Notes! : Summer, thats my excuse for not updating. And as a gift for my late update. I made this chapter really long :3

Chapter thirteen...The snake show

The more we talked about going to join up with the Cirque Du Freaks, the more the idea sounded good. I didn't have to be around just Mr. Crepsley. And I'd probably stop talking to myself! It freaked me out time to time of the conversations I would hold, by myself. It proved that I was lonely.

Did lonely people start conversations with themselves? I never knew because I was never lonely. I had my friend that filled my extra time, and my full time was taken up by family and school. So I was never lonely.

And being with the show Reminded me of the acts that performed. I would be able to hang out with them! That would be really cool! And maybe be friend with the snake boy who was around my age. It would be like living with your favorite Tv show actors!

I could help but to smile as we talked about it. Untill that one question passed my mind. As it left my mouth I looked dead into my mentor dark colored eyes, like this question was life or death.

"What if I don't like it there?"

He answered quickly, as if he was expecting the question. "Then we'd leave." I nodded slightly as he continued to speak. "I enjoyed traveling with the Cirque, but I am not crazy about it. If you like it, we stay. If you do not, we hit the road again." Wait, this was about me? If I didn't like it, we'd leave. Just like that?

"They wouldn't mind that we just show up." What I really meant was, they wouldn't mind me being there with them. I was still use to being with normal people. You know the judgemental type. If you don't look or act a certain way you couldn't be in their group.

And sinceI looked different, because of my scars, I didn't hang out with many people. On top of that I was shy to new people, so I didn't belong in a social group. Nor did people really want me to join their group because my scars would make them uncomfortable.

"You'll have to pull your weight - " He replied. Pull my weight? Meaning I had to help them with the show? I had no problem with that. As long as they didn't have me doing the impossible. I was already limited to the things I could do because I was blind in my left eye.

" - Mr. Tall insists on everybody doing something - " Mr. Tall was the owner of the whole circus. I remembered what he looked like. A very tall man, I could remember the first time we met. He scared the hell out of me and Steve. Even though Steve pretended not to be scared.

" - You will have to help set up chairs, lights, help sell souvenirs, clean up afterwrds, or do the cooking. You will be kept busy - " I nodded trying to picture myself doing those chores. I could do those things. " - But they will not overwork you. We will have plenty for time for our lessons."

I wanted to groan. Like a normal teenager would of done when they were told that their school year would be cutting into their summer break. Or that the school day was extended two hours. I knew I had to learn more about a vampire, and didn't mind learning more about it.

We decided to give it a shot. I couldn't help but to think of a real bed every night. My back ached from sleeping on the floors. I didn't mind it, it was probably better then sleeping on that wooden pew. Atleast I had a make shift bed.

My mentor had to find out where the show was before we could join. I wasn't sure how he was going to do that. I've never seen a cell phone in Mr. Crepsley hand. And I didn't think he was going to walk to the town and make a phone call from a pay phone.

I asked him how he was going to do that, because he didn't have a phone. I didn't want to mention the town, I didn't want to be an idoit. He told me the most weirdest thing I've ever heard from him. He said he was able to home in on Mr. Tall's thoughts.

"He's tele-a...Tele-a" I forgot what that work was. Like it was in my mind, but could get it to form into words. "Telepathic?" I nodded "Yes, telepathic. Is he telepathic?" I remembered Steve talking about people who could talk to each other using only their minds.

Steve, dang it. I groaned at my thoughts. Mr. Crepsley gave me a look. Not his normal look, but a bit of a confused look. I didn't want to tell him about Steve. Thinking he would make a comment on it. After all how was I suppose to say that even though I wasn't hanging out with him or even friends with him. But he was strangely on my mind. It was starting to annoy me.

"In a way." He said going back to talking and ignoring my weirdness. "We cannot speak to each other with our thoughts. But I can pick up on his... - " Mr. Crepsley paused to think of a word that I could probably understand. "Aura, you could call it. Once I locate that, tracking him down will be no problem."

"Aura?" I repeated. He nodded slightly. "Could I do that?" I asked leaning forward interested in the way this conversation was going. I wanted to know If I could.

"No," He said shooting down my curiousity. " Most vampires - Along with a few gifted humans - can, but half vampires cannot." I stood up just as he did. But our intentions were different. I was packing up the stuff we were using, of course after cleaning them.

