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umbra-by-jacqui-natla · 3 months

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Chapter Twenty Seven

"Yeah, I'm scanning her face now... No fucking way, that's Carrie White!... Yeah, it's her, Drake. We got a special one here... Drake's gonna want to see this."

Drake was in utter disbelief as he processed the shocking news Diego had shared with him sixty minutes ago. Against all odds, they had stumbled upon Carrie White, the infamous figure responsible for the haunting events of the Black Prom in Chamberlain many years ago. The world believed she had perished, but here she was, alive and accompanied by Eddie Brock. To make matters even more intriguing, they possessed something that belonged to Drake. This discovery was undeniably extraordinary, and Drake knew he had to witness it firsthand.

He couldn't shake the feeling of disbelief as he replayed the conversation in his mind. Carrie White, the girl with telekinetic powers who had caused so much destruction and chaos, was alive and well. And not only that, but she was with Eddie Brock, a man who nearly exposed his plan during the interview six months ago.

Drake knew he had to see this for himself. He had to know what they were up to, and why they had something that belonged to him. The implications of this discovery were immense, and he couldn't afford to ignore it.

As he was pacing back and forth in the Life Foundation lab, his mind raced with questions. What were they planning? How had Carrie White survived all these years? And most importantly, what else was she capable of?

Drake knew that whatever was about to unfold would change everything. And he was determined to be there to witness it all.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts. Drake turned around to see nothing or no one.

Drake turned around, his heart pounding in his chest, only to find an empty hallway. Confused, he cautiously took a few steps forward, his senses on high alert. The anticipation was palpable as he wondered who or what could be lurking in the shadows.

"Hello?" he called out but there was no response.

Drake's mind raced with possibilities. Was it a prank? Or perhaps an intruder? He couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being watched. Every tap of the marble floor echoed through the corridor, intensifying his unease. The dimly lit hallway seemed to stretch endlessly, its eerie silence amplifying his anxiety. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he strained to hear any sound that would confirm his suspicions.

As he turned a corner, his eyes widened in astonishment. There, standing before him, was a young blonde girl with two red bows adorning her hair. She wore a black dress with white polka dots and a white blouse underneath.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, kneeling. "Are you lost?"

The girl's smile sent shivers down his spine as her eyes turned a ghostly white. "I'm not lost," she replied, her voice sending chills down his spine as she reached out to him.

Drake's world spun as the girl's eyes bore into his soul. Fear and curiosity warred within him as he struggled to comprehend the situation. The grip on his neck tightened, and he felt a coldness seep into his bones. Desperation clawed at his mind as he searched for a way to escape this nightmare.

Then, a dark, slimy substance oozed from the girl's body, revealing a creature from another world. It slithered towards him, and Drake's eyes turned white as he realized the true horror of the situation. The creature, with its grotesque form and writhing tentacles, seemed to defy all laws of nature. Drake's heart raced as he stumbled backward, his mind struggling to comprehend the abomination before him. The stench of decay filled the air, making him gag as he fought to keep his composure.

The young girl collapsed to the ground as the creature fully emerged from her body. Drake knelt beside her, desperately searching for a pulse, but found none. His eyes widened as he realized the girl's innocence had been consumed by the darkness that now possessed him.

Then, the dark grey slimy substance emerged from his back and it formed a face.

Drake's muscles tensed involuntarily as the creature from another world made its presence known. The substance, a sentient mass of tendrils and malice, shaped itself into a grotesque visage that leered at him from behind his shoulder. Drake could feel its consciousness pressing against his own, probing, testing the limits of his sanity.

"Carlton Drake," it hissed, the voice a blend of his own thoughts and the entity's sinister intentions. "I am Riot."

Drake's breath hitched, his mind a chaotic storm of fear and confusion. He struggled to maintain his sense of self as the entity's influence seeped deeper into his psyche. Venom's presence was overpowering, a relentless force that threatened to consume him entirely.

"No," Drake whispered, his voice a strained plea. "This can't be happening."

