CHAPTER ONE

Gusts of wind lapped loudly in my ears, echoing through my skull. It was cold and my hair viciously slapped against my sullen face. I didn't know what was going on, but I was aware that I was falling. Falling. Falling. I was paralyzed and my stomach seemed as though it was reaching into my throat. I managed to open my eyes only to squint at the painful glare of the sun. Its cliche, but people often say that at the moment of a near-death experience, one would see their lives flash before their eyes. Some say due to chemical processes in the brain, while others say the truth of our lives are being absorbed in preparation for the next life. But there was nothing. My mind was blank and that scared me. But considering the circumstances, that would be quite an understatement since gravity was pulling me to my apparent demise and I couldn't do anything. For a split moment, I felt myself lose consciousness, when suddenly a loud whoosh sound followed by pang of absolute pain. As I made sense of my surroundings, I felt the itchy and prickly feeling of what seemed like soft, long blades of grass which smelled sweet with a mix of old wood. I opened my eyes.

Grass? No…hay? Where am I? A farm?

"Hey Federico, did you see that?" said a young man, as he pointed to the edge of a nearby building.

"See what fratellino? Another beautiful woman I suppose?" answered the other man, named Federico, with a smile. The younger brother, who had dark brown hair tied behind his head with a red ribbon and wore a dark blue vest with a white long-sleeved shirt, shook his head with a smirk. Federico was garbed in an orange tunic with dark blue sleeves turned to his brother while crossing his arms.

"Beautiful women are easy to find in Firenze," the younger brother answered, "It's just that I thought I saw something fall from the sky just now and into that pile of hay just over there." Federico followed his brother's gaze to the hay stack across the piazza of Santa Maria del Fiore.

I gently shifted my weight to the side and rolled over. It took all the effort I had to push up the deadweight of my sore body up, at the same time avoiding the hay from entering my eyes. I poked my head outside the pile of hay, only to recoil from the blinding sunlight. I looked around as my eyes tried to adjust to the change in brightness.

What the hell…

No. It's impossible. Where am I? My eyes grew wide like saucers while my mouth gawked in disbelief at scene before me. It looked like a central square of sorts, where people would just socialize or enjoy the scenery. But the people here wore elegantly embroidered clothing that I have only seen in renaissance paintings and history books of post Middle Ages. The women were draped in elegant dresses that swept the stone-dirt street, their faces lined by expensive headpieces and cloth. The men wore coloured breeches and doublets with capped wings over large billowy shirts that were fastened by a belt and wore feathered caps on their heads. All these people paced around in all directions, while others stood in groups chatting away in a language that definitely wasn't English.

"Salute Signore Rossi come va la vita?"

S'cusi signor, qual è il prezzo?

Come è gentile da parte tua!

Italian. Wait. I'm in Italy, how did I get here? As I tried to recall the events leading to this bizarre situation, I noticed a group of women staring at me from the corner of my eye. Not far from them was a person covered entirely in dark clothes wearing a long cape who sported a strange mask in the shape of bird's beak. I turned to them as they whispered to each other rather loudly, which kind of defeated the purpose of whispering.

…è strano che. Che Strana ragazza.

Perché lei è lì dentro?

Uscite di lì!

Fuori di li!

I had no idea what they were saying, but from the tone of their voice they clearly didn't want me around. As I slowly dragged myself out, I felt something tangled around my wrist. I push through the hay only to find, to my surprise, my backpack which ended up just as misplaced as I was in this extraordinary situation. I threw my backpack over my shoulders and proceeded forward past the noisy group of women next to me, utterly ignoring the magnificent and ornate white structure across from me. I had no idea where I was going, and no amount of logic or reasoning could explain what was happening. The memories of the accident flashed in my head. Oh god, my family. What the hell happened? I stiffened from the pain that shot through my body. But it wasn't just the physical pain; my hands grew clammy as made them into a fist, emotionally distraught. I shook uncontrollably with the sudden realization, that wherever I was, the present condition of my own family remained unanswered.

