Author's Note: Happy "Luca" second anniversary to everyone!

The streets of Portorosso were illuminated by the yellow light from the poles, as well as from other colored lamps that were attached between the buildings and from others that hung from the windows and balconies of the houses; besides that, it was snowing, and in some corners, the snow had accumulated, luckily they had cleared the main path, so they could walk without a problem.

Giulia felt like she was in Santa Claus Village, one of those old cartoons she watched as a child; the girl smiled, hoping the boys would feel something similar. She looked over her shoulder and noticed that Luca and Alberto saw the lights with eyes wide open; she smiled and walked over to them.

"Do you have something like this in the sea?" She asked them.

"More or less," replied Luca, taking his eyes off some lights that adorned a window, "some plants and animals glow in the dark, but they have a neon tone. They're a bit scary."

He moved his gaze to the posts.

"I like these better, they're warm, and our bodies are made to withstand drastic temperature changes, so we rarely know if it's hot or cold," Luca raised a hand to the lamp as if he could touch it, "but when we can do the change, we feel both."

Luca shrugged and laughed.

"I guess you can't feel one without the other."

Giulia nodded.

"But even so, I could sense the lab was a sad place, cold and depressing. But then you walked in, and everything felt warmer, like a ray of sunshine in a storm."

Giulia blushed and drew circles in the snow with her foot. Alberto approached her and put his arm around her shoulders; Giulia leaned closer to the boy's chest, and Alberto hugged her.

"Been here," Luca continued, as he stretched out his arms to the surroundings, "is that feeling, but increased a thousand times."

Giulia was relieved to hear that, after days and nights the boys spent in that horrible place, she was glad they could see a kinder side of the human world.

"And we're just beginning," she said, holding Alberto's hand, "come, there's a place I wanna show you."

She took Luca's hand and led them both up the hill. They arrived at what was possibly the largest building in town; it was white and had its name in large red letters:

"Fellini Cinema."

Giulia smiled; they had named the local cinema in memory of the famous director: Federico Fellini, considered the most important Italian filmmaker, winner of four Oscars for best foreign film, and in 1993 he was awarded an honorary Oscar for his career. She had heard rumors that they also considered Pier Paolo Pasolini; but went with Fellini since Pasolini's work…was controversial.

Giulia felt a chill when she remembered when some friends from college invited her to a sleepover, where they tried to see 'Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma', but she didn't even last the first half an hour. Luckily, Pasolini wouldn't be forgotten, and there was a cultural center named after him a few streets up where more…adult content could be screened.

"Well, I think it will be better if we start with something more palatable," she thought as they entered through the glass doors.

The boys entered, looking amazed at the place; the floor and the walls were covered with red velvet, and they had gold-colored edges; on their right side was the candy store, popcorn, candies, chocolates, and soft drinks. Luca and Alberto stopped and sniffed, closing their eyes and letting out a sigh of pleasure as they smelled the melted butter.

Giulia smiled.

"Welcome to the most magical place in the world," she spread her arms to the sides, "the cinema."

Luca and Albero looked around; in the upper parts of the walls, there was a great variety of movie posters: films playing, national and foreign premieres, and the Americanblockbusters that could never be missing.

"It's like a cave… there are writings everywhere!" Commented Luca excitedly; "What stories do they tell?"

"More than telling a story… they are the preview of one."

The two boys did not seem to understand.

"Let's just say that... those images that you see are called posters," Giulia pointed to them, "their purpose is to attract people's attention to get them interested in the story they want to tell so that they go see the movie later."

The boys nodded. Alberto looked to his right, there was a standee, the movie was called 'Godzilla,' and the ad was the letters of the word, with the background being a destroyed city, and in the middle, there was a creature that had its back to them, it had dorsal spines, and it seemed to be a dinosaur.

"Wow," Alberto said, then he pointed his finger at the promo, "that poster works."

Giulia and Luca laughed, but quickly, the brown-haired man had a new doubt.

"What's a movie?"

Giulia smiled.

"That, I would rather show you than tell you."

That didn't answer Luca's question, but boy did it fuel his desire to learn, as well as Alberto's, the two boys widened their eyes and nodded, excited by what they were about to learn. Giulia took them to the ticket office, where next to it were screens that showed the movies playing.

