I still don't own Cirque du Freak! Review!

It was strange being in the city, it was remarkably loud and Darren and Elena's heightened senses were not used to it. Most of the first week was spent with them in bed during the day, pillows over their heads to block out the sound. But once they got used to it, they continue on as normal.

They were staying in a hotel that was in the corner of a quiet part of the city. The rooms were equipped with a bathroom, a small kitchen with a table, a TV, a fold-out sofa, and two beds. Darren and Steve shared one bed, Mr. Crepsley and Elena the other, and Evra camped out on the hide-away bed. During the first week Darren complained about how unfair it was since Elena and their father really only had to share for a few hours. His father told him that all three of them could share the double bed if it was that big of a problem and Darren promptly stopped complaining.

The second week they were there, they had settled into a comfortable routine. The kids would wake early, have a big breakfast and go out exploring. They'd come back before nightfall on the off chance Mr. Crepsley wanted them for some reason, and then they stayed in the room. Watching T.V or playing video games.

Mr. Crepsley's routine was to wake at nightfall, and disappear until sun up with no word to any of them what he was up to. Darren and Elena wondered where he went but they never asked. Their father was a secretive man by nature, if he wanted them to know he would tell them.

Evra had to bundle up in scarves when they went out. Though he was used to people gaping at his appearance, they thought it was better to pass as normal humans. Though the hotel staff had noticed something odd about them. They didn't say anything though. As long as Mr. Crepsley continued to give generous tips they kept their mouths shut. Money buys privacy he once told them. Besides their group wasn't nearly as strange as the man that walked around the hallways naked.

As it grew closer to December the city began to get more and more Christmassy. Lights were strung up all over the city; the hotel had even placed miniature trees in all the rooms. Elena and Steve spent a whole night decorating it elaborately while Darren and Evra sat on the bed and watched the Simpsons. Christmas wasn't a big deal at the Cirque; so last years had passed by uncelebrated. This year they were determined to not miss it. Particularly with the atmosphere in the city.

Evra having never taken part in the festivities that came with December couldn't understand what all the fuss was over.

"What's the point of it?" He asked as Elena strung popcorn strings to make a mantle for the T.V stand. "It's just people stressing themselves out trying to find perfect gifts, cook fancy dinners, and what's with the tree?"

Elena and Darren tried to explain it was a time of peace, meant to bring people together and practice goodwill but Evra was having none of it. He understood enough to let Elena thoroughly decorate the hotel room and watch Christmas movies and bake all kinds of things though. He still thought it was a mad money-spending racket, although he admitted the cookies were a plus.

Even though both Darren and Steve had grown up celebrating Christmas, they both thought their friend was going a little overboard. She had celebrated Christmas too but at the orphanage she still had missed out on a big part of it. Steve and Darren let her go a little overboard and Steve told Evra not to ruin it for her. Darren also told his father the same thing.

"It is a silly little human custom." He had said when Darren asked his opinion on the holiday. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with it.

"Just try to enjoy it a little for Elena's sake." Darren said. He knew his father wasn't aware of what had gone on at the orphanage and that Elena never wanted him to find out, which made this, ten times harder.

Mr. Crepsley raised an eyebrow. "I do not see how my participating in this affects her."

"Christmas is about spending time with family." Darren said. "Try to at least be there Christmas Eve. Please?"

His father sighed. "Alright. If it means that much to you I will be here."

Darren hugged him around the middle taking him off guard. "Thank you!"

"Want to go shopping?" Elena asked tearing Darren from his thoughts. She was at the door wrapping a woolen scarf around her neck.

"Sure." Darren said grabbing his coat from the bed where he had thrown it earlier.

"Nah," Evra said. "I can't be bothered to put on all those heavy clothes on again."

"I'll come." Steve shrugged.

"Suit yourself." Darren said and the others disappeared out the door.

They wandered around the square, watching a few of the neighborhood kids building a snowman, going into a few of the shops. The good thing about this trip was that they could finally get some other sets of clothes. It felt good to be wearing simple jeans and t-shirts again.

They stopped outside a large department store wondering if they could find something for Evra there when a girl walked up and stood next to them. She was about their age, and was roughly the same height as Elena, a little shorter than Darren. She had dark skin and long dark hair.

