Chapter 5: L'Acquario del Porto Antico

Alberto finds out where the humans are taking him, but his plan for escape becomes a bit complicated.

Music made Alberto stir. The magic singing lady machine?

No. This was a different song, one he'd never heard before. Alberto stretched, yawned, and got to his feet. He was standing in something like a cooler with water up to his waist. Blinking sleep out of his eyes, he looked in front of him.

He was in the back of a jeep driving down a busy road. A man and a woman wearing blue polos rode up front. He recognized them as the same people from outside the factory. The girl tapped her hands along to the radio and the man drove with one hand on the wheel, his posture laid back and relaxed.

Alberto got the feeling that he wasn't supposed to be awake. The woman paused her tapping and swiveled her head around. Alberto ducked out of sight. The woman turned forward again.

"What's wrong?" The man asked.

"Nothing; I was just checking to see if he was still sleeping." The woman replied.

The man snorted. "Oh, he's definitely still asleep. It'll take him another five hours at least to sleep off what I hit him with!" He inhaled deeply and then exhaled. "Ah… it's a beautiful day for a pay raise, eh, Bianca?"

Bianca grinned. "Ha! Alessio. Everyday is a good day for a pay raise!"

"Sì, but this time we might actually be getting one! Can you imagine? We must be the first people to have ever caught anything like this before…"

"Technically, we didn't catch him," Bianca pointed out.

"We rescued him, didn't we?" Alessio replied. "If it weren't for us, he'd be la cena del tuo gatto tonight!"

Alberto stepped lightly out of the cooler. He peered over the back seat, trying to make sense of the outside surroundings. Buildings tall and wide flanked every direction. Vehicles much like the one he was in drove casually with and against them in several lanes. Wherever he was, it was a town much bigger than Portorosso.

The jeep hit a bump. Water splashed high and far enough to reach the front passengers, and Bianca made an unhappy gasp.

" Ah! Careful, Alessio! It's everywhere–"

Alberto didn't hide in time. Bianca broke off, going slack-jawed when they made eye contact. She stared at him and he stared at her. The silence prompted the driver Alessio to glance back.

"What's wrong–" He started, and he also saw Alberto. His eyes promptly widened. "AH!"

The sound of a piercing horn forced his attention back on the road. Alessio swerved the jeep to the right, narrowly avoiding a crash, and Alberto was flung over the backseat. Bianca made a shrill scream, though it was unclear whether it was for the fact they nearly got in a car accident or for the sea monster now awake in their moving vehicle, all while Alessio tried focusing on traffic.

"Look out!" Bianca gasped as they came upon slower vehicles, and Alessio slammed the brakes. The jeep skidded to the side and stopped on the shoulder. Angry drivers swung their fists as they merged around them.

Alessio and Bianca breathed in relief. Alberto got up from the floor, placing a hand on his forehead. The humans went rigid, and, with no traffic to worry about now, put their full attention on him.

"Who are you? How did you get in here?" Alessio demanded with increasing outrage. "You're from Prime Sea Life , no? Come to steal back the sea monster? Well, you'll never get him!"

"Sì! Creatures as rare and fascinating as this don't belong in your disgusting canned food!" Bianca added just as passionately.

Alberto raised his arms, bewildered– oh. His human arms. As far as these two humans knew, he was just another teenager.

"Get out of here!" Alessio shooed at Alberto, looking ready to chase him if he needed to. Alberto fumbled with the jeep door, realizing too late he had no idea how to open it.

"Alessio," Bianca said distractedly, paying attention to something in one of the mirrors.

"Not now, Bianca, we have a vagrant to deal with–" Alessio replied, and Bianca grabbed his face and turned it to the mirror.

"They're coming!" She exclaimed, and Alessio's eyes rounded. Not far behind them now was a semi, tearing through traffic as if it wasn't big and awkward, donning a faded green and yellow logo on the side: Prime Sea Life – Let Your Cat Eat REAL Seafood!

