2 YEARS EARLIER
I took in a deep breath of the wonderful salty air. Venice was beautiful, no other way to describe it. I looked over at Char my fiance (as of 2-3 hours ago), he gave me one of his famous toothy grins.
I gripped his hand tightly as he pulled me into a gondala. I had always wanted to ride on one, but living in DC I hadn't had much of a chance. When the gondala lurched forward we headed for a cloud of mist. I was blinded for a second and all I felt were tiny droplets of water resting on my cheeks. When we emerged out of the fog I saw we were going underneath a bridge. The lights of the nearby buildings danced in their reflection on the water.
The ride seemed much too short and soon I was walking hand in hand with Char back to the hotel. When I walked in the front door of the hotel's lobby the receptionist stopped me and asked,
"Are you Aliese Dilgaldo?"
I nodded my head slowly not exactly sure what to think.
"The telephone rang for you, its your brother. He says its urgent."
Char had a puzzled expression on his face,
"You have a brother?" he whispered quietly.
"No! I don't I'm an only child, there must be some mistake maybe-"
the receptionist shook her head and handed me the phone.
"hello?" I squeaked I already had a bad feeling about this.
"Hey sis! look I know you have never heard about me but could you meet me at the Giraldo Coffe Shop? In say, 1 hour?" Said a voice that sounded out of breath almost like he was running.
"Um... I-" I started,
"Please its important!" he almost yelled, there was a lot of commotion in the backround.
"How do I know your even my brother?" I said confused
"Your Aleise Dilgado, born on December 6th, 1991, You were put up for adoption at 2 months because your parents died in a car crash from which you miraculously survived." He said rushed,
By now I was starting to get a little freaked out. I managed to sound calm over the phone, thishad to be some prank or something.
"Wow good for you. You know how to hack my Facebook!"
I heard a groan of frustration on the other side of the phone. "You have a flame shaped birthmark on your right shoulder that you don't like anyone to know about."
I gulped and gently touched my shoulder. No one knew about that. No one! I had never showed my shoulder to anyone since I was a... I screamed and slammed down the phone.
Startled I collapsed on a nearby chair and buried my face in my hands. Char knelt next to me and whispered,
"Are you gonna go?" My throat was dry and I was still getting over the shock of the last few minutes. But I managed to force,
"I...don't know."
Char looked me straight in the eye and said,
"We are going. I'm not sure what is going on but I have a feeling in my gut its important." He sounded so defiant I knew I couldn't refuse. I nodded my head slowly.
"C'mon, lets get you cleaned up. We want you in tip-top shape when you meet your..." he hesitated "brother." He let out a weak smile.
Before I knew it I was standing outside the "Giraldo Coffe Shop" in the pouring rain. It had been almost a hour since the phone call. The Coffe Shop was closed, so we stood their shivering. After another, 30 or so minutes had past Char whispered,
"He's not coming Aliese."
I shook my head. He had to come!
Right on que both of us we're yanked behind a nearby tree. I almost let out a scream when a strong hand clasped over my mouth. I bit the hand as hard as I could.
A voice whispered "Relax Aliese! Its me!"
I looked over terrified as a teenager about 19 years old took of a black mask. He had curly blond hair and bright blue eyes. It was almost like looking into a mirror. Seeing him unleashed a string of memories... being in the car during the accident. I wasn't the only survivor.
He smiled and said, "Hey sis! long time no see!" I gulped and said, "W-why did you want to talk with me and Char?"
"Well do I have to have a reason to congratulate my newly engaged sister!" I looked at him in disbelief,
"Okay fine I need your help. The names Rick, and I am a wanted man."
right then I heard a loud ear-splitting bang and Rick was gone as soon as he had appeared.
I looked over at Char,
"Was that...Gunfire?"
he nodded slowly.
I had a feeling I was in for more than I had bargained for.
