Chapter 14 [Edge City—Anita's Café]

Fresh off of her interstate marathon, Lana brought herself to a stop in back of the café. She glanced around while trying to get her bearings. She still couldn't believe she'd made it there in just under half an hour. She examined her sneakers' soles to find them undamaged. Her mind spun at the psychic bloodhound tendencies….

She could actually feel the residue from Clark's aura all about this place.

Wow. So that's what that Jor-El guy meant? She walked into the café and looked around. To her eyes, everything seemed normal with a smattering of customers and the counter staff busily working away. To her mind, however, she still felt the earlier counter person's fear. She picked up on Clark in an angry and emotional snit. Chloe's essence jumped out at her too.

Wait…Chloe?

Clark, I thought this was supposed to be a big secret! Lana rolled her eyes and opened her purse. She needed some coffee to soothe herself with. How could he let Chloe see him like this? Then the answer hit her.

Kal didn't give a damn who saw him and who didn't….

Why do you get like this? She glanced up at the menu while trying to decide on a particular drink. Maybe if she could just allow herself to relax and digest what was going on, she would be better suited for the task at hand. How do you deal with these gifts? She looked down at her hands feeling the strength surging through them. Her eyes admittedly felt warm but she managed to keep the sensation in check.

"Hello. Can I help you?" the counter person inquired invitingly.

"Yes. I'd…."

Lana Lang, you must not stop now! Jor-El interceded. Kal-El is in a city to your northwest. You must find him!

Lana shut her purse abruptly. So much for my coffee break and practicing with my abilities. "Sorry. I forgot that I'm running late." Have a great day." She headed toward the door.

Still feeling rattled by the earlier encounter, the employee shook her head. Is it me or are all the weirdos coming out today?

Lana frowned while stepping back outside. She could have helped us!

We do not wish to stir up any more attention to Kal-El's situation. Now concentrate on him!

She closed her eyes and tried to focus on Kal's trail.

Relax. Do not try so hard. Concentrate on his essence and energy, Jor-El urged.

"I know." Much as one might peruse a pile looking for one thing in particular, she allowed herself to winnow out the static and activity in that area. For several minutes, she fine-tuned her focus looking for her love's particular aura and telepathic signature.

Then her eyes snapped open. A smile creased her lips. Got him! She sped off toward Seattle looking to end the mad chase. She realized that both she and Clark would be in for it when they got back to Smallville for skipping school especially given Reynolds' penchant for enforcing the rules….

…still she had to catch up to Kal first. Then she had to figure out how to subdue him. After that, she could worry about Reynolds….

She sped through the Rockies and the snow-capped peaks. Amazingly she didn't feel the drop in temperature or the bit of rain that smattered over herself and the surrounding area. She didn't take time to note the scenery. Instead she locked in on her love's location. Just stay where you are! I'll be there soon enough!

On the Emerald City's outermost border, she felt him speeding back off toward the east. She ground her teeth. Stay still, will you? She veered off toward the east herself matching his direction and velocity. Where is he going now?

He is running, Lana Lang. He runs from his responsibility much as you chafed at yours back at your eating place.

She skidded to a halt and put her hands up tersely at the spirit's judgmental attitude. Excuse me? There's a difference between collecting myself and denying responsibility! Just four hours ago, I didn't know ANYTHING about this stuff! I want to get Clark back not this Kryptonian Wannabe.

I want my son back as well.

Besides, have you thought about how I'm supposed to stop him once I catch up? She eyed the sky expectantly.

I have my means. You will have to contain him but there are others who will assist you when the time comes. Trust in that.

Trust in that? Umm, this is Clark Kent, Super Farm Boy, on a mad streak. Remember? She sighed. Fine. I have no choice but to trust in that! She analyzed the area once again and quickly found Kal's energy trail. Now I'm locked in! Instead of heading due east, she cut across the area north-by-northeast to put herself on a direct collision course. Reaching I-90, she turned back toward the east and followed the roads running alongside the interstate.

Then she felt something. She allowed herself another smile.

Time to get to the bottom of this! She ran the final five miles before stopping at an almost isolated country store out in the middle of nowhere. She could see the paint chipping on the century-old edifice and a few shingles out of place on the roof. She could hear the church bells ringing in their steeple across the road. Guess you wanted to hide out, didn't you? Too bad! She followