Benvenudi.

Odessa Hermetic Kybailon - Okay, first off all, might I say I love your penname! I am currently writing about a character named Odessa in a non fanfiction story. Thanks for the review! Good luck with your story that is somewhat lke this, I will be sure to read it!

Midnightwighlight - Thanks! At first I didn't know about the Shakespearen lanugauge. I kind of thought I wasn't going to use it, but it just didn't work without it so I'm giving it a shot. =D

Pargoletta - As always, thanks for your opinion! I always look forward to reading what you have to say.

DISCLAIMER - I own nothing I didn't own in previous chapters. I will never own anything from the original Shakespeare story. Shakespeare d(id)oes.

Note: This chapter may be a bit long. I know the last chapter was kind of on the long side as well. Also, my friend, who was the first to read this chapter, said she thought Mercutio was acting like a spoiled rich guy in the beginning of this chapter. If you review, I would really like if you shared your opinion on this. (She also said some of the dialouge humor gets really 'fresh'. That's Mercutio and Allegra for ya, but I admit I may have overdone it here. Opinions please?)

Thanks!

Enjoy!

Reviews are your friends.

....

Mercutio had not slept. He was not tired. He had not eaten. He was not hungry. He thought if he was pushed into the river with a weight tied to his leg, he would not drown. If he was to be stabbed, he would not die. He was living on Allegra, even when she was not with him, and he had not seen her since yesterday morning. He was filled with the thought of her, and as satisfied as he was, if he did not see her again today, he would go stark-raving mad.

He set off to see her as soon as Bruna had finished talking to him; she had been so elated when she heard he was going to see Allegra that she had giggled his ear off until he could scarcely hear himself think, so he had to sneak out while she was too busy tearing with laughter to notice. She would understand later, though. Bruna knew Mercutio's need for Allegra was greater than his need for anything.

Mercutio took to the streets. His smile was so delirious that a few of his friends who he saw on the way asked him if he was ill. He found he was too distracted to reply. He walked on, heading toward the home of Allegra's brothers, where Allegra had to be. Mercutio, at this moment, was actually glad that Benvolio wasn't going with him, because Benvolio would have reminded him how dangerous it was to walk on Capulet soil. Mercutio knew that was true, and that this worry was occuring to him in a voice in his head that sounded much like Benvolio's. He argued in silence, "I've already kissed a Capulet, have I not?" Yet, he knew invading Capulet land and kissing a Capulet's sister were too different things - both of them bad. "But I am not a Montague, nor have I ever been, nor will I ever be, and I do not know Allegra's parents." He would have argued with himself a bit more, but he found he was standing in front of Allegra's home.

He had seen this home a thousand times. He passed by it every day on the way to Romeo's home, but never knew a maiden had lived in it, much less a maiden he would one day love. It was a nice-looking house, the back of the house right on the river Adige, with four towers and a small garden. Mercutio barely waited before approaching the door.

He was ready to knock when that certain worry came back, the worry about Theobald and Ricardo... and what exactly would they do to him if they answered the door and he stood there, asking for their sister?

Nothing I cannot handle.

Mercutio grasped the knocker and knocked, but barely a sound came out. He frowned.

He knocked again. Barely a sound. He knocked harder.

Knock, knock, knock...

This is what kept him from her? A stupid knocker? No one would hear him inside! He knocked until his arm hurt.

Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! KNOCK, GOD DAMN IT! - snap.

Mercutio froze. Perhaps he had knocked a trifle too hard. He dropped the broken knocker into a shrub, hoping he didn't have to pay for it and that Allegra wouldn't be angry with him, and walked down the front stairs as quietly as he could.

He wandered around to the back of the house, where the river was right below and there was a fabulous view of the rest of Verona. The yard was free of servants. The highest tower of the house was in the back. It was covered in vines that Mercutio thought he could easily climb. He looked at it, wondering - should he climb them? Maybe Allegra's bed chamber was in that tower. Something told him it was; as he looked at the stained glass window, he had a feeling she could have been inside it -

In a moment, he learned he was right. The window opened a bit. He perked up when he saw a bit of blonde hair, but only that; the rest of Allegra could not be seen. Mercutio heard her voice and another lady's, but what they spoke was not Italian. The window closed again.