"Let's see," Giulia thought as she put a hand to her chin thoughtfully. "Oh, they re-relased 'Le Tre madri!'"

Dario Argento's trilogy, the master of Italian horror cinema, thanks to him; the Giallo, an Italian horror and suspense genre, became so popular internationally. Giulia was a fan of his work, and they were showing her favorite film of his:

"Suspiria"

"Inferno"

"La Terza Madre"

"And there's a 'Suspiria' showing in fifteen minutes!" she thought, enough time to buy the tickets and some candy.

But... as much as she wanted to see it on a big screen, she didn't think it was the best movie to introduce the boys to the seventh art; with the blood and graphic deaths, she wasn't sure they wanted to see that after being tortured in the laboratory. There had to be a better option.

"Look, Giulia! That one has your name on it!" Luca told her as he pointed to a poster on the lower screen.

The girl looked more closely at the screen: "Giulietta degli spiriti" She smiled; it was a Fellini movie; the poster gave the impression of being a portrait with five rips; it was the face of the protagonist.

"Do you have a movie with your name on it?" Asked Alberto, astonished. "That's awesome!"

Giulia snickered.

"Not exactly," she explained, "the director's wife, the man who made the film, was also called Giulietta, Giulietta Masina, and she starred in many of his films. My mom was a huge fan of her films, so they named me after her."

As an artist, Monica was an avid moviegoer who watched as many movies as she could, "Giulietta degli spiriti" was one of her favorites; due to the use of colors, she said it was like watching a painting in motion; she even did several illustrations inspired by the movie.

She felt a pang in her stomach again, always talking about these things now that her mother was gone... it bothered her because they reminded her of what she had lost, but...

"That doesn't make it less amazing," Alberto rectified, putting both arms around his waist.

Luca nodded.

…she didn't want to deprive the boys of that experience, and after all, to share with her friends something that her mother enjoyed so much in life felt good; it was keeping her memory alive.

"So… do you wanna see that movie?"

They both nodded.

"Okay, then movie night with Fellini it is," the girl finished as she lined up.

The boys smiled as they placed themselves behind her.

...

Ercole was sitting behind his desk; the day's interrogations had been fruitless, no one knew anything, their closing hours were in order, and he had a hundred men going through résumés and checking their truthfulness, but he still had nothing; it seemed that everyone was clean.

"Or that's what they want me to believe," he thought.

Because there was one person he did suspect, and that was Guido, not only because of his sudden change in attitude; but also because the chains of those monsters hadn't been broken or cut, no, they had been unlocked, someone with access to the keys had given them to the spies. And only three people had those keys, him, Ciccio, and Guido.

He was out for obvious reasons, Ciccio didn't have the brains or the guts to betray him, so that left them with only one suspect, and it made all the sense in the world; Guido loved those things; he opposed their dissection; prevented him from shooting them in the corridor. It couldn't be anyone else, it had to be Guido, but he needed proof; a confession would be enough; since, with the van destroyed, nothing could be proven.

He was sure that if he pushed Guido enough, he would manage to break him. And the fool would tell him everything he wanted to know, which is why he had called him into his office, to question him thoroughly, and if that didn't work, he already had a plan B.

The biologist was going up the stairs accompanied by Bellucci, the secretary led him to his office, when Ercole smelled an aroma... rotten. He sniffed and realized that it came from his right hand; he looked at it and saw that his fingers, the ones that sutured it, were black; Ercole grimaced; he had been so focused on the matter of the robbery that he had not noticed the state of his fingers, nor had taken his medicines, he slowly brought them to his nose and sniffed, quickly pushed them away, they stank like rotten meat.

A knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts; he looked at the entrance; the biologist and the secretary were there.

"Here's Guido, Mr. Visconti."

"Thank you, Bellucci, come in, Guido."

Bellucci turned around and left without saying anything else, she knew that his boss had been in a bad mood all day, and Belluci didn't want to deal with him right now.

"Take a seat," he told Guido.

The scientist nodded and sat down.

"I heard you wanted to see me."