"So are you going in or just looking?" The girl said.

"What?" Darren asked.

"The store." She said. "Are you just going to stare in the window or go in?"

"I don't know." Darren said. "I'm looking for something to get my brother, but I don't know what to get.

That was their cover story, that Evra and Steve were also Mr. Crepsley's kids. It was an easier explanation than that they were a snake boy and a human boy that came with three vampires because the little vampires were lonely.

"Well at least you have your girlfriend to help you look, or is she your girlfriend?" She turned to Steve.

"What!" Elena screeched.

"Sorry-I just thought-"

"No," Elena said quickly, "It's okay, it's just these are my brothers."

Steve laughed, "So do you have any suggestions on what to get our other brother?"

"Aftershave."

"He doesn't shave." Elena said. And he never would, as it was impossible for him to grow hair on his scales. Plus the intensity of the smell would drive all three vampires sinuses haywire.

"A CD?"

"He doesn't listen to music. Although he might start if I bought him a CD player."

"Those are expensive." The girl said.

"We'll split it." Elena said. "It'll be a gift from the three of us."

"Then go for it." The girl said. She stuck out an ungloved hand. "My name's Debbie."

"Darren." Darren said shaking her hand. It looked as though Debbie was shaking a pile of snow shaped like a hand due to the contrast in their skin tones.

"Elena." Elena said also shaking her hand.

"Steve."

Debbie released Steve's hand, "So do you guys live at the hotel?"

"How did you know that's where we were staying?" Elena asked surprised.

"I live a few doors up from the hotel. That's why I stopped to talk to you. I've seen you hang out with that funny guy with glasses and the fake beard."

"Evra." Darren said. "He's our brother. I've never noticed you around before."

"I was stuck in bed with a cold with nothing to do but stare out the window. Let me tell you, staying in bed all day sucks." She rubbed her hands together.

"Aren't you cold?" Elena asked.

"Yeah but I lost my gloves. That's what I'm doing here. My uncle got them for me and my mother would kill me if I ever lost them."

"Well what did they look like?" Darren asked.

"Red, with fur lining."

"Well maybe we could help you look for a similar pair and you can help us look for a CD player." Elena suggested.

"Sure!" Debbie said.

Elena walked in the store and Darren held the door for Debbie. "Careful." She teased, "People will think you fancy me."

Darren blushed as Debbie and Elena and Steve both laughed. "I think we're going to be really good friends." Elena said with a wink.

Debbie's full name was Debbie Hemlock, and she had only moved to the city very recently.

"My mom let me stay home till Christmas is over, she said it was pointless to start now since it was so close to the holidays. So are you guys going to school here?"

"No our dad's a travelling salesman so he teaches us at home." Elena said.

"What about your mom?"

Elena looked down at her feet. "She doesn't live with us. We've never met her."

"Oh I'm sorry!" Debbie said putting a hand over her mouth.

"It's okay." Elena shrugged, "You can't miss what you never had right?"

"Right. But you can still wish for it." Debbie said softly.

"Are these the same glove?" Darren asked changing the subject and drawing both girls attention to him. Elena sent him a grateful look and he nodded to her.

"No, those are darker."

They glanced at the rack of CDs and players, but none of them had thought to bring much money so they didn't buy anything. They exited the shop empty handed strolling around the square.

"So what's you're hotel like? It looks sort of stuffy." Debbie said.

"Nah, it's better than most places we've been. You can play in the corridors, and some of the guests… Well there's one guy who walks around completely nude." Darren said.

"No." She gasped.

Darren nodded. "As long as he's paying they don't care."

"I guess I'll have to come over sometime."

"Whenever you want." Darren insisted, Elena raised her eyebrows, "Except during the day."

They walked with Debbie to her house. "Would you like to come in?"

"Better not." Darren said thinking of Evra and his father, "We're expected back soon."

"Well pop in soon. I'll be around."

"Sure thing." Darren said.

"There's a movie playing this week. We could go sometime."

"Sure." Darren said. "You can come over to the hotel and we can leave from there."

"Wait until about five or six to come though." Elena said. The last thing they needed was for Debbie to walk in on a sleeping full-grown vampire.

"Okay." She waited at the doorstep.

"What?" Darren asked.

