As the group left the Massimo place, a large black cloud hung upon their heads. Oh, how a bad mood can infect and spread among people...
Acey sighed as she got ready for bed. She wasn't hungry, and all she really wanted to do was sleep. She pulled up the blankets and nodded off sooner than one would expect.
Scipio sighed as he climbed the stairs that led up to an even more grand corridor. He really couldn't blame Acey for telling them. He hadn't told her the complete truth about anything, really. Except the kiss.
That had been the honest, for-real truth.
He really did love her.
But, there was the problem of his wife-to-be. What was he going to do? He hated her. She was a rich, spoiled snob, who not only didn't care about those less fortunate, she only cared for herself. It was terrible just being around her.
He sighed and opened the door to his room. The inside brought another sigh from his lips. It was furnished with the most expensive furniture, decorated with the most expensive and fragile things, and even the bedspread cost more than the things the others bought.
That was it; his mind was made up.
"No longer am I the young master Massimo," he said, quietly and firmly. "I'll just be 'The Thief Lord', from now on."
With that, he threw open the window. The chilly night air made it's way into the room, and Scipio shivered, more with anticipation than cold. From now on, he was going to be who he wanted to be.
It was the middle of the night when Acey was jolted awake. What was that sound? It sounded like... the door to the Stella.
"Hello?" she called into the dark theater, pushing herself onto her knees.
"Acey?" came the reply, in an anxious tone.
"Go home, Scipio," she said, anger slipping into her voice. "We don't want you here."
"I can't," he said, shrugging. "I ran away."
"Scipio... why did you do that? Don't you know you're putting us in danger? When your father finds you gone... he's sure to check here. Go home." she said, standing her ground.
"I-I didn't think of that..." he admitted, shrugging sheepishly.
"Well, aren't you glad I'm here? Now go."
"Acey... please, can't I talk to you?" he pleaded, looking at her desperately.
"Ah," she shrugged, rolling her eyes. "If it really means that much to you."
None of the others noticed the two fifteen year olds slip out the door and into the alley.
