Chapter 4: Training

It was a dark yet warm night. The moon was high in a clear, black sky. Hundreds of stars were twinkling in the moon and stars illuminated the area, giving the darkness some light. The animals of the sun were fast asleep, while the animals of the night were wide awake and alive. Bats flew in the sky, owls hooted in the shadowy darkness of the trees. Crinkets sang their songs while frogs played along. The wind was slow and smooth, causing the tree leaves to gently rattle in the wind. A nearby river gushed down its stream, thrashing against the rocky banks.

All of these noises were very distracting to Darrell. Sitting in an circular opening in the woods, Darrell listened in, waiting for the unexpected to happen. Her eyes were wide opened, frantically looking around, looking within the shadows. Her breath was rigid, her hands and legs shaking.

And then, she heard something behind her. Something that didn't mix in well with the noises of the nature. Darrell heard it for a second, but she recognized that sound; feet running against the crunchy grass. But it was too late, for when Darrell mid-turned to face to the upcoming figure, she felt a small yet sharp pain on her forehead.

"Ow!" Darrell yelped in pain, stumbling back a bit. "You said you'll go easier this time!" She protested as she rubbed her forehead. A hot pink mark was left on the middle of her forehead.

A smug smiled played on the middle-age vampire. "Do not complain. It was clear that you have heard me coming at the last second." replied as he flexed his fingers.

"Well yeah, but I was talking about you flicking my forehead!" Darrell snapped as she pointed towards her forehead, which there was a hot pink mark in the middle.

It has been three months and a half that Darrell has been under 's watch, and traveling with the Cirque. Darrell's learning has been slow, for her life in the Cirque tires her out before the night can even come. Before Darrell could do any physical lessons, she was taught the vampire ways; basically what can save them and what can kill them.

"Since you are not a half vampire, I will only teach you the basic of being a vampire." told her at the fifth night of her joining the Cirque.

Even though she's not his assistant, Darrell was still responsible for his wellbeing. She had to provide him blood; meaning she had to hunt and capture animals. Capturing animals was a hard task at first, for the Cirque didn't carry no weapons. Unless you categorize the kitchen utensils as weapons. Darrell learned how to make various small animal traps. The majority catches were rabbits and foxes. But she hasn't caught anything bigger than her. There were several animal blood that vampires can and can't consume. Like dogs and cows were okay. But cats and snakes weren't.

Darrell wasn't so sure with the human blood part, but she was informed that he carries small vials of human blood. Darrell didn't worried about the human blood so much, but she began to wonder that what if ran out of those blood vials? Darrell was taught that vampires can't only survive on animal blood. Human blood was like the main dish, while the animal blood is just an appetizer.

Other things that Darrell learned about vampires made her want to grab every vampire novel, comic book, and movie, and burn them.

Vampires aren't immortal nor invincible. Anything that kills a human can kill a vampire. Everyone assumes that vampires are super powerful, undead beings, because they're hard to catch and kill. But there are stories of vampire hunters actually killing vampires, mostly in their sleep. Heck, even Darrell's father could had killed when he had the chance.

Garlic and holy water don't hurt them at all. And a stack to the heart? Of course that work. I mean, who wouldn't that kill?

Darrell also learned that there are some facts of vampires are true. Although vampires are able to cast shadows and see their reflections and have a heartbeat (since they aren't dead), they can't be photographed or videotaped, it will just come out like a blur of light. Kind of like when people photograph ghosts. The sunlight will kill a full-vampires, but not after being exposed to it for more than four or five hours.

Vampires and half-vampires age very slowly. So of course vampires can die of old age. While half-vampire age one year after five years have passed, full vampires will age one year after ten years.

And Darrell has a feeling that there is so much more for her to learn. But since she is only human, she hasn't learn those other things yet. Right now, she only learned those that will save or kill a vampire. In order words; practically placed his life in Darrell's hands.

Darrell is quite good at memorizing things, so this information is quite fresh in her mind. She learned those in second month flat, and is expected to memorize them all of her life. At the beginning of the third month, Darrell has gain a bit of weight, making her look healthy and feel healthy as well. Since joining the Cirque, she has been eating healthy food since they make it straight from scratch. And with no local food joints whenever they make a stop for a show, Darrell has a well managed, fresh food diet.

