[Early in the story Eddie Brock goes to the gym to let off some steam because of his own actions causing him to lose his job and fiancé Anne breaking off their engagement.]

Eddie was kicking himself for using the information that he saw in Anne's email on her computer. Deep down he felt he was doing the right thing and exposing Carlton Drake's company for what it really was. But now because of what he did, he lost his job and his fiancé.

While he walked the streets to think of what to do next, he walked by the gym he used to frequent when he had more time. But with juggling his investigative reporting and his love life, working out had to be put on the side burner. While looking in through the slightly dirty window he could see a couple people weightlifting and the desire to do so as well compelled him to enter the gym.

The girl behind the counter saw Eddie and instantly recognized him as she was a fan of his, not to mention his face was plastered on the TV's inside the gym blasting his name and reputation.

"Wow I can't believe that Eddie Brock walked in here showing his face, especially after what happened. But I heard this place was one of your old haunts. It's good to see you come back after all this time." The girl said a loud.

Eddie ignored her and continued to the back where the weightlifting equipment was. As he walked, he felt a little annoyed about what she said, but he realized she was right, it was good to be back after a long absence.

As he reached the back of the gym and began to place weights on the only free barbell, Eddie could fells all eyes inside the gym were on him.

Despite there only being only a handful of people inside, he could feel every pair of eyes burning a hole straight through him.

He ignored the feeling he was getting and finished placing the last weight on the barbell which totaled the average Eddie could do in the past at 330 pounds. After sliding off his sweatshirt which showed off his not muscular but toned upper body, he lay down on the bench and readied himself for a pure bench press.

As he took grip of the barbell, Eddie lifted up and lowered the entire weight of the barbell to his chest. The eyes that just before burning holes in him, were now looking on in curiosity.

Eddie though back to his earlier days and remembered how he sometimes liked to show off and for all the onlookers at this moment he decided to not disappoint. Once he readied himself, he pushed back up on the barbell.

Though he struggled a little at first, he was able to push the 330 pounds back up and with repeat. As Eddie continued to bench, he could hear whispers of astonishment and awe. He smirked a little as there was now a little bit of light in his darkness.

After a few moments, the other gym patrons went back to their workouts. After a few minutes of Eddie's body remembering how it felt to work out like he used to, the front door opened and a large well-muscled man entered the gym.

Eddie didn't noticed the man walk in, but as the man walked closer to the weight lifting area where Eddie was he smirked.

"Well if it isn't Eddie Brock. Didn't think I'd ever see you here again." The man said.

"Why if it isn't my old friend Butch." Eddie said as sarcastically as he could.

"I heard you stopped weightlifting all together and became a reporter."

"First of all Butch, it was investigative reporting…"

"Yeah, and last time I heard you got fired from doing that. Is there anything your good at?"

Eddie's blood began to boil as not only did he have to see an old acquaintance that he wished never to see again. He and butch trained together on occasion but when Butch began to continuously say he was better than Eddie he disavowed their relationship. But now Butch was back and was talking smack as well.

"Don't worry Butch, I'll find out what I'm good at." Eddie said a little miffed.

"Well I hope you're not trying to get back into weightlifting again. I don't think your old body could take it anymore."

"For your information Butch, he was lifting some heavy weight before you got here." The girl behind the counter said.

Butch peered at the weights that Eddie was lifting and scoffed.

"Only 330 Eddie? That's what you were doing before you stopped. My average weight is about 420, so that almost 100 over you."

"Listen Butch I don't need this from you. I lost my job and my fiancé."

"Well if you knew what you were good at then maybe you wouldn't have."

"You know what I've had enough of you." Eddie said as he grabbed his sweatshirt and walking out the front door.