Daddy's Little Freak

Chapter 6

Reality is Harsh

It's that time of the year again; when sun and rain can't seem to make up their minds. One days it's like summer in July, the next you'd think a giant dog jumped in the ocean that's right next to you. Anyway, on this particular day the sky's were grey, the trees shuffled with chilly winds and Sarah had fallen asleep in the high grass

She awoke as the clouds darkened and the rain began to fall. Sarah had a habit of just falling asleep any old place; she slept very little and would avoid it as long as possible. Literally she would just drop to the ground like a fly in a bug zapper. Once she even fell asleep on a branch in her tree and fell off. Luckily Vancha was picking at his toenails right underneath her so no damage that time.

Sarah woke up to just herself. Before she took a nap in the grass she was surrounded by tents and vans. Now, nothing but long green and brown fields stretching for miles. The wind picked up with a loud whistle and Sarah clutched her bare arms. All she had was a simple t-shirt and a pair of worn jeans. It was bright and sunny first thing this morning, no-one would believe weather like this was on it's way. Her head darted around, looking for a sign that someone she knew was near, but nothing. She shook form the cold and fear. She was confused and scared. Sarah could feel the rain drops getting heavier as they drizzled her arms. She could hardly see through the wall of water forming around her. Her skin, hair and clothes were soaked in no time. Yet, she stood there planted to the spot trying to understand what was happening.. Suddenly, lighting flashed form the sky, snapping Sarah out of her daze. She screamed and covered her ears. Another flash caused her to jump in fright. She started to run. The ground was slippery with rain and mud. Each the lightning struck Sarah would dart in another direction in an attempt to get away but would fall face first into the growing mound of mud. She kept calling the names over the loud sky drums but no-one answered, no-one came to find her. She was cold, terrified and once again alone in a dark and strange world.

EARLIER THAT DAY……

It's moving day. Time to pack up all the gear to move to a new destination, sell tickets, put on an unforgettable show or two and then start all over again. The day before moving is always a huge bustle of people packing their vans and loading equipment form here to there so, everyone had their part to help make it all go faster and smoother. Even the kids have their parts to play; Shancas helps out with the snakes and Urcha helps Merla to pack up all their boxes. Even Lilia tried to put her toys away but would end up taking them all back out again to play with them. Sarah had her own job too. She was too small to taje down her tent so all she had to do was pack up the few possessions she had. Since that took up little time she was eager to help out any way she could however, everyone felt she was too small to help out. But, once or twice I caught lifting the heavy boxes into some of the vans.

(How is this kid so strong)

Since Mr Crepsley sleeps during the day it was my job to make sure his things and mine were packed away securely. Quick and easy except for the coffin which need an annoyingly number of lock and straps to keep secure while the van is moving and they make a lot of noise too so it takes twice as long to get it done because of Mr 'Don't wake me or you die horribly' Crepsley. By the time I'd finished it was time to go. Before we got going I quickly asked Merla where the kids were in case she needed help rounding them up. She said they were all sound asleep in the back of the van. I should have checked though. How was Merla supposed to know that I assumed Sarah was in the back too? Sarah wasn't her responsibility and she was busy getting her own family together. I only realised this after we had travelled miles to our new location. It was getting close to dinner time and I was looking for Sarah. I didn't like missing meals considering how thin she is. She need her food. After an hour with no luck I starting to panic. I had searched everywhere and asked everyone but nothing. Where could she be? I kept thinking. We were in a new place so I guessed that she wouldn't have too far, new places scare her a little. Finally I told Mr Tall which felt like walking the mile. I expected the uproar of the century but, instead Mr Tall just smeared his down his face, stretching the skin. He must be more worried than angry.

I feel this is all my fault. I'd been watching Sarah for the better part of a month now and with all the time we'd spent together I really considered her my responsibility. I made that clear with Mr Tall but he just waved his hand at me.