Mercutio found a few small rocks near the shrubs and picked them up, slipping as he ran. He began to throw them at Allegra's window, one by one, until again his arm hurt. He kept throwing rocks, and they kept hitting the window, and Allegra did not come out again.

Eventually, he sighed and threw the last rock on the ground. Allegra did not hear him. He had missed her to death for an entire day, and all he had wanted to do was see her again, but all he had gotten instead was a pain in his arm. He supposed he could complain about this to Benvolio. He spun around and began to sulk away.

"How impatient!"

Mercutio beamed and spun around. There was Allegra, grinning down at him from her window and waving.

"Allegra!" he called, waving with the arm that was not so tired (until it, too, was tired). "I've died without you!"

"You look quite alive to me," she said, as he was waving so wildly. "But I've missed you to death as well! I dreamt of you!"

"You could sleep?" Mercutio called. "I lay wide awake in the dark for eight hours!" He paused, unable to believe he lived without her for an entire day. "Well, you will come down, won't you?"

Allegra's face softened. "Only when I can. I've got schoolwork to do."

"Can you not do it later?" Mercutio said.

"I wish. I missed a whole day of work yesterday with my family here." On the word 'family', Allegra winced. "My mother will scold me should I put it off another day. But I shall hurry!"

"Oh, don't," said Mercutio simply. "Take your time, I shall wait for you. Nay, I will!"

"Very well. Do not die without me," Allegra called.

Mercutio held his head and mimed fainting, and Allegra giggled.

"I will be patient," Mercutio called. "But hurry!" he added as Allegra disappeared behind the window.

Mercutio did wait. For awhile. He paced up and down the yard, trying to calm himself and failing. After what was ten minutes, he was sure Allegra had been gone for hours. He knew begging her to come down would have patehtic and annoying, but why in the world hadn't he? Allegra would not have minded, though perhaps her mother would. He wondered if Theobald and Ricardo had told their mother about him, and how he had defeated Tybalt. That was a thought that truly worried him. He wondered if Allegra had ended up telling her parents about him, or if she had kept silent. He knew he could get past Theobald and Ricardo with ease, but Allegra's mother, and her father (who Theobald always bragged about, saying he was so incredibly powerful), would be difficult to get past. The idea that Allegra's father was so terrifing surprised Mercutio, as Allegra was so the opposite. Then again, this was also the father of Allegra's brothers, who were terrifing to everyone but Mercutio. Mercutio continued to pace. She had not yet come. He was nearly going mad. This was too much for him!

A song suddenly broke out of nowhere, and calmed his nerves.

"Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace... where there is hate, let me sow love, where there is injury, let me pardon. Where there is despair, let there be hope*."

Mercutio was in a pleasant shock. How had he been unaware that Allegra could sing?

"Oh, shut up, Allegra!" called a harsher voice.

Mercutio, still in awe, froze again.

"Hush, Theo, you know 'twas very good," Mercutio heard Ricardo shot back. From what it sounded like, the two brothers were on the other side of the house, coming down the steps. Mercutio was in no mood for a fight, but if he had to, he supposed he would. He could take them any day.

"You hush," Theobald said. "Ay, she sings well, but not all of Verona wishes to hear the voice of a little - where is the knocker?"

Mercutio wanted to laugh. Then he heard Allegra come out, so he silenced himself.

"In the shrub," he heard her reply to Theobald.

"Wha - how did this happen?" Ricardo stuttered.

"Well, why do you look at me?" Allegra asked in her light voice. "The knocker was bound to break off if someone knocked too hard, and I have been inside all day. 'Twas not a Montague, Theobald," she added, and Mercutio heard Ricardo chuckle.

"Allie, where are you off to?" Mercutio heard Ricardo ask.

Allegra was silent for a moment. "For a walk. I've finished my work, don't worry. Where are you two off to? ... Well?"

They sounded hesitant.

"Erm, nowhere interesting," Theobald said a bit too quickly. "We have to meet father at Fernardi's home. We may not return 'till the evening."

"Oh, well, have a good time!" Allegra said. "Farewell."

Mercutio heard heavy footsteps running into the crowded Verona street. Only a few seconds later, Allegra (finally) appeared.

When Mercutio saw her, and Allegra saw him, they both only stared at each other for a moment, each taking in the sight of the other, before Allegra ran over to him and threw her arms around him.

"Mercutio?" Allegra asked after awhile, her face buried in his chest.

"Ay?"

