Thanks for the reviews guys! I only own Jessie the rest belongs to Darren Shan.
I didn't have a clue where I was going I was just walking. I crossed many fields, walked through a large wood and was now walking through a pass with hills either side. I passed a fallen tree then turned around and decided to rest on it for a while. I was exhausted and could carry on no more I just sat there. I didn't care what happened to me I had not got the will to move any further.
I kept going over and over what had happened over the last two weeks and how my life had turned upside down. It was my own fault I had loved Mr Crepsley like a father and he had just been humouring me. Maybe he thought it would be easier to be nice to me, that way I would be easier to be around. The more I thought about it the more I believed Mr Crepsley knew he wouldn't be coming back and certainly didn't care about me. Never again would I fall for anyone's lies, from now on I would trust no one and never care for anyone that way I could never hurt like this again. I felt a tiny bit better having decided this and realised that I may as well get as far away from the Cirque as possible
Mr Tall had been extremely worried about Jessie; she had hardly slept since Mr Crepsley had left. Now she appeared to be missing. Mr Tall knew she had been worried stiff and he had been sure that Mr Crepsley would return shortly and things would get back to normal. Mr Tall had just walked into the tent to question Evra. Evra was talking to his snake but looked up when Mr Tall walked in. Evra knew Jessie had left but also knew she had been desperately unhappy. Try, as he might nothing Evra had said had made any difference. 'Evra do you know of Jessie's where abouts?' asked Mr Tall. 'Well I think she may of left, most of her things have gone and I haven't seen her since last night'. Mr Tall looked worriedly at Evra. 'Why did you not stop her if you knew she had packed her bags?' quizzed Mr Tall. 'Mr Tall I have tried and tried to talk some sense into Jessie. I have reassured her that she has friends here who care, but you must have noticed how ill she was getting. She has hardly slept and when she does she has nightmares. She loved Mr Crepsley and cant bare to stay here being reminded that he has abandoned her, I didn't know for sure that she was going to go but I just want her to be happy'. Evra looked at Mr Tall to see if he was angry with him. 'Evra, Mr Crepsley would never abandon Jessie I believe something has happened which has delayed him. It is only a matter of time before Mr Crepsley returns. Now help me search for Jessie, it will be dark soon and I don't like the idea of Jessie being out in the dark on her own'.
Mr Tall and Evra returned to camp as it had got to dark to search for Jessie. Now they were both worried. They joined the other performers who had been out searching around the campfire. No one spoke and everyone looked down cast. It was close to midnight when Mr Crepsley flitted up to the Cirque campfire.
'Where is Jessie' Mr Crepsley roared. Mr Tall spoke first 'I'm sorry Larten we cannot find her we have searched for her. Come with me into my van I need to speak to you privately'. Mr Tall took Larten's arm and practically dragged him into his van. 'Larten, Jessie has been missing since last night. She has barely slept and has had constant nightmares. She has been going to your coffin every hour to see if you have returned. Evra says Jessie thinks you got on the ship with Gavner and that you wont be returning, she is truly heartbroken'. Mr Crepsley started to cry, an emotion Mr Tall had never seen in his old friend. 'Where's Evra, he will know where Jessie has gone I will beat it out of him if I have to'. 'Larten stop and think, Evra is worried sick about Jessie and has been out searching, I have also read his mind and he knows nothing of Jessie's where abouts. I will not allow you to harm Evra. We have all been out searching for Jessie and can find no sign of her'.
Mr Crepsley thought for a moment and then said 'I will search for her now'. Mr Tall looked up at him, he had flitted faster than he had ever done before and was totally exhausted from the miles he had crossed. 'Larten rest now and search for Jessie tomorrow evening you are to tired to carry on tonight'.
'No I must make a start now, I will not delay'. Larten rose and flitted off to try and pick up Jessie's scent. It did not take long and soon he was off across the fields.