We were all in accident. Was it a drunk driver? A speeding car maybe? I recalled the tossing and turning as our car somersaulted across the road. Then it happened. I stopped walking. My breathing quickened then shallow and uneven as I fought back tears that whelmed my eyes. It was rare for someone like me to cry. For years I refused to show weakness to anyone, so I trained for years to turn those weaknesses and fears into violence. But over time it came to a point that everything became too overwhelming. those emotions and frustrations I kept bottled up inside me, turned my controlled and arrogant lifestyle, into a spiral of depression and confusion.

So I ran, bumping into a number of people who only answered in Italian, though I could care less since I didn't understand anything. After a while, I collapsed unto a stone bench, the men beside me just stared as I grovelled at my own self-pettiness. I angrily rubbed the tears from my cheeks. No. I can't break down like this. I needed to find a way home. I needed to go back to my family somehow. I took a deep breath and squared my jaw in the same way I would before a match.

Concentrate Mary. Focus. Yeah, you have no idea where the hell you are but hey, there has to be some kind of explanation. Maybe it's like those special Italian festivals where people get dressed up and celebrate something like the Venice masquerade carnival. Or perhaps on the set of some Italian movie and you're on location. Man, these people take their job really seriously, I mean the foundation and architecture here is amazing.

After a moment of composing myself I suddenly stood up. The surprised men turned to towards me and gasped, as if they weren't baffled enough as it is. I looked down at my black Converse, caked with mud. I still wore the same clothes from the accident, a plain black t-shirt, grey hoodie and a dark brown leather jacket. Not much to look at, but it definitely was trending here. I needed to find clothes to make me less conspicuous. I looked around and I suddenly took notice of the place around me. It was absolutely beautiful. The buildings were made up of stone and bricks, while others were painted with splashes of vibrant tan and brown. Others were decorated with intricately designed windows and doors while vines cascaded down the sides of the building. The roofs were mostly made up of light red and brown shingles that spouted small chimneys from the top. Above me I saw ropes that connected from rooftops. Next to it were scaffoldings and what looked like a wooden crane which held timber high above the city street. The city itself was so vibrant and full of life, that despite the fact that I had no clear idea on where I was or how I get here, I was in Italy. The edge of my mouth turned into a small smile.

Right, I've got to get some clothes. As I wandered down the center of the street, I observed the scene around me attempting to comprehend where I was, and wondered if I was even in the year 2012. To one side I heard the clinking and clanging of a blacksmith shop, where I noticed an array of armor, swords and knives. Next to them, was a clamoring group of people surrounding what looked like a clothing shop, but filled with a variety of exquisite and detailed patterns of material. As I walked closer to the shop I also made out the less enticing scent of cheap perfume and the stench of people who clearly didn't bathe enough. I approached the shop as the tailor merchant spoke to a nearby customer, but then stopped mid-sentence as I drew closer to the stall.

Crap. Okay let's use what little Italian I can come up with….jeez

"Mi scusi," I said to the merchant. He eyed me up and down. I can't say but I felt a little insulted. Then he smirked and I instantly saw his expression change from signs of distaste to mockery.

"Guardare a questa ragazza. Quali terribili abiti che indossa," the merchant said to the nearby customer.

Oh I don't think this is gonna go well….

"Dove pensi che lei è da?" the customer replied to the merchant. Okay this isn't gonna go through to them but I should at least try.

"Excuse me, yes sir, I am talking to you. I'd like to know how much that shirt is. " I asked, pointing to the tunic right behind him. The merchant and the man beside him just stared at me with a confused expression.

"Oh never mind," I muttered as the merchant and the man began chatting quizzically in Italian, probably trying to figure out what I was saying. As I walked away from the confused duo, I spotted a white sheet on top of couple of crates.

"Didn't think my money would work there anyway…" I remarked to myself, as I grabbed hold of the white sheet. I tugged at it, but it wouldn't move. I tugged harder.

