Hello everyone! This fanfiction takes place after Let there be Carnage. Spoiler Alert to anyone who hasn't seen the movie. The only difference in this fanfiction is the post-credit scene never happened. Eddie and Venom are still in their original universe. I do not own Venom. Venom is properly owned by Marvel and Sony.

Chapter 1

It was a regular Saturday in the city of Chicago. Rachel stood in front of the stove in her scrubs, cooking eggs and bacon while the TV showed the news. Brian sat at the table, waiting for his breakfast as he scribbled a colored pencil on the blank sheet of paper. The picture of a fire-breathing dragon slowly came to life. The sizzle of the food in the frying pan could be heard with the savory aroma reaching his nostrils.

Rachel took a second to glance back at her son from the stove and said, "Brian, sweetie, I have to work a double shift at the hospital again tonight. You can have the leftover Chinese for dinner and make sure you do your homework before any videogames or movies tonight."

The young boy glanced up from his drawing and nodded saying, "Yes, Mom."

She came up to the table and placed two steaming plates of two eggs, over easy, with a side of bacon. "You remember the rules while I'm out?" she asked.

Brian smiled and repeated like before. "Don't let any strangers in the apartment, always lock the door before leaving, and never be out after dark."

Rachel expressed her familiar warm smile towards her child and rubbed his brown hair with a kiss on the head. "That's right, baby."

She sat beside him as they both ate breakfast. Her raven black hair hung behind her shoulders as the sun's rays glowed on her olive skin.

Suddenly, there was a crash outside their door, followed by a shout of anger. They both glanced in the direction of the noise before Rachel stood up and checked to see what the commotion was. Brian stood a few feet away to stay safe and observe whatever was outside their apartment.

Rachel opened the door and on the other side knelt a man gathering boxes that were scattered all around the hall. He was tall with dark brown hair like Brian's but shorter and a short scruffy beard covering his lower face. The clothes he wore consisted of a black leather jacket with jeans and sneakers. The man frantically picked up some items that fell out of one of the boxes that were opened and on its side.

"Are you okay?" asked Rachel.

"Yeah yeah, just dropped some stuff," said the man.

"Here, let me help," she said.

"No, it's okay," said the man.

But being the kind woman she was, Rachel knelt beside the man and helped him pick up the mess of office supplies on the floor. At that moment, they took a second to glance at each other, like they were hypnotized before the man focused back on cleaning the mess. Rachel did the same as she continued to help.

"New in the building?" she asked.

The man put a camera in the box and replied, "Yeah, I'm moving into the apartment across the hall."

The man pointed to the door that stood the exact opposite of Rachel and Brian's apartment. The last tenant that lived there was evicted for the constant loud music. This was a surprise to both the mother and son. The building hardly had any new tenants, especially since it wasn't the best place to live in the city. They finished gathering all of the contents from the box and stood up.

Rachel smiled at the man and said, "Well, let me be the first to welcome you here to our little community. I'm Rachel Carter."

She extended her hand and the man shook it.

"Eddie Brock," he replied with a smile.

Brian continued to watch this exchange until Eddie Brock glanced at him through the open door.

The mother followed his gaze and said, "Oh sorry, that's my son, Brian."

She made the hand motion for her son to come and said, "Honey, come and say hi to our new neighbor."

Brian slowly walked over to his mother's side as she wrapped her arm around his shoulders. The guy was a little imposing to the child due to his built physic. But his kind smile was enough for Brian to make a little wave at him.

"Hello," he whispered nervously.

"You'll have to forgive him, he's shy," said Rachel.

"It's all good, I don't have that much experience talking with kids," said Eddie.

He turned his gaze back to the boy and asked, "How old are you, Brian?"

"Nine," Brian audibly whispered.

"If you want, we can help you carry these boxes into the apartment," said Rachel.

Eddie smirked and shook his head. "No, it's okay. I don't want to impose."

"Please, I insist. I have some time before my shift starts," said Rachel as she picked up a box.

Eddie's eyes began to wander as if his mind trailed off. He whispered something under his breath.

"What did you say?" asked Rachel.

Eddie immediately snapped back to their attention and said, "Oh! I mean…um…thanks. If you insist."

Brian cocked an eyebrow at the man. What was that just now? He acted as if he talked to someone other than his mother, but they were the only ones in the hallway. Was the guy crazy? Brian's suspicions were dropped when Rachel ordered him to carry one of the smaller boxes. Eddie used his free hand to grab the keys from his pocket and unlock the door into his apartment.

Inside was completely bare with hardly any trace of the last tenant from before. The only things in the apartment were the stove and fridge in the kitchen, plus the couch and table in the family room area. A bedroom was at the end of the back hall with a bare mattress on a metal bed frame. The bathroom was on the left side of the back hall; consisted of a toilet, sink, and shower.

Eddie told Rachel and Brian to separate the boxes by labels and set them in the center for him to unpack later.

As they helped their new neighbor, Brian watched as his mother brought up a new subject with the stranger. "I couldn't help but notice in your one box; you have a recorder and a camera. Are you a reporter?"

Eddie laid down a box and said, "I used to, I'm more freelance now."

"You from around here?" asked Rachel.

"Nah, I'm from San Francisco," replied Eddie.

"Really? What made you move all the way to Chicago?" she asked.

Eddie starred in thought before he said, "Uhh…I needed a fresh start."

"I understand," said Rachel, a downcast look on her face.

Both Rachel and Brian tried to forget the life they lived before the apartment. Things weren't easy before and during the divorce. But even though they were free from him, both mother and son always felt that something was missing in their lives.

Once they carried the last boxes into Eddie's apartment, Rachel and Brian stood outside his door as she said, "Well, Mr. Brock-"

"Please, call me Eddie, everyone does," he said.

"Well, Eddie, if you need help with anything else, you can just knock on our door if you want," said Rachel.

"I appreciate it. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Carter," said Eddie.

"The pleasure is mine. Now if you excuse me, I have to get ready for work," said Rachel.

They both said goodbye to Eddie as he closed the door. Brian looked back at the elusive man's apartment door, still feeling suspicions about his strange behavior.