Riot's face twisted into a mocking grin. "You wanted power, didn't you? You sought to control, to dominate. Now, you have a taste of true power."

Drake's thoughts were a tangled mess. He remembered his ambitions, the lengths he had gone to achieve them, and the sacrifices he had made. But this—this was beyond anything he had ever imagined. He could feel Riot's influence tightening its grip, each second slipping further from his control. The symbiote's malevolent presence was like a vice, squeezing out his resistance and warping his perceptions.

"You're mine now," Riot sneered, its voice echoing in Drake's mind, a blend of contempt and satisfaction.

Drake's body trembled as he fought to reclaim some semblance of autonomy. Images of his past—his achievements, his vision for the future—flashed before his eyes, but they were quickly overshadowed by the raw, primal urges Riot injected into his consciousness.

In the midst of this internal struggle, a sudden, unexpected surge of clarity broke through. Drake latched onto it, summoning every ounce of his willpower. He focused on his purpose, on the mission he had dedicated his life to. With a monumental effort, he forced out a single, coherent thought.

"Why are you here?" Drake managed to ask, his voice a mere whisper.

Riot's grin widened, its tendrils tightening their hold. "You and I share a common goal," it said, its voice dripping with dark promise. "Together, we can achieve greatness beyond your wildest dreams. But first, there are... obstacles."

Drake's mind raced, piecing together Riot's cryptic words. The symbiote sought collaboration, but its definition of partnership was clearly one-sided. Despite his fear, a spark of his old ambition flared within him. If he could harness this power, bend it to his will...

"What do you need from me?" he asked, his voice steadier now, though still laced with underlying dread.

Riot's eyes gleamed with triumph. "I need you to lead. With my power and your intellect, we can reclaim what's ours. Eddie Brock and Carrie White... they have something we need. Something that belongs to us."

Drake's thoughts aligned with Riot's, a reluctant acceptance forming in the recesses of his mind. The memories of Eddie and Carrie surfaced, and with them, a sense of urgency. Whatever they had, it was crucial—both to Riot and to himself.

"Then we find them," Drake declared, his resolve hardening. "And we take back what's ours."

Riot's approval was a palpable force, invigorating Drake with a renewed sense of purpose. He felt the symbiote's power coursing through him, amplifying his senses, strengthening his body. Together, they moved with newfound determination, a singular entity driven by a shared goal.

As they navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the Life Foundation, Drake's mind sharpened, plotting their next moves. He couldn't shake the memory of the girl's lifeless body, a grim reminder of the cost of his alliance with Riot. But he pushed it aside, focusing instead on the task at hand.

Eddie Brock and Carrie White were out there, and they held the key to everything. With Riot by his side, Drake was determined to confront them, to seize what was rightfully his. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but he welcomed it, fueled by a dark, symbiotic hunger for power and revenge.

Together, they would change everything.

But then, Drake's momentum faltered as Dr. Emerson appeared in the hallway, his expression a mixture of urgency and concern. He approached cautiously, his eyes blinking rapidly as he walked toward Drake.

"Drake," he began, his voice trembling slightly, "what is going on? The lab is in chaos. Reports are coming in about strange occurrences, and people are getting hurt."

"Reports?" Drake replied, hiding the fact that a symbiote was in him as of now. "Strange occurrences? Who has been hurt?"

Dr. Emerson pressed his lips together, worry aching his face. "Do... Dr. Skirth... She has been found dead."

Drake's face remained a mask of control, but inside, Riot's dark amusement simmered. He knew what had happened to Dr. Skirth—he had ensured her silence.

"Dead? How?" Drake asked, pretending to be in shock.

"Her body was found in her lab, torn apart," Dr. Emerson said, his voice shaking. "It looks like... like she was..."

"Show me!" He half-shouted. "Now!"

Dr. Emerson flinched at Drake's sudden outburst but quickly nodded, leading the way through the dimly lit corridors. The tension in the air was palpable, with every step echoing ominously against the sterile walls of the Life Foundation. Drake's mind was a storm of thoughts and Riot's insistent presence, prodding him with dark whispers of power and revolution.