"Oh come on, I'm in god who knows where and I can't even get a piece of cloth…." Suddenly the sheet slipped off, I stumbled into a man behind me who just happened to be carrying a box of paint. As I turned around to apologize I saw the paint container and various other liquids fly into the air.

"MERDA!" roared a male voice. I turned my head to the direction of the voice to see a an unattractive young man with short dark hair wearing dark grey beret with a fancy dark doublet covered with a small cape and detailed matching tights. Man, these people and tights seriously. His face completely distorted as he assessed the paint stains all over his clothes. He suddenly grabbed the older fellow who had been carrying the paint sprawled across the ground. Other men who were also similarly dressed gathered around him.

"Prego signor Vieri de 'Pazzi, mi dispiace! Perdonami!" the older man pleaded. The younger man only gripped him closer to his face before pushing him into the ground.

"Sapete quanto costa questo materiale è? E 'la più bella da Venezia. Ora si pagherà!" The young man gestured to his posse, who then stalked towards the older man.

What an asshole. Man, I'm gonna regret this.

"Hey ass wipe. Yeah, you pansy spandex boy!" I called out, I really sucked at creative insults, but I needed to get his attention. The older man on the ground turned his head towards me while the rest of them followed his gaze and just stared. I smirked and walked closer to the leader of the group.

"You probably don't understand what the hell I'm saying, but you should leave that man alone." I ordered. I really shouldn't be doing this, but I couldn't tolerate assholes like this guy and his group of grey spandex pants…

"Are you talking to me signorina? The leader of the group asked, narrowing his eyes.

Oh shit. He understood me. What the hell I thought they all speak Italian here.

"From the looks of your ridiculous attire signorina, I assume you are not from Firenze, and are not accustomed to how things work here. You see, I am a Vieri de'Pazzi, a nobleman of this city and as such I am above all these peasants," the young man explained with a thick Italian accent. He suddenly kicked the older man in the stomach, "But I am willing to overlook your words since you have such a unique and attractive face and I wish for you to spend the evening with me." He came up to me, and I quickly saw every detail of his ugly face, thick eyebrows and all. He was about to reach up and touch my face, when I instinctively grabbed his forearm. I swiftly dragged his arm downwards then twisted it and locked his arm behind his back.

"The only thing spending time with you this evening is this…!" I forcefully pushed him towards the ground, where he instantly face planted the dirt road.

"Federico did see that over there, that boy in the strange clothes…he took out Vieri in one move, what a sight!" laughed Federico's younger brother as they walked out of a nearby alleyway.

"You are quite observant today fratellino. Well, he certainly has guts for a small boy to take out Vieri by himself while his followers are around," answered Federico, a hint of concern in his voice.

"I still don't understand why anyone would follow him around. It's like following around an ass that won't listen to its master. Besides Vieri de'Pazzi is a coward and an idiota, he walks around with his men around him and speaks ill of our family. I swear one of these days…"muttered his younger brother irately.

I turned to see the speechless expression of Vieri's men as their gaze shifted from their fallen leader to the girl who practically owned him.

"You…YOU BITCH!" yelled Vieri, his enraged face plastered with dirt.

Ouch. Jeez what an ass.

"What are you idioti standing around for! GET HER!" ordered Vieri.

"Calm down fratellino…" before Federico could finish his sentence, he noticed Vieri's men had drawn out their daggers.

That's when the daggers came out. Now, the burly men in tights suddenly looked a lot less amusing.

Oh I knew it. I'm in deep shit now.

"This doesn't look good…we should alert the guards, the boy doesn't have a chance against all of them," Federico suggested turning to his brother.

I gripped the straps of my backpack firmly. Instantly I spun in the opposite direction and booked it.

Shit. Shit. Oh shit. What was I thinking…curse my instincts.

The two young men nodded in agreement then quickly followed Vieri's men into the crowded street.

