1

Prosper sighed and stared into his locker. Everyone was exiting the hallway, going home. Prosper stayed put. He had never felt so horrible.

"So your not going to tell me?" demanded a voice from behind. Prosper turned to see Hornet and Scipio arguing. Prosper felt oddly happier at the sight.

"What's up guys?" Prosper asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder. Scipio took in a quick breath.

"I'll tell you when we get home Prop."

They left the building and passed the Grande Canal. Hornet was walking fast. Scipio was staring at his feet, which was no wonder when he walked right into someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Scipio. Helped the girl stand up. Her brown hair went down to her hips, and her green eyes x-rayed Scipio.

"Not the first time you've run into me," the girl mocked.

"Me run into you? Nah, must of been some other guy." Scipio seemed nervous. Prosper stared as the girl glanced at them.

"Well, my name is Samantha in case you wanted to know the name of your victim." Samantha smiled at Scipio.

"I'm Scipio," Prosper let out a whistle. So maybe Scipio wasn't trying to steal Hornet. Hmmmm.

"And I'm Prosper, and that's Hornet. Now can we get back to Ida's?" Prosper asked as the two kids locked eyes.

"Cool. I gotta go to the square. My...dad isn't home so I'm pretty bored," Samantha said quietly.

"Are you from a America? You don't sound like a Venetian," Hornet said.

"Yeah, I am. I shouldn't be here right now but, well, no one ever came for me." Samantha said.

"What?" Scipio asked.

"I was on vacation with my parents, for my birthday, but my parents drowned in the Canal, and the Merciful Sisters took me in. A man took me in, but he never...talks." Scipio nodded. Hornet put a hand on her shoulder.

"We're orphans too." Samantha nodded.

"Well, see you later," she said. Samantha hurried away.

"Wow. She's an orphan," Prosper said.

When they got to Ida's, Hornet hurried upstairs to her room of books, and Scipio went outside to play football with Riccio and Mosca. Prosper had finished his homework, so he decide to go see Hornet.

"Hey Prop, what's up?" Hornet said casually. Prosper shrugged, and picked up a book. He skimmed through it, and put it back.

"Hey Hornet?" Prosper asked.

"Yeah Prop?" Hornet answered.

"Scipio told me you wanted to know what happened last night...why Scipio and me were all secretive and nervous..." prosper sighed. "OK, I was nervous. It's because last night Scipio apologized for something that I was too paranoid to see he didn't really do, and you didn't-"

"Get away from me you Bastard!" yelled a frightened Scipio outside. Prosper and Hornet looked at each other and ran outside.

"You've been very bad Scipio! Now get away from those tramps, and come with me NOW! You deserve to get a licking! You deserve - " Dottore Massimo glared at his son as Riccio screamed. Grabbing him by his neck, Dottore brought Scipio home.

"He'll kill him!" sobbed Riccio. Mosca sobbed too, and soon they were all crying, and couldn't even answer Ida's questions.