"Are you going to ask me?"

"Ask you what?"

"To go to the cinema."

"But didn't you just-" Darren was confused. Elena and Steve had turned around and started walking back to the hotel. He could see his sister's shoulders shaking from laughter.

"Darren girls never ask boys out." Debbie sighed.

"Fine. Debbie will you go to the cinema with me?"

"I'll think about." She said and closed the door in Darren's face. He ran to catch up with his sister. Girls.

Evra was watching T.V and Mr. Crepsley was still asleep when they entered. Evra turned, "Hey." He said.

"Hi." Darren said.

"What'd you guys do?" he asked.

"Well Darren found himself a girlfriend, " Steve teased.

"No I don't!"

"You asked her out didn't you?"

"Well yeah but,"

"Then you have a girlfriend!" Elena said.

"I do not!"

"Do to!"

"What's her name?" Evra asked joining Elena's side.

"Debbie. Hey! You're supposed to be on my side!"

"This side's more fun." Evra shrugged.

"Darren and Debbie sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-" Darren cut Elena's song off with the throw of a pillow. Unfortunately he had thrown a little too hard and it soared over Elena's head and hit his father effectively waking him.

Mr. Crepsley sat up with a glare throwing the pillow back at his son. "Why are you throwing things at me Darren?"

"I-I," Darren stuttered unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Well?" Mr. Crepsley pressed.

"I threw it at Elena, but I missed."

"Why were you throwing pillow at your sister?" Mr. Crepsley asked.

"She was making fun of me!"

"Why were you making fun of him Elena?"

"Darren has a girlfriend."

"No I don't."

"What is she then?"

"A friend." Darren said. "Who is a girl."

"You asked her out."

"Oh shut up." Darren said.

"I have to leave." Mr. Crepsley said interrupting the argument. "Can you two at least try to act your age?"

"Alright." Elena said.

"Good." Mr. Crepsley pulled his cape on and strode out the door.

Elena frowned. "Where does he go every night?"

"Who knows with him?" Darren said. "I have to feed. Are you coming?"

"I should." Elena said.

"Without him?" Steve asked, "How are you supposed to heal the cuts?"

"We can use a syringe." Darren said. They couldn't heal cuts with their spit so it was the next best thing.

"If you get caught Crepsley's going to have a fit."

"That's why we won't get caught!" Elena said.

It was about two in the morning when Elena and Darren left the hotel room. They wandered around, listening for a room with sleeping occupants. Finally they found a room that was unlocked with one sleeping man inside. Carefully, they took enough blood for the two of them and returned to their room.

Elena got two glasses and Darren handed her the vial and she poured an even amount of blood in each glass.

"Cheers." She said knocking their glasses together and they both tipped the glasses back.

"So what are you going to do on your date tomorrow?" Evra asked Darren.

"It's not a date." He insisted again. "Elena and Steve are coming too, aren't you?"

Steve was about to say "yes," but Elena shook her head.

"But she asked you to come!"

"Only to be polite." Elena said. "She obviously wanted you to be alone. You know, since it's a date."

Darren threw the pillow at her head again this time landing on its mark. "Oh come on, I don't really want to third wheel anyway."

"Alright if it is a date, what am I supposed to do?"

"Snog her." Evra suggested.

"Just be yourself." Elena said. Then she frowned. "I take that back, that was a bad suggestion."

"You're both rubbish at this." Darren said glaring at the pair.

"Seriously just act normal." Elena said. "Have a regular old boring conversation." She paused. "And then you can kiss her."

Darren spent the next day a bundle of nerves. Evra kept shouting out how long he had until Debbie arrived, Elena had to keep shushing him glancing at the sleeping figure of Mr. Crepsley to make sure he wasn't awake.

He looked through his bag when he had about an hour to go. He wondered what to wear on a date. He was stressing out and it was apparent by his appearance. He vainly tried to untangle his hair and he still didn't have anything to wear. Thankfully for him Elena came back from Christmas shopping at that moment.

She sighed when she saw her brother and threw a pair of jeans and a plain black shirt at him. Putting the shopping bags next to hers, she got a comb out of her bag and fixed Darren's hair.

"I swear you'd be lost without me." She said when she was done.

"I think you're actually right."

