madea really made me think of the story in another light." He comments, taking a step forwards.
The action surprises Maria who jumps backwards by reflex. She continues to look at Abe with wide eyes. No one has ever cared about what she thinks…people can never get past talking about how beautiful she is to speak or think of anything she says. Especially here. Yet, he reads her letters and despite appearances has a gentleman charm she feels she can relate to.
She calls herself shallow, but she cannot ever let her own mental attraction over ride physical dislike. Maria sits herself down and sighs as she looks down at the floor. As freaky as it is that she has some attraction to a fish-man…being in his presence calms a side of her that has until now been restless. Perhaps it is his caring stare, but something about him gives Maria peace.
"…I can't hate him…its too late…as shallow as I am…" Maria thinks to herself, careful to not think hard enough for him to be able to hear.
She chuckles tiredly.
"When they said do not judge a book by its cover…there should have been an equal quote reading; pages do not describe the cover." She looks up at Abe and smiles. "Funny how it means the same thing as well as something completely different at the same time." Her smile falters slightly as she sees Abe's saddening face. "Can you still help me, Abraham?"
"If you will let me." He cheers, contained. "Please, how may I help?" He steps up to her with zest and a wave of his hand, honestly surprised when she does not flinch.
"I'm a vampire…" She says it with little emotion. "And now I remember my thirst. I can no longer trick my brain…and my body has not forgotten for I am growing weak. In more ways than one." Her eyes fade to their liberating green, though appear faded. "Can you help me…"
"Maria…"Abe gasps, recoiling within himself. "How…I…"
Though the original plan was to suck his blood, she certainly cannot go through with it. Besides the fact that Abe is a walking goldfish…he really is a sweet, thing. Her mind works fast to develop a plan.
"Easy." She smiles. "Take me on a night walk…and I'll go out." She suggests coyly as her eyes flicker red.
"Are you suggesting that I…aid in an attack on an innocent citizen?" Abe asks, appalled at the idea of Maria sucking the blood from someone. "I cannot."
Maria tilts her eyelids as the voice in her mind breaks through like hazy static.
…don't take no as an answer…you know how to get what you want…
Maria's eyes become stained with a bloody red and instantly transfixes Abraham.
…no is never an option…for any man…
"But you must." She softly claims. "You already promised me anything. Do you always go back on your word, Abraham?"
Inside her something is boiling. The blood is almost for another source besides herself or at least it feels that way. Maria begins to feel a bit of panic as she realizes how much she needs the blood and how desperate she will get if she does not drink. If she loses control…Abraham may pay for it…
"I…cannot help you hurt people. We can get you blood packs, Maria-"
"It's not the same Abraham." She quickly snaps. "If I don't get the real deal…I'll eventually grow too weak to heal and…my, youth will, be no more." She looks away briefly, ashamed to be throwing out this crap of an excuse.
Then Abe is purely shocked as she turns back to him with a small gesture that takes on life of its own. Her face seems to glow as her expression takes on a sculptor's dream. She runs a hand through her silver hair and gently parts her lips.
"Tell me…how do I look?" She asks as she glows like an angel even with her red eyes boring into his mind.
"You're…my." He sputters nervously. "You're beautiful. Radiant. Lovely" He sighs smitten beyond belief.
She feels her cheeks flushing from his honest opinion..
"Yes…and aside from being ill I will begin to age. How can I keep in your favors with a face that shows my age?" She chuckles, playing with a compass on his desk.
"I don't care what you look like-" He freezes as her soft finger presses against his lips.
"This bodies well being is at stake." She whispers with a tone that does not seem to fit her right.
…I need blood fish stick…and I'll have yours if you don't…
Maria's eyes open wide as she trembles at the thought. Something so vile should never be executed on such a tame creature like Abraham for it would taint him like oil in water. Even if he is not what she expected, Maria still feels for Abe and realizes that caring for him in such a way may mean protecting him from herself.
"Pease Abraham…do this one thing for me. If you care for me, please." She pleads, lightly beating his chest once with a limp fist. "Please?"
Abe looks down at her large green eyes and sighs. How can he say no to a face like hers?
