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My heart was heavy when I saw Sa to disappoint him but knew I had to There was no way I could let Mr Crepsley turn Sa the night, and the frightening thing was, I believed Saave him the option Smart as he was, I don’t think he’d have stopped to consider the loneliness and awfulness of being a vampire

He rushed over when he saw me, too excited to notice my new clothes and haircut

"Did you ask hiht, filled with hope

"Yes,"I said, s sadly

"And?"

I shook my head "Sorry, Sam He said no"

Sam’s face fell about a thousand ,"I said

"You’re not much older!"he snapped

"But I don’t have parents,"I lied "I didn’t have a home when I joined the Cirque"

"I don’t care about my parents,"he said with a sniff

"That’s not true,"I said "You’d o home for holidays"

"It wouldn’t work You’re not cut out for life in the Cirque Du Freak Maybe later, when you’re older"

"I don’t care about later !"he yelled "I want to join now I’ve worked hard I’ve provedto RV about the wolf-man yesterday Did you tell that to Mr Tall?"

"I told hi,"I said

"I don’t believe you,"Sam said "I don’t think you spoke to hied and pointed toward Mr Tall’s van "That’s where you’ll find him,"I said

Sam ran off in a huff but slowed after a few steps, then caround miserably, then returned and sat down beside ru down his cheeks "I reat I had it all planned"

"There’ll be other chances,"I said

"When?"he asked "I’ve never heard of a freak show playing around here before When will I run into one again?"

I didn’t answer

"You wouldn’t have liked it, anyway,"I said "It’s not as ine what it’s like in the et up at five in theand shower in ice-cold water and work outside in blizzards"

"That doesn’t bother ot a crafty look in his eyes "Maybe I’ll co, anyway,"he said "Maybe I’ll sneak into one of the vans and stoith you Mr Tall would have to take me then"