"That's right; as you know, we suffered a robbery last night."

"I think we're all aware of that, Ercole," he replied sarcastically.

Ercole gripped the edge of his desk with the fingers of his good hand, in no mood to put up with Guido's wise-cracking egos.

"Right," he hissed, "so let's go to the point; nobody knows those things as you do. You were the lead scientist in charge of the operation."

Guido just nodded.

"So I want to ask you, those things need special care; where do you think they took them? What kind of place would be suitable for them?"

That would first make him believe that he didn't suspect him, that his questions were based on his profession and knowledge. Then, when they had gained confidence, he would start with the more personal questions.

Guido clasped his hands as he thought.

"They need a damp place and water; of course, they cannot survive out of it for long periods. And a strictly carnivorous diet

"Then… we should look for a swimming pool; near a butcher's shop."

"It's not a bad idea," Guido agreed, although, of course, he didn't agree;

they wouldn't need a pool; a tub would do; any house with one would suffice. And although that would also be a problem, searching all the homes with a tub in Portorosso would take too much. Guido wanted to get him as far away from Giulia as possible and from suspicions about her.

"I would suggest looking at pools closed for the season; that would be a good place to start.

Ercole nodded; it made sense.

"That's very useful, Guido. That's why you're my number one, my trusted man."

"That's right, make him believe that everything is still fine between you before you hit him," he said to himself.

"I'm glad to know what you think of me."

"Of course, that's why I want to find them. I wouldn't like you to leave us so soon."

Guido sighed and shrugged.

"Sorry, Ercole. I wouldn't want to leave either, but… the main reason I'm here is the specimens; without them, my stay has no purpose anymore."

"I understand; well, I think I speak for everyone when I tell you we will miss you."

"Part of me is sad to leave home too," he shrugged, "but that's life, isn't it?"

"Indeed, you may go."

Guido nodded, stood up, and went towards the exit. He already had one hand on the handle when Ercole spoke to him again:

"All do..."

The scientist stopped.

"If I remember correctly, you mentioned that life in Portorosso was boring, that you were anxious to leave."

A drop of sweat ran down Guido's forehead.

"Shit! He cornered me!" How had he been so stupid as to forget his act yesterday?

"I did?" He would play the fool; maybe that would help him.

"Yes, you did. Just before the lights went out."

Guido released his hand, slowly turned around, and went to sit down again. Ercole was looking at him with his classic, confident smile.

"Am I a suspect?"

Ercole showed his teeth.

"I never said that. I just realized that you were contradicting yourself."

Guido clenched his fists; he had underestimated Ercole. He should never have trusted himself so much.

"Relax, maybe you can still get out of this."

"I also remember that you had accepted the dissection, but as soon as those things disappeared, you began to worry about their well-being again."

"I am worried about losing all the information the specimens could provide us. If I resigned myself to the dissection, it is because at least we could get something out of it. Now, I worry that some other scientist is achieving more advances than us."

Ercole laughed.

"So, you don't wanna share your toys."

"Is a way to see it."

"It's understandable, but it still doesn't explain some things."

Guido did not add more; he would prefer that Ercole throw all his accusations at him and then defend himself. He was walking on a minefield, so he better watch his steps.

Ercole placed both hands on the desk and closed the distance between them. Guido did not back down.

"The chains of those things were intact; whoever freed them used the keys, which, as you know."

"Only three people have them."

Ercole nodded. Guido sighed before speaking.

"Well, Ercole, my keys are right here," he put a hand in his pocket and took them out to show to him, "they haven't left my hand since they gave them to me. I had them with me last night, and I was with you when everything happened, remember? I never left your side."

"That's a pretty good alibi, mate."

"You are accusing me, friend. I have to defend myself."

"And we come back to that. At no time did I accuse you, Guido. I just mentioned some things that were not clear to me."

"Well, if that's the case, let me help you," Guido also leaned forward a bit, "the lock on those chains was good, pretty good, but it wasn't foolproof; someone with the right tools could have unlocked it, which I think, is the most likely theory."

"If I did not know you better, Guido. I would say you are the mastermind behind all this."

Guido smiled.

