After breakfast, Nyx followed Evra wherever he went, showing her every inch of the campsite and its members within. Though she stayed close, having to trust Evra more than everyone else.
Evra, though was glad she trusts him enough to stick close to him, gave her the space she needed, to do whatever he could to make her comfortable. Making sure she knew it was okay to relax around them as they walked.
As the tour went on, Evra introduced everyone to her, some even performed, to just give Nyx a small taste of their tricks.
From Truska showing off her ability to grow her beard and having to wave at her, to Hans showing Nyx how fast he can run on his hands, a pair of contortionists showed her some tricks. Alexander Ribs did scare the young vampire at first but she quickly responded with curiosity and looked more lively when he began playing music by banging two drumsticks against his ribcage. Even Rhambus Two-belly, who is typically not a fan of special requests, didn't hesitate to show what he can do with a crowbar, nails and a bicycle chain. Cormac Limbs showed off his skills by chopping off his hand and having it regrow a new one.
Each and everyone Nyx had met left her at awe at what they could do. For the first time in such a long time she felt a sense of wonder and joyment. Though she was keeping her distance, she didn't feel like she had to be afraid of anything.
When they got to the back of the camp to a huge tent, Nyx curiously went to see what was in there before Evra stopped her. Stepping in front of her.
"Whoa there, Nyx. I don't think you want to go there." Evra said, denying her to see the Wolfman. He thought it would be too scary for her to see at this time.
Nyx tilted her head to the side and stared at him with curiosity.
"Trust me, you'll see what's inside in due time, but right now it's not." He responded before turning her attention to something else. "Come with me, I wanna show you something." Evra said with a smile.
Nyx straightened her head before following him. As she followed him, Nyx couldn't help but turn her gaze over to a small gathering of little people in blue hooded robes all congregating in one area, causing her to stop.
She knew she wasn't hallucinating the other night, Nyx did see a creature wearing blue running out of the trailer, she wasn't just expecting to see a lot of them congregating in one area.
One in particular was walking away from it to pick something up off the ground, he was limping on his left leg.
"What's wrong?" Evra asked her, realizing she had stopped following and came up to her. He followed eyes to where the little people were. "Oh, you looking at them? He looks back at Nyx.
He truly needs to figure out how to have Nyx be able to communicate since she doesn't speak.
Little People are different since they don't typically talk.
"Those are called Little People," he explained to her. "They belong to a powerful man… you already met him."
Nyx had to think about who she had already met. She thought of all the kind people she met today, Sam, Mr. Tall…
Then was the other two; the red vampire and the creepy fat man with the strange watch.
Nyx raised a hand to cover her red eye when remembering her brief moment with him.
"That man's gone for now, but the circus usually houses them." Evra continued. "I'm tasked with making sure they eat. They're mostly harmless but even they have their limits. You see their hoods?"
Nyx nodded as she continued to stare at them.
" They don't hardly move so no one really knows what they look like. "
As he said that, the one that was limping turned its head and saw the children watching them.
It was looking right at Nyx.
It starts approaching them.
Evra watched the little person, seeing it breaking away from the pack, was very unusual as they usually stick together.
Nyx took several steps backwards as it was getting closer. When it got too close, Evra stepped in between them.
"Hey, back off." Evra grunted, seeing how uncomfortable the little vampire was becoming.
It caused the little person to stop, stopping a few feet from them.
Nyx let out a soft gasp, looking up at Evra.
It didn't stop staring at them, more importantly, staring at her.
It did bend down however, scooping up some weeds by its feet, ripping them from the ground and raising them up and offering it to Nyx.
"Uh… ." Evra opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. He wasn't expecting this.
Nyx stared at the little person as she hid behind Evra. It wasn't acting threatening towards them or her. She and the little person were similar in height. She couldn't see much underneath the hood but she was able to see some sort of breathing apparatus. Its hands were a greenish gray color and fingers were sausage-like.
Nyx reached around Evra and grabbed the weeds from the little person and retreated back.
Then the little person limps back towards the others.
"Well that was something." Evra muttered, watching the interaction take place. "Uh, okay let's get going." Evra turned to look at Nyx just to see her eating on the weeds.
"How are you still hungry?" He asked but knowingly he won't get an answer. Evra then sighed, "come on then."
Nyx followed him then all the way back to his tent, there was a drawer and a hammock which he sleeps on. He showed off his snakes, all of them in a variety of many colors and one large snake with big eyes. Naturally it scared the child and she had shuffled out of it instantly but Evra quickly explained and showed that they wouldn't hurt her. It took a hot second but Nyx was able to be at ease as she was able to hold one.
"See? They're completely harmless, well these ones are." He said in assurance.
Nyx remembers trying a snake to feed off she had caught in the Grove on one of the many nights she was neglected of blood. She got so sick after taking one sip of its blood that she spent hours puking. Followed by hearing that monster complaining about it.
The little vampire held the snake gently, the one on her hand was an albino snake with red eyes, like her. The snake had flicked its long forked tongue on her nose. It felt weird and scrunched her nose, letting out a soft giggle.
Evra smiled. "Hey Nyx, watch this."
Nyx looks up and was taken aback that Evra also has a long forked tongue and stuck it far up in his nose. She ended up letting out this squeal of laughter, that sound made Evra feel lighter.
He knew that she needed this, after everything this little girl has been through, seeing some tension lifting off of her.
Seeing her laugh instead of cowardly in fear and on guard was a sight to see.
"And the best part, the inside of my nose is the cleanest part of my body. No boogers and snot." He gave her a mischievous grin. "Wanna try it out yourself?"
Nyx shook her head with a laugh. She's gonna take his word on it.
She continued to pet the snake as the green boy spoke.
"You know…you and I are not so different," he spoke softly. "Before coming here, I was in another freakshow, a real nasty one at that." Nyx looked up and saw this look on his face and listened. "My last master…he treated me horribly. Kept me in a cage and treated me like a real snake, he was really mean and nasty to me."
Her eyes widened when he told her. Looking more closely at the snake boy, Nyx could see signs that he was abused, she cast her gaze to the side. Though she only was out for several days, her body was still in healing stages from her own recent abuse. Though she was surrounded by trees, the Grove was her cage.
"He's gone now. Mr. Tall came to the camp one night. The owner thought he was there to make a purchase before he was killed by Mr. Tall. He took me in after that and I've been here ever since."
Nyx quickly turned her attention back to him.
Evra looked at her with a sympathetic look. "Everyone here at the circus has their own story and their reasoning on why they're here. The Cirque Du Freak is a good place, we protect each other. And we can protect you, if you let us. In fact you already fit right in."
Nyx tilted her head curiously at him. She didn't know what he meant by that.
"I think we have two more shows this week, I really like for you to see what all of us can do. The show is exciting and I know you'll like it. You've already seen what some of us can do." He then grinned. "However I am kinda the star of the show. Quite the big deal."
Nyx giggled.
"So, what do you say, you come and see the show tonight?"
Nyx had to think about that, she did enjoy seeing everyone she saw and what acts they can do even though some freaked her out at first, but that's what this Cirque was all about.
She can't recall if she ever saw a circus performance before she was forcefully turned, but if the show was like she saw earlier the day, she would really like to see more.
So she gave Evra a smile and nodded.
"Great! Oh you will not be disappointed." He grinned brightly. "Come on, let's go and see where Sam is." He gently grabs the snake out of her hand and puts it back up. "Don't worry, where we meet isn't that far from camp. I'll keep you safe." He said.
The sun had just started to descend in the skies as the children walked away from the circus. Nyx did seem nervous being led outside of the cirque and into the wooded area near a small riverbed.
Evra noted that she would keep looking over her shoulder. He gave her a reassured smile. "The sun's still up, I don't think the vampire who turned you will be out just yet."
It didn't really put her at ease.
Evra didn't say anything for a moment before saying, "I think Mr. Crepsley will handle him since this is a vampire problem. Seems kinda fitting." He looked at her. She didn't recall who that was.
"The vampire who threw his spider here." Evra responded.
Nyx paled some when she was reminded.
"I don't think he's really mad, irritated but I think he isn't mad, given your situation. He's the one that brought you back and helped tend to your wounds."
Nyx automatically raised and touched the back of her head, remembering the bandage she woke up around her head and the ones wrapped around her inner thighs. The thought of another vampire touching her made her very uncomfortable.
"I was there if that makes it better. Like I said, no one here wants to hurt you, even if he wants to help you, though he won't admit it." Evra said. "Mr. Crepsley has a dark sense of humor and can come off as if he has a stick up his butt, but he isn't so bad once you get to know him…I guess since he's the only vampire in camp, you'll be with him - if he wants to that is."
It did make sense. Since there's already a vampire here in the circus, Nyx would eventually need someone to teach her properly how to be a vampire, even though this lifestyle wasn't her choice. There hasn't been much talk about her situation.
Who else was going to take up the mantle? Who would take up this strange little half vampire?
"I know you're nervous and anxious around him given the last time you were with a vampire, but Mr. Crepsley is nothing like him, I promise." He swore.
That was something for Nyx to think about. After escaping from one vampire, Nyx didn't know if she wanted to deal with vampires ever again. She didn't want to relive the pain and suffering she had for many, many years.
Eventually, they found Sam sitting on a log, his backpack was on the ground and he had his pickled onions in his hand and was munching on them. Once he saw the snake boy and Nyx coming to view he jumped up.
"Hey!" he called out, waving at them. "Oh Nyx, you're outside! That's great!"
Nyx responded with a wave of her own.
"Yeah, it took time, but before~" Evra was cut off when this large man popped out of the bushes and grabbed the two by the feet.
Sam was laughing.
That laughter however quickly ended when Nyx let out a frightened scream, twisted her body and clawed the man's arm. The man shouted and dropped the pair. As soon as Nyx lands on the ground, she scrambles up on her feet and flits off.
"Dammit, what the hell?!" The man cried out. Pressing his hands over the bleeding wound.
"Sam, what the fuck!" Evra cursed at Sam. "You know she doesn't like being touched!"
"I'm sorry I didn't know she was going to come out. I-I wanted you to meet my friend R~"
Evra didn't want to hear it, so he went after Nyx.
Damn it Sam, what the hell was he thinking! Nyx just got comfortable around him and this happens!
Nyx was not having it, she flitted all the way back to the campground. Fear and adrenaline was pumping through her once more, all she thought about was to get away.
Can't let them get me! I can't! Not again!
She raced till she ran into a tent near the back of the camp. Nyx came to the stop as she scrambled to hide between some boxes.
Nyx covers her mouth with her hands to muffle her breathing. She didn't want anyone to hear her or know where she was.
She waited and waited till she thought the coast was clear before she began hearing sounds of chains rattling right behind her.
And a low menacing, bone-chilling growl.