Without a Trace
Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville or any of it's characters.
"Just hand it over, please." A girl with long dark red hair was standing over a casher and his wife her right arm out stretched. "Please, it wont be as bad it you don't resist." the girl pleaded again. The man huddled over his wife but shook his head, gripping the key in his hand tighter. "No, you don't understand! I-" A flash of light came out of the girls hand and hit the man and his wife who's bodies fell limp. "No!" The look of shock on the girls face became tears. She turned around. "You said,…you promised you wouldn't hurt them if I could get the key." She said shaking.
"That was taking to long." A deep voice came from the shadows. "take it from him."
" No, I'm not doing this anymore." said the girl taking a step away from the bodies on the ground; tears still pouring out of her hazel eyes.
A terrible laugh came from the corner. "My dear, have you forgotten our arrangement?" A man or the remains of what used to be a man stepped out of the corner. Even out of the shadows only half of his face was visible the other half was covered in dried blood, and an empty eye socket. The man pulled the ripped trench coat tighter around his body. "You have no choice." The girls face contorted into a grimace but she took a step closer to the dead man and then another before she dropped to her knees, reaching out a shaking hand to wrench open the one holding the key. Still crying, the girl slid the key from the now open hand. Looking up to the still shocked face on the cashier she closed his eyes before standing up. The man in the corner grinned wickedly as he was handed the key. He limped over to the safe under the front desk and with trouble knelt to unlock it. Just as he was about to open the door he fell to ground, blood pouring from his skull. The girl stood over him holding a jagged knife covered in blood, trembling but with a look of hatred on her face. The man turned his head toward her, unable to focus, "Ginny.." he said feebly before his head dropped again and he drew his last breath.
"Our arrangement is terminated ." Ginny said, still shaking she let the knife drop from her hand. She stood there for only a second before wiping the mixture of salt water and blood from her face. Pressing the emergency button under the counter on her way to the door, she ran out into the deserted night street.
"no way! I'm not wearing it." Clark stood defiantly, holding a red and blue material in his hand.
"Come on, just try it on."
Clark sighed, tired of fighting this matter with Pete, fumbled to put the tight clothing on over his boxers. He stared in horror at himself in the mirror. "This is your idea of 'the perfect costume'? I'm going to a Halloween dance, not joining the circus."
" It gives off that super hero look doesn't it?" Pete said, standing up to join Clark.
Clark studied himself again. The costume was tight, had blue arms, legs, and blue torso with a red S on it, and a red cape.
"Pete, no superhero would ever wear this. Beside, if it's so great, how come you don't have one?"
"Didn't have it in my size" Pete shrugged. "Besides, I'm going for more of a prince charming look."
Clark shook his head before pulling at the costume trying to take it off. Clark struggled for a bit before falling to the floor. Exasperated, Clark tore the tight clothing off of his body.
"Hey! Now I can return it!"
"Sorry Pete," Clark said standing up. "It has a mind of it's own." They both stared down at the torn fabric.
"Pete, your mom just called, she wants you home for dinner." Mrs. Kent stuck her head in Clarks room.
"Alright, thanks Mrs. Kent. See you later man." Pete patted Clark on the back before heading out the door.
Clark turned around, pulling on jeans and a blue t-shirt before heading downstairs.
"So how's the costume hunt coming?" Martha Kent asked her son as he walked past her to the fridge.
"I'm not sure I'm going to go to the dance." Clark picked up the milk and chugged it from the carton.
"Hey! How many time do I have to tell you, use a glass."
"Sorry." Clark grinned.
"Anyway, you can't give up so fast, it'll be fun."
"What will be fun?" Jonathan walked into the room.
"The Halloween dance." Clark answered. "What did you wear for yours?"
"Hmm….I wore a prince outfit."
"Great" Clark said unenthusiastically.
"What's wrong with that?
"Nothing except I can't wear something like that unless Pete and I want to pass as Siamese twins."
"You'll figure something out." Martha took the milk carton from Clark and put it back in the refrigerator. "Until then, your chores aren't going to do themselves."
Clark stood in front of the old fencing, he looked around before walking up to it and starting to peel the boards off, replacing them with new ones. Clark stopped when he heard a car coming up the drive way.
