Disclaimer: I do not own Cirque Du Freak.

The conversation with the dog walker had left me more then a little shaken. After telling him that I was fine, and assuring him that seeking shelter was a top priority I left. I had looked back once and watched the man flee for his car. Then I walked down the street and into a small bookstore on the corner. Only a few people browsed through the shelves; I waited, flicking through the mystery section before they too left after checking their watches. Then it was me and the storekeeper, who was busy stacking shelves and checking the cash register.

"Excuse me," I said. "What time is it?"

The bookkeeper looked up startled, his graying hair sticking up in all directions. "Almost six." He scrutinized me. "You should be heading home young man. The streets aren't safe these days."

"Yes, I was already told so," I said carefully. "He said there are things in the city after dark?"

"What rock have you been living under?" The bookkeeper asked.

I sighed. "I haven't been here for more then an hour at most. I was just passing through, but my wallet was stolen."

The bookkeeper set down a box of books and leaned against them. His eyes met mine for a brief instant then hardened. "Those creatures, or whatever they are, are in every city. People had the brilliant idea to get out." He sighed. "But those things have infested every small town down to the tiniest campsite." The bookkeeper paused and sighed again. "Assuming that you aren't playing me for the fool, and really don't know what's going on, I recommend you get inside. Do not look out the windows. And for the love of god, don't help the poor idiots who get caught."

I gripped the edges of the counter and fought back nausea. "How long has this been happening?"

"About two months, give or take a day or two."

Then there was a chance. The Cirque Du Freak could still have survived. The only problem was remembering where their route would have taken them, had they stayed on course. I was tempted to call Debbie's phone, but the knowledge that they probably thought I was dead held me back. I would be taken as a prank call, a cruel joke. It would be better to arrive unseen and assess what was going on first.

"Could I sleep here tonight?" I asked on a whim. "I have no money. And-"I looked out the window where shadows crept up the sidewalk. "It's getting dark."

The bookkeeper hesitated. "Turn out your pockets."

I did so, scattering three quarters, the pocket knife and the picture of Debbie on the counter-top. I regretted throwing away the credit cards, but purchases to Debbie's account would be tracked and I couldn't take any chances.

The bookkeeper snatched up the pocket knife. "I'll return this in the morning." He picked up the picture and studied it. "Is this your girlfriend?"

I smiled sadly. "Yes. Or she was. I'm trying to find her again."

"Why did you leave her?"

It was my turn to hesitate. "I was sick, very sick. I didn't want her to watch me die so I left."

"Well you survived," the bookkeeper said gruffly.

I grimaced. "Yes, I did which was a surprise."

The bookkeeper returned my change and picture. "You can kip here for the night, but get used to the floor. My house is upstairs. Ill bring you a pillow, blanket and some soup."

"Food?" I said breathlessly and was rewarded with a faint smile from the man.

I waited until the last rays of sunlight vanished and the glow of streetlamps lit up before the bookkeeper returned with a bundle under one arm and a bag in the other hand. "This should last you until the morning," he said and set down his load. "Goodnight."

"Thanks!" I called to the mans retreating back. After he was asleep, I would sneak in and take the blood I needed.

I opened the bag after spreading the blankets out behind a shelf, out of sight of the windows. Inside the bag was a water bottle with chunks of ice floating inside, a cup of microwave soup and an apple. It took all of two minutes to eat and then I leaned against the shelves, studying the street light glow.

Then I saw it. Something scurrying in the shadows on the other side of the street. It carefully avoided the lights and each time I caught a glimpse of the thing, it was a little bit closer; In the middle of the street. Behind the curb in front of the shop. Hiding behind the trashcans right outside the front window. Each time it appeared I squinted, trying to make out more then four legs and a squat, round body. But it moved too fast.

The next second I yelled in shock and leapt backward, hitting my back on the bookshelves. The creature had leapt at the window and was scrabbling at the glass, leaving score marks in the pane. Wicked looking claws curved out of paws that looked far too big for the creature. It was jet black, with tiny gray marks dotting its sides. Strangely enough, it was smaller then the what dog walker had made it out to be. No bigger then a small cat, the thing paced outside, watching me with beady red eyes. Pure hatred resided in those orbs and the longer I looked at it the harder it was to tear my gaze away. I fumbled in the bag again and pulled out a flashlight; waving it wildly at the thing. It screeched a sound that ripped into my eardrums and vanished. I decided to leave the flashlight on after that.

For a few hours after everything was quiet, and I debated going upstairs when I saw something else creeping out of the shadows. First it was the cat sized creature that was looking rather pissed off. It turned and made a strange, eerie noise that sent a shudder down my spine.

"Crap," I said when I saw what the thing had brought along. "You have a friend."

The second monster melting out of the shadows was no kitten. The thing was a rippling mass, shadows moving over its form like a river on a dark night. When it leaned against the window, it was the size of a mastiff. It pulled back lips (if you could even call them lips) and growled at me, its breath staining clouds on the window. The smaller monster sat between its legs with a smug expression. I pulled back my lips and growled back, a gesture I quickly stopped, appalled at myself.

I left the flashlight pointing at the two creatures, who watched me as I picked the lock on the door and slipped upstairs. The stairs were dark, and I thought about the monsters downstairs. Could they break through glass? Would they be sneaking up behind me right now waiting to drag me screaming out of the shop? I jumped when the stairs creaked.

