Chapter Four:

2 am, Adrienne was the only out of the entire camp that was awake. She sat outside waiting in the darkness, her eyes fixated upon the stars. Soon the sky began to come alive with colors as the sun's rays began to peek over the horizon. Tears fell from her eyes as she watched in awe of its beauty. Never had she had the opportunity to watch sunrises, only sunsets. Her father had kept her locked up most of the day, apart from school.

Evra had awakened and came out of his tent; he was in mid stretch when he saw Adrienne. Her tears still falling as she continued to watch the colors come and go from the sky. "Andy?" She jumped slightly and immediately wiped her face with her sleeve "Hi Evra."

Slowly he walked over and sat down, "Nice sunrise huh?" Adrienne nodded, "Very."

He sighed "I saw them," she looked at him "What?"

"The scars, and the bruises" he looked at her; "Who?" Her eyes suddenly became fixated on the ground, staring at the leaves and grass. Taking in each green blade and even trying to figure out the number of blades of grass hidden under each leaf. "My dad," Evra's face now held a look of complete horror "Please don't tell anyone."

Evra nodded "Okay," after that Evra gave her the personal tour of the camp site. Adrienne and Evra spent the whole day talking and joking.

Then the sun went down, and it became dark.

Adrienne watched as she saw the lights turn on around the campsite, and she felt herself smiling.

Larten had awakened from his slumber sometime after it had grown completely dark. He walked out of his tent only to see Adrienne and he immediately recognized her.

"I see Mr. Tall convinced you."

Adrienne turned in his direction and immediately blushed "Yes, he did. He was very persuasive." Larten found himself smiling as he walked forward till he was standing in front of her.

"Larten Crepsley at your service" He said with an elegant bow. This caused her to smile "Adrienne," she hesitated for a moment, "Lawson. But call me Andy please."

He took her hand and kissed it "It's a pleasure." Larten offered Adrienne his arm which she linked with hers.

"Tell me about yourself Andy."

"Um….well there's nothing really to tell. I ran away from home and wound up joining a cirque. Seems almost cliché," Larten laughed slightly.

"Yes, it does, doesn't it?"

"Will there be another show tonight Mr. Crepsley?"

He smiled "Please," he turned to face her "Its Larten." Adrienne blushed heavily at his voice, it was so soft and gentle when he spoke to her. "Ok, Larten" He smiled as they continued to walk.

"Tell me, what is your gift?"

Adrienne hesitated and tensed up; Larten must have realized it for he stopped walking "Andy?" he asked softly looking at her, "Is something the matter?"

"I, I don't like…." She stopped, "I don't like showing it." She said as she remembered all the times her father would abuse her whenever she had shown her ability. She winced slightly and a tear fell from her eye.

Larten gently reached out and wiped the tear away. That was when he took noticed to the hand shape bruises on her neck. "Who did this?" Adrienne looked away from him, turning her back to him fully; trying desperately to avoid his gaze.

Larten placed his hands gently upon her shoulder, causing her to flinch. "Andy, I will not hurt you. Please, tell me."

Slowly, she unzipped her hoody then unbuttoned her shirt, exposing her tank top. Then Andy turned to face him, allowing him to see the three inch scar across her heart and the bruises upon her neck. "The bruises, all my bruises and cuts and scars are from my father. The one on my chest," she hesitated "Was by my hand."

This shocked Larten, "Why?"

"Because I wanted to die," she shouted "I wanted to die since I was 6 years old. But," she choked up "I can't die Larten. I opened this scar seven times in one year. I stabbed over and over at my heart! And I still wouldn't die!"

Larten watched as the tears streamed down her face her eyes becoming crimson and black. Her pupils became like those of a snake as her emotions ran wild within her. Larten cupped her face and made her stair at him, "Andy you have to calm down. Please look at me!"

She snapped out of her trance and Larten watched as her eyes returned to normal. Her eyes were wide with fear, when she realized what happened. "I'm so sorry," she said and released herself from Larten's hold and ran.

"Andy!" he shouted as he ran after her "Adrienne" he caught up to her and wrapped his arms around her, "Adrienne stop!" He held onto her struggling form, "Please" he whispered into her ear. "I won't hurt you." Adrienne fell to the floor in tears, with Larten still holding on to her.

"It's okay, I promise. It's okay, I'm right here, I'm right here." Larten said softly as he held Adrienne close to him. Her head lying on his chest, "It's okay. Everything's going to be okay."

Dear readers I am sorry that this took so long. I have been real busy with school and stuff. I will get chapter five up as soon as possible. Love you all!!!