Hey guys. Sorry I haven't updated in a while for this story. My computer wasn't working for a few days and I've been really busy so I never had time. But here's the next chapter.

Disclaimer:

Me: I do NOT own Cirque Du Freak.

Darren: No you—wait. Did you just say you DIDN'T own me and my friends.

Me: o.O yeah? Y? is that so hard to believe?

Darren: yeah. Wow. So what DO you own?

Me: I only own Phoenix and the story.

Darren: o. ok then. Sooo…

Me: uh, Darren? We have to get back to the story.

Darren: oh. Right. Ok.

Me: anyways…I do NOT own the Cirque Du Freak or Darren.


Darren and Evra were looking for dinner for the Little People. Darren turned to Lefty, the Little person with a limp.

"Hey, Lefty! Can we stop now?" he asked the blue-hooded figure.

Lefty rubbed his belly and pouted, even though you couldn't see his face, signaling that they could NOT stop yet. Darren sighed and picked up a dead rat, stuffing it into a bag.

"Did he say we could stop?" called the snake-boy to the vampire.

"He says to keep going," the vamp boy called back.

You could hear the groan come from the snake boy in the east. You could also hear a laugh. A bright light floated above Darren and landed on the branch across from him, transforming into Phoenix.

"Oh," said Darren. "Hey, Phoenix."

She smiled and held up a dead raccoon.

"Need some help, vampire boy?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Darren, you say something?" called Evra from a distance.

"Huh? Oh, no. Phoenix is here," replied Darren.

"Phoenix? What's she doing here?" yelled Evra.

"Well, don't I feel loved," scoffed Phoenix.

She winked, threw the raccoon at Darren, and flew away. Darren scoffed also and stuffed the dead animal into the bag he had in his left hand.

"Well, she's gone NOW." He said to his best friend.

"Forget her, man." Said the yellow-skinned boy. "You two can flirt later."

"We were not FLIRTING!" Darren exclaimed.

"Suuuure," responded Evra.

Evra came back into view and showed Darren what he found. "Think this is enough?" he asked.

"Yeah, I think. Hey lefty!" the normal-looking boy said.

The short, blue-hooded figure turned towards them. He came and looked in the bag, nodding in approval. The two boys smiled and high-fived each other in victory. They could finally EAT. They three made their way back to camp to find only a few people.

"Where is everyone?" Darren asked as he sat in front of Hans Hands.

"Trying to listen in on Mr. Tall, Mr. Crepsley, and Phoenix," replied the cirque member.

"Phoenix? What are they talking to her about?" asked the teenage boy in curiosity.

Hans raised an eyebrow at the boy. "I do not know, young Darren."

Darren looked at Mr. Tall's trailer and his mind began coming up with scenarios.

What if they kick her out? He asked himself. What if they hurt her? What ARE they talking about? I hope Phoenix doesn't leave.

He was surprised at his protectiveness over the new girl. It was strange for him. The only girls he was protective over were his mom and his sister. But never a girl he had just met. This was new for him. And yet, it was as if he had been protecting her all his life. Strange.

"Thank you," said Phoenix as she stepped out of the trailer and flew off.

Darren stood abruptly and ran to Mr. Tall.

"Hey. What was that about?" asked the young teen.

Mr. Crepsley stepped out and placed a hand on Darren's shoulder.

"Nothing you need to worry about, Darren," said the older vampire.

"Where's Phoenix going?" asked the boy anyway.

"I do not know, Darren," said the adult. "Come. Let us begin our lesson."

The vampire began leading his assistant away but Darren stopped and looked back at the direction Phoenix took off in.

"I, uh, wanna go find Phoenix."

"Darren, she will return. Come now."

"But—"

"Darren, let me talk to you."

The vampires walked a little farther away.

"Darren, you and Phoenix are 'friends', I assume."

"Yes," said the boy to his creator. "We're friends."

"I also presume that you LIKE this girl, correct?"

"No comment."

The vampire shook his head and looked at the half-vampire.

"Darren, she is not good for you."

"Excuse me?"

"She is evil."

"What? She can't be. She's too nice."

"I have seen her aura, Darren," said Mr. Crepsley. "Tis(its my new favorite word) very dark."

"She is not evil."

"Her aura is black, Darren. Blacker than the night itself."

Darren shook his head and began to walk off.

"Darren, where are you going?"

"To find Phoenix."

And the boy took off, running faster than he ever had before. Running to find Phoenix. Running to protect her. Running FOR her. And running to her. To his Phoenix. His fiery bird.

Okay, how'd you guys like it? I'm sorry its so short. At least I updated tho. Anyways, thanks for reading. Comment and review.

--alice