Chapter Eighteen – Catnap

I tightened my collar around my neck, using the faux fur collar of my chocolate-coloured coat to protect against the chilling sea breeze. I'd began regretting telling the Spider that we'd use the docks as a trap – why hadn't I suggested a sauna? I looked out to the skyline, aware that somewhere out there Spider-Man was lurking in the shadows. The pair of us had talked strategy over text a few hours ago, figuring out exactly how this whole 'sting' was going to go. As I thought over our discussion I hugged my arms close to my chest, subtly feeling the Shocker's gauntlet which was now on my left wrist. The pair of us had decided that it was best not for me to be completely helpless, but the bracelet of metal was of little comfort, especially since its bulky frame meant I had to keep it hidden under my coat which allowed cold chills to penetrate my dark turtleneck.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket I checked the time – it was nearing on eleven, the time which I had told Eddie to meet me. I leant back against a large orange shipping container and scanned the entrance to the shipping yard. Distantly I heard cars, too far away to bother us or disrupt the plans Spider and I had created. A quick noise from the side scared me, and I turned, preparing to fight, only to see the grey wings of a pigeon pecking at something not far away. I was half tempted to aim my vibro-shock gauntlet at it and wipe the vermin from the docks. That's what cats do after all isn't it?

"I'm surprised you're here."

Eddie's gruff voice announced his presence, and he stepped into the shallow depth of light afforded to us. He hadn't come from the city entrance like I had expected. Maintaining my cool and turning on my aloof persona I looked him in the face.

"I'd rather you not have a little tantrum in my place again." My voice was cold, but I felt fear inside me. Eddie looked different, somehow bigger, somehow darker… He hadn't shaved for a few days, and the ginger stubble which he usually wore had began to grow into a more unkempt mess of a beard. Likewise, his hair shone in the light, suggesting he was in desperate need of some shampoo. He paused his slow stride towards me at about fifteen feet away, as if he was wary.

"You know why I'm here." He said matter-of-factly. I noted that his voice sounded a few octaves deeper than last I heard him.

"To fix your fragile masculinity?" I rested my right arm on my waist.

He chuckled quietly. "You always were a bitch."

"At least I'm not a frigid manbaby."

He took a few steps towards me, sauntering slowly. "If you want to talk about manbabies then we can talk about Osborn. Fucking hell does he whine and moan."

I felt anger rise in my chest, but I contained it, kept it under control. "What have you done with him? Where is he?"

"Don't pretend you actually care about him." Eddie growled. "All he is was a dick for you to use because you couldn't have mine, slut."

"Don't be jealous." Eddie's insults had no impact. He used words I had heard my entire life, expecting them to bruise my confidence and ego. He should come up with some insults not used by fourteen year olds angry in their bedroom.

"You think I'm jealous of Harry Osborn?" Eddie's face turned into a scowl. As predicted my remark had hit my ex just right to rile him up. "That effeminate piece of shit crack head has nothing on me."

"He had something on me." I winked at him, causing his rage to flare up. He rushed forward and grabbed my throat with a rough hand. He was stronger than before, and I felt my legs leave the ground. Suddenly I was knocked to the ground as a red and blue blur slammed into the side of my assailant, shoving him out the way and causing me to drop to the floor. I coughed and spluttered, focusing my senses and getting my breathing back under control.

"That's not nice Eddie." Spider-Man quipped. "Didn't your dad ever teach you how to treat a girl?"

Eddie, still standing from the two-legged kick, whipped his head from me, to Spider-Man, then back to me. "You're fucking him too?"

"Only thing his dad taught him was how to take a punch." I flashed a vicious smile at Eddie, clawing at his vulnerable past.

Eddie roared in anger and black slime exploded from under his clothing, engulfing him in black tendrils and muscle. Claws and teeth ripped out of the black mass, turning him into the monster which I had seen on the news, the creature which had attacked the Bugle, as well as the university. The creature Spider-Man had called Venom. It launched itself at me, allowing its anger to take hold over Eddie's more logical mind. Pre-empting this attack I dived to the side, struggling to still keep my left gauntleted forearm hidden, and narrowly avoiding the sound of slicing teeth and crushing claws ripping deep grooves in the ground. I whipped my head back to glance at the monster Eddie Brock now was and was met with large, almost glowing white eyes, and a maw full of rows upon rows of sharp jagged teeth.

