Chapter 28 – VENOM #2
A child, in nothing but dirty underwear, huddles in the corner of the room. Bruises scatter his frail body and his messy brown hair shields his eyes.
I take a step toward him and the poor boy pulls his legs even tighter to himself in fear, shaking.
“Now, now. It’s alright. I’m not here to hurt you.”
I crouch down to his level and wait for him to lift his head.
One big cerulean eye meets me, while the other remains closed in an angry bruise. I clench my jaw, griding my molars before I speak.
“What’s your name, boy?”
He studies me for a moment before whispering, “Damon.”
“And how old are you, Damon?”
“Nine. Are you a policeman? Are you here to save me?”
“I’m no policeman, but I can help you.”
“The lady—she’ll be back soon,” he says with deep rooted fear.
“She’s already returned.” His one eye goes even wider and he looks to the door. “It’s alright. She’s dead now.”
“Are you like… one of those superheroes?”
“I would prefer you not call me that. You can call me, Venom.”
“So, you are a superhero!” he says excitedly.
“No, no. Not that Venom. I don’t have a parasite in me. We just share the same name. Although I will say, I’m much better than him.” I give him a wink then stand and hold out my hand. “Can you walk?”
He smiles and stands, slipping his small hand into mine.
“Was it really bad for her? Can I see her?”
Surprised, I look down at him with furrowed brows. “I’m not sure you want to see what she looks like now.”
He stands taller and with determination says, “I do. I want to see her.”
“Well alright then, but I don’t want to be blamed for any nightmares you have.
” I’m sure I’ll hear shit about letting a child see a dead body from Alice, but I can see in this boy’s eyes why he wants to see her, that he needs to see her.
As I did with my abusers. If this is the closure he needs, so be it.
“I already have nightmares,” he says softly.
Me too, kid.
Me
It’s done.
Alice
Good. The funds will be deposited tomorrow morning. Thank you, V.
Me
But…
Alice
But what??
Me
There was a complication.
Alice
Since when do you have complications?
Me
The… product… is currently asleep in my back seat.
Alice
Fuck. Our intel did not disclose he was being held there. This must have just happened.
Me
He’s pretty banged up and needs to be checked out. And I am not the one to hold his hand through all this. I might have scarred him already.
Alice
I got this. Can you meet me in two hours? I’ll take a chopper.
Me
Send me the address.
Damon ends up waking up a little while before Alice is set to arrive and uninvitedly crawls his way into the front passenger seat.
“I’m cold,” he says, rubbing at his thin arms. “And hungry.”
I toss him the apple I stole from dead Debbie and then step out of my car and begin to unload the pockets of my jacket, tossing the items onto the driver seat. Damon’s eyebrows raise as he takes in everything.
“Don’t touch any of that.”
“I knew you were a superhero,” he says with a proud smirk.
“You really gotta stop calling me that, kid.” I lean in and hand him my jacket. “Here, put this on.”
He’s drowning in it, but at least he’ll be warm. I also turn up the heat and press on the seat warmers.
After collecting my tools, I put them in my bag in the trunk and then join the boy.
“Do you have family? Someone who might be looking for you?”
He shakes his head. “Mom and Dad were killed. And then the men took me.” A tear rolls down his dirty bruised face and I find myself wishing I could bring Debbie back alive just to kill her again.
“Well, there’s a very nice lady coming to get you. She’ll take care of you.”
“I can’t go home with you?” He looks at me with such hope and I’m suddenly thrust back into memories I don’t want be in. I shake my head, pushing away where my mind is going.
This boy in front of me reminds me too much of myself. I need Alice to get here now.
Headlights appear as a dark vehicle pulls up directly in front of mine. Someone gets out and moves to stand in between our cars; a shadow carved out between the two sets of headlights.
“Is that her?”
“I’ll be back right back. You stay here.”
I climb out and walk over to the person, their face becoming clearer with every step.
Long blonde hair, tightly tied back in a ponytail, slim porcelain face with light rosy cheeks, powder blue eyes, and a smirk, greets me.
“Alice,” I say with a nod.
“Venom.”
“Never thought we’d meet.”
“Oh, we’ve sort of met.” She smiles; bright pearly teeth drawing my attention to her mouth.
“Is that so?”
“Georgia, the ball.”
The instant she says it, I remember. “The rabbit mask. Of course. You should have said hello.”
“I was working, and I assume, so were you. Although I didn’t expect you to bring a date.”
“My date nights always involve a little mayhem.” I grin.
“Wouldn’t expect anything less.” She looks past me to my car. “Is the boy okay?”
“Hungry, bruised. Could have broken bones, other internal injuries, but he’s walking and talking.”
“Thank you, Venom. I’ll take it from here.”
She begins to walk to the car.
“What will you do with him? Just… curious.”
“We’ll help him heal and find him a loving home and hopefully his trauma won’t affect too much of his future.”
“One's trauma is complex.”
“Speaking from experience?”
“Of sorts.”
She gives me a soft smile.
“Will you ever tell me your real name?”
“I have.”
“Well alright, Alice from Wonderland,” I say sarcastically.
She smiles again and then moves to open the door to greet Damon. She crouches and introduces herself and exchanges more words before helping him out of the car.
“I’ll be in touch, Venom,” Alice says as she walks back by me, hand in hand with the boy. He stares at me as he passes and before he makes it to Alice’s car, he lets her hand go and runs to me, colliding into my side and hugging me.
“Thank you for saving me, superhero.”
I so desperately want to correct him again, but I don’t.
Instead, I place my hand on his back and give him a couple taps. “It was nice to meet you Damon, go on now and make Alice get you whatever meal you want, don’t skip dessert.”
He looks at me with a big smile and runs back over to Alice who is smiling at me too. She gives me a nod and turns away.