The family looked to Scipio, and then to the door.

"Scip! What are we gonna do?" asked Bo, not looking the least bit frightened.

"We gotta get out of here!" said Mosca, looking form one to the other.

"But, where can we go?" asked Prosper, looking at the others desperately.

"I've got a place we can go," said Acey, a hopeful smile on her face.

"Well, let's go before they get in!" said Scipio, giving her a grin.

Acey nodded, and led them to the side entrance. One at a time, they made their way into the alley, while the police were concentrated on the front entrance.

"Alright," Acey whispered, as they crouched behind an unused dumpster. "Which of us is the police not looking for?"

"Well," said Scipio, looking around. "There's you... Actually, I think you're the only safe one."

"Alright. I'll distract them, and you make your way to the Grand Canal, okay?" she whispered, looking from the police to her hiding spot. "But, I can't guarantee they won't see you. If they do, just run as fast as you can into the alleys."

"Got it," said Hornet, nodding.

"Scusi," she said, tapping the shoulder of a policeman. She put on her most innocent, fifteen year-old face.

"Yes?" he asked, spinning around.

"Uhm," she started, realizing she hadn't thought of anything to distract them with. "I've, uh, lost one of my earrings-" here she quickly slipped one off, hidden in the action of showing him her earringless ear. "-And they used to be my grandmas. Could you help my find it?"

"Oh, uh, alright," he said, seeing no way not to say yes.

She looked back to her friends. They were almost out of sight. Just a little bit more time...

"Oi!" came the voice of another police officer. "Ain't them those kids?"

"Yeah! Let's go!" said the policeman who was helping Acey with her earring.

She spun around and started running. There was no way they were getting any of her friends. Not a chance.

Of course, Acey really hated running. But, if it meant saving your friends from the police, it was alright.

"Run!" Scipio called to the others as the Police noticed them.

The others obeyed promptly, and a chase began.

But, the kids, being kids, had the obvious advantage. Energy.

Bo fell behind instantly, having shorter legs, so Prosper stopped to pick him up. With Bo on Prosper's back, things went a little more smoothly.

"We need a plan!" said Hornet, as they turned a corner.

"Allies!" said Riccio, recalling what Acey had said. "They'll lose us for sure!"

"Even a Venetien could get lost there!" said Mosca, as they followed Scipio into one of the many Venetian mazes that made the city so interesting.

"Scip, do you know where we're going?" asked Bo, as they slowed their pace.

"Yup. You all know how Acey's a tourist?" he questioned, as they turned more and more corners.

"Yeah, what about it?" asked Hornet, out of breath.

"She stays in a hotel. I know which one, but she has the key. We'll meet her in front of it, and we can hide there," he explained.

Acey waited patiently in front of her hotel. It wasn't quite as large or grand as many others, but it would do.

Where were they? Had they gotten lost? Did Scipio realize where she was going? Did the police catch them? The thoughts were racing around her head like rabbits, it was hard to stop them.

But, they stopped soon enough when Scipio and the gang rounded the corner.

"Finally!" said Acey, breathing a sigh of relief. "Where have you been? Well, let's get inside before they catch up..."

Hey everyone!

Just need to say, I don't own the Thief Lord. All I own is my Acey.

And, thanks to all my readers for youre great comments!

Sorry I'm bad at chase scenes.