Mr. Crepsley on the other hand sat in the middle of the church and closed his eyes. I wasn't sure what he was doing by sitting down in the middle of the church. He was quiet for what seemed like a long moment. I felt like creeping up to him. But then his eyelids opened and he stood. He only said two words.

"Got him,"

"That fast?" I asked picking up the dishes we used, I was carefull not to step on my sunglasses. "I thought it would take longer."

"I've looked for his 'aura' many times before" He explained watching me clean up. That was something I was the boss at. Picking up and cleaning dishes. It was like a chore of mine after dinner.

"I know what to look for. Finding him is as easy as finding a needle in a haystack."

I nodded half listening. "That's eas- Wait what? Isn't that suppose to be hard?" I asked finally catching on to what he said. That line was always used to describe something hard.

"Not for a vampire," He smiled.

I gave him a weird look. I was sure it was a joke that vampires got. Because even if he was smiling. I didn't get it.

During our packing, I found myself gazing around the church. I had groaned once again when something Steve said popped randomly in my mind, because I was in a church. I wasn't sure If I should asked him or just leave it alone.

I was standing there like an idoit, so I was open for an "attack". Mr. Crepsley placed his hand on my side and leaned over me. "Go on," He said making me jump. "Ask whatever it is on your mind."

I looked up at him "How do you know I wanted to ask something?" I was a bit freaked out. Was I like an open book? Was I that easy to read? He chuckled with a dark suductive hint to it. "It doesn't take a vampire to know when a child is curious. You've been bursting with questions for ages. Now tell me what it is."

"I'm not a child!" I said sharply. I wasn't, I was fifteen. The cut off age for the nickname "child" was ten. That was five years ago. I took a deep breath and leaned back. My back against his torso. "Do you believe in God?" I asked asked.

My question and action took him by surprise. Normally I would Get out of his hold. So it took him a second before answering. "I believe in the gods of the vampires." I frowned. "There are vampire gods?"

I really didn't have a religion. I mean sure my family was Christian. We didn't go to church every weekend. And didn't pray for our meal. Guess the term called for that was "lazy Christians?" I didn't know.

"There are." He said lightly. "Every culture has gods: Indian gods, Egyptian gods, Chinese gods. Vampires are no different." Now it was time for the weirder question.

"What about heaven?" I asked referring to when Steve said that vampires normally went to hell because they had no soul. Did vampires have souls? He was half vampires so did he have half of his soul?

"We believe in Paradise. It lies beyond the stars. When we die, if we have lived good lives, our spirits float free of the earth, cross the stars and galaxies, and come at last to a wonderful world at the other side of the universe - Paradise."

"What if they don't live good lives?"

"They stay here,"he said. "They remain bound to earth as ghosts, doomed to wander the face of this planet forever."

I had to think about that. "What's a 'good life' for a vampire? How do they make it to Paradise?" I asked

"Live cleanly, Do not kill unless necessary. Do not hurt people, Do not spoil the world."

I looked up again, my head rubbing his chest as I looked up. "Drinking blood isn't evil?" I asked being full of questions.

He was already looking at me. His hand that wasn't resting on my waist, moved the hair out of my face. I've gotten use to him moving the hair from my face. In the beginning I would be weird and I would back up, or pull the bangs back into my face. "Not unless you kill the person you drink from." He said "And even then, sometimes it can be a good thing."

"Killing someone can be good?" I asked confused as ever now.

Mr. Crepsley nodded seriously. "People have souls, Darren. When they die, those souls go to heaven or Paradise. But it is possible to keep a part of them here. When we drink small amounts of blood, we do not take any of a person's essence. But if we drink lots, we keep part of them alive within us."

I frowned. "How?"

"By draining a person's blood, we absorb some of that person's memories and feelings,"he explained. "They become part of us, and we can see the world the way they saw it and remember things which might otherwise have been forgotten."

I didn't say anything, which normally meant I needed an example, or more explaining on the thing. He broke eye conact with me thinking for a moment. "One of my dearest friends is called Paris Skyle,"he said. "He is very old. Many centuries ago, he was friends with William Shakespeare."

