Don't own Cirque du Freak. (Although I desperately wish I did.)

The more they discussed the idea, the more Elena and Darren liked it. Mr. Crepsley said that the Cirque performers would know what they were, and they'd be accepted as one of their own. He said there was almost always someone around their age. They could hang out with them.

"What if we don't like it there?" Darren asked.

"We hit the road again." Mr. Crepsley shrugged. "I enjoy travelling with the Cirque, but I am not crazy about it. If you like it, we'll stay. If not, well then we'll go."

"Good plan." Elena said with a mischievous smile, "Short, simple, easy to remember."

Steve and Darren both laughed while Mr. Crepsley shook his head muttering "Children."

"So they won't mind us tagging along then?" Steve asked.

"You shall have to pull your own weight." Mr. Crepsley replied. "Mr. Tall expects everybody to do something. You three are no exception. And of course, you two will continue your vampire training with me in the evening." He aimed the last sentence at Darren and Elena.

"So where is the Cirque?" Elena asked.

"I do not know yet, I have to track Mr. Tall's thoughts there."

"So he's telepathic?" Darren asked remembering what Steve had said the night of the show.

Mr. Crepsley shook his head. "We can not speak to each other per say. However I can track his aura." Mr. Crepsley then sat in the middle of the church and closed his eyes. Not even a minute later, they snapped open again. "Got him." He said.

That fast?" Elena asked incredulously.

"I have searched for his aura many times." He replied, "Easy as finding a needle in a haystack."

"Isn't that hard?" Darren asked.

"Not for a vampire." Mr. Crepsley said. As they were packing too leave, Darren kept glancing around at the church. "What is it?" Mr. Crepsley asked startling Darren.

"What?" Darren asked jumping.

"Ask me whatever is on your mind." Mr. Crepsley said.

"How did you know I wanted to ask something?" Darren said surprised.

Mr. Crepsley smiled, "It hardly takes a vampire to figure out something is on your mind. What is it?"

Darren thought for a minute. "Do you believe in God?" Elena's head snapped up to her father's face at this, wanting to hear the answer.

"I believe in the gods of vampires." Mr. Crepsley said shortly.

"Vampires have gods?" Steve asked, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Of course," Mr. Crepsley said. "Every race has its own God or gods. Vampires are no different." He shrugged.

"What about heaven?"

"We believe in Paradise, it lies beyond the stars."

"Like Neverland?" Elena asked.

"What is Neverland?" Mr. Crepsley asked curiously.

"Never mind." Elena said quickly. "Continue."

"When we die, if we have lead good lives, our spirit floats away from earth, to the other side of the universe in Paradise."

"What if you lead a bad life?" Darren asked.

"They stay here," Mr. Crepsley said. "Bound to earth, wandering as ghosts."

"So what is a good life for a vampire?" Elena asked after a moment of silence.

Mr. Crepsley thought for a moment before answering her. "Live cleanly, do not kill unless it is absolutely necessary. Do not hurt people."

"So drinking blood isn't evil?" Elena asked softly.

Mr. Crepsley shook his head. "Not unless you kill the person you drink from. And sometimes that can be good."

"How is killing someone good?" Darren asked.

Crepsley laughed. "People have souls Darren, it runs in their very blood. If we drink enough, we absorb part of that person's essence and keep their memories alive. One of my friends, Paris Skyle- was once very good friends with William Shakespeare-"

"The Shakespeare?" Elena cut him off. "As in the guy who wrote the plays?"

Mr. Crepsley glared at her for a moment for interrupting him, and she shrunk back a bit. "Yes." He said finally, "As Shakespeare lay dying, he asked Paris to drink from him. In his memories there were poems he had never written down, through Paris, his final works could be recorded. Think what the world would be if those poems had never been written down?"

So, do you only do that with people who ask and ones that are dying?" Darren asked.

Mr. Crepsley nodded. "It would be evil to drink from a perfectly healthy person, but to drink from a dying friend and ensure that they live on- that is very good indeed. Mr. Crepsley smiled. "Come, the night is young and we have a long way to go." Steve hopped on his back, and he scooped Elena under one arm and Darren under the other and he began to flit. He still didn't explain how he was able to move that fast. He just told them it was something that they wouldn't be able to do until they were full vampires. As the sky started to lighten, Mr. Crepsley came to a stop. He was puffing and out of breath.

