Remember what I said to Jerichoholic-Edgehead? Well, I lied, because this is quite long (I think). Another (sob) sad chapter. R&R!

To my reviewers:

Jerichoholic-Edgehead: I'm afraid that this is a tragedy, so it won't be that happy.

WildTotodile: Yeah, what?

Chapter 6. Sacrifice

"Is there no other way?" asked Cormac, sounding surprisingly stronger than he actually was.

"I'm afraid," answered Mr. Tiny, "that that is impossible. If you let her live, but not see her, in a mere few weeks, this Cirque will be plunged into inevitable darkness. If you meet her, then kill her, you and this Cirque will continue undisturbed. It is your choice."

Cormac knew that Mr. Tiny wouldn't lie about the future. And yet, if he killed his own mother, he would never be able to live with himself, ever again. He thought for what seemed an eternity, then asked a question that tasted like defeat in his mouth.

"Where is she?"

(One week later)

Cormac looked at his map. He had arrived. The town was very small, with only living areas and a local supermarket. Not an ideal place to live, but perfect for people who wanted to get away from everyone else. He sighed. I can't believe she's come this far, thought Cormac.

He approached the address he had written on his palm. It was like all the other houses; a non-descript door, plain white walls, and a front lawn that had barely had enough space to lie down in. A few flowers were growing there. Cormac made sure he didn't step on them. He pressed the doorbell, and it rang an old, tuneless sound.

The door opened. Cormac couldn't suppress a gasp. His mother, already around sixty, looked as young and fit as a forty year old.

"Yes? How may I help you?" she asked. She was wearing a bathrobe, a pair of pink slippers and was holding a mug of steaming tea. Her voice was energetic, but drowsy, for it was seven in the morning.

Cormac couldn't move. He couldn't speak. His mother looked so much like before. Could she really be the bringer of downfall to the Cirque, his home? She very well could be, he reasoned. But he remained silent.

"Wait, I think I've seen you befor...!!" she screamed, and dropped her mug. It shattered on the floor, and the contents dripped on to the grass. She threw her arms around him, and sobbed uncontrollably. Cormac finally moved, and hugged his mother back, sobbing as well. For a moment, he forgot all about Mr. Tiny and his prophecy. His mind was full with the fact that he had his mother in his arms again.

She pulled away. "Colin, are you still with..." she muttered, suddenly looking darker, even guilty. For a moment, she stayed silent. Cormac looked at her with uncertainty. Then he remembered Mr. Tiny's prophecy. So it's true, thought Cormac. She's going to do something to the Cirque.

She turned, and walked further down the corridor. Cormac couldn't see what she was doing, so he stepped into the house, the carpet squishing as he walked on it.

She turned around. She had a shotgun in her hand. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, "but I just can't, Colin. Not anymore." She paused. "I'm so sorry, Colin."

She fired once. She had her eyes closed. When she opened them, her son wasn't there. Her shotgun had made a lot of noise, and people were starting to gather around the house. She looked around. She couldn't find him.

That was when he dropped down from the ceiling.

He moved like quicksilver. He grabbed her shotgun, pushing it down, and held her mouth closed, before she could scream.

"You won't kill me that easily, mother." he whispered into her ear. When her son whispered this, the realization hit her in the gut. I tried to kill my son, my beloved son. She pulled her son's hand away, and screamed, like that day when she saw her son grow back his limbs. Everybody ran away at once. Soon, the street was empty.

She struggled with Cormac, broke free, and aimed the shotgun at him again. She fired, and a vase broke, but she didn't hit her son. She whipped around, and as she was firing, Cormac's hand pushed the barrel up. This proved fatal.

The bullet went straight up, and embedded itself into her skull. Blood spilt out from the wound. Cormac screamed, and yet she made no sound. She felt no pain; in fact, all her pains were gone. She smiled at her son, who had laid her down on the floor, and was sobbing over her.

"I love you, Colin. I'm so sorry..." she whispered. Then her head dropped. She was dead.

Colin's wail was audible from far, far away.

(Sob) Keep reading. The story is estimated to end in two chapters or so, because of the (sob) sad happening. R&R!