"The William Shakespeare? The man who wrote the plays and poems?"

My mento nodded. " yes the very one, But not all of Shakespeare's poetry was recorded; some of his most famous verses were lost. When Shakespeare was dying, Paris drank from him - Shakespeare asked him to - and was able to tap into those lost poems and have them written down. The world would have been a poorer place without them."

We met eyes again. "Do you only do that with people who ask, and who are dying?"

"Yes,"he said. "It would be evil to kill a healthy person. But to drink from friends who are close to death, and keep their memories and experiences alive..."He smiled. "That is very good indeed."

He backed up and gathered up his stuff. So did I. "Come" he said "Brood about it on the way. We must me off." I grabbed my sunglasses and shoved them in my pocket and followed my mentor outside.

I climbed on his back and we were off. He still didn't explain how he could move so fast. It wasn't that he ran quickly; it was more like the world just slipped by as he ran. He said that all full vampires could flit.

It was nice, watching the countryside drift away behind us. We ran up hills and across the vast plains, faster than the wind. There was total silence while we were flitting and nobody ever noticed us. It was like we were surrounded by a magic bubble.

While we flitted I thought about our conversation. If a vampire was able to keep peoples memories alive by drinking them, wouldn't that drive someone insane? Balancing their memories and the other persons? I wasn't completely sure how that would work. And would probably ask him later.

Flitting was hard work. And with me catching a ride. It took a lot more then it should of been. The vampire was sweating and I could see him start to stuggle. So I asked him if we could take a break, cause my leg was falling asleep.

While we were on our break I walked around, pretending to get the feeling back into my leg. While my mentor took out a bottle of human blood, uncorked it and drank it. I had a feeling we still had some time before we got there.

He wipped the sweat from his face and we were off again. Sleep had caught me off gaurd. Without knowing it I had fell asleep. My face buried between the vampires neck and shoulder.

I blushed lightly when he woke me up before he slowed to a halt. Still half asleep and feeling like I only slept for a few minute. I got off his back and looked around. The sky was beginning to lighten. We were in teh middle of the country road. Fields and trees all around us, with no houses in sight.

"Where's the Cirque Du Freak?"I asked yawning.

With a small nod of his head in the direction we were suppost to go. "A few miles farther ahead." He kneeled down, panting for breath.

"Run out of steam old man?" I joked laughing lightly. His glare made me laugh even harder. "No, I could of made it, but didn't want to arrive looking flushed."

"Key word, 'could'. " I laughed, and tried to get serious. But it was hard because I was starting to get excited, even if I wanted to go back to sleep. "You'd better not rest to long, Morning's on its way.

"I know precisely what time it is!"he snapped. "I know more about mornings and dawns than any living human. We have plenty of time on our side. A whole forty-three minutes yet."

My response annoyed him. "If you say so, old man."

"I do," He stood up and began to walk. I waited until he was a little in front, then ran ahead of him. "Hurry up, old man." I teased. "You're getting left behind!"

"Keep it up, Darren." He growled. "See what it gets you." I would regret it later, but right now I was having fun.

He started running after a couple of minutes, and the two of us jogged along, side by side. I was in a good mood, happier than I'd been for months. It was nice having something to look forward to. Wehn we started walking, sleep started to attack me again. I was seriously falling asleep on my legs while we walked.

"Darren..." My mentors voice stopped me from completely fall asleep on my feet. "If you can't stay up I'll have to carry you." I shurgged. I could make it. Hopefully.

We passed a bunch of grungy campers on our way.

They were starting to wake up and move around. A couple waved to us. They were funny-looking people: long hair, strange clothes, weighed down with fancy earrings and bracelets.

There were banners and flags all over the camp. I tried reading them, but it was hard to focus while I was jogging, and I didn't want to stop. From what I could tell, the campers had something to do with a protest against a new road. Steve would of called them "Hippes".

I sighed deeply. I really needed to stop that!

The road was really curvy. After the fifth turn, we finally spotted the Cirque Du Freak, nestled in a clearing by the banks of a river. It was quiet - everyone was sleeping, I imagined - and if we'd been in a car and not looking for the vans and tents, it would have been easy to miss.

It was a weird place for the circus to be. There was no hall or big tent for the freaks to perform in. I figured this must be a pit stop between two towns.

