Familiar: Eye of The Jabberwocky
Chapter 8: Remedy
The bright sun woke the band of circus performer, their body's aching from their attacks.
"My body hurts…is everyone ok?" Oz asked as he sat up.
"My backs killing me." Elliot whined, looking up in front of him.
"Ugh, what happened?" Claudia asked.
"I remember a whole lot of Skin-walker, and getting attacked." Xeno said.
"Leo." Elliot murmured and pushed himself up onto his knees. He looked around, seeing the stone pieces everywhere.
"Skin-walkers…dead?" Oz said, before Sharon let out a terrified gasp. People looked at her, but all she could do was point her shaking hand.
When people looked over they were met with a cut open Skin-walker limping toward them. It's intestines were hanging out and a familiar blade stuck in his chest.
"I can't move, my leg hurts." Melissa said.
"Cheshire's arm hurts."
"Echo is in pain." Echo said holding her stomach.
"Break!" Sharon yelled as the Skin-walker approached her.
"My lady!" Break yelled trying to get up, but falling over from the pain in his chest. Sharon let out another scream as her arm was pulled up by the Skin-walker.
"Beautiful flesh, I want you as my contractor."
"Equ-!" Sharon went to yell, but the Skin-walker was separated with a scythe cutting between him. Sharon fell to the ground and scurried away. The body turned to stone, cracked, and broke to pieces on the ground. Standing in front of Sharon stood Leo, bloody and smiling crazily.
"I think that was the last one, aw." Leo pouted.
"Leo!" Elliot yelled, the bloody teen looking over at Elliot.
"Hm, I guess I'll play with you instead." Leo cackled, turning back to Sharon and raised the scythe. She screamed, Oz jumping up and running as fast as he could. He swung only to have Oz catch it.
"Oz!" Sharon yelled.
"This is my scythe! I will not have a friends blood staining it!" Oz said as his scythe disappeared.
"Cheater!" Leo yelled, looking at Oz with a glare.
"Leo, your letting your Familiar's power consume you. For hells sake, calm down!" Oz yelled, punching Leo across the cheek. Leo fell down to the ground and clutched his cheek.
"Oz!" Eliot yelled, on his feet. Limping over Elliot pushed Oz before grabbing Leo by the wrists and pulled him up. "Leo, are you alright."
"E-Elli-." Leo muttered, looking at the boy through his hair. "I'm sorry." He muttered, hugging Elliot. He cried into the elders shoulder. Elliot patted Leo's head and held him against him. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright." Elliot smiled.
"I'm sorry you got hurt by the Skin-walkers." Leo put a hand on Elliot's shoulder. "But I'm not sorry about this." In a second Elliot let Leo go and wrapped a hand around Leo's hand, which held Break's knife that had been jammed into Elliot's stomach.
Melissa screamed as Leo ripped out the knife. Elliot clutched his new wound, blood seeping through his fingers. Oz gasped and grabbed Elliot, while Break stood up. Leo cackled, licking the bloody knife with a twisted smile.
"So, insanity looks like this." Break said, grabbing one of Echo's daggers and walked towards Leo. "Insanity consumes and destroys, my friends a victim. I keep my promises." Break said with a smiled.
"Break! Don't! Leo's still savable!" Elliot yelled. "Calm Dormouse down!"
"If we can do that…his limiters off!" Oz remembered. "Dormouse's power isn't being sealed!"
"Dormouse get out here now!" Elliot yelled and in seconds the Familiar was out and growling.
"What!?"
"Put your limiter on!?"
"I don't have to, not because humans commanded!" Dormouse cackled before launching at Oz.
"He's nuts too!" Robin yelled, hiding behind Claudia.
"There has to be a way to calm them down instead of killing him." Claudia said as Elliot stood straight.
"Your acting ridiculous Leo! Letting some Familiar affect you is weak!" Elliot yelled, grabbing Leo by the collar of his pajama top. "Are you even going to try to fight it, Jabberwocky's much stronger than a wimp like you!"
"Elliot that doesn't make anything better, sit before you bleed out!" Oz yelled, but Elliot only pulled himself closer to Leo.
