Although I was nearly eleven now and only 9 months had passed since I had been made a half vampire, I still looked the same. On the whole life had been pretty much the same as well… I woke up, did my jobs around the Cirque with Evra and did my vampire training when Mr Crepsley woke up. Mr Crepsley seemed to be pleased with my progress and said I would make a fine vampire. Although I was quiet and polite when it came to fighting I didn't like to lose, much to Mr Crepsley's amusement. It was very rare that Mr Crepsley let me off training, so I was very surprised when he came over to our tent and announced I had the night off.
'Does that mean me n Evra can go into town then' I asked hopefully. 'It certainly does not, you must stay within the Cirque grounds at night unless I accompany you'. 'Hhhmmmm, ok then' I replied wondering if he would find out if I happened to forget what he had just said. 'I mean it Jessie, promise me you will not disobey me because I will not be here to look after you tonight'. That surprised me…'can I come with you then, I wouldn't get in the way'? 'Not this time Jessie, I will see you tomorrow night now don't get into trouble and if you need anything ask Mr Tall'.
The following day as soon as it was dark I kept an eye out for Mr Crepsley. I waited and waited and in the end got so cold and tired that I decided to slip into his van. It was just as cold in the van, but Mr Crepsley's coffin looked very inviting. It had a silk pillow and a soft fleece blanket both red of course. I slipped off my old boots and jumped in, wow I would have to give sleeping in a coffin a rethink this was so comfy and warm. Before long I was out for the count and softly sleeping tucked up in Mr Crepsley's fleece.
Mr Crepsley had been rushing back; he didn't like leaving Jessie by herself. Although he trusted her she would take advantage of his being away if she could find away and he cared deeply about her. The more he thought about her the more he quickened his pace. By the time he arrived at the Cirque he had imagined all sorts of scenarios involving Jessie and was very anxious to find her. He flitted straight into Jessie and Evra's tent. Mr Crepsley found it empty and given that it was midnight he wondered why the pair were not in bed.
Mr Crepsley sped across to the campfire where he found Evra dozing against Mr Tall who was chatting to a few of the other performers. No one had seen Jessie for a while so Mr Crepsley flitted round until he picked up Jessie's scent. He followed it to his van and entered with a smile on his face (his little Jessie must have been missing him). Mr Crepsley's smile widened even further when he saw little Jessie lying in his coffin cuddling his red fleece and snoring softly. He noticed Jessie was wearing denim shorts which were very muddy, a black t shirt with 'I didn't do it' written on and one black and white stripy sock and one red sock (which made him chuckle silently to himself).
Mr Crepsley had a lot to think over so sat in the battered old chair next to his coffin whilst he thought over what he had learnt over the last 24 hours. He had been very pleased to meet his long time and probably closest friend Gavner, but it had been a long trip. Gavner hadn't changed and after reminiscing over previous times spent together Gavner told Larten his reason for wanting to meet him. Gavner was going to sail to England in a week's time and he may not return. He had found out that his sister who had been human and had died over 150 years ago had family there. It was Gavner's greatest wish to go and find them and he wanted Larten to go with him. Gavner had been a vampire general but had retired early to fulfil this burning quest to find and ensure his only living family were safe and well. If Larten didn't want to go with him to England, then Gavner requested that he at least was there when he set sail from New York. Gavners ship would leave at midnight in exactly one week's time. Larten had told Gavner that at this time he could not leave his responsibilities at the Cirque but he may make the trip over at a later date. Larten decided that as Gavner was no longer a general and once he had promised his secrecy that he would fill him in about his assistant. Gavner was not as shocked as Larten thought and was in fact very supportive. 'I think your reasons for having an assistant are similar to my reasons for wanting to find my sisters family. We are both coming to a crossroads and are searching for something new to do with our lives. I wish you luck Larten, will you come to see me off?' 'I wouldn't miss it old friend, and who knows when Jessie is older maybe we will come and find you in England'.
Mr Crepsley stretched and looked at Jessie. The journey to New York would take at least 3 nights flitting and carrying Jessie it would take longer and be more tiring. With his mind made up he picked Jessie up to carry her to her bunk.