Jessie had risen from the fallen tree and had started walking again; she was feeling the effects of her lack of sleep. Also Jessie had not bothered to eat much and had neglected drinking blood. She walked until the sunset and then found a rather large oak tree. She climbed the tree and found a rather comfy cross over of branches to sleep in. Jessie broke extra branches off and quickly made some sides to her sleeping area so she would not fall off the edge. Although Jessie was comfy again she hardly slept and as the sun rose Jessie decided to find a stream in which to wash. Jessie saw water at the bottom of a cliff and slowly made her way down the steep incline. The stream was cold but just what Jessie needed. She washed herself and her clothes and changed into the spare denim shorts and her favourite T-shirt with the 'it wasn't me' writing on the front. She also wore her red stripy socks and red cap, which she had on backwards. Although Jessie was still a bit wet she made her way back up the cliff carrying her bag of washing. Just then Jessie lost her footing and instead of dropping her bag and holding onto the rock she held onto the bag and tumbled backwards down the cliff. Jess rolled several times before landing back in the stream. Jessie tied the bag onto her belt, washed the blood of herself then made her way back up the slope. Jessie could not believe her luck, would nothing ever go right. She climbed back up the tree and decided not to move, she lay back with Mr Crepsley's fleece and soon her head started spinning again. The cut to her head would not stop bleeding and she had other injuries that were starting to ache now the adrenalin had stopped flowing. Jessie lay there in her wet clothes and couldn't stop her eyes from closing.
Mr Crepsley had flitted until the sun rose and had found a sheltered deep ditch in which to spend the night. He thought he would never sleep but as soon as he pulled his cape over himself exhaustion led him into a deep sleep. Mr Crepsley woke as the sunset. He pulled a bottle of blood from his cape pocket and drank it swiftly and then quickly ate the sandwiches Mr Tall had forced into his hands before flitting. He knew without the blood and food he would soon tire and have to stop and tonight he would find Jessie….he just had to. After several hours Mr Crepsley finally stopped, Jessie's scent had gone down a cliff and back up and Mr Crepsley was horrified to see Jessie's blood and had easily followed the trail it had left.
Mr Crepsley looked around and realised Jessie was up the tree, at last he had found his little Jessie. He was sat on a branch next to Jessie within seconds. 'Jessie wake up its me, Mr Crepsley'. Larten gently shook Jessie's arm whilst trying to see Jessie's injuries. Larten picked Jessie and her bag up and carried her to the ground gently keeping her wrapped up in his fleece.
Larten quickly started a fire and then picked Jessie up. Just then Jessie opened her eyes and stared at Larten. 'Jessie are you alright, where are you injured?'. Jessie's eyes filled with tears and she stepped backwards and out of Lartens arms. 'Jessie' said Mr Crepsley quietly 'please come here and let me help you'. Jessie unwrapped the red fleece and then as quick as a flash threw it over Larten and started running.
It took Larten a moment to recover but then chased after Jessie. He caught up with her and picked her up by her waist but Jessie started trying to kick and punch him. Larten grabbed her arms and pinned them to her sides as he carried her back to the campfire. 'Jessie sit still' Larten whispered as he sat Jessie in his lap 'what is wrong why are you fighting me…Jessie talk to me'. Jessie looked up at Larten with tears in her eyes and sat there with her lips firmly together. Larten could not help it; tears flowed as he sat looking at Jessie's angry hurt face. He held Jessie tightly hugging her to him feeling how cold and wet she was.
'You didn't come back, you promised you would and you didn't. Have you come back jjjust tttooo say gggooodbye' sobbed Jessie.
Larten couldn't believe Jessie would think such a thing. 'Jessie I love you so much you are like a daughter to me. I got into a fight with a vampanese and although he is now dead thanks to Gavner he knocked me unconscious for many days. As soon as I woke I flitted straight to the Cirque. I have been so worried about you, please Jessie, please talk to me…I love you so much'.