"Is a good thing you know me so well, then."

They had a staring duel that seemed to last forever; Guido felt increasingly nervous, he fought against the cold sweat that wanted to run down his forehead, but no, he had to be strong and resist. If he flanked even the slightest, Ercole would not leave any point unattacked, and eventually, he would discover Giulia.

He had to be strong for her and for Luca and Alberto.

Finally, Ercole settled back into the back of his chair. Guido breathed a sigh of relief as he settled back; thank God, he didn't think he could have lasted much longer.

"Okay, Guido, I believe you."

"I appreciate the trust."

Ercole smiled as he stood up.

"And that's why I want you to come with me," he said as he took his coat from the seat.

Guido opened his eyes in surprise.

"Where?"

"Ciccio and I want to go into town, get some air," he put his coat on, "and see if we can find the driver."

Guido swallowed hard at the thought that they might recognize Massimo if they saw him.

"And you want me to come along?"

"It will be like old times! Three friends; visiting the streets where they grew up! Hunting down a criminal. Come on! It will be fun."

Guido stuck closer to his chair; he didn't want to go. If they came across Giulia or Massimo... he didn't think he'd be able to act it.

"Sure, unless you have something better to do, in which case, I'll totally understand."

It put him back on the ropes; if he declined the offer, it would make him look suspicious, and he was sure that Ercole would send someone to follow him. Hell, maybe there were already agents in his house while they talked.

"Play along, act normal, maybe, it's even better if you go. Keep as far as possible from the Marcovaldo pescheria."

"Very well, Ercole, it won't hurt me to get out of this place for a bit," he finally agreed, getting up.

Ercole smiled, extending his arms towards him, placed his hands on his cheeks, peeled them off, and then put them back on top.

"Excellent choice, Guido; now let's go. I'll tell Ciccio to wait for us in the parking lot."

Guido just nodded as he looked out the window.

"Don't worry; it's not like Giulia's gonna take Luca and Alberto out for a walk."

...

The three entered the cinema, each carrying a bag of popcorn and a glass of soda.

The screen was big, placed above them; the red seats didn't go up like in other cinemas, but they were all at the same height from the ground, which made the screen look greater.

Each one settled in a place, leaving Giulia in the middle.

"Now the lights around us are gonna turn off," the girl explained, "then that thing over there is going to turn on so we can watch the movie."

"Is it like with your magic box?" Albert asked.

Giulia rolled her eyes; they had gone through this a million times. She had explained time and time again how her cell worked; she suspected Alberto only continued to call it a 'magic box' just to annoy her.

"It's called a cell phone, Alberto, but yes, it's like the screen of my cell, only ten times bigger."

That got the boys excited.

The room was empty since many preferred to see a more commercial and modern film. Giulia herself doubted if the boys would enjoy the screening, something told her that Luca would like it, but she wasn't so sure Alberto would as it could be too slow and tedious for him.

But it was the movie they chose, so she would have to wait and see what happened.

Since it was a re-release, there was no preview, so the lights just went down, the projector came on, and the show began.

Luca and Alberto gasped as they clung to the front seats, bringing their faces closer to the screen. Giulia just smiled as she ate popcorn.

The music began to play along with the opening credits, and the boys looked to their sides in surprise, looking for the source of the sound.

"There are speakers around us that transmit sound, it's like the one I took to the laboratory but a thousand times more powerful," she told them, pointing to the surroundings.

"Wow," Alberto commented.

"Incredible," Luca said with admiration; that place did not stop impressing him.

The three returned to pay attention to the front, the credits ended, and the first scene began; as more time passed, the boys were amazed to see how 'the point of view' went from one side to the other. While Giulietta decided what clothes to wear with the help of her maids.

"Why does it take her so long to decide what to wear?" Luca asked. "Everything looks good on her."

"It's a special occasion for her," Giulia answered, "when that happens, we humans wear our best clothes," she shrugged, "I guess we like to show off."

"Well, I think your species makes life too complicated," Alberto replied.

Giulia laughed as she gave him a friendly nudge. Alberto smiled at her before drinking his soda.

"Believe me, astrology is a fascinating science!" commented a character in the film.