"Where are you going Felicia?" Venom growled. He was hunched over on all fours, like an animal coiled to pounce. He moved to leap, but a strand of webbing pulled him back and he collapsed to the ground.

"Run!" Spider-Man shouted; he hadn't have bothered as I had already began sprinting away, quickly towards the next stage of the plan. I ran deeper into the shipping dock, sprinting through the rows and rows of containers, very aware that by now Venom was likely already hot on my tail. As if on cue the creature landed twenty feet in front of me, something that wasn't ideal. I turned quickly on my heels and sprinted back the way I came, hoping that I would be able to find an different route to my location.

"I'm coming for you Felicia!" Venom roared. There was an impact high to my side as I saw the black creature of slime climb the containers to get to me. "I'll show you what my dad taught me, what happened when my mother decided to talk back."

I dived through a gap in the next row of containers as a large black claw reached for me, and the roar that followed suggested he was closer than I had thought. My sprint continued through the next row of containers as I heard the thud behind me – massive stomps of my pursuer. I cornered quickly and headed down a new row as Venom slammed into the wall of containers. I allowed myself a moment to look back and saw the monster getting back to its feet before reverting back to all fours. I faced back forwards – I needed to concentrate now. I slipped quickly though a gap again to get back to the original row I needed to be on, and I saw my target not too far in front of me. My thighs screamed in pain. Even though I had only been running for a couple of minutes at most the effort was taking its toll. I turned the next corner and saw my goal – a shipping container which was open both ends. I continued towards it, very aware that at this point it was a dead sprint to the finish line, and I was the one tiring. With every second I could hear the thuds behind me getting louder and louder… My feet finally touched hard metal and I threw myself forward, rolling up into a crouch position and clicking the trigger on the vibro-shock gauntlet.

Intense high frequency sound suddenly burst forward, stopping Venom (who was mere feet from me) in his tracks. Its hands grabbed his head in pain as the creature screamed, but I kept the trigger pulled down. Writhing in pain Venom attempted to turn, to get away from the noise, and slammed his head into the side of the container. He turned to exit, but before he could the Spider was there, and he slammed the doors shut. As soon as the thick metal locked closed Venom dropped to the floor, mouth open as if trying to scream, but no sound came out. I started to see the black liquid almost begin to tear itself apart in agony as the reverberating sound doubled back over the creature. Spider-Man landed next to me and I released the trigger, as he quickly slammed the remaining doors shut, then pulled the lock across.

I breathed a sigh of relief as Spidey turned towards me and held his hand up waiting expectantly for a high five. I raised an eyebrow, then reciprocated the high five. "That's how you fucking do it." Spider-Man whooped. He pulled out his cellphone and unlocked it, then typed a few words and held it to his ear.

Whilst he did this I approached the container and placed my ear against it. I heard a low growling inside, like a dog trapped. I jumped back suddenly as there was a bang and part of the container dented outwards. "We might have a problem." I shouted to Spider-Man. He shoved the phone away, quickly ending whoever he was calling and sprinted back over just as the doors burst open and a black mass of tendrils erupted. I aimed my gauntlet but this time Venom was ready, and one of these tentacles lashed out to my arm and wrapped itself round. I felt it tighten then my stomach turned as I felt a bone in my forearm crack.

"How's that feel Hardy?" Venom growled as he emerged from the dark. I had dropped to my knees as tears welled in my eyes from the pain.

"Go to hell." I spat at him. I weakly attempted to pull away, but the grip he had on my now broken arm seared whenever I moved.

"Sodom and Gomorrah were razed to the ground and dragged to hell for being the breeding ground of promiscuity, lust, and indulgence." Venom slowly walked towards me. "You'll fit right in."

"Any room for a third?" Spider-Man asked, leaping through the air. Before he could impact into Venom he was halted in the air by the tendrils which now emerged from Venom's back, and his hand reached out and grabbed around his throat. I tried to struggle out of the black goo to help him, but I was stuck.

"Doesn't it say murderers go to hell as well?" I spat at Venom. "Pretty sure those people at the Bugle and University didn't just drop dead, so I'll save you a space in hell."

He turned to me in anger. "Shut your fucking mouth, whore." With that the liquid extended up my body, coving my face and blocking my mouth and nose. I struggled against him, struggling for breath, until I felt my limbs go weak.

Song Recommendation: Love Without Tragedy / Mother Mary - Rihanna