Venom and the Mafia Lord

Bravery

''Bravery does not ensure victory but neither does cowardice.'' Dad taught me that saying when I was thirteen. I was doing a presentation for my school project and I had stage fright. I refused to go on stage afraid that I would stutter or say the wrong thing and he told me that saying. He convinced me to go do my presentation and when I was on stage I conjured up all my bravery and presented my work with confidence. I passed my class and from that day onwards I've always tried my best to brave and confident in everything I do.

It had been a month since I got a job at the restaurant and everything was going well. Addison and I had gotten an apartment a few minutes away from Bella's so I walked home not wanting to burden her with picking me up every day.

Today I finished late and I was walking home at ten in the night. It was very uncomfortable knowing that this is mafia operating hours and I could be caught in the crossfire but I wasn't too afraid. I was about to cut a coner when I heard a shrill scream from the alleyway. I contemplated staying out of it and going straight home but another scream and begging led me straight to the alley.

''Please, don't hurt me. I don't have anything thing, plea-'' The lady who was begging was struck across the face and sobs wracked her body. ''Now do what I said'' a man who was wear all black said and the poor woman went to her knee. I saw the man slapping the lady again and I snapped. My eyes turn green and with black slits and my canines elongate. I conjure up all my bravery and tiptoe behind the guy and yank him away using his collar and he start coughing profusely. ''Run, now'' I advise. In a shaky voice the lady thanks me before turning on her heel and limping away.

Either this guy has bad luck or I'm the lucky because I just found my new punching bag. I have pent up anger, frustrations and energy and I will release all those on this man's face.

''Mind telling me what you were do to that lady'' I inquire facing away do that he doesn't see my fangs ''That's none of your business. Now I'm going to deal with you'' he announces taking a step forward. My eyes start glowing brighter and I turn to him before he can hit me.

''What's wrong with your eyes?'' he say taking a step back cautiously. ''What, don't you like them?'' I ask l*****g my fangs. ''Oh m-my g-od wh-what are y-you'' he say taking continuous step back. Using one of the abilities I now have, inhenced speed, run up to him and grab him by the neck. ''Trying to run away now are we?'' I say calmly bit I'm so excited. The gyms punching bag doesn't really fight back and it falls off every time I take a hit at it, so annoying.

''Listen, I-I-I just wanted to talk and she-'' ''Save it, you and I are going to fight. If you win you get to go home in one piece, if not..well..we'll see then'' I state pushing him to the closed end of the alley. I can see he doesn't want to fight me but oh well, that's what I want and what he deserves.

''Look lady-'' I quickly cut him off ''Either you fight, or I beat you up but that's not too different is it?'' ''I never lose in a fight and I won't start with you little lady'' he says and that's when I notice his over six feet tall and me? I'm 5' it doesn'tlook promising but he doesn't have super strength, speed or inhenced senses.

''Come at me, hot stuff'' I encourage. He is sexy with icy blue eyes, black curly hair, a chiseled jaw and like many other Italian candies, he's well built.

He crosses his arms and stares at me defiantly, so to show him that I'm not kidding I run to him and punch him square in his beautiful face. I might have use a little more force than necessary and may have broken his noise.

''Santa Inferno'' he grumbles

(Holy hell)

''Ti avevo detto di combattere''

(I told you to fight)

''Sei pezzo!''

(You are crazy)

''Stai Zitto E Combatti!''

(SHUT UP AND FIGHT ME!)

I'm about to punch him again when he blocksit using his hand almost breaking a fingure, that only irritated me. Using my super speed, I punch him in his chest, ribs, and face too many times that I didn't even notice when he fell to the ground or when I followed him down. I when I stop, I find the guy unconscious.

''Hey, wake up'' I say lightly slapping his face. Tears prick my eyes and I shake him ''Wake up, please wake up'' I plead looking for any sign of life. I check his pulse and it's still there, weak but there nonetheless. I grab his phone from his pocket and place it in his hand. I pray that he doesn't die here in this alley.

I stand up and run out of the alley. I feel so dirty, so impure...like my uncle. He left me in that alley to die alone. All my life I have never felt so much hate and disdain toward my uncle and myself.

I feel like a monster.

I finally arrive home and thank god Addi isn't back yet. I go straight to my shower to cry my fears away but problem is, snakes don't cry. I don't know how long I stood there staring into nothingness, didn't even notice my friend turn off the water and drying me up. She covers me with a rob and lifts me to bed. This isn't the first time this has happened so she knew how to deal with it but this is different. It's not my uncle who left that guy in the alley, even though he wasn't innocent, he didn't deserve dying there.

''Jade'' Addison's voice brings me back to reality and I turn to her. ''Tell me what's wrong'' I promised myself never to lie especially to her but this is an omission we would both appreciate.