Alberto saw it, too. His experience at the factory was short, but no less terrifying. With goosebumps running up his arms, he suddenly didn't mind being unable to open the door.

"Go, go, go!" Alberto yelped, and with no time for questions, Alessio put the jeep in drive and merged into traffic.

"What's your hurry for?" Alessio jeered, his concentration only half on the road. "Suddenly have a change of heart?"

"I'm not–" Alberto started, but Bianca interrupted.

"Go right!" She barked, and Alessio whirled the vehicle to the right.

The road became narrower and bumpier. Alberto was tossed back and forth in the backseat. If he had any lunch to throw up, it would've been all over the windows. Putting his hands on either of the front seats, he stood as stable as he could. "I'm not one of the factory workers!"

"Oh, really?" Alessio snorted disbelievingly. "Then who are you? A spy?"

"Alessio, por favore , the road!" Bianca wailed, and Alessio slowed the jeep right before they went out into an intersection. Likewise, the Prime Sea Life semi had to stop a few car lengths behind them.

Alessio took advantage of the pause. "If you aren't with them, then who are you? And how did you get in here without us noticing?"

"Green, green, green!" Bianca gasped, and Alessio hit the gas.

This time, Alberto was able to stay on his feet. He glanced over his shoulder. How was the semi getting closer? He could see the butcher clearly through the windshield.

"I'm not with them– I'm trying to get away from them!" Alberto exclaimed, and he could have sworn the butcher was smiling at him. "Speed up, speed up!"

"Slow down, slow down!" Bianca cried.

"Hold on!" Alessio hollered, and they swiveled down a tight alley. Unsuspecting pedestrians leapt out of the way, some of them shouting curse words, and Bianca yelled multiple apologies out the window. They came out on another street, one that seemed more secluded, and continued through the city.

Alberto looked out each of the windows. The semi was too wide to fit in the alley. A weight lifted off his chest and he sat down.

The pavement gradually became smoother and they rolled onto one of the main roads. People walked and biked on the streets. Caffè's and restaurants were stationed on every block. They even passed a train station, one that was much bigger than Portorosso's. The road brought them to the top of an incline and Alberto's thoughts slowed down. It all stretched on for miles.

Alessio took them on more level ground. He parked the jeep on a residential street, where the most traffic around were pedestrians walking their dogs. Alessio and Bianca shared a silent conversation with a couple of looks.

"Alright," Alessio said calmly. "Now that that's over with… COS'È SUCCESSO?"

"Alessio," Bianca said warningly, but Alessio kept going.

"I had everything planned out– they weren't supposed to follow us! Did you see what we did? I must have broken seven traffic laws in the last hour!" Alessio groaned, running his hands over his face. "You know what: it's fine. It's fine. We lost them, and we still have our sea monster."

He smiled proudly at the water cooler, which was practically empty now. His smile wavered when he realized this, and he leaned forward to check the inside. Very quickly, his face went pale.

"Wait. Where is our sea monster?"

Alessio and Bianca frantically searched under and around their seats. Alberto searched with them. Within seconds, Alessio was losing his breath.

"Okay. No need to panic. It couldn't have gone anywhere– I shot it with my dart, remember?"

Alberto wrinkled his nose. Yes, he certainly remembered.

"Surely, it must be here somewhere," Alessio reasoned, though he sounded rather hysterical. "Or– or maybe it rolled off somewhere on the road, safe and sound!"

"Alessio, listen to yourself," Bianca sighed, though she too was on the verge of a breakdown. "It must be long gone by now. Maybe your sleeping darts aren't as strong as you think they are."

Alessio rounded on her sharply. " Che? How could you say something like that?"

Alberto had one hand on the door, searching for the handle. Bianca suddenly climbed into the backseat, reached for the cooler, and tipped it on its side with a significant expression.

"You see this? No sea monster! One might think that means, your sleeping dart didn't work!"