Jessie flung her arms around Mr Crepsley and squeezed him so tightly she didn't want to let him go. Larten put his arms around her and hugged her as she whispered in his ear. 'I I thought you had gone with Gavner on the ship, I I thought you had forgotten about me, I have been so scared and so lonely'. Tears flowed down Jessie's face as she sobbed and tried to catch her breath. 'I would never ever leave you Jessie we are family I have been so worried about you. You never have to feel scared or lonely you have me to protect you and I will always be here for you please say you forgive me I love you so much. Jessie pulled back and looked at Mr Crepsley 'I love you to and I forgive you just don't do it again' Jessie said whilst smiling with tears running down her cheeks.
'Let me look at you Jessie, you are very pale'. Mr Crepsley looked at Jessie's many cuts and healed what he could although she was very bruised and had a deep laceration across her forehead. Mr Crepsley healed it with spit although there would always be a scar. 'Tell me how you feel Jessie' said a frowning Mr Crepsley. Jessie sat in his lap and told him she felt tired, dizzy and a bit sick. 'When did you last eat and have blood Jessie?' enquired Larten. 'I don't remember when I last ate, a few days ago I think and I haven't had blood since before you left…..umm sorry Mr Crepsley'. 'Jessie you should take more care of yourself, now drink this immediately' Mr Crepsley handed Jess a tube of blood and watched to make sure she drank it all. 'Sorry Mr Crepsley I guess I just forgot I was, well to worried about you to think straight'. 'Alright Jessie don't get upset I am not cross at you, just myself I should of taken you with me, I shall not make the same mistake again. Now let me find you something to eat, do not move'. Mr Crepsley soon had wild rabbit cooking over a fire on a stick. Jessie ate it greedily as soon as it was cooked. Mr Crepsley sat watching to make sure Jessie ate plenty; he would never of forgiven himself if anything had happened to Jessie.
'How do you feel now little Jessie?' asked Larten. 'I feel full and tired and my head still hurts, how are you Mr Crepsley'. Larten smiled at Jessie ' I am also full and tired but otherwise relieved that you are ok. You must have taken quite a knock to your head, which is sure to leave you with a bad headache. Now you are dry I think we need to sleep, as the sun will rise shortly. Your bed in the tree is well sheltered and will be adequate for one day then we can return to the Cirque at sunset.
Larten put out the fire, and carried Jessie back up the tree wrapped in his fleece with Jessies bag. Larten tied the bag to a branch then lay down amongst the branches hugging Jessie in his arms as she slept. Jessie's grip slowly loosened on Larten's shirt as Jessie drifted into a deep happy sleep.
Larten felt Jessie wake several times but as soon as Larten hugged her closer and reassured her he was still there she soon drifted back of to sleep. Larten woke to see Jessie just sat staring down at him smiling softly. A large purple bruise had covered Jessie's forehead and right arm from the fall down the cliff. 'Come on Jessie lets get you home'. Larten soon had everything stowed away and Jessie hugged Larten as they flitted back to the Cirque. Mr Crepsley stopped just outside the Cirque as he and Jessie walked across the field talking. 'Everyone was out searching for you Jessie you may not realise it but you have a lot of people that care about you'. 'I know, I should never of run away I feel really embarrassed now. Do I have to see everyone tonight Mr Crepsley?' I think it is only fair Jessie they will all sleep better knowing you are back. Let us make our way to the campsite fire I have a feeling Mr Tall will be waiting with some supper for us'. Jessie was led up to the campfire with Mr Crepsley's holding her hand in a firm grip. Everyone turned as they approached and Jessie grinned as everyone smiled and laughed with relief at seeing them both. Many performers like Rhemus and Evra lept up to hug Jessie. Mr Crepsley explained the situation and asked everyone to sit quietly as Jessie wanted to say something. 'I am so sorry you have been worried about me, please forgive me for running away especially you Mr Tall'. Mr Tall just smiled and handed Jessie a plate of hot stew and said 'good to have you back Jessie, you too Larten'. With that Jessie and Larten tucked happily into there food whilst wishing the performers a good night as they drifted away to their beds. 'As you have much sleep to catch up on would you like to share my coffin with me for a few nights Jessie?' asked Mr Crepsley. Jessie nodded happily and as the sun came up Mr Crepsley lifted little Jessie into his coffin and then lay beside her listening as she softly snored into his chest.