''It's his fault, he turn me into a snake'' I say, my voice barely audible. She takes me into her arms and starts rocking me when she notices my eyes flickering green and black and soon enough I fall asleep.

***

I wake up at 2am. I slept for about three hours, this might as well be the best sleep I've had in months. Takebof the rob and wear black tights, hoody and same colour sneakers. I take I phone and pods, plug them in and start playing (Darkside by Oshin and Haul)

I open the window and brace myself for the jumb. I leap out and jump five stories landing on my feet. I rush to the back to the alley, to check if he is still alive but when I arrive his no longer there and I break down. What if his dead? Who got rid of the body? Why would they do that?

I stare at the pool of blood for a while until I hear footsteps behind me. I then notice that its dawn and the sun is almost up. I sneak out of the alley to avoid being caught. When I'm out in the open I remove the cap of my hoody and start walking back home. I don't want to worry Addison.

I'm about to reach my apartment building when I hear someone calling my name.

''Jade! Jade Owens?'' I young voice yells and I feel like I'm under water. I turn to were the voice is coming from and a bunch of excited teens are running towards me cameras in hand.

I quickly put back my cap before the take any pictures and I run, I try my best to regulate my pace but everything seems to be happening in slow motion. I run past the building and hide in behind some a car. When in sure noone followed me, I rush home. I'm already late for work and that's never happened before.

I take a quickly shower, wear a white pants, blue shirt and black heels. I rush out of my room and find a paniced Addison in the kitchen.

''Dove diavolo ari io ero preccupato de morire!?'' she yells. ''I'm sorry, I went for a run and some teens recognised me. Can you take me to work? I'll explain in the car'' I say not waiting for her answer, I rush to the elevator. She take a huge gulp of her protein shake and follow behind. ''This better be a good explanation!'' she grumbles. (Where the hell were you? I was worried sick!)

***

I explained the incident with the teenagers on our way to the restaurant and she hasn't too happy about it. She suggested I put make up or something like that but I really hate anything to do with it. I reluctantly agree anyways, it is for my safety.

I ended up arriving to work on time and thank god, today is when the health inspector comes to check up on the chef's work space and obviously everything was spotless. This wouldn't be a 4star restaurant if the food was prepared in a dirty environment.

When the inspector was gone, Krissy and Clayton come to my office to invite me for a drink. Clayton is two years older than me and Krissy is in her freshman's year. They are closest to my age group and we became friends instantly.

''I would love to join, where are we going?'' I agree. ''Griffins!'' they both say in excitement and I'm floored. That is Jordan Griffin's lounge bar, he is one of my acquaintances from college and his mom is filthy rich. Most of my friends from before the incident go there almost everynight. I can't go there.

''That place is expensive and that's were rich snorts hang out are you sure you want to go there?'' I ask, praying that they would change their minds but no such luck. ''One, today is pay day. 2, yes we want to go there and 3, Rebekah Harvey is performing tonight'' I had almost forgotten that this place pays well..like really well and Rebe- holy s**t! no, no, no, no! That b***h is going to be there, well she's always there but still!

''Okay fine, we'll go to Griffin's'' I agree with a bright smile but I really don't want to go there. ''Yes!'' Clayton say fist pumping the air ''I'll pick you up at six'' he says and I thankhim with a smile. ''Make sure you put on something sexy'' he says with a suggestive and I roll my eyes at him. He's been like that since the very start, it's not that he means it, that's just how we roll.

''You guys might need to go back to work if we want to leave early'' I say and they both agree enthusiastically and I can't help but love them. Those two Make me laugh everyday and help me take my mind off my identity problem. Krissy once said I looked like Jade Owens and I was afraid she'd recognised me but she just brushed it of saying many people look alike with celebraties. I was do relieved I thank all high powers for such oblivious people.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We're sitting in a corner at the Griffin's and Rebekah is performing one of my favourite songs 'Never Leave' the girl's got talent but she's just a b***h especially to those of lower class and it disgusts me.

We're talking about celebrity life style and the things that people say about them are quite disturbing. Apparently, 'Jade Owens' has shoes with real diamonds encrusted on them. I know the shoes they are talking about and those are normal shoes bought in Footwear at the mall. Some of the things they said are so hilarious I couldn't help but c***k up. ''So you guys actually believe that Addison got muscle implants? Is that even possible?'' I question. I can't wait to tell her about this, she's going to blow up.

''Sí, don't you? That girl has got muscle in all the right places. Muscles you wouldn't normally see in other women yet it all in the right places, no weird thigh muscle'' Clay says and I giggle. ''Maybe, it's because she doesn't over work it but works it never the less?'' I ask and Krissy nods in understanding but Clay doesn't understand. He just shrugs and let's it slide.

We talk some more and when Rebekah is done with her solo performance, I excuse myself and go to the powder room. I fix my makeup and when I'm about to head out I bump into someone.

Rebekah! Oh s**t!

''Jade!?''