Luca smiled at Giulia; the girl blushed and looked away.

"This film is really melancholic," she thought as she watched the projection, she had forgotten how beautiful the color palette was.

The showing continued without much news; Luca was delighted with what he saw, as it was incredible how all the colors were so vivid; each one stood out without overshadowing the others. In fact, they helped each other so that they all stood out; besides that, it was an opportunity to see humans living their lives; and how they related to each other. There was also the story; he did not fully understand due to surrealism, but he managed to capture the fear and anguish of the protagonist when she suspected that her husband was cheating on her.

"Humans have more than one partner?" Luca asked.

"Sometimes it happens, but… usually one of them does it behind the other's back; it's a betrayal."

Luca nodded; it sounded like something horrible.

"Does the same thing happen in the ocean?" Giulia wanted to know.

"No, when a sea monster finds its mate, it's for life."

"Not in my dad's case," Alberto said, picking a grain out of his teeth with one finger. He didn't sound hurt about it; even so, none of his friends wanted to find out more, so they concentrated on continuing to watch the flick.

As Giulia had predicted, Alberto did get bored; at first, he had been just as fascinated as Luca for the same reasons as his brother. But after a while, he felt the story was getting longer and the pace slowing. But when they got to the dream sequences, Alberto's attention was immediately captured again.

Due to the visuals and music, it was eye-catching.

Luca was fascinated; those scenes were like when he daydreamed, like when the boy dreamed that he and Alberto got to heaven (without having to die) and could touch the Great Fish. Humans found a way to portray those dreams in real life so everyone could see them. It was incredible.

The cinema was really magical.

"If I could, I would dedicate myself to the cinema," he funnily thought.

And so, the two hours of runtime passed, with Luca unable to take his eyes off the screen, Alberto getting bored, and Giulia remembering the nights she used to stay up watching those movies with her mom. Usually, the memory was bitter, but not today; today, Giulia was happy to have someone to share them with.

Alberto was encouraged when he saw that a character in the film shared his name.

"It's not surprising, the director was good friends with an actor named Alberto Sordi, one of the great names of the 'commedia all'italiana' and was also a scriptwriter and director. The scriptwriter is the one who writes the film."

"Wow, you two share names with important people," Luca commented, "I'm the only Underdog who doesn't."

"Hey, don't be like that," Giulia gave him a little push, "there is a very talented director named Luca Guadagnino working today; his films have been acclaimed and nominated for many awards."

Luca felt better hearing that.

"That's great! I hope we can see a movie of him later," he said excitedly.

"Not if they are like this, please," Alberto complained, pointing to the screen.

Luca and Giulia laughed.

Finally, the movie ended, and the three stood up and left the room.

"That was incredible!" Luca jumped with emotion, "It was like... like... seeing a dream while awake, and the colors, the way the... the eyes moved."

"That's the beauty of cameras," Giulia explained, "large objects that allow you to record what happens, almost like a portable memory you can share later. A friend told me filmmakers have their own language to know when to move or not move the camera. Is a whole world."

Luca just nodded energetically; that sounded amazing.

"Well, it looked pretty and everything," Alberto began, "but I think it was boring and-"

They were leaving the establishment when Alberto collided with someone; he recoiled from the impact. Luca and Giulia held him up so he wouldn't fall.

"I'm sorry. I didn't see you…" Alberto began but stopped when he saw who it was.

"Next time, look where-" Ercole turned around; he was going to keep talking but stopped when he saw Alberto.

Luca and Giulia were petrified; Ercole was in front of them, watching them with his eyes.

"He can't recognize them, of course not," Giulia thought hopefully.

Luca, for his part, was trembling. The memories of him tormenting them with his cane came to mind; could he return them to the laboratory? His heart skipped a beat at the thought of that possibility. He began to tremble; no muscle in his body responded to him.

"Silenzio Bruno, control yourself," he told himself, but it didn't work.

Ercole looked from Alberto to Luca, then to Giulia and back again; something in those two seemed familiar, but he couldn't say for sure what it was, and…why were they with Giulia?

"Ercole, is there a problem?" someone said behind the soldier; it was Guido, who was coming towards them, and next to him was Ciccio.