As they approached the crime scene, another scientist were there, silently weeping. The door to the lab slid open with a hiss, revealing a scene of unfortunate incident.

Dr Skirth's body lay sprawled across the floor, her skin getting paler. She was still in her lab coat and her black hair, despite being tied up in a ponytail, was messy and her glasses were nowhere to be seen. What was more gruesome about the scene was that the dark blue slimy substance was attached to her lifeless body and it spread out onto the floor. It was as much dead as Dr. Skirth.

Drake stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the lifeless body of Dr. Skirth. He felt a surge of conflicting emotions— revulsion at the brutality of the scene, and a grim satisfaction that another potential threat to his plans had been eliminated. Riot's presence thrummed with approval, feeding off his dark thoughts.

Dr. Emerson's face was ashen as he struggled to comprehend the horror before him. "This.., this is madness," he stammered. "How could this have happened?"

Drake turned to the scientists, his dark eyes cold and calculating. "Where were you when it left Dr. Skirth's body?" He asked Dr. Emerson, his voice steady.

Dr. Emerson trembled under Drake's intense gaze, struggling to find his voice. Knowing he wouldn't get an answer, Drake turned to the other scientist. "Where was he?"

The other scientist, Dr. Loring, glanced nervously between Drake and Dr. Emerson. "He... He was in his office. We were running diagnostics on the symbiote when we heard the alarm."

Drake's mind raced, Riot whispering insidious thoughts of betrayal and sabotage. "And what did you see when you arrived here?"

Dr. Loring swallowed hard, her eyes wide with fear. "It was already too late. Dr. Skirth was... gone, and the symbiote... It was like it had died along with her."

Drake knelt by Dr. Skirth's body, examining the dark blue substance. It was indeed lifeless, a stark contrast to the living, pulsing entity that now resided within him. Riot's voice echoed in his mind, a chilling reminder of their shared power.

"Weak," it hissed. "Not like us."

Drake stood, turning his attention back to the two scientists. "This is the higher life-form. You stood by and watched while it died."

Dr. Emerson and Dr. Loring exchanged uneasy glances, their fear palpable in the sterile, clinical atmosphere of the lab. They were both seasoned scientists, but the events unfolding around them were beyond their comprehension and control.

"Dr. Skirth's death is a significant loss," Drake continued, his tone measured yet unyielding. "But we cannot let this setback derail our mission. We must remain focused, vigilant, and, above all, united."

Dr. Emerson nodded slowly, still trying to process everything. "What... what do we do now, Dr. Drake?"

Drake's eyes, darkened with resolve, met Emerson's. "We adapt. We learn from this. Strengthen our security protocols, increase surveillance, and ensure that the remaining symbiotes are secured. No more mistakes."

Riot's presence pulsed approvingly within Drake, reinforcing his newfound determination. "And find Eddie Brock and Carrie White," the symbiote's voice resonated in his mind, its hunger for dominance and retribution clear. "They hold the key to our next move."

Drake nodded subtly to himself, his mind already strategizing the next steps. He turned to Dr. Loring, his voice taking on a tone of quiet command. "Prepare a full report on Dr. Skirth's findings and any data we have on the symbiotes. I want it on my desk within the hour. And get me all information on Brock and White's last known locations. We need to move quickly."

Dr. Loring, eager to prove her loyalty and competence, hurried off to comply. Dr. Emerson lingered, still visibly shaken. "Sir, are you sure we can control this? What happened to Skirth—"

"—Was a tragic but necessary lesson," Drake interjected, his gaze unwavering. "We will not make the same mistake twice. Trust in our mission, Emerson. We are on the verge of something monumental."

As Dr. Emerson nodded reluctantly and left, Drake felt Riot's satisfaction coursing through him. Alone again, Drake allowed himself a moment to absorb the gravity of the situation. He had bound himself to a formidable, alien power, one that demanded control and dominance.

