Overture

"Tonight's the night, Shelly," My nickname's Shelly, since most people can't pronounce Schnell. My best friend Marina Grove handed me my ticket. I stuffed the ticket in my pocket.

"Tonight's the night we go our seperate ways. I will miss you and my old life," I hugged her as soon as I'd flitted to the ground and caught the pettite woman. "But I know I will love my new life."

"You never told me what your power was, Schnell," Marina whispered as we walked. "What is it?"

"You should never know," I shook my head, cutting the short conversation off. She knew not to push it if I shook my head. "Here we are."

We stepped inside and I looked about the old theater. It was close to breaking down, but still strong enough for tonight's performance. My ear twitched and I looked to the shadows. A tall semi-skinny man with a tall hat stepped forward, making Marina jump.

"Welcome to Cirque Du Freak, Marina Grove and Schnell Darstellung." He bowed, motioning for us to follow him. I plucked my ticket from my pocket and handed to over to the man, as did Marina. We didn't care to ask how he knew our names, after all this is a freak show. It's full of freaks. When he took our tickets, he thrust them in his mouth, chewed, and swallowed them. "Please come in and sit down. The show's about to start."

We obliged and sat at the very front. When the show started off with the Wolfman, I was not afraid. He stared at me, not making a sound even when women screamed. I mesmerized the beast and the assistants obviously hypnotized him so he wouldn't eat anybody. Next came Cormac Limbs, and the Twisted Twins, and Evra the Spectacular Snake-Boy, and Alexander Ribs, and Rebecca, a peculiar girl with a monkey's tail and power. Then one of the final acts I had been anticipating, Mr. Larten Crepsley and Mrs. Octa.

"Announcing the strangest couple of the show, Mr. Crepsley and Mrs. Octa!" The other Vampire himself flitted onstage. Marina gasped and looked at my calm, emotionless face. I knew who he was, and I know he would never think back on what his college did to my perfect life. I had told Marina, my only friend who believed me when she caught me feeding on a normal human, who had turned me against my will and took my life away from me. I learned well from my mentor, but I hated him until the day--literally--he died. My mentor, Erik Haven, died while protecting my worthless life, jumping into the sunlight and defeating the opposing forces of evil.

"Everyone enjoying the show so far?" Mr. Crepsley looked at the surprised faces of the crowd until he found my unemotional one. He stared long at me, then hesitantly went to his performance. At most points during his part of the show, he'd glance at me, staring thoughtfully. Even when he threw Mrs. Octa into the air and caught her on his mouth to spin a web inside, he watched my eyes as I did his. No emotion passed through mine, but I saw confusion and wonder in his. When he was done, he gave me a "come backstage after the show" type of look, and flitted away. I had to listen, I want him to know what his friend did to my family. Maybe I could use my power and show him my wrath.

"I'm going to go backstage," I whispered to Marina. She hugged me, since it was the end of the show, and held me at arms length. "Just forget about me, Marina Grove, I am no one you knew. If I happen to see you in the far future, I hope then you'll remember me."

"OK, my friend. Mein fruend." Marina kissed my cheeks and left, waving.

"Goodbye, mein fruend." I whispered. I swiftly flitted backstage and stopped right in front of Mr. Tall, as I had learned of the tall man's name at the very beginning of the show. "I request to join the Ciruque, Mr. Tall. I am a Vampire, as you could see in my thoughts."

"Indeed," Mr. Tall nodded. "I grant your request. You can do performances, no?"

"Yes, I can perform. If you will excuse me, one of your important performers needs me to meet him in his tent." I nodded to Mr. Tall and flitted again, right to Crepsley's tent. I stood outside and knocked on the flap. Mr. Crepsley opened it and moved to let me in. "Mr. Crepsley, I'm sure you remember Erik Haven."

"Indeed, and call me Larten," He pulled out a chair and motioned for me to sit as he, too, sat in a chair. I stood beside the offered chair, but did not sit in it. "What about my old friend?"

"He ruined my life," I growled. Mr. Crepsley's eyes widened momentarily, then they softened.

"So you're the girl he always told me about in his letters," Mr. Crepsley murmured, standing and walking to stand in front of me. "Schnell Weiß Darstellung. He told me you reminded him of the daughter he had to give away. In fact, your parents real last names were not Darstellung, they switched with Vincent when he begged for them to care for you until you could be blooded. He really is your father, Schnell. He is the Phantom of the Opera from legend, but he changed his last name before he was coincidently "killed," He used airquotes. "by me. I was there when he gave you away. He asked me, when you were older, to care for you. I was not a Vampire then, just a runaway. I was blooded two years before you were."

"Nein," I muttered, backing away from Larten and shaking my head furiously. "Nein! That is not true! I never knew my real father! I couldn't have! He never wanted me, loved me, or cared I was alive!"

"That is the story he told the fosters to tell you," Larten stepped forward until he was standing parallel with me again. I moaned in confusion and held my head. Frantic thoughts pulled and pushed on my brain. I feel I'm losing all control. "Schnell, calm down. You'll take then tent down!" I shook my head and looked around just when many asundary unbreakable things clattered back into place.

"I'm sorry. This is too much to take in at once," I slumped forward, falling unconscious in Larten's arms.