I don't own Cirque Du Freak! This is the last chapter of the first trilogy and then they finally get to meet Arra!
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Mr. Crepsley checked out of the hotel the moment they got back. He didn't want the staff to become suspicious of the missing girl. Instead they stayed at a new hotel not too far from the old one.
Darren filled Evra and Steve in on what had actually happened once they got in the room. He then interrogated his father more about the vampaneze. His father filled him in on the information without hesitation; it was a way to keep both their minds occupied and away from their missing family member.
Darren learned that vampaneze couldn't feed off vampires-something he was relived to hear-as their blood was poisonous to both vampaneze and vampires. The same went for vampaneze blood. They lived off blood, eating little food and only drinking from animals as a last resort.
When dawn came and Mr. Crepsley went off to bed, Darren was left with no distraction from Elena. He didn't sleep he couldn't. He felt burdened with both worry and guilt. He blamed himself for his sister's kidnapping. After all if he hadn't told her to stay in the room, if he had let her come fight their father like the original plan, she would be here, alive and safe.
Steve sat next to him, "So I guess I owe your dad an apology huh."
"I think we all do, but I owe Elena an even bigger one."
"Your dad will find her, I'm sure of it. Vampires are good at tracking people right?"
"Yeah, but vampaneze are probably just as good at hiding them."
"We'll find her Darren," Steve said, patting his shoulder before turning in himself.
When the others woke they found Darren sitting on the edge of his bed, tired circles rimming red eyes, staring off into space.
"Did you sleep at all?" Mr. Crepsley asked concerned. Darren shook his head. His father sighed and sat next to him wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "You can not help your sister if you can not even take care of yourself." He said gently. "I will not allow you to go looking for a vampaneze half-dead. We will find her, Darren I promise."
"Alive or dead?" Darren asked bluntly.
"Unfortunately I can not say. Although I hope to find her alive, I do not doubt that she will be hurt, and if we do find her alive, she will be plagued with nightmares for some time." Mr. Crepsley said.
"Well what are we waiting for?" Darren asked. "Let's find her before he hurts her too bad."
He had Darren and Evra stick together while he went with Steve. The plan was to search the city for any sign at all of the vampaneze or Elena. Once they found them they could form a plan to get her back.
Mr. Crepsley was going to start at the arbitrator. "Go to the square and look." He said, "I believe that is where he chooses his prey." Darren and Evra nodded and headed there.
"What are we waiting for?" Steve asked.
"Come along then."
They searched the alleys next to the arbitrator, Mr. Crepsley slowing his pace so that Steve could keep up. Steve interrogated Mr. Crepsley on the subject of the vampaneze, able to ask the questions he was sure Darren would chastise him for.
"So how come movies and comics never call them vampaneze if they're the ones who kill people to drink blood."
Mr. Crepsley snorted, "The vampaneze chose their name themselves when they broke off from the clan, the concept of vampires have been in human cultures before the clans broke apart, when all vampires killed those they fed upon."
"You said I couldn't be a vampire because I was evil and had a killer's instincts." Steve said quietly.
Mr. Crepsley grimaced, "Perhaps I was a little –ah overzealous in my commentary. You do have a killer's instincts, but perhaps calling you evil was a little too far."
"You said vampaneze weren't evil," Steve stated.
Mr. Crepsley sighed, "If you have a question, ask it now so that we can pay greater attention to the search."
"Could I be a vampaneze?"
"Yes, I do not think that a vampaneze would turn you down for having a killer's instincts. But, with that being said, I do not think Murlough is a suitable mentor for you."
"I didn't mean that! He took Elena, you couldn't pay me to be his assistant."
"I am happy to hear you say that." Mr. Crepsley regarded him for a few moments, "It is difficult to run into the vampaneze, but perhaps when you are old enough to make a decision I can help you seek a suitable mentor out."
"You wouldn't mind?"
"No, I was never going to turn you into a vampire. I only took you along because Darren and Elena insisted it. With that being said, in the mean time, let us continue the search, I would like to find my daughter before Murlough can torture her too much."
Neither Darren nor Evra said anything; both were too worried and stressed to start a conversation. They didn't see fit to acknowledge each other at all until Debbie came up to them.
"Hey guys." She said cheerfully.
"Hi." Darren said glumly.
"So are you going to be able to come Christmas Eve?" She asked.
"We don't know, dad still hasn't decided what he's going to do." Darren snorted. "Knowing him he'll probably up and leave before supper on Christmas Eve."
"He wouldn't!" Debbie said shocked.
