Title: My Immortal

By: XxTHEemoVAMPIREfreakxX

Disclaimer: don't own it.

Chapter 18

Darren's POV

As it turned out, Sam was very intelligent, and he was also very interested in the Cirque. He wanted to join, but we told him he couldn't, due to the adults and his parents and other such things. He threw a tantrum after that, it was pretty funny and mainly consisted of long words and him saying how adults aren't fair and they don't understand. Evra interrupted his fit by offering a visit to his snake. He thought it was the coolest thing ever. After that we took him through the camp, and showed him around, we let him meet some of the performers like Hans hands, and then we ran into Rhamus Twobellies. Evra asked if we could watch him practice his performance and he let us. Sam was absolutely amazed by all of it, and the more amazed he was the more he didn't want to leave, the more he wanted to stay and join the Cirque. Come dinnertime, it was kind of hard to get rid of him… so we used a small fib to get out of him staying. We said we had to feed and wash the wolf-man, which Sam really didn't like the idea of. He left and he said he'd be back tomorrow. Aimee, to tell the truth had been quiet all day. She followed quietly and didn't say much. I'm not completely sure why though, to be honest.

That was when we saw the little people, as Evra explained to me. The Little People were… little people in blue hoods that helped around the camp. That was when we met Mr. Tiny…

Evra and I were in a deep discussion about the little people and their appetite, and Bradley Stretch who had been eaten, as Evra had concluded by the clues, by the little people, when Hans Hands came over. "Mr. Tall wants you three to report to his van as soon as possible." He said. "What's up Hans? Why does he want us?" Evra asked. "He doesn't, Mr. Tiny does though." Our smiles faded instantly. Mr. Tiny was chilling to the bone, no matter how warm he appeared or seemed to one.

Mr. Tall, Mr. Crepsley, Proxime, and Mr. Tiny were in the van when we arrived. Evra was shaking as we entered, but when I saw the uneasy looks on Mr. Tall, Proxime and Mr. Crepsley's faces… I was a little on edge. "Come in boys, come in, sit down, make yourselves at home." He said welcoming us into the van as if it was his trailer. "I'll stand, thank you…" Evra said in a shaky voice. "Me too." I said. "I would like to stand, if you don't mind sir." Came Aimee's unusually quiet voice. "Suit yourselves." Mr. Tiny said. He was the only one standing. "I've heard a lot about you both, Young Darren Shan and Aimee Stan." He said rolling something between his hands; a heart shaped watch. "I hear you're quite the boy Darren, and you Aimee, quite the girl." Mr. Tiny went on. "A most remarkable pair of youngsters. You Darren, Sacrificing everything to save a friend. And you Aimee, sacrificing everything left for your siblings. There aren't many who would do as much. People are so self centered these days. It's good to see that the world can still produce heroes."

"I'm no Hero." I said blushing at the compliment. "Thank you sir." Aimee said quietly. He nodded at Aimee and then looked at me. "Of course you are." He insisted. " What is a hero but a person who puts everything on the line for the good of somebody else?" I smiled proudly and couldn't see why Evra or Aimee had taken such a great fear towards him. I mean he wasn't terrible. In fact I kind of liked Mr. Tiny. "Larten tells me you are reluctant to drink human blood," Mr. Tiny continued. "I don't blame you. Nasty, repulsive stuff. Can't stand it. Apart from Young Children, of course. Their blood is scrum-dilly umptious." I frowned. "But you can't drink blood from a child, they're too young… they'd surely die." I said. What he did next chilled me to the very bone. He leaned forward his eyes, and smile widening.

"So?" he asked softly. I could tell he was totally serious, which was even more frightening. Then it hit me. Why this man was greatly feared. He was evil. Not just bad or nasty, but evil. The kind you can imagine torturing little children and women just to hear them scream. "Down to business." He said tightening his hands on the heart shaped watch. "You saw me arriving with my little people, so, if you wouldn't mind I'd like the three of you to ease them into things. Show them the ropes, and mainly find food for them. So how about it? I already have the permission of your guardians." I nodded mutely, as did Aimee out of the corner of my eye, and Evra out of the corner of my other eye. He waved a hand to dismiss us, and Evra began backing away immediately. "Excuse me, why do you call them little people?" I asked. "Because they are little." He explained. "I know, but I thought they would have a more official name. I mean when someone would mention "little people" I'd immediately think of elves and leprechauns."

"They are Leprechauns and Elves. They were the ones who created those stories." "Are you telling me those dwarves in blue capes are elves?" I asked disbelievingly. "No. I'm saying they were the ones who created the myths of elves and leprechauns, as you so rudely put it. So humans made stories of what they were and what they could do." He said. "What can they do?" I asked. Mr. Tiny's smile disappeared. "I always heard you were one for asking questions." "But nobody told me you were this nosy." He growled. "Remember Darren Shan: Curiosity killed the cat." "I'm not a cat." I said boldly. He leaned forward. " If you ask more questions," he hissed. "You might find yourself as one, remember nothing in life is forever. Not even the human form."

The watch in his hands glowed a dangerous red shade. I decided to leave right then and there. "Get some rest." Mr. Crepsley said to the three of us, as he ushered us out. "And rise early." Mr. Tiny added. "My little people get awfully hungry, and you never know what they might set their minds-and teeth- on if they get too hungry." He said. We hurried away from the van and walked in silence. "You stupid idiot." Aimee said after some time. "Do you even know what he could do to you?" she asked. I shrugged. Evra agreed. Aimee stopped. "Well… good night." She said, and she parted ways to go to her van. Evra and I went to our tent.