Venom

3

Groggy eyes pealed open to check the clock next to Ezras bed. As her eyes focused on the red glowing numbers, she saw that it was nearly four am. She frowned as she pushed a pillow over her eyes. Her body wouldn't allow her to sleep any longer, forcing her out of her bed.

Dragging her feet, Ezra moved towards her suitcase. Unzipping it, she pulled out a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt. After changing, she felt her stomach growl. She didn't want to leave her room, fearing that she'd run into someone.  But eventually, Ezra decided to push into the hallway. She didn't expect anyone to be awake at four in the morning.

Slowly, the girl tiptoed through the hall to the stairs. She ran down the steps as she hoped none of them would creak. Ezra moved blindly through the darkness of the home until she found herself in a new room. The moonlight shining through the windows made clear that the room was the kitchen.

Her hands moved along the wall until they landed on a switch. Pushing it, the room lit up with bright overhead lights. Ezra smiled in success as she looked around the fully lit room. The appliences were clean and new. A large pantry was hidden behind a door next to the fridge. The fridge itself was giant. In the center of the kitchen was a large island with high seats around it.

Going towards the cabinets, Ezra searched for a cup. Soon she found one and poured herself a glass of water. A bowl sat in the middle of the island holding various fruits. Grabbing an apple, she sat in one of the stools next the the island. Her elbows rested on the cool marble as she ate.

Sitting in silence, the girl enjoyed her moment alone. She liked being alone with her thoughts. It was the only way she could ground herself.

"Hope you're not plotting an escape plan."

The sudden voice startled Ezra making her nearly fall from her chair. Ryder walked into the kitchen as he typed on his phone. Grey sweatpants hung low on his hips and a black shirt clad his torso.

Ezra went back to eating her apple, but kept her eyes on Ryder. "I'm not that stupid."

"You never know," He spoke, putting his phone in his pocket.

Ezras eyes moved towards the pocket Ryder had slid his phone into. Hers had been taken while she slept on the plane. Ezra was tempted to reach for Ryders phone, but it would do no good. If she somehow got into it, there was no one she could call to help her. The girl was on her own.

"Why are you awake?" Ezra asked while Ryder grabbed himself a cup of water.

"Working," Ryder said as he pulled his phone from his pocket. "Figuring out what I need you to do."

Ezra sighed as she stood up. Throwing her apple core away, she walked towards the exit.

"You better be ready for today," Ryder smirked while sitting. "You need to prove you deserve to be here."

"I shouldn't have to prove that I belong somewhere I don't want to be." Ezra spat, glaring behind her at the gang leader.

"You'll need to watch that mouth of yours Ezra," Ryder said as he stood up moving towards the girl. "Wouldn't want waste such a pretty face." His fingers moved around the girls jaw.

Looking away, Ezra tried to get the mans fingers off her skin. Ryder groaned as he gripped her jaw, turing her face towards him. Ezra glared as he held her.

"You'll learn soon enough that you're mine little Ezra," he spat, their noses nearly touching.

"Never."

Ryder laughed as he let go of her jaw. "Get some sleep. I need you at your peak."

——

Guns lined the walls around the girl. She was used to weapons always being around her. Growing up she had to learn to be the perfect gang member. It appeared to her that Ryder was trying to see how perfect she was.