So I've decided that I'm going to go back and edit my earlier chapters for grammar mistakes and awkward transitions, yeah? :) Well, enjoy! :D
Two weeks later…
"Vanessa, might I have a word with you?"
I was currently in the middle of camp, carefully watching everyone as Vancha, Darren, and Eric helped train some of the members who chose to stay. They had improved quite a bit, they were a dedicated bunch.
I looked back to Mr. Tall. "Yeah, sure. What's up?" I asked as we walked side by side through the camp. "Vanessa…there are a few things that trouble me…" He started. I bit my lip. "Like what?" I asked, even though I already knew part of what he was speaking of. He frowned.
"Well, for one, I cannot see the future past the upcoming battle." He said, his brows furrowed over his black eyes. I looked down at my feet. "Vanessa, whatever you are doing, the course must have changed. I knew I was going to die that night, but now all I can see is the invasion. What are you planning?" He asked me.
"I am overthrowing Desmond, as I've said before." I said. He frowned. "Vanessa, on behalf of Larten and even myself, I must forbid you from pursuing this any longer. Step down and let Vancha handle this." He demanded. I looked up at him and gaped. "What? No! Mr. Tall, that's not fair! I can't do that, I've lost and given to much to this, I have to do this! This is what I was made for, I can feel it!" I shouted indignantly. He glared at me.
"Vanessa, is Darren on board with this?" he asked me. "Of course he is! He's been helping me every step of the way with this!" I shouted.
"Would he still let you do this if he knew you were pregnant with his child?"
I stopped speaking all at once. "Yes, Vanessa, I know you are with child. Is this best for your baby?" he asked me, his tone more gentle now. I looked down, my hand rubbing my lower stomach. "I'm doing this so she can have a better future. Besides, she will already be borne by the time the battle happens." I said quietly. He raised a brow. "And how do you know this?" he asked. "My mother told me how long I was in the womb. Only a month, did you know that?" I asked, looking up at him. He nodded slowly. "Yes, I did…how do you know it is a girl?" he asked curiously. I smiled. "I can just feel it." He nodded.
"Vanessa, I must express another one of my worries. Her birth will be only a few days before the battle." He said. I nodded and swallowed. "Yes, I know…I've been meaning to talk to you about this…" I trailed off. He sighed. "What is it?" he asked, rubbing his temples. It was definitely a lot to take in; I can see why this would stress him out.
"Mr. Tall…I don't know what will happen once I finally face down with Desmond. I need you to promise me that with whatever happens, you will keep her safe." I said sternly. He stopped and stared at me. We stood there, staring into each other's eyes for a long time before he spoke. "On one condition." He said. I nodded, grateful. "Tell Darren." He said before he turned around and left, leaving no room for me to object. I groaned and fell on my butt, resting my forehead on my knees.
I sat there for a good twenty minutes before the members started rushing about, getting ready for the show that was scheduled for tonight. I sighed and stood up, brushing the grass and dead leaves off my pants.
"You okay, boss?" I looked up to see Eric leaning against the trailer across from me, his arms crossed over his chest. I frowned and nodded. "Yeah, I just have to take care of a few things." I muttered, walking down the path between the trailers, heading for my father's trailer. Although he's gone and Darren and I have taken up its residence, I refuse to call it mine. Mr. Tall was kind enough to let me keep Larten's old coffin, a beautiful comfort to me.
"Okay, cool." Eric kicked off the trailer and followed after me, his hands shoved in his pockets. I took a look at him. He'd changed a lot in the short time I'd known him. He'd gone from wearing ripped, blood stained Wranglers and a white t-shirt to wearing tight, dark blue jeans, a white shirt that clung to his muscled chest, black leather jacket, and black Vans slip on shoes. He shook his shaggy golden hair out of his eyes and gave me a look.
"Why are you staring?" he asked. I blushed, embarrassed that I had been caught in the act. I scratched the back of my head and stuck my hands in the pockets of my leather jacket. "Where'd you get the clothes?" I asked. He raised a brow at me. "You forget I'm a rich boy." He answered in a cocky tone. I rolled my eyes at him. Cocky little ass-hat.
"So have you decided if you're going to do anything in the show?" I asked. He shook his head. "Nah, Mr. T has me on security to make sure Vampaneze aren't trying to get in." he replied. I nodded. "Yeah, you and Vancha are probably our best bets. You both know their smell pretty good." I looked at him. "You know not to take them down during the show, right?" I asked him. He nodded, seemingly put out. "Yeah, Mr. T made that pretty clear." He grumbled. I laughed. "Don't worry, you'll get to kick their butts soon enough." I said.