Mr. Crepsley weaved between the vans and cars with confidence. He knew exactly where he was going. I followed, less sure of myself, remembering the day I crept past the freaks and stole Madam Octa.

Mr. Crepsley stopped at a long silver van and knocked on the door. It opened almost immediately and the towering figure of Mr. Tall appeared. His eyes looked darker than ever in the dim light. If I hadn't known better, I would have sworn he had no eyeballs, only two black, empty spaces.

"Oh, it's you,"he said, voice low, lips hardly moving. "I thought I felt you searching for me."He craned over Mr. Crepsley and looked down to where I was kind of hidding behind my mentor. I had snuck my sunglasses back on. "I see you've brought the boy."

I wasn't sure why I was nervous to be around him. The last time we met, he was a really cool guy. I guess I expected him to be mad at me because I stole Madam Octa, and took one of the acts from the show.

"May we come in?" The vampire asked.

"Of course. "What is it one is supposed to say to you vampires?"He smiled. "Enter of your own free will?"

"Something like that,"Mr. Crepsley replied with a smile. I didn't understand it until I looked at my mentors face. Where I guessed it was a inside joke between them.

We went in the van and sat down. It was pretty bare inside, just a few shelves with posters and pamphlets for the Cirque, the tall red hat and gloves I'd seen Mr. Tall wear before, a couple of knickknacks, and a hideaway bed.

"I didn't expect you back so soon, Larten,"Mr. Tall said. Even when he was sitting down he looked enormous. I flinched when he spoke. I didn't realize I did it until after, where I then felt like a fool.

"A swift return had not been on the agenda, Hibernius."

Hibernius? I mouthed the name out like I did when I first heard Mr. Crepsley's name. EVen as weird as that name sounded it still fit the tall man. In a weird way. Hibernius Tall. It had a strange ring to it.

"Did you run into trouble?" Mr. Tall asked glancing over at me while I was still sliently pronoucing his name. I looked up at him, then stopped silently pronouncing his name. "No," My mentor said. "Darren wasn't happy. I decided he would be better of here, among those of his own kind."

It was like Mr. Crepsley explained what I accidently did when I played soccer with those boys, with those words. "I see" Mr. Talls eyes went back to me and studied me curiously. "You have come a long way since I last saw you, little Darren Shan." He said.

I took off my sunglasses, shoved them in my pocket and said in a low grumble. "I like it better where I was."

"Then why did you leave?" He asked. I let my mouth speak before my brain could think it through. "I was an idiot. And I'm sure you know why." I said turning my head not to face any of them. But he nodded slowly.

"He's just grumpy from the lack of sleep." Mr. Crepsley said as if he was explaining why I said those words. "Is it ok if we stay?" He asked.

"Of course,"Mr. Tall replied immediately. "Delighted to have you back, actually. We're a bit understaffed at the moment. Alexander Ribs, Sive and Seersa, and Gertha Teeth are off on vacations or business. Cormac Limbs is on his way to join Us but is late getting here. Larten Crepsley and his amazing performing spider will be an invaluable addition to the lineup."

"Thank you," The vampire said in a gently voice. "What about me?" I asked slowly bringing my eyes to look at Mr. Tall. He smiled "You are less valuable - " I flinched at that. " - but welcom all the same.

I didn't say anything, but retreated my eyes back to the floor. Hearing that I was less Valuable hurt my feelings. It made me remember how depressed I was. That feeling of being worthless.

"Where shall we be playing?" Mr. Crepsley spoke, paying me no attention. I'm pretty sure he knew I was back to being depressed, and didn't want to deal with it. "Right here." He answered.

"Here?" I mumbled still not looking at them. I wanted to hide behind my sunglasses again. But didn't want to let them know I was back to being uncomfortable.

"That puzzles you?" Mr. Tall enquired.

"It's in the middle of nowhere," I mumbled. "I thought you only played in towns and cities, where you'd get big audiences." My voice was getting lower.

"We always get a big audience,"Mr. Tall said. "No matter where we play, people will come. Usually we stick to more populated areas, but this is a slow time of the year for us. As I've said, several of our best performers are absent, as are... certain other members of our company."

A strange, secretive look passed between Mr. Tall and Mr. Crepsley, and I felt I was being left out of something. But didn't want to think much into it.

