The Family - Volume 2

Chapter 6

- Grazie mille!

After collecting my ice cream and waving goodbye to the vendor, I went to join Zoé, who was waiting for me a little further on in a large public square.

- Did you have to stop and buy an ice cream?" she asked me when I got back to her.

The heat was literally liquefying me and I absolutely had to cool down somehow. So it was only natural for me to throw myself at the first ice cream shop I came across.

I followed Zoé without saying a word, munching my ice cream.

- We've been following this compass for an hour in this heat! I can't take it anymore! grumbled Zoé. When are we finally going to find that boy?

- I know one thing for sure: you should have taken a refresher, it would have done you good.

I saw her roll her eyes out of the corner of my eye, but I didn't pay much attention.

Nevertheless, she wasn't wrong about one thing: our journey was starting to get tiresome. We'd been going non-stop since yesterday, between the half-day trip on the train, where we hadn't slept very well, and our arrival in Rome, which hadn't been any picnic either.

Once we'd got off the train, we made a quick stop at our hotel to drop off our belongings, before hurrying off in search of the unknown. We'd barely had a sandwich for lunch, and I was amazed that Zoé could still stand up - I didn't think she was as sturdy as all that. As for me, I was just following her, I hadn't even glanced at the compass since we'd left, I just hoped Zoé was taking us in the right direction.

Emma had quickly called to see if everything was going well so far, and we'd told her about our afternoon ride. One of the rules of our trip was to say exactly what we were doing, just to be on the safe side.

Quietly following Zoé, I took in the magnificent scenery all around me - a free "vacation" in Italy at the start of the vacation season didn't hurt too much...

- I think we're getting close," Zoé informed me, "the compass seems to be pointing more and more precisely.

- Really? already?

- Already?" cried Zoé. We've been walking for a while now...

I looked over her shoulders at our magic detector, and indeed, Zoé was right. I looked up to see where the arrow seemed to be leading us and found myself facing the Colosseum. Zoé seemed to have come to the same conclusion as me.

- Do you think we should go in? she asked.

I thought for a moment before answering.

- Let's take a tour of the structure first, to make sure it's the right one to designate.

- Right, then.

It must have taken us ten minutes to reach the Colosseum, then another twenty to go around it in its entirety, before we concluded that this was indeed the place we needed to go.

- Let's go," said Zoé.

- Wait a minute!" I said, catching her by the arm. We have to buy tickets like any good, honest citizen.

- Can't we use our powers to get home?

- Let me remind you of a few things, Zoé. Firstly, Emma told us not to use our powers unless we're in danger. Secondly, if we use our powers, a nearby member of The Family might detect us. Thirdly, it's strictly forbidden to use your power in public to further your own interests.

- Okay, okay, I get it. Go and get some tickets then.

- As far as I know, I'm not your dog, so why don't you go and get them yourself?