First Encounter

the gang makes an appearance..

 "Just ignore him."

 I nodded, "Yeah alright. I really don't want to get involved with anything that those kids are doing."

 Earl and I started walking away, me listening Earl babble on about the locations in Italy he looked up back at home. Suddenly I felt someone put on my pant's leg. Oh man.

 I turned around slowly about to tell Bo to leave us alone, but I didn't expect him to bring those five kids with him.

 I stammered, "Uh....hello?"

 Earl followed my lead, "Do you CHILDREN need help?"

The boy with spiky hair and bad teeth mouthed off, "Hey! We're not that YOUNG!"

Bo said brightly to his big brother Prosper, "They're the people I met while you were with Scip!"

 Prosper just glared at us, "Who are you working for? That snoop?"

 Earl asked, "What the heck are you talking about? We aren't working for anyone. If you excuse me, we'll be on our way."

 "No."

 The boy with the mask finally spoke up.

 "Who are you?"

 I spoke, "I'm Penelope...this is Earl." I slightly pointed to Earl. Why won't they just leave us alone?

 Prosper asked hastily, "And why were you talking to my brother? Did the snoop tell you to?"

 Okay, I am starting to get frustrated.

 "No. Your brother walked away from your other friends. And I do not know what snoop you are talking about."

 Earl added in, "Why don't you just leave us alone."

 With that we walked quickly away. I glanced back to see the gang staring after us.

 Once we were out of view, Earl stopped.

 "Wow..that was kinda creepy."

 I agreed, "Yeah. The big brother is sure protective of Bo. But it doesn't matter. We're away from them, now let's go back to the hotel!"

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 Signora Michelle greeted us at the door, "Welcome back!"

 I smiled in return as Earl and I hurried into the hall way.

 Earl said, "I'll be in my room...action figures."

With that he slammed the door in my face. He seriously needs a girlfriend. I opened my door and closed it, silently locking it. I thrown myself on the bed. Day one of being in Italy was totally strange. Sure we saw great sights, but we also met unusual [maybe insane] group of kids.

 I closed my eyes letting the doziness consume me.

--------------------------

 I heard fists slamming on my door roughly. I jumped up, wiping off any unwanted drool that slowly came out of my mouth.

 I threw open the door, "Yes Earl?"

 Earl said breathlessly, "You wouldn't believe what happened."

 He came into the room, falling onto my bed as I did earlier. I sat down as well.

 I questioned, "What happened?"

 Earl's reply was, "Well since you wouldn't answer your door--."

 I cut in, "I was sleeping."

 "Yeah, yeah whatever. Since you didn't answer, I left the hotel. I heard there was some nice gift shops around here. Mom wants a gift. Figures. Well anyway, as I was looking for the shop, I saw those kids again."

My eyes widen in surprise, "Did they talk to you?"

 "No, they didn't even see me. They all went into a mask shop and grouped together in there. I shrugged it off and found the gift shop. Then I see the boy with the mask run out, without the mask. He ran right over to Mr. Getz. Then the girl with the braid ran out in the other direction. Not long after that the other kids ran out too.

 I raised my eyebrows, "And why are you telling me this?"

 Earl caught his breath, "Because, the kid was somehow distracting Mr. Getz. When he ran away, the girl was waiting for him and started to grab his shirt, screaming. Women with purses started attacking him, then the police dragged him away."

 I gasped, "That's terrible!"

 Earl shrugged, "I thought it was pretty funny. I think those kids are all homeless too."

 "Well...that seems eventful."

 Earl said, "Everyone back home was right. Some people are strange here in Italy."

 "Yeah...yeah. Do you want dinner?"

 Earl grabbed his stomach smiling, "I'd thought you'd never ask."

 I laughed and both of us left my room. As Earl went outside, I walked to the front desk.

 "Um excuse me? Do you know any good places to eat dinner?"

 Another girl popped up suddenly. One that I did not meet yet.

 I said nervously, "I hope you speak english."

 The girl laughed, "Yeah. I'm Michelle's daughter. As for your question, there's a good place down the street. It's called Osteria da Sergio. Nice pasta there." [real place]

 I said, "Thanks!"

 I left, "Hey Earl, found a place!"

 Earl stopped me in my tracks, "Look over there."

 I did as he said. Mr. Getz? What is he doing here? He is slowly down the street, looking through empty buildings. He poked his head down an alley way, he ran down it.

Earl said, "Do you want to go see what he is doing?"

 I replied, "No." But my mind said something completely different.

 

Author's Note

please review?