So weak.
Have to find a place to rest.
Hurt.
My ribs hurt.
But I have to...
No, I need to find someplace safe.
Shouldn't be too much further.
Good.
It hurts to walk.
Got to keep it together for a little longer.
Shouldn't be a problem.
I've always been a survivor.
Minutes later, I spot what seems like a nice enough place.
The Daily Planet.
Safe?
Should be.
So tired though.
I might be able to make it inside.
If I'm lucky that is.
I guess I'm not as lucky as I hoped I was.
Because, in an alley just outside the Planet, I collapse as my exhaustion completely overtakes me.
Can't even stay conscious.
I feel my tired blue-green eyes close but I don't really care.
I fall asleep feeling confident that someone will find me.
I mean, this is Metropolis.
Superman lives here.
I'll be fine...
Clark's P.O.V
"See you, C.K."
Took a while to get used to Jimmy calling me that.
"See you, Smallville."
To Lois, on the other hand, I'll always be a farm boy.
I am one but still.
It beats Perry roaring my last name so loud the whole paper can hear it.
I just hear it louder than anyone else due to the mixed blessing of super hearing.
I leave the Planet and start heading to my apartment.
When I enter a familiar alley, I see a lump of some sort.
What on Earth is it?
I decide to get a closer look.
It's an otter.
How did it get here?
It's wounded.
My X-ray vision reveals it has 3...
No, 4 broken ribs.
What happened to it?
I can tell that it's unconscious.
Think I'll take it home.
On top of the broken ribs, it's bleeding from a cut on each front limb.
Those wounds will need tending.
As carefully as I can, I pick it up.
Holding it in my arms, I continue walking to my apartment.
I think it will be O.K.
I hope it will be O.K.
I can practically hear Bruce calling me a Boy Scout for this.
I don't care what you think about this, Bruce.
It may not be a person, but it still needs my help.
Once I arrive in my apartment, I carefully put the otter down on my living room table.
I get a first aid kit and tend to its wounds.
Almost done.
There.
That should do it.
I make the comfortable on my couch.
It needs its rest.
That's easily seen by anyone.
I get a call for help.
I go to answer it.
Rest, little otter.
I'll come back to you.
I promise.
After rescuing a sinking ship, I come back to my apartment.
The Boy Scout handbook does say be prepared.
But nothing could have prepared me for the sight that meets my eyes.
How did the otter become replaced with a girl?
Blue-green eyes slowly focus on my blue ones.
"Looks like I have some explaining to do."