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LAURA
There was something therapeutic and pleasing about Eddie's hoodies. Sure, they gave off a foul odor but I managed to sneak a few off his rack and clean them in a separate wash. It fit me like a very large glove, clamping mid-thigh. And since I was home alone for the night, I wore them while whipping up a quick salad since it was the easiest to make. I could tell, Eddie was definitely going to be disappointed.
Somehow at the back of mind, the conflicts from the interview kept running on my mind on replay. Every problem that approached me had started with a failed interview but this one felt different. Why would Eddie run around murdering people other than criminals? Eddie and Venom knew their limits then why would they cross the line?
Knowing I was involving work with my personal life again, I reverted my thoughts to the bowl in front of me. The music was on full blast from my phone, my hands kneading the salad in the mixing bowl with two pairs of tongs. Mellow jazz crooned to my soul as I mouthed the song lyrics and shook my hips to the dropped beat.
I didn't hear the doorknob jingle with the keys when I crushed a bit of pepper into the bowl, my gaze shooting the opening door. I grinned at Eddie's back and focused on tossing the lettuce into the bowl.
'Hey, stranger! You're earlier than usual.'
When he didn't answer, I dropped my cheery expression. I saw a disgruntled Eddie drop his jacket at the doorstep and shutting the wide open blinds that let the minimal street lights into the room. I frowned deeply.
He lodged himself into the stool near the kitchenette, the balls of his fist massaging the tender regions of his temples. When he removed his thumbs, I gasped at the sight of blood. It wasn't just his temples, it was the entire side of his face that was blackened with cuts dusting the corners.
'Eddie, what happened?!'
My proclamation was cut short, wiping my hands quickly and wetting a paper towel under hot water. Clearly, we didn't have a first aid kit around the apartment because there was no need for one. I worked quickly, shoving his scab-picking fingers away and dabbing it over the wound.
'I was supposed to heal,' he stated up at me with obvious confusion in his swollen eyes. 'It was so weird, Laur. Like I had a burnout or something.'
'What's weird it that you're going around picking fights with delinquents,' I scolded sternly, taking a different turn at the conversation. 'Then become the media favorite with your secret alias.'
I saw hints of a proud smile and I knocked his shoulder angrily. He winced but I didn't back down with pity.
'I'm serious. The police are after you and I don't think it's safe for you to go around playing the superhero.'