"Where's the Cirque?" Darren asked.

"A few kilometers ahead." He huffed.

"Are you okay?" Elena asked concerned.

"Fine," He replied. "I just need to catch my breath."

"I thought vampires were supposed to be fit." Steve snorted.

Mr. Crepsely glared at him, "You try carrying three children that far without getting tired." He straightened and began to walk. "Come, it will be dawn in about forty three minutes."

Darren ran ahead, "Hurry up old man," He jeered, "You're getting left behind."

"Keep it up." Mr. Crepsley growled, "All lit will get you is a clip around the ear and a boot up the pants."

They came to a clearing full of vans and tents. The children slowed to walk behind the vampire. They didn't know where to go while Mr. Crepsley weaved thorough the tents and vans with confidence. He stopped outside a tent and held the flap, gesturing for them to enter. They saw Mr. Tall sitting down. "Oh it's you." He muttered. He peered at Darren, Elena, and Steve with his black eyes, lingering a little longer on Steve. "I see you've brought the children. Do they know?"

Mr. Crepsley nodded. "She was the one who told emme/em actually." He said indicating Elena.

"And the other boy?"

"It is a long story."

"I didn't expect you to return so soon Larten." Mr. Tall said.

"It was not planned Hibernius." Mr. Crepsley admitted.

"Did you run into trouble?" Mr. Tall asked.

"No," Crepsley shook his head. "The children were not happy."

"I see." Mr. Tall said.

"Is it alright if we stay?" Mr. Crepsley asked.

"Of course," Mr. Tall said. "You will be welcomed in fact. Several of the other performers are on holidays the line-up is rather short. Larten Crepsley and Madam Octa will be an invaluable addition."

"What about us?" Elena asked.

"You are less valuable." Mr. Tall said and Elena snorted. "But welcomed all the same as children of a performer."

"Where will they stay?" Mr. Tall then asked Mr. Crepsley looking back at the children. "Do you want us to knock together a coffin for them or-"

"No!" Darren shouted, immediately horrified. "I'm never getting in one of those things again!"

Mr. Crepsley smiled, "Put Darren and Steve in with one of the performers, Evra will do."

"Who's Evra?" Darren asked.

"You will find out soon enough." Mr. Crepsley said evenly. Darren rolled his eyes; it was typical of his father to not answer his questions.

"And Elena?" Mr. Tall asked. "Evra is the only performer their age, do you want her to stay in a tent with a teenage boy?"

"No," Mr. Crepsley growled. Elena looked surprised but pleased that he cared about her that much. He thought for a moment. "She can stay in my tent."

"Do I have to stay in a coffin?" She asked pulling her infamous puppy face.

Mr. Crepsley was about to tell her yes until he caught her face. He sighed, "I will get a hammock strung up for you."

"Daddy's girl." Steve muttered. Elena glared at him and was about to argue, but Mr. Tall cut in before she could.

"Enough, there aren't many more chores left to do so I'll have the three of you share Evra's chores. That way you can still be together. Darren, Steve, come with me and I'll bring you to Evra's tent. Larten, would you like me to have someone set up a spot for Elena now?"

"No need Hibernius," Mr. Crepsley said. "I will set something up for her tonight. I am sure one day in a coffin will not kill her." Elena was about to protest but her father sent her a look and she knew to stop pushing her luck. Mr. Crepsley turned to Darren and Steve; "I will leave you two in the care of Mr. Tall." He and Elena made their way out of the tent. Darren turned to see that Mr. Tall standing right next to him.

"Shall we go?" He asked. Darren nodded. Mr. Tall led the way around the campsite. Dawn was breaking and they caught a glimpse of Elena and Mr. Crepsley entering another tent. The performers were starting to wake. Mr. Tall stopped suddenly at a large grey tent. "Here are some blankets." He said handing Darren a stack of about five or six with a few pillows on top. "Evra will look after you from now on. Along with your father." He added as an afterthought.

Darren turned about to ask again who Evra was but he found Mr. Tall had disappeared. He mumbled something about people coming and leaving so quickly and lifted the flap of the tent and stepped inside. It was dark. Darren could barely see three feet in front of him, he was sure Steve could see less with his human eyesight. He heard a noise in the darkness. "Hello?" He called out. "Are you Evra? I'm Darren Crepsley, I'm your new-" He stopped mid sentence as something slithered around his legs. He didn't dare look down until it had reached his torso. He looked down and locked eyes with a thick, slimy, hissing snake. "Gods," Steve said, "That thing is HUGE!" He had taken to using the plural since Mr. Crepsley had told them about the vampire gods even though he was human.