But Bianca didn't realize that the cooler wasn't entirely empty. The remaining water poured over Alberto, who was still trying to find the door's release, and in an instant he transformed from skin to scales. He went stiff as a board.

No one said anything for a few seconds. At last Alberto couldn't take the tension, and he smiled weakly. "Uh… Buonasera? "

Alessio sounded faint. "Mamma mia."

The humans needed some air after this revelation. They paced outside the jeep, all while Alberto watched them from the cargo compartment. He was dried off now, but felt no less exposed.

"Who are you?" Alessio asked at last, and he added as an afterthought, " What are you?"

"You can disguise yourself as a human?" Bianca glanced up and down the street as if expecting one of the pedestrians to grow gills and a dorsal fin. "How many of there are you?"

Alberto wrung his hands together. "There's a few, but–"

Alessio stepped forward. "Are you saying anyone can be a sea monster?" He eyed Bianca reproachfully, who rolled her eyes.

"Please. We are miles from the bay. What would sea monsters be doing so far into the city?"

" He's here, isn't he?"

"Yes," Bianca realized, and the two looked expectantly at Alberto. "Where did you come from?"

Alberto wasn't sure how much he wanted to reveal. While they didn't seem hostile, he remembered what happened the last time he trusted two human strangers. He decided to be cryptic. "Uh, a riviera. In the Eastern Ligurian. I– may or may not have gotten on the wrong side of a fishing vessel, and now I'm here."

Alessio huffed. "That explains why we had to rescue you from the canning factory– oof! "

Bianca had elbowed him in the side. She then spoke to Alberto. "You're pretty far from home then, no?"

Alarm bells went off in Alberto's head. How far was he from home? The answer worried him, but he pushed this anxiety aside.

"Well, I wouldn't say I'm that far. I could probably swim back in an hour or two." Alberto leaned back casually. "Yeah, I know the waters pretty well around here. In fact, I'm kind of an expert navigator."

Of course, he had no way of knowing how true anything he just said was.

At least for the time being, the two humans stopped asking him questions. Bianca glanced sideways at Alessio. " Scusate– can we talk? Grazie! "

She steered her coworker a good distance out of earshot. Alessio, looking resigned, put his hands on his hips. "Alright, what are you thinking?"

Bianca spoke in a hushed tone. "Come on, Alessio, we have to help him. He's not technically a human, I suppose, but he's still a kid."

"So, what?" Alessio questioned. "We take a vacation? Drive him to the other side of the sea? Bianca, por favore."

"It probably wouldn't take that long!" Bianca protested. "If he's from the Eastern Ligurian, then–"

"–his home could be anywhere," Alessio finished for her, crossing his arms. "And I am not driving all around the coast just to find the correct beach he was hatched at, or– or whatever!"

Bianca was silent, understanding his point. Alessio continued. "Besides, we can't let him go. Do you know what our boss would do to us if he found out we let this opportunity pass? Don't you understand what this can do for us? Let's stick to our original plan. We can take him to work with us, and see how he does."

However Bianca wasn't entirely convinced. "You're not still thinking about getting a pay raise, are you?"

"Hey, you were excited about it, too!" Alessio said impatiently. "Look, if it makes you feel better, we can ask what he thinks. Va bene?"

Bianca shifted her weight. "I guess it's a start."

"Fantastico," Alessio approved.

They shuffled back to Alberto, who was itching the inside of his ear. He sat up straight when he saw them. Alessio clapped his hands together.

"Well, young sea monster…." he ignored Bianca's glare. "We have a proposition for you. A job, of sorts."

"Well, Segnor… Jeep," Alberto replied, reading the nameplate on the vehicle. "I kind of already have a job." He hopped off the vehicle to the ground. "In fact, I'd probably better get going. Don't want to make everyone back home wait up for me."

Alessio hummed. "I… see. In that case, don't think of it as a job. Think of it as an opportunity. You don't have to commit to anything; just come with us, and we'll show you what we mean." He leaned on his knees to match Alberto's height. "And, if you don't like it, you can be on your way."

