When Abe awoke he could feel is body aching, every little movement was painful, but at least none of his injuries were lethal. He looked around the room and panic set his heart ablaze, when he couldn't see Louise anywhere. He quickly sat up though his body was pleading him not to. He gave a small groan of pain, but it didn't matter when Louise was missing. To his relieve however Louise came into the room with a concerned look on her face.
"Be careful." She soothe before kneeling down and handing him a cup with coffee and some bread. Seeing that it came from a coffee shop he looked up with concern.
"You went out on your own." He stated slightly scolding her, to which she crossed her arms, but started smiling.
"I was careful I promise. Now hurry up and eat that, so we can get home. I do not fancy meeting one of those banshees again. I'll drive home so you can rest and I have called Red and Liz to let them know what happened." She continued to talk like this, almost as if she was ranting. Abe tried to get a word in edgewise, but failed miserable. He finally reached out with his hand to take hers, but she pulled it to her in an almost panicked movement. The happiness from the night before now turned out to be a curse. It allowed the hurt he was feeling from this rejection to scale out of proportion. His heart contracted in on itself and he couldn't breathe. Louise gave him an apologetic look, but was unable to keep eye contact.
"Sorry... Still a little jumpy from last night." She explained.
"I understand." Abe replied in a friendly voice trying to suppress the immediate hurt he had felt.
Walking through the trollmarket later, Louise behaved very differently than the day before. She seemed on edge and worried. Understandable after what happened with the banshee, but it saddened Abe. He had finally allowed himself to really hope that she could care for him, without being bothered that he wasn't human. Now she seemed nervous and was hesitant to look at anything or anyone... even him. He had offered her his arm to give her some sort of emotional support, but she had politely refused. Abe manage to convince himself that she was just upset and needed time to adjust to what had happened. Over the next week however this behaviour didn't seem to change. She was distant, burrowed herself in her work and was quiet around him. The combination of Red and Abe's drunken discussion with what happened at the trollmarket, had finally scared her away. Abe wanted to search her thoughts, to see if there was anything he could do to remedy it, because at present he had no idea how to do it otherwise. Unfortunately she never took of her bracelet and he could find no excuse to come in direct contact with her. His heart was breaking.
- OOO -
Looking over the evidence found so far, Abe and Johan found nothing that could give them a solid lead. All they knew was that this cult was searching for the key to resurrection and eternal life. This had been done before, but never in the way that they seemed to be trying now. Normally a cult would be more specific in its research, rather than spread out in so many different directions. The last one so cast such a wide net was Hitler during the last periods of the Second World War. They were planning something big and extensive. Not only was Darren searching for personal immortality and glory, but he was also promising it to others. Humans and magical creatures alike. Abe tried looking into the name the banshee called Louise, "The Serpent Charmer". He looked into legends of gorgons, truly hoping that those were not the creatures Darren Connor was summoning. Also he could find no evidence of anyone controlling them. He looked into the legends of snakes. He searched everything from Minoan the snake goddess in ancient Greece, to Hindu legends and the Midgaard Serpent from Nordic mythology. Nothing seemed to fit. They needed a conclusive lead and they needed it soon. Darren had kept on killing young women and up until now ten victims had been found. They seemed to have nothing in common at all and evidence suggested that they were randomly picked. Abe however found this very hard to believe. What was even worse was that the newest four victims were not found in the states, but all over the world, Ireland, Greece and India. They were moving around and using the whole world as their personal playground for torture. This made locating them even harder. It also disturbed Abe that the banshee had found Louise so easily. He was convinced it was a message and a threat from Darren, just as the cuts on Louise's arms had been. He was telling them that he could attack and find them at any given moment. They were playing his game, following his rules and they only got the information that he wanted them to get. Abe now feared for Louise's life more than ever. As for her behaviour nothing had changed. She still kept herself at a distance from him. After the episode at the trollmarket she had devoted a lot of time to train her shooting and was improving quickly. Abe had tried to talk to Liz about it, but she had told him to have patience with Louise, reminding him of all the terrible things that had happened over the last seven weeks. It didn't help ease his mind. He had come so reliant on his physic abilities that not being able to read her was almost painful to him.
Louise had been frustrated ever since the day at the trollmarket. She hated being so reliant on others and unable to defend herself. She was tired of being Darren's toy and absolutely refused to give into this psychotic game he was playing. In her frustration she had decided to focus on her work to put the fear at a distance. In addition to this she was determined to know how to use a gun probably. Standing on the street seeing Abe nearly getting killed and the only thing she could do was throw a rock... the anger she felt at herself was al consuming. She didn't want to need others, but wanted to be strong so that others could need her. Sitting in the library, she hadn't noticed that they had received visitors before she heard them arguing. She probably shouldn't have interfered, but curiosity got the better of her. As she got closer to the door she could hear Johan's unmistakeable accent.