"Christmas doesn't really mean much to our dad." Evra said. "It's just us and work, work, work."
"Surely if all four of you asked he'd give in. Or do I have to come over and twist his arm a little so he sees sense. Where are Steve and Elena anyway?"
"Sick." Darren said. "Elena got a fever overnight, and this morning she was terrible. Dad made Steve stay and take care of her."
"Well he can't leave if she's that sick."
"He can and he will." Darren said.
"Well if you can, you'll come won't you?"
"Of course we will." Evra said.
"And you won't leave without telling me?" Debbie insisted.
"And I promise as soon as I know we're leaving, you'll know." Darren promised.
She walked away from them and then out of sight.
"I like your girlfriend Darren Crepsley." A voice said. "She looks much tastier than your sister. Yes much tastier than Elena." It was Murlough. And he was hidden in the sewers.
"So young Darren tell me, what's your girlfriend's name?"
"How did you find me?" Darren asked horrified ignoring the question.
"Oh that was easy!" Murlough chuckled. "I used my brains I did. Young Murlough's got plenty of brains oh yes, plenty of brains."
"Where's Elena? Is she alive?" Darren asked trying to mask the quiver in his voice.
"Oh yes she's alive, Murlough gives you his word on this, yes she is alive but hidden well. Young Murlough has plenty of brains see, he's very good at hiding things." Murlough said. "Oh yes no one will hear her screams."
Darren swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "Screams?"
"Oh yes, Murlough has plenty of brains. Brains that know just where to cut to make little vampires scream." He cackled manically, "Screams for her brother, screams for Stevie and Evra, cries for her daddy to help her, screams without words sometimes she does."
"Give her back you bastard!" Darren screamed. All his fury let out in one gust of air.
Murlough climbed up so Darren could glimpse his face. "Why should Young Murlough let her go?" He asked tauntingly.
"She's done nothing to you."
"She got in the way of Murlough's feed yes she did."
"No she didn't," Darren protested, "That was me. Me and-"
"You and Larten Crepsley yes? See he's the one Murlough is interested in, Murlough doesn't care for young half-vampires, Murlough cares for the vampire that interfered. He broke the law!"
"No he didn't! He was just trying to protect his city! He isn't a General, just a regular vampire!"
"Protect the food!" Murlough scoffed. "That's silly that is, but young Murlough knows better, yes he does. Which is why young Murlough will make you a deal Darren Crepsley."
"What kind of deal?" Darren asked.
"Darren Crepsley gives up Larten Crepsley, and Young Murlough will let Elena go!"
"No way! I won't give up my father!"
"What has your father ever done for you?" Murlough said peering up at Darren. "Young Murlough knows, he has brains he does, he knows all Larten Crepsley ever did was tear Darren from his home, from his family."
"He is my family." Darren said.
"You have until midnight tomorrow to give me Larten Crepsley." The vampaneze said. "Midnight or Murlough gets a little half-vampire for Christmas dinner."
His face and voice slunk away into the shadows and Darren let out a howl. Evra, who had stayed silent through the whole ordeal, put a hand on his shoulder. "We have to tell your dad this." He said and the two friends raced off to the arbitrator to get Mr. Crepsley.
"Dad!" Darren called out when the orange-haired man came into view.
"I thought you were looking in the Square?" Mr. Crepsley said.
"He found us first." Evra said. Mr. Crepsley drew in a sharp breath.
"Perhaps we should discuss this in our room."
Once all four were settled in the hotel room Darren told his father what had happened, how he thought Debbie would be next. How Elena was alive, but being tortured. Mr. Crepsley's eyes hardened when Darren told him Elena was calling for him.
He stood swiftly, "I am going to the sewers tonight." He snarled, "I will put a stop to Murlough's games tonight."
"I'm coming with you." Darren said quickly.
"Me too." Steve growled.
"No." Mr. Crepsley said. "You are no match for a vampaneze, you will only get in the way, and I do not wish to see you boys captured as well."
"I'm coming." Darren insisted. "I have to."
His father looked at his expression and spoke with pride evident in his voice. "Alright but if it comes down to a fight you will not interfere, understood?"
Darren paused. "Darren." His father warned.
"Understood."
"Evra, Steve, keep an eye on Debbie's house if you do not mind. I may be able to protect one of you during a fight, but two would be dangerous. If Darren thinks Debbie is Murlough's next target it would be best to keep an eye out for him."
"Wait! I want to come too."
