Hey everyone! So this story starts off where chapter 205 of the -man manga finished off. It's in the same world, with some modifications. Basically its bringing to life what I thought would be interesting to happen right about now.

Allen, and all other -man characters, ideas and themes belong to Katsura Hoshino and all other characters, ideas and themes belong to me.

Review critically!

Allen wandered slowly through the streets of the town. The rising sun was harsh on his eyes. He couldn't remember the last time he slept, and he was exhausted. It was dawn, and it had been three, no, four days since his messy break out of headquarters. He didn't know where to go, or what to do. All he could do was walk. After bidding Lenalee farewell, he'd gone into the ark, and opened a gate to a deserted road with nothing but the horizon on either side. And then he'd begun to walk to this road, with no clue where it would take him. He used this opportunity to think. About himself, about Mana and about his role in this screwed up mess. But soon enough, Mr. Exhaustion had overcome him, and he was unable to think anymore.

And now, as he dragged his feet through the town, he could smell the aroma of fresh baked goods from nearby.

The town was starting to come to life, and the early birds were getting started with breakfast, hoping to begin their day bright and early. Allen wondered if he'd be able to find something to eat. In his hurry to escape, accompanied by Timcampy, Tykki, and Road, he obviously had no chance to sneak into his room for any of his belongings.

He was stranded, and walked on in his worn out sandals, with his trusted golem fluttering by his side. His clothes were a mess, dirty and ripped up, and his hair matted with grease and sweat after days in a jail cell. He had ditched the bloody white garment he had on for a long-sleeved khaki hoodie he had found on a clothing line at a house some blocks back. He didn't want people to notice his strangely tatooed arm, or his white hair and cursed eye. At this point in time, he wanted zero contact with anybody. He approached an alley between two yet to open shops, and found a large cardboard box which he broke apart and laid on the floor as a pathetic substitution for a mattress. He bundled up upon his new bed and was thankful when sleep overpowered him, and his consciousness was lost.

The previously deserted streets now started to fill up with men opening shops and women doing their early shopping, while kids began to stir up trouble. And the people passed by this shadow of a traveller, non paying any attention to the young man who was lost in the city of dreams.

"Hey Ma! There's a circus in town! Didja hear? Can we go? Please please please!" cried out young Alfred, and he trailed behind his mother, who was out to get groceries.

She turned to her son, and after considering his proposal, she replied, "A circus? Here? That hasn't happened in a while, no? Listen. If you're good today, then I'll let you go for a while. But you have to go with an adult! Got it?"

Alfred's eyes lit up, and he immediately found a solution.

"Jess can take me! I think she likes the circus too. What do you think Ma? Jess' an adult too right?"

Jess was the town's jack of all trades. She was orphaned from a young age, but lived well and did a lot of odd jobs around the town. She managed to stay out of trouble and soon earned the trust of everyone. She was raised by the townsfolk, and the children loved her because he was fun to play with. She knew lots of 'secret hideouts' around town and was very good with keeping the children busy. When she had no job, this was her favourite pass-time. And despite being a girl, she was considered dependable, with her strength and tomboyish looks.

Alfred's mother knew her well, she had been almost like a mother figure to Jess during her younger years, helping her get through life as a young girl with no home. She had offered to adopt her many times, but Jess loved the way she lived. So homeless she stayed.

"Alright fine. But only if she's not busy, alright? Don't you add anymore stress on her, she's got enough to deal with!" said Alfred's mother, succumbing to the idea.

Jess did indeed love the circus. The concept of these people making a living while travelling made her feel hopeful, that she too can achieve something despite being a street rat. And off ran Alfred, eager to find Jess and ask her to accompany him and his friends to the circus. He had seen their posters yesterday, announcing they would be having a show everyday at the town for 3 days. His friend suggested the idea first, and Alfred jumped up at the thought of watching clowns and freaks do crazy stunts.

He found Jess, stepping out of Mr. Dean's vegetable shop. She was carrying a basket full of cabbage. Jess was wearing a black shirt with brown cut-off pants, and brown sandals. Her blue eyes lit up when she spotted Alfred, and she set the basket down to greet him. Alfred noticed how her long auburn hair fell out of the loose bun and around her shoulders.

All the boys in the town thought she was pretty. He had even tried asking her out before, resulting in a friendly rejection. He was too young, and he hated that. Now, he looked at her tanned face, and wondered if he ever had a chance. He was a head fast young boy, everyone knew that. He was just 10, yet he thought and acted much older sometimes. At 17, he was sure she was a bit old, but who says that he can't date an older girl. His math teacher at school was married, to a man 8 years younger than herself. It was possible.

And with this in mind, Alfred ran up to Jess.

"Heyy! Guess what? There's a circus! Mom says I can go if you come with. Whadd'ya say, huh Jess? Wanna go to the circuuusss...?" he said as he picked up the basket, intending to carry it for her to her destination.

She laughed at his eagerness, "Thanks Alfred. I gotta get that to Miss Daphne's house."

She ran back into the store, grabbed a small backpack and waving at Mr. Dean, and started walking in the direction of Miss Daphne's house. She pulled a water bottle from her backpack, and took a sip before setting it in the bag and throwing the bag over her shoulder.

"So the circus huh? I saw their poster this morning. I guess there's no reason not to go is there? Let me just finish up my work for today, and come meet me at the town square in the evening and we can go. Cool?" she turned to look at him.

His brown eyes widened, and he almost lost a hold on the basket, "Oh wow! Thanks Jess! Joey and Bill are coming too, so i'll let them know too."

Jess nodded and look ahead, it was a beautiful day. It was late spring, and though it had been raining the past few weeks, the clouds had cleared up and the sun was shining bright today. They arrived at their destination, making little conversation about Alfred's dad coming back to the town next week. He was excited to see his father, and would tell him all about the circus. He gave the basket to Miss Daphne who had opened the door at their arrival, and bid both her and Jess farewell, before spinning around and dashing off to bring his friends the good news.

Jess was walking down the busy street, greeting the freindly shop owners on her way to her makeshift home. She had gathered supplies that the townfolk had given her, and set up a room for herself in the small attic of an unfinished building. The lease owner had allowed her to live there, as he knew that she would not be able to pay for rent. There was one condition to her living there, and that was that she would never get into trouble. The minute he got wind of her doing anything troublesome, she was out. Jess respected these rules, she wasn't looking for trouble, and was thankful for the place to sleep.

Jess looked up to see Joey, Alfred's freind racing down the street on his bike, headed straight for her, screaming, " Jess! Outta the way! I can't move in time!" She jumped to the side and just barely avoided getting run over, laughing at him all the while. The town was full of lively kids, and she had made it her goal to make sure they all stayed happy. Waving at Joey as he faded out of her view, she got up and dusted herself off, only to notice someone sleeping on the ground beside her.

She walked towards the person, unsure of who he was. She had never seen him before. He looked like a traveller, but had nothing on his person, and their town was in the middle of nowhere. Upon getting a closer look, she noticed he had snow white hair, and a strange mark over his left eye. He looked tired, and he was dirty. She noticed his calloused and bruised up feet, barely covered by what was left of his sandals. She had no idea of how someone like him had arrived there, but she couldn't leave him.

She sat down in front of him, and proceeded to poke his cheeks. He didn't look dangerous, and she doubted he could hide any weapons under is ripped up clothes. Only his hoodie looked new, and Jess laughed when she pondered on how he may have got that.

The young man's eyes opened slowly, and widened as they focused upon her face.

Cliffie yay! Opinions, anyone? XD