"... we have tried to find them, but without any luck. We need to get them out of hiding and the best way to do that is by presenting them with something we know they want." Johan explained in a stern voice.
"You are talking about using her as bait!" Red growled.
"We have spent the last two months protecting her from him and now you want to put her in a situation where she is at risk? You saw what he did to her. Can you even imagine what he is capable off if he gets to her?" Abe said angrily. Louise was a little taken aback. She had never heard him raise his voice.
"There is no evidence to suggest that he will be present." Johan tried.
"Still, it's a big risk, with a very little change of gaining anything." Liz replied concerned.
Louise couldn't stand it any longer and walked into the room.
"What is it that I can't do?" She asked raising an eyebrow. Abe immediately looked at her and the fear in his eyes evident to everyone.
"Miss Moran, pleasure to see you again. If you would sit down please and I'll explain." Johan said in a friendly voice. Louise did as he asked and sat down in the couch next to Liz, as Hellboy, Abe and Johan took the chairs.
"Remember I told you about a party, or cult meeting, I had an invitation to at Professor Paul Brennan's estate?" Johan continued.
"Vaguely... Have you found any leads?" Louise scotched forward leaning her weight in her elbows resting on her knees, curios to hear where this was going.
"Not as such. Our investigation has not been going as swiftly as we would like. I have obtained information that some of his guest might have information about Darren Connors cult, but determining who that might be, is proving difficult. Therefor..." Johan was cut off by Hellboy.
"He wants to use you as bait, hoping that one of the sons of bitches will try and kidnap you." Red grumbled clearly not satisfied with this plan.
"This is a bad idea, we have no idea what will happen or what he will do to her if he catches her." Abe interjected.
"What other option do we have, Abraham?" Johan asked in a resignedly tone.
"I still say we just go in there and pummel them until someone talks." Red stated leaning back into his chair. Johan just huffed at this responds.
"Let's do it." Louise said in a determined voice. Everyone's eyes landed on her with surprise.
"Please reconsider." Abe pleaded, but she shook her head.
"Are you sure? You don't have to. We won't force you to do anything." Liz said concerned.
"No. You are talking like this is only about me, but it's not. Women are being murdered out there and if there is a way to find out, where this creep is I want to help. I can't just sit by, when I have a chance to help." Louise stated calmly.
"Thank you Miss Moran. I assure you we will have agents nearby should something happen and since I have the invitation I will make sure you are safe." Johan explained with relief in his voice.
"And I will be waiting there as well." Abe said with a hint of reassurance in his voice.
"Hey, don't think you are leaving without me." Red stated.
"Just be careful." Liz said concerned looking at Red.
"The party is this evening." Johan said as he handed her the invitation.
"Well, it looks like you have a date Dr. Krauss." Louise said teasingly and Johan gave a chuckle.
- OOO -
Abe hated this. He knew from the moment that Johan suggested that Louise should go she would accept. He was angry at Johan for even suggesting it. At least both he and Red would be there and Johan had assured him that they would be wearing microphones the whole time. Louise just had to come out of this alive and well... she had to. Abe, Johan, Red, Meyers and two other agents where going over the strategy for the night. Their main priority was to ensure that Louise was safe. When they were almost done Louise appeared in the living room. Seeing her, Abe had to compose himself as his breath became rapid, his gills moving faster and his heart aching to get near her. She was wearing a black and white cocktail dress, high heels, long silver earrings and silver necklace to go with her bracelet. Her hair was twisted in an elegant sideways ponytail leaving the left side of her neck exposed and was wearing dark makeup. She was breathtaking and from the reaction the agents gave her they felt the same. This sparked a little jealousy in Abe, an emotion he was unfamiliar with in this context. Meyers was the first to go towards her.
"Louise it's good to see you again. You look stunning." Meyers said with admiration in his voice, but Louise gave a small laugh of disbelief.
"Thank you, unfortunately beauty is not a lasting virtue." She smiled. Meyers looked confused as he didn't know how she reacted when complimented.
"Are you ready to leave Miss Moran?" Johan asked.
"Yes and please call me Louise." She smiled and they walked out into the cars.
Abe, Louise, Meyers and Johan drove in one car and Red with the other agents. Louise and Abe were sitting in the backseat. Abe knew he probably couldn't convince her to reconsider, but he had to try.
"You don't have to do this. I can tell Johan you changed your mind and we can turn around." He whispered pleadingly.
