A/N: I'm really sorry for taking so long to update, especially since this is quite a short chapter compared to the others. The next one should be up faster and it should be longer since it's the summer holidays now.

Chapter 3: Living At the Cirque and Mysterious Spirits

Darren

Darren wandered through the camp looking for something to do. He had completed all the jobs given to him by Mr. Tall and now he was feeling lost. Even though he had finally grieved for his mentor and began to get over his death he still missed him. He was furious at Steve, once they had been friends but now Darren hated him. He was determined to make him pay but he would take Mr. Crepsley's advice. He wouldn't be taken over by revenge. That was what Steve had done, that was what Mr. Tiny wanted.

"No," it wasn't a shout, it was a flat statement. He shook his head defiantly and with renewed purpose he set off. Harkat was still having nightmares and Darren hadn't talked with him for a while.

He found Harkat in his tent. The little person looked exhausted. His strange gray skin was paler than usual and his green eyes were dull and hazy.

"Are you alright?" Darren enquired worriedly.

"I'm just a little tired," Harkat replied sleepily, "I'm fine."

He yawned and his head lolled to one side.

Darren looked at him sceptically, "right, and I'm the king of America."

"America doesn't have a king."

"Exactly," Darren said smugly, "are you sure there's nothing anyone can do?"

Harkat sighed, "I've tried everything, nothing works. The only person who can stop the nightmares is Mr. Tiny and I can't ask him for help."

"He's probably having too much fun watching how much damage his nightmares are causing," Darren muttered darkly.

Darren hated Mr. Tiny, every bad thing that had ever happened was his fault and Darren was sure that the short, chubby man would enjoy knowing how he was hurting Harkat. Darren swore to himself in that moment, as he watched Harkat slumped against the side of the tent, that after the war was over he would kill Mr. Tiny. He didn't care how hard it would be. He didn't care that Mr. Tiny was more powerful than any vampire or vampaneze. Somehow he would do it, he had to. Someone who liked to cause pain and had the ability to bring people back to life as slaves and mess around with destiny had to be stopped.

"Well," Darren said briskly, "if you're not going to sleep then come with me. I'm not leaving you here to mope."

"I do not mope," Harkat protested indignantly, but Darren could see he was feeling better.

He snorted sarcastically and punched Harkat's shoulder playfully.

"Come on! Lets go find Lila, Urcha and Shancus."

"Oh great, three crazy snake-children climbing over me. Yes, I can definitely see how that would help," Harkat grumbled.

Darren laughed and pulled Harkat out of the tent.

Evra

Evra watched his friend and the strange little person who'd gone with Darren and Mr. Crepsley, play with his children. He was relieved that Darren had stopped looking like an emotionless zombie or robot. He didn't really understand everything that was happening with Darren but he was still his friend and he would stand with him. He smiled as Darren allowed Shangus to wrestle him to the ground. He would help Darren in any ever he could.

"Shancus, Urcha, Lila! Stop trying to kill Darren and Harkat, it's time for dinner!"

Harkat

Harkat sighed, thankful that Evra had decided to call off his children. He rubbed the mud from the spur-of-the-moment fight off his face. He was grateful for Darren taking his mind of his nightmares but having clods of earth hurled at you from every direction and being knocked to the ground and tickled wasn't exactly his idea of the perfect afternoon. Nevertheless he had to admit that it had worked, he and Darren had moved on. Harkat knew that Darren couldn't ever be like he was before, too much had happened, but at least his eyes were no longer empty and vacant. Harkat also knew that not everything was well, he sensed something big. Mr. Tiny was planning, he was sure of it. But there was nothing he could do about it now so he might as well enjoy the peace while it lasted. He stood up.

"Thanks Darren, I'll just go back to my tent to get cleaned up."

Darren looked at him in concern, "will you be ok?"

Harkat rolled his eyes at the half-vampire, "of course, if I'm not you can come in and rescue me again," he joked.

"You can count on that," Darren replied seriously but he was laughing while he said it.

Darren

Darren grinned at the retreating back of his friend. He was glad he'd managed to cheer him up and he felt content. He decided that he would get cleaned up too and then maybe he would meet up with Evra. He missed talking with the snake-man.

Evra was sitting in the middle of the camp with his wife Merla. Darren walked up to them.

"Hi, Evra, Merla."

"Hey Darren," Evra returned the greeting.

"I saw you playing with the boys, I hope they weren't too much trouble," Merla smiled at him.

"Nah, it was fun. But its not just the boys you know. Lila can be pretty vicious too."

They all chuckled.

"Darren, do you mind if I talk to you for a second?" Evra asked.

"Sure, what about."

Merla looked at them, then quietly got up and left.

Darren looked critically at Evra. His expression was serious, his gaze solemn.

"What's this about?" Darren repeated.

"I just thought we needed to talk. I don't know what happened when you left, I don't know what you saw or did," he raised a hand to forestall Darren's interruption.

"I just wanted to tell you that I'll help you in any way I can. I'm not a vampire, I know this isn't my fight but I'm your friend."

A broad grin spread across Darren's face.

"Thanks," he said sincerely, "I really appreciate it."

They shook hands, staring into each other's eyes. There were no more words spoken. They both knew that they would stick by each other.

Somewhere faraway and yet still quite close to Darren and the cirque a spirit was departing its body. It slowly began to fade into the cosmos, it was joining with the infinite. Before it was completely one with the spirit plane, something called it back. Four beings stood before him. They were impossible to describe using words from any mortal language.

~It is not your time,~ one told him.

~There is still something you must do,~ continued another.

~A second chance. Live and remember.~

The spirit changed. It steadily became more and more solid. It vibrated, a wash of colours coruscated over it. When they died away the spirit had vanished. In its place was a jewel, about the size of a fist. It was white, shot through with veins of reddish-orange and it was emitting a soft glow.

~Good luck,~ a being said. Then with a hint of irony it added, ~even in life may you be triumphant.~

In a flash of magic, the four beings disappeared, taking the strange stone with them.

A/N: What do you think? I only read over the 9th book quickly to remember exactly what happened before writing this so I hope noone's too out of character. Any guesses about who the spirit is? There are a few hints and if you think about it logically it's not hard to work it out. Please review.