HOLY CRAP I'M ALIVE! I am such a rotten person for not updating in freaking forever! And this chapter SUCKS… I was in a rush before Christmas caroling later… Sigh, anyways, all rights to Mr. Darren Shan…

O! wait! I'm writing a Christmas story for Rebel Love Song! It'll be up before Christmas (translated: at the last damned second…), so check that out!

I was punched in the face. I was halfway strangled. My head hit a wall hard.

This doesn't hurt…

My head hit a wall again. I was slapped really hard. I was shaken, and then dropped.

This doesn't hurt..!

I was thrown onto a floor. I was shaken again. I'm dizzy. I got slapped again. There's blood on my cheek.

This DOSEN'T hurt..!

I was punched in the stomach. I got kicked in the face. I got kicked in the ribs. I hit a wall. It knocked the wind out of me.

THIS DOESN'T HURT!

Cold hands are wrapping around my throat. They're getting tighter. I can't break free.

I can't breathe…

Oh god, I can't breathe..!

I… I can't…

Breathe…

"..pse! Eclipse, wake up!"

My eyes snapped open. For a second I couldn't see anything, which just scared me even more. I curled up, shaking hard. Cold sweat was dripping down my face. A few tears mixed with it, but not many. The back of my head hurt. My throat hurt. I was sore pretty much everywhere.

"Eclipse? Are you alright?" My eyes snapped open at Evra's voice. I looked over. His green face was etched with worry. He reached out and brushed my cheek. I winced and shrunk back when it stung in response.

"What happened?" He faintly whispered. I wiped my face, gritting my teeth when it hurt.

"Is… Is it really that bad..?" I asked quietly. My voice sounded croaky.

"Oh! No, well, I mean I guess..?" He seemed to be confused at how to explain it. I fixed my glasses, smiling a little.

"It's okay. You can tell me."

"Well… Yeah… How did you get all of them?" I laughed a little, wincing from the pain in my cheeks.

"A dead social worker. I wasn't her favorite person in the world." He gave me a disgusted look.

"I'm so sorry… If I'd have known she beat you… Well… I…" Evra was at a loss of words again. I gave him a little smile.

"You didn't. And what do you mean? There's no possible way you could've stopped it. Besides, if bruises are the worst I have, then I'm lucky!"

"You're kidding," Evra gasped, his face screwing up in another disgusted look. I shrugged, not really wanting to talk about the worse stuff. I yawned, making him laugh a little. I looked at him curiously.

"What?"

"Nothing," He chuckled, smiling at me. There's that funny feeling in my stomach again. I wished it would stop. It made me feel sick. And my face felt hot, too. The strange thing was that it happened ever time Evra would say something nice or smile at me. Mostly when he smiled, though. There was something beautiful about it, almost like it radiated and made everything seem brighter.

Evra laughed again, only it was fuller. He helped me out of his hammock and led me out of the tent by my hand. That also made the funny feeling come back. I liked holding his hand. His scales made it slippery, but it was dry and warm.

It was already dark out, though I figured it was only a little bit after 5 o'clock. Strangely I was still tired, but I ignored it. Evra led me to a little fire. There where a few people around it, but Darren was the only one I recognized. I smiled and waved. He did the same, telling Evra and I to come sit next to him. I sat between them, putting my hands in my lap. I nervously looked around at the people. I recognized none of them, but they didn't seem mean.

"Did you sleep well?" Darren asked. I gave Evra a sideways glance. Then I forced a smile.

"Yeah, I slept great, Darren!" I said slowly. It wasn't a complete lie. Before the nightmare, I was sleeping quiet well.

"Where's Sissy?" Evra suddenly asked, looking around a little nervously. She suddenly was behind him, maliciously grinning.

"Well, hello sir!"She said in a growly voice. He just about jumped out of his skin, pun not intended. I glared at her. 'Cut it out, Sissy! It's not funny!' She just lazily wrapped her arms around my neck. 'Why should I?' I slapped her in the arm. 'Because, it's rude!' 'Who the hell said I was nice!' I glared at her, yes, I actually glared. I ignored her while Evra and Darren introduced me to various people. Larten Crepsley, Truska, Hans Hands, Cormac Limbs, the list went on. We ate and talked for a long time, and I felt more comfortable than I ever have in my life. They told me their stories, and I told them mine. The listened quietly, not ridiculing or making rude remarks. That automatically made me feel safe, and I made a note in the back of my mind to thank Sissy for messing up our life again.

I learned a lot while we were talking. Apparently, the Cirque du Freak has been around for a really long time. At least, that's what Mr. Crepsley said. From what Darren told me, he's a vampire. Not joking. He's a real live vampire. And Darren? He's his assistant and a half-vampire. That probably explains why Sissy can pick out his scent much easier than anyone else's. I asked a lot of questions, but Mr. Crepsley was very polite and answered all of them to the best of his ability (or, more of, what he could tell me because of keeping the clan safe). We talked for hours, and I was getting tired again. I had started to absent-mindedly lean on Evra. He noticed and nudged me, laughing softly.

"Hey, don't tell me you're tired again!" I yawned, making our sharp, fang-like teeth glint in the fire light.

"Maybe I am…" I finally said, gingerly rubbing my eyes. They still hurt pretty badly. Evra just laughed again, making me smile. I really, really like his laugh. It makes me feel warm inside.

"Well, it is pretty late… I guess it wouldn't hurt to go to bed," He said softly. He stood up and extended his hands to me. I let him help me up. And, no, it's not because I like holding his hand… Wait, what? Anyways, we said good night to everyone and headed off for our tent. I tried to hide my surprise when I saw 3 hammocks instead of 2. Evra told me that Mr. Tall was just that quiet. I can respect that. I climbed in and curled up into a ball. I stayed like that for a while, and then I rolled over, looking at Evra. He was staring at the cloth ceiling of the tent.

"Evra?"

"Mm?"

"I'm sorry if Sissy's been bugging you…"

"Oh! I-it's okay, I don't mind…"

"You sure?"

"Yeah! If she's your friend, then she's my friend." He turned his head and gave me a big smile. I smiled sleepily back.

"Okay… Good night, Evra."

"Night, Eclipse!"

Evra's POV

I watched her fall asleep. I laughed just a little bit; she sleeps with her glasses on.

How strange. How wonderfully strange.

I like that.

She really is rather pretty. She's dark skinned, a little darker than Debbie was. It contrasts with her hair and eyes brilliantly.

I like that, too.

She was smiling. She seemed to be having a better dream than she had earlier.

I didn't like that.

But I do like her smile.

I told Darren that. He's been teasing me about liking her ever since she left us in the woods. I've never imagined myself as someone who would fall for someone at first sight. But she was so different, so incredibly and wonderfully different. It made me want to protect her and that very film of innocence that she had left.

I watched her breathing get slow. I noticed how she barely breathed when she slept this morning. I could feel myself drifting off, too. Before I entered my dreams, I very faintly whispered,

"Good night… Eclipse…"

So! We get a glimpse at Evra's thoughts! Who likes? If enough people like it, then I'll try to do it for every chapter!

R&R or else the Zombie will be released! RAWR