"Nothing, Guido," he answered without looking at him, "it's just that..."

He looked at each boy, but neither of them made a move.

"There is something about these two that seems familiar."

Alberto clenched his fist. Giulia noticed and swallowed.

Guido looked at both of them, and his eyes widened; the shape of their heads, height, and size; were the same as those of…

No, it could not be.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I don't think we've met before," Luca finally said, surprised that he could speak so calmly.

Ercole put his eyes over him, Luca swallowed hard and wanted to back down, but he did not.

"He's right, Ercole," Giulia came to his defense, "they are my friends... Jacob and Jack, they just arrived from Genova."

Where the first names came to her mind.

Even hearing the false names. Guido couldn't take it anymore; he went backward and almost slipped on the snow; luckily, Ciccio managed to catch him.

"Guido, are you alright?"

The commotion made all four of them turn to look at them.

"Yes... yes, I'm fine." Guido recovered his breath. "I'm sorry... I just... I think I'm tired."

He couldn't believe it, since he was a child, he had heard stories of mythological beings that could impersonate humans, but Guido never believed it was possible, he couldn't think of anything in science that could explain that, it was... it was...

They were truly magical.

Ciccio helped him regain his composure and put a hand on his chest.

"Sure you're okay?"

Guido just nodded and placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder.

"Thanks."

Ciccio smiled as he let go of his friend.

Ercole turned his attention back to the Underdogs; seeing him, Albero narrowed his eyebrows as he looked at him; this was his chance, he wasn't chained, and Ercole didn't have his cane, and even if he carried another weapon with him, he wouldn't have time to draw it, Albero would finish him off right then and there.

"Let's see how tough you are now," Alberto thought.

Ercole saw the hate with which Alberto looked at him, and he didn't like it at all.

"Do you have a problem, friend?" he asked defiantly.

"I'm not your friend," Alberto responded hatefully.

Ercole smiled upon hearing that, but not with happiness.

"I don't think your little friend was taught manners, Giulia."

"Look who's saying it," she thought hatefully.

Alberto was going to jump on him, but Luca managed to hold him. Giulia noticed and got between him and her boss. Ercole seemed amused at the spectacle.

"He's not lacking in manners, Ercole," Giulia confronted him, "it's just that Alberto can't stand abusers."

Ercole looked at her, narrowing an eyebrow. Giulia did not soften her features; she would not let him insult Alberto, especially after what he did to her. Despite this, she could not allow a fight to start, it was snowing, and if Alberto fell in the snow, all would be lost.

Luca thought the same; he was holding Alberto with all his might.

Guido noticed that the situation would soon get out of control, he was not sure those two were Luca and Alberto, but he didn't want to find out right now. He had to get Ercole out of there before things got worse.

"Oh! My head hurts," he complained, raising a hand to his forehead.

Ciccio noticed him.

"Ercole! Something's wrong with Guido!"

Ercole looked at him over his shoulder. Guido winced and pretended to fall; Ciccio caught him.

"Sorry…it's just…I don't remember when I last ate."

Ciccio noticed his stomach was growling; now that he thought about it, his last meal had been a chocolate bar and a machine coffee.

"Ercole, we need a break; we should eat."

Ercole made a face and looked at the Underdogs again. Alberto kept looking at him with hate.

"We'd better get going," Luca suggested.

Giulia just nodded, took Alberto by the arm, and she and Luca dragged the boy away. Alberto didn't resist, since he did not want to fight with his friends, but he never stopped looking at Ercole.

"Let's go too," Ciccio said; he was so tired that he wouldn't even try to understand the situation, and now he just wanted to eat.

"We're exhausted, Ercole, please," Guido continued.

"Okay," he finally gave in, but he didn't stop looking at Alberto either, "hey, Giulia."

The girl looked at him over her shoulder.

"We should all get together one day, including your friends. I want to get to know them."

Giulia glared at him before concentrating on the front. The Underdogs walked down the hill and were soon out of sight.

"What was that?" Guido asked, trying to sound foolish.

"There's something fishy about those two," was the only response from Ercole, who kept looking in the direction the trio had gone.