Alberto appeared to be mulling this information over. Out of the corner of his mouth, Alessio added, "Not to mention, it's going to be dark soon… who knows whether or not Prime Sea Life is still out there…"

Bianca gaped at Alessio, who was not the slightest bit fazed. Whether they believed it or not, they needed Alberto, and the facts remained that Alberto needed somewhere safe to stay. It was a win-win in Alessio's mind. He just needed to convince the young sea monster the same.

Alberto did see the sense in taking the offer. While instinct told him to go it alone, truthfully, he didn't want to chance it, especially with the crazy butcher-and-friends looking for him. And he needed to stay alive and well enough to get back to Portorosso. Alessio and Bianca seemed nice enough.

Flavio and Federico seemed nice, too, Alberto thought darkly, and he shivered.

The humans attributed his shiver to the sinking sun. "Come on," Bianca said kindly, gesturing towards their awaiting vehicle. "You'll be safe with us."

Maybe it was the compassion in the woman's voice. Maybe it was the reminder he had nowhere else to go. Maybe it was him throwing away his pride and accepting that he needed help. Whatever the reason, Alberto gave in.

"Fine," Alberto agreed. "But just for this night. Tomorrow, I really have to leave."

"Of course," Alessio purred.

Alberto dreamed he was on the island.

He twirled a harpoon in his hand, showing off in front of Luca. It backfired when he lost his grip and the harpoon went flying into the sea.

"I'll get it!" Luca offered.

Alberto burst ahead of him. "Race you!" He challenged, the boys splashed into the bay, laughing.

A distant horn pulled on their attention. Luca and Alberto looked around for the source of the noise. It honked again, louder this time.

Alberto jerked awake. The island was gone. Luca wasn't there.

He was in a small, cluttered storage room. Aquatic-looking tools and supplies hung on the walls and sat on the shelves, some of it so old they were collecting rust. Alberto yawned, which promptly turned into a cough. So it was a small, cluttered, and dusty storage room.

Arriving had taken longer than expected. He had fallen asleep on the ride– an actual sleep and not one that was forced by a dart– and basically stumbled after Alessio and Bianca until they introduced him to the closet.

"Sorry; it's the only private space here," Bianca had explained apologetically the night before. "Until we can find you a better place to sleep, this will have to do."

Initially, Alberto didn't mind. He could make himself comfortable anywhere. Waking up now with achy muscles and a stiff neck, he realized how much he had become used to Giulia's bed at the Pescheria.

The door was cracked open, leaving a square of sunshine on the floor. Alberto slid off his 'bed,' which was really just a pile of nets, and stepped outside.

He was in a wide yard of concrete. Most of the yard was filled up with an enclosure with a pool, and at the other end was an enormous building. Alberto tipped his head up at a sign: Acquario del Porto Antico.

Something made a chirping noise. Looking down at the enclosure, Alberto came face to face with a dolphin.

"Hey there," Alberto said.

The dolphin squeaked and dove underwater.

Curiously, Alberto went up to the glass and leaned his arms over the side. The dolphin resurfaced, chattering nervously.

"Relax, I'm not going to eat you." His stomach twinged as a reminder that he hadn't eaten since Massimo's trenette al pesto. A pang of homesickness hit him, stronger than the hunger pains. How much time had passed since that night? Was Massimo looking for him?

Alberto blinked. Was Massimo still looking for him, he corrected himself. Of course Massimo would look for him. He was too good of a person not to. Not that he'd need to search; Alberto had no plans to stick around here, wherever 'here' was. He was just glad that Luca and Giulia were busy with school in Genova. In fact, they wouldn't even need to know he was gone. As soon as he found out which way Portorosso was, he was out of there.

More dolphins joined the first one. Collectively, the group chittered some more, and Alberto shrugged. "No, I don't have any food right now. Sorry."

"Squeak, squeak!"

