Into A Cornfield Crimson
Chapter Six
Friction
"Well, I started up our EMF meter a few minutes ago. And the readings are something crazy. There's definitely some paranormal activity out here," Dean said, with the device in hand.
"EMF?" Clark asked, peering at the handmade gadget.
"It's an electromagnetic instrument that measures the activity of ghosts and other otherworldly bogies," Sam said, leaning against the Impala.
"This definitely backs up the vision I just had. Something is hidden under this country ground. Maybe this was a site for an ancient pagan ritual," he continued.
Chloe smiled at Sam. "I'm way ahead of you on that one. These particular cornfields were once in the possession of a Mr. Arthur Draven. During the early Depression era, Draven's crop were oddly quite in abundance. Many of the townsfolk speculated he was involved with black magic or satanic rituals. I was just on my way back from talking to one of his descendants who unfortunately didn't appreciate my journalistic interest. I was lucky to get that much."
"Hey, why didn't you let us in on that earlier?" Dean asked.
"Well, you certainly weren't being upfront with me. Trust works both ways," Chloe said, pointedly.
"So, these recent deaths are all part of some sacrifice?" Clark asked.
"Or more to the point is that the demonic bastard that was getting its daily sacrifice has now woken up and is getting it's munch on," Dean said, heading for the trunk of his car.
"The One that Devours," Sam remarked, in a soft voice.
Chloe unconsciously shivered. Sam's words were on the borderline of creepy or extremely cheesy. The goosebumps on her arms were backing up the theory on creepy.
"Devour?" Dean called, while he lifted up a gun.
Sam nodded with a grim face. "The word is practically burned into my brain. A nice little remnant from my earlier vision."
"We need to stop whatever it is. But I don't think you two should go guns blazing out into the fields. Someone could get hurt," Clark said.
Dean hefted his rifle on his shoulder and winked. "Don't worry, farm boy. We're professional hunters. You may be wheatied up but we got some skills of our own. Feel free to go home and milk your cows."
Chloe saw Clark's face clouding with unmistakable disagreement and decided she better defuse an argument before it happened.
"Clark, why don't you just super speed Lois back home? She may need medical attention. I'll stay here with Dean and Sam to search."
Clark pulled Chloe away a little bit and whispered "Are you crazy? We may not be in the usual krypto freak element here. I don't want to leave you alone out here with our "new" friends."
Chloe shook her head stubbornly. "Clark, there's some kryptonite stalks affected out here. I'm more worried for you than me."
Clark seemed to struggle internally for a moment but his trust in Chloe overcame his anxiety for her safety.
"All right. But anything happens you make sure to stay out of the line of fire."
"Hey, guys! Hate to interrupt but I don't see your cousin in the car anymore," Sam called, peering into the driver's side of Lois' car.
"What? She shouldn't be moving around with a head wound," Chloe said, moving to Sam's side.
"Looks like she vanished or something," Sam noted, frowning.
A sudden drop in temperature was felt by all them in the sunny daylight. In addition, the small breeze began to pick up in its intensity and stung them like a bee on flesh.
"I've got a bad feeling about all of this," Clark said, his dark hair rising.
"Is it scary movie bad feeling or the bad feeling of a blossoming cavity?" Chloe asked, as more irksome goose bumps crept up her arms.
"I'm going for both," Sam answered, pulling out a gun from beneath his jacket.
Clark turned his head slowly from side to side as he employed his super hearing to try to pinpoint the enemy. But all he could pick up was the thunderous beating of his companion's hearts.
Dean cocked his gun at the row of cornstalks to his right. He had a gut feeling that whatever it was emerging from that direction.
"You guys smell something really bad?" Chloe said, quietly.
"Yeah, but it's probably just Sammy. He skipped on his much needed shower this morning," Dean retorted, just as softly.
"I heard that, jerk!" Sam hissed back.
"Oh my god, what if it got Lois?" Chloe said, suddenly.
"That idea just occurred to you?" Dean said, swinging his rifle to the other side.
Chloe shot him the Evil Eye as Dean smirked back.
"Why are we all standing here? I think you guys should just head to my house. I'll stay and speed search," Clark said.
"No way, pal. This is our business. We should definitely split up and search for any traces of sulfur or old relics with the blood of virgins stained on it," Dean countered.
"He's right, Clark. You can use your X-ray vision on the ground with Dean by your side providing his ghoul expertise. While, Sam and I will look for Lois," Chloe interjected.