And once gaining all that extra weight, it was time for her to train her senses and strength. Since she can walk in the day and has to sleep at night, Darrell was in charge to look after him from any possible threat. Every night, Darrell has a daily - or is it nightly - routine; push ups, sit ups, and pull ups.

was quite strict with her exercises, and at the beginning, the next morning Darrell would be very sore. She was glad that she wasn't picking up heavy objects in the Cirque, for she was put in the cooking group and laundry. Of course, she helps out Evra whenever he really needs it, which is rare.

But after a couple of weeks of exercises, she has got over the soreness and began to build up some strength. Muscles? Not so much. And the past several days, has been making Darrell sharpen her hearing. Sometimes, he would do this exercise even when they're aren't even exercising! She could be simply chatting with some of the crew members, and then next thing she knows, there is a sharp pain on her forehead.

"Man, you better watch your strength there whenever you're gonna flick me." Darrell said as the pain on her forehead began to subside. "Or you might end up killing me."

Upon hearing Darrell's little tease, there was a cold and distant yet sad look in his eyes."That will not happen. I am not that cruel." said as he tugged at his cape, looking sideways. He then turned around, his back facing Darrell. "We should head back to the Cirque. Besides, you need your rest."

Darrell nod her head and followed since he began to walk. But the look in 's eyes didn't go unnoticed from Darrell. She realized that, whenever she said a certain tease or joke, those cold and sad look would appear for a brief second. She first saw them at the end of the second month being in the Cirque. She thought that the vampire was simply not a fan of jokes and such things like that. But one tease after the other, Darrell noticed the look more and more. She then began to think that it had to do with 's pass, far before he saved her and met her father. It was quite tempting to ask him of his origins and such, but Darrell had a feeling that it was not her place to hear such things, or ask him that. Perhaps when she's older or becomes a vampire. Although, Darrell is quite anxious to know and is not one for patience.

It was late in the night, and she did need some sleep. But Darrell would wonder what does during those hours after she slept and before the sun rises. Feeling a bit rebellious, Darrell decided to stay up and follow .

Once reaching the tent that was set up for both her and , Darrell hopped onto the hammock and got comfy. She never slept on a hammock before, and heard stories that a lot of people would fall over whenever they try to sit or lay on it. But Darrell never had those kind of problems, so she simply thought those stories were just hogwash. Of course, she didn't fall asleep. bid her good-night and left the tent. After 10 minutes or so, Darrell quietly got out of the hammock, and slowly walked barefooted outside. Everyone else in the Cirque were asleep, for it was really late for them. But not for a vampire.

It was still very dark outside, but thanks to the moonlight and starlight, Darrell was able to see her surrounds. At the corner of her eye, Darrell spotted walking into the woods. He was a couple of yards away from her, so Darrell didn't need to run but she kept her pace quick.

The grass was cold to the touch, giving Darrell shivers but the night was warm so that helped. Darrell carefully followed the vampire, watching out for rocks or fallen twigs. She breath through her nostrils, keeping her breathing steady. She knew that one false move, she will be caught.

Darrell followed into the woods

The woods were more darker than the clearing where she was training, and where the Cirque is set up for these past four days. If Darrell was more younger and naive, she would had been afraid of the dark. But due to seeing the dead as phantoms helped her overcome that childish fear. Plus; having a vampire as your guardian and mentor helped too.

Darrell carefully trek through the shadows, minding not to make any loud noises. Even though it was dark, she could still see the faded outline of the vampire's body. Once reaching another clearing, stopped in the middle of it, bathing himself in the moonlight. Darrell hid behind a tree and crouched really low to the ground, trying to blend into the shadows.

Darrell wasn't one to stare at a boy in any particular way. But at this moment, she couldn't help but observe 's features. The way his red cape blows in the wind, it was like a sea of red. How broad are his shoulders are, and his posture; so straight and lean. His legs and feet seem to be very firm and tough. Darrell imaged that is a really buff guy underneath those garments. Well, that's what happens when you live so long and live a tough life.

Darrell push those thoughts aside, knowing that it was strange for a 14 -nearly 15 - year old would be having such thoughts of a guy. When she looked back up at him, was gone. She didn't hear him making any moves, so she wondered if he just simply walked with a much more swifter step. But of course, she heard that familiar sound in her training. She didn't need to turn around, for Darrell knew that he was standing right behind her.

"Did you think I would not notice?" asked from behind her. Darrell turned around and faced him, even though she was crouched low to the ground. A small frown played on her face.

"If you knew that I was going to follow you, why didn't you say so at the beginning?" She asked, a bit irritated. She was so convinced that she was careful in being very quiet. But now that she thinks about it, she should had realized how sharp a vampire's hearing is.