"You must be nervous." Elena joked.

"Calm down." Evra said, "You look great. I'd date you."

"Oh shut up." Darren said half-heartedly.

Mr. Crepsley rose shortly after. Darren had made him dinner, or breakfast rather, to get him out of the hotel quickly. "Are you alright?" He asked his father.

"Fine." He mumbled back.

"You look terrible." Elena said. "Are you sure you're okay."

"I am fine. I just need to feed."

"Elena and me fed by ourselves yesterday."

"Good." That was the last thing he said before disappearing again.

It's almost as though he had lost interest in anything to do with his children what so ever.

"Don't mind him now Darren." Elena said trying to smile.

"Do you want us to leave for your date?" Evra asked.

"What for?" Darren asked.

"You know so you can be alone. And, um, I don't know how you'd explain my… Appearance."

Darren shook his head. "You're one of my best friends, if she can't accept that, screw her."

"Thanks." Evra said, smiling.

Darren was about to say your welcome but a knock sounded before he could.

Elena opened the door because Darren was frozen in place. Before she did she rolled her eyes and mouthed, "Don't be a baby," before revealing Debbie. She was dressed plainly, in jeans and a white jumper along with a red pair of gloves. "You found them then."

"They were in my room the whole time." Debbie said. "Of course I only found them after I told mom I didn't have them. Are your father and brothers here?"

"Dad's gone." Elena said. "Evra's here though." She paused. "I should warn you, Evra's a little different."

"Well he's a snake-boy." She said stepping into the room fully.

Evra smiled kindly and waved. Debbie hit Elena. "What was that for?"

"Just because someone looks different you shouldn't call them names!"

"I wasn't!"

"How would you feel if someone called you carrot top?"

"It's okay." Evra cut in before Elena could retaliate. "I am a snake boy."

"That's not nice to be compared to snakes."

"It is if you like snakes."

"Oh. Sorry Elena."

"No problem. At least you didn't freak out like most people would have."

Debbie came further in the room and sat on the edge of Elena's bed. She bombarded Evra with questions about himself. Evra was clearly pleased to meet somebody who didn't care he had scales.

Soon enough, Debbie and Darren left for the cinema, waving to the others.

Evra looked at Elena, "What do you want to do now."

She shrugged. "We could watch a movie too."

"Sure." Evra said turning off the lights. The three of them jumped onto the hideaway bed, leaning back onto the cushions, and turned their attention to the screen.

Debbie and Darren walked back to the square from the cinema. They had seen a romantic comedy. It was good, but it wasn't really Darren's kind of movie. They talked about lots of things while on their walk. Their families and their interests. Darren was starting to really like Debbie. It made him sad to think that he had to leave but as his father said you get used to leaving.

They arrived at Debbie's porch. Darren wondered what he should do. Should he kiss her? Hug her? Say goodbye and walk away? Thankfully Debbie solved the problem for him.

"Would you like to come in?"

Darren smiled, "I'd love to."

As soon as Darren stepped in he felt welcomed. "Hello." Debbie's father said. "Who's this?"

"This is Darren." Debbie said. "He's a friend of Anne's I ran into him at the cinema."

"Well we're just about to have supper." Debbie's mom said. "Would you like to stay Darren?"

"Yeah that'd be great."

Darren learned that Debbie's parents names were Jesse and Donna, they insisted not to call them Mr. and Mrs. Hemlock. As they ate Darren told them a bit about himself.

"So what about school?" Jesse asked.

"Dad used to be a teacher," Darren lied. "He teaches us." Well it was only partly a lie.

When the meal was over Darren offered to wash the dishes but Jesse was having none of it. "Nothing like scrubbing dishes, polishing the banisters, or vacuuming the carpets. It's a great way to unwind."

"Is he joking?" Darren asked Debbie.

"Surprisingly no."

"Don't stay chatting too long." Donna said as Debbie and Darren made their way up the stairs. "We still have a few chapters of The Three Musketeers to read."

Debbie groaned. "You don't like The Three Musketeers?" Darren asked.

"Do you?" She asked surprised.

"Sure I've seen the movie like eight times."

"Did you ever read the book?" Debbie asked.

"No. Elena keeps telling me to. I read a comic book about it once though."

