Chapter 2
"Maybe we should have taken her to the hospital" Jonathan reasoned again with his son.
Martha shook her head "She kept saying she didn't want to go."
"What do you think happened to her?" Clark added softly.
I slowly felt my head clear.
"Clark?" I whispered incoherently.
"I think she's awake." Martha whispered. I felt the couch beneath me sink as someone sat down. "Are you okay sweat heart." A gentle hand stroked the side of my face tenderly.
My eyes flickered open to a sideways kitchen. I was in the Kent's house. I recognized it right away but could barely keep my mind wrapped around it. If I was remembering the last time I woke up clearly I obviously should take it slow but how do you ever comprehend something like this?
I slowly sat up and looked around at the six pairs of watching eyes before me. I took a deep breath and squinted trying to make them disappear. I counted to three expecting this insane set of circumstances melt back into my four bleak bedroom walls but when I looked again there were the Kents' daring to continue on existing.
"What is your name?" Martha asked gingerly.
"Umm Alice" the words felt foreign in my mouth.
"You must have hit your head pretty hard. Do you know what happened to you Alice?" Jonathan asked carefully.
I just stared past him to the quiet boy just off his left shoulder. Clark Kent. That was freaking Clark KENT. Freaking pretights and cape Superman in the flesh! After the silence continued for a while and he gave me a strange look I broke my stare and returned my attention to Jonathan.
"I um…I don't know what happened. I was riding my bike and I just don't know." I tried to put together in my head the events prior to when I woke up in crazy town but the story didn't seem to fit together. One second I was riding in the rain into a new life and the next thing I know I wake up to Jonathan and Clark Kent and I- remembering a particularly embarrassing event I quickly averted my eyes to the ground where I saw everyone wearing shoes, mine particularly muddy, except for Clark.
"Maybe we should take you to a hospital…" Martha trailed off concerned.
"No!" I protested. I can't go to a hospital! Hospitals meant papers and questions and cops. All three I didn't think I could handle at the moment. "I'm okay! Really! I'll be fine!"
"I don't know…" Neither Martha nor Jonathan seemed very convinced but I smiled and hoped they'd let it slide.
"Thank you for all of your help…I'll just go home now." I stood up not really shore where I was planning on going but I knew I couldn't go to the hospital.
"At least have your parents pick you up?" Martha called after me as I sped towards the door.
I turned to look back at everyone searching for an answer they would be able to take.
"They're out of town on business overseas." I quickly rebuffed. "Military." I tacked on at the end for good measure.
"Well that settles it then you're staying with us we can't let you go home alone in this state." Martha insisted.
"She's right you should really stay here. We have a spare bedroom across the hall from Clark. I couldn't forgive myself if something happened to you do to our lack of hospitality. It's no trouble." Jonathan added.
"Ummmm." I looked between the three of them and realized this was my best bet. I didn't even know what was outside of Smallville besides Metropolis, or if I could even find anywhere else to stay.
"If it's really no trouble." I smiled nervously.
One hour later Martha had the guest room all set and ready. The smell of a home cooked meal wafted in my room as I sat still on the edge of the bed my mind racing at a million miles a minuet.
Jonathan's voice called me out of my thoughts, "Clark! Alice! Super is up! Come and get it while it's hot!"
Clark's head popped around the corner into my room. "Dinner's up." He smiled at me politely and I tried my best to smile back.
"K." I coughed out barely comprehending my response before stiffly getting up and following him downstairs.
I watched how he hopped down the steps at an everyday pace and thought about how he was trying to put on the "normal" act for me. I smiled. If only he knew.
Dinner with the Kents was refreshing. Dinner at my house usually consisted of Chinese takeout or leftover Chinese takeout and that's if it happened at all but in this home it consisted of warm conversation, fresh meals and laughter. That's until the conversation shifted.
"What do you think Alice?" Clark turned to me his voice slightly irritated.
"Sorry?" I stammered realizing I hadn't quite been keeping tabs on the conversation.
"Clark. Leave her out of this." Martha whispered quickly.
"I have my reasons for not trusting the Luthor's and I wish you would respect that instead of arguing with me." Jonathan curtly responded forking his roasted potatoes and shoving them into his mouth.
"What did you want me to do leave him there?" Clark shot back trying to stay calm for my sake no doubt.
"Wait you saved Lex today didn't you?" Realization struck me.
