Chapter Six

Friends and Enemies

Lois sat uncomfortably, waiting. After her captor had recovered from the pain in his lower region, he had tied Lois's legs to the legs of the chair. So now, she could only sit.

"So what is the plan exactly? Sit here and wait until Superman decides to come in and rescue me?"

"Pretty much."

"And what exactly do you plan to do once he gets here? Challenge him to a boat race? He's Superman, not some cheap adversary."

"You let me worry about The Man of Steel, Miss Lane."

"Well it's not like you've given me anything else to occupy my mind."

"Well, if you're bored, I could always bruise your brain until it no longer needs stimulation." He said, glaring at her. He was getting tired of her lip.

Lois smiled uncomfortably, "You know what? I was lying before. Superman doesn't know where I am. He doesn't even know I'm missing, so there really is no reason to-"

"Do I look like an idiot to you?"

Lois squirmed, "Well-"

Just then, Lois heard a crash. She turned to the door, which had been knock down by…thank god.

"Sorry to barge in. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Superman." The man, who Superman assumed to be Ted, said, "I've been expecting you."

"Superman, it's a trap!" Lois yelled.

A large contraption descended down on Superman. Superman smirked and shrugged the thing off. Ted looked at the unharmed hero in shock and started to run.


"Are you okay?" Superman said as he untied Lois.

"I'm fine. Thanks to you." She said, looking at him gratefully. He had saved her again. Superman returned her grateful expression with the bittersweet one she often got from him. It was a look that combined longing, sorrow, and regret. Then he turned to chase the bad guy.


Ted turned on his hearing device. "It didn't even scratch him. I thought you said you had the perfect way to trap him."

"I do." said the voice on the other end, "and you played your part beautifully Ted. Really, well done. Unfortunately, your roll in this project is coming to an abrupt halt. The police are certain to be on their way right now, and Superman will make sure they catch you. Sorry I can't visit you, but I have to distance myself."

"They'll find you Mallory. I'll make sure we share a cell."

"Oh, sweetie, that's so kind, but you know, I just don't think of you that way. And since I know you are not smart enough to keep your mouth shut, I will put it out there in black and white. Superman will fall, and I will topple him. I will become the most powerful woman in the world. I will remember my friends, and I will remember my enemies. Tell me, Teddy, when the new hierarchy is established, which side do you plan to be on."

"Yours" Ted said through gritted teeth.

"Good boy." The line went dead. Ted heard police sirens. He saw Superman stilling him, and he felt himself being cuffed. He knew what he had to say, what lies to tell. And he planned to stay around long enough to tell them. He knew he could not trust Mallory, not after tonight. But could he risk betraying her?