Chapter 1

Scipio sat looking out across the rooftops, from the balcony, he sighed loudly and closed his eyes as the breeze rushed across his face and rippled through his hair. His father was going away on business tomorrow; he knew he wouldn't miss him. He would enjoy the emptiness of the house. If it could feel any emptier he thought to himself and smiled. The moon seemed brighter tonight, the air was cool and silent, he knew there would be a frost in the morning, he could feel it. He shivered and pulled his coat tighter round him over his pyjamas. He went to turn and go inside but he heard a faint shuffling in the distant. It intrigued him; he listened intensely for it and heard it again this time slightly louder with a faint muttering. It was coming from around the corner, from round the side of the house.

He ran to his door and opened it slowly; the coast was clear, he slipped out and closed the door behind him, tip toeing down the hall way and to the large windows at front of the house. Pulling back the curtain back and squinting into the darkness below, he could see a figure in a long coat rushing past a bag over its shoulder and a suitcase of sorts in its hand. It seemed to be looking at something in its hand and then looking around for it. Just a tourist he thought, he went to turn and go to bed.

Then the figure stopped and sat down on the steps to his house. He paused and looked back; it rested it head on its knees and stayed there. He crept back to his room and changed quickly, he tied his mask up at the back . He opened his window and climbed down the trellis as he always did when he snuck out. He ran round the side of the house, ducking under the windows in case some one was still awake. He ran round to the front of the house and stood hiding in the shadows. The figure was still there, but now he was closer he could hear sobbing and muttering. The figure looked up as they heard the footsteps and stared at the spot where he stood. Scipio froze.

"Who's there?" She asked. "What do you want?"

"Your lost I take it" he said coolly. She nodded. "How old are you?"

"16 why? What are you some kind of pimp?"

The girl pulled herself up and straightened her coat.

"I'll manage thank you." She said.

"'I'm not a pimp" Scipio said trying not laugh. "I know somewhere you can stay its safe."

"Who are you?" She said sounding scared. "Why won't you come out of the shadows?"

"I'm the Thief Lord' Scipio said stepping out into the moonlight that streamed through the gates. The girl gasped and stepped back when she saw Scipio's haunting mask. His eyes twinkled through the two eye holes and calmed her.

"Where are you heading?" He asked leaning against the wall casually.

"I'm looking for someone but I haven't had much success" The girl sighed.

"Well, you won't find them tonight."

Scipio walked forward and picked up her suitcase.

"Follow me" He smiled.

He led the way through the alleyways, with the girl following him silently. The only sound was the sound of their shoes on the streets, and the occasional splash as they stepped in a puddle.

"So what's your name?" Scipio asked after a few moments.

"Ana" the girl said quietly.

"Well Ana, welcome to Venice" Scipio said with humour in voice.

"Do you have a proper name?" Ana asked pulling her hood back up and her coat tighter round her. Scipio stopped and turned to look at her. Ana froze terrified of what he was going to do.

"Scipio" He said, then turned and continued. "We're nearly there" He said.

"I have a favour to ask you in return for my help" He said quietly.

"What?" Ana shivered.

"If the others ask where I found you, you say it was near the canal alright. You don't mention that house."

He stopped. Ana nodded nervously and watched as the Thief Lord knocked on a door.

There was silence except for a pigeon fluttering overhead. Ana heard footsteps and then the door opened, and there in the light from inside stood a tiny blonde boy.

"Hi Scip." He said cheerfully, opening the door further. Scipio walked in and Ana followed closing the door behind her.

"Where are the others?" Scipio asked. "Why did they let you open the door? You know the rules." Scipio's voice sounded harsh and the little boy looked scared for a moment.

"Don't worry Bo, just don't do it again" Scipio said ruffling the boy's hair.

Scipio led the way inside. Ana gasped as she walked into the old cinema, the paint was peeling on the walls and ceiling but it was still grand with its red velvet curtains and stalls. On the stage lay girl with a blanket over her and a book propped up on a pillow.

"You're always late" She said getting up.

"I got held up" Scipio said.

"Whose suitcase is that? Is that the loot?" A boy ran forward, he was blonde too but he was older and his hair was messy and spiky. Ana couldn't help but wince at his teeth, he needed a dentist. He reached for the suitcase. Scipio moved it behind his back and shook his head.

