The Foundling

by 1Superman4Me

When Clark Kent finds a wounded otter, in an alley just outside the Daily Planet, he decides to take it home with him. But he never could have imagined the circumstances behind its appearance. Never could have imagined what ends up being revealed. But he does find himself wondering what will happen as a result. Warning: Mentions child abuse.

10. Chapter 10

I wake up the next morning feeling a little bit hungry. I rub sleep from my eyes as Pa asks me how I feel. When I tell him, he smiles.

"Kind of thought you would be, Nori."

It's not long before I'm handed a piece of toast. After I finish it, I'm pretty full. I do drink a glass of water before falling asleep. I'm still tired.

About 2 hours later, I wake up again. No nightmares.

Pa takes my temperature.

"99.5 degrees. You're..." "0.9 degrees higher than normal temperature." "My little genius." "I've been wanting to see something. I've been wondering how I'd look as an otter while wearing your glasses." "Honestly? That's something I've been wondering too."

Soon, I'm in front of Pa's closet mirror seeing exactly what that looks like. First, I smile at the sight. The smile turns into a grin. Finally, the grin turns into something that's never escaped from me before. Laughter.

Pa's laughing too. I like hearing his laughter...and mine. It feels good to laugh. So good. The knowledge that Pa's responsible for it feels even better. After I stop laughing, I shift back into a girl and give Pa his glasses back.

"Thank you for giving me my first laugh." "Nori, I want you to know that I intend on giving you more." "Good. I like laughing and hearing yours. I like hearing mine too. I didn't think I had one."

He smiles.

"I like hearing your laugh too, Nori. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

I smile back.

"Thanks Pa. That means a lot to me." "You're welcome, my Nori."

A good feeling fills me.

"Can you please call me that again?" "O.K, my Nori. My daughter."

I grin as the good feeling gets stronger.

"That makes you my Clark. My Pa."

It feels great knowing that I belong to someone, but in a good way. I really like the feeling knowing that gives me. I'm safe with my Pa. I know it. That's also a really good thing to know. As he hugs me, I smile knowing I'll always be safe with my Pa and the rest of my family. I really like knowing that. It's another great thing to know. The feeling that knowing that gives me is also something I really like.