We chatted idly until we came up on my destination. I sighed. It's either now or never. I thought. I turned to Eric. "You go ahead and meet with Vancha; I need to talk to Darren about some stuff." I told him. He nodded and walked off. I took a deep breath and entered the trailer where I saw Darren having trouble with buttoning up his shirt. I smiled and helped him.
"You're not nervous, are you?" I asked teasingly. He fidgeted with the hem of his button up. "Yeah, a bit. I know I've been up on stage before but…what if Steve comes? What if they attack us?" he asked. I finished his shirt and wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning into him. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer, resting his cheek on top of my head. "He won't…I know it. He's too busy trying to figure things up. I feel like he's really confused and troubled…don't ask how I know, I just do…I can feel it." I murmured. Darren sighed. "Yeah, I can, too, but…still." He mumbled. I nodded.
Sighing, I pulled myself away from him. "Darren…there's something I need to tell you…" I trailed off. He looked at me confused, and was about to answer when the door opened and Evra came in with his snake. "Hey guys, show's about to start." He looked me up and down, clicking his tongue. "Vanessa, I know that's not what you're wearing." He said dramatically. I punched him in the arm, smiling. "I just haven't changed yet, stupid." I laughed. Darren grinned and kissed my cheek. "Well, you heard Evra, show's about to start. Can it wait 'till after the show?" he asked. I bit my lip and nodded. "Yeah, but no later." I said sternly.
He nodded and walked out the trailer with Evra, talking animatedly. I smiled. It made me happy that Evra and Darren were together again but…part of me missed having his undivided attention. I rolled my eyes and jogged to Truska's trailer where I found a new uniform waiting for me. My mouth dropped when I saw it.
It was a tight, formfitting, red strapless dress that went to the middle of my thighs, completed with black pumps. I walked slowly to the dress and touched the soft material. I almost cried in joy when I realized that my assumption was correct. I looked over at Truska, who was smiling warmly at me. "You…you made this out of his spare cloak?" I asked, my voice not able to reach above a whisper. She nodded, smiling. I hugged her.
"Thank you, Truska, thank you so much." I whispered. She nodded and ushered me to try it on. I walked out from behind the cover of the small divider and spun in a small circle for her. She applauded, her eyes sparkling when she saw the life in my eyes. "Beautiful." She said. I blushed and sat down, letting her put my hair into a graceful and elegant curly twist. I heard a knock on the door as I was leaning on a chair with one hand, and slipping my last heel on with the other.
"Come in!" I called as I finished putting my shoes on. Eric walked in and stopped, his eyes widening and his cheeks turning slightly pink. I flushed a dark pink at his lingering gaze. He cleared his throat and looked at the floor. "You look real pretty." He mumbled. I smiled. "Thanks." I replied. "Hey Eric, what's taking so long?" Darren soon followed and stopped, staring at me. "God…you look amazing." He smiled, walking up to me and giving me a peck on the lips. I grinned and looked at my feet. "Thanks, Love." I said, looking back up into his warm, brown eyes.
"And, last but not least, the beautiful and talented Vanessa Crepsley!" Mr. Tall announced from the center stage. I walked forward slowly, my old cloak surrounding me, my hood up, just like old times. When I got to center stage, I hesitated. This would be the first time I performed without Mr. Crepsley here with me. I looked to my left out of the corner of my eye, where he would stand, before closing them and flipping my hood off and letting the cloak slide from my shoulders.
I heard a few whistles, hoot, and hollers before snapping my eyes open. I looked to the back and saw Vancha and Eric giving me the thumbs up. I blinked slowly and started my act.
"Hello, Ladies and Gentleman. Before I start my act, I would like to inform you that I am not an illusionist. Everything you see is just that. There is no trick, no sleight of the hand. What you see, is what you get." I said. There were a few whispers, anticipating what was to come.
I stepped to the side as Darren came on stage, a bucket of water in each hand. He placed one bucket a meter to my left, and the other a meter to my right. He stood up straight, his back to the audience, and gave me a wink before walking off stage. I slowly raised both my hands, bringing the water up out of the buckets beside me. I heard a few gasps and excited whispers as I started twirling the water in the air, splashing the audience every once and a while. I was in the middle of the performance when I felt it.
I threw the water up in the air and froze it in a suspended animation. There were many 'ohs' and 'ahs' and clapping. I smiled. "I will now pick a volunteer." I said, waving my hand gracefully back and forth among the audience. I closed my eyes and after a few more seconds, stopped, opening them slowly.
"You."