Note: Hiya guys. I should be updating quicker, because I went to the beach yesterday and got sun poisoning everywhere. Now that I have developed a fear of sunlight, I don't plan on going outside, or anywhere, for a looong time. :D
Chapter XIII
Mr. Crepsley knocked on the silver door of a white van, and was greeted by the figure of Mr. Tall.
"Oh. It's Larten and his assistants." His voice was low like a frog's, just as I had remembered. "I thought I felt you searching for me. Did you have to try twice?"
"Ariel, actually, was the one that found you first."
Mr. Tall nodded, and smiled down at her. It seemed his face was only two dark, empty sockets, and a smile made of pointed, black teeth. He pulled the door back further, and stepped aside, gesturing for us to come in.
We entered and just sat down.
"Why so soon, Larten?" Mr. Tall asked. "I was expecting you would return later on in the year or so."
"Ariel and Darren weren't happy, so I figured we would come here so they would feel, more in place."
Mr. Tall nodded slowly.
"Youdon't mind us staying?" Mr. Crepsley asked, to make sure.
"Oh, of course not," Mr. Tall replied instantly. "It will actually do nicely, considering we are a little short handed at the moment. Larten Crepsley and his performing spider would be a wonderful addition. "
"What about us?" I asked.
"You are not as important," He said, referring to me. "As for Ariel, I don't see much for her to do."
I grunted.
"It will be a few days before the show." Mr. Tall said. "We are merely taking a break for the moment."
"There was a camp settled not too far from here." Mr. Crepsley said.
"Yes, NOP. They're two busy defending trees and such to cause any harm."
"NOP?" I asked.
"Natures Opposing Protectors." Mr. Tall answered.
"What do-"
"We don't have time for such questions." Mr. Crepsley said, rising from his seat and shaking Mr. Tall's hand.
"Your coffin is prepared."
Mr. Crepsley smiled. "Lovely."
"What about the children?"
"Never again will I step foot in a coffin!" I shouted. Ariel just looked at the adults, her eyes showing fear.
"You do not act much like a vampire leader, Ariel." Mr. Tall noted.
She didn't reply.
"Are there any present performers around Darren's age?" Mr. Crepsley asked.
Suddenly, there was a list in Mr. Tall's hand. "Evra?"
"Fantastic idea." Mr. Crepsley replied, smiling.
"Who is he?" I asked.
"You will find out in time." Mr. Tall replied. "What about you, Ariel? Would you like your own tent?"
She shook her head no. "I will stay with Darren and.. Evra, if that is fine with you."
They both smiled at her response. "I do not mind at all." Mr. Tall said.
"I will meet you two later." Mr. Crepsley said, then off to find his coffin he went.
Suddenly, Mr. Tall was behind the door, holding it open for Ariel and I. We silently left the van, Mr. Tall following. He led us to large gray tent.
"Here are some things you may need," He said, holding blankets and pillows. Ariel and I got one of each.
I lifted up the flap, allowing Ariel to go in first. "Who's-" I turned my head, but Mr. Tall was gone, as I should have expected. Sighing, I made my way in behind her.
I heard her quickly make her way to the other side of the tent.
"Hello?" I whispered into the pure darkness. It was hard to see anything.
"Darren!" I heard Ariel whisper, her voice sounding frightened.
This made me uneasy, and I soon heard what had frightened her. There was an eerie slithering sound. Suddenly, I could feel something making its way up my body, wrapping itself around me.
Once I looked down, I was staring into the cold eyes of a snake.
Oh, goodie.
I stood still until morning came, staring the snake, waiting for my death. When light entered the tent, I saw the sleeping figure was the snake-boy.
Slowly he woke up, yawning and stretching his arms. When he saw me, he immediately snapped out of sleep-mode, and I thought he was about to fall out of his hammock.
"Who are you?" He barked. "What are you doing in my tent?"
I slowly shook my head, fearing if I talked, I would be snake food.
Ariel, who had also been awake, answered for me.
"He's Darren, and I'm Ariel. Mr. Tall told us to stay with you."
"Mr. Crepsley's assistants? The half vampire and princess?"
I nodded slowly.
He smirked, then walked over toward me. He took hold of the snake and started to unwrap it, I was surprised- It never moved an inch.
"Have you been standing here the whole time?"
I nodded again.
He smiled. "You could've just pulled her off. She's a deep sleeper."
"But she wasn't sleeping, she wrapped herself around me!"
This caused him to chuckle. "Oh, yeah, she sleepcrawls."
Silence followed. I stared at the snake, unbelievingly, and pissed.
Ariel started laughing.
Evra kissed his snake on the head and tucked her away, then leaving his tent. Ariel and I followed.
"Oh, name's Evra Von." He smiled, shaking our hands. "You guys hungry?"
"Yeah," I replied, and we went to eat breakfast.
I could see the place was really alive when we started for the fire that had been built. When we stopped, I saw some people I recognized, like Hans Hands and Truska.
"Good morning, Evra." Hans greeted.
"Morning."
His eyes met mine, and he became suspicious. "Who are your friends?"
"Oh, Ariel and Darren."
Hans raised his eyebrows. "The vampires?"
I frowned, starting to feel out of place. Evra saw me, and explained.
"Eh, don't worry, we see vampires all the time. You guys are just well-known around here, mainly cause you're young. Not like it's a bad thing though."
Truska started to pass out sausages. When she handed one to me, she said something in a foreign language, but I didn't understand and was too hungry to ask. I sat down,
"Uh, FYI, she said 'be careful, they're-"
..and bit into it. I felt an immediate burn in my mouth, so as anyone would, I dropped it.
"..hot." Evra finished.
Ariel laughed softly and handed me a glass of water, which I gladly gulped down in a second.
On the next attempt to eat my sausage, I blew on it first, and we started to talk while eating.
There was no one standing in front of the fire when I had glanced, but when I turned my head a moment later, Mr. Tall was just there. Like, usual.
"It's quite early." Mr. Tall noted.
"The early bird gets the worm." I remarked.
"But you are not a bird."
I grumbled. "Well, I wasn't able to sleep."
"Will you still be capable of completing chores?"
"Nah, I'm ready to work now."
"Help Evra with his chores until we come across something better for you to do," He directed, after flipping through a notebook.
"What about me?" Ariel asked.
"I suppose you do not have to do anything," Mr. Tall said. "It would be helpful, but I am afraid I cannot command you to do work."
"Oh," She replied. "That's okay, I'll help do chores."
"You are well disciplined." Mr. Tall commented.
"Everything was very strict for me back at home.." Ariel replied, frowning.
"I know." Mr. Tall replied. "You do not have to do any labor out of fear right now."
Ariel shook her head.