"Like I'd like you, a crazy contractor! Where's my Leo!"
"Your an asshole Elliot." Leo muttered.
"You want to fight, then come on. Put the limiter on Dormouse and we will fight fairly!"
"Ha!" Leo yelled before Dormouse changed back to normal. There was a clatter of the knife falling to the ground and Leo fell forward onto Elliot, clutching the elders shoulders. "Elliot." He cried. "Thank you, I couldn't stop." Both fell to their knees, Elliot holding Leo tightly.
"This ones the real Leo." Elliot said, kissing Leo's head.
"It's strange." Claudia said.
"Yah, that kid is pretty strange." Robin agreed.
"I'm talking about him liking men, it kind of makes me more jealous than if he was with another woman."
"Earlier you were all "let me be your friend, now you are jealous of him."
"I'm jealous of him, but I'm mad at that idiot too. Does he not see how dangerous the kid is, no control. He should be dropped into the abyss."
"How can you say that, you've been in there before. Also he's training to be in Pandora."
"Then it's settled!" Claudia said and pointed at Leo. "Listen up Baskerville brat! Break and I are going to train you for Pandora, if you fail I'll drop you in the abyss."
"Eh!" Leo let out in shock. "Can we talk about this later, Elliot's bleeding and everyone's hurt."
"My parents home…is on the other side of town. We can get enough supplies there." Elliot said, standing with Leo's help.
"Equus can take us, then we will return for our stuff." Sharon said.
"Do it, none of us are in for a long walk." Oz said, hurrying over to Echo.
"Can you contact my dad too, I feel like he should know." Leo spoke up.
"Yah, lets go. I feel light headed." Elliot said and followed a darkness. When the sheet of darkness lifted Leo recognized the familiar dining room.
"What the hell!?" A woman yelled and the group turned to see Vanessa along with her parents and siblings at the table for breakfast. "What happened to all of you?!" She asked as she ran to their aid.
"Skin-walkers…a city full and they attacked us." Melissa said as she hugged Vanessa.
"How'd you ever beat that many?" Bernice asked as she pulled out chairs.
"Leo beat them alone, no Dormouse." Elliot said, holding his bloody hand to his bloody stomach.
"Ah! Elliot lay down now!" Ernest yelled and pushed his brother to the floor.
"I'm fine…no I'm not." Elliot said, laying down with Leo next to him.
"I'll get the medical equipment and maids." Claude said and hurried off toward the kitchen.
"I'm sorry Elliot." Leo said with tears falling out of his eye.
"Don't cry Leo, it better than it looks."
"Cheshire smells meat." Cheshire said as Melissa patched its cuts.
"Leo I forgot to tell you, your fathers been here for a week. It's good your here." Bernice spoke.
"Where's breakfast, I'm starving!?" Alice whined as she and her close family walked in. She stared in horror when she saw her friends hurt and ran to Oz. Alyss, close behind, ran to Cheshire, hugging the Familiar close.
"What happened?" Jack asked, following his daughter-in-law to his son.
"Skin-walkers attacked, luckily we survived." Claudia said, Xeno checking her for any broken bones.
"Crimson-Shell." Levi smiled.
"Leo!" Oswald yelled, running to his son. "Are you alright?" He asked as he fell to his knees, wrapping his hands around Leo's arms.
"No I'm not. I let my contract get the worst of me and I hurt Elliot. I just couldn't stop, it was so much fun." Leo smiled as he covered his eyes. "Even if they died I wanted to play with their organs. I couldn't stop myself." Leo cried and shook his head.
"It's alright, we'll save you."
"You and Elliot are the only ones in that boat." Leo said, his hand falling down and massaged his shoulder.
"Does your shoulder hurt?" Oswald asked as he pulled up his sons shirt.
"Yeah, I got injured."
"Did one bite you?" Oswald said, staring at the long, deep scratches and the deep bite marks. Bruises littered Leo's body, some covered by the blood smeared on his body.
"Yah, it said it was going to eat me." Leo smiled. "It didn't hurt much."
"Don't lie." Elliot said, the maids stitching his stomach up. "What happened anyway?"
"They got what they deserved, I hate those creatures." Leo said with a smirk.