"Just before we found you." Jonathan responded shoveling chicken into his mouth.
"Oh, okay I know where we are now." I smirked slyly cutting into some chicken myself before looking up to see a very confused Kent family staring back at me. "Sorry I hadn't been paying attention to the conversation…go on."
"It's okay the conversation is over." Jonathan curtly stated giving Clark a stern look.
"Anyways…" Martha rolled her eyes and turned to me, "So tell us about yourself Alice"
I looked between Clark and Jonathan and decided a change of topic might be best.
"Well My full name is Alison Rose Green, I am 16 years old and I love music and photography." I smiled.
"Oh really Clark here works for the school paper." Martha smiled.
Clark looked down bashfully before turning to me, "It's really my friend Chloe who does all the work."
I smiled an all knowing smile, "Oh really… Sounds like a great friend."
"Yeah it's cool I guess." He continued to eat.
"I have a friend named Jeanie. That's about it. I'm not exactly a social butterfly." I laughed at myself.
Clark joined in, "I know the feeling."
Everyone laughed at that.
By the time I had had my third serving of apple pie and couldn't eat anymore in fear of exploding, I was so tired that my eyes could barely stay open.
"I think I'm going to turn in." I yawned smiling at Martha and Clark. Jonathan had already gone up and I had had enough weird to last a life time let alone a day.
"Here I'll walk you to your room." Clark offered.
I walked up the stairs sluggishly, Clark trailing behind before I reached my room. "Thanks again Clark" I smiled back at him.
"No problem." His lips pulled into a small cockeyed smile.
My face heat up again as I remembered my not so graceful first impression.
"What?" Clark asked his eyes glowing with amusement.
"Sorry about the shoes." I squeaked out.
He stifled a laugh, "It's okay it could happen to anyone."
I groaned and punched him in the arm before turning around and opening my door.
"Goodnight Clark."
"Goodnight Alice."
The next day after I saw Clark leave for school I grabbed a chocolate chip muffin and ran to the barn where I spent my day in the loft contemplating what the hell was going on.
All I kept thinking about was that old lady from the Fair last year. I desperately wanted to find the green rock she had gave me. I had searched my pocket too many times to count to no avail and my duffle bag was nowhere in sight and when I had asked Mrs. Kent she said she didn't see it and didn't hear anything about a duffle bag from Clark or Jonathan.
So apparently I was on my own. I tried to think rationally. To analyze my situation but I kept drawing blanks. I was scared out of my wits and had no idea what I was going to do or what was going on. I worried about Clark. It was still so early for him. He was so young and unaware of all of the things that he was destined for and in one misplaced secret I could destroy all of that. I could literally end the world if I messed up Clark or this story. Was it already too late? Was I just overly nervous about nothing? Could I-
Whack!
I shouted out in pain and grabbed my throbbing knee. I had ran right into the edge of the railing and clipped my knee cap on the wood. I stared angrily at where I hit my leg. I was completely lost and overwhelmed and my lack of coordination was not helping. I turned on the spot and looked aggressively around at something to tear to shreds before giving up and collapsing on the floor boards.
I was hopeless.
In my pain and confusion I failed to notice that every object in the loft was two inches above the ground defying the very essence of gravity itself.
Voices from downstairs stirred me from deep thought. I remember this. My eyes snapped open and I carefully listened to the two men below me.
"It's not like the Luther's can't afford it!" Clark protested.
I crept onto my feet hoping Clark was too absorbed in his argument with his father to notice the quiet creaking of the floor boards beneath my feet as I slunk closer to the steps. I heard heavy footsteps on the stairs I slunk further into the shadows ashamed to be eaves-dropping but curious just the same to see how close this world lined up to the one I knew so well.
"Son I know you're upset but it's normal-"
I cringed overwhelmingly aware of Mr. Kent's unfortunate choice of words.
"Normal?" Clark cut back.
My stomach turned as I heard the sound of the wood chipper power up. I lurched from my hiding spot just in time to see Clark shove his arm inside. Screaming I threw my hand to my mouth shocked by my reaction.
Martha dashed in the barn panicked, "What? What happened?"
Clark's eyes widened at me as he yanked his arm unscathed from the machine, his plaid shirt dangling in shreds from his elbow down. They all stared at me terrified of what I might say next. To be honest I didn't know what I was going to say.
I was internally kicking myself. I had known that Clark would be okay but I couldn't help but react. I should have kept my mouth shut but now what the hell was I supposed to do?