Mr. Crepsley shook his head, "I cannot protect more than one of you during a fight, Darren may not be a match for a vampaneze but his strength is far greater than yours. Besides, you are the only one Murlough could feed from and a mad vampaneze would not hesitate."
"Fine, We'll look after Debbie, right Evra?"
"Yeah." Evra said relieved. "We'll look out for her."
"Call us on your phone if you see him." Darren said.
"Good luck Evra, Steve." Mr. Crepsley said.
"You too." Evra replied. All four of them went out the door, going their separate ways once they left the hotel.
Darren followed his father through the square. Mr. Crepsley was looking around, seemingly searching for something. Eventually he found what he was looking for, an abandoned alleyway, with a grate leading to the sewers. Mr. Crepsley simply put his hand under the heavy iron and lifted it with ease. It looked as effortless as lifting a feather from the ground. Though Darren knew that it would take a lot of strength from a human to lift the cover off the way his father did.
Before jumping down Mr. Crepsley peered at Darren. "Stay close to me at all times, and try your best to be silent."
Darren nodded and watched as his father disappeared into the dark. He took a deep breath and followed. The sound of his feet hitting the ground was deafening. The tunnel was large and made sounds double in volume.
"Can we light a torch?" Darren asked. He could see a little, but he feared he wouldn't be able to see the vampaneze if he attacked.
His father shook his head. "We do not want to draw attention to ourselves. Just stick close to me and do not stray."
Darren pressed himself closer to his father. Partly out of his fathers warning to stay close. But more so out of fear. Mr. Crepsley noticed and gently wrapped an arm around the slightly shaking boy. "Come on." He urged.
The two of them treaded carefully through the tunnels. Listening intently for a third pair of footsteps, or worse screams from Elena but they heard only the scuttle of rats. "Why did they have to build so many bloody tunnels?" Mr. Crepsley grumbled after a few hours of searching.
After a while Darren stopped suddenly thinking hard. "What is it?" Mr. Crepsley asked. Darren ran over everything that had happened. Murlough threatening Debbie, offering him a deal… A deal.
"I have a plan, let's go back to the hotel." Mr. Crepsley followed curiously looking at his son.
By the time they reached the hotel the first light was creeping over the trees. Before going to bed Mr. Crepsley turned to the boys and sighed, "If we do not find her by eleven o'clock tomorrow night, I will agree to Murlough's deal."
"You mean you'll trade your life for hers?" Evra asked.
Mr. Crepsley nodded, "Though hopefully he will want a fight, then I may come out on top."
"And if you die?" Darren asked softly, "What happens to us?"
"Go back to the Cirque, and have Mr. Tall contact Gavner Purl. He will take you to your mother."
"What about me?" Steve asked.
"You can stay at the cirque if you like I am sure, or Mr. Tall could possibly bring you back to your hometown. Or you can make an arrangement with Gavner Purl. You will also be fine if worst comes to worst."
Darren sighed unhappily. "Okay."
As Mr. Crepsley fell asleep Darren picked up the phone. "What are you doing?" Steve asked.
"I have a plan to get Elena back." Darren replied and then filled Evra and Steve in on the plan.
Jesse answered the phone when Darren called Debbie. "Hi Jesse, can I talk to Debbie?"
Jesse laughed, "You could if she was up, do you know what time it is?"
Darren glanced at the clock on the hotel nightstand and realized it was seven in the morning. "Oh sorry! I didn't wake you up did I?"
"No, you just caught me I'm on my way to work."
"You have to work Christmas Eve?" Darren asked surprised.
Jesse laughed, "Everyone has to take their turn."
"I suppose so. Can you tell Debbie I'll be there tonight?"
"Great! Is the rest of your family coming?"
"Evra and Steve are, but Elena is still really sick."
"Oh that's too bad." Jesse said.
"Yeah, so I'll see you two o'clock?"
"Two o'clock." Jesse confirmed and then he hung up.
When two o'clock rolled around the boys walked to Debbie's house. Going to the back door for a precaution.
"Hello Darren!" Donna said, "You must be Evra and Steve."
"Yes ma'am." Evra said.
"Oh call me Donna, ma'am makes me feel so old." She winked unaffected by Evra's scales. Like Debbie, Jesse and Donna were the most open-minded people you could find anywhere.
"Debbie, there's two handsome young men here to see you!" She called.
Debbie appeared in the doorway. "You made it!" She exclaimed.
"I said I would try didn't I?" Darren said.
"Is Elena still sick?" She asked.
Steve nodded, "Dad stayed behind to make sure her fever doesn't get worse." He said, "He gave us this to bring over though." He lifted the bottle of wine that Mr. Crepsley had bought to show them.
