"For if the sinewy thread my brain lets fall
Through every part
Can tie those parts, and make me one of all,
Those hairs, which upward grew, and strength and art
Have from a better brain,
Can better do't: except she meant that I
By this should know my pain,
As prisoners then are manacled, when they're condemned to die."
- John Donne, The Funeral
Chapter 1
Jordan Cross ran so quickly that he nearly tripped over every step. Each of his senses was sharp and alert. He felt the chill air pressing against his pale face as he sprinted forward. He felt the salt of his tears burn his flushed cheeks with a hellish fire. He heard the sound of his sneakers pounding violently on the hard cement. He heard the sleeves of his jacket rustle against his sides as he swung his arms to and fro. Those tearing noises didn't do much to relieve the throbbing in his head. He had seen someone die – a young girl, innocent – but he had seen the future, and he had a chance to stop it from actually happening.
His mind unexpectedly ventured back to the day he met Clark Kent. It was his first day at a regular school, and Clark had been assigned as his mentor. That same day, after a refreshing run through a woodland trail near the school, Jordan had encountered the track coach and saw the unsettling foreshadowing of his death - he stood before a speeding car, his arms spread out, as if he were waiting for something. Later that day, a swerving car sped through the parking lot of Smallville High, and Coach Altman threw himself in front of it. But before it struck him, a miracle occurred. Clark Kent raced out into the street and pushed Coach Altman out of the way seconds before impact. Jordan had stared at him in wonder and awe, as if searching his being for some impossible answer.
You see, it was strange. No one had ever stopped any of Jordan's visions from coming true before. Clark changed the future...
There was something different about Clark, Jordan knew. It was like he didn't have an end. Like he would just go on forever. It was puzzling, disturbing – incomprehensible. But, if Clark changed the future once, couldn't he do it again?
Jordan had seen the fate of Lana's friend Megan earlier in the parking lot at school – she was tied down with ropes, surrounded by flames, suffocating! He told Clark about what he had seen, and they walked to Megan's home together, only to find everything quiet and in order. Jordan's father arrived at the house shortly afterwards, and he tried to take him away. But Jordan had to find Megan! She was in danger! So he turned his back on his dad and on Clark and started to run. He headed for Smallville High.
- John Donne, The Funeral
Chapter 1
Jordan Cross ran so quickly that he nearly tripped over every step. Each of his senses was sharp and alert. He felt the chill air pressing against his pale face as he sprinted forward. He felt the salt of his tears burn his flushed cheeks with a hellish fire. He heard the sound of his sneakers pounding violently on the hard cement. He heard the sleeves of his jacket rustle against his sides as he swung his arms to and fro. Those tearing noises didn't do much to relieve the throbbing in his head. He had seen someone die – a young girl, innocent – but he had seen the future, and he had a chance to stop it from actually happening.
His mind unexpectedly ventured back to the day he met Clark Kent. It was his first day at a regular school, and Clark had been assigned as his mentor. That same day, after a refreshing run through a woodland trail near the school, Jordan had encountered the track coach and saw the unsettling foreshadowing of his death - he stood before a speeding car, his arms spread out, as if he were waiting for something. Later that day, a swerving car sped through the parking lot of Smallville High, and Coach Altman threw himself in front of it. But before it struck him, a miracle occurred. Clark Kent raced out into the street and pushed Coach Altman out of the way seconds before impact. Jordan had stared at him in wonder and awe, as if searching his being for some impossible answer.
You see, it was strange. No one had ever stopped any of Jordan's visions from coming true before. Clark changed the future...
There was something different about Clark, Jordan knew. It was like he didn't have an end. Like he would just go on forever. It was puzzling, disturbing – incomprehensible. But, if Clark changed the future once, couldn't he do it again?
Jordan had seen the fate of Lana's friend Megan earlier in the parking lot at school – she was tied down with ropes, surrounded by flames, suffocating! He told Clark about what he had seen, and they walked to Megan's home together, only to find everything quiet and in order. Jordan's father arrived at the house shortly afterwards, and he tried to take him away. But Jordan had to find Megan! She was in danger! So he turned his back on his dad and on Clark and started to run. He headed for Smallville High.