"Wake up Jem! Remember we have a tour today", Jay whispers close to my ears and my brain tries to grasp what he says.

"Have? Remember? Tour?", I say in a funny manner, opening my eyes and shutting it immediately from the sudden brightness.

"Tour of Rome! Remember?", He asks brushing away a strand of hair on my face.

"I want to sleep", I groan as I begin to feel a migraine and I roll over to the other side and cover my head with the pillow.

"Okay Jem, but I won't take you next time", he says making his exit out of the room.

"Mother fucker!", I yell as I toss the pillow at him but luckily he ducks it.

"Good morning to you too!", he says grinning from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat.

I abruptly get up but seems that acts proved too strenuous as I land with a thud on the floor. Ouch! I close my eyes as all the activities of yesterday comes rushing back. Then I feel the pain and banging in my head.

"Hangover?", Jay asks, concern laced his tone. I only nod in response as he yells Anita to bring the tea or whatever.

Minutes later, Anita barges in with a tray of coffee.
"Morning bae!", she greets and I cringe from the nickname. I only wave my hands in response as my head won't stop banging.

"How do you feel?", She asks, checking my pupils like a doctor.

"Like a fell off a cliff. It's like someone or some force won't stop hitting my head with a club".

"Hmm", she responds, as she uses the blood pressure machine to check my blood pressure and pulse rate.

"Here have this, there's nothing to worry about, you'll be fine", she dryly states like a doctor.

"Thanks doc, good to know I'm not pregnant", I say rolling my eyes at her as I sip the coffee. Yuck! This is not sweet. I should ask for some sugar and cream.

"Don't think about it!", Jay exclaims loudly obviously following my train of thoughts. I only scoff as Anita scurried out of the room. I cringe with each sip. Those on diet are really strong hearted.

"About last night... "

"All is forgiven only if you wear one of the blue skirt we got you at the mall", Jay cuts me with a raised eyebrow. I wasn't even going to apologize.

"No way am I wearing that thing. The weather out there is hot, I don't want to sit and when I get up, I'll have sweaty butt", I conclude not even looking forward for an argument early this morning.

"Well I'll sit behind you so when you get up and you have sweaty butt, there'll be a pretty good explanation" he says cockily.

What! No! I look at him like he just said a terrible thing, of course he said a terrible thing. At least he didn't chasten me for having sweaty butt. The nerve of this dude! Remind me why I'm not killing him again? Yeah right, Alexa!

"Pervert. You're such a fucking pervert!", I mutter as I take a sip of the coffee. This horrid coffee actually brings painful tears to my eyes. How did I even get so drunk? I thought I had a very high restraint on alcohol. Clearly I was wrong. I am never doing that shit again.

It's just past eleven in the morning, so Alan should be up by now. I search my bed for my phone ignoring Jay's questioning gaze.

Alan: Hey Jem, what's up.

Jem: the ceiling dummy,

I say with a hint of joke.

And why is your voice cracked? I thought you'd be awake by now! Did you play mortal combat again? I told you to not play them. You're really addicted. That's why you wake up late.

Alan: it's only five am Jem.

Jem: which is clearly too late for you.

Alan:says the girl who wakes up by noon.

Jem: you promised not to refer to that again. And it was just once. Once Alan.

Alan: I beg to differ?

Jem: no! How is Jon?

Alan: H... H... He's fine, still sleeping.

Jem: Are you lying.

Alan: No. I'm yawning. How's Rome?

Jem: Not sure. Can you imagine that they forced me to buy skirt and not just one. Three! Three fucking skirts. And now Jay is telling me that I should wear skirt again today for the tour. He doesn't understand that I'd rather wear your boxer brief and big tee than to wear skirt. I miss you so much brother bear. At least you never forced me to wear what I don't want to wear.

Alan: Geez! You wore skirt? Now that's a change.

Jem: Hello, was that the only thing you heard?

Alan: No.. B.. But..

Jem: It's not funny

Alan: I didn't say it was funny.

Jem: Your laugh says otherwise.

Alan: My laugh isn't me.

Jem: Alan Benedict Ross.

Alan: Yikes! I'm toast now! Okay okay. Hey you remember that time we were little and we watched walking dead?

Jem: yeah! So?

Alan: We all know you pretended to be afraid so you can snuggle up to me.

Jem: Not true!

Alan: True!

Jem: Hey! You know all those times you called me drunk? So I could come pick you up? And you'll tell me to sneak out without letting Dad know. 

Alan: Yeah so?

Jem: We all know that you did it because you wanted to spend more time with me.

Alan: Not true!

Jem:you turned down every fucking driver, I hired for you.

Alan:yeah because... Well.. They were slow.

Jem: you always complained about my speed!

Alan: Yea! Uh.. That was because... I...

And back and forth we went. He eventually hung up the call, saying something about medical situation. But we were on the phone for close to good three hours. Jay must have left between that time. I hurriedly take a shower and put on the blue skirt.