"We should have you round more often!" Donna said. "You kids go into the living room while I finish supper."
"So did your dad decide when you're moving yet?" Debbie asked sitting down on the large couch.
"Yes." Darren said sitting next to her, "We're leaving tonight."
"Tonight!" Jesse said.
"But it's Christmas!" Debbie said, "The only place people go on Christmas is home!"
"That is where we're going." Darren said. "Dad and Mum decided to get back together. It was supposed to be a surprise but I heard Dad talking about it this morning. I called so early because I was excited."
"Oh that's wonderful!" Debbie said though Darren could tell she was disappointed.
"So the two lovers are star-crossed, driven apart by a cruel world in which parents get back together." Jesse said grinning.
"Dad!" Debbie said while Evra and Steve roared with laughter.
"Dinner's ready!" Donna said. The meal was wonderful, and just as entertaining as it was tasty. When everyone had finished eating Darren went and got the wine. Pouring up five glasses, he uncorked a vial from his fathers cloak and divided it up between the last three.
He served the wine, taking care to not mix up the glasses. "Cheers!" Jesse said.
"Cheers!" Everyone repeated and then it was bottoms up.
The drug, whatever it was only took a few minutes to work. Not even fifteen minutes later, the Hemlocks were asleep at the table. Evra, Steve, and Darren carried them to the attic carefully.
"You guys stay here." Darren said. "Make sure they don't wake up. I'm going with dad to find Elena."
"Be careful." Evra warned.
"I will be."
"Hey Darren?" Steve called as he turned to leave.
"Yeah?"
"Find her."
"I will, I promise." With that Darren made his way to the closet tunnel, meeting his father at the entrance. "Let's finish this tonight." Darren said.
His father nodded his agreement. They slipped down into the tunnels both vampires had torches tonight. It would draw Murlough to them, alerting him to their position and give him a distinct advantage. That of course, was the plan.
They wandered around aimlessly for hours with no sign of Elena, and no sign of Murlough. Darren hurled his torch at the wall in frustration. "This is useless." He growled.
"It is even more useless when you can not see where you are going." His father said with a glare. "And now we have to waste more time seeing as you just broke your source of light."
"No! I'll search for her myself!"
"How are you going to do that when you cannot see three feet in front of you?"
"I can hear." Darren said smartly. "Elena! Elena!" He shouted at the top of his lungs racing through the tunnels.
"Darren stop!" Mr. Crepsley said racing after him. He flitted in front of Darren grabbing his shoulders. Darren shoved him hard and Mr. Crepsley went flying hard into the wall. Darren started to walk away. "Darren!" His father called, "My ankle is twisted, I can not walk!" His cries fell on deaf ears. "Darren!" He kept walking.
When he turned the corner and was no longer in his father's sight a sudden chill fell over him. He felt someone watching him. Then a face appeared in front of his; Murlough. He was the last thing Darren saw before everything went black.
He woke up looking at the ground, with a pounding headache. He wondered how long he had been hanging upside down, how much blood was in his head in proportion to his body. Struggling, he glanced to the side and saw Elena swinging slightly next to him. She was awake, awake and terrified.
Her face was a light shade of purple from being strung up like the animals at the arbitrator. He could see blood on her skin, but couldn't make out any cuts. He assumed Murlough had healed her-vampaneze spit had healing properties just as vampires-only to cut her again.
"Darren." She whispered. "What are you doing here?"
Darren tried to grin; it was painful but he managed sort of a grimace. "Rescuing you." He said sheepishly.
"Bang up job so far." Elena replied sarcastic as always. Darren figured she couldn't be too hurt.
"So the little vampires are awake are they?" Murlough said coming into view. Elena's eyes widened in fear at the sound and sight of the vampaneze. "I thought you had more brains little Crepsley but young Murlough must have been mistaken. Did you really think that you and your master could waltz into Murlough's lair and take his prisoner?"
"She's my sister, I'd do anything for her."
"That's the blood carrier in you. If you were a full vampire, you'd leave her here to rot. Just like your daddy did. He left both of you to rot."
"No he was hurt he couldn't leave." Darren said confused.
Murlough gave a delighted laugh. "No, as soon as you were gone Murlough followed Crepsley all the way to the surface. He ran he did. Ran away from his little vampires, leaving Murlough with a nice tasty Christmas dinner."
"You can't drink from us. It's poison." Elena spat. "But you already knew that I'm sure."