"What happened Leo? What did they say or do?" Oswald asked.
"They wanted to eat everyone, they wouldn't stop touching everyone and I got so mad. I blacked out for a moment and then I couldn't control myself. I had Oz's scythe and I was just cutting them apart, making sure they were in pain. I almost hurt Sharon." Leo whimpered as he cried into his hands. After hearing this Sharon shot up and gripped her hands into fists.
"You saved me! That Skin-walker was going to kill me and you rescued me!" She smiled.
"Leo needs checked out, someone hand me the disinfection and wraps. Also a wet cloth."
"I'll get it." Vanessa offered. She hurried over to a bucket of water the maids brought in and grabbed it. She ran over to Leo and sat it down. "Lay down and we'll treat your wounds." Leo nodded and laid down on his back, arms length away from Elliot. Elliot stretched his arm out grabbed Leo's hand, smiling at the younger.
"Be happy, you killed all the Skin-walkers in this little city."
"I want to go home to the Reveil." Leo said as Vanessa wiped the blood away.
"We can go after moving the circus."
"We're coming with!" Claudia yelled, sitting in the chair as Xeno checked her for sever injuries. "From now on Leo is going to be training hard to control his Familiar."
"How's Dormouse?" Vanessa asked sincerely.
"He's resting, it took a lot out of him with his limiter off." Leo said, his eyes drooping.
"That's another thing needing changed. Who's going to seal the Dormouse's power off, I don't trust Mr. Leo. He willingly lets his Familiar consume him, very irresponsible."
"Hey Claud…he's asleep." Elliot muttered, attention dragged to Leo peacefully asleep.
"Disgraceful, these are our troops of the generation." Duke Nightray said, standing and marching off toward the doorway, followed by Fred.
"Whatever." Elliot muttered and looked back at Leo.
"Hey Leo, get up so I can change your wrappings." Elliot said, turning Leo over. Leo opened one eye and looked at Elliot above him. The smaller reached up and wrapped his arms around Elliot's neck. "Hm, good afternoon." Leo smile up at Elliot.
"Good afternoon." Leo said before pulling Elliot into a short kiss.
"Sit up for me." Elliot said, already picking Leo up. The younger yawned and let himself be lifted up. Elliot rested Leo against the headboard and began unwrapping the bandages around Leo's chest.
"How's your stomach and back."
"Claudia made a special mix for everyone, they're practically gone. I asked her to give you some, but she said that this will teach you control."
"I see." Leo chuckled.
"Hey Leo, that story to told us…about Phillipe. I think it was nice you finally shared your past and I'd like to hear other stories.
"If your good I'll tell you later." Leo whisper against Elliot's ear.
"Are you out of it from those painkillers?" Elliot chuckled leaning up to kiss Leo's cheek.
"No, I'm awake now. Lets just get these bandages changed and get food. I don't remembered the last I ate properly."
"Alright, I'm sure dinners almost ready. Your father is coming back shortly, hasn't left Claud alone about not letting you have the medicine."
"She's a stubborn woman, well I'm stubborn too." Leo chuckled as Elliot changed his bandages. They continued to chat while Elliot finished cleaning and wrapping the wounds, which took all of five minutes. After that Leo climbed out of bed and they walked hand in hand down the hall talking about their plans for the next day.
"Lets go to town, I never took you and I want to see you happy."
That sounds like fun, you do know there is a festival. I even heard there's a freakshow." Break said behind the two, Elliot dragging Leo with him as he jumped away.
"Eavesdrop much?!" He yelled.
"Really? They have a circus? I'd love to go, it's be like the first time I visited our circus." Leo smiled.
"You never change kiddo." Break said, pulling a lollipop out of his coat and handing it to Leo.
"We can actually go to another freakshow." Elliot smiled.
"Lets talk to the others." Leo said as the three walk down the stairs and to the large doors leading to the Nightray's den.
Elliot opened the door with one hand, the other held Leo's hand. It was a normal thing for everything to turn toward the people walking into the room, but that wasn't the case. Everyone was watching Oswald fight with Claudia about her special mix. Leo, Elliot, and Break walked in and sat down on the floor with the others, Leo in Elliot's lap.