But he also knew that with Riot's power, he could achieve what he had always dreamed of: a world transformed by his vision. And Eddie Brock and Carrie White were the keys to unlocking that future.

Determined and resolute, Drake exited the lab, his mind already calculating the moves ahead. He knew the risks were immense, but so were the potential rewards. With Riot by his side, he would confront Eddie and Carrie, reclaim what was his, and reshape the future in his image.

"The arrogance," Drake then muttered under his breath.

As he continued to walk through the corridor, he spotted Treece and the other two guards approached him. But before he could say anything, Drake pointed at him.

"Treece, listen to me," Drake said in a dangerously soft tone with a tint of growl to it. "After this, we can't risk killing Brock, not until we find another suitable host. I don't want to see you again unless you have Brock!"

"And the White girl?" Treece asked.

Drake's eyes darkened as he considered the implications of Carrie's presence. Riot's influence whispered temptations of power and control, fueling his determination.

"Carrie White is a special case," Drake replied, his voice cold and calculated. "Her abilities could be invaluable to us. Capture her alive if possible, but do not underestimate her. She must be handled with extreme caution."

Treece nodded, his face set with grim determination. "Understood. We'll get them both."

Drake watched as Treece and the guards moved with purpose, his own thoughts a turbulent mix of ambition and fear. Riot's presence thrummed within him, a constant reminder of the dangerous alliance he had forged.

***

Anne's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as she navigated the familiar route home. The city lights blurred past her, a tapestry of colors and movement that she barely registered. Her mind was a whirl of conflicting emotions.

On one hand, she was furious. Eddie Brock had been nothing but trouble for her, ever since their breakup. His reckless behavior, his obsession with uncovering the truth no matter the cost, had left her career in shambles. Now, thanks to him, she was stuck working as a freelance lawyer under a law firm that didn't fully appreciate her talents.

But on the other hand, there was the incident at the restaurant. The memory of Eddie's tired eyes, the panic in his voice as he tried to explain the inexplicable, gnawed at her. He had always been intense, but this was different. It was as if something had broken inside him, something beyond his control.

She couldn't help but replay the events in her head. Eddie had shown up at the restaurant, looking disheveled and out of sorts. He had babbled about something that made no sense, something about Carlton Drake and the Life Foundation. At first, she had thought he was joking, or maybe he had finally lost it. But the fear in his eyes was real. It was palpable.

Anne's thoughts shifted to Carrie, Eddie's young neighbor. The neighbor was as equally concerned for Eddie as she was, and Anne felt sorry for Carrie, for getting caught in the crossfire of Eddie's turbulent life. It seemed that Eddie had already taken Carrie under his wing, almost like a little sister. Despite his flaws, Eddie had always had a soft spot for the vulnerable, and Carrie was no exception. Anne couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She had always admired that part of Eddie, the part that cared deeply for others even when his own life was falling apart.

The memory of Carrie's wide-eyed innocence tugged at her heart. She knew that whatever was happening to Eddie, it was affecting Carrie too. Anne had seen the fear in the girl's eyes, the way she clung to Eddie as if he was her lifeline. It made Anne's anger seem trivial in comparison. She could be furious with Eddie all she wanted, but she couldn't ignore the fact that he needed help. More importantly, Carrie needed stability, something Eddie was struggling to provide.

Anne sighed deeply, her grip on the steering wheel loosening slightly. She hated feeling torn like this, but she knew she had to do something. She couldn't just stand by and watch Eddie spiral further out of control. She had to confront him, get to the bottom of whatever was happening, if not for him, then for Carrie's sake.

Her phone buzzed, startling her. She glanced at the screen and saw her current boyfriend's name on the screen: Dan. He was probably wondering how long she will be. She pressed the green icon.

"Hey, babe. I'm almost home," Anne said, assuring her boyfriend.

"Where's Eddie?" Dan's voice sounded worried.

"Why? What's happening?"

This was getting Anne even more worried.