"Of course Murlough knew that! Young Murlough has plenty of brains miss. Brains worthy of kings he does."
"Then why are you keeping us here then?" Darren demanded.
"For games. Young Murlough needs games to occupy his big mind." With that he pulled out two long knives. Elena whimpered at the sight of them. He cackled, "Elena knows what these are for don't you? Let's see what your brother is made of."
He dragged the blade slowly down Darren's arm. Darren tried to grit his teeth through it, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of a scream but he couldn't bear it. He let out a long howl as Murlough finished the cut. "Tsk tsk." Murlough said. "I figured you would be made of tougher stuff. Elena didn't scream until the fourth cut."
"Leave him alone!" Elena said.
Murlough put the blade against her cheek, right by her eye; and said, "Make me." She spat at him causing Murlough to draw his hand back preparing to slice her.
"I want to make a deal." Darren said gaining Murlough's attention.
"A deal?" Murlough said. "Are you going to give up your father?"
"No." Darren said. "I'm going to give you something better. I'll give you Debbie."
"No!" Elena gasped.
"And then what?" Murlough asked.
"You let us go." Darren said simply. "We'll never bother you again."
"Darren this is crazy, you can't just give up Debbie like that!"
"Quiet!" Murlough snapped at her. "Alright I'll let you go on one condition."
"What?" Darren asked.
"You have to watch!" Murlough said gleefully.
"Deal." With one swipe Murlough cut the ropes holding the twins up. Elena leapt at Darren with the intention to slit his throat with her nails but Murlough grabbed her.
He held Elena by the back of her neck and shoved Darren in front of him. Murlough told him which way to walk, and they came out by the square, the same place Murlough first spoke to Darren.
Darren led the way to Debbie's house, Elena glaring hatefully at him the whole way. Carefully, he pushed the door open and climbed one, and then two sets of stairs.
Debbie's room was dark. You could see her breathing under the sheets. Her blood was thick in the air. Murlough drew his knives, and swiped them in a cross over Debbie's neck. But when he drew the covers back, it wasn't Debbie sleeping in the bed. It was a goat.
Mr. Crepsley jumped out of the wardrobe, and threw himself on Murlough. The fight was short. It only consisted of four hits. Two from Mr. Crepsley, and then one from Murlough that missed and left a gap open for Mr. Crepsley to deliver the killing blow. He did, twisting his blade into the vampaneze's stomach, pulling it out where a torrent of blood poured out.
Murlough glanced up and crawled painfully towards Darren and Elena.
"Dad?" Darren asked shakily.
"It is alright, he can not hurt you." Mr. Crepsley said. Nevertheless he stepped over the vampaneze, blocking his children from the hideous sight. Elena flung herself at him, and he caught her. Comforting her as she began to sob. "Hush," He said quietly, stroking her hair, "It is over, he cannot hurt you anymore, it is okay."
"I…didn't think…you would…find…me" She hiccupped through her sobs.
"Shhh, I am here, I am here."
Evra and Steve came down from the attic, Evra carrying a mop in his hands. Mr. Crepsley, Darren, and Evra mopped the floor, thankful that the Hemlocks had hardwood floors instead of carpet. Elena and Steve took care of the goat. Murlough hadn't killed it so they snuck it back to the petting zoo Darren had stolen it from. Once the floors were cleaned they got the Hemlocks out of the attic and into their respective beds. Darren kissed Debbie lightly before following everybody else out the door.
They caught a bus to where the Cirque was situated, Evra and Darren fell asleep almost immediately but Elena and Mr. Crepsley stayed awake. "Thanks." She muttered.
"Is it not my job to keep you safe?" He asked her.
"Yes but I mean thanks for everything."
"Everything?"
"For taking me away from the orphanage."
"Did something happen at the orphanage Elena?"
"No," She said quickly.
"Is that the truth?"
"No" she sighed, and then paused, "They used to hit me." She muttered. But it had been loud enough for her father to hear. He sighed. "You aren't mad?" She asked surprised.
Mr. Crepsley shook his head. "I am furious. But I half expected it. "
"You did?"
"You were eager to come with me when I first blooded you, you are not as trusting as your brother is, although that may just be one of your mothers traits. Darren told me not to spoil Christmas for you, but he refused to tell me why. I figured you had not been treated the best."
"That reminds me," Elena said. She pulled a present from her bag by her feet. "Merry Christmas Daddy."
Mr. Crepsley put his arm around her shoulders as she fell asleep against his chest. Putting his lips on her forehead he whispered, "Merry Christmas sweetheart."