Dark Matters
Chapter 7
The Dark Matter's hard landing was buoyed by a peculiar and slimy green substance. Moss and grass. In a rural area commonly known as a swamp. Nutritional value: Zero. It grew incensed. It needed the proper combination of nutrients to feed. The Dark Matter fed in cycles, and on planet earth it would take five days to completely satiate its hunger for one year. If it didn't feed every ten hours, starvation quickly settled and it would die. The Dark Matter's acute sense of smell picked up nourishment in abundance. Calculated Distance: Ten miles. Time lapse before feeding: Five minutes. Calcium filled life forces approached, situated in a vehicle designed with just the other precise nutrient it needed.
~Oo~
Lana awoke the next morning to a silent house chilled with central air conditioning. No scents or warmth of a hearty country breakfast cooking or the television or radio playing some old country standards. After washing and dressing in a pair of jeans and pink blouse, she went downstairs and surveyed her mother's new home furnishings. It was a modern art-deco dream. The white walls barely peeked out past abstract paintings and ugly artifacts. Only a few bits of worn furniture like an end table and her father's old 'thinking chair' distinguished it as her original Smallville home.
"Oh well, at least she got rid of that shag carpeting. It used to make me itch." Lana put on a pot of coffee and grazed in the cupboard. "Decaf only? Fiber cereals? This place is the pits. I'm going to Sally's."
"Sally's" was her favorite diner in town. The atmosphere never changed, neither did Sally's decor – A quaint 1950's air with red stools and an original jukebox with colorful advertisements. The food was delicious and familiar, if just a bit greasy. Lana didn't care; she was going to enjoy herself on her last full day in Smallville, because she had to be at work by Tuesday.
Lana went out to her car and saw a blur moving faster and faster down the road. The clouds of dust scared her. She raced behind the screen door. The blur skidded to her porch. It was Kal. He still wore Clark's old clothes, and managed to make the plaid look cool.
"Good morning, red. Have a nice sleep?"
Lana flipped the car keys in her hand. "The best, no city sounds hammering into my consciousness. Only peace and quiet. I passed out as soon as I got home. What about you?"
"Slept like a baby. The Kents have a nice and cozy place. But Clark's room is still furnished like a fifteen year old."
"Well, he doesn't live there, his mother just keeps it neat for him. Stop picking on Clark, it only makes you sound jealous and you know why."
"I know. He has a happy family and people that love him." Kal sighed and folded arms as he leaned on her car. Lana found herself more and more aware of his subtle actions and body language and tried to hide her attraction.
"Where are we going?"
"You mean, where am I going? I'm going to Sally's Diner. I'm hungry."
"Why didn't you come to the Kent house? Martha made blueberry wheat pancakes and sausage. It was amazing. There's nothing in the world like home-cooked meals."
"Was I invited? I slept in. Sally's meals are home cooked. I didn't want to impose, Kal. I've done that enough my whole life. It's okay."
"Can I tag along anyway?"
"Be my guest. I'm driving." Lana hopped in her car and Kal slid beside her.
~Oo~
They pulled up to the diner laughing. Kal surprised her and wore a pair of Clark's glasses. He put his hair into a low ponytail. "So what if Kent went a little punk, they'll live."
The door bells jangled and they were struck by an unusual silence. Everyone tensely stared at the television's breaking news. A few people whispered to one another about Superboy, and how he "should do something." Lana and Kal slid into a booth as the broadcast ended.
"I'm sure this place is usually rockin' around the clock, but what happened? Did a corn-crop wither or something? Everyone looks terrified." Kal whispered.
"I don't know, must've been something bad on the news."
"It's always something, Lana. I don't know how your blue boy has time to even breathe."
A blonde waitress approached. "What can I get you…hey, Lana! Lana Lang, I can't believe it! You look fantastic. How are things with that weird job? Still chasing ghosts and goblins?" She grinned.
"Megan, you're looking good too." Lana smiled guardedly at Sally's pretty granddaughter and her one-time rival and schoolmate. "Work's been fine, and still weird. How's…Pete?"
Kal cocked an eyebrow. Her sign that Pete Ross existed in his universe too.
