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We buried Sa to say - and filled in the grave We didn’t hide it, so he’d be discovered by the police and given a real burial soon I wanted his parents to be able to give hi animals (and Little People) in the meantime

We broke ca trek ahead Saet as far away as possible

I wondered, as we left, what had become of RV Did he bleed to death in the forest? Did heand screah he’d been trying to do the right thing, this was RV’s fault If he hadn’t gone e, Sam would be alive I didn’t hope RV was dead, but I didn’t say a prayer for him, either I’d leave him to fate and whatever it had in store

Evra sat beside me at the rear of the van as the Cirque pulled out He started to say so on ht want it"

Through stinging eyes I read the name - "Sam Grest"- then burst into tears and cried bitterly over it Evra put his ar with me

"Mr Crepsley told htly and wiping his face clean "He said you drank Sam’s blood to keep his spirit alive"

"Apparently,"I replied weakly, unconvinced

"Look,"Evra said, "I kno much you didn’t want to drink huoodness, not evil You shouldn’t feel bad for drinking frouess,"I said, then moaned at the memory and cried some more

The day went by and the Cirque Du Freak rolled on, but thoughts of Saht came, we pulled over to the side of the road for a short break Evra went to look for food and drinks

"Do you want anything?"he asked

"No,"I said, ry"

He started to leave

I called hie taste in my mouth Sam’s blood was still hot on my lips, salty and terrible, but that wasn’t what had started the buds at the back ofI wanted that I’d never wanted before For a few confusing seconds I didn’t knohat it was Then I identified the strange craving and ed to crack the thinnest of s, but the jarup at Evra, I wiped tears from my eyes, licked my lips, and asked in a voice that sounded a lot like that smart-ass kid I once knew, "Do we have any pickled onions?"