A.N. So new chapter, can't say I'm really all that motivated to work on my old stuff, maybe I should draw some pictures for the fanfics to get some more motivation, either that or some reviews might help *hint* *hint* but without further ado on to the chapter.

Disclaimer: Cirque du Freak in all of its glory doesn't belong to me.

Chapter 48

*Mia's POV*

While making the trip to the cirque Harkat had continued to be plagued by him nightmares, and as time continued they seemed to be getting worse. Darren and I had tried to help him during one of his most violent episodes to date when Evanna stopped the two of us from waking him. She claimed that Darren could help in stopping the nightmares for a time and next he did was place his hands on either of Harkat's shoulders, just as Evanna instructed, and then his body went still almost as though he were in a trance or something.

I sat, as I usually did, in silence and waited, hoping that whatever happened to Darren wouldn't last long, and a look to Dorene and Mr. Crepsley told me that they were having the same thoughts. After a few minutes that felt like years both Harkat and Darren jolted from their spots. Darren fell back and landed back onto Vancha while Harkat looked at the ground, a lost expression on his face. I watched as Dorene ran to check on Darren, while I went to check on Harkat, through years of being mute and him not talking like the rest of the little people, the two of us had kinda formed an understanding for each other. I wasn't even paying attention to what everyone else was saying as I looked into Harkat's eyes only to find that he wasn't staring at the floor like I had thought but instead he was sleeping peacefully, almost as though the nightmare had never hit.

At that point I tuned into the conversation, and it seemed like just the right time due to the fact that the conversation went to planning out next destination. I heard as Mr. Crepsley asked Darren what a vampire would do in this situation since it wouldn't do any good to search blindly for the Vampaneze lord. I could practically see the light bulb dancing above Darren's head as the idea came to him, and just from the shine in his eyes I could almost tell where it is he wanted to go before he even said it.

"I'd like to see Evra, find out how's he doing" Darren said and I went to thinking about Victoria, six years was a long time away from a friend, made longer due to the means of which I left her. In truth I was nervous to see the little red head, but than again she wouldn't be all that young any more and if I remembered correctly Victoria would most likely be around seventeen right now, all I could do was wonder how much she changed over the years, and how much she hated me for leaving without saying goodbye.

With that we went to break down our makeshift camp and get ready to head to the only true home that I knew since my only decent family left and since I ran. As I packed what I had removed from it back into my dufflebag I noticed Evanna heading into the direction that Darren left in. I paid it no head thinking about what I would say to Victoria when I saw her, or if Mr. Tiny's deal would even work.

After Evanna returned to the rest of the group I couldn't help but notice Darren coming up behind her slowly, a distant look in his eyes that contrasted greatly with the excited shine that was present only a few moments earlier. About an hour later camp was broken, everyone was packed, and the group was heading out.

As we were walking Evanna quickly revealed that the cirque wasn't that far and we would arrive along its border a little after the sun had set, at that point my nerves rose, still unaware of what I was going to say to Victoria when we finally arrived. During the trip I noticed Evanna continued sending looks back in my direction, each time I noticed the glances I got the feeling that she was hiding something, and my nerves only rose.

Finally the lights of the cirque came into view over the tree tops and all my nervous thoughts disappeared on the wind as I ran towards the same Cirque only in different surroundings. Behind me I could hear everyone running to keep up and in my excitement to get to the Cirque I was completely unaware of the two figures running around the Cirques edge until it was too late.

The two strangers and I crashed into the ground and all collapsed to the ground. I looked to see who I had bumped into and stopped, my eyes growing wide at the last thing I thought I'd see. Evra had somehow shrunk and was staring at me with confusion, next to the mini Evra sat a young blond with long hair and and expression that was just as confused by the first. Behind me the others caught up and I could practically see Darren's shocked face.

"Shancus, Urcha! What have I told you about behaving?!" I looked up at the voice that seemed familiar but had changed and smiled when I saw the scaled, green haired form of Evra coming towards us. I looked back to the two boys and smiled finally putting my confusion aside and realizing that these two were Evra's children. As our old friend Evra came closer he must've recognized us because he stopped just behind the two boys and stared at the two of us in shock.

"Darren? Mia?" Darren was silent and I just managed a small nod and then quickly I was pulled up from the ground and found my self in a hug with Darren as Evra over came his shock. " My gosh neither of you have changed a bit." Evra said as he pulled away to get a better look at the two of us. "How about I introduce you to the family."

With that Evra with the two boys led Darren and I towards one of the many tents, Harkat and Dorene following close behind us and Mr. Crepsley and Vancha most likely headed towards Mr. Tall's trailer. We stopped in front of a tent and Evra pulled the flap to the side gaining all of us access inside.

Inside we saw a woman holding a young scaled girl in her arms, she turned wen she entered and after greeting us Evra gave the introductions.