Lana was genuinely curious about her old boyfriend – once the most popular boy at Smallville High, Captain of everything athletic, and Clark's good friend when he could get his homework done. When her starry-eyed crush wore off, Lana had spent more time defending Clark than she did enjoying herself with Pete. By the time Lana went to Shuster University, Megan had pretty much stolen him away. Clark dropped his friendship with Pete, angry over how much he hurt Lana.
"Pete's doing great. He's getting into his dad's architectural business…he's got a lot of talent and money coming in. I can't wait, because then I won't have to work at this silly waitressing job anymore. Did I tell you we're gonna be married in a few months?"
"No, you didn't. We haven't talked since I left for Shuster."
"Oh, I thought I sent you an invitation? I'll get you one."
Lana held back her temper as Megan blathered on about her extravagant wedding plans. "Congratulations, Megan, I always knew you and Pete would somehow hit it off."
"Yeah, he just adores me. Pete said I was the best thing that ever happened to him. I hope there's no hard feelings anymore. You did leave him all alone when you ran off to Shuster. Besides, you have Superboy! You're his girl, aren't you? I saw you on the news that time when he went missing last year. You told that Luthor creep right off! Must be tough since he's gone missing again."
"Well, Superboy and I, we…"
"See my ring?" Megan cut her off and flashed a large, square cut diamond in Lana's face. "So, what about you, Lana? Are you gonna marry Super… wait a minute… Clark? Clark Kent, is that you?"
Her green eyes widened in near shock, as she looked Kal up and down. "What did you do, join a gym? Get plastic surgery? You look amazing!"
Lana's jaw dropped and Kal laughed. "Well, Meg, you know what they say about us nerds, all we need are a few years and then we blossom to the envy of everyone who ever tormented us in High School. Don't think I've forgotten."
Megan looked away embarrassed and Kal rubbed it in further. "Maybe I'll have Pete design my house, he owes me for all the homework I did and tests he passed with my answers."
"Oh Clark, that was kid's stuff. It doesn't matter anymore. We're adults now."
Kal smiled sweetly and clutched Lana's hands. He stroked her fingers. "I sure do know it. And I'm so glad you stole Pete away from her, because now she and I are going really strong, aren't we, my strawberry shortcake? One of these days I'll make sure Lana pretends to invite you to our wedding."
Lana blushed, forcing back laughter and Kal winked at her. "So Meg, you have a menu?"
"Here." Megan huffily tossed two on the table and Lana halted her. "Don't worry about the wedding, Megan. I know we fell out of touch. Clark's still a little resentful about Pete that's all."
"Like i said, it's kid's stuff. Water under the bridge."
"Meg, what happened on TV? Why is everybody nervous? I saw Mrs. Sherman nearly drop her coffee cup."
"You haven't heard the news since last night?"
"I told you Lana and I are going strong." Kal smirked and Lana tossed a straw wrapper at him.
"That guy Metallo busted out of State prison with Lex Luthor. Nobody knows where they are. Too bad Superboy's gone! They think those two might be connected to the strange murders."
Lana suddenly felt sick. "What murders?"
"It's horrible! Right near the Florida state line they found the remains of a car stripped of every piece of metal, and then they found…" Megan leaned over. "They found the skin of the victims, fully clothed, hair still on their head. Whatever it was sucked the innards right out of them. Disgusting!" She shuddered. "Okay, can I take your order now?"
Lana rose up fast. "Sorry, I just lost my appetite." She ran to her car with Kal was on her heels.
"Lana, hold on! Are you okay?"
Lana banged the car hood. "Dammit! I can't believe those two are working together again!"
"What do you mean? Luthor and Metallo?"
Lana quickly explained the events that transpired when Dr. Odessa Vexman brought Luthor and Metallo together to kill Superboy and the showdown in Smallville.
Kal sat on the edge of the car and shook his head. "I wouldn't put it past Luthor or that meat-head Corben to do something like this. They get more and more brutal."