"I got Eddie's labs back, and it's worse than I thought. His systems, renal, endocrine, they're behaving abnormally. I've never seen anything like it."

"What does that mean, Dan? What are you telling me?"

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and Anne could hear Dan exhale deeply. She braced herself for the worst, clutching the steering wheel with renewed tension.

"Anne, it means Eddie's body is undergoing changes that shouldn't be possible," Dan said finally. "I don't have a full explanation yet, but it looks like his body is rejecting something—something foreign. We need to get him to a hospital immediately."

Anne's heart sank. Her mind raced through the possibilities. What could Eddie have gotten himself into? She thought back to his frantic ramblings about Carlton Drake and the Life Foundation. Was it possible Eddie had uncovered something more sinister than a simple corporate scandal? And if so, how deeply was he involved?

"Alright, I'll find him," Anne said, her voice steady but urgent. "I'll bring him in."

"Be careful, Anne. If his condition is as serious as it seems, there's no telling how he might react," Dan warned.

"I will. Thanks, Dan," she replied, ending the call and accelerating towards Eddie's apartment.

Anne let out a sigh and found Eddie's name in her contact. She immediately pressed it and allowed it to ring.

"Eddie Brock here. Leave a message."

Anne's frustration mounted as she listened to Eddie's voicemail greeting. She ended the call without leaving a message and drove faster, weaving through traffic with determined precision. The city lights reflected her turbulent emotions, a cacophony of colors mirroring her internal chaos. She had to find Eddie, and she had to find him now.

The drive to Eddie's apartment felt interminable, but she finally arrived and parked hastily. She got out of her car, her heart pounding in her chest. But as she ran to his apartment, Anne could hear sirens blaring and saw people gathering around, outside his apartment. Getting closer, she could make out indistinct police radio chattering.

"Officer, what's happening?" Anne asked. "I need to get in there. It's my friend's apartment."

"Building's been evacuated," the officer replied. "It's not safe for you to be here, ma'am."

"Found another one, Bill," a female police officer shouted.

"Get off the streets," the officer said, walking away. "Go home. There's bodies all over the city tonight."

"Bodies?" Anne whispered.

Her heart pounded even harder. Eddie, she thought. She had to get to Eddie, but how? “Eddie, where are you?” She whispered to herself.

"Carrie, please pick up," a distressed woman whispered.

Anne's head whipped around at the sound of the woman's voice. Her black hair was tied in a ponytail, her face worn out and her blue eyes were tired.

She walked up to the woman. "You're okay?"

The woman stood her head. "No..."

"What's your name?"

"Estelle Horan."

"Estelle, what happened?" Anne asked, trying to keep her voice calm despite the anxiety that was bubbling inside her.

Estelle looked around nervously, her eyes darting between the police officers and the crowd. "I was just heading out for some grocery shopping and I came back to this. I just hope that Carrie—."

She stopped herself from finishing her sentence. She didn't want to give too much away. She didn't want to talk about Carrie to Anne. "I just hope she's not in there."

"Don't worry, I'm sure she's okay," Anne pulled her into an hug and Estelle just broke down into tears. She kept holding on to the crying woman and kept telling her the same thing: she was sure that Carrie was okay.

But it was Estelle's response that caught her attention. "Not again. Not again. Why did I do this to myself, knowing what happened in... Not again."

Anne's heart sank as she listened to Estelle's frantic sobs. The woman's cryptic words suggested a connection to Carrie that went beyond mere acquaintance. It was clear that Estelle was hiding something, but now wasn't the time to press her for answers.

"Estelle, listen to me," Anne said softly but firmly, pulling back to look her in the eye. "Go to the apartment and find anything that could help us. We're going to find Carrie and Eddie. Find something that will help us, okay?"

Estelle nodded weakly, tears streaming down her face. Anne gave her a reassuring squeeze before turning her attention back to the chaotic scene in front of Eddie's apartment building. The police presence was heavy, and the growing crowd only added to the confusion as Estelle was granted access to her apartment but under the circumstances she will allow to pack her bags and find herself a place to stay.

