“Are you ok?”

Was the figure talking to me? He hovered over me and reached for my hand, and I moved it away instinctively. I think I would have shouted if I had still some breath after running.

Wait, what about the man that was following me? I looked into the corner, and the figure did the same, probably because of curiosity.

“Stop!” The man seemed tired, yet he was still running after me. He turned the corner, and stopped when he saw the figure.

At his sight I cringed and tried to make myself smaller. The figure noticed this, and stood up.

“Are you terrifying this miss?” The figure said in a low smooth voice. To me, that low voice seemed more menacing that a shout. The figure was really angry. I gulped.

The man didn’t seem to understand English, so he just stood there, dumbfounded.

Then the figure started talking again, this time in a language I could not recognize. Was that Italian? It sounded different, yet similar. The figure walked towards him, right into the light of a lamp. And I could finally notice that he was nothing but a man, wearing one of those pointy Venice masks, one of those medics were supposed to use during the times of the black pest, in order to avoid infection. I left a sigh of relief.

And then I felt so silly. Was I really that scared that I just thought I had seen a monster? In the middle of the city, to top it all?? I really was like a child.

I couldn’t understand what the men were saying, but pointy-mask seemed to be defending me. The drunk man then seemed to apologize in fast Italian, and after saying his words, he turned around and walked away fast, looking scared.

I left a sigh of relief. I was saved!

And then pointy-mask, my savior, turned around and started walking towards me. And my happiness stopped for a moment. Was I really safe? Or had I come to face a worse destiny? It was obvious that I could not run from this man, for he was bigger and stronger than me. And he was sober.

“Are you ok, miss?” He asked again, in a worried tone.

He kept a safe distance, and so I felt at ease again. He doesn’t seem to be a dangerous person.

I was still on the floor. I stood up, and clean myself of the dirt.

“I-I am. Thank you.” I finally said.

He seemed relieved.

“I am sorry for this inconvenience, this is not something that usually happens here in Venice. Please allow me to escort you to piazza di San Marco, so you don’t have any more problems.”

Wow, he was so nice! My fear was finally fading. He had such a beautiful voice too, there was no way a man with that voice would be evil.

“Actually, I was trying to find my way back to my place. Could you please guide me there?”

“To your place this early?” He seemed surprised. “But the party is still in its beginning! And you have such a beautiful mask, doesn’t seem to me like you wanted to spend the night in your house.” He doubted. “Is this man the reason you want to leaave?”

“No, not at all. I am… not exactly a party girl.” I answered truthfully.

“Querida, this is not a normal party at all.” He said, and I could feel the smile in his voice. “This is one of the famous carnivals of the world, one of the most exciting days of the year! This is an event for everybody, a wonderful night for happiness and freedom. Party girls and non-party girls are all invited.”

I felt infected by his happiness, and even tempted to return, but I already knew how that would end: with me alone in a corner, regretting everything.

I think he sensed my doubt.

“Come with me.” He finally said. “And if you don’t have the time of your life today, I will invite you for a trip in the gondolas tomorrow, as a reward for your lost time.”

I had learn soon in Venice that the gondolas were a tourist trap, as trips were horribly expensive. It could easily cost more than 100 euro just a small trip. But of course, I had dreamed with gondolas all my life, so even if I could not afford it with my savings, I still wanted to get into one someday.

It seemed like I was going to get my trip after all.