It seemed to go on and on, no one noticing the three new people in the room, not till Leo spoke up. "Why are those two fighting like babies?" He asked Sharon.
"Claudia doesn't want to share it with you and Oswald wants you to heal up."
"I don't need it, but Sharon do you want to go to the festival tomorrow they have a circus I would love to see?"
"Sounds like fun."
"I want to go." Oz butted in.
"Anyone who doesn't can stay here."
"Alright, this sounds like fun." Leo smiled, Elliot gripping his waist.
"So, what should we do for the rest of the day?"
"Xerxes already brought the circus home, so we can go to town. Everyone knows how much you've wanted to go around the town. Cheshire do you want to go around town this afternoon?" Sharon asked, attracting Cheshire's, Alice's, and Alyss' attention.
"Cheshire would like that." Cheshire answered.
"Us too." The girls said in sync.
"We'll leave after I bathe, then we can go shopping and sight seeing." Leo told his cousins.
"Invite uncle, he wants to spend time with you." Alyss said with a sweet innocent smile.
"I really haven't gotten to see him forever. I should talk to him right now." Leo said, standing up. He walked over with hand over his shoulder. He massaged it a little before tapping his fathers shoulder. "Isn't it a little childish and out of your character to be fighting with such a young woman." At the sound of Leo's voice Claudia and Oswald turned to look at him.
"What are you doing out of bed!?" Oswald said, grabbing Leo by the wrist. "You should be sleeping and healing."
"I'm fine, if anything goes wrong my clock will heal me."
"You shouldn't waste the life of your clock."
"If he's able to walk then we should start you off with defense."
"Hold on I never agreed, plus I have plans."
"Do they involve sleeping and healing because that's all you should be doing."
"No, we're going to town after I shower. Do you want to come?"
"Your not going, you were severely hurt and I don't want you hurting yourself."
"I'll be fine, you need to trust me more."
"I did and you lost control. From now on your staying under my wing so I can protect you."
"I don't need protecting, I need freedom."
"Oswald let him go, the boy was on bed rest for fourteen year and he hasn't had time to actually look around since we've had him murdering Skin-walker's." Levi said.
"It's not like your not going. I think I should be able to go."
"I said no and that's final!" Oswald snapped at Leo, some faces dropping. Leo just glared, ripping his arm away from his father.
"Fine I'll busy myself in some other way." Leo growled as he walked away.
"You will busy yourself with sleep." Oswald chased after.
"Not everyone can sleep all day, I'm seriously dying with sleep now. Maybe I'll just play with Dormouse."
"Familiars are not play things!" Oswald grabbed Leo's bad shoulder, making the boy fall with a gasp of pain. "Damn it." Oswald said as he kneeled down, grabbing Leo by his arms. "I'm sorry Leo." He said. "I didn't mean to grab your bad shoulder."
"I'm fine, I'm not a child anymore. You need to know that dad, you've missed my childhood and you can't treat me like one anymore."
"You have yet to undergo the proper social behavior and have come to be accustom to murder. If you wish to be as an adult than you must not only learn to be one, before you have your Coming of Age Ceremony."
"Coming of Age?" Leo asked, turning to face his father.
"Oh my that's right, Leo's past sixteen
now. The Baskerville family has to welcome Leo as part of the family in public eye." Sharon explained.
"Sounds boring." Elliot said, scratching his head.
"Father refused to let Elliot be announced." Vanessa said with a smile.
"Like I'd want that, people already know me." Elliot said proudly.
"Wait, we could use this sort of ceremony to attract the Jabberwocky." Leo thought out loud.
"Leo it's a very honoring ceremony, not a tool used in finding the Jabberwocky." Oswald said with a glare. "Anymore your mind is on the Jabberwocky."
"He has a contractor dad, if we can capture he or she we can trap the Jabberwocky in a single place and send it back to the abyss."
"Contractor and all?" Oswald asked, Leo nodded. "You have the mind of a murder now Leo."
"I can't break a contract." Leo argued.
"But you could try, that's what you would have said before."
"I'm not a wimp like before dad, I've become stronger."
"I didn't want this for you."
