Angela had been twenty when the demon first revealed itself to her. She had met it only a few times since, and most of those times had been in recent weeks. She had seen it in it's true form, but it usually appeared looking like a young girl. Strangely, each time it appeared it's body was altered slightly to make it look increasingly more attractive. It had gotten to the stage where the demon's beauty almost rivalled her own. Almost as if it were trying to impress someone…

Her usually tidy bedroom was currently in a bit of a mess, with clothes strewn about all over the place as she tried to figure out what she wanted to pack. One suitcase was almost full already, while another waited expectantly. She would have been finished by now, but she kept being interrupted by phone calls. A few work offers, but mainly updates on Perry White. Although she had been ordered to keep an eye on him, her time was too important to waste handling the situation directly. Fortunately there were plenty of people out there willing to spy on others. White's phone had been tapped, and presently there were two men watching his apartment from a building across the street.

They'd irritated her at first, giving her updates on absolutely everything – letting her know some woman named Alice had been round, telling her he was talking to an old friend on the phone, even informing her that he'd ordered Chinese takeout. She'd finally snapped, telling them only to contact her if they had something important to say. Eventually, they had – Perry had spoken to a girl named Chloe Sullivan on the phone, and the pair of them were coming to talk to her along with someone named Clark. Perry apparently wanted to warn her that she might be in danger, she heard with some amusement.

A contact had been able to tell her that Chloe Sullivan worked at The Daily Planet, where she was at the bottom of the food chain. Chloe had apparently been with Sophie the night she died, and seen the demon as it murdered several victims in the club. It was a pity Sophie had been killed, Angela thought as she carefully placed a magnificent red dress into a suitcase. She had never actually liked the girl much – she was quite irritating really – but she'd like the way Sophie made her feel about herself. Sophie reminded her how important it was to be one of life's winners. While Sophie struggled to find acting work, Angela's own career was going from strength to strength. True, it was her deal with the demon that had gotten Angela her own start in the business, but it was her talent that kept her there. It was.

She shuddered slightly as she looked out the window. It was out there, the doorway to another world, about to open and unleash creatures from her worst nightmares into the city. She felt a little sorry for the people who would be here when that happened. They were her people, after all. She helped them escape reality, through her films and through the way they followed her life. Young girls everywhere wanted to be like her, to have the kind of success and beauty she did. That was what Sophie had wanted, and Angela had filled her with false hope that she could one day have that.

Once the tragedy was over, she would help the survivors in their recovery. Money would be donated, sympathy given to those who had suffered. She would help them rebuild their lives. And, she conceded, it wouldn't do her image any harm at all.

It was important to be one of life's winners, and Angela planned on remaining one forever.

888

Clark's mind was racing as he took Professor Fine to where the others were. He felt ashamed of himself for doing this to the man, but he didn't have much of a choice. He finally thought he might have a plan, but for now he needed to buy himself a little time. His days as a student were essentially over, but if everyone made it through this alive, he could accept that outcome. Everyone would make it through alive, he swore to himself.

As he arrived back, Fine draped over his shoulder, he saw Chloe looking at him through the window, love and concern on her face. She looked so beautiful, so sweet and kind, in sharp contrast to his father who had a hateful smirk on his face. Just hang on a little longer dad, Clark thought. Was his father really aware of everything that was happening? He didn't want to think of how horrible that must be. His mother was still standing outside the car – he'd only been gone for about a minute altogether.

"Nice work, son," said Jonathan. "Put him on the ground."

Carefully placing Fine down beside the road, Clark stared into his father's eyes. There was no trace of humanity there at all.

"I've done what you wanted. Now give me my father back," said Clark.

"Clark, darling, I'm hurt. You wouldn't rather have me instead?" said Jonathan in a teasing voice. It was incredibly disturbing to hear his own father talking to him in that way.

"That's enough!" yelled Martha. Clark couldn't remember her ever sounding so angry before. "Give me back my husband and leave our family alone!"

"You can have Jonathan for now. I may need to borrow him again later," said Jonathan coldly. "Thanks for your help, Clark. I know you're angry, and I know right now you hate me. That will change in time. Soon all this will be a distant memory."

Jonathan's eyes closed, and when they re-opened he looked like himself again. Except he looked older than his years, and his eyes had a haunted look about them.

"Careful, Clark. Remember how it fooled us last time," said Chloe. Clark nodded absently, but he was sure this time it really was his father. The creature hadn't fooled him at all last time. His father was back, and right now he needed him.

"Dad, I'm so sorry," he said, putting a hand on Jonathan's shoulder. Martha snuggled up against them both, holding back tears.

"Not your fault, son," said Jonathan weakly. He even offered a smile, trying to show his family he was alright. Clark knew he wasn't, but also knew Jonathan would put everyone else first. While the three of them embraced, he couldn't help but notice Gabe and Chloe sitting awkwardly up front. He hoped his secret hadn't driven a wedge between the pair. In a time like this, they needed each other. Gently pulling away from his family, he opened the front door and ushered Chloe out. She looked at him, confused for a moment before he wrapped his arms around her and held her.

"Whatever happens Chloe, I'll protect you. No matter what," said Clark. "I have an idea about how to put an end to all this."

"Really? What is it?" Chloe asked, hope glimmering in her eyes. Clark shook his head.

"It might still be listening. Just trust me. It'll all be over soon."