"You broke our knocker, did you not?" Allegra asked.

Mercutio instantly felt bad. He broke out of the embrace and squoze her hand. "Ay," he said. "I am sorry. I can pay for it."

Allegra smiled up at him. "Nay, you need not. 'Twas bound to happen if someone knocked too hard. 'Tis just a knocker, it can be replaced."

Mercutio started to laugh.

"What?" Allegra asked. "What's funny?"

There was nothing funny. There was a certain sort of spark between Mercutio and Allegra that caused them both to laugh, and once they had started, stopping was out of the question. Mercutio took her hand, and began to lead her to the plaza.

On the way, the two of them found everything to laugh at and smile about; even when Allegra tripped over a rock and fell into Mercutio's arms, even when Mercutio was so busy talking to Allegra he ran into a wall, the two of them were laughing so hard their entire bodies were hurting. Of course, they happened to find their own falling and running into things to be hilarious, but all the time when they were simply walking, they were laughing.

As they approached the plaza, which was rather crowded that day, Mercutio calmed himself down and said to Allegra, "What say you of Benvolio?"

"What do you mean?" Allegra asked as she followed Mercutio to the marble fountain in the very center of the plaza. "What, if I like him or not? He is a good gentleman, I think. Kind."

Mercutio cocked his head, forcing out the rest of Allegra's thoughts.

"He is quite differnet than you are," said Allegra, sitting down on the fountain.

Mercutio sat beside her. "Boring?"

"Nay!" Allegra replied. "Not as lively as you are, of course. Not nearly. But not boring."

Mercutio gave a little 'hmm' of pleasure. "That was what I'd hoped you would tell me. Only making it clear you do not despise him."

Allegra nodded. She bit her lip. Behind Mercutio, she saw Benvolio coming. Benvolio was grinning, and put his finger to his lips. Allegra tried her hardest to keep a straight face.

"He is not a stiff gentleman, just a bit overly-worried," Mercutio was saying when he saw Allegra's face. "What now?" he asked, amused.

Benvolio crept up behind Mercutio and splashed him.

Mercutio, his shirt a bit wet, turned around to Benvolio, pretending to give him a most Tybalt-like death glare.

"Sorry," said Benvolio seriously.

Mercutio's wide grin came back. He splashed Benvolio back. "Sorry," he said.

"How very funny," Benvolio said, bowing to Allegra, who stood up quickly and curtsied. Then, they both sat back down with Mercutio.

"Were you finally able to sleep?" Benvolio asked.

"Nay," Mercutio said.

Benvolio blinked. "You have not slept in two days! You will act madder than usual."

"Madder's not a word," said Mercutio. "Here I was, thinking you were so very smart with grammar." Benvolio gave his friend a playful hit on the head.

"Mercutio's acting madder than he already does is un-possible," said Allegra out of the blue.

Mercutio shook his head. Benvolio looked half-way between insulted and amused.

"'Madder' is a word!" he insisted. "Ask anybody here. I dare you, Mercutio."

Mercutio shrugged and got up. "Then I shall. Pardon me, Allegra, sweet."

Allegra blushed. She and Benvolio watched as Mercutio politely asked an elderly lady in front of a shop across the street whether or not 'madder' was a word. The lady looked a bit startled.

"Oh, Allegra, here come my cousins," said Benvolio.

Allegra turned her face away from Mercutio and to where Benvolio looked. From the other end of the plaza, a group of men were coming. Allegra recognized them right away; Montagues. The Montagues always wore dark purple and blue clothing, probably to seperate themselves from the Capulets. Allegra's brothers had warned her that the Montagues were dangerous and never showed mercy, but to her they didn't look very dangerous at all. They looked like normal men, talking and joking with each other as they waved to Benvolio.

Benvolio excused himself and ran up to join them. They greeted him with smiles. Allegra watched them, realizing now she was completley alone on the fountain. She saw a few Montagues throw her suspicious glances, and knew they had to be talking about her.

"I missed you," Mercutio said as he came back. He looked slightly defeated.

"'Madder' is a word, isn't it?" said Allegra, still looking in the direction of the Montagues.

Mercutio smirked. "Ay, says that old gentlewoman. Fortunate that I did not think to bet Benvolio anything. Oh, look, 'tis the Montagues." He took Allegra's hand. "You shall love to meet them. Nay, I shall not make you walk! I am a fool. Friends, come hither!" he called.