"Can't change me after what I've seen."
"I can try." Oswald said, soon followed by chiming bells.
"That's the door, I'll get it." Leo said and hurried off before anyone could say anything. The bell continued to chime until Leo was able to grab the door and tear it open. The man on the other side smiled wide at Leo.
"Hello I got a call from here. I'm from the freakshow in town tomorrow and I heard they had a human rabbit, a human snake, and a human cat they were looking to sell."
"Excuse me, but my performers are not for sale." Leo glared and crossed his arms.
"Whoever called said he was the head of this household and wished they'd be removed."
"We are guest here, the duke of this home is an asshole so please leave."
"May I at least see them, I did come all this way." With a sigh Leo nodded and opened the door.
"Wait here." Leo said and walked over to the dining room door. "Oz, Cheshire, Elliot. Follow me for a minute." Leo said before walking away. The three followed behind Leo, Elliot secretly grabbing Leo's hand. When they reached the entrance hall the man smiled wide.
"This is Humpty Dumpty, that's is the Cheshire Cat, and this is B-Rabbit." Leo explained.
"Oh my, I understand your feelings now, but I must make an offer."
"I'll say no, no matter what."
"How about one."
"No, my performers are not for sale, again. You have seen them now please leave."
"The snake boy though, he would fit right in with my circus."
"Excuse me." Elliot said.
"No means no. Get out before we have you removed." Leo growled gripping Elliot's hand.
"Are you trying to buy us?" Oz asked, crossing his arms.
"I told him no, but he wanted to see you guys before leaving. Now leave sir." Leo said with a growl.
"Come on, I can pay you a lot for him. Our circus needs a snake man." Leo was getting over irritated and was about to snap, but Elliot cut him off.
"We are not for sale sir, plus your circus doesn't have Dormouse. I stay with Dormouse." Elliot said, squeezing Leo's hand.
"I see then. Are you kids coming to the festival tomorrow?"
"Sorry, I'm grounded." Leo said, opening the door for the man. "Nice meeting you."
"I'll be back…unless you come visit us at the festival circus." With a smile the man excused himself and left the home. Leo shut the door and sighed.
"That old man wouldn't give up." Cheshire said leading the group back to the dining room.
"I wasn't about to sell you three, I'd never do that."
"You're not even our owner." Oz said and Leo chuckled.
"I know, but he didn't."
"Oh Leo." Elliot said, shaking his head. "What would I do without you." Leo didn't respond, he only leaned closer to Elliot.
"Elliot…can you show me around your house?" Leo said abruptly.
"Sure, I'll show you my favorite room first." Elliot said, leading Leo to the staircase, Oz and Cheshire already in the dining room. Elliot dragged Leo down the hall and up another set of stairs before down, yet another hallway and into a room. The room was big, but the only thing in it was a piano chair and a piano.
"Oh my god!" Leo ran over to the piano. "I haven't seen a piano in years." He said as he sat down and lifted the cover. Elliot smiled and walked over, sitting next to Leo.
"Can you play?" He asked hitting a note.
"I'm a little rusty, but I self taught myself." Leo said, hitting the opposite note.
"I have this song sheet somewhere called Lacie. I composed it with Oswald for your aunts birthday." Elliot smiled and pressed another key. "If I remembered it I'd teach you it, but how about we compose together. We can play random notes till something come along."
"Hold on, I've heard father play it before and I've seen the music sheet once or twice when I explored the house. I'll see what I can play and you can join." With a nod from Elliot Leo began playing a few keys. He shook his head when he messed up and tried again. When he went back through he'd hesitate before pressing a key. Elliot just watched and listened until Leo had given him enough notes to work with his memories. It took a few tries, but Elliot seemed to remember most, if not all of it. Leo watched Elliot go through the song and joined on the second time he played it. Leo and Elliot played the song a few more times, attracting attention from the people in the hall, Lacie marching through and walking into the room with Levi, Oswald, Jack, and her daughters. Lacie joined in, singing along with the tune.
Everyone outside the door listened with a smile. It wasn't till the duo stopped playing the everyone walked into the room, praising the two.
"Leo I didn't know you could play the piano." Oswald smiled.
