The Roar of the Night

25

Over the next few days, I performed five different rescues. Every time people saw me in the Venom mask, they didn't get scared, but instead shouted "It's Venomheart!" with joy. I was surprised how quickly they had gotten used to my appearance, even when, sometimes, when the suit came off, they would see my dog's snout, ears, or legs covered in fur. Instead of screams of fear, I heard enthusiastic voices, asking to take photos with me. I felt safer, more comfortable. Clara even had to get me some pants and shoes so I could blend in when I wasn't doing rescues. It seemed easier and easier to blend in with humans.

On the sixth day, Clara took Lucy shopping, so I spent the day with Alex and Tom. We were in the living room, while I cooked something special for Lucy. Without the mask, I would taste the food with my tongue, making sure he liked it. The kitchen had become a refuge for me. When I was a dog, I watched Alex cook, but now, being a part of it all, I felt even closer to him.

"You're going to love it," I said with a smile.

As I concentrated on the finishing touches, Tom turned on the television and caught my attention.

—Rex, you're on TV.

I quickly walked over and on the screen they were talking about my latest rescue. Two drivers were commenting on the news. The woman was wearing a red suit and, to my surprise, I recognized her immediately. It was the lady I returned the bag to a few days ago. Her name was Camila Vega, it said so on the sign. I was moved to see her speak with so much enthusiasm.

"Venomheart is protecting us, it's what we need in our city," Camila said, her face full of gratitude.

But his companion, a serious and skeptical man, interrupted:

—I'm not so sure. A hero? With that aspect, I can't trust at all. He looks more like a monster than anything else.

I felt my heart race and my chest tighten. Was that what many thought of me? My eyes searched for Alex, seeking his support.

"Don't pay attention to them, Rex," Alex told me, seeing my reaction. There will always be people who won't understand what you do.

"Exactly," said Tom. Also, that guy sounds like J. Jonah Jameson, slandering Spider-Man all the time.

I laughed nervously, but the nervousness didn't go away. Camila, however, did not let her partner intimidate her.

—I think you're being unfair. A hero doesn't have to look like someone from a magazine. Heroes come in many forms, and Venomheart has shown us to be one of them.

"I don't trust something that looks like a canine copy of Spider-Man," the man said, annoyed.

—And what does it matter if it looks like a wolf or cat version? —she responded—. The important thing is that it is saving lives. Not all heroes need a cape or look like their usual characters.

My eyes lit up. Camila's words resonated with me, and for the first time in a long time, I felt true acceptance. It was no longer just the monster or the strange dog. To some people, he was a hero. And that was what I most wanted to be.

"She's a good woman," I said quietly, smiling.

—I told you, Rex. "Not everyone judges by appearances," Alex said, patting me on the shoulder.

And there I was, in the room with Alex and Tom, feeling more confident in who I was and what it meant to be Venomheart.