"Friends," Mercutio said once they had come, "I wish that you meet a new friend of mine." He gestured toward Allegra, who curtsied. The men all gave her fond and amused glances. A few of the men whistled. Benvolio shushed one of them.

"Pretty," said one of them with his arms crossed. "Where did you find her, Mercutio?" Then, so Allegra could not hear him, he whispered, "I hear that area under the bridge is where the cheapest sell." Benvolio gasped, and a few of the other Montagues 'ooed'.

Allegra glanced at Mercutio, knowing she had just been talked about in some way. Mercutio had heard what they had said, and for a moment almost looked insulted. He bounced back momentarily.

"Nay, friends, I believe you misunderstand," he said simply. "This maiden is purerer than silk. She is not the type of maiden to lower herself to that sort of horrid shopping." He took Allegra's dainty hand in his. "Behold the flesh of a very good maiden who I happen to love."

The Montagues exchanged surprised glances. Something was different about Mercutio. Could it be he was not teasing this maiden?

"What, not a whore?" whispered Abram, a servant, to Benvolio. "Not a tease of Mercuito's?"

"Nay," Benvolio shot back under his breath.

"Does he not laugh at love?" Abram asked.

"Not anymore," Benvolio grumbled.

Mercutio was just beginnging to introduce Allegra to the other Montagues.
"Well, then, what is the maiden?" Arbam badgered.

Benvolio did not want to be the one to answer. "The question is 'who'," he replied, fidgeting.

Another servant, Balthazar, stepped up to bow to Allegra. For a moment, his pupils looked a bit enlarged. "Lovely maiden."

"Thank thee," said Allegra brightly.

"Lovely eyes," said one man. "And golden hair!"

"Ay," said Mercutio breathlessly. Allegra squoze is hand tighter.

All the men there seemed to be giving Allegra the same admiring look.

"Tell me, pretty one," said Abram, who was still having troubling beliving Allegra was not a simple prostitute Mercutio had bought. "What is thy name?"

"Allegra Capulet."

A chorus of whispers erupted from the crowd, and many of them pointed at her. Many fo them drew back, as though she were armed. The fond glances turned to hateful glares all too soon. Allegra had forgotten the importance of her own surname!

"Capulet!" one of them erupted.

"Ugly girl!"

"Skinny ankels!'

Allegra looked down at her feet. Benvolio groaned and swept away to the other side of the fountain, bringing Allegra with him.

The Montagues transferred their shouts of hate to Mercutio, who did not look any less proud.

"What, a Capulet! Outrageous!" Abram cried.

Mercutio waved his hand, indicating nonsense. "Abram, bite your tongue, will you? You talk like an old man."

The Montagues all yelled at once.

"She is the spawn of villians!"

"Her blood is filthy!"

"She is the daughter of evil!"

"Come, now!" Mercutio scoffed. "Is her's the face of evil?" He gestured a few feet away toward Allegra, who looked up and waved.

"Her's is the blood of evil," Abram grunted.

"My foot!" Mercutio said. "Look at her, boys! She is as evil as your mother. You trust me, do you not? She has no role in the feud. She is as innocent as she is beautiful."

The Montagues thought about it. They knew Mercutio had to be serious about her, as it was clear she was not teasing her. But a Capulet? Even if she was a maiden, and stunning, she was still one of them. Then again, Mercutio, though a joker, was not a liar, and had never been known to be naiive.

"We shall humor you," said Abram after a thoughtful pause. "Should she prove herself to be a true Capulet, though, Mercutio ... and with your being a Montague at heart..."

"Ay," said Balthazar. "We will watch her every move. If she doth act suspicious..."

"Shush! She sits only a few feet away from us!" said Mercutio. For a split second he almost looked worried. "She is a good girl, I promise you all! So with all due respect, my friends, lock your lips!

"And Allegra, my darling," he said, sitting beside her on the fountain. "Your ankles are voluptous."

Allegra had been rubbing at her ankles. Mercutio noticed how she never strived to hold herself up in a lady-like manner. "Do not think I was offended, Mercutio. I know I have skinny ankles. My father finds great joy in teeasing me about them." She paused to smile in spite of herself. "I had forgotten for a moment that I was a Capulet."