"I was simply amusing myself." said as he walked to her side, so that she may see him. "But I must know; why were you following me? You know that you need your rest for tomorrows work."

"I know, I know." Darrell interrupted as she stood up, patting the grass off her knees. "I was just..curious on what a vampire does before the sun rises." She lied and giving her mentor a shrug.

"That all depends on the vampire." said before turning away from her. "Do not follow me again, for it is my time of peace. Return to the tent immediately." He added as he began to walk away, the darkness cloaking him.

Darrell woke up early, around eight-twenty in the morning. As she sat up, she let out a long yawn and stretched out her arms and legs. Darrell hopped off the hammock and looked back at the red coffin. She knew that the sun was up, but she always made sure that was sleeping within. Darrell quietly approached it and laid a single ear against the wooden lid, only to hear soft snores coming from inside. With a smile of satisfaction, Darrell quickly headed for the showers.

On the fourth day at the Cirque, Truska noticed how small or large Darrell's clothing were, and she insisted on making some adjustments to them. After a week or so, Darrell received her clothing back, fitting very comfortably. Who knew that the Bearded Lady had a great skill at sewing. Darrell didn't need no special clothing for work, just a simple pants with a simple t-shirt.

As she left her tent, she began to recall what happened last night. Your time of peace, huh? Yeesh, am I that bad or too much to handle? Or perhaps it's something entirely different. And those eyes, I know he's hiding something from me. I may not get the answers, but he will eventually tell me. Until then, I'll respect his privacy...and perhaps work in secrecy. She thought to herself, smirking while at it.

Darrell took a quick shower, which was mandatory for every member living in the Cirque. Don't waste water for the others. Even though the water was cold, it was still refreshing. Life at the Cirque is great; even though you have to work hard to keep your stay, it's worth it. You get to spend your time with a bunch of cool performers, and everyone is nice! Darrell never felt more at home in the Cirque.

After the shower and dressing into clean clothes, it was time to cook up a big breakfast. Some people were already awake and heading for the showers. At the cooking center, Darrell was also teamed up with some other cooks, including Truska! She knows how to sew, and now cooking? Wow, what can't she do? Darrell wondered to herself in amazement.

Right at the cooking center, Truska and several other helpers were there already. Even though Darrell can't understand what the Bearded Lady says, she gives the young assistant hand signals or head movement. It took some time, but Darrell mastered the body language when it came to cooking.

"Morning you guys." Darrell greeted them as they greeted back to her. The breakfast for today was eggs mixed in with sausage and vegetables, along with toast and bacon. "Alright, this is going to be a lot of mouths to feed. Let's get to it!" Darrell said out loud, either making herself pumped up and/or the other cookers. It took some time, but the food was made just in time when the rest of the day people woke up.

During breakfast, Darrell was pretty excited to hear that there will be an old member coming to rejoin the Cirque. Which means that they'll be able to perform soon! This excited Darrell so much! During her stay in the Cirque, she only witness two performances at different locations. Some of the members gone and came, only this time they were a few performers short. Recently, Hans Hands returned to the Cirque. For what reason he left, Darrell didn't know. And this returning performer that is coming back? Even that Darrell doesn't know.

Overall, Darrell was still excited to see the Cirque perform again. Even if she's selling goodies in the booth and work backstage. But seeing the performers acting gives her inspiration to master her skills so that she can act out as well.

After her chores were done, Darrell climb on top of a grassy hill at the edge of the Cirque. She sat down the smooth grass, closed her eyes and relaxed. Darrell slow down her breathing and calmed her heart rate. She cancelled out the noises of the animals, the low whistle of the wind, and the distant chattering of the Cirque people.

Slowly, the temperature began to drop. That warm, sunny morning became a chill night-like feel.

Her body felt numb and cold, her blood running cold. And it did not take long for her to realize that she was now among the trapped souls on Earth.

Darrell still sees ghosts, but rarely now since she's always on the move. But one time though, they stopped on a land that use to be a battleground of one of the great World Wars. Even though the smell of the deceased and illness, the sound of gunfire and missiles, have lone and gone faded, Darrell could still smell them and hear them. It gave her a major headache, and the cries of the dead didn't help so much. It was a bad and depressing experience, for she had never encountered so many upset spirits all in one place. But even since then, Darrell hasn't seen a ghost.

But during her ghost meditation, she learned that she can have some communication with nearby ghosts, those who don't want to be seen or don't have the enough energy to manifest themselves.

