The City Named Maze

Teaser Capitolo

Mallory sat on the roof looking out over a city in Rome. She could see the lights of the night markets in the distance, as well as the shops that decided to stay open late.

The biggest light of all was the light coming from the center of the city, even though it was miles away it was the brightest. It was pitch black around the outside of that light, you couldn't even see the buildings.

Her city was called Maze. The reason behind it's name is that the actual city is a gigantic maze. No-one knows the way into the center, you get lost before you get there.

Mallory sat quietly thinking about what had happened today, wind was blowing the crisp night air making it seem colder than normal. She heard footsteps on the tiles of the roof to her right, but didn't look. She knew who it was. The footsteps came closer and someone sat down next to her.

She peered over to see the person who had sat down and found out that her guess was right. Her friend Felix sat there, his blonde hair blowing in the breeze. He was sitting there with his arms wrapped around his legs, just looking out. She went back to looking out over the city.

Sometime later Felix spoke up, "Ciao. What's up?"

"Nothing much. Only this turned up today, and I cant get rid of it." Mallory replied sarcastically, taking out a card from her pocket.

The card was a type of fortune card. There was a depiction of a black cat in the foreground and a smashed mirror in the background. In a fancy font on the bottom was 'La Sfortuna'.

"It means Misfortune." Mallory said when she saw Felix's eyebrow raise up in question. "It's weird. I have tried throwing it in the bin, but a second later it is in my pocket. I have done everything. Burnt it, ripped it, threw it into the wind. Nothing will work." She groaned into her hands on her lap.

"I know." Felix said dead-tone,

"What do you mean? You can't know! unless..." She looked straight at him, "You have one too."

Felix sighed and pulled out a card. The image on the card was a four leaf clover with the words 'Il Fortunato'.

"'The Lucky one'?" she said looking at him.

He shrugged his shoulders, "It found me. I had no choice in the matter."

She looked down at her lap, "But it suits you."

His arm came around her shoulders and squeezed. "It's OK, I am here for you."

Felix is the only one who knows all of her past.

Mallory shook her head, "You are lucky, you still have both your parents with you."

Her parents both went missing three years ago. Her papà traveling to the center of the city, and her mamma leaving her when it was all to much to handle, that he didn't come back.

Felix sighed and shook his head.

Interpreting his body language wrong, Mallory burst out saying, "But it is true! The card does suit you!" she paused and looked down, "Like mine does suit me. I am always in the wrong place at the long time. My past alone is misfortune."

"I never meant anything like that." Felix said sighing again, "I was meaning you always look on the bad side of things and never the good." he placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him, so he was looking straight into her eyes. "You are the most unique, beautiful signorina I have ever laid eyes on. You are also brave and strong going through a past you have."

She blushed and looked away, "I am none of that."

"Yes you are, you just can't see it." he said slowly dropping his hands.

The night breeze had settled down and some of the city lights had gone out for the night. It was quiet and peaceful up on the roof. They didn't have a care in the world.

"So what should we do about the card?" Felix asked destroying the quiet atmosphere.

"Well the note on the back..." she started to say, but he interrupted her

"What note?" he inquired

She rolled her eyes at him, "Of course you wouldn't see it." she turned over her card that she had in her hand and looked at the very bottom of the card. Felix did the same and saw the tiniest writing, that he could just make out.

It said:

Dear Card Holder

I have selected you to help rescue me.

There are 10 other card holders as well with 9 cards in total.

Once you touched this card, it gave you magic related to the card.

Each card is different, as there are different personalities.

You will meet the other card holders at the fountain at the gate of the city on 9th of August

Once you are there you will head towards the center of the city to rescue me.

Good Luck and Arrivederci!

D.

"I wonder who D is?" Felix queried out loud. Mallory shrugged.

"What's that date today?" she questioned him.

"8th, I think?" he tilted his head to the side.

"So we meet the others tomorrow?"

"Sì!" he smiled

"What are you thinking?" Mallory asked him in an accusing tone.

His smile widened, "We are going on an adventure!"