The bookkeepers' bedroom was at the end of the hallway and I gently pushed open the door. The old man was laying sprawled on his bed, his hair gently ruffling in a breeze coming from the open window behind his pillow. He was fast asleep. The corners of my mouth crooked up at how silly the man looked in his robes, with a book still clutched in his hands.

I made a small cut in the mans leg and drank quickly, sealing the wound with spit. But when I raised my head, wiping blood from my lips I came to a sudden and horrifying realization. The open window.

I turned around just in time to see the cat creature leaping for my throat. I ducked, snatched the book out of the mans hands and batted the creature away. It hit the wall with a splat and slid down, letting out a croak. 'At least they can be hit', I thought vindictively.

The old man sat up in bed with a startled cry, narrowly missing the creatures' second lunge. It skidded over the blanket and crawled under the bed. I leapt up onto the bed and stared down at the floor.

"What the hell are you doing up here?" The bookkeeper cried enraged. His face was pale.

"I thought I heard a noise," I panted. I reached over and slammed the window shut. "Why did you open this?"

The man looked confused. "I didn't. I mean… I can't remember anymore." He scratched his head. "I thought that was a dream."

I pointed to the floor below us. "Well that thing under there is not a dream. And it's got a big friend somewhere outside." Faster then a snake I lunged to the bedside table where my pocket knife rested. I pulled back right before a black paw batted at me. "Tell me everything you know about those things," I ordered unsheathing the knife. The tiny four inch blade seemed pathetic. I removed my shoes and began to pull out the laces.

"They hate light; they come in different sizes as you already know. The smallest is chipmunk size; the largest on record was the size of a horse." The bookkeeper scanned his floor, clenching and unclenching his fists. "And they can twist your mind. Get inside your dreams and turn even the most pleasant ones into nightmares."

I set aside the lace less shoes and began to form the laces into a noose. "Alright. Who made them?" As an afterthought I added: "Why isn't the one under us attacking right now? It seemed feral when I saw it last."

The bookkeeper shook his head. "No one knows who created them." He looked down at the bed sheet. "If you saw it feral, it wanted you too see it like that. They are cunning, and are not beasts, though they look like it."

I nodded and tied the last knot. "Stay up here and don't move." I grinned. "Unless you're running." I dropped my shoe on the floor and dangled the noose over the side of the bed. A black paw darted out from under it and I lashed out. I grabbed the paw, letting out a howl of pain when the razor claws sliced open my palm. The noose slid around the leg and I yanked it tight. Then with a furious yank, driven by vampire strength I pulled. The creature flew out from under the bed and hit the wall again. It whirled around spitting angrily and leaped. I knocked it aside with the flat of my arm and leaped after it. The sheer exhilaration was unbelievable. It had been so long since I'd last fought and the feeling was wonderful.

The creature quickly reorganized itself and I took the time to wrap the end of the lace around my arm. For a brief moment we faced each other and then as if on a cue we jumped. Our bodies slammed into each other with shattering force and moments passed where I knew nothing but slashing claws and the flying of books and furniture. I felt stronger then before I'd died; I wondered if I had become a full vampire while I was lying in the sewers but shook that thought off. If I was, the sunlight would have burnt me when I climbed out of the sewers.

I pinned the shadow creature below my body and flicked open the pocket knife, driving the blade into the things side. It squealed and then I sank to the floor, grasping nothing but air. Pain shot up and down my back. I roared and rolled over, scattering blood across the room. The creature clung to my back, slicing into the tender flesh along my shoulder blades. Each pass along my skin grew closer and closer to my throat. I keened in pain and the world tilted dangerously.

"GET THE HELL OFF HIM!" The bookkeeper roared and swung a heavy dictionary at my back. It connected and the creature and I went two different directions. I fell to the floor, diving face first into heavy shag carpet and the creature shot under the bed again. I whipped around and snarled at the forbidding darkness under the bed.
Blood dripped from my back and ran in rivulets down my arms, but I ignored the pain and slid under the bed. I grabbed the beast by the haunches and without thinking sank my teeth into the inky blackness. Our struggles dislodged the bed and I heard the bookkeeper jump out of the way to avoid being slammed against the wall by it. My nails raked across its back, repaying all the injures I now suffered.

"Open the window!" I screamed.

The bookkeeper scrambled to obey and milliseconds after he did, I threw the creature out. It landed on the street in a heap. I swayed but stayed to watch it, as it turned back once to gaze up at the window where I stood. Its eyes narrowed then it apparently decided not to push it and limped down the street.

I turned around and took in the destroyed room; the chairs, side table and bed were all crushed and blood, both black and red spattered the carpet and walls. The bookkeeper stood by the window, one hand still on the lock. He looked absolutely terrified and excited.

"I've heard of a group who knows how to drive them away," he sputtered. "But-but, seeing it…" He sank onto the remains of his bed.

I shrugged and winced. "Do you have any bandages?" I thought ruefully 'I'm going to have plenty of new scars to explain.'

The bookkeeper stood up and ran into his bathroom.

"Does that group have a name?" I asked after the man returned.

The bookkeeper refused to answer until he had helped me wrap up my back and made me lean against the wall with several blankets.

"Yes," he said. "I believe they call themselves the Cirque Du Freak."

A.N. R&R please! Reviews make my day :)