It's a dangerous thing that Darrell is doing, even though she is challenging herself. When she first discovered this, she was simply relaxing at the edge of the Cirque until everything felt cold. She thought that she was out for several minutes. Apparently, she was asleep for several hours!

Now that she does these ghostly meditation, Darrell kept in her mind not to fully engulf herself in the in-between bridge. If so, she doesn't if she can make it back to the living.

I guess you are wondering why she is doing such a dangerous thing? Because she couldn't find any other solution than this. Besides, whenever she does this, it's as if she acts like a magnet. Perhaps if she interacts with them, she may learn more about them.

Sure, they're human ghost, but what type of changes do they go through after they die? So many questions Darrell wishes them to be answered; can she go through solid objects like they do? Embody someone else and control them? Make the temperature drop several degrees? Or maybe even manifest them without draining her own energy.

As she opened her electric blue eyes, all around her were spirits of the dead. Most of them lost their connection to the land of living, not remembering who they were. Forever walking the realm in between. Others remembered and are finding a way to cross over, or they are simply scared to do so. They don't know where they'll be heading to. And others noticed Darrell, glowing a brightly and warm light.

Several tried reaching out to her, wanting to experience that warm. This part was the challenge; how is she suppose to learn from them when they're trying to grab at her? Darrell usually encountered situations like these whenever she meditates, but she always make a run for it, not wanting to get caught by the spirits and be trapped here forever.

But even before she can start to run, a ghost tackled her down, roaring wildly. Darrell didn't had time to think, only react. The ghost had her pin down, only way out was to push herself up and roll over. That method proved to work as she was able to get the ghost off of her. But, more them came at her. This time, Darrell was prepared to run.

Sometimes as she ran, she would run through unexpected ghosts, feeling the chill sweep through her body. But doing so caused the chasers to crash into their own kind, allowing a chance for Darrell to wake up. She has been lucky when she does that, and relying on her luck, Darrell made a dash towards a ghost so that she can make her getaway.

But this time it didn't work!

Darrell came crashing down onto the frantic ghost. Darrell cursed to herself as she started to get up. Looking back, she saw a huge mob of crazed ghost rushing towards her. Freaking out, Darrell used her arms to shield herself. Her heart raced as she heard the footsteps and cries come closer and closer to her. Soon, Darrell was engulf in the screams for salvation. Although, she didn't feel the bodies crashing onto her.

Slowly, and yet frighteningly, Darrell lowered her arms to see why was this so. Darrell gasped as she saw the many ghosts run right through her!

Through. HER!

It was unbelieveable, but Darrell was seeing it right now. She didn't feel the coldness whenever she goes through a ghost. Before she could comprehend on how she was doing this, Darrell heard a distant voice. A familiar voice. A voice that didn't belong here.

Slowly but surely, Darrell began to wake up.

The one who was calling her name was Evra. The green snake boy looked down at the dazed Darrell. "Meditating again?" He asked as Darrell rubbed her neck.

"Yeah. How long have I been out?" She asked as she looked up at the sky, seeing that it changed color.

"A couple of hours. It's almost sunset." Evra answered. "Better head down. Truska and the others are going to make dinner. Don't want to upset if you ain't there."

"Oh shoot!" Darrell freaked as she jumped to her feet. "Race ya!" She cheered before running down the hill. She heard Evra right behind her, both laughing as they reach camp.

It's night again. Back at the clearing in the woods. Dead silent all around. Instead of sitting, Darrell was standing. Eyes closed, ears listening. Waiting for that sound. The sound that doesn't fit in with the natural sounds around her.

A couple of days has passed after what happened to her with the ghosts. And after what happened, Darrell tried replicating that event. She wanted to see if she can make her unsolid in the living world. If ghost that manifest with enough energy can go through solid walls in this world, so why can't she?

Days and nights she has practiced. Darrell would try small first, placing a hand on an object and trying to make it go through it. At first, it didn't work. But she tried and tried again until she achieved it. Darrell didn't tell about this new development, for she wanted to surprise him. But first, she gots to make her whole body go through a solid object.

Darrell would run up to still objects, only to crash and fall onto them, or bounce right off of them. Then, she made objects be hurtled towards her, only to be knocked down on the ground. warned her not to do such rash things, for Darrell could actually kill herself in the process. Although he doesn't show that he cares for the orphan, Darrell knows that she can't throw herself at an early grave.

Darrell took her ghost training slow, until one night gave her an idea. And she decided to try it out on this same night.

