Chapter one

Cool down.

The city of Venice gleamed in the light of twilight. Looking out at the setting sun anyone would remember how beautiful this city could be. The water hit the shore lightly and the air of the town seemed enchanting. Tonight, however, this was unnatural. Prosper stood up and walked over to water. He removed his shoes and tipped his feet in. It cooled him down greatly.

Lately Prosper had been feeling quite hot. The air seemed heat up his body. Many times during the day he would stick his feet into the water and instantly feel cooler. He didn't know why this was happening. Suddenly his arm pained and he almost feel into the water. He grabbed his arm with his other hand and almost screamed as more pain shot through.

"Buonasera," A voice rang out behind Prosper. "What are you doing out here, Prop?"

Prosper looked up at Scipio. The adult looked down at Prosper and saw the look of pain on his face.

"Huh!" Scipio sounded confused as he looked at the arm Prosper was holding. "What's wrong?"

"My arm hurts really badly." Prosper said as he grimaced again.

Scipio sat next to Prosper and held up his arm. It was hard to see fully in the light of the setting sun but Scipio could see fine.

"There doesn't seem to be any markings." Scipio said. "Che strano, I see no cuts or bruises. Nothing!"

Prosper sighed. The pain had left his arm but he could still feel it throughout his entire body. Scipio pulled Prosper up and immediately the boy felt heat overwhelm him. He almost collapsed.

"Prosper, Prosper, are you alright?" Scipio's voice was heard as everything started to fade away. There was a flash of purple light and Prosper was lost in it.

…

"Prop, Prop, can you hear me?" Scipio said as the light hit him.

Scipio could feel the strangeness of the light and suddenly Prosper grew heavier. It seemed that the boy was growing larger as well. The entire world seemed to be growing. Scipio was now laying Prosper on the much closer ground.

"Victor," His voice sounded as small as he called for help. "Prosper needs you."

The door to Victor's house burst open.

"Who's calling me?" He called out and spotted Prosper on the ground. "Hello, Prosper? What's wrong?"

Prosper didn't move and nobody else was around. Nobody could have called for help but somebody obviously had. Victor picked up Prosper and took him into the house.

…

Scipio watched from the shadows as Prosper was brought away. He looked at his hands, his smaller hands. He was smiling as he felt his face. He was ready to jump for joy as he realized that he was no longer an adult. He had been changed into a child again.

"This is incredible." He whispered.

"Scipio," A voice called out. "Now where has he gone to?"

"Maybe he's sneaking about." A younger child suggested.

"What happened to Prosper?" The original voice of Ida Spavento asked.

"Maybe Victor knows."

Scipio ran down the alley silently. He had to find a place to stay. He didn't want anyone to see him until Prosper was better. But where could he hide until then? Duh, the Stella, his father's movie theater. Nobody would look for him there. Nobody had a key besides his father.

He wondered through the streets of Venice and into the Stella. The nighttime air felt new to Scipio. He felt like he was a new person. He felt fantastic to be his normal self again.

…

Prosper woke up as a cold cloth was placed on his forehead. He felt very weak and couldn't move.

"He's waking up!" Someone called out.

Bo appeared instantly at his side.

"Prop, are you feeling better?" His brother asked.

Prosper tried to talk but was unable. He moved his lips feebly and attempted to create sound. None could come.

"Victor, he can't talk!" Bo called out in horror. "Victor!"

Victor appeared with Ida Spavento and Hornet. Bo looked like he was going to cry and he gripped onto the sofa that Prosper realized he was lying on.

"Prosper? Are you really awake?" Victor asked as he moved toward the boy.

Prosper blinked to show that he was. Thirst had just washed over him and he tried to move. He needed them to know he wanted water.

"Maybe we should bring him some water." Ida said and she hurried from the room.

Prosper looked at his brother who still looked like he would cry. Prosper moved his lips. He wanted to smile. That would show Bo that he was alright. He lips were hard to control but eventually he did smile. Bo laughed. It was pretty funny to see Prosper try to smile.

Ida came back with the water and Bo placed the water by Prosper's lips. Prosper tried to suck the water in and Bo pushed it closer. The water spilled all over Prosper and some landed unexpectedly in Prosper's mouth. Prosper spat it up and sat up. He could move and felt very light.

"Prosper, are you okay?" Victor asked as Bo looked startled.

"I…think so." Prosper said.

"Do you remember what happened?" Ida asked.

"I went down to the water and stuck my feet in." Prosper began.

He told them about how he had pain in his arm. He mentioned how Scipio had come out and seen that he was in pain and tried to help him.

"Scipio was holding me and he were walking." Prosper was almost finished. "I felt a sudden wave of heat and there was a flash of light. Scipio placed me on the ground and called out something. He sounded different."

"And that's all."

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

"I know it doesn't make any sense but that's what I remember." Prosper said lying back on the sofa.

"I believe you." Bo said sweetly.