Debbie shared a scornful glance with her mother.

"I have to read a bit of a 'classic' every night." Debbie grumbled. "I hope you never have to experience how boring those books are."

"Elena loves them." Darren said. "I can't remember how many times she's reread Peter Pan or Treasure Island."

Debbie wrinkled her nose. "That's weird."

"Who's Elena?" Donna asked.

"She's my twin." Darren explained. He realized he forgot to mention her.

"Maybe she'll have to come over sometime and teach Debbie about the beauty of classic literature."

Darren laughed, "I suppose she will."

"Be down soon." Debbie told her mother before dragging Darren to her room. In every room he had seen Darren had noticed a tree.

"What's with all the trees?"

"Dad loves Christmas trees so we have one for every room in the house. On Christmas Eve we decorate all of them."

"That sounds like fun." Darren said wistfully. He remembered decorating the tree with his adoptive family and he regretted not helping his sister decorate the one in the hotel room.

"Maybe you, Elena, and Evra could help. Your dad too."

"Seriously?"

"Sure, we've had people help before. It would be more fun with more people."

"Well I'm not sure we'll still be here Christmas," Darren said honestly. "Dad is sort of unpredictable, he goes where the job takes him, whenever."

"Well if you are still here." Debbie said. "So are you guys going to get the CD player for Evra?"

"Yeah." Darren said. "A few CD's too."

"What about your Dad and Elena and Steve?"

"Elena I'll get a few books, Steve, maybe some horror comics." He grinned, "He's really into vampires."

"I can help you look." Debbie offered. "There's a cheap bookstore in the square."

"Thanks. I'd like that."

"That leaves your Dad then."

"I haven't even thought about what to get him." What would vampire's like? Darren wondered.

"I'll ask Elena and Steve."

They talked for another hour or so before Darren decided it was time to leave.

"Do I get a kiss?" Debbie asked.

"Wh-I mean-well-um…"

"Don't you want to kiss me?" Debbie asked disappointed.

"Yes." Darren said quickly. "It's just-"

"Scared?"

"Yeah." Darren admitted.

She laughed. "Come on, I'll walk you to the door."

While Darren was putting his coat on Debbie opened the door. "Feel free to come around tomorrow. Elena, and Steve too."

"Sure."

"And Darren?" Debbie said before he left. "Try to be a little braver next time." She shut the door on him.

Darren was mentally hitting himself. He should have kissed her when he had the chance. He stood there for who knows how long, contemplating what to do. He could wait for tomorrow, but he didn't want to wait that long. He couldn't wait that long. He saw the light flick on in Debbie's room and knew what to do.

He dug his nails into the brick and climbed up; when he reached the window he knocked on the window. Debbie came over with an astonished look on her face. "Are you crazy?" She said.

"That depends. Do I still get that kiss?"

"Well I suppose if you went through all that trouble." Debbie said. She leaned her head out the window and her lips pressed softly against Darren's. He almost lost his grip on the wall.

Debbie giggled softly at Darren's love struck expression. "Good night Romeo."

Darren climbed down and raced off to the hotel. "I'm back." He said cheerfully.

"Darren you have to see this." Elena said. He frowned she sounded worried and upset.

"See what?"

"The news." Evra said simply.

"Why would I watch the news?" Darren laughed. "Turn it off and I'll-"

"Darren you have to watch." Elena said.

He looked at her face and realized how serious she was. He nodded and sat next to Evra. On the screen was a picture of an old building.

"So it's some old building." Darren said. "What's the big deal?"

"Because that's where they found the bodies." Evra said.

The image switched to a view of a body bag. "They found six so far." Steve said.

"What does that have to do with us?" Darren asked.

"Just listen," Steve snapped, turning the volume up.

"The victims were found with their throats slashed," A reporter lady said. "Undoubtedly the cause of death, but on a more disturbing note, all the bodies appear to be drained of blood."

"Sucked out or pumped dry?" A newsreader asked.

The reporter shrugged, "Only the police can say. And of course the murderer."

"See what I mean?" Steve said softly flicking the power button.

Darren's mind went to his father. The strange behaviour, the way he distanced himself, prowling the city at night. Bodies drained of blood.

"Dad." He said. And that was the last word spoken for quite some time.