'Mr Crepsley you are back' Jessie murmured. 'Yes I am back and what do I find, a child sleeping in my coffin with muddy socks and shorts' said Mr Crepsley. Jessie looked up at him and could see he was laughing and she laughed as well. 'Jessie your socks don't match' chuckled Mr Crepsley. 'They do I have another pair just like them in my tent' Jessie giggled. Mr Crepsley carefully lowered Jessie into her bunk with one last hug. 'I am just going to check with Mr Tall to make sure you have kept up with your tasks and not caused any problems'. 'Mr Crepsley you know you can trust me Mr Tall will only tell you that I have been working hard. I missed you so much though' with that Jessie sprung up and gave him a big hug. 'Night little one' and with that Jessie settled back in her bunk happy to have Mr Crepsley home.
Mr Tall confirmed that to the best of his knowledge Jessie had been working hard and had stayed out of trouble. When Larten mentioned his plans for the weekend Mr Tall assured Larten that it would be no trouble to keep an eye on Jessie. With that Mr Tall bid Larten good night and lifted Evra up as if he weighed a feather and took him to his and Jessies tent putting him in his bed.
The following night Larten took Jessie out to an old barn and sat her down to talk to her. Jessie looked worried and instinctively clung to Larten. When Larten told Jessie of his plans and why he was going Jessie started to cry. 'You wont come back you ll change your mind and get on the boat with Gavner and..and' …..Jessie could say no more as sobs choked her. Mr Crepsley hugged Jessie tightly 'I will leave on Saturday, see Gavner off in New York on Tuesday and be back on Friday night around midnight'. 'Do you absolutely promise you wont go to England without me?' Jessie asked chewing her bottom lip nearly off. 'I promise, you mean everything to me I will return on Friday and I expect to find you asleep in your bunk'.
Although Jessie hadn't liked it she knew Mr Crepsley had to go so as he was getting ready to flit to New York she held his face in her hands and kissed him on the cheek. 'Don't forget you promised to come back, I love you lots'. Mr Crepsley gave Jessie the biggest hug ever and promised again that he would be back and went over Jessie's rules whilst he would be away one more time (do your work, don't get into trouble, don't leave the Cirque etc etc). 'Ok b b bye Mr Crepsley' big tears rolled down Jessie's face and Mr Crepsley flitted off with tears in his eyes.
Jessie couldn't sleep but kept her promise to Mr Crepsley and worked hard and didn't break his rules. Friday finally came and although Jessie was exhausted from working hard and lack of sleep she was determined to stay up to see Mr Crepsley. She took his red fleece from out of his coffin, wrapped it around herself and sat at the entrance of the cirque. Jessie waited and waited then finally at 4 am Mr Tall came and picked up the drowsy Jessie and carried her to bed. Jessie protested but suddenly found herself falling asleep in Mr Tall's arms.
Larten had met Gavner who was very upset, he had received word that a fellow vampire Kurda and soon to be prince was in New York and was surrounded by vampanise. Knowing he would miss his ship Gavner and Larten raced to his rescue. All went well except Larten had received a head injury in the battle and was lying unconscious in a run down hotel in New York. When Larten finally awoke and remembered what had happened panic set in. It was Wednesday and he had promised Jessie he would return by Friday. Even if he flitted straight away he wouldn't be back till Saturday over a week from the date he promised Jessie. Larten was beside himself with worry and said his goodbyes and packed as quickly as possible.
Jessie had waited a week it was now Saturday morning and over a week since Larten promised to be back. She had packed her bags the night before and decided that if he had not returned by the morning she would leave. Larten must of decided to go with Gavner after all and this tore Jessie apart. She could no longer stay here with people looking at her sadly all the time and keep going to Mr Crepsley's coffin just to find it empty. She made her way across one last time, but no, the coffin was still empty. Jessie kept the red fleece, which still smelt of Mr Crepsley and carefully folded it into her rucksack. Jess didn't know where she was going but just knew she had to leave before anyone noticed she was gone. Jessie crept out of the Cirque and headed out across a field to face life on her own, tears flooded down Jessie's face as she walked away from the Cirque the only place she had felt truly at home.