The familiar heat of the sun gently tingled Eddie's exposed skin, the warmth soothing as he laid with his back on long lushes' green grass. He took deep relaxing breaths of the clean air, he could defiantly tell there was a difference from the usual thick, polluted air of down town San Francisco. Staring up at the clear blue sky, the vibrant colour reflecting in his own eyes. Not a single breeze passed over him to send a chill down his spine. Eddie had never been able to experience such silence before, it was strange, but still a welcome change. He let his head roll to the side, a smile more warming than the sun greeted him. Anne held his hand in hers as she lay on her side in the grass beside him, he could feel a ring on her finger and it brought a smile to his own rugged face. He squeezed her hand slightly and she squeezed back, the world felt perfect as he stared into her light brown eyes. Her shoulder length blond hair reflecting the yellow sun's rays, making her skin glisten and bring her features to life.

Eddie looked back to the sky, closing his eyes for a brief moment taking the silence in.

"Eddie." Anne said grabbing his attention, again Eddie let his head roll to the side and he opened his eyes.

"Wake up!" Her voice not her own, Eddie couldn't help but scramble back in fear, not even able to cry out as he watched Anne's mouth and mesmerising eyes transform into something not even found in someone's deepest nightmares. Rows of long pointed white teeth, large eyes even whiter with black veins now creeping across her face.

Eddie sat up straight on his sofa, the worn light brown faux leather more comfortable than it looked, his laptop sat on the coffee table in front of him, an article he had been writing on the screen. The text cursor repeatedly blinking over and over, waiting for input from the keyboard. Eddie rubbed his forehead with the base of him palm, a fresh layer of sweat covered his face. An annoying pain in his head making him scrunch his eyes and re open them. His laptop struggled to illuminate his surroundings, even with a blue neon sign outside trying to light up a corner of the room, he still sat mostly in the dark.

Hungry.

Venom's deep voice sounded in his head, the reason he had woke in the first place.

"Good for you." Eddie replied out loud as he swung his feet off the sofa, onto the rug beneath him. Even with black cotton socks on, he could still feel the irritating fabric the rug was made of. He reached over to a lamp on the side table, turning it on so its soft yellow light revelled the room. He then sat back just staring at the wall in front of him, Anne's smile still on his mind.

Eddie. The deep, unhuman voice bounced around Eddie's skull before he was forced to his feet. The yanking sensation of being made upright, something he wasn't sure he would ever get used to.

"Alright!" Eddie snapped back, tired he made his way through his small apartment. He stood in front of the closet's door for a moment, sighing before pulling the door open. Inside there were shelfs, where large plastic creates sat. In a quick motion Eddie pulled the lid off one of the containers, small holes had been pierced in the top of the plastic. Putting the lid to one side he proceeded to roll up on of his grey hoodie's sleeves, before plunging his hand into the blue plastic tub. Couple of seconds later Eddie pulled out a reasonably large fish, frantically thrashing around desperate to be free. The Bluefin Tuna was living up to its name, its scales a range of different shades of ocean blue. With two fingers tucked under the poor fish's gills, Eddie just watched it struggle to breathe. The fish was then gone in a blink of an eye, much like Anne in his dream. Eddie's teeth became long and pointed, his eyes no longer his own, but once the fish was consumed his features returned to normal. With the process seemingly being finished Eddie went to put the lid back on the box.

Another. Venom simply ordered, his tone more demanding than usual.

"Come on man, it's…" Eddie looked down at his watch. "Ten-past two in the morning, I just want to go to sleep." The symbiote Eddie now called friend emerged from his chest, the snake like form with large eyes and teeth stared him down.

"Would you rather me eat your liver?" The symbiote said out loud, even lunging at Eddie's face a couple of times. Eddie couldn't help but flinch and jump back, pinning his back to the wall. Swallowing uncomfortably and with a stern face he forced a reply.

"No." And with that Venom returned back into his chest. Venom didn't even need to say another word as Eddie pulled another live fish from the plastic tub.

Eddie didn't return to sleep, once satisfying the parasite that lived within him he returned to his laptop and continued the article he had been writing. The article was all about the Life Foundation and its former CEO Carlton Drake, the man had been corrupted to the core, even before he brought the symbiotes to earth. Unethical human trials could be found going back years, death surrounded the man in his pursuit of his goal. Eddie didn't just want to reveal the actions of Carlton Drake but uncover those who stood behind him, funded and supported his work. This would take time and patience, evidence needed to be gathered and sources spoken to. Eddie was trying to get it life back on track, but it was easier said than done with a living, alien parasite taking up residence. Again, a pain in Eddie's head brought a hand away from his keyboard.