--
The night air is cool and braces Abraham for a chilling thought. Tonight, Maria is going to go out and taking someone's blood…and he is going to let her. A chill runs up Abe's spine as he watches her walk ahead of him, her gown like a ghost in the light night breeze. She whisks around, a sense of urgency on her face that worries Abe. He takes a few extra large steps and is at her side, his hand waving to catch her attention. How pathetic, that he has to lower himself so much because he had to fall in love with a woman. A vampire.
"Abraham…"Her voice catches him slightly off guard. "I'm sorry that our first real meeting has to be like this." Her eyes fill with sadness. "I wanted to talk to you and be with you…but I have to do this." She whispers, opening her mind up to him.
Abe sees pain in her heart as she fades into a cloud of red eyed bats. A strong fire within her is briefly shown to him that would have otherwise burned him as it grew and he realizes she does not want him to hurt. He is able to see a part of her that truly cares for his mind as he cares for hers, but with that is another thought; how would it ever work? Just having someone by the mental bond that they share is enough for Abe…at least for him it is. Why must he look like an animal, but yearn as any other man? Life is unfair.
He waits for what feels like an eternity for Maria to return. She has an aura about her that troubles Abe as he greets her. She wears a guilty expression with watery eyes and adverts her stare. In her hand is a small silver metal band that she hides away when she catches him glancing at it shine under the light of the full moon. Maria looks up at Abe and feels a misplaced sense of longing for him. Shaking the thought from her head as it would be utterly impossible to go anywhere with a…gentleman of his kind romantically. Though her outing proved to do nothing for her but cause an empty kind of release, she thinks of mixed-species mingling. The idea sounds too wrong.
"How was your outing?" Abe's voice startles her even though it is soft and choked.
"…"
"Do you need anything else?" He asks, a little persistent for them to go back into the building. "Miss Beauty?"
"Abraham." She softly goes to his side. "May I…please sleep in the library, on a couch perhaps?" Her body is withdrawn within itself, not wanting to touch him, but mentally longing for his company.
"In the library?" He asks, his voice braking.
"Just for tonight." Maria states. "If you don't mind, Abraham."
"But…t-the library, it's where my…"He trails off, covering his mouth with his trembling hand. "I sleep there, you know it's very much like a room to me-"
"I know." Her soft voice reaches his ears and he melts to pieces. "But…may I?"
Her eyes flutter as they dart from him to the ground then back up to him. Abe feels his body running slowly as his mind races at speeds he thought nonexistent. Every time she says his name he loses himself in her voice. No amount of guilt could rid him of his affection for her. So Abe nods to her question and takes the lead, not out dominance but so she is out of his sights and his mind can think straight.
Maria gently sets herself on the largest couch in the library and gingerly lays down. Her legs tuck into herself and she rests her head on her arms. Green eyes look up at Abe and he realizes that he has been watching her lay down to rest. Without a second thought Abe turns completely around and begins apologizing. Maria giggles softly and he turns his head towards her just enough so she can see that he is listening to her.
"Good night Abraham." She closes her eyes and sighs gently. "You don't know what this means to me." A gentle yawn escapes her lips. "…How do you sleep?"
"I…float." He remarks, nervously. "In there." He gestures idly to his tank.
"You're a real gentleman…I, feel safe." She whispers before her body goes limp.
Abe is startled by her seemingly genuine compliment. A piece of his heart melts into putty as he watches her slumber peacefully. He had planned to tell the others of her state…but feels a sense of obligation towards Maria to keep it a secret. After all…
He has to protect her.
--
MissKeith: "Hello, this is my very first Hellboy Fanfiction. I'm a big fan of both the comic and movie version of Hellboy. But, this fic is in the movieverse, because Abe seems to be much more of a romantic than in the comics. I hope i've captured him and everyone else well and have set a decent tone for the story. It's only three chapters, but they are going to each be as long as this first one. I feel the pacing is a little fast, but its only three chapters...so I hope it doesn't bother you guys. If this one goes well, I may write another fic, but I have a few older stories i'm still slowly finishing so yeah. And uh, if you like this first chapter please review and let me know! If no one reviews then i'll think it sucks and you guys may never get to see how it ends because i'll get discouraged and not want to write. Uh, i've praddled on enough...if you liked this story, while you wait for the next chapter you can always go my page and check out some other stories of mine. Enjoy!"
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters depicted in my story...except Maria, because she's an OC.
…It's like wanting to sleep with your goldfish…