CHAPTER 8 SERPENTINES DEBUT…I ONLY OWN JESSIE THE REST BELONGS TO DARREN SHAN
Whilst Jessie was sat on Mr Crepsley's lap she suddenly realised she was going
to be sick. Having not eaten for several days and then eating a lot all in one go
was definitely not a good idea.
'Mr Crepsley I am going to be sick' whispered Jessie. Mr Crepsley looked down
at Jessie's suddenly very pale face. He quickly picked up his plastic bin, emptied
the few crumpled bits of paper onto the floor and stuck the bin under Jessie's face
just in time as Jessie brought up half her dinner.
Jessie had not been sick since she had been made a vampire and she had forgotten
how horrible it was. But the sick feeling went as quickly as it had come. 'Jessie
what is the matter, please tell me' said Mr Crepsley with a deep frown on his face.
'I think because I hadn't eaten in a while and then tried to eat a lot in one go it
made me feel ill. Don't worry Mr Crepsley I am fine now. Mr Crepsley…' 'Yes Jessie'. 'I am so sorry to be sick in front of you, that must gross you out'. Mr
Crepsley smiled down at Jessie 'nothing you can do would gross me out as you
put it. But I am worried about you Jessie. I think you managed to keep some of
your dinner down did you not?' 'Yes, I did eat a lot'.
Mr Crepsley noticed that being ill had caused Jessie to slowly close her eyes. He
put Jessie in his coffin so he could keep an eye on her as she slept. He suddenly
thought that squeezing Jessie tightly to stop her kicking had probably been the
reason she was ill, especially after eating. But for Jessie to get so angry was so
unlike her, she also seemed to be avoiding his questions and there was also the
strange scent he smelt on her. If Jessie woke before sunrise Larten decided he
would be questioning Jessie further. Little did Larten realise, but as Jessie lay slowly
dozing off in Mr Crepsley's coffin she was thinking that it would be a good idea
to sleep or pretend to, until Mr Crepsley had to retire to his coffin at sunrise.
Larten had been out to the toilet block to wash the bin out, and stopped to chat
to Mr Tall. Larten went to feed, but checked on Jessie before leaving and again
on his return. She still looked pale but slept soundly enough, and as she lay in
his coffin he could not help but worry about the young girl who was a daughter to him. Jessie awoke as the sun was rising and decided she definitely needed to
clean her teeth. Mr Crepsley was lying next to her, holding her in his arms and
he was still awake. 'Morning Mr Crepsley, Im just gonna clean my teeth my
mouth feels like the bottom of a bird cage'. Larten laughed then said seriously
'Jessie before you go I want to talk to you for a minute'. Jessie sighed and then
leaned into Mr Crepsley as he tightened his hug on her. 'What's up Mr C' said
Jessie.
'Jessie you know how I hate being called Mr C but don't think you will side step
my questions with your slang. Firstly how do you feel this morning and please
do not use the word 'fine' anymore?' 'Well I feel perfectly ok ta for asking Mr
Crepsley' said Jessie with a cheeky grin. Larten tried to hide a smile and managed
to carry on seriously 'what are you hiding from me Jessie and I want an honest answer I have been having trouble sleeping because I ve been worried about you'. Jessie
suddenly realised that by sneaking around and not breaking her promise to Jack
she had caused Mr Crepsley to worry about her. He had looked after her and all
she had done in return was shout and kick him. All of a sudden Jessie wanted to
tell him as much as she could without breaking her promise.
'Mr Crepsley I have made a promise to someone, its not a vampire or a vampaneze
but a human who you haven't met. If I tell you too much then I will be breaking
that promise. But I can see I have worried you so I will tell you this ….you don't
have to worry, I am not doing anything that you wouldn't approve of and once I have
checked that its ok to tell you the whole story then I will, tonight, if that is ok with
you but will you please trust me till then?'
Larten didn't know what to say, this was certainly not something he had expected
from Jessie. He lay there giving it some thought as Jessie wriggled nervously
next to him, wondering what he was going to say. 'Jessie does this promise involve
you putting yourself or anyone here at the Cirque in danger', 'No Mr Crepsley its
nothing like that truly, its just a little promise and I will hopefully explain it to you tonight' whispered Jessie.
Mr Crepsley decided he would trust Jessie 'alright Jessie I will trust you and I will
look forward to you explaining fully your 'promise' tonight. But I want you to
make me a promise which is to eat a little breakfast and a little dinner, Also to do
your chores and stay out of trouble.' 'I promise Mr Crepsley, I never get into
trouble you know that' said Jessie grinning. Larten's eyebrows went up and he
rolled his eyes. 'Can I go now Mr Crepsley I m dying to clean my teeth'. 'Yes
you may go now but remember your promise, work hard and stay out of trouble'.
Jessie gave Mr Crepsley a big hug then climbed out of his coffin whilst Larten
stretched and watched Jessie leave his van. Larten wondered if he would sleep
not knowing what Jessie's secret was and if she would keep her promise to him
and stay out of trouble.
Jessie went to the campfire and ate a little breakfast as she had promised Mr Crepsley that she would. Whilst she was there she sneaked a bacon roll and a bottle of
orange juice into her jacket to take to Jack. Jessie made her way over to the shed,
looking up to the sky to check the sun was in full view (which meant Mr Crepsley
was definitely in his coffin). No one was around so Jessie once again went inside
the shed. Jack was sat waiting with his bag packed and on his back.
'Hi Jessie, look ive decided to move on. I don't like being shut up in this shed much
and I ve decided to start walking again to my Aunts house. I have had plenty to eat
and drink and I have rested well. It is time for me to move on before I get found out.
'Oh ok, if that's what you want to do. Look here you go I have brought you some breakfast'. Jack thanked Jessie and started tucking into the bacon roll. 'Do you mind
if I save the orange juice I may need it later?' 'No that's fine, I wish you could stay
a bit longer I am going to miss you' said Jessie whilst looking a little embarrassed.
Jack finished his roll then slowly grabbed Jessie and pulled her into a hug. 'look
Jessie I know you haven't spoken about your parents, but I guess you must be fostered
Or adopted as you have a guardian, and I also don't know much about you but
I feel very close to you and I wouldn't have stayed here as long as I have if it hadn't
of meant seeing you. This may seem strange to you but I feel very close to you
and I don't want to leave you'. Jessie turned to face Jack as he rested his hands
on her shoulders. 'Before I leave Jessie I have a question for you…do you want to come with me, please say yes?'