"You never brought Sarah here Darren. You are not responsible for anything that happens to her. I am." He covered his eyes like he was going to cry but I felt it was more like was he trying to hide his shame. "That girl is my care and I now she's missing because I busy" He growled out that last part. I t was strange seeing MR Tall act this way. Not strange that he was concerned, jus the way he was acting. He's always so calm and cool like nothing could ever break him. Now, you could actually see panic sweat dripping form him forehead.

"I'll find her Mr Tall. I promise"

"That's not what I'm worried about Darren"

"What do you mean?" He never answered but the look in his eyes didn't inspire anything positive.

"It's growing dark and those clouds spell nasty weather. We'd best hurry if we are to get back to our last stop in time."

"We left her behind?" Idiot. Why didn't I think of that sooner?

"Yes Darren. I did"

Sarah's hands shook as she held them in front of her. The finger tips were scraped red raw and stung like hot needles. In a desperate attempt she had climbed her tree. She was too small to reach the branches on her own so all she could do was dig her tiny fingernails into the bark and haul herself up. This was the only place she felt- somewhat- safe. She tried to think. Something has happened but she couldn't understand what. Why was she all alone? Darren. Where are you? I'm cold. I'm really cold. I wanna go home"

The rain was so heavy it pushed through the leaves making sure Sarah kept thoroughly soaked. "I don't like being alone. I don't lie the dark. I see Daddy in the Dark Make him go away. Bad things happen inn the dark. Make it go away. Make him go away Mr Tall. I don't want him to take me away. He'll lock me away inside and I'll never see you. Darren wont be able to play with me. I won't get to climb trees or swim anymore. Don't let Daddy find me. Not like last time"

Sarah remembered her first tree. How happy she felt to breadth air in a new way. It like she was breathing for the first time.

"Were you even real Darren? Whenever Daddy hit me I would sleep and think of a nice place. When I fell, did I just make Mr Tall up? Eevrtime I wake form with Daddy in my head am I really just sleeping? This tree, it's just like the one outside the old apartment. Daddy's gonna be mad if he sees me outside. He's gonna hit me again. I don't care if it was a dream. I want Darren and Mr Tall back. They nice to me. They make me feel happy even when I get scared. I don't wanna be awake no more.

"Sarah!" I can hear Darren. Does that mean I'm asleep/ "Sarah!" Don't wake up! Don't wake up! Don't wake up! "Sarah! Where are you?" Why can't I see Darren? I can still fee the rain. Do I feel stuff when I sleep? I don't know. I feel daddy hit me and feel Darren hug me. Which is real? "Sarah!"

"Darren!" Sarah reached out as if Darren were right there in front of her. She leaned too far and fell form the tree. There was aloud snap as she landed hard on the ground. Sarah wailed in pain but still screamed for Darren at the top of her little lungs. She pushed herself with her good arm as best as she could. Mud was smeared over her face and the rain was like tiny stones battering away at her small frame. There was a shapeless blur in the distance. "Sarah!" It yelled

"Darren!" She ran. As cold, tired and in as much pain as she was, she ran. The blur was running too. It grew larger and larger as they got closer. Just as they were about to touch Sarah jumped with all her might. Darren fell to knees and caught her in his arms. You're real!2 she cried "I never made you up! You're really here!"

Why did she say that?

'You're real?' What was that supposed to mean? I didn't have time to think about that though. Sarah's soaked to the bone and shivering like mad. And it wasn't until I got back to the camp that I noticed her arm was sticking out at a bad angle. By the time we got back the rain had finally stopped and the clouds parted enough for some moonlight to shine through.

Hardly anyone will be up at this time, thankfully. Sarah was been asleep in my arms the whole time I dried and changed her. She was still cold to the touch so I set up a small fire and sat as close as I could to warm her up. Now that I stopped and sat down I suddenly wondered: where'd Mr Tall go? I must have been in such a hurry into get Sarah into some dry clothes that I completely forgot about him. That made me feel guilty. I mean, Mr Tall must have been as worried about Sarah as I was wasn't he? Maybe I should go look for him?