"As did I," Mercutio admitted, gently pulling a strand of long hair out of Allegra's face. She rubbed her hand against his. It created a heat that threw them both off guard, but Allegra did not forget her question.

"Do your friends not like me?" she asked carefully.

Mercutio sat upright and twiched a little. "Erm, no, of course, they, ehem, like you," he said.

"Liar," Allegra said.

"Oh, nay," said Mercutio. "Pssh. Why would they not like you?"

"Why else?" Allegra said. "My surname." She stared at her ankles again, trying to hold back a sigh. She thought Mercutio would not notice. She was wrong. Mercutio fancied her too much not to.

"Allegra Capulet," he said with his bright smile, "I happen to think you are the most likeable person who ever lived, and I say this not because I love you to death... well, 'tis partially because I love you. But what I mean to say is, my friends are not idiots - for the most part, anyway - and you must trust in time. Soon they will forget your surname and see you in my eyes." He glanced at Benvolio. "We shall make them, shan't we, Ben?"

Benvolio uttered a quiet sort of grunt for response. Allegra and Mercutio did not know what it meant. They ignored it.

"We shall force them, if they do not on their own," Mercutio assured Allegra.

The Montagues had all sat down around the fountain, talking amongst themselves. Soon, Abram, who was dark-haired, sharp-toothed and always smirking, spoke to Mercutio.

"Oi, Mercutio, Benvolio hath told me all about your crushing Tybalt at the Capulet's party. How did you do it?"

"I found it quite like pushing Benvolio into the fountain," Mercutio said. "Simple and hilarious." He clawed at Benvolio, as though he were about to push him into the fountain. Benvolio blinked, then gave his friend a mock-tough look.

"'Twas easy, then?" asked a Montague, moving cloer to Mercutio.

"It could not have so simple to defeat Tybalt," said Balthasar, also crowding Mercutio.

"Ay! Let me breathe, gentlemen," Merctuio said, waving the Montagues away. "Tybalt is no devilish fighter. I licked him with great ease." He grinned at Allegra and Benvolio.

"Ay, that you did," said Benvolio, "and it shocked everyone."

The Montagues badgered on. "How did you lick him? Was it really that simple?"

"Very simple," Mercutio said, sticking out his tounge.

Balthasar's face twisted. "You licked him? Why am I unsurprised?"

Abram, perhaps forgetting Allegra was there or trying to insult her, said, "Mercutio, now your tounge has the germs of a Capulet."

"Two Capulets," said Allegra without thinking. She thought that could have been a very stupid thing to say, but no one else seemed to think so strongly. Some of the Montagues laughed, Abram patted Mercutio's shoulder, Mercutio looked at Allegra with wide eyes, Benvolio sighed, almost disgusted.

"Ay, but one lick was for a dirty Capulet, and one was for a Capulet girl," said Mercutio.

"I do hope I am not the dirty Capulet," said Allegra.

"Could Mercutio handle a dirty Capulet?" Arbam said loudly, causing the others to laugh.

"He will try," Mercutio said, not taking his eyes off Allegra. "If handling a cousin of a dirty Capulet was so simple, I am sure handling a dirty Capulet shall not be so hard."

"HARD INDEED!" Abram shouted, and the Montagues (other than Benvolio), screamed with laughter and cheers. Allegra was blushing and smiling with one hand over her mouth. Mercutio smirked and punched Abram in the arm. That kind of joke was usually typical of Mercutio. Mercutio had never imgained it would be used against him.

"Ay me," said Benvolio, looking around to see if anyone had heard. "Tell all of Verona."

"Tell them what?" Allegra asked.

"About Mercutio and yourself," Benvolio said. "Tell everyone in Verona, Mercutio!"

Mercutio stood on top of the fountain. "Ay, then, I will."

Benvolio jumped up. "Nay, Mercutio, should the Capulets hear you -"

"HEAR YE, ALL VERONA!" Mercutio called, drawing a few looks from passers-by. "MY GOOD FRIEND HERE DOTH SUGGEST I TELL ALL OF THEE SOMETHING. I AM IN LOVE WITH ALLEGRA CAPULET!" The Montagues all cheered for him and laughed, and Mercutio put his hand on Allegra's head. "THIS IS SHE! IS SHE NOT GLORIOUS? PRAISE HER BEAUTY AND HER WONDER, FOR BOTH ARE GREAT!"

