The Tangled Web | Peter Parker

Chapter 45

Hello lovely readers :)

I apologize it's been a while since I last updated. Things have been busy and I've been so burnt out lately. I haven't had the motivation to write or create. Thankfully, I've been able to slow down and recover from the chaos that is life. You know what cultivates creativity? Rest.

Thank you to those who are sticking with me through Em's journey. Your kind words mean more to me than you will ever know!

Not sure what the update schedule will be, but the creativity bus has pulled into the station once again. We are back baby!

________________________________________________________________________________

I was swinging through Central Park. Cars were flying in every direction. I narrowed my gaze, turning my head, following the sounds of the screams that were echoing down the alleyway. My eyes flared as a black silhouette came into focus.

"Eddie," I screamed while pulling tighter on the web attached to my left wrist in hopes of sending me closer to where the mayhem was unfolding.

His outline stood tall. He tensed his shoulders for a moment before shaking his head and proceeding to launch a minivan at my head.

"It's no use," Peter yelled from somewhere behind me. His figure came into view, swooping in front of my path and perching in a nearby tree. "I tried to reason with him. Eddie's gone," Peter sighed, lowering his masked head to the ground. "That thing took over."

My eyes widened in fear as I joined Peter in the tree. "No," I exhaled, shaking my head. "You're wrong," I choked, trying to blink back tears. "He's still in there."

Flames burst from the missiles launched at Eddie, catching the world around him on fire. He tilted his head back, letting out a prehistoric roar. The muscles on his back were strained as he cried into the night.

More screams erupted nearby as civilians scrambled for safety, running away from the creature unraveling in front of them.

Was Peter right? Was Eddie gone? Did the symbiote finally take hold of him, devouring any shred of humanity left inside of him?

Tears stained my face as I ripped off my mask, letting it fall to the ground, not caring if the world saw my face. I slowly lowered myself from a branch to the sidewalk and cautiously made my way over to Eddie.

Venom.

That...thing.

"Eddie?" I whispered, holding my hands out in front of me as he cocked his head over his shoulder. "Eddie. It's me," I continued slowly.

The creature- Eddie- tilted his head slightly, indicating that he heard my voice.

I was inches away. I could barely breathe. I stared intently into his eyes, desperately hoping that the man I loved was somewhere behind that blank white stare. Hesitantly, I lifted my hand higher, resting it gently on his forearm. "Eddie?" I questioned, my voice barely above a whisper.

The creature snarled, showing its rows of sharp teeth before turning its mouth into a menacing smile. "Eddie is busy right now," Venom growled. He leaned forward before inhaling my scent. "The girl," he seethed, slowly shaking his head. "You distract him. We don't like you."

We? I furrowed my eyebrows. This thing was talking like Eddie was still in there. As though they were the same person. "You don't like me?" I asked, tilting my head as I took another step closer.