VENOM

Voices

Leo and Tommy stepped onto the bus. The normally open and playful Leo was quiet. He was wearing a tar-black hoodie, and blue jeans, which again was unlike the usually relaxed and light clothing he typically wore. The air aboard the bus was different, everyone could feel it. Everyone could tell it was from Leo. He, however, didn't pay them any attention.

As they left the bus, the long silence was shattered by the chatter of the students who hung out at the bus loop. Those who noticed, gasped aloud: Leo was walking. Not slow, or limping, but fully, normally walking, and muscular. As before, everyone fell silent.

Most classes went uneventful, but unlike before, Samantha was keeping a close eye on this new Leo.

"I know she's been staring, dude." Tommy jeered. "Must be the abs."
"Bro, she can't even see them."
"Women got that sense, ya know?"
"Whatever. I gotta use the crapper. I'll meet you in there." Leo smacked his friend on the back of the head, and went into the bathroom. After he did his business, and was using the sink, he heard a voice.
Leonard.
"Huh? Tommy, that you?" He knew it couldn't have been. The voice was too deep. Grisly. Almost..evil.
Leonard.
"Who's there?"
No one but usss.
"Who's us? Where are you?" He began checking each stall. He was completely alone. "Answer me."
You must kill them, Leonard.
"Kill who? Who is this?"
You know who we must kill.
"First me, now we?" He looked into the mirror, and noticed a black goo leaking from his hood, starting to cover his face. He looked at his hands, and the same began to happen.
They are coming.
As the voice said it, two boys came in: Toby and Jake. Jake was his 'bodyguard' as they said, and the two came looking for trouble.
" 'Sup nerd. Heard you got some whack new drugs." Toby smirked, and Jake got behind him.
"Y-yeah. It's treatment for my disease."
"Oh it's done way more than that." Jake sneered, grabbing onto his shoulders. "Hand it over, and we might not beat the shit out of you."
"Easy fellas." Leo stuttered. "I don't...don't have any."
"Bullshit. Jake, shake 'em." Jake nodded, and slammed his fist into Leo's ribs, and tossed him to the ground as the two thugs searched him for drugs. Leo felt the blows, and air ripped from his lungs. Something inside him snapped. He saw a dull, orange tint in his vision, and uncontrollable rage. He pulled himself to his feet, grabbing Jake by his throat and tossing him into a stall, smashing the door down. He could hear shouting from Toby, but it was as if his ears were underwater. Leo snatched the bully's arm, and slung him against the wall like a rag doll. The bully choked and scrambled to his feet, only to get lifted up by his shirt, and punched repeatedly in the gut, then smashed into the tile floor. As he landed, the orange tint faded, and Leo snapped back. Fear returned, and he darted out the door to the lunch hall, hoping for safety in numbers.
You were meant to kill them.
"Shut up! Shut. Up!" He shouted, holding onto his head.
Our strength saved you, Leonard. You should be thanking usss.
Leo looked into a reflective window, and demanded,
"Who..are you?" A black substance in his reflection covered up the left half of his face, and a white, elongated eye covered his own, and a monstrous mouth filled with needle-like teeth along with an enormous, wormy tongue protruding past his mouth.
I am Venom..and you are mine.
"V...Venom?" The face in the reflection retracted as a hand touched his shoulder. Leo whipped around with a fist raised.
"Leo! It's me!" Sammy shrieked. "Calm down. I heard you shouting, are you okay?" Leo relaxed, and rubbed his face with his hands.
"Yeah. Sorry I'm just jumpy." As he spoke, the bruised and bloody bullies stumbled out of the bathroom, gave Leo one look, and screamed, running away: "Get away from us, freak!" Samantha raised an eyebrow, and gestured with a thumb over her shoulder.
"Something to do with that?"
"Uh..heh. Kinda. I..beat them up." Sammy giggled and folded her arms.
"Yeah. Looks like it. Good job, Freak." She teased, hitting him on the shoulder lightly. Leo smiled, and gestured with his hand to the lunch room.
"Shall we?"
"we shall." She returned the smile, and the two walked in.
She reekssss of innocence!
Leo growled under his breath, and Sammy turned to him.
"Something wrong?"
"Huh? Oh, no. Just clearing my throat."

"Still can't believe you bailed on me dude." Tommy said, staring at the top of his bunk.
"Yeah I'm sorry. Sammy stopped me, and I ended up going with her."
"Sammy? Samantha Teague?"
"Heh. That's the girl." Tommy pulled himself up to the top bunk.
"You're shitting me."
"Nope. 100% not shitting you."
"What about that rumor that you beat the hell out of Toby and Jake? They were hospitalized for broken bones and a hella bad shake." Leo looked over at his friend.
"I put them in the hospital?"
"So it is true!"
"Uhhh. Yeah. It's true."
"Damn. You've become a complete badass since you've gotten that injection." Tommy whistled, returning to his bunk. Leo gave a faded smile, then stared at the ceiling.
"Hmph..yup..total badass." He sighed, plugging in his earbuds.
You cannot ignore usss forever, Leonard.
"I'll do my best."
"What was that?"
"Nothing. Just thinking aloud."