"Yeah, I'm hungry, too, but–"

" Squeeeeak!"

Alberto huffed. "Okay, I get it. No need for language."

The dolphins weren't very happy with him, but they got over it quickly. They swam in synchrony with one another, making playful loops and dives and twirls. Alberto studied the enclosure. The pool was surrounded by a glass fence and held the clearest blue water he'd ever seen.

"What is this place?" He asked the cheerful dolphins. "Why do the humans keep you here?"

" They're here because they draw in customers." A completely unfamiliar voice boomed. "The real question is, what are you doing here?"

The stranger was striding straight for Alberto. He wore the same outfit Alessio and Bianca had, but black. It could only be assumed that this man was associated with them in one way or another. Alberto backed away, unable to think of an excuse fast enough.

"WAIT!"

Two more people came in from the opposite end of the yard. Bianca and Alessio looked out of breath, but nonetheless shouted, "Wait, Matteo, we can explain everything!"

Matteo glanced suspiciously at Alberto but nonetheless waited for them to catch up. "Alessio, Bianca; my star employees." He rolled his eyes as these words came out. "What is it this time?"

"Well, it's– it's complicated," Alessio said lamely, and Bianca stepped in.

"Sì, sì. We meant to tell you–"

"Tell me what?" Matteo interrupted sharply. "That we're closing the aquarium and turning it into a homeless shelter?"

Alessio shriveled, but Bianca stood her ground. "No, Matteo, it will all make sense once we explain! Just hear us out."

Matteo didn't look like the kind of person who appreciated 'hearing things out.' After a few seconds of silence, he relented. "Fine, fine, fine. You have fifteen seconds."

"Er– it might take longer than that to–" Alessio began, but Matteo didn't care.

"...thirteen, twelve, eleven…" he counted down, and Bianca spoke in a rush.

"Oh, for– we followed the Prime Sea Life van like you asked to smuggle in a bunch of free sea creatures!" She blathered out.

For the first time, Matteo was interested in the conversation. "Ah, bene! And did you bring back a good haul?"

"Sì, we certainly did!" Bianca said, relieved.

"Molto bene!" Matteo praised. He put his hands on his sides. "So, where are they?"

Alessio blinked. "Where are who?"

"The sea creatures," Matteo's impatience returned. "I thought you said you got a good haul. If you got a good haul, why am I not seeing the good haul? Did you forget it at the factory? Did you forget that I pay you to do things and not just say you did them?"

"It's not what you think–" Bianca tried, but Matteo waved dismissively.

" Silenzio. I don't have time for whatever excuse you've been cooking up." Matteo looked down his nose at them, which was impressive as they were each about the same height. "Perhaps I shouldn't have expected so much from you. Feeding the animals is all I can trust you with, no?"

Alessio and Bianca were avoiding their boss's eyes. The display lit a match inside Alberto. While he still wasn't sure about whether or not he could trust them, Matteo was a bully, reminding him more of Ercole Visconti than he would've liked. He stomped up to Matteo and pointed a finger up his chin.

"Hey– they did exactly what you asked them to do!" He declared.

For a moment, Matteo had forgotten about Alberto. Once he got over his surprise, he scowled. "Ah, the mysterious boy stands up for my employees. What do you know, giovane? "

"I know that you're wrong," Alberto said, copying Matteo's crossed arms. "And I know how to prove it."

"Ah, I see," Matteo said, a mock smile creeping on his face. "You are hiding the sea creatures in your pockets, yes?" He turned to his employees. "Now we have to pay for our fish like any other common aquarium. Why do you think I sent you to the factory? Let them do the work, and we can save money. Simple as that. Well– apparently not simple enough for you two."

Now Matteo definitely reminded Alberto of Ercole. With a defiant look, he backed away to the dolphin enclosure. "Hey, Matteo!" He called, climbing on the thin glass wall. The three humans sent surprised expressions at him, and Alberto wobbled to keep his balance. "In case I wasn't simple enough, let me just show you!"