"Come in" He said looking at Ana. Ana stepped forward nervously her hood still pulled around her face. "This is Ana. She'll be staying with you for a while. She's trying to find someone but got lost." The girl lowered her hood and smiled nervously. "Welcome to the Stella, Ana." Scipio smiled proudly.

Bo ran over to her and pulled on her coat, Ana looked down at him and he lifted up a tiny tabby Kitten.

"I'm Bo" He smiled. "And this is Monty. Scip got him for me, he has brother but I don't know where he is." Bo handed the tiny kitten to Ana. She smiled as the kitten played with the tassels on her scarf.

"This is Riccio. And Hornet" Scipio said as he pointed first at the spiky haired blonde boy and then to the girl who had been lying on the stage.

A dark skinned boy sat watching them from the stalls in the balcony along with a dark haired boy who resembled Bo slightly in the face. Scipio pointed up to him. "That's Mosca and Prosper. Prosper and Bo are brothers." The boys in the stalls waved.

"Nice to meet you all" Ana said putting Monty the kitten back into Bo's arms.

"You'll have to share with me tonight" Hornet smiled taking Ana's suitcase from Scipio forcefully and leading the way through the stalls and towards a staircase, Ana looked at Scipio who seemed to be holding back his frustration from Hornet. He didn't return her gaze, Ana shifted he heavy bag on her shoulder and followed Hornet.

"We'll get you a mattress tomorrow" Hornet sighed as she climbed the stairs. "I don't mind sharing but you'll find I fidget too much to share with all the time." She shuffled past the stalls to the end. Ana lifted her bag from around her shoulders and put it next to the huge pile of books that surrounded Hornets bed. She crouched down and rummaged in her bag.

"You read a lot I see" Ana said.

"I love reading." Hornet said putting Ana's suitcase next to her bag.

"Ah –ha" Ana said standing up. "Here" she said holding a book out to Hornet. "You'll like this."

"Atonement" Hornet said reading the cover. "What's it about?"

"I'm not saying a word, other than incredible."

Hornet smiled intrigued and put it next to her pillow.

"I'll start it tomorrow." She smiled. Ana pulled off her heavy black coat and lay it over one of the seats.

"Oh" Hornet gasped.

"What?" Ana laughed looking confused.

"Your skirt's ripped." Ana looked down at herself, her boots were filthy and stained with dirty water marks. Her tights were ripped on one leg and he skirt was ripped from a fence.

"I know I brought clean clothes but I only managed to get changed in the toilet on the train." Her top was probably the only clean part of her. The girls laughed.

"Hornet" Scipio called. The girls went to the edge of the balcony and looked over. "I'm going, but I'll come back in the morning. Ana we'll see if we can find your friend tomorrow." Ana nodded and waved nervously. Scipio turned and disappeared down the short corridor to the door. She heard the door closed and felt slightly relieved. That mask gave her the creeps.

"It's late; we'd better get some sleep. Bo come on up to bed." Hornet called and turned back to her bed. Ana sat down beside he on the bed and pulled off her boots. She rubbed her feet, she felt stupid for not wearing better shoes.

She lay down next to Hornet and pulled the duvet over herself. She heard footsteps as the boys made their way to their beds and the kittens as Boo put them in their basket. Then the lights went out and all went quiet. Ana was relieved to be in the warm and on a soft bed. She pulled the duvet tight around her and snuggled down. She could hear Hornet breathing quietly.

"Hornet" Ana whispered.

"Yes"

"How did you all get here? Where are you parents?"

"Bo and Prosper have a crazy aunt, she wanted to keep Bo and send Prosper to boarding school." Hornet murmured. "Mosca says his dad's coming back for him but I don't think he will. Riccio and I, well we ran away from the orphanage."

"How long have you been here?"

"Prosper and Bo have been here about three weeks, but Riccio, Mosca and I have been together 3 years. We meet Scipio about a year ago. He caught Riccio trying to steal his wallet. And what brings you to Venice?"

"I'm looking for my cousin, Ida." Ana said quietly.

"Scipio will find her."

"What's with him and that mask? It's horrible."

"He doesn't always wear it, just when he's got great big bags under his eyes." Hornet giggled.

"Goodnight Hornet" Ana said smiling in the darkness.

"Goodnight"

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