I ran down the busy street, dodging people left and right. I quickly checked over my shoulder to see the group of brawny Italian men in tights chasing after me. If wasn't being chased, and if they weren't carrying freaking daggers I would laugh at the sight of them. I soon noticed line of older men in red robes crossing the road a few feet away from me carrying an assortment of books and paper in wooden boxes. Swiftly I shoved one of them over, who then knocked over the next guy. Soon enough pieces of paper and books went flying into the air followed by the crash of the wooden boxes and Italians shouting. I peered over my shoulder, to see that some of the guys tripped over the boxes, but there was still at least three or four them still on my tail. I turned a corner and nearly crashed head first into a towering fully armored man. I quickly spun around him and veered left into another street. I continued to run, but I began to feel my energy drain from my limbs. I turned left again, by this time my arms and legs had gone almost completely numb and my eyesight gradually turned blurry. Abruptly I found myself in a narrow alleyway, and I could still here the shouts and high-pitched sounds of metal crashing loudly against each other. Was Vieri's man fighting someone? Either way it would give me some time to escape. I continued down the alley only to find a dead end.

"Crap…no…a dead end," I swore under my shallow breath. I spun around and began jogging down the direction that I had just come from when I felt my heart drop at sound of boots approaching at the other end of the alley. I retreated back to the dead end and looked up at the high wall in front of me. I began to look around frantically trying to find a way out. In the corner were a stack of wooden crates piled up against the wall. At the top was a narrow ledge located close to the rooftop of an adjacent building. Quickly I climbed up the boxes as the sounds of footsteps drew near. My heart kept beating uncontrollably as I desperately pulled myself up the edge of the roof; the muscles in my arms had gone completely numb from pain.

"Where did she go?" shouted a man from down below.

"Up there!"

No!

With the last ounce of my strength I pushed myself up and slowly staggered across the roof.

Genius. When there's nowhere left to run. Go up of course. What an idiot.

At that precise moment, I felt like one of those blonde bimbos in horror/slasher movies who naively decide to go up to the stairs and into the closest room on the second floor when the serial killer is chasing her. Where else to go, but up, as they say. Well, frankly most of those women either get stabbed by the killer hiding in the attic or die from the sheer drop after jumping off the roof. I wasn't sure why I was thinking this. I guess putting two and two together I kind of figured I was going to end up just like those bimbos. In the corner of my eye I noticed a wooden booth, covered by drapes located on a flat roof next to me. I hastily staggered towards it, as I heard the men grunting as they began climbing up the ledge. Just as I hurled myself into the wooden booth I noticed the heads of my pursuers appear at the edge of the rooftop less than a foot away from me. I gasped once my body painfully contacted the hard wooden floor of the booth. I promptly cupped my hands over my mouth to refrain from verbalizing my agony which could very well be a good signal to let my pursuers know exactly where I was. That is, only if I wanted to be found. I held my breath. I could hear my heart beat madly against my chest and through my ears.

Please leave. Please leave…I pleaded silently in my head. I shut my eyes and waited. The silence was agonizing and I felt as though in any second they would open those curtains and grab me then drag me out…

"She just vanished…." said one man.

"Where could she have gone," remarked another.

"Oh, Vieri's going to be pissed when he hears we've let the wretch escape."

"Hey you shouldn't be up here! Get down now!" roared another man from the distance.

"Merda, its more those guards. Quick get down! I don't want to go prison!

"What will we tell Vieri when we return to the Palazzo Pazzi?"

"We'll say the girl got shot down by one of the city's archers, now hurry and get down."

I sighed heavily as I heard the men leave the rooftop to the streets below. All of sudden exhaustion overwhelmed me. My whole body grew slack and heavy. I wasn't sure how long I sat there in this small wooden booth, but it didn't take long for me to finally lose consciousness. God I didn't think sleeping would feel so good.

I was sitting in our family car. It was early morning and I was gazing outside and into the familiar sights of the city. Suddenly I heard a loud electronic chime. I looked around to see where this electronic humming was coming from.

"Did you hear that?" I asked.

"Hear what?" replied my brother who sat next to me. He quite tall for a boy his age, but his rounded face was a feature of little boy. I shifted in my seat and slouched a little closer to the space between my parent's front seats. The sound continued to grow louder.