He backflipped into the water tank. Hardly a splash was made from the sharpness of the dive. Alberto flourished his tail in front of the dolphins and humans, whom he could see were watching from their blurred outlines, and he leapt a good six feet in the air.

The dolphins cheered and bounded around him. Smiling, Alberto resurfaced, pulling himself with ease onto the concrete, his scales glistening under the sun. Bianca and Alessio were amazed. Matteo was also amazed, and a little scared.

"What– you're a– a–" Matteo blabbered.

"It's okay," Alberto said breezily. "I don't bite that hard."

Matteo was speechless. Then he laughed a little. He laughed more, until he was full-out bent over his stomach. At last, he sat up again, getting a hold of himself.

" Che incredibile! Why didn't you tell me you brought back a, uh, human-boy-sea-monster thing?" He punched Alessio on the arm in jubilation. " Ha! You really made me believe you were almost useless! I think both of you are due for a pay raise! No–" He wrestled his two employees in the crook of his elbows. "I know you are! Ha, ha!"

"Really?" Bianca gasped.

"Th-thank you, Segnor!" Alessio choked.

"Yes, I am very benevolent," Matteo released them, leaving them to catch their breath. He next put his attention on Alberto, who just finished shaking the water off. "You– walk with me!"

He slung an arm around Alberto and steered him around the concrete yard. He slowed to a leisure pace once they were a good distance away.

"So, you're a sea monster, yes?" Matteo asked, his voice immensely impressed. "I didn't know such myths were real!"

Alberto was bewildered by Matteo's quick change of attitude. He tried to think of a response. "Yeah; sea monsters don't usually reveal themselves, what with humans always trying to hunt us."

"But you revealed yourself to us," Matteo went on, looking like he might be glowing. "Ah– don't worry," he added when Alberto looked uneasy. "I am not interested in hunting or anything like that. Yeesh– no thank you."

He shivered dramatically. He then smiled. "I like sea creatures. In fact, I love sea creatures! You needn't be worried." He stopped walking to properly address Alberto. "I am Matteo Ferrari. In case you haven't yet noticed, this is my aquarium. I see you've already hit it off well with my dolphins." He smirked back at the dolphin enclosure, where the water mammals were practically waving in their direction.

Politely, Alberto waved back at the dolphins. "Yeah, about that. Why do you have so many dolphins?"

Matteo spread his arms out. "This is L'Acquario del Porto Antico! The real question is, why don't I have more dolphins?" Upon Alberto's blank look, he deflated. "What? Haven't you ever heard of L'Acquario del Porto Antico before?"

"L'a…cquario?" Alberto repeated.

"Oh, ragazzino." Matteo shook his head. "Clearly a tour is in order! In fact, that'll work out perfectly for what I have to say next. I have an offer that I think you will very much enjoy."

It sounded very similar to what Alessio had told Alberto the day before. Alberto decided to save Matteo the trouble. "Thanks, but Alessio already asked me if I wanted a job. I can't stick around for long. I have to get back home."

"Mm." The light promptly left Matteo's eyes. He hummed seriously. "You have family, no?"

Alberto opened his mouth, then hesitated. He meant to say 'yes', but that wasn't strictly true, was it? Sure, he lived with Massimo, but he wasn't his family; not technically. Neither were Giulia or Luca, or anyone.

Matteo could sense his unease. The man made an expression of understanding. "Ah. I can see it is… complicated. Bene. I will stop with the interrogating. Why not focus our minds on something happy?"

Alberto didn't realize until now, but they were standing at the doors to the aquarium's main building. Matteo pushed open one of the doors and stepped aside to give him passage. "One exclusive Acquario del Porto Antico tour: coming right up!"

The main room was huge. Directional signs were marked with little symbols– sharks, dolphins, turtles, jellyfish, seals, even starfish– each one pointing the way to different parts of the building. Showcased on the walls were trivia, fun facts, and posters all related to either the ocean or an oceanic creature. Alberto wandered into the center of the room, turning all around as he walked, enthralled by the bright colors and pictures. Even the tiles underfoot were painted to depict the ocean floor.