"You know this is the easiest way to force them out of hiding. Besides don't worry so, this time I am not defenceless." She whispered darkly as she pulled up her dress slightly, revealing a gun strapped to her thigh. Abe swallowed hard and just nodded in responds quickly turning his gaze out the window. The rest of the trip he was fighting two emotions. Fear for what the night would bring and the burning desire Louise was starting to light in him. When they got to the destination, where they were to split up, Abe got out first. He offered Louise his hand as she was about to step out. She made a poor attempt pretending not to see it as she helped herself out of the car. It felt as if his heart was being crushed. His longing for her was turning into agony and had him momentarily wondering if he could die from a broken heart. They got into a van where the agents were waiting with different equipment. After they had placed a microphone on Louise, she, Johan and an agent posing as a driver got back into the car.
Driving up the Paul Brennan's estate Louise was feeling nervous. She knew she had to do this and she felt better knowing she had a gun within reach, but she couldn't help wonder if she was strong to do this. She just prayed that it wouldn't be necessary to use the gun and that she would actually hit what she was aiming at if she did. She also felt better knowing that Red, Abe and Meyers where close by. When the car stopped, Johan stepped out and offered his hand, as she was about to step out of the car. She took it gladly and had to smile to herself of the number of true gentlemen she had met during the last two months. Johan offered her his arm and she took it. It felt strange walking up to a fancy party at a fancy house, with a diving suit as your companion. Truth was that she had never been to such a thing and hoped that her manors would be appropriate. When they entered a servant took her coat and they were greeted by Paul Brennan. He was a man in his late fifties, thin, with glasses and grey hair, but only limited hair loss. Johan had told Louise that he knew him through the B.P.R.D. Apparently he had been consulting them on a few cases.
"Johan, so glad you could make it. A few of my guests have talked of nothing but how exited they were to meet you. Who is this lovely young lady?" He said a little too suggestively for Louise's taste.
"This is Miss Moran." Johan introduced her.
"A pleasure, Professor Brennan." Louise said politely.
"No, none of that. Paul will do. Now you should better go mingle. Keep her close Johan or you might lose her." Paul winked.
Louise felt a chill go down her spine. He really creped her out. As they went into the room, where the party was, she discovered that was not the only thing to make her feel disgusted that night. Fairies where held in small cages for the guests to observe, as well as different dead magical creatures preserved in different containers. The guests would walk around observing them and be intrigued. Louise had never felt more ashamed of being human.
"This is revolting." She whispered to Johan.
"Ja, Ich wise, aber wir kannst nicht tun. Versuchen, an etwas anderes zu denken." # Johan said sympathetically.
She tried to avoid looking at the poor creatures on display and instead focused on peoples conversations. Maybe she would overhear something that would give them some clues. During the next hour she walked around with Johan getting introduced to different people to see if any of them acted suspiciously. Nothing really happened until a gentleman walked over asking Louise for a dance. He was a youngish man with blonde hair and pleasant facial features. She accepted and was led to the dance floor. At first nothing happened beyond polite conversation then suddenly he leaned in whispered seductively in her ear.
"You are a very special girl, not to mention beautiful."
Normally she would not have been affected by this, but as he leaned forward and she turned her head towards the ground she saw the Omkara symbol tattooed in red on his wrist. She got nervous for a moment, but mustered her courage and decided to play along.
"Well, thank you. I was hoping on attracting a young handsome man." She whispered flirtatiously.
"And have you found such a man?" He asked, his breath caressing her ear, the hot moisture sending a chill down her spine. She pulled back and looked up at him as she bit her lower lip in a seductive manor.
"Definitely... So now the question is, if he is going to take and seduce me."
"Are you offering yourself to me?" He whispered huskily.
"No... I'm daring you to succeed." She gave a suggestive smirk after licking her lips. She let the hand on his shoulder slide down his chest and rest shortly above his abdomen as she walked away. She walked a few meters then turned to look at him and winked before continuing out of the room. Sure enough he followed his eyes burning with desire. She wanted to whisper into her microphone what she was planning, but couldn't manage it without people looking. She just hoped her friends would recognize this odd behaviour from her. The man hurried up next to her grapping her gently by her arm.
"Let's go somewhere private." He said in a husky voice and took her out into the gardens in the back. Her plan was working so far. Now she just needed a private place to pin him against the wall and pull her gun. What she hadn't expected was him suddenly pricking her with a ring in the back that instantly paralyzed her. She went limb and couldn't speak or move. He held her up and threw her against the wall.
"You have no idea about how special you are. So pretty. I wonder if you taste as good as you look." He whispered and bit her neck drawing out a little blood. It hurt, but she could not scream. Fear struck her heart as his hands began to explore her. It only became worse when two other men appeared with the same revolting look of abusive desire in their eyes. She tried desperately to say something and when she finally was able it came out almost as a gasp.
"Who?"
"We are the KaliHaSam." He answered before forcing his mouth upon hers and pushed his hands underneath her dress.
"Naughty naughty girl." He had found the gun.
#Yes, I know, but we can't do anything. Try to think of something else.
