21. Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-One
Mariella
I must be looking different today, because the soldier Giulia flagged down to drive me into Rome keeps stealing glances at me in the rearview mirror.
Thankfully, Gustavo doesn’t talk to me. Unlike Dario, he doesn’t seem the friendliest and is clearly bothered having to play chauffeur.
So I concentrate on the map Giulia gave me, deciding what I want to explore, before glancing outside at the increasingly busy streets.
As we drive into Rome, the city unfolds before me like a dream, its layers of history seamlessly blending with the modern streets. Ancient ruins come into view, columns standing proud, weathered stones whispering tales of empires long gone.
I sit up straighter and crane my neck when I spot the Colosseum looming in the distance. It’s half-hidden behind newer buildings, yet its presence dominates the skyline.
I’m so excited! I’m in a place where the past still lives, breathing through the cracks of time.
“Where do you want to go?” Gustavo asks, shooting me a sideways glance in the mirror.
“Can you let me out at Vatican City?” I ask, leaning forward. “Then pick me up at the Colosseum later?”
His brow creases. “The Colosseum?” His voice is gruff, almost disbelieving. “You want to walk all that distance?”
It’s really not much of a trek, just shy of three miles. But I don’t mention that to Gustavo and simply nod. He mutters something under his breath I can’t make out.
“Five o’clock to pick you back up. Will that do?”
I pause, mentally tracing the route. It’s late morning, and I have plenty of time to wander from the Vatican, past Piazza Venezia and the imposing Altare della Patria, and take in the ancient ruins along Via dei Fori Imperiali before I reach the Colosseum.
“Yeah,” I reply, smiling. “That’ll be perfect.”
He huffs, shaking his head slightly as if I’ve just asked for the moon, but he nods and pulls over when we reach the Vatican.
“Five it is. Here, take my card.” He turns in his seat to face me, holding out a business card. “Call me if you get lost or want to head back earlier.”
I stare at it for a few moments before slipping it into my handbag. Isa’s phone is safely tucked inside. I brought it to take pictures for her, but since no one’s supposed to know, I won’t be calling Gustavo with it. If I need to reach him, I’ll find a public phone booth. They still exist, don’t they?
As I step out of the car, the hum of voices, car engines, and the occasional burst of laughter greets me. My shoes click on the cobblestones as I step away from the road. I crane my neck, taking in the sight of St. Peter’s Basilica towering above me. It’s my first stop for today.
Humming to myself, I walk toward the entrance. The air is filled with the scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby café and the sweet hint of flowers from a vendor’s stall.
My fingers brush against the cool, rough stone of the ancient buildings as I make my way forward, oddly feeling a connection to the countless others who have walked these streets before me.
This is surreal.
If anyone had told me a week ago that I’d be wandering the streets of Rome, unmarried and completely on my own without a chaperone, I’d never have believed them.
Yet, here I am.
An exhilarating sense of freedom washes over me. Every step feels like a quiet rebellion, a small act of independence that fills me with both joy and a little fear.
But that fear? It’s fading fast, replaced by a thrill I hadn’t realized I was missing.
Smiling, I step through the massive doors of St. Peter’s Basilica. Today is turning out to be one of the best days of my life!
The hours fly by as I wander through the ancient sites, completely immersed in the history surrounding me. I’ve never had this much fun.
The only thing that could make this experience better is if I had some money on me to indulge in the mouthwatering food stalls that seem to pop up around every corner. It never even crossed my mind that I’d need any cash.
Back home, on any outing, someone else always paid. I don’t own a single cent. And I could have never asked Giulia for money. It wouldn’t have felt right.
Thankfully, she insisted I take a bottle of water, and I grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on my way out. It’s kept me going, but my stomach is grumbling louder with each passing minute. At least it means dinner will taste even better when I get back to Carloso.
I’ve explored the Colosseum for the past two hours, soaking in its grandeur and rich history. By some miracle, today is a Cultural Heritage Day, and entry was free, allowing me to wander through the ancient arches and imagine the countless events that unfolded within these walls.
Seeing it now, I find it hard to believe that gladiators and spectators dressed in tunics once roamed these corridors. How amazing it would have been to witness the full amphitheater and hear the thunderous cheers of the crowds.
I have about half an hour left until Gustavo picks me up. Where exactly will I meet him? The Colosseum isn’t exactly small. I’ll probably just go to the main taxi area.
I wander down a quieter part of the Colosseum when I hear fast footsteps approaching from behind. A chill runs down my spine, but I don’t get a chance to turn around. Suddenly, a hand covers my mouth, and another winds around my waist, dragging me backward into an alcove.
Panic surges through me, my heart racing as I struggle to break free. The shadows close in, my temples buzz, and my mind races.
“Help!” I try to scream, but only muffled sounds escape my lips, not loud enough to pierce through the hustle and bustle of this place.
My heart pounds in my chest as I fight against the grip that holds me tight. I kick and twist, desperate to break free.
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.
My every sense is heightened. The rough stone of the alcove presses against my front, while the stranger’s weight looms behind me.
His breath is warm against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. The scent of expensive cologne envelops me. It’s overpowering and a stark contrast to the ancient stones around us.
I hear distant laughter of tourists and the clatter of their footsteps, but it all seems so far away.
Fear drowns out every other emotion, gripping me like a vice, tightening with each passing second.
I’m trapped.
Is this how my story ends?