Page 8 (1/2)

Harkat and I weren’t sure what to make of Darius It seemed unlikely that the vampaneze would recruit children But there was the twisted mind of their leader, Steve Leopard, to take into account This could be one of his evil, hate-fuelled games We decided to take the boy to one side when he came to the show, and pump him for infor so drastic - just try to scare a feers out of hiet ready for the show, but we told Mr Tall ere busy and he assigned our tasks to other members of the troupe If he knew about our plans for Darius, he didn’t say so

There were two entrances to the big top Shortly before the audience started to arrive, Harkat and I each took up a position close to one of the entry points, where we could watch for Darius I was still worried about being recognized by somebody who’d known me in the past, so I stood in the shadows beside the entrance, disguised in a set of Harkat’s blue robes, the hood pulled up to hide my face I watched silently as the early birds trickled in, handing their tickets to Jekkus Flang (Mr Tall was on the other entrance) With every third or fourth customer, Jekkus threw their ticket into the air, then launched a knife at it, spearing it through theit to a nearby post

As the trickle of people turned into a steady stream, and Jekkus pinned more and more tickets to the pole, the tickets and knives took on the outline of a hanged ily when they realized what Jekkus was doing A few paused to co skills, butbackwards at the figure of the hanged s to coed man - I’d seen Jekkus perform this trick many times before - and focused on the faces in the crowd It was hard to note everybody who passed in the crush, especially short people Even if Darius entered this way, there was no guarantee I’d spot him

Towards the end of the line, as the last asp of surprise and abandoned his post "To forward "What an honour!"

It was the town’s faoalkeeper, Tom Jones - my old school friend!

Tommy shed, looking around to see if anyone else had noticed him Apart from those nearest us, nobody had - all eyes were fixed on the stage, as everyone awaited the start of the show

"I’ve seen you play!" Jekkus enthused "I don’t get to- but I’ve made it to a few You’re awesoet a ticket, but they were sold out"

"It’s a big et one for you, but I don’t think?"

"That’s OK," Jekkus interrupted "I’ to shake you down for free tickets Just wanted to wish you good luck Now, speaking of tickets, could I see yours?"

Ton it for hi happily He offered to find a seat for Tommy near the front, but Tommy said he was happy to sit at the back "I don’t think it would be good for ot out that I cahed

As Tomh of relief - he hadn’t seen me The luck of the vampires was on lers had been admitted, then crept out as Jekkus closed off the entrance I linked up with Harkat

"Did you see him?" I asked

"No," Harkat said "You?"

"No But I saw an old friend" I told him about Tom Jones

"Could it be a setup?" Harkat asked