Chapter 9- Better the Devil You Know

The cool night air flows through Jerome's floppy red hair as he runs, the thud of each pound on the pavement vibrating into his aching joints, but he keeps going sprinting until his lungs burn and his heart pounds. The dark streets and dim lit windows rush past as Jerome drags Sadie by the hand through the Narrows, her suitcase bashing about behind her, only when the old waste dump is far behind them does Jerome slow and stop, bending he leans on a dirty wall panting heavily, he releases his grip and Sadie joins him sitting with a slump on top of her suitcase, leaning to rest her back on the wall.

As he begins to get his breath back Jerome is filled with adrenaline, his entire body tingles with a pulsating fire, he starts to laugh and jump about punching the air and 'whooping' madly to himself unable to contain his excited energy, Sadie still panting looks up at him bemused.

"Oh Sadie, what a rush! Did you see his face? Did you hear the knife go in? Smell the blood? It was divine, I... I feel amazing!" Jerome growls with an uncontrollable glee admiring his own skilled hands. Sadie pulls herself up, her petite features narrow examining her delighted friend as he dances about, not judging just watching intently.

"Thanks J... I...I wasn't sure you'd come." Sadie hangs her head a little.

"Come on, we gotta get back before Haly's leaves town, you ready for a bit more running?" Jerome ignores Sadie's worn out demeanour and comically begins to limber up, fast running on the spot and stretching. Sadie shoots him a little amused smile and nods. Jerome takes her hand and her suitcase and they run into the night towards the Circus.

It is past midnight when Jerome and Sadie reach the circus sight, all the wagons are loaded and trailers hooked up, the bigger trucks have started to leave the site as the final bits are battened down on the performer carriages. Jerome pushes Sadie into the undergrowth and squats down just before they reach the main clearing.

"You wanna find your Dad?" Jerome asks.

Sadie shakes her head, "Not tonight."

"Lila is gonna be pissed I missed pack down so you better sneak into our trailer while I distract her." Jerome points across the field to where Lila is securing the snake box that fits below their trailer. "Wait until I have her attention and just get in and go to my room, OK?"

Sadie nods in understanding and gets herself ready clutching her suitcase.

Jerome half runs towards his mother, slowing to a casual saunter as he gets close, he waves Sadie to go towards the back as he draws his mother's attention with a loud clap, he leans casually towards the front where their trailer attaches to a big rusted Hilux a smirk plastered across his face.

"Where the hell have you been? The Ring Master's had my ass." Lila Fumes banging the snake case shut.

"Well who hasn't Lila?" Jerome jests.

"You shit! How dare you?" Lila lurches at Jerome and slaps him hard around the face, he does not budge and just laughs. Sadie sneaks to the door and he watches her slip inside over his mother's shoulder as she grabs a clump of his hair viciously dragging him to her. He holds his smirk as long as possible as his hair rips and burns in his mothers cruel twisting fingers, she lands a second harder slap across his face and he finally submits, raising his hands in surrender.

"Sorry, sorry, I'll ride up back, I'll sort it with the Ring Master tomorrow Lila, I'm sorry alright." Lila reluctantly releases her grip, teeth still gritted in anger, Jerome jerks away and scurries to the trailer door disappearing inside.

Jerome hears the Hilux engine roar into action as he reaches his bedroom door, the trailer lurches as he swings into the little room he and Jeremiah used to share. Sadie is huddled on the bottom bunk; she shakes a little even though the room is warm. Jerome goes to pull himself onto the top bunk, a hand stretches out grabbing at his leg, looking up Sadie's sad little face pleads all sorts of requests that Jerome doesn't quite understand but she takes his hand and pulls him down into the bottom bunk. He shifts in silently behind her on the bunk and they lie down, Sadie curls into a tight little ball, Jerome bends his body all around her as she pulls his arm over herself and pulls the little blanket over them both.

They lie there still and silent bodies pressed together, Sadie finally stops shaking, Jerome watches tears silently roll down her pale cheeks until her body gives in to exhaustion and she falls asleep. Jerome holds his friend tighter, he knows she needs to feel safe right now and he can't help but enjoy the closeness, the softness of her bruised skin on his and the scent of her hair. He starts to feel things he thought had completely shut off within him.

The night takes hold as the trailer rumbles down the highway in a calming rhythm, as Jerome holds his sleeping Sadie his mind wanders back to Ziggy and his body surges with a relived excitement, he falls to sleep dreaming of the thrill of his actions, the intoxicating power he felt as the knife sliced through Ziggy's flesh, he felt alive for the first time in five years. Sadie had set him free from the monotonous prison he created in his own mind, a prison where he had locked away all of his impulses both emotional and violent. The prison had helped him survive this vile place all alone but Sadie was here now and he knew things were about to change.