Chapter 4 – Via Maralosa

The taxi pulled up next to a large building. It looked dark, deserted and destroyed.

"You sure this is the place?" Lara aksed the driver in italian.

"Yes signorita. It was destroyed by a fire 80 years ago.  No-one knows how the fire started.  This used to be the home of some mysterious group of people.  The city dwellers were afraid of them. They thought they were some kind of devil worshippers.  The sign is on the door…are you sure you have the right place?"

"Yes.  This is it. Thanks."

They got out of the taxi. The driver got out and helped Bryce with the bags.

"How much?" asked Lara

"150,000 Lire"

"Pay the man, Bryce"

"Gratzi signor.  Signorita"  The taxi driver touched his forelock, got in his car and drove off.

Lara walked forward and knocked on the door.  It swung open.  She and Bryce grabbed their stuff, and walked in.  They climbed the stairs, all the way to the top.  They arrived at the top and saw a closed door.  There was a light coming from under the door. Lara knocked.  There was a scraping noise, a chair being pushed back. Footsteps approached the door.  It opened, and there stood Alexa.  Lara thought she looked dreadfully ill.  She could see that this girl had had hardly any sleep, and looked as though she hadn't eaten for a long time.

"Hello"  said Lara   "Are you Alexa?  I'm Lara. This is Bryce"

Lexa smiled.

"Yes.  Come in.  I'm so glad you're here."

She opened the door to let them in.  Lara walked in with her suitcase, Bryce followed with his.  He'd forgotten the Gun case.  Lara turned to go back and get it, but she was beaten to it.  Lexa walked straight to the case and picked it up, and pulled it inside the apartment. Lara was surprised. This girl was obviously stonger than she looked.

"Please, sit down. Can I get you anything?"

"No thank you.  Would you like to tell me about whats going on, and how I can be of service?"

"Sure.  Follow me"

She led the way to her computer. Beside it were pages and pages of printed paper.

"I'll tell you the story. This could take a while"

"Don't worry.  We have loads of time"

Disclaimer -  I do not own any of the characters in this story except for Alexa Munroe.

If you wish  to use the name in any of your stories, please contact me at  athlete@talk21.com

All names are fictitious. Any similarities to any real people is purely conincidental.

This story is dedicated to my best friend, Jaina

All my love, Lara

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