She needed to think. If Eddie and Carrie weren't in the apartment, where would they go? Anne wracked her brain, trying to recall any hints Eddie might have dropped about his plans. Her mind flashed back to their last conversation, the urgency in his voice, the mention of the Life Foundation. Could he have gone there? And could he

As she walked upstairs, Estelle unlocked her door and entered her apartment. She went into Carrie's room, thinking she might be hiding something. At first, nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary until she spotted Carrie's journal on her desk. Estelle gave it to her as a way of writing down her emotions and even something that happened on a day.

She picked up her journal and started reading. Mostly just about Carrie thinking about Chamberlain and what she did and how she felt guilty for it. Then, Estelle spotted an entry about Carrie sneaking into the Life Foundation when Eddie was interviewing Drake. How did Estelle not spotted her?

But that wasn't the shocking part. It was poem Carrie had written down. She read it in her head, her eyes following the cryptic words.

"What the hell...?" Estelle whispered to herself.

The words etched in Carrie's journal sent chills down Estelle's spine. The poem's ominous tone and cryptic references were unnerving, hinting at a deeper, darker connection to the symbiotes and the Life Foundation. Estelle couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just a random piece of writing; it felt like a warning, or perhaps a premonition.

"Carrie, what have you gotten yourself into?" Estelle muttered, her mind racing.

Estelle carefully tucked the journal into her bag. If Carrie had discovered something significant, something related to Drake and the Life Foundation, it could be the key to finding her and Eddie. But the more Estelle thought about it, the more she realized she needed help. She couldn't do this alone.

Leaving her apartment, Estelle hurried back downstairs, scanning the crowd for Anne. She spotted her near a police officer, still trying to get more information. As Estelle approached, Anne turned and saw the look of urgency on her face.

"Anne, I found something," Estelle said, her voice trembling. "Carrie's journal... it has some strange entries about the Life Foundation. And this poem... it feels like it means something."

Anne took the journal from Estelle, quickly flipping through the pages until she found the poem. Her eyes widened as she read the cryptic verses.

"This is... disturbing," Anne said, her mind piecing together the clues. "Carrie must have discovered something important. And if she's with Eddie, they might both be in danger."

"What's our next move?" Estelle asked, her anxiety palpable.

Anne took a deep breath, trying to think clearly. "We need to get to the Life Foundation. If Eddie and Carrie are there, they could be in serious trouble. We have to move quickly."

Estelle nodded, her resolve hardening. Together, they hurried back to Anne's car, determined to find Eddie and Carrie before it was too late. As they sped through the city streets, Anne's mind raced with thoughts of what they might uncover at the Life Foundation.

Suddenly, Estelle's phone vibrated and she took her phone out. She saw a text message from Carrie, giving her mixed feelings of relief and dread.

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲

𝘏𝘦𝘺, 𝘌𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰

𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐'𝘮 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘌𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘦.

𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘫𝘰𝘣, 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵

𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦.

Estelle's heart skipped a beat as she read Carrie's message. Relief washed over her, knowing that Carrie was safe for the moment. But her relief was tinged with worry about what exactly Carrie and Eddie were dealing with at Eddie's old workplace.

Anne glanced over at Estelle, sensing the shift in her emotions. "What does she say?”

Estelle quickly composed herself, reading the message aloud. Anne nodded thoughtfully, her mind racing with possibilities.

"Eddie's old job... That must mean they're at the MNBN building," Anne said, piecing together the puzzle. "It makes sense. Eddie must be there to show actual proof to his boss, something related to Drake and the Life Foundation."

Estelle nodded in agreement, her thoughts still reeling. "We have to go there. We need to find them before anything else happens."

Anne nodded decisively, turning the car in the direction of the MNBN building. As they drove, Estelle couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in her mind. Carrie's mention of sorting something out at Eddie's old workplace hinted at a deeper involvement in whatever Eddie had uncovered.

Link to Chapter Twenty Eight

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