The Girl with Venom

Chapter Thirteen

~Rose~
I go back to my room, putting on some new clothes and shoving my bloody pants in a bag. I grab some cleaning supplies from the kitchen and mop up the floor, making sure there isn't a hint that anything was wrong.

My parents are at work, so I have time to dispose of the clothes. I shove the bag inside of my backpack and grab a jacket and a scarf. I walk to the front door and stop, thinking. If I can't rely on Venom if the man comes back, I at least need to have some sort of defense.

"I told you I will protect you."

I ignore Venom and go to my mom's closet. In the back on the floor covered in dust she has a decent size butterfly knife. I grab it and open it with a couple flicks, just how my dad showed me. The long edge shines back at me. I fold it up and shift some stuff around, looking for the pepper spray. I find it and uncap it, making sure there is plenty of juice left. I put the pepper spray in my left jacket pocket and the knife in my right. My dad got these for my mom a couple years back and she hasn't used them since, so I figure that she won't miss them.

I walk across the apartment to my bathroom and look at the large bruise on my neck in the mirror, feeling like I'm being choked again. Memories flood back in my mind: a blinding white pain in my leg, trying to scream for help, being lifted into the air, unable to breath. A second stabbing pain in my leg, my hands coming away, bloody and shaking while my vision twists and turns. A tear runs down my face and I wipe it away quickly. I shrug on the jacket and wrap the scarf around my neck. It looks somewhat normal. I sniff and leave the apartment, grabbing my bag on the way out.

By the time I reach the giant garbage can behind the building, my hands are shaking with pent up fear, my eyes skimming over everything.

"Rose do not worry."

"Shut up," I respond. "Just... Stop talking."

I walk up the the trash can and open it, tossing the bag in. It should be collected soon.

"Hey miss!" someone yells behind me. I whirl around, gripping the pepper spray through my jacket.

A man in ragged clothing with an empty beer glass in his hand stumbles up, swaying on his feet.

"Whats a pretty little lady like you doin' out here," he slurs, grinning. He steps closer and I feel something stir inside of me.

I turn around and run.

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~Peter~

I check my phone again, making sure I got the right time. Mr. Stark responded to my message this morning and told me to come over around ten.

I toss my computer, my suit, and Mr. Stark's suit in my backpack and walk out of my room. I lean my head in the bathroom to make sure my hair is at least somewhat presentable. Walking into the kitchen, I grab a banana from the counter and make my way towards the door. Sweeping the apartment again, I open the door to find Rose standing there out of breath with her hand raised to knock.

"Um hey?" I say.

She rushes forwards and wraps her arms around me, tucking her head underneath my chin. I tumble back a little and give her an awkward pat on the back.

"What's wrong?" I ask. She sniffles and takes a shaky breath. I wrap my arms around her and rub her head with one hand.

"Nothing," she says in a scratchy voice, pulling back and swiping her face with her sleeve. I tuck my finger under her chin and gently angle her head up. I frown, looking at her eyes and the darkness that surrounds them. She jerks her head away and readjusts her scarf, her neck uncovered for a moment.