Note: Sorry it took pretty long to update.. Been busy and stuff. It happens.

Chapter XII

We found an old barn in the middle of a deserted field that night, still quiet. After Mr. Crepsley fell asleep upon the old, hay covered floor, Ariel came over to talk to me. When I saw her understanding smile, a feeling of relief came over me, because I had feared maybe she too would be scared of me.. I considered myself.. a monster..

She sat next to me, against the old wooden door. "You okay..?"

I slowly shook my head. No.

Silence followed afterwards. Ariel sighed sadly. I looked at her, and her eyes were a light shade of crystal blue. They always got like that when she was upset.

"Are.. you mad at me?" I asked softly. It was the first time in a few hours since I had spoken.

She immediately shook her head. "No, of course I'm not mad, Darren.. I have no reason to be- We're in the same boat."

That made me feel a little better.

Ariel shivered when a breeze of cold air entered the barn. I felt it, because she leaned closely against me.

"Tired?"

"Yeah.." She answered.

I stood, and started to make a bed with the weeds, hay, and moss. It wasn't perfect, but it would do.

When I made another one and laid down on it, Ariel saw who the first one was for, and followed my actions.

That morning I woke up early. Mr. Crepsley was still sleeping as usually, but so was Ariel. When she breathed so slowly it seemed almost musical and in perfect harmony. Not wanting to disturb her, I slowly got up and quietly made my way outside.

The dawn air was still cold and somewhat foggy, but still fresh. Among the savanna were a few pools of water, the same color Ariel's eyes had been. The area was untouched, and breath taking. I rested on a patch of grass for a while, looking up at the sky.

My eyes started to grow somewhat weary. Finally I shut them, and about two seconds after I did..

"Hey, sleepy!" I heard a familiar voice giggle. When I opened my eyes, Ariel was standing over me, hands folded behind her and a foot digging into the ground.

I got up, and dusted off my clothes. "I'm not tired.. I just.." Yeah, she was right. I left the sentence unfinished, my voice trailing off.

"Of course your not," She smiled. "Well anyway I made dinner. Mr. Crepsley should be waking up soon."

"Alright," I replied, following her to the back of the barn.

When we got back, I saw she had used Mr. Crepsley's fold out pots ands pans, to make a stew. Everything smelt good, and as Ariel had predicted, Mr. Crepsley did come out to eat with us.

He smiled after taking in the smell of the air. He licked his lips and sat down on one of the smooth rocks, like I had.

"Mornin'," Ariel smiled, pouring stew into a bowl, and then handing it to Mr. Crepsley. While she poured some into my bowl, I got the silverware.

"Thank you," He replied. She then served herself, and we quietly began to eat. Ariel reminded me of mom, always helpful and caring.

When we were finishing, Mr. Crepsley cleared his throat, and we knew there was something he needed to discuss with us.

He dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, and then looked at Ariel and me with a serious expression. Well.. he always had a serious expression, I guess.

"I've been needing to ask the two of you something," He began. "Yesterday you had asked me to leave suddenly, and Darren, you mostly seemed to be quite upset. Did something go wrong?"

There was silence following his question. Ariel waited a minute, and when I didn't say anything, she started to explain, but she didn't even finish a word when I cut her off and started blurting everything out.

Mr. Crepsley listened to my story very carefully. He pointed out the fact that it was something I would have to get used to, and reminded us we had to be careful around humans.

"But I had no choice, with what they were doing to Ariel and all.."

"That is another thing she will have to get used to. Ariel is a very attractive girl and it happens to a lot of people. I'm not saying she should let it happen, but she needs to take care of it herself."

"I could've taken care of it myself." Ariel added. She didn't want it to seem like she pathetic or weak. She wasn't.

Anyway, Mr. Crepsley and I got into our usual "it was wrong of you to blood me, I was only a child" argument. Right now I was especially upset, because of the fact that I wouldn't be able to make friends. Ariel was a great friend, but I needed guys to hang around. And, Mr. Crepsley..? No.

I began to shout at him, about how much he should not have blooded me and how wrong he was. When I was finished, everyone was silent.

"I.. I am sorry." He finally said.

His apology took me by surprise. He began to apologize for what he had done. At one point I actually thought he was crying, or was about to.

I glanced at Ariel. She was gazing at him with a look of total sympathy.

"I have an idea.." He began. A smirk crossed his face, running toward his scar. "Perhaps I am wrong, maybe we could find you friends."

I frowned, confused, waiting for further explanation.

"Darren, Ariel," Mr. Crepsley stood up. "How would you like to join the Cirque Du Freak?"

The frown on Ariel's face slowly turned to a smile.

We all discussed it. Mr. Crepsley told us we would have to do our fair share of the chores, but at least we would have a real bed and all that.

"So it's settled.. But first," He took Ariel's hand, and pulled her up. "Ariel, I want to know if you are able to do something. Close your eyes."

She nodded, and then closed her eyes as she was told.

"Take a deep breath, and I want you to think of Mr. Tall. You remember what he looks like, correct?"

"Yes."

"Concentrate, and if you are able, his location will slowly fall into place."

We waited for a few minutes. I could see she was extremely focused, and when I saw she had to bite her lip, I wondered if she was in pain.

Finally her long eyelashes fluttered open. "I know where he is." Ariel pointed north east.

Mr. Crepsley nodded. "Good. I will have to do it myself now, so I will be able to direct you."

"So how come I had to do it?" Ariel asked, sounding annoyed.

"I wanted to know if you were capable." He replied, then sat down. After opening his eyes, it only took about a minute until he stood up. "Got him."

"Already?" I asked.

"I have located him quite a few times before, so it does not take me as long as a beginner, such as Ariel."

We were about to climb up his back, when Ariel stopped to ask a question.

"It's hard carrying both of us on your back, no?"

Mr. Crepsley sighed. "Yes, it is very tiring."

"Could I flit?" She asked. "Since, you know, I could locate Mr. Tall."

He scratched his scar and though her question over carefully. "I suppose you could, but not for long, as you are only in between a half vampire and a full vampire."

She nodded slowly.

"Climb on my back anyway, rather to be safe then sorry."

Ariel did as we were told, and off we were, to the Cirque Du Freak.

Flitting was extremely hard work. After awhile, Mr. Crepsley was struggling, so Ariel uncorked a bottle of blood and held it against his lips.

When we came to an open field, Mr. Crepsley came to a slow halt.

"Where's the Cirque?" I asked.

He leaned over, panting. "Up ahead, only a few.. miles."

"Tired?" Ariel leaned next to him, smiling.

"Of course not," He growled. "I do not want to arrive looking flushed."

"We don't have time to rest," I said, tapping an imaginary wrist watch. "It's almost daybreak." Ariel stood straight and walked over toward me, hiding a smirk.

"I know more about the time of day then you or any human!" Mr. Crepsley snapped. "We have exactly forty-seven minutes until morning."

Ariel shrugged, picking her arms up then throwing them down to her side. "Whatever you say, man."

He glared at her, obviously aggravated, and began to walk. We waited till he was ahead, then ran out in front of him.

"Pick up the pace, old timer!" I shouted.

"Yeah we don't have all day," Ariel added.

"Keep it up and I'll wear you two out." He barked, causing us to laugh softly.

His walk slowly turned into a jog. Ariel and I ran at each side of him, as if we were racing.