CH-11: Into The Shadows

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I let out a sigh as I closed the file. I've read it five times already and I still can't understand some parts.

Jack was one of the main scientists at the Life Foundation and he was involved in the Host project. As he delved into the genetic structure of the Symbiotes and their inability to bond with humans, he developed various hypotheses until he arrived at the most promising one.

Genetic mutation.

To put it simply, Jack concluded that if Life Foundation modified a child's genetic makeup while it was still in the mother's womb to match the Symbiote perfectly, they could create a perfect host.

However, the project didn't succeed or at least that's what the records indicate.

Edward Brock was one such child who underwent genetic modification to become a Symbiote host. Unfortunately, he was considered a failure because he didn't exhibit any signs of being a suitable host.

As a consequence of the leaked information regarding the illicit research and experimentation on Eddy, which had been kept secret even from Jack's wife, Jack was dismissed from the company.

Everything started to make sense to me now.

Jack's abuse and torment of Ed were rooted in the fact that he saw Eddy as a failure—the very reason he lost everything.

Jack viewed himself as an inadequate scientist because he couldn't produce any successful results and he took out his frustration on Edward.

But the truth was, Jack was not a bad scientist.

In reality, he had indeed succeeded in creating the perfect host: Eddy.

However, Jack mistakenly believed that his son was a failure because Eddy's mutant gene didn't activate until the accident occurred, awakening Venom from its dormant state.

Everything makes fucking sense.

I collapsed onto the bed, closing my eyes and grumbling in frustration as the faces of the men I had killed flashed through my mind.

Retrieving the file had been a necessary task, but the subsequent act of dragging their corpses into the living room and dousing them with a can of gasoline I had found in the attic, before igniting the flames, was undoubtedly a foolish move. I was sure the Brock villa would be burning its last wood right now.

Did I care? Not really.

It was crucial to maintain the illusion that Jack Brock was still alive and working alongside a partner.

Allowing them to persist in this belief would serve me well for the time being.

I knew it wouldn't be long before they dispatched another team to investigate the previous one's disappearance and delve into Jack's family background.

That meant they would be coming for me and the Parkers.

I wasn't prepared to involve Aunt May, Uncle Ben and Peter in this dangerous predicament.

Revealing the truth by saying something like, 'Uncle Ben, I am secretly a man-eater. I murdered those people in Hell's Kitchen, and now an organization is hunting me.' wouldn't benefit anyone.

A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I realized what I had to do.

It was a thought that had plagued my mind ever since I heard the Seer's ominous warning last night, to be frank it was something I was thinking about for a long time.

I needed to prepare myself, to train in combat and develop my ability to eliminate threats efficiently and without hesitation.

The notion of being a hero only works in the comic books, where the plot could conveniently favor the protagonist.

In reality, however, the stakes were as high as they could get and I wasn't willing to gamble or rely solely on luck.

I had to prepare for the future and that meant honing my skills and powers to their utmost potential.

Remaining at the Parker residence would only bring trouble to May and Ben and I couldn't afford to carry that burden on my shoulders any longer.

I can't believe I was about to pull a Batman.

A plan gradually forming in my head.

Las Vegas seemed like the perfect destination. With my mind-reading ability, I could potentially earn some money there. However, the likelihood of a 10-year-old kid gaining entry to a casino was highly doubtful.

Considering my powers, the most lucrative avenues for making money would involve either becoming a thief or a contract killer.

Before delving into the dangerous realm of criminal activities, I could utilize my unique skill set to accumulate some cash. By doing so, I could establish connections within the underworld and possibly even conduct a reverse investigation into Life.

I was aware that being taken seriously in the criminal world would be a challenge for a 10-year-old.

However, if I were to don Venom's suit, it would conceal my youthful appearance, making me appear as an average-sized individual rather than a child.

I rose from the cot, making my way towards the wardrobe.

Opening it, I retrieved the travel bag from the top shelf and tossed it onto the bed with a sense of urgency. I began packing everything I needed, focusing mainly on essentials like my underwear and the files.

I also grabbed the last of the pocket money I had saved up, knowing that I could always acquire some extra cash by swindling a drug dealer or someone of that sort. New York City had no shortage of such individuals and their absence would likely go unnoticed.

I understood that it might seem peculiar to run away from home on the very same day I had taken out the Life team but if you think about it, they didn't suspect me of killing their men.

They believed it was either Jack or the Host who had committed the acts. If I, as Jack's only blood relative, were to disappear overnight, they would probably assume that Jack had taken me and escaped New York.

The best outcome would be that they would no longer pose a threat to May and Ben.

Everything was unfolding faster than I had anticipated, and I needed to act swiftly before the Life Foundation realized their team members were unresponsive. For all I knew, they could already be en route to the Parker residence. I had to get out of there as soon as possible.

Once I finished packing, I zipped up the bag and took a moment to survey the room, etching every detail into my memory.

Star Wars posters adorned the walls and a smile tugged at my lips as I gazed upon photos of Peter and me sharing laughter.

I chuckled as I caught sight of a picture featuring Uncle Ben, Aunt May, Peter, and myself taken during a joyful barbecue day on the lawn.

I knew the next time I returned to this place, it would likely be far in the future.

"Venom," I called out, and the Symbiote slithered around, enveloping my body and concealing my face. Instantly, I felt a noticeable increase in height and agility.

Throwing the bag over my shoulder, I left the room and headed towards the adjacent one.

Slowly, I turned the doorknob, revealing Peter peacefully asleep with a book serving as his pillow.

His glasses were askew at an odd angle, and he drooled slightly over the pages.

Taking in his face for a moment, I exhaled softly.

'See you Pete.'

I mentally whispered, before gently closing the door.

Descending the stairs, I proceeded silently, careful not to make a sound.

Reaching the living room, I approached Ben's room and peered inside, finding Aunt May in her exhausted slumber.

Ben was still away at the station.

'Thanks for looking after me, May.'

I murmured, briefly touching her hand before withdrawing and leaving the room.

Exiting the house, my footsteps quickened, matching the rapid pace of my heartbeat.

The sound resonated through the peaceful neighborhood until I reached the main road.

Standing beneath a streetlight, I cast a final glance back.

I took in the sight of the small, compact building that had been my refuge for the past three months and the people who had cared for me since day one.

Closing my eyes, I pivoted on my heels and moved away from Ingrid Street.

The darkness of New York City embraced me, welcoming me into its shadows.

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