"I learned in the hospital, self taught. At one point I taught another boy, but then I got sick and had to go back to my room."
"That's impressive, Elliot needed a teacher for years." Bernice said with a smile.
"Several teachers, the others left for reasons." Vanessa hinted.
"You executed that near perfect Leo, with a bit more practice you could actually learn to compose your own music. Then you could have your own shows." Leo sighed, turning to his father with a serious face.
"Dad, I'm releasing Dormouse from our contract after Jabberwocky's gone."
"What!?" His family yelled, except Levi.
"Why the hell would you do something so stupid, do you know what will happen!?" Oswald yelled.
"I know, that's why I'm doing it."
"Why!?" Alyss yelled at her cousin.
"None of you understand. Sure I'm alive with this, hell I'm even healthy. The problem with this happy contract is my body's being forced to live. I can feel it and sometimes I can't even breath. Dormouse has agreed with me that it would be best to break it and has agreed with my idea."
"There's another approach out there, can't you use one of those?" Lacie asked, gripping her fists.
"I don't want to live anymore, being a murderer with no purpose, whom will be cast into the abyss after my sanity is eaten away. Anyway you look at it I'm screwed."
"But we don't want you to die. Maybe we can save you all together." Alyss said, grabbing Leo's hands. "Break can make a solution, he can save you better this time."
"No…I don't want to leave with a problem." Leo smiled.
"Is Elliot ok with this?" Alice asked with a pout. Attention dragged to Elliot still facing the piano.
"I support his decision, Leo's logical. The circus supports his decision and can't help but hope we have time to make memories." There was a small pause between them, Oswald looking at his son before sighing.
"You want to go to the festival then go tomorrow, go see that circus." Leo's face lit up with a smile.
"Your all coming with, it will feel like the first time I went to the Fairytales Against the Clock."
"Alright, how about you go bath and we'll go make dinner for you. You must be starving." Oswald smiled along with Leo, whom shot up.
"Alright. I'll be downstairs in a minute." Leo said before running off.
"That boys going to be the end of us all." Levi said with a chuckle.
"How so, he's set his mind to what he wants." Claudia muttered beside him.
"Fate has a weird twist don't you think?" With that he walked off leaving Claudia confused.
The next night Leo had dressed warm, wearing his performing top hat, as he sat in Elliot's lap in the stuffed limo, Oswald's eye twitching whenever the two talked. He was supportive of his son, but still had problems on the age difference. It wasn't till the duo kissed that Oswald got fed up. It was lucky that the car stopped or Oswald would have pulled Leo off of the snake man. After he watched the two climb out his sisters voice whispered in his ear.
"Let the boy have his romance, they're cute together."
"Out of all people he dated the Nightray boy."
"His family is nice enough to host Leo's Coming of Age debut party. Be happy."
"Leo's using it as a front to attract Jabberwocky though." Oswald frowned before climbing out of the limo, followed by his sister.
"Woah!" Leo shouted, looking at all the festivals. The night was lit by bright street lights and lights from the different types of booths littering the usually busy street. Tonight however, had been blocked for the many booths owners to set up, time well spent in Leo's opinion.
"What's with all these different stands?" Leo asked happily looking around.
"They snacks, games, or merchandise tents."
"I want to play some games."
"But we need to get tickets and get our seats before everyone else piles in." Oz said.
"How about I take you around while everyone gets tickets Elliot can wait outside for us with our tickets." Oswald said to his son.
"Sounds like a plan." Elliot agreed and started walking to the tent, followed by the others.
"So where first." Oswald asked, placing a hand on Leo's shoulder.
"Can we actually get some tea, Dormouse is thirsty." Leo said removing his hat. He reached in and pulled out a miniature form of Dormouse. Leo put his hat back on before holding the small Familiar in his arms.
"How'd he get that small?"
"He just shrank."
"There should be a booth for tea." Oswald said and led Leo to the nearest booth, most empty of customer. They found herbal tea and bought three before sitting at a table. Leo had a straw in the tea bottle for Dormouse, holding it up to the Familiar. In his free hand Leo had his own bottle.