"Eh? You like?" Matteo asked, pride seeping from his tone. "Come on– there's much to see!"

They went down a hall that depicted small fish. Turning a corner, Alberto was met with Alessio and Bianca, who had gone back to work. Beyond them was a tank of water that filled most of the wall. Fish swam in and out of sight within a coral reef.

"...have you really been calling him 'sea monster'?" Bianca was asking in exasperation. She was pushing a cart jammed with supplies. Alessio wore bright yellow gloves and held a heavy bucket.

"I don't know what else to call him. We didn't exactly give introductions– ah!" Alessio interrupted himself when Alberto and Matteo walked in. "There he is. Welcome to the hall of piccoli pesci!" He swung an arm out to showcase the tank. "What do you think?"

Alessio's cheerfulness must have stemmed from his recent pay raise. Alberto watched a fish poke its nose against the glass, then dart under a hollow log. "Uh… that you have a lot of pet fish."

Alessio chuckled. "They're not pets; they're… well, they're protected marine life." He climbed a stepladder and poured pellets from his bucket in the tank. "We're just feeding them now."

"Sì, this is our daily routine." Bianca confirmed. "We start by making sure each of the animals are fed, and then clean up as needed until the aquarium opens."

"You see?" Matteo prompted. "We don't like hunting for sea creatures. Bleh! Never. We take care of them!"

The next twenty minutes was filled with Bianca and Alessio moving to each exhibit feeding each of the animals with Matteo and Alberto shadowing them. The further they went, the more enthusiastic Alberto became. While he spent most of his time on land anyway, there was something nostalgic about being surrounded by sea life.

They came face to face with sharks– definitely the most terrifying to watch eat– and jellyfish and seals and turtles. They revisited the dolphins, but this time from underground. Alberto pressed his hand on the vast glass wall. The dolphins on the other side warbled distortedly through it.

Other creatures he'd never encountered before. This was mostly in the Deep Sea Dive room, which was strategically dark, holding creatures that looked like they'd never seen the light of day. Alberto was observing the innards of a transparent fish, wondering if that's what Luca's Uncle Ugo looked like, when Matteo cleared his throat.

"Well, that nearly brings about the end," he announced, smiling like a salesman. "What do you think? Did you enjoy yourself? I know you did."

While it was all pretty incredible, Alberto still didn't understand why they had so much marine life contained in one building, despite their explanations that they were only 'protecting' them. Alberto didn't see how it was much different from keeping them captive.

"So, is that it?" He tried to sound casual. "You feed them, and just leave them to themselves?"

"Well, no," Bianca responded. "We do other things, like clean their tanks, perform check-ups to make sure they're healthy, right on time for the customers to show up. People from all over the city– even outside the city!– will come to see our exhibits."

"Well, they used to, anyway." Alessio sighed, his face falling slightly.

"Sì, sì," Bianca agreed solemnly. "Business has been slowing down. It's getting harder to make sure all the fish and animals have enough food and medicine." Seconds later, she brightened. "But, that's why you're here!"

Alberto pitied the sea life for not getting the proper care. However he was also reminded that he didn't intend to stay for long. A strong sense of urgency took over him. "I already said I can't stay. I have to go home."

The three humans exchanged a look. Matteo nodded slowly. "I understand; we would never ask for you to leave your home behind, of course! Tell me, where would this home be?"

Alberto shrugged. "I'm from a small coast; you've probably never heard of it."

"Try me," Matteo smiled.

Alberto hesitated. Simply knowing its name couldn't be harmful, could it?

"Don't be so paranoid! We're amici now!" Matteo said good-naturedly.

He supposed he was being pretty paranoid, not that anyone could blame him. Nonetheless Alberto held his breath. "It's called Portorosso," he revealed reluctantly.