"Just tired." He told himself, still he refused to sleep. Even though the dream of Anne was all he could ever ask for, it was also all too painful to remember that he lost her.

We will get her back.Venom assured him, having been digging through his thoughts.

"Yeah sure." Eddie replied sarcastically. "Once she finds out your still around she'll come running back." He continued in an overly excited tone.

If you weren't a loser you would still be with her, my presence has nothing to do with it.

"You said it yourself that were both losers" Eddie continued to hunch over his laptop, his fingers hitting away at the keys

I lied.

"Bullshit!" Eddie shouted out into the dimly lit flat, sitting back from his laptop in disbelief. "You're as much of a loser on whatever rock you called home, as I am here on Earth."

Whatever you say Eddie.

Eddie had not laid his head down all night, his eyes where heavy with fatigue, the laptops bright white screen leaving a burning sensation in his eyes, and the pain in his head was only getting worse. With a glance at the time Eddie shot to his feet, he scrambled up his stuff. Bag, note pad, phone, keys. Washing his face in the kitchen sink before taking a few gulps of the cold water, before he was out the door and rushing down the stairs.

"If you know everything I know, then why didn't you remind me of my meeting." Said as he Made his way on foot, due to his bike still not back from repairs. People eyed Eddie as he passed, due to the fact he seemed to be having a heated conversation with no one.

Our meeting. He corrected. And I'mnot your personal assistant.

"Yes, that right. You're just a parasite hellbent on making my life difficult."

You take that back! Venom complained immediately.

"No." Eddie stood his ground.

Take it back now! Venom growled. Or I will drag our skinny ass to Anne and show her you lied.

Eddie hated the smugness in his deep voice, he knew he had won before he could even reply.

"I'm sorry alright." He reluctantly replied as he turned a corner. The morning traffic had already built up, cars queuing for what seemed likes miles. More and more people seemed to be filling the streets as the sun got higher in the sky. "It's not like you don't ask for it sometimes."

I didn't ask for your relationship problems.

"Well 'We' are going to have to deal with it, it's all about 'Us' right."

We will always find a way to deal with anything.

"Yep sure, completely trust the alien threatening to eat my liver."

"What do you mean I can't see her, I have a meeting scheduled." Eddie had one elbow on the tall desk with his head in his hand, the pain in his head stopping him from fully expressing his frustration. He continued before he could let the man behind the desk reply. "I had a meeting at eight, its only…" Eddie finally realised. "Quarter to nine." He looked up from his watch.

I will get us to the meeting.

"Shut up." Eddie mumbled angrily.

"Excuse me?" The man questioned.

"Not you, look is there any way we can see her."

Let me rip his arms from his torso. Eddie could feel Venom twitching inside of him, fighting to be let free.

"We?"

"I, I can see her."

"She is in another meeting, and as I told you sir over the phone she is a very busy woman and doesn't have time to be messed around."

"You don't understand we, I just need ten minutes of her time."

"Sir I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

We are not leaving.

"Just ring her, just ask please." Eddie put his hands together, pleading.

Stop that.

"Sir." A security guard approached, ready to usher him out of the building. Eddie hung his head, he had missed his chance. He turned away from the desk and began to walk away.

Don't walk away, you're making us look bad. Eddie's legs became stiff and heavy, Venom stopping him from moving them.

"I don't care." He mumbled back forcing one foot forward.

Turn around.

"No." Again he forced another foot forward, the man at the desk watching with a confused glare.

"Sir you need to leave." The guard becoming more agitated.

Loser.

Venom let go, almost making Eddie fall flat on his face. He then made a swift exit from the building, before storming off down the road. They soon found themselves down a side ally, a short cut to a bar Eddie once frequented too often.

You are soft, foolish and weak.

"And you're a pain in my ass!" Eddie shouted for the world to hear as he ran a hand down his sweaty face, his stubble pricking his hand. Even though there was a cool breeze he found himself being uncomfortably hot.

Apart we are nothing, together we are strong.

"Aha, you admit you're a loser too." Eddie quickly replied, catching Venom with his own words. "So, do a fellow loser a favour and leave me be for five minutes."

I can't do that.

"Is that why you won't let me sleep or have a single thought to myself?"

I need to eat.

Eddie stopped walking. "I'm tired all the time, I go to sleep and wake up tired, I feel like my brain doesn't even get to turn off!" Eddie through his hands in the air, no one around to watch. "This isn't strength it's-" Pain exploded in Eddie's head, he even heard Venom scream as both hands clutched his head. They stumbled, using a wall to keep them up. His vison blurred, ears ringing. Then the pain passed, fading away. Something warm was then on his lip. His hands reached up instinctively, his fingers touching under his nose. Blood stained his fingers.

"What the hell just happened?" Eddie asked still trying to catch his breath.