Jem's outfit!

Fuck you Jay! Fuck you! The annoying part is that it's blue!!. Why does it have to be blue?

I grudgingly go down the stairs and find Anita and Dimitri going at it. Yikes! Can't those two keep it together for a little bit?

"You look amazing!" Jay exclaims. I only give a curt nod in response.

"C'mon you two, cut it out and let's go", Jay says in a matter of fact tone. Anita looks mortified and Dimitri looks chastened. I just roll my eyes at the three of them and make a move to grab the car keys from Jay but he takes it away before I can grab it.

"Won't you let me drive?", I ask, pouting.

"You're the tourist and I'm the person taking you on tour", he says, heading for the door with Anita and Dimitri solidly behind him. I only huff and scoff and hesitantly move outside.

I sit in the passenger's seat beside Jay and Dimitri and Anita sits in the back.

"Where to?",I ask buckling my seat belt.

"We're heading to the Colosseum!", Jay replies as if expecting me to just know what a "Colosseum" is.

"Mind telling me what it is?"
"Not really"
"Why not?"
"That's not my job"
"Who else will explain it?"

This dude is impossible! Why is he taking me on a tour if he can't explain a single term?

"This is how it's going to be...I will take you to different tourist sites and Anita will explain it to you. I'm not really cut out for that explaining stuff", he hurriedly states and wipes off the creased lines on his forehead.

So this is what it's about. He doesn't know them. Or he doesn't know how to explain them. I chuckle lightly, earning a glare from the three of them.

I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out. I close them back and look out of the window observing the buildings as they whiz by in a blur.

"A Colosseum is an iconic gladiatorial arena", Anita tutors.

I open my mouth to ask a question but was interrupted by Dimitri's announcement of our arrival.

We all get down and move towards the by standers area.
This is amazing. We watch two gladiators wrestle for power. I didn't know there were still gladiators. We stayed a little while longer until I started getting uncomfortable by the stares of people.

Why are they staring? Yes I agree they know that I'm silent killer but at least they should have the decency to know that staring is rude.

I told Anita about how uncomfortable I was and she told Dimitri, Dimitri went on to tell Jay and Jay led the way out of the arena.
We got in the car and Jay began driving again.

"Why were you Uncomfortable Jem?", Dimitri asks from the back seat.

"I was getting lot of stares from people and I'm not used to that. I think I should let Alan know that I need a new mask", I stated simply.

"Well now that everyone knows you're silent killer, don't you think you should adjust to the feeling?", Anita asks this time around.

"No! It's eerily icky",I say in a disgusted manner.

"Okay kids, we're here",Jay says in a sing song manner before turning off the ignition.
"You're not really older than us you know", i say through seethed teeth.

"Yeah, so?"

"So stop calling us kids", Anita barks before exiting the car with Dimitri hot on her tails.

"Puer puellam vexat",
(The boy annoys the girl),I state with a Cheshire grin on my face as I follow suit and so does Jay.

"What was that you said?",Jay menacingly asks.
I am about to give him a cocky reply but instead I gasp in awe at the sight in front of me.

"Jem, this is St Peter's Basilica", Jay tutors.

"This is the largest basilica I've ever seen",I gaped.

"Uh..duh! It's the largest basilica in the world for something", Anita says, standing at akimbo.

We have a look on the inside and boy this is fun.

We exit the basilica and Jay takes us to another portion of the tourism center.

"This right here is the Pantheon",Jay says pointing at something that looks like a land mark. I look at Anita solemnly, pleading her with my eyes to explain what a 'Pantheon' is.

"Don't you know nothing? A Pantheon is a landmark of the Roman church and historic tombs", She says in a joking tone. I felt offended but I decide to not let my temper get the best of me. I will also not ask them anything again if they're not willing to tell me what it is. After all,the world is a global village and I can get what I want ,when I want and if I want.

"Next we're going to my favorite site, trevi fountain",Dimitri exclaims and we begin walking towards that direction.

While walking, I begin thinking, it's been a while since I stabbed someone, anyone. Oh how I really want to kill someone. I make a mental note to call Jon when I get back to Jay's house, so I can find out if he's got any mission for me.

"This right here is the trevi fountain Jem, it is the iconic 18th century sculpted fountain. My great great great great grand father drank from this fountain"

I look at the dry fountain. I find it hard to believe water could have ever gushed out of this fountain. It's so dry and any slight push, the fountain will crumble to dust.

"Just typical! Anyways Jem the next stop is my favorite site, the piazza navona", Anita states as she takes us to a very odd looking square. This is her favorite site? Why am I not surprised? She herself is also a very odd specie of human beings.

"Yes Jem! This Piazza Navona is an elegant square with a fountain and bars"

After taking a close look at it, it's not so odd after all and it is really elegant. I just give her a curt nod to show I understand what she said.