"I'm right here Darren"

EARLIER……

Darren just whisked her away as if Sarah were immediately his responsibility. When really she was Mr Tall's and he failed her.

"Hibernius. Are you alright?! I must be losing my hearing. Normally I can hear a mile away even when he's sneaking.

"Not entirely Larten.

"May I ask why your face look's like a bag a of rats?" MR Tall sighed heavily and rubbed a hand over his forehead.

"I let my mind become so concerned about the Cirque that I forgot about who mattered most. And she had to pay the price for it. There was many things Larten could have said to comfort his good friend. However this was something that Mr Tall had to sort himself. His guilt couldn't be settled with kind words, no matter who they came from.

"I think, you should talk to Darren about this Hibernius"

It's strange; I've always thought of Mr Tall as this unbreakable, iron coated shell. But the look on his face when he sat down next to me, the way he twiddles his hands and kept his head lowered made him look, human. Or a little boy struggling to find the right words to express himself.

"I'm sorry Darren"

"For what?"

"For….letting myself become dependent on you" I felt confused.

"What do you mean dependent?

"I know you think that this is your fault Darren. That Sarah was your responsibility and you let her down in your duty to keep her safe. When I'm the one who failed her"

"But, Mr tall-

"NO Darren. There is no excuse. I'm a disgrace"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This can't be Mr Tall. Why does he think this is all his fault? Stuff like this just happens sometimes, that's all. The important thing is Sarah's safe now. She's with those who care about her. Why can't he see that? It could have been a lot worse that it had, but it's not. He needs to get that through his head.

"You're wrong Mr Tall" I said softly

"What?"

I took a deep breadth, hoping I'd speak as boldly as I'd could "You think you're a disgrace just because I spend my free time with her? I wouldn't have even known she existed if it weren't for you. Who's the one who brought her here? Who's the one who gave her a home? Who spent every night cuddling her while she cried from nightmares. Who saved her?"

"Darren…I…I" he sniffed. Did, I just make Mr Tall cry? Vampire Gods! He's crying! OK, maybe not full, blown out, teary crying but still. Where's half that crap come form? I just spoke to MR Tall like I was the adult or something. OH Crap! What do I do? What do I do?

"Um…uh…bandage!" Here, hold Sarah 'till I get a bandage and sling for her arm" Ina panic I just thrust Sarah right into his arms and made a dash for it. Before I left I nervously said, "Besides, I'm sure seeing your face will perk her right up when she wakes up, then I left.

I fought back he tears as best as I could but Daren's words really touched me. Maybe I'm not as disgraceful as I thing I am? I can't change what happened but I know I can make it right. There are several people around here who wouldn't making taking on an extra job or two. Then I'd have more time to spend with Sarah other than late at night.

"Mr Tall?" She stirred in my arms, waking form sleep.

"Hi sweetheart" I said in my best voice but she saw though me.

"Why are you crying? I wiped my face like it would make her forget them.

"I'm just, happy to see you. That's all" I am happy. I don't think I have ever been happier that I have now. All my worries just withered as soon as I saw those shiny blue eyes of hers.

"My arm hurts" she muttered.

"You had an accident, honey. Darren's getting you some bandages some to help it" Just as I said Darren's name, her eyes grew slightly wider, like she just remembered something.

"I had a nightmare again. Did I fall out of bed? Is that how my arm hurts?"

She doesn't remember? Well, maybe it's better this way. I don't like lying to her but what good will it do to say, 'oh, we left you behind in the rain and fell out of tree and broke your arm'?

"It's O.K now sweetheart. You're safe and sound now"

Yay!! I uploaded a new chapter!! This was originally meant to be 2 chapters but i fet they were kinda short so i thught they would be better as one. Neat, huh? Anyway, this will be the last chapter for a while, i've got exams so the next chapter won't be up 'till the summer. Sorry, but i really want to pass these exmas otherwse i would have finished all my stories by now. Cya soon and hope you all a great easter, just don't get fat on the eggs ok.