Lana wasn't convinced. "I know they're killers, but it's not their style. I don't know any of Superboy's enemies that could…would…" Lana's fears mounted. "Oh, god, what if it's not human? No human has the skills to leave the body in that condition. I have to get back to Capitol City. They'll need all the investigators on this one. I'm a G-9 now, I can…"
Kal held her arms. "Lana, don't freak out. After what you told me, do you really think you should go back to Florida? You were the one who helped capture those goons. They're gonna want payback. Stay here, it's safer."
Lana shrugged out of his grip. "No, it's not! Superboy said it himself last time, nowhere is safe from them! They came to Smallville! We have to fight them wherever they are."
"Lana, this isn't your fight. But now I know why I was sent here."
"Kal, this isn't your fight either." Lana insisted. "It's…it's his!" She cried and looked at the sky. "Where are you? Come back! We need you! I need you!"
People stared from inside the diner. Kal led her to the car. He calmly drove away as she wept.
"Lana, get a grip! Now!" He took a deep breath and reached out to stroke her hair. "I'm sorry. You don't have to panic, I'm here for you."
Lana quieted down and laid back in the seat. "I'm sorry too. Whatever happens, you'll help? You won't leave?"
"All I've been doing lately is cleaning up messes. It'll be nice to clean one that I didn't make. Of course I'll stay."
Lana sat upright with a sudden gleam in her eye. "I think I know exactly what you can do!"
~Oo~
Back at the farm, Lana and the Kents waited impatiently in the living room. Clark's bedroom opened and Kal finally came down stairs. He stood before them with newly cut hair, tapered at the neck like Clark's, a very smooth shave, glasses, suspenders, and a cream-colored button down shirt with khaki pants.
"Hi, Lana! I'm ready to go back to work at the Bureau now." He said meekly.
"Oh, Jonathan, he looks exactly like him." Martha gripped her husband's hand. "It's uncanny."
"Well, it's still Clark, hon, from another dimension." Jonathan stared at Kal up and down. He shook his head and patted his shoulders. "Too straight. Keep your head more forward, tilted down slightly, as if at any minute you'll be lowering it humbly. We call it the turtle. Clark lessened it through the years, but it's still there. You need an innocent look, like the world's scary and confusing. Don't over-do it. Trust me, Kal, Clark and I worked out his identity to an art form." Jonathan said proudly.
"You got it, Mr. Kent. I'll do my best. What about you, Lana? Do I pass?"
Lana smiled. "I can barely tell the difference. I mean, it's there, but Clark knows how to blend in so nobody takes notice. You'll fool everyone. Even Matt. But Kal, you have to kick the sarcasm and stop looking so cynical; Superboy is a beacon of hope. He firmly believes in it."
"Hope. Right. And truth, justice, etcetera, etcetera. Hey, on the way back you'll have to educate me about this crazy Bureau of Extra-Normal Matters, tell me Clark's work habits, who he answers too, friends and all that stuff."
"Wait, before you two leave, Kal, I have something for you."
Martha rushed upstairs and came back with the Superboy suit neatly folded in her arms. She handed it to Kal.
"You'll be needing this. I mended and washed it. Clark made me scissors, needles and threads out of the same fabric and metal parts on the rocket, that's how I cut your hair proper this afternoon. Clark built useful things out of the metal, like some of the vital parts on Jonathan's farm equipment. They never break or have to be replaced. I told him not to use any more. That Rocket is proof of Clark's home planet and precious to us. "
"The metal is a hyper-strong alloy from Krypton and virtually indestructible, like we are. I'll put this on. It looks like Superboy is back in action!" Kal cringed. "Ugh, I feel like a kid. I think I'll tell the public it's time to call me Superman."
"Well you are making a come-back, it makes sense. Just make sure these nuts are put back where they belong, on death row." Jonathan said.
"And find out whatever killed those poor people, Martha added. "Kal, I'm sorry you won't be staying longer with us, it would've been nice to get to know you better."
Kal gave Martha a long hug. "I appreciate the time spent. I feel like I was given a second chance to see my parents again. Thank you."
"They'd be very proud of you right now." Martha said.
Jonathan patted his back. "Be careful out there, my son goes through hell and back dealing with these maniacs. And take good care of her." He motioned toward Lana.
"I promise. Lana will be safe and sound for when Clark returns."