"Right, so next we have the Vatican Museum'', Jay's voice booms. Oh, so he's still with us?

"Why aren't you saying anything?", Jay asks.

Oh! So now they want me to say something. I only shake my head in response, indicating that all is fine.

"Okay then. This is where the entire papal palace renaissance art treasures are kept", Anita resumes her tutoring.

I gawked at the beauty. Wow! Alan's home town is more beautiful than it is given credit for.

"Now we move on to the Spanish steps", Jay says pointing at an ancient but elegant stairway.

"Jem! This is the iconic baroque stairway and meeting place", Dimitri voice echoes.

"Yeah! It's so old, only one person is allowed to climb on it", Anita says with so much vigor. I smile at how happy she looked from sharing her knowledge with me. Maybe she didn't really mean what she said. I really should stop reading meaning into things.

"Okay kids.."

"Pedicabo ego vos Jay! Fuck you! We are not your kids! If you want one go find yourself a fuck mate or better still, get married!", Anita cries in frustration and stomps out of the building.

"Puer puellam vexat", Dimitri says almost laughing.

"Indeed he does!", I say laughing and rest my head on his shoulder in a friendly manner and he puts his hand on my waist.

We laugh in unison, leaving the building and a stunned Jay confused. Still in that position, Anita saw us.

"There you are!" Dimitri exclaims removing his hand from my waist and making an attempt to hug her but she shoves him away.

She looks at me with so much venom in her eyes. Now what? I just stood in my position perplexed and confused. Did I do something wrong?

I look at Jay but he also seems confused.

"You traitor! How dare you touch my man?", Anita says through seethed teeth.

Her man? Oh so this is what she's angry about? I thought she was angry because Jay called us kids?

"I was pissed about Jay calling us kids and now you had the guts to lean on Dimitri?"

"Babe, this is all a mix..."

"Shut the fuck up Dimitri! I will deal with you later", she says cutting him short.

By now, a little crowd was gathering.

Jay tries to tell them off but it was futile.

"Look Anita..."

"I'm not done silent killer", Anita spits with so much hatred.

I close my eyes and count to five to still the burning rage inside me.

"Just because Alan hasn't noticed you, you now want to manipulate Dimitri into loving you?" She says in a disgusting manner.

By this time, I was already balling my fists. I look around and the crowd began to disperse at the sight of Jay's gun. Tears began to form at the base of my eyes.

"How shameless of you SK!"

At least she didn't say my name.

"I didn't expect you to stoop so low. In fact, how low can you stoop?"

I grit my teeth in anger and begged for a miracle to happen to prevent me from doing what I'm about to do if she goes on.

"Anita! This is a misunderstanding!"

"I said I wasn't done", Anita yells landing a dirty slap on my face.

Without thinking, I bring out my dagger and plunge it into her shoulder. She screams in pain but that didn't stop me. Her screams of pains were my energy drink.

Dimitri rushes to me and tries dragging me but I remove the dagger from Anita shoulders and point it at him. He didn't budge, but he pleads with me with his eyes. I could see the tears in his eyes as a result of Anita's pains.

I look over at Jay and he looks right back at me, with his hand in his pockets. Unsmiling, unmoving, he beckons for me to come with his head.

I look at Anita and she seems to be passing out. She was slowly fading to black. I stepped aside for Dimitri to attend to her and I move to meet Jay.

He hugs me assuring me that all is okay. I only lay my head on his chest and try to cry but I didn't.

On our way to the hospital, I began to ponder. I was afraid this would happen. I could have stayed away. I know I'm hot tempered. I know how taunts affects me. I know it doesn't sit too well with me. Now that damn girl has brought out the non emotional side of me.

It is going to take another traumatic event for me to cry. What do I tell Alan? Without thinking, I bring out my dagger and slice my wrist open.

Dimitri's eyes widen with shock and Jay just swears. He tries to take the dagger away from me but I slice more, opening up my wrist. The blood now gushed out like river. The pain is unbearable. I don't bate an eyelid or show any sign of pain as Jay manages to pry the dagger away from my hand.

Dimitri tries to stop the excessive outflow of blood but it's hopeless as the cut is too deep. I smile at him and he smiles back.

I am tough. I survived the Valerians without him by my side. I can survive anything.

Be strong because what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but what kills you leaves you dead.

Why did Anita do this to me?

These were my last thoughts as I become faint from too much lost blood.
Everywhere begins closing in on me as I drift off into the comfort zone of oblivion.

What just happened?
Why did Anita do that?
Why did Jem react that way?
Why didn't someone stop them?
Why won't she cry until another traumatic event takes place?
Did any traumatic event take place in the past?
Will Anita be okay? Will everything ever be normal again?

Well, just keep reading to find out!

And I hope I was able to teach you one or two things about Rome?
Well before you move on to the next chapter, please reward my efforts with votes and comments. If it deserves more reads and votes than it has, then please help me share!

I love you all so much!