"I was just um… Looking at your telescope and I uh…" I stammered backing away awkwardly up the steps tripping over my feet before turning away and dashing into the loft.
I passed back and forth across the wood, my head spinning.
What do I say? What the heck go I even say? Oh yes where I come from you're actually fictional and I know about your entire life. Also have you heard of Kryptonite because fun story that's the name of the meteor rocks you found from the planet you live on, Krypton!
My breath was quick and shallow and my heart raced. Clark hadn't even been given the knowledge of his parents about where he is from yet and here I am, a freaking cargo ship of knowledge and if I say one thing wrong I could ruin. I could change who he is supposed to become by pushing the story too quickly and with no superman the earth is pretty much doomed in about ten years or less so great.
"Alice." Jonathan whispered
I hadn't even noticed the Kent's arrive in the loft and I jumped at the sound of his voice.
Clark looked just as freaked out as I was and Martha stood there with her hands clasped helplessly in front of her as the fate of her only son lay in the hands of a complete stranger.
Clark looked on the verge of collapse he was all shaken p and I knew one thing for certain. I wasn't going to screw this up for him. I slowly took a step forward. Martha and Jonathan seemed to shift closer to their son protectively but I continued on slowly closer until Clark and I were just inches away. I searched his fearful and confused eyes and saw myself in them. He barely knew me, but I would trust him with my life.
It was in this moment I decided who I was in this story. I would help Clark in any way possible. I would, no matter what I had to do lessen the burden on his shoulders somehow. I would be the eye of the storm and the one who kept him a little less confused.
I got on my tip toes and in a moment of instinct threw my arms around his shoulders pulling him in for a hug. He just stood there in shock and so did his parents but the room seemed to let out a small sigh of relief. I realized how crazy I looked but I hardly cared.
"It's going to be okay. I know you're scared but everything is going to be okay." I comforted speaking not only to the Kents but to myself as well.
I could feel him soften and to my shock I felt his arms wrap around me and after one last squeeze I dropped my hands to my sides and looked down at my shoes smiling. I finally had a purpose and this new found drive was invigorating. I looked up and bounced on the balls of my feet.
"Mr. Kent" I turned to his dumbfounded expression, "I believe you have some explaining to do… It's not my place but he has a right to know" I nodded to Mrs. Kent and brushed past all of them and down the stairs.
I stopped in my tracks before exiting the barn and turned back to look up at them more seriously now my eyes training on Clark.
"And Clark!" I called. He raised an eyebrow. "Go easy on them." I smiled softly hoping that these words of encouragement would help before turning and walking back towards the house.
Hours had past. Martha and I sat across from each other at the table in silence sipping tea waiting for Clark or Jonathan to walk in the door with news. I could tell that Martha was always on the verge of asking a question or saying something to me but every time she opened her mouth the words seemed to escape her and she would take another sip of the honey and lemon tea.
I had finished mine and was watching the honey still stuck at the bottom swirl around slowly in my mug as I tilted it around in circles.
"Are you done?" Martha questioned nervously, taking my mug and hers before I could answer to the sink and washing both for too long. She scrubbed anxiously long after they were clean just for something to do.
"Mrs. Kent?" I spoke softly trying to calm her.
"Hm?" She questioned not looking away from her task.
"You and Mr. Kent are good parents." I said.
She stopped what she was doing and turned to me.
I continued, "Clark is one of the best kinds of people in the world and he will understand. It might shock him at first but he will understand eventually why you never told him until now."
"How do you know?" She whispered hanging on to my words.
"Because… I know things." I whispered staring at my feet.
"How."
With this question I took a deep breath before looking back at her but before I had to answer a very flustered Mr. Kent came through the door and all of Mrs. Kent's attention went from me to her husband and the crisis at hand.
"Where is he? How did he take it? Did you tell him? Is he okay?" she rapid fired.
Mr. Kent went right to the fridge and slammed it back shut too worked up to consume anything. "I don't know he didn't believe me, so I showed him the ship and he…. He just ran off." He leaned against the counter and used his free hand to wipe his face in frustration.
"Jonathan are you shore he's alright? Do you know where he could have gone?" she stood by him trying to help.
"He'll come back Martha. It's Clark we're talking about… but he seemed pretty upset."