"Get it off me!" Darren gasped.

"No way man, I'm not touching that thing."

The occupant of the tent began to stir with their whispers, it was the snake boy. "Who are you?" He demanded.

"Steve Leopard." Steve had also taken to using his nickname as his real name since leaving their hometown. He held out a hand for the snake boy to take, but he ignored it.

"What about you?" Darren was so frozen with fear he couldn't utter a sound. "If you don't answer me then I'll have her take your eyes out."

"I-I-I'm Dar-Darren Cre-Crep-Creps-sly." The snake boy had a look of realization. "Mr. T-Tall told u-us to co-come here. We're your n-new ro-roo-roommates."

He pointed at Darren. "You're Mr. Crepsley's son aren't you?"

"Yes." Darren said quietly.

"And you're his human assistant." He pointed to Steve. Steve nodded, "Did he put you in with me?" The snake boy grinned. Darren nodded. "I've never met a vampire without a sense of nasty humour."

"Um, can you help?" Darren asked gesturing to the snake.

"Oh," The snake boy laughed. "She's asleep. She sleep crawls." He pulled the snake from Darren and he let up a sigh of relief as she curled upon the ground. He walked out of the tent with Darren and Steve following. "Name's Evra by the way. Evra Von."

""Von what?" Steve asked.

The snake boy laughed. "Just plain Von." They walked through the Cirque, passing performers and helpers.

Morning Evra Von." Hans Hands said. "Who're your young friends?"

"Steve Leopard."

"Darren Crepsley."

"The Darren Crepsley."

"You know my name?" Darren said surprised.

"You're kind of famous around here."

"Why? Is it because I'm a half-vampire?"

Hans laughed. "Half-vampires are common. But ones that are young as you are not so common. That and you are the only child of a vampire. Have the Vampire Generals come inspecting yet?"

"What are Vampire Generals?" Darren asked curious.

"They're-"

"Hans!" A woman scolded, "Do you think Larten will appreciate you telling tales?"

"Sorry." Hans apologized.

Mr. Tall came around as sausages were being handed out. He looked surprised to see Darren and Steve awake. "You are up early Master Crepsley and Master Leopard."

"Couldn't sleep." Darren said. He looked at Evra and grinned. "I was too wound up."

"I trust you two are still able to work."

"Yep." Darren said.

"Is your sister awake or-"

Darren shook his head. "She likes her sleep." And she's probably too afraid of waking dad up to get up. He thought to himself.

Mr. Tall turned to Evra, "Darren and Steve will be helping you with your chores Evra, Elena will too when she wakes."

Mr. Tall left to tend to his own business and Darren turned to Evra. "So what do we do first?" He paused, "Partner?"

Evra grinned. "What we do every morning," He said. "Milk the poison from the fangs of my snake. Partner." This was going to be harder than he thought.

The boys kept up with Evra easily. Most of the chores were simple. The only difficult one was feeding the Wolf-Man. "Isn't it cruel to keep him chained up?" Darren asked. "If we didn't he'd run around killing people. The mix of wolf and human blood has driven him mad." Evra said sadly.

They had a lot of time to themselves, and they talked to each other during most of their free time. Evra had been born to ordinary parents who were horrified when they seen him. They put him in an orphanage that sold him to a circus owner. That circus put him in a cage and invited people to laugh at him. One day Mr. Tall arrived. He picked the circus owner up by the neck and that was the end of him. He took Evra back to the Cirque and here they were now. "And I thought Elena and I had it hard." Steve said quietly when Evra's story was over.

"Well I'm better off now." Evra said. He looked outside. "The sun's is starting to go down, "You should probably go to Mr. Crepsley's tent."

"I'm human, I don't have vampire training, I'll stick with you Evra." Steve said, and the snake boy's grin widened.

Darren waved and made his way to the tent he saw Mr. Crepsley go into. As he came in he saw the lid of the coffin swing open. He walked over to see Elena curled up into Mr. Crepsley's chest. Mr. Crepsley yawned and gently shook her awake. "What did you do today?" Mr. Crepsley asked scratching his scar.

Darren smiled. "I made a friend."