Chapter 7

My feet pounded off the dirt as I sprinted towards the old barn in which Mr Crepsley resided. The disgust on his face was burned into my vision. Never had I let him down this badly, not even that time I snuck out during daylight to go back to my family. He was disappointed with me at the time and wouldn't speak to me for a whole week. After the silent treatment, he didn't hold it against me. I never told him how much I appreciated that. Judging by this evenings events, I would've bet I would never get the chance. I'd be gone by the following morning, I don't think I could hold myself together if I was formally kicked out. Really I was doing everyone a favour by leaving, the Cirque only needs the strongest performers and it's not like Mr Crepsley would even consider taking me back after-. My train of thought halted as the barn doors came into sight. I ran my hands along the rough wood, hesitating.

"It's now or never", I thought to myself. Pushing the door open, I crept softly in.

Mr Crepsley was sat, slumped in a old, oak chair facing the doors. A single glowing candle threw half his face into jerky shadows. His eyes were closed tight and his hands gripped the armrests rigidly. I took a step forward.

"I thought that was locked", he muttered.

"I'm sorr...y", I stammered.

His eyes remained shut.

"I just felt so lonely an-", I couldn't finish.

Silence.

I waited for him to say something. I wanted him to shout, get angry, show any kind of emotion. He gave me nothing.

"LOOK AT ME LARTEN", I screamed. My fists clenched and my chest rose and fell rapidly with my quickening breath.

His eyes opened and raked up my body.

"Look at... you?", he said slowly, "Look at what you did. You abandoned me mid-performance, fled from the stage, to put in simply. No warning nor hint of your intentions."

"I-", I began.

"Do not speak", he cut me off and continued reprimanding me.

Leaning against his coffin, I hung my head in shame.

"All I ask is for you to tell me why. Why did you run off?", Mr Crepsley sighed.

"The marks", I mumbled.

"Excuse me?".

I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. Chewing nervously on my bottom lip, I blurted,

"The scratch marks on your back. The ones I made when we..."

"Darren I-"

"It took me by surprise, and I... don't know what came over me". My face was burning with embarrassment. I stared, transfixed at my feet.

"Darren", Mr Crepsley touched my arm. "I wanted to apologise for my behaviour in the clearing. I took advantage of you, something I never wished to do. And if you want to report me to Mr. Tall, I accept the consequences of what I've done."

"Do you regret kissing me?", I said looking up, unable to keep the hurt out of my voice.

"No", he admitted.

Holding his gaze I shakily unbuttoned my shirt. He raised his eyebrow questionably. The shirt fell to the ground. Adverting his eyes away from my chest, he looked elsewhere. Moving against him, I touched his cheek. "Look at me", I whispered. He complied. Placing his hands on the small of my back, he pulled me closer. My skin tingled under his palms as I pressed myself against his body. Lowering his mouth to my ear he said,

"Are you sure?"

Enclosing my hands around his, I moved them lower down.

"Do with me as you will", I groaned.

Hooking my legs around his waist, he lifted me up and pressed me against his coffin. I placed my hands on his shoulders. His skin felt hot under mine. He rubbed my chest and I moaned as his fingertips grazed over my nipples.

"Fuc-",

He pushed his lips against mine. I hungrily accepted the rough, deep kiss. He was the first to break away. Panting in effort to bring air back into my lungs, I nuzzled my head into his collar.

"Larten", I moaned, the sound slightly muffled.

Still holding me, he reached down and picked up my shirt. Sitting me on his coffin, he slid my arms into the sleeves. Kneeling down, he started to button it up. Finishing, he placed a hand on my neck and put his forehead on my right cheek.

"I have never regretted blooding you", he said huskily.

I shivered in response to his warm breathe on my face. Sliding down, I sighed regretfully.

"I can't be caught sleeping in here".

I made my way towards the door. Catching my hand, he pulled me in for one last kiss.

I moved silently through the camp grounds, keeping my footsteps as quiet as possible. The sunrise was breaking over the mountains. I hopped up the caravan steps and put my hands on the door handle.

"Darren, a second?", Mr Tall's voice came from over my shoulder.

Oh shit. He knows what I did in his caravan.

Grimacing, I turned to face him.

"Larten never could button up shirts", he smiled, gesturing to my mismatched buttons.

Blushing, I clumsily fixed them and awkwardly thanked him. Somehow I knew I wouldn't be getting sleep anytime soon.