First their was his wife Merla, someone that I remember being Evra's girlfriend six years ago, than his introduced his youngest Lilia, the small scaled girl watching us in curiosity from her mother's arms, after Lilia Evra introduced his middle child Urcha, the one out of his three children without scales, finally came Evra's oldest Shancus, or as my original thought of him, the mini Evra.

After meeting the whole Von family we stepped out of tent and were suddenly bombarded by the entire Cirque group as they all welcomed us back into the cirque. Then when Mr. Tall called Harkat by his name and Harkat spoke back Evra stepped back in shock at the the fact that a little person had actually spoke. Than it was revealed that Mr. Tall along with some others actually knew Vancha as they greeted him and they conversed, what really surprised me is when Vancha spoke with Truska and then she answered back in english.

I stared at Truska and Darren asked what was obviously on both of our minds. "Truska, you can speak english now?" Truska nodded. "I not that good, but Evra very patient and I learning." Then Vancha surprised my once again as he spoke in Truska's first language.

Than we went to the central fire and caught up on what went on through the past six years. While sitting I realized something was missing and finally realized that of all the familiar and new faces at the cirque that I have seen, I haven't caught any sight of that vibrant, familiar head of red hair.

I stood up from my spot and looked around at the others within the flames glow yet I still couldn't spot her, Evra noticed my wandering gaze and placed a hand on my shoulder, I reluctantly turned to face him, and as though her were reading my mind he shook his head. At that time it sunk in and I fell to my seat one again, lifeless.

*Victoria's POV*

We sat around the small candle that gave minimal light and little to no warmth, above the tree tops I was able to see the lights from the cirque shining and illuminating a far larger area than our little candle. Being this close to the Cirque I couldn't help but wonder if Mia had returned yet. With the thought of Mia came the thought of the crumpled note burning in the fire years ago. A series of twigs snapped as someone approached and I looked up to see a large cloaked figure approaching.

The other figures noticed as well and when the figure stepped within the candles glow they removed their hood and were greeted by one of the larger Vampaneze. I looked at all the purple skinned Vampaneze and then to their unnatural red hair, than again with unnatural red hair who was I to talk, though from what i remember Steve telling me about Mr. Crepsley being a vampire his reaction towards my hair would make sense, and left me wondering if the Mia's reaction after we got back to the cirque that one Christmas had to do with my hair as well.

Than the light was snuffed out as someone kicked the candle and stomped on the flame to put it out, they then snapped at the one cloaked member of our group for being a fool and making a stupid mistake, I didn't like them snapping at the other though since they were just giving us a little light and minimal warmth,.

"Why don't you take it easy on him, he was just being considerate of those who don't have natural internal furnaces keeping them warm." That's when I felt it, it might have been due to how close we were to the cirque or maybe just plain old paranoia but i felt as though someone, who shouldn't be here, was watching us. I looked around the clearing and into the tree tops, looking for any form that didn't belong, sadly I didn't have the enhanced sight of the Vampaneze and thus came up with nothing. I turned back to the group and just barely tuned into the conversation as the cloaked figure came and sat down next to me.

"I'm quite surprised you don't make a visit to that little cirque you called home." I only cast them a side ways before looking back at the sad remains of the candle.

A few minutes past as the Vampaneze and their guest continued talking before everything turned into chaos, it all started with a few strange weapons that I haven't seen before flying through the air and embedding themselves into one of the many trees. That't when four figures jumped from the tree tops, three of which I recognized but the fourth was a mystery to me.

As the four newcomers launch into their attack and take out the majority of the Vampaneze, I stand off to the side and watch, unaware that Darren's finished off his opponent and has turned his attention to me. He gained my attention however; after he tackled me to the ground.

"Victoria, why are you here?" I looked away not wanting to meet his gaze, the grip he had on my arm tightened causing me to wince and meet his gaze once again. "Why did you leave the Cirque, Mia said that she told you she'd be back."

At that I wanted to snap, what would he know, did she tell his about the note, that she didn't even say a proper goodbye, or did Evra even tell then how I felt when they left, instead of snapping I just glared at him and muttered. "You don't know anything."

With that I pushed Darren off and ran towards the two remaining members of our group. As I was running a blade flew past my ear and I watched as the cloaked figure dodged, then the other survivor, Gannen Harst, raced past me in a blur and went to attack Darren, I didn't turn around until I heard a yell and I watched as Gannen ran his blade down Darren's knife, then sliced Darren's thumb.

I stood in shock and didn't snap out of it till Gannen came back up to the two of us and roughly grabbed me by my shoulder and dragged me behind himself.

Before we completely left I turned back to see the damage and noticed that Darren had met my gaze, in his eyes I could see two emotions flashing, one being disappointment and the other the look that one gets when they've been betrayed, both of which I could understand. Seeing that look I was overcome by an emotion that I hadn't felt since I had left. Guilt.

"Darren, tell Mia I'm sorry!" I called back before we completely disappeared from sight.

A.N. So yeah that ending happened, and I wanted to get this chapter our yesterday but it ended up taking longer than I thought, hopefully it came out okay though.

Until Next time Peace, Love, and Virtual Hugs.