"So we are resting for a while,"Mr. Tall went on. "We shall not be putting on any shows for a few days. We're relaxing."

"We passed a camp on our way," Mr. Crepsley said. "Are they causing any problems?"

"The foot soldiers of NOP?" Mr. Tall laughed. "They're too busy defending trees and rocks to interfere with us."

"Nature's Opposing Protectors?" I asked, getting a look from both of them "The ecowarriors that run around the counrty trying to stop new roads and bridges from being built?" I blushed from embarrassment when I saw Mr. Crepsley's 'How did you know that?' Look.

"I heard about them from Alan..." I mumbled recalling the conversation between me and him when we were sitting out from soccer. Alan sprained his ankle and the conversation was brought up because of something his older brother was talking about.

"They've been here a couple of months, but are due to move or soon." Mr. Tall nodded at my "source". I knew they weren't real warriors. I didn't want to make a bigger fool of myself. After all I was already Less valuable.

"A few more minutes and the sun will be up."He rose and shook Mr. Tall's hand. "Thank you for taking us back, Hibernius."

"My pleasure,"Mr. Tall replied.

"I trust you took good care of my coffin?" Coffin? I felt like an idiot for asked the question in my head. He was a vampire. They slept in those things.

"Of course."

Mr. Crepsley smiled happily and rubbed his hands together. "That is what I miss most when I am away. It will be nice to sleep in it once more."

"What about the boy?"Mr. Tall asked. I snapped my head up and looked at him. "Do you want us to knock together a coffin for him?"

Hearing that I freaked out. Being in that coffin and being underground. Being buried alive scared me. "No! Don't even think about it!" I snapped standing up. "I will never get in one of those things alive again!" I shivered.

Mr. Crepsely looked over at me because of my little out burst. "Put Darren in with one of the other performers." He smiled. "Someobody his own age, if possible." Mr. Tall thought a moment. "How about Evra?" Mr. Crepsley's smile spread. "Yes. I think putting him in with Evra is a marvelous idea."

"Evra?" I asked sticking my hands in my pockets. "You will find out" The vampire promised opening the door to the van. "I will leave you to Mr. Tall. He'll take care of you. I have to be away."

And he was gone, off to his coffin. Leaving me completely nervous. I would never admit this out loud. But I wanted to be with my mentor.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw Mr. Tall standing directly behind me. I don't know how he crossed the room so quickly. I didn't even hear him moving to stand up.

"Shall we go?"he asked. I nodded lightly.

He led the way through the campsite. The morning was breaking and I saw a couple of lights coming on in a few of the vans and tents. Mr. Tall led me to an old gray tent, big enough for five or six people.

"Here are some blankets,"he said, handing over a bunch of woolly sheets. "And a pillow."I didn't know where he got them from - he didn't have them when we left the van - but was too tired to ask. I thought I was going to fall asleep on my feet again. "You may sleep as late as you wish. I will come for you when you are awake and explain your duties. Evra will take care of you until then."

I lifted the flap of the tent and looked inside. It was too dark to see anything. "Who's Evra?"I asked, turning back to Mr. Tall. But he was gone, having disappeared with his usual quick, silent speed.

I turned around hoping to see if he just hid behind something. But seeing no sign of life entered the tent, clutching the blankets to my chest. I let the flap fall back into place, then stood quietly inside, waiting for my eyes to adjust. I could hear someone breathing softly and could make out a vague shape in a hammock in the darkness beyond the middle of the tent. I looked for somewhere to make my bed. I didn't want my tentmate tripping over me when he was getting up.

I walked forward a few blind steps. Suddenly something slithered toward me through the darkness. I squeaked and didn't move. I wished so bad that I could see. (without the light of the stars or moon, even a vampire struggles to make things out).

"H-hello?"I said just above whispered. "Are you Evra? I'm Darren Shan. I'm your new -"

I stopped. The slithering noise had reached my feet. I didn't move from my spot. Something fleshy and slimy wrapped itself around my legs. I instantly knew what it was but didn't dare look down until it had climbed more than halfway up my body. Finally, as its coils curled around my chest, I worked up the courage to look down and stare into the eyes of a long, thick, hissing... snake!