Giacomo is a 12-year-old who lives in a world where art is illegal.
Every artist possesses a birdlike creature called a Genius, which contains the artists creative spirit.
He wedged himself between the chained double doors and shimmied through.
Long abandoned, the space once housed a cultural center and artists studios.
He liked to picture himself arriving for class as eager students ran up and down the halls.
Painted across one side of the main hall was a long fresco, cracked and faded.
He found a stash of sketchbooks and drawing supplies in a locked cabinet, long forgotten.
And the fresco had become his main source of inspiration.
Had Pietro known these people?
Did they all stand in this room and model for his mural?
The tiny creatures wings were spread as if it had just floated down from the sky to meet her.
But now, if a Genius flew into a childs life, it meant a death sentence for both.
Giacomo took a few steps forward, studied the fresco up close, then began to draw the girl.
After a few minutes, he paused, comparing his work to that on the wall.
He rubbed his eyes, frustrated.
Giacomo often wondered why the Supreme Creator had allowed this fresco to survive.
Did she secretly admire Pietros work?
He dropped his charcoal and whirled around, expecting a soldier to step from the shadows.
Unnerved, Giacomo packed his materials, picked up his lantern, and made for the doors.
But the way out was blocked.
Standing in front of him was the silhouette of a hunched figure.
He stopped breathing and stepped back.
The silhouette lurched closer, feet dragging.
It was a woman.
Gray matted hair hung in wild strands, covering most of her face.
