𝑼𝑴𝑩𝑹𝑨

𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑾𝑬𝑵𝑻𝒀 𝑬𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻

Eddie and Carrie finally arrived at the MNBN building. The journey had been long, and they had walked for what felt like hours, yet surprisingly, neither of them felt the least bit tired. Eddie's clothes were drenched in sweat, giving the impression that he had been exerting himself all night, while Carrie looked as if she had just emerged from a ditch, her appearance disheveled and her clothes streaked with dirt.

As they stood at the entrance, a sudden ringing broke the silence. Eddie reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, the screen lighting up with Anne's name. The sight of her name made his pulse race, a reaction he couldn't control. Despite the thrill he felt, Eddie sighed and reluctantly pressed the red icon to reject the call.

"Who is Anne?" Venom's voice echoed in Eddie's mind. "Your pulse has quickened."

"That is none of your damn business," Eddie snapped, his tone bitter and defensive.

"Everything of yours is my business, Eddie. We have no secrets," Venom retorted with a hint of amusement.

Carrie, overhearing the internal conversation, interjected, addressing both of them. "Then you know exactly why we're going here before we get to your rocket, yeah?"

"Of course," Umbra responded in Carrie's mind, her voice calm and rational. "We've agreed to do so. We're not unreasonable."

The air around them felt thick with tension and unspoken words as Eddie and Carrie exchanged glances, each understanding the gravity of their mission. Despite the chaotic state of their appearances, they were driven by a shared sense of purpose and urgency. The MNBN building loomed before them, a symbol of the next step in their journey, laden with challenges and the hope of resolution.

Then, another buzzed occurred, coming from Eddie's phone again. He took his phone out, seeing Anne's name again. Reluctantly, after a whisper of cursing, he answered. "Yeah?"

"Eddie," Anne said at the other end. "Where are you? I need to see you."

"No, no, you can't see me," Eddie breathed.

"Eddie, I need you to tell me where you and Carrie are. We're coming to get you."

"No, you cannot come anywh— what do you mean we're coming and I've never mentioned Carrie."

"Listen," he heard Estelle's voice at the other side too. "Carrie texted me that she's with you to sort out something."

Eddie looked at Carrie, a tint of annoyance creeping through. "Carrie, did you text Estelle about this?"

Carrie met Eddie's gaze, her eyes wide and unyielding. "I don't want her to worry about me, okay," she said, her voice steady but tinged with defiance. "I couldn't just leave her hanging. Besides, she put up with me for nearly six years."

Eddie sighed, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

"Eddie, I need to talk Carrie," Estelle spoke up. "It concerns her journal."

Carrie stiffened at the mention of her journal. She hadn't expected Estelle to find it, let alone bring it up now. Eddie noticed the shift in Carrie's demeanor and turned away from her to continue the call. "Alright, alright. Meet us at the MNBN building. But be careful, alright?"

"We're on our way," Anne replied before the call ended.

Eddie pocketed his phone and turned to Carrie, his eyes narrowing. "Your journal? What's in it that's so important?"

Carrie hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground. "Just... some stuff I wrote."

"Like what?" Venom asked.