Chapter one: A cold night
Chapter one: A cold night
The night was cold, and damp. I was lost. My hair was cold and frozen against my neck. Venice was quieter than ever! I just kept wandering the streets and alleys, going in circles. I wanted to stop so badly, maybe get some sleep. But I knew I couldn't. The nights got colder, and colder. My eyes were so heavy. I stumbled into a dead end, once again! I sighed. The next thing I knew I had fallen to the ground. I was too tiered to pick myself up! So I laid there on the cold hard wet cement.
Time went by. My thoughts drifted as I lay, I was trying to remember how I got here. A faint pair of footsteps started walking down the alley I was laying in. The sky was still dark and thick.
I didn't even flinch at the sound of the stranger coming closer to me. I looked up trying to make out a face, nothing, not even a shadow. Was I blind? No. The stranger didn't notice my paralyzed body. A bell rang. The stranger waited impatiently.
Normally I would have gotten up and snuck away. But tonight I decided to stay. I was far too lazy to move. The stranger started to pace, I suddenly felt a jolt of pain rush through my frozen fingers.
"Ouch" I mumbled through my clenched teeth.
The stranger took a sharp gasp in. He knelt down by my face now, probably trying to make out my face. I felt his warm breath against my face.
"Is someone there?" his voice was deep and young.
I felt his hands reach under the pit of my arm. He was helping me up.
"Hello" I said drunkenly. I was more tiered than drunk.
My eyes had adjusted to the darkness. The stranger that was keeping my balance pulled off a dark bird-like mask. A door swung open as he stared at me. There was a shorter figure in the door way.
"Scip? Is that you? What are you doing here? We didn't expect you until tomorrow." A husky female voice whispered.
"Yes, well I thought id come a day early. Since I had some free time."
The girl didn't even notice me standing in a slump beside him.
The girl turned in to the dark room and the one called "Scip" followed her. I didn't know what to do? Stay outside or follow them? I stood frozen with confusion. What were these kids doing out so late? Were they orphans to?
"Are you coming?" Scip called from the dark hall.
I nodded, although he probably couldn't see it, and then followed him. I had no idea where I was going. I couldn't see a thing; it was darker in here than it was outside. I took slow steps until I bumped into someone.
"Sorry" I mumbled
"Here, take my hand. I'll lead you." Scip grasped my cold hand. It felt good to touch something so warm. We walked down the dark corridor for no less than twenty seconds.
The girl in front of us pushed a large curtain aside. I stepped up onto a stage.
Scip let go of my hand and I felt numb again.
The bright lights burned my eyes but I quickly adjusted.
"Welcome to the Stella" Scip said.
