Note: I'm sorry the series hasn't been updated in awhile, I was busy all summer and am now even busier with school. However, as of today the fanfic is back from hiatus. I am going to try and update every Monday, but that might change to Tuesday or Wednesday.
Chapter XX
The next few days at the Cirque Du Freak passed slowly, while everyone, including us, did our own share of chores.
One day, while the three of us were walking around the camp, there was a crowd forming by Mr. Tall's trailer. Evra, Ariel, and I went to go check it out.
There was a man standing the middle of the crowd, shaking hands, smiling, and answering the eager questions that were thrown at him.
"Aw, man," Evra grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the crowd, Ariel following. "You gotta see this guy's act, it's amazing."
"Who is he?" I asked.
"Cormac Limbs!" He replied
When we had pushed our way past the crowd, Cormac had spotted Evra and smirked.
"Evra Von!" He shouted, reaching over and giving him a hug. "How are ya?"
"Fine," Evra replied.
They talked for a just a minute before Cormac's eyes settled on Ariel and I, standing in front of the crowd.
"Are these your friends?" He asked.
"Yeah, they're Darren, and Ariel- They haven't seen you before."
"What do you do?" I asked.
Cormac grinned and looked around at the crowd.
"What do you think? Shall I demonstrate?"
"Yeah!" The crowd shouted back.
He turned his head to Mr. Tall, who was standing in the shadow of the trailer.
"Alright," Cormac said, turning back to us, after receiving a nod of permission. "We won't be able to do the whole routine, just a part of it. I'm going to need some room, though."
The crowd stepped back immediately.
"Ariel, is it?" He asked, motioning her to step up.
She nodded, and walked up as she was told.
He pointed his index finger at her. "I want you to bite down as hard as you can onto my finger."
She raised a brow and gave an uncertain look at his finger. "I don't wanna hurt you."
"Don't worry about me." He said.
Ariel glanced at Evra and me. I was just about confused as she was, but Evra motioned for her to go on.
She turned back to Cormac.
"As hard as I can?"
He nodded.
Ariel shrugged. "Whatever you say.." Leaning forward, she chomped onto his index finger.
My heart jumped when her teeth sunk right into the finger, like a knife through hot butter, ripping it clean off. She let the dead finger fall from her mouth.
Cormac Limbs smiled at her, holding up his hand. The finger she had bitten off was just a white stub of bone now, but I watched in amazement as it began to grow back to full size.
Ariel grinned, laughing softly. "Impressive."
I gawked at the finger, dumbfounded, but I guess I should be expecting these sorts of things from now on, right?
"I've always been able to grow limbs back," Cormac explained. "Ever since I was a toddler."
"I'm guessing you haven't tried cutting off your head yet." Ariel laughed. "Does it hurt?"
"Somewhat. There's only a moment of pain, but then it starts to grow back right away and I can't feel anything."
"So-" Ariel was cut short by Mr. Tall's loud voice.
"That's enough for now! Everybody, the Cirque Du Freak has been inactive for quite some time now."
"The silence is over, spread the word: The show goes on tonight!"
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The camp was loud with activity all afternoon. Everybody was running this way and that- Everybody had something to do.
It took a lot of people to put together the tent, and it looked magnificent when it was done. It was a ruby color; round, grasped for the sky, and was ornamented with pictures of performers.
Ariel walked around the tent, studying the pictures. She found the one of Madam Octa, and a red haired man with dark features that made him hard to see. Carefully, Ariel dusted the brush of the picture with her hand, then joined Evra and I.
We began to help hammer pegs into the ground- I held one down as Ariel hammered it into the earth. Evra did the same as someone else hammered the next one down. Afterwards we arranged seats inside the tent, setting up the stage, getting props ready, etcetera. It was hard work, but everyone was kept busy and worked together- So everything went quickly and smoothly.
Ariel noticed Valinty out of the corner of her eye. The child was watching the camp with wide, curious eyes, while sucking on her knuckle.
She approached Valinty, smiling.
"Hey Ari, what's going on?" Valinty asked.
"Oh, we're just getting ready for some stuff." Ariel thought for a moment. "Have you seen R.V. at all lately?"
"Uh huh, I think so."
"Wait right here." Ariel called, running off.
She walked up the stairs to the fairly large van, and then knocked on the door twice. It instantly fell open, allowing Ariel to step inside.
She didn't have the chance to say a word before Mr. Tall placed a ticket into her hand. It was a small piece of pink paper, with the show time and location printed on it.
Ariel didn't bother to ask how he knew. She just nodded. "Thank you."
Mr. Tall nodded in return, and Ariel turned back, heading out the door. She found Valinty in the same spot she had been in before and gave her the ticket.
"Can you do me a reeally big favor, and go give that to R.V, really quick?"
Valinty nodded without any questions. "Okie Ari!" The child replied, before running off.
Ariel waved, even though Valinty had her back turned on her as she ran down the hill.
I hadn't seen Ariel in a while, but I had finished getting the merchandise ready when Mr. Crepsley summoned me to his quarters, just a half an hour before the show began.
"Polish Madam Octa's cage," He ordered as I closed the van door behind me. "And clean yourself up."
"Why?"
"Because you are going onto stage with me," He replied.
I felt a burst of joy inside me. "Really? I'm part of the act?"
"Some of it, yes. It is your job to bring the cage with us and play the flute when Madam Octa spins a web on my mouth."
"Isn't Mr. Tall supposed to do that?"
"Normally," Mr. Crepsley replied. "But tonight he is going to perform by himself. In addition you are more suited to play the part- You look creepier."
I looked down at my outfit. He was right; I was still wearing the suit I had been buried alive in, and my face had turned pale from not drinking any blood.
"What about Ariel?" I asked, changing the subject.
Ariel is coming on as well." He answered. "She is practicing as we speak."