Don't actually know the twin's names. Saw Abby n' Brittany on the internet - corrections welcome. Again, Ursus and the Gang are fictitious.
With the aid of several freaks, Evra managed to get the struggling pair into Mr Crepsley's tent. The inhabitants of the Cirque usually made an extra effort to avoid the old vampire's home due to his short temper and even shorter span of patience however Evra had made it clear it was an emergency. Rhamus, Rebecca, Abby and Brittany the conjoined twins and a few others hauled Harkat and Loaf Head apart and dragged them kicking and screaming into the khaki tent. The word tent, however, implies a boy scout's home-made den and so the word marquee or Rubb hall might be more appropriate. Anyway, whatever it was had a huge green, leather-lined, oak desk with an imposing chair made out of the kind of strong wood which left one assuming it had originally been built for a larger person. It often engulfed Mr Crepsley when he sat in it but it made him feel important and that was what counted.
The same man entered with a piqued expression that suggested he had better things to do than sort out a squabble between freaks. His black cloak billowed out around him as he swept the canvas doors aside and cut through the crowd which had piled into his home.
"What is the meaning of all this?" he cried gesturing around his tent with an arthritic hand. Several freaks flinched as his sharp gaze swept over them. Evra raised an uncertain hand.
"It's um, it's Harkat sir. He was trying to tell me something but then he jumped on Loaf Head. I don't know why but you can understand him, can't you?"
"He - "
"attacked - "
"poor - "
"Loaf Head!" cried the twins placing a hand on each of their hips. Mr Crepsley tutted at them and they were quiet.
"Harkat? Did you attack Loaf Head?" Harkat Mulds nodded so energetically that the stitches joining his head and neck seemed in danger of splitting.
"Why?" A series of hand gestures followed, some quite obscene, as Harkat tried to explain himself. As he was nearing the end of his silent speech, Mr Crepsley suddenly grew red with anger and then white with fear.
"Out! OUT!" he screamed at the freaks around him. They left without hesitation. The Mr Crepsley turned to Loaf Head.
"Not you," he snarled, teeth bared. Now only Rebecca and Evra remained as witnesses. Mr Crepsley grabbed the dwarf's collar and shook him furiously.
"Where did they take him? Tell me!"
"I - I don't know! I don't know!"
"Liar and scum!" shouted Mr Crepsley throwing the man to the floor. Loaf Head covered his head with his hands in anticipation of the blows but no one touched him. When he had the courage to look up, the vampire was watching Harkat's frantic sign language with growing anger.
"What's he saying?" said Rebecca timidly. Mr Crepsley rubbed his eyes and groaned.
"He says the Gang handed Darren over to the Vampaneze." Rebecca and Evra looked appalled.
"Why? Why would they do that?" cried Rebecca covering her mouth with her hands. Water burst from her eyes in floods. She rounded on the cowering dwarf.
"Listen here," she threatened, grabbing him by the collar, "you better tell me why they took Darren or I'll - " she shook him to and fro in a fit of rage before Evra unhooked her white knuckles and led her away sobbing. Loaf Head brushed himself down and raised an angry fist.
"How dare - !" he began.
"Loaf Head!" shrieked a shrill voice. Loaf Head whisked around to see the silhouette of Gertha Teeth outlined in the doorway against the sun. She had her hands on her hips and was shaking with anger.
"You tell the truth RIGHT NOW!" Loaf Head adopted a sulky expression and reluctantly turned to face the maddened vampire again.
"All right, all right," he muttered, "it was the Gang. They took him to the Vampaneze lair a couple of hours ago. Mr Tiny came and promised them Ursus in return." There was a little gasp from the doorway.
"Ursus? Mr Tiny found him? No wonder they handed the boy over. They've been searching for him for years!"
"We have," agreed Loaf Head. Mr Crepsley gathered himself and sucked his teeth in an effort not to shout again.
"So they traded him over for revenge? Revenge?" he spat. Evra answered Rebecca's questioning look with a shrug.
"Um, who is Ursus?" he said. Loaf Head growled.
"We've been hunting that bastard for years! He was the man that changed us!" He shook visibly and Gertha ran over to him and patted him comfortingly on the forehead. "A child-buyer, that's what he was, a sadistic man. He bought and sold us like pieces o' meat! Put us on display when we were only kids! Hah! He bought us or stole us from our families when we were no more than infants and exploited us, kicked us and made us feel worthless and less than others." In the corner, Rebecca's sobs became quieter as her mouth formed a circle of horror.
"I'll never forget his laughter though or the names he used to call us. He destroyed our confidence and made us feel like disgusting animals. Well, any of us would do anything to find him again - to make him suffer!"
"But you didn't," Evra pointed out. Loaf Head just sighed, taking Gertha's hand in his.
"No, but I might if I get another chance," he said, ignoring Mr Crepsley's snarl, "but I've always found this life easier than the others. They can't even bear to look at themselves or at each other! Always skulking around in the dark in a miserable mood..." he trailed off sadly, shaking his head.
"That's horrible Loaf Head," said Rebecca in a small voice, "and you think Mr - whatshisface - offered the man that done that to you in exchange for Darren? But why would he want Darren?"
"Mr Tiny wants Darren because he believes he is the vampire lord," snapped Mr Crepsley, "pure nonsense of course. There are no real lords of any kind! Just scapegoats sent to fight each other."
"I don't understand," frowned Rebecca, "they want Darren to fight?"
"They want him to lose so the Vampaneze can crawl to power," said Mr Crepsley roughly. Harkat nodded and made another hand gesture.
"He's going to fight against Caleb," added Mr Crepsley, "Mr Tiny knew that when he saw Darren, Steve wouldn't be able to resist seeking revenge and that Darren wouldn't stand a chance." Gertha squeaked in shock whilst Loaf Head just stared at his feet. Rebecca covered her face in her arms.
"Well we'll have to go get him back then," spoke up Evra with uncharacteristic bravery. The group looked worriedly at each other with the exception of Mr Crepsley who pounded his hand with his fist with a triumphant yell.
"Yes, Evra, that's the attitude! We'll gather a small group. Harkat knows where the lair is, don't you Harkat?" Harkat nodded.
"But we won't stand a chance! They'll kill us on sight!" shrieked Gertha.
"Then we will be careful not to get caught," said Mr Crepsley quietly, "Gertha, Loaf Head, go and find a few volunteers but be careful not to alarm anyone. We don't want to cause any unnecessary anxiety but make sure they are aware of the risks involved." Gertha and Loaf Head left hurriedly, hand in hand. Mr Crepsley turned to Rebecca.
"Go and inform Mr Tall. Tell him...tell him not to worry, we'll be back soon." Rebecca regarded him skeptically.
"What? Something like - 'Back soon, just popped out to rescue Darren from the bloodthirsty Vampaneze underground lair'? Don't be daft!"
"You'll think of something," he said, ushering her out. Outside the ambient sounds of the Cirque continuing its evening routines seemed strange to Evra. How could the freaks carry on when there were so many new dilemmas springing up all the time? His best friend was in grave danger and yet his family acted as normal. It all seemed so surreal. Mr Crepsley's words brought Evra back to reality with a jolt.
"When the others return, we'll leave immediately."