In an instant, Matteo's eyes lit up. "Portorosso? No– no, surely you must be joking!" He laughed cheerfully. "I love Portorosso! I visit there every year."

"Really?" Alberto asked, shocked. Matteo nodded eagerly.

"Quite a coincidence, no? I love everything about Portorosso: the bay, the plaza, the people– such a charming little town." He sighed as if revisiting old memories. "I used to get into so much trouble as a boy, pretending to hunt sharks and whales. Ah, those were the days. What I wouldn't do to see that old fountain again…"

Any doubts Alberto was building up suddenly didn't seem so important anymore. "You mean the fountain with the sea monster? I've been trying to get rid of it for the last month! That town could definitely use a few upgrades now that we've moved in."

Matteo nodded along with him. "That's what I've been saying! I never liked that fountain. I always thought it should depict people respecting sea life, not trying to dominate it."

"Exactly!" Alberto exclaimed. "You know, you'd get along with my friend Giulia. She's very serious about sea monster rights. She even started a campaign on it– or, she would have, if she didn't have to go to school."

"She sounds like a very bright girl," Matteo replied.

"You probably know her!" Alberto realized. "She visits Portorosso every year, too. Small girl, red hair, loud attitude? Her dad owns a Pescheria?"

Matteo scrunched his brows together. "Ah… yes, I remember that Pescheria… what was that fisherman's name…?"

Alberto leaned very close to Matteo in barely suppressed excitement. "You KNOW Massimo?"

"Massimo!" Matteo snapped his fingers. "Sì, sì, we go way back! We used to be good friends as younger men. We'd take his father's boat out whenever we got the chance… of course, without him knowing, ha, ha! I haven't been in contact with Massimo in, whew… a long time."

He stared wistfully off into the distance. Alberto couldn't believe it. Massimo used to sneak out in his father's boat? Never once would he have guessed the fisherman to be even slightly irresponsible. He smiled, imagining a younger Massimo causing mischief behind his father's back.

"When's the next time you're coming to town?" Alberto asked, shaking his thoughts away. "I can let Massimo know you're coming! And you can catch up on old times!"

Matteo's smile broadened. "You can get to Portorosso from here?"

"I–" Alberto broke off. "Well, I don't know which direction it's in, but you can tell me, right? You've been to Portorosso loads of times."

Matteo slowly shrugged. "I could tell you which way the train goes, but unless you've got enough soldi for a ticket…" Alberto's face started to fall and Matteo appeared regretful. "I'm sorry, ragazzo. The way you were talking, I assumed you had a way back, and given my failing business I can't spare any expense…"

"No, it's okay." Alberto tried to suppress any Bruno-related thoughts to the back of his mind. It's not like the train was his only option, only he had no idea which way to swim. And how much would he be risking? Prime Sea Life was still out there, looking for him. He didn't know if he could survive the canning factory a second time.

His heart sank to his stomach. He didn't know this town like he knew Portorosso. Roaming through the streets was too risky, too unpredictable.

"I'm so sorry," Matteo said, and he truly seemed sincere. "I wish there was something I could do to… help…" Abruptly, he sat up a little taller. "Wait a moment. Maybe there is something I can do." He turned to Alberto, a beam forming on his face. "I can help you. You can help me. We can help each other! You need soldi for a ticket, right? And my aquarium needs business. If you work for me, you can help my business, and I can pay you for your trouble!"

Alberto remained doubtful. "Okay, but I'm sure I wouldn't be any better at feeding fish than Alessio and Bianca–"

"You misunderstand me," Matteo said, getting increasingly excited. "You won't be caring for the other exhibits: you ARE the exhibit! So, I'll ask again: how about that job?"

This chapter was the hardest for me to write. I feel like there's a lot of filler/catch up in this part, so I hope you don't see the untidiness of it like I do x_X I promise, the next few will be more interesting!

As always, thank you for reading, and I hope you are enjoying the story!