She listened closely. Ignoring the hoots of an owl, or the sudden surprised yelp of a fox. Ignored the rustling of the tree leaves and bushes. Focus on the footsteps and dissolving yourself.

Darrell listened in, while imaging herself becoming unsolid. Like the wind or some sort. She imagined herself like the ghosts; translucent and fluid.

Suddenly, Darrell heard two crunchy footsteps in front of her. She only had seconds left!

"NOW!" She yelled in her mind right before the flicking of the finger onto her forehead can happen.

A gush of air flew through her as she heard a surprised gasped, and several tumbling noises with a crash at the end behind her. Opening her eyes, she glanced behind her to hear crows and owls shrieking in surprise and anger as they flew out of the tree and took to the sky. Darrell then looked at the base of the tree and she had to choke down a laughter that wishes to escape her lips.

was upside down, back against a tree. His orang head and arms laid on the ground, while his legs hunched over him, knees touching the ground. He looked like a total clown! Something straight out of a cartoon scene!

Darrell couldn't help it; she began to laugh loudly.

The vampire glared at Darrell before sitting up right, dusting off his red coat. But before he can lecture her, Larten remembered how he went right through her. Looking back at the laughing teenager, Larten spoke. "How did you acquire that power?"

Darrell did her best to silence her laughter, giggling a bit here and there before settling down and catching her breath. She then told him about the time in with the ghostly meditation and how she trained to do it again. Larten wasn't pleased to hear the risks that she takes to complete such a task, only in the name to become a performer in the Cirque.

"I am pleased that you have reached a new achievement, but I do not relish the thought of you putting your own life in danger to gain such a goal." He told her, now that they were both sitting on the ground.

Darrell gave off a quiet groan as she avert her gaze from him. "I know that. told me not do it again. But how am I suppose to sharpen my ghost skills then?" She asked.

Larten simply shook his head. "That is something you must figure out alone. Vampires do not believe in phantoms and ghost."

"They don't? But you guys are alive and you can die." Darrell said, a bit confused.

"Yes we are. But when a soul of a vampire and vampaneze that lived a life of honor and valor and nobility, their souls travels to Paradise." Larten told her.

Vampanezes? Honorable? Is that even possible? Darrell asked that to herself, but didn't say anything. "What happens to the souls who don't live a life like that?"

"Their souls are forever damned, tortured to no end." Larten simply answered.

Darrell frowned. "So basically you don't know. Souls have to go some place. Maybe there are vampire -or vampaneze- souls trapped here too -like human souls- in purgatory." She gave off her opinion.

Larten huffed, not accepting such a concept or theory. "I think not." But before Darrell can speak, Larten swiftly waved a hand, silencing her. "But being in your company, I have felt and seen things that I can not explain. Being with you, you are able to answer questions that even I may have had when I was once human." He said, a distance look in his eyes.

Darrell caught that, and she was about to ask more about his past, but she stopped herself. Sure, she is very curious about her mentor's history. But she believed that this isn't the time or place to ask. So reluctantly, Darrell kept quiet.

"Anyways, I just wanted to surprised ya with my new skill." Darrell said as she stood up. "Although, I'll need more practice. I just got luck this time. Do we continue this session or did you hurt your back with that crash that you can't keep going?" Darrell teased a bit before looking down at where Larten was sitting at, only to find him gone.

Not even another second, and Darrell already knew what's going to happen next. With a groan, she turned around, hearing that familiar sound.

And then, you can hear a surprised cry of pain echoed through the night before hearing, "Damn that hurt!"

Sorry for poofing off like that.

College, life, laziness caught up to me. Plus, I kind of lost my train of ideas. But I got them back. I had to read back at the Cirque Du Freak books to get my ideas back. Plus, I'm studying and researching the timeline so that it would sound more believable.

Like, Darren Shan was born in 1972, Darrell would have been born in 1920.

And when she joined the Cirque + this chapter, she's nearly 15 so it is 1985. Meaning that there are arcades and personal computers, along with Walkman and Boomboxes.

It's hard jumping back in time, but like I said; I want this story to sound more believable.

A little *SPOILER*. Cause I feel like it, and I might forget.

When Darren publishes the first book of Cirque du Freak, he's 28. Making Darrell 30 in human years. You might figure what I'm trying to tell you. Not the whole plot, but one little detail that should be obvious.

Anyways! Time to work on Chapter 5. Don't know if I should introduce a new vampire or not, maybe a vampaneze.

What do my beloved followers think?