It happened two months later, in a chemical plant outside Oakland, chasing the last loose thread of a story that had nearly killed them both. A ruptured tank. A wall of acid rain falling toward Eddie’s exposed back while his foot was pinned under a collapsed beam.

There wasn’t time to think. There was only Venom, surging forward and around, throwing himself between Eddie and the falling acid like he was made of nothing but that one decision.

“NO—” Eddie’s scream tore out of him as the corrosive wave hit, hissing, eating.

Eddie. Venom’s voice was already growing thin, stretched like a signal losing its tower. Eddie, you are not allowed to follow me into this. Do you hear me. Live