"What is it Mary?" my mom asked. I was just about to answer her when my mom suddenly yelled.

"PAUL LOOK OUT!" Instantly my entire body jerked violently to the right and within a split second I crashed into the side door. Our car somersaulted across the asphalt. Suddenly everything stopped. Still dazed and in pain, I groggily attempted to focus my eyes to the layout in front of me. I couldn't believe what I saw. Before me, the entire environment around me was frozen, as though everything was set on pause then played gradually in slow motion. Shards of glass dispersed throughout the interior of the car, each suspended in mid-air. As my vision slowly cleared, I could see droplets of blood everywhere. It was my family's blood. Among the devastation, I immediately recognized a strange object which clearly didn't belong. A golden sphere decorated with intricate lines emitted sparks of gold light as it rolled around in the air. As I continued to regain my focus, the spherical object was completely devoured by blinding white light….

I jolted suddenly. I gasped as my entire body grew paralyzed from absolute shock.

What was that? What a horrible nightmare. What's happening….why is my body so sore. I rubbed my eyes only to find myself in a dark, cramped wooden booth.

What the…

Instantly I felt pressure against the side of my arm. I turned to my right to see a person dressed in white, whose face was partly covered by the large hood that went below his eyes. I was about to scream when he immediately clapped his hands against my mouth. I tried to move my arms but they couldn't and instead I ended up simply squirming around thrashing my head left and right. But the hooded figure kept their hands over my mouth and my arms which I had managed to move but refrained to put up a fight, supressed against my chest.

"I am very sorry signorina, please do not scream. I have no intention to harm you. I am simply hiding from the archer right outside and I shall leave you be," an older male voice whispered with an Italian accent. I immediately remembered where I was and the crazy order of events that followed after the accident. Of course I didn't believe this guy and I was scared shitless because I could barely move a muscle. If I had my strength back it wouldn't take long for me knock this guy out, but I didn't. All of sudden the man moved a little closer to me, the moonlight that spilled through the curtains illuminated his face. He was an older fellow, probably a few years older than my dad. He had almond-shaped dark brown eyes which dropped slightly at the end. His face was slightly tanned and wrinkled lightly from age while his jaw and nose were strong and angular. Although I initially wanted to beat this guy up right then and there, when I saw his eyes and when he suddenly pleasantly smiled at me those thoughts soon vanished. His eyes showed no illicit or evil intent instead they were soft, warm and most importantly genuinely honest. As he smiled, I thought of my dad who had this simple and pleasant smile that he would often show me when I needed reassurance or confidence. I eased the tension in my hands and I let my body relax, for my instincts told me that this man, whoever he was, was not my enemy.

"Thank you signorina." said the man, as he removed his hands from my mouth and shifted to the one end of the wooden booth. Though his attire and his hood were white, his clothes were also lined with red stripes across his torso. The remainder of his outfit was garbed in light amour while a dark cape draped along his left side. He was equipped with a variety of weapons and accessories, such as belt which held a sword and daggers around his side as well as an array of small knives and pouches around his waist. For a second I was worried and had almost thought about defending myself, but then he quickly peered through the curtains and climbed out of the booth. As I struggled to push myself up from my pathetic sitting position, the white hooded man drew open the curtains.

"You should stay inside this rooftop garden until morning, that is when the guards change shifts and for a moment this area will be clear. Within that time, you must find another place to take shelter and find suitable clothes. Try the Palazzo Auditore. You may find someone who can assist you there. But please do not speak of our acquaintance, for I myself am man who is neither seen nor heard and to most ordinary people I therefore do not exist. Stay safe and vigilant young senora and I wish you well. Buona fortuna." The white hooded man bowed then turned and swiftly disappeared into the night.

"So...this thing is a rooftop garden?" I whispered looking around. I leaned against wall of the wooden both and sighed.

Well I hope you liked this chapter. please review and let me know what you guys think or ways to improve the story. And once again i apologize again if the Italian phrases and sentence are incorrect, I kind of used Google translate for some of them. :p