"Agghhhhhhhhhh".
The scream ripped through my raw throat as cold beads of sweat trailed down my face. My muscles spasmed and I became entangled in my hammock. The rough fabric knotted around my limbs, turning my wrists an angry shade of red. Blood pumped erratically through my veins and my breath escaped through my bitten lips in short, harsh gasps. I tore through the hammock and thumped to the floor. The silhouettes of a group of small people huddled at the entrance to my tent. I cried out, clawing in their direction. Black spots blurred my vision and my nails sliced through my palms as shudders broke out across my body.
I heard the faint sound of footfalls and felt someone's arms enclose around me. Their hot breath brushed across my pulsing neck as they picked me up. I curled against their chest. The pale moonlight illuminated the dread that filled their eyes as they carried my shaking body through the Cirque's grounds.
I was laid down on a hard, wooden table. My chest heaved upwards as I struggled to draw each scratchy breath. Someone's fingers cupped my jaw and propped my mouth open. The cold rim of a glass vial came into contact with my lips. Clamping my mouth shut, I tore my head from their grip. The room spun around me. A muscled arm wrapped itself around my neck, tilting my head up. I squirmed and clawed but their grip never slackened. They pulled my mouth open and shoved the vial in. I shook my head from side to side and moaned weakly. A hot flow of blood gushed in between my teeth and rolled down my throat.
"I'm sorry… I'm so so sorry", Mr Crepsley choked and he forced the final trickle of blood out of the vial. He pulled the vial away and I heard it clatter to the floor. He released me and collapsed onto a chair.
I felt the effect of the vile liquid immediately. My skin tingled as I warmed up and the aching pain that had gnawed my every nerve began to ebb away. I hoisted myself into a sitting position.
"You cannot continue to starve yourself.", Mr Crepsley whispered.
"I won't drink blood", I muttered, dropping my gaze to the floor.
Mr Crepsley sprung out of the chair.
" I WILL NOT STAND BY AND WATCH YOU KILL YOURSELF", he roared. He strode forward and took hold of both of my shoulders.
"I will repeat what I just did every night", he hissed, "Even if it makes me hate myself", he added quietly.
I couldn't meet his gaze.
"There must be another way", I said weakly.
Mr Crepsley remained silent and gathered me into his arms. I buried my head into the arch of his neck. Squeezing my eyes shut, I let the tears trail down my cheeks. He held me tight through each shudder. Entwining his fingers in mine, he pressed his forehead against my own.
"I will be beside you every step of the way", he swore and brushed his lips onto my mouth. I thrust my tongue between his soft, supple lips and his thumb wiped my tears. Placing a hand on my neck, he traced the curve of my spine. Slowing at the small of back, he pulled me closer and scooped me up. I locked my legs around his hips and held his face between my fingers. Our lips never parted until the sun broke through the dense thicket of tree trunks that surrounded Cirque Du Freak.