"Hi Clark." Lana said getting out of her car.
"Hey, Lana, how's it going?"
"Pretty good, I just came by to pick up some of your mom's pies for the
Talon."
"Inside on the counter." Clark pointed towards the house.
Lana nodded and started to head towards the house then stopped. "Oh, I lost an earring when we were up in your barn studying last night, would you mind if I looked for it real quick?"
"No, uh..,. I'll come with you." Lana smiled and followed Clark to the loft.
"Alright, I was sitting over here on the couch…" Lana said as they reached the top of the stairs. She walked over and bent down, lifting up the cushions. Clark stood on the opposite side off the room and concentrated on the couch, after a second or two he lifted his eyes.
"Did you check by the left leg of the couch?" Lana ducked under the couch and came out holding a blue earring.
"How did you know that?" Lana said with a confused smile.
" …Lucky guess." Clark scratched his head.
She paused. "Well,.. Maybe someday I'll find out how Clark Kent does the things he does. I better go get those pies." Lana smiled and started down the stairs.
Clark smiled before heading back down he stairs after her.
"Hey, Clark, Pete! Wait up!"
Clark turned around to see Chloe running towards him down the locker filled hall way. "Did you guys hear about what happened over in Grandville on Saturday?" Chloe breathed as she stopped beside him. "A cashier and his wife of a local store, the uh...the Dylans were killed." She told Clark and Pete's blank looks. " You wanna know the weird part?"
" You mean you haven't told us yet?" Pete said with a look of curiosity.
" The man that the police believe to be the attacker was dead too. He was found laying on the ground next to an open safe with a cut in the back of his head."
:When did the police find them?" Clark questioned taking the copy of the Planet Chloe was holding her.
"Saturday night, somebody pressed the alarm." Chloe said
"Definitely one for the wall of weird." Pete shook his head as they turned the corner and entered the Torch. "Do they have any idea who killed the attacker?" Chloe shrugged
"My guess is whoever pressed the alarm."
"What about Mr. Dylan?" Clark put in
" I don't think so, I looked at the police reports, there were no traces of blood on the victims, that's what really gets me. There is no sign that the Dylans were murdered. No bullet holes, no signs of struggle." Chloe walked over to her computer and started to boot it up. " I'm going to see if I can find the medical records, if the autopsies show no poisons, I'm at a loss."
"Look like the strangeness of Smallville is spreading." Clark gave a sarcastic grin. " Keep me updated, I've got a test next period." Chloe looked up confused.
"You're going to class? But.. You never go to class." Clark mirrored her confusion.
"Of course I go to class Chloe, why else would I be passing?" Chloe shook her head.
"sure, Clark, sure"
(Authors note: last 3 and a half lines don't exist I just had to do it)
Chloe looked up and grinned back. "So, on a happier note, are you two going to the Halloween party?"
Pete nodded and Clark shrugged. " Either of you have dates yet?" Chloe asked glancing at Clark quickly, slightly apprehensive.
Pete grinned "I've got someone in mind. And we all know who Clark is going to take." Clark looked at Pete, shifting his backpack to the other shoulder.
"She probably already has a date."
"Who are you kidding?" Pete said. "I bet you anything she's waiting for you to ask her." Clark shifted his backpack again, studying his zipper. Chloe looked up once again shifting her gaze from Pete to Clark. She coughed, hiding the sadness on her face.
"We should get to class." Chloe straightened up and picked up her books. Clark nodded, grateful for the distraction started towards the door. "Clark, will you help me with the Dylans story after classes today? The medical exams should be back by then."
Clark turned to face her. "Sorry Chloe, I told Lana that-"
"That you would help her at the Talon. Yeah, ok See you later Pete." Chloe turned around and walked off. Clark gave a confused look .
"What was that abo-"
"Clark, you know that Chloe has always been a little sensitive about you blowing her off for Lana." Pete gave Clark a wise look.
"Yeah, but it's not like I had promised to do this with her." Clark started walking again. Pete shrugged .
"Anyway, catch you late man, I've got gym coming up." Clark lifted his hand up as a goodbye then continued down the hall down the hall.