I knew where he went. He had gone to the graveyard. That's where I also knew Lana would be to talk him down so I was hardly needed. Still, I couldn't help but worry. I needed to make sure everything went according to plan. I had to see for myself.
I sighed before getting to my feet, "Mr. and Mrs. Kent I am gonna go for a walk to clear my head."
I trudged across the field unsure of where to go but somehow certain I'd find my way. Just at the tree line I saw a small grave hard about two hundred feet away. I saw a dark figure I knew was Clark passing in the grass. I didn't see Lana's horse so I sat in the grass and waited to be safe.
But as time ticked by Clark became more and more distraught. I looked around hopping to see Lana coming but she hadn't. Shouldn't she have been here by now? Clark sat his head between his knees shaking.
My heart lurched and my eyes watered. He was in so much pain. I know it'd be ridiculous to be upset at Lana for not being here but I couldn't help but as time passed I couldn't just sit here hoping she might show anymore. Clark never seemed this distraught on the show and Lana wasn't here to comfort him. He was all alone.
"Screw it." I mumbled wiping a tear from my cheek and kicking up off the ground.
When I was only two feet away I sat down in front of him on the grass. "Are you okay?" I whispered.
"I'm hanging out in a graveyard does this strike you as okay behavior." He looked up at me his face damp with tears but I could tell he was holding back now that I was here.
I sighed nervously, "hey, I'm here to." I softly smiled reciting the line from memory.
"Good point, how did you find me?" He whispered averting his eyes from mine.
I looked down at my hands, playing with my long fingers.
"Can you keep a secret?" I whispered.
"I'm the Fort Knox of secrets." He looked in my eyes this time.
"I'm not so normal either." I looked up from my lap at him.
"How do you mean?" he scooched closer.
"I know things about you, your family, and this town. I understand a lot more than I can share and well I don't know what else but I have a feeling that it's not just that. I have a feeling I'm just beginning to learn half of what I can do and why I am here." I blurted out unable to stop once I had started.
Silence.
"Oh." Clark finally whispered in response.
And I laughed. I fell back on the grass and gasped for air my entire body shaking.
"What?" I heard Clark call out slightly amused.
"I'm crazy Clark. I'm completely insane." I whispered all humor draining from my voice.
My green eyes glazed over with tears as I stared up at the stars. If I just looked at the sky it almost felt like nothing had changed. Like I was at home and then Clarks face blocked my view above me.
"I don't think you're crazy Alice." He spoke softly to me before sitting down on my right and lying on the grass as well.
"Thanks Clark." I whispered a smile creeping onto my face and a tear falling down my cheek.
Some time went by before Clark spoke again, "Alice, do you ever feel like your life was supposed to be something… different?"
I nodded though he couldn't see me. "I used to, all of the time."
"and?" he prompted gently.
"And so I ran away." I responded my gaze distant.
"What about now?"
"Now I think it's too late to go back." I whispered my eyes springing fresh tears. My old life wasn't perfect but it was mine, "and now I am alone."
I felt Clark's hand reach out for mine and my breath caught in my throat.
"You're not alone Alice"
And we just laid there two average looking teenagers oddly lying in a graveyard, holding hands and staring at the sky.
I must have dozed off because I felt a nudge and when I stirred awake my head was resting on Clark's shoulder. My face heated up and I scrambled to my feet with Clark's help. Thankful for the dark to hide the embarrassing shade of pink that flushed my cheeks.
"Sorry I-"
"no problem" Clark interrupted, "Uh I think someone's coming." He stammered scratching the back of his head.
I turned to the sound of a horse trotting closer by the minuet and the sight of Lana, unaware of our presence riding her horse up the path to the graveyard. I cursed under my breath. Why was she late? Now I screwed everything up! This was when Lana and Clark were supposed to really talk for the first time and I jumped the gun!
Lana dismounted off her horse and peered through the dark, "Hello?" she called, "Who's there?"
"Clark, I'll meet up with you later. I have a feeling that Lana needs someone to talk to tonight." And before he could protest I patted him on the shoulder and ran off into the woods.
I hope that you enjoyed the second chapter! I love writing these and can't wait for things to escalate in the next chapter;) Lex's reaction to Alice is quite surprising and I don't think you will expect what is to come. Please comment I would be over joyed to here from you!
REVIEW RESPONSES
rose
Hi! so glad you commented and for now my lips are sealed on Alice's powers but I am happy you seem to enjoy!