Allegra could not have been happier. Mercutio sat down beside her, and the cheers from the Montagues gradually died down.

"Mercutio, you have given me grey hair," Benvolio grumbled.

"Can I see?" Allegra asked.

Benvolio looked at her. "No. You will see it cover my entire head when your Mercutio is dead in the arms of your brothers."

"Ben, do not scare her," said Mercutio, just as Allegra clung to him. Allegra had not realized she had gone this, and Mercutio knew that; it fired him up inside.

"Come now, Benvolio," said Balthazar, "with all due respect, I do not believe the brave Mercutio fears the Capulets at all."

"Damn right!" Mercutio said, pumping his fist into the air. "Benvolio, did we not only speak of this yesterday? I laugh in the face of every Capulet man, and so does Allegra."

"So does Allegra?" Balthazar asked. "You do not fear them, Allegra?"

"No," said Allegra, sitting up. "For a number of reasons I am sure you would agree with. They are as evil as you say they are, and as narrow-minded as you know. They disgust me. I am sure I would much rather be part of another family..." Her voice trailed off. Every man there had his eyebrows raised. "What?"

"Erm, Allegra?" Mercutio said. "What was that?"

"What was what?" asked Allegra.

"'Twas French!" Benvolio said.

Allegra was suddenly embaressed. "Did I speak French?" She spoke French with her mother and brothers, and she often thought in French.

"Ay, you did," Benvolio said.

"Allegra," Mercutio said, "I knew not you spoke French."

"I am French," Allegra said. "My mother is, actually. I think I speak French when I speak of my family." She scowled. "Or when I am angry."

"What did you say?" Abram asked. "In Italian?"

"I said they are as evil as you say they are, and as narrow-minded as you know, and they disgust me," Allegra said.

The Montagues all look surprised. "Truly?" asked one of them.

"Ay, defineltely," said Allegra. She left out the part about her wishing she was part of another family, even though it was true. However, she did say, "'Tis a curse to be a Capulet."

"She is related to Tybalt?" Balthazar mouthed to Benvolio.

"Ay," said Benvolio out loud. "But, Mercutio, beware of what I told you yesterday. I cannot have you getting in trouble with the law if Allegra's brothers challenge you."

"He shall only be in trouble because he's robbed the cradle," said Abram, and the others laughed again.

"Oi, Abram!" Mercutio said.

"Ay?" Benvolio said.

Mercutio flicked some fountain water at him.

"'Tis wet," Benvolio said.

"Ben, 'tis a fountain! Of course 'tis wet," Mercutio said.

"Nay, Mercutio." Benvolio smirked. "'Tis raining."

Mercutio looked up. "Oh, it is! Ha, strange! I did not notice any clouds."

"Nor did I," Allegra said.

"Mercutio..." Benvolio said warnignly.

"I know, Ben," Mercutio muttered, knowing he and Benvolio were thinking the same thing.

"Ah me," Allegra said, standing. "'Tis falling hard. My mother will murder me."

"I'll protect you," said Mercutio. "Worry not." He took her hand, and, saying quick good-byes to the Montagues, quickly led her across the plaza, where an awning in front of a blacksmith's shop gave them shelter.

"Mercutio," Allegra said, "I can walk myself home. I do not want you to get wet."

"Aw, I can brave it," Mercutio said. "And I do not want to leave you yet."

"Nor do I want to leave you," Allegra said. "But I could not ask you to go out of your way to take me back."

"Then do not," Mercutio said, "and I will anyway."

So, he did. It took them quite awhile, and Mercutio tried his hardest to sheild her from the rain, but by the time they found shelter in the book shop across from her riverside home, the both of them were soaking wet.

"Allegra, what is wrong?" Mercutio asked, for Allegra's light skin looked rather blue under the wetness. "Are you cold?"

"Nay," Allegra said weakly, "I am well. I have got to go home now." Her smile looked somewhat forced, but he was glad to see it nonetheless.

"Meet me when the rain stops?" Mercutio begged.

"I will try," Allegra said.

The two of them embraced. Parting was such sweet sorrow.

"Farewell, sweet," Allegra said, and disspeared put the door to the shop, shivering.

Mercutio stared after her, a horrible thought crossing his mind. He knew what was wrong.

He watched her run down the street through the pouring rain, his insides churning.

Ah me, I have killed her!

*Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi. I do not own this either.