"I'll admit he's well trained." Oswald said, Leo sitting his bottle down on the table.
"You just have to understand him, he's sweet afterwards." Leo said as he petted his Familiar, whom was entranced with drinking the tea. "If Yura was still around I'd thank him for giving me Dormouse."
"Well what he did was uncalled for, at least notifying me about what he's thinking."
"The past is the past. Lets just concentrate on playing a few games before heading to meet Elliot."
"Alright, what game would you like to play?"
"I don't know, they all look fun. I'll just choose as we go." Leo smiled.
"Alright." Oswald said and picked up Leo's drink before walking away with his son.
Meanwhile Elliot stood, shivering from the cold hitting his naked chest. Although Elliot was a snake he wasn't cold blooded and winter was the worst for him. The tickets were clenched in his fist as he waited. It scared him when he felt two arms wrap around his numb arms. He turned noticing two girls in leotards hanging on him.
"So your the snake boy we've heard so much about." One with blonde hair said, smirking at Elliot.
"You would fit right in with us." The one with long wavy brown hair and curled horns said. "I'm Aries, this is Entranced."
"Not again, your part of this circus right."
"Correct, you're a smart boy."
"No it's a common thing. I'm not joining your circus, I'm staying in mine."
"We heard there's the owner, Dormouse was it?" Aries asked Entranced.
"Yah, that boy. Ring leader wouldn't shut up about how unfair he was."
"I'm guessing he noticed me and sent you out?"
"Of course, we love new members."
"I'm staying with Dormouse." Both the girls smirked and grabbed both Elliot's wrists and press his hands against there breast.
"Does Dormouse have these?" They asked as Elliot blushed and ripped his hands away.
"I hope not!" Elliot yelled.
"I hope not either or we all have a problem." Leo said behind Elliot, him and the girls turning in surprise. Leo stood with Dormouse in his arms, Oswald's hands on his shoulders.
"How long were you there?" Elliot asked the two girls pouting and resting their heads on Elliot's shoulders.
"The whole time, wanted to see your reaction to these woman. It was funny." Leo chuckled. "But the jokes over so how about you bimbos get off my boyfriend like some prostitutes." Leo's face turned to a scowl.
"Why? This boy could get both of us. Two beautiful women over one teenage boy that looks like he should be in school." Leo looked at Elliot with a sincere face.
"Elliot?" Leo asked. Elliot shrugged the girls off and walked over, and stood next to Leo.
"I don't need your circus, I have my own with Dormouse."
"Whatever." Aries said, throwing her nose in the air. "He's not even that cute."
"Are you still here, can't you just scurry off already." Leo said impatiently, both girls huffing.
"Why you brat. You're not in your circus, you're in our big top."
"Is that a threat, trust me you just took off a bigger bite then you can handle." Leo glared.
"Lets just get our friends and leave, it's not safe being threaten by the performers." Elliot said as he led Leo and Oswald to the tent. The woman soon disappeared around the back with glares.
Oswald went in to retrieve their friends and family while Elliot and Leo remained outside. They stood in an awkward silence, cheers and the sound of Dormouse belching filled it. It wasn't till Leo sat Dormouse down and removed his scarf did Elliot notice anything. With a smiled Leo wrapped his scarf around Elliot's neck, pulling the blonde down into a kiss. Elliot smiled, immediately kissing Leo back. Before Elliot could take the kiss any deeper Leo back away and tied the scarf around Elliot's neck.
"I saw you shivering earlier, and I know shirts hurt you. I wish there was another way to keep you warm."
"I could hug you, your always warm Leo." Elliot said with a kiss to Leo's forehead.
"I feel like we're being watched." Leo said, getting a cold shiver sent down his back.
"I don't see anyone, not even Break." Elliot said looking around.
"It not the circus, I feel…scared." Leo muttered, curling up inside Elliot's arms.
"There's no one out here except us and the venders."
"It's a contractor…I know it is." Leo said. Suddenly Elliot's hold tightened and the shiver passed again, sending Leo to his knees along with Elliot.
"Leo don't move, act natural ." Elliot said as he helped Leo to his feet.
"Do you see someone?" Leo said as he held his head.
"He's in a hoodie, but yah he's staring. Lets get you in a chair." Elliot said as picked Leo up bridle style. He went to take a step, but was shoved back, Leo falling out of his arms. Dormouse growled as he grew.
"Damn rodent." The man muttered and went to grab Leo, but Dormouse bit his arm. "Fuck off." The man growled as he continually tried to push off Dormouse.
"Who are you?" Leo asked, laying on the ground, staring up at the hooded man.
"Master Jabberwocky is waiting for you."
"Don't touch me!" Leo yelled and curled up, Dormouse releasing the man. Elliot growled, covering Leo.
"What's going on our here?!" Oswald yelled as he ran out of the tent, followed by the circus. The man jumped back and chuckled.
"Oswald Baskerville, we've heard much about you."
"We?" Oswald asked.
"My masters other contractors…he wants to see you with his own eyes." There was a rough breeze, blowing the trees like crazy. Leo let out a gasp of pain and threw his hands to his chest. He looked over at the man along with Elliot, standing behind was a purple dragon/bird sort of thing. If it wasn't for the eye Leo wouldn't have notice it.
"Jabberwocky." Oswald said, gritting his teeth.
"The…Jabberwocky." Leo said, standing up with Elliot. The Jabberwocky instantly looked over and chuckled.
"Found you Leo." It said, taking a step forward. It shook the ground, knocking Leo back down.
"Oz! Take off your limiter now!" Leo looked over after hearing Jack yell. He watch Oz nod and in a moment his body morphed into a giant black rabbit. His scythe appeared as Oz floated into the air. Oz brought it down with a slash. Jabberwocky chuckled Oz's slash barely hurting him.
"Dormouse take your limiter off and attack the contractor, Jabberwocky can't appear without one." Leo whispered and with a nod Dormouse changed his appearance. The contract watched Oz as Jabberwocky laughed. Dormouse laughed and charged at the man, slamming him to the ground. Dormouse laughed as he tore through the mans neck with his paw. The man gasped and gurgled until his last breath, leaving the world with with Jabberwocky's appearance. The night was soundless again and Leo locked the limiter on Dormouse, the Familiar shrinking and running over to Leo.
"Bath, I need a bath now." He said nudging Leo's leg.
"When we get home. Is Oz alright? He didn't get hurt at all did he?"
"Only my pride." Oz said landing in front of him with his limiter on. His black fur and elongated mouth turning into a thin, pale face. His bushy blonde hair landing with a bounce, and his eyes turning from red to emerald in seconds. "How are you and Elliot?"
"I'm fine." Elliot muttered.
"I'm fine, Dormouse wasn't off his limiter too long." Leo chuckled. "So…that's Jabberwocky…terrifying." Leo said with a shiver.
"Lets just go home." Lacie said, for once not smiling.
"How did you meet that giant lizard dad?" Leo asked as Oswald led Leo back to the limo.
"Lacie liked playing in the abyss and she met the Jabberwocky. Before he become twisted he was like Dormouse."
"Oi Dormouse, where are you?" Leo asked turning around, the Familiar running over. Leo picked it up and looked over at the body. "We shouldn't leave the body." Leo said, walking back toward it.
"Leave it to Xerxes." Oswald said, but Leo continued walking.
"I wonder who he is?" Leo muttered, Dormouse jumping from his hands.
"Let me see." Dormouse said tearing away from Leo's arms. He jumped down and ran over to the man's head, face down on the ground. With a kick Dormouse had moved the face toward the crowd. Leo swallowed hard.
Looking back up at him was the familiar face of his doctor, bloodshot eyes staring at Leo. Said boy just stared down for a moment before turning. "Break take care of this man please." Leo said as he passed Break. "I'm tired and tomorrow's a big day." Leo said as Break dropped a blanket over the body, removing it a second later. The remains were gone and they exited the festival, Elliot holding Leo's hand. Leo squeezed Elliot's hand and smiled up at the man. "But if I did have those I wouldn't let you touch them." Leo abruptly said, making Elliot go red with embarrassment.
A/N: I really liked this chapter, it was sweet but progressive as well. Check out , other story if you haven't already, Farewell and Fear The Ripper.