"Sounds good to me," Sam agreed.
Clark sighed. "Okay, but you two run into danger. You get out of there fast and wait for back up."
Dean nodded to Sam. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Sam frowned. "That's practically nothing."
"Okay, farm boy. This way," Dean said, stalking off into the cornstalks.
Clark turned to Sam annoyed. "Is he always so bossy?"
"Understatement of the year," Sam responded, dryly.
"You keep an eye out on those green weeds you're allergic, too," Chloe added, pointedly to Clark.
Clark nodded meaningfully and went after Dean which left Sam and Chloe alone.
"Ready, Daphne?" Sam said jokingly, with gun firmly in hand.
"Ready, Fred," Chloe answered, smiling.
While the new gang of mystery had come together despite initial conflict they were united in a cause. Little did they know that the cause was watching from afar.
Demon possessed Lois Lane licked her lips slowly as she took in the divided group.
No wonder the earth was stirring. The perfect sacrifice was trudging around all ripe for the picking.
Lois wanted to kick herself for not realizing sooner. She needed to get the boy before it did.
After all, Father had plans.
Plans for Sammy.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --
Meanwhile at Luthor Mansion . . .
Lex Luthor sat comfortably in his cushioned couch enjoying a particularly fine brandy when the doors to his mansion office swung open.
Lex looked up lazily to expect the usual abrupt disturbance of a young Clark Kent but was instead greeted in the lithe form of a twenty something blonde.
"Well, this is a nice surprise. I definitely prefer the sight of a mini skirt than red flannel any day, "Lex said, raising his glass to the young woman.
The young woman named Meg was a bit taken back by his laid back nonchalance but that made it all the more interesting.
Meg smirked and stalked over to him with the coyness of a young filly.
"I didn't know bald was back in fashion," the girl asked.
Lex smirked. "Please, don't bother with flattery. I've developed quite a good immunity for it. Instead, let's just get to business."
The girl slithered up to his body. Her small stature belied the demon soaked in her soul.
She leaned toward his face and Lex refused any flinch at least on surface. He did however set down his glass. Waste not. Especially when its good brandy, he reasoned.
"Are you the one? The host?" she whispered.
"The one what?"
Her small fingertips stroked his check and made its way to his neck.
"Don't tell me you don't know what I'm here for?"
"Are you one of my recent new experiments? I hate to think the good doctor let one of you escape again," Lex said, flatly.
Meg's brow furrowed as her search of the young man's soul revealed nothing but the usual moral corruption of the wealthy. Not a trace of demon inside him. Not one of the Devour's hungry minions.
She squeezed his neck for just a lingering moment like a snake straddling the leg of a stallion.
He was an impressive young man. Meg loosened as his eyes flashed not with black but a seething cold.
"You aren't the one."
"I should think not," Lex said, glibly.
"But you are correct. We have been waiting for you," he continued.
"What are you talking about?"
Lex chuckled softly. "Good lord. You demons are really slow. Hellfire must really incinerate all the better parts of your brain cells. Take a look at the floor under the couch, sweetheart."
Meg flung herself back from the rich man. But it was much too late.
Her eyes grazed the floor with vehemence. "Devil's trap."
Lex shrugged. "Is that what's it called? I just know I was advised by a recent new business partner to take up these rather strange markings for safety. Looks like I was right to be cautious."
Meg snarled and flung her body at the mystical field. She might as well thrown herself at a glass house as her head snapped back and left her hip throbbed down to her toes.
"Why are you working for it? Don't you know what it will bring?"
Lex stood up and circled like a bored spectator. "Of course, I know what it will bring."
He leaned close to the markings and bowed his body to her crouched figure. Meg's eyes shaded to black as the demon uselessly howled within the young woman's flesh.
Lex soaked in the darkness and fury like a dry rag. The high assailing his body far surpassed the earlier consumed brandy.
"The relic in this hick town is going to bring me what I always want even if I have to partner with a Devil."
"What more could you possibly get?" Meg spat.
Lex leaned back down and gripped her chin painfully as he brought her face close to his own.
"What a man can never get enough of . . . . power."
After months, I have finally updated. Whether this is good or bad news is up to you readers. I have written quite a bit so I will be posting a chapter every day for the rest of the week. Also a big THANK YOU to those who have reviewed!
On the next chapter titled "Prey,"
The elusive John Winchester is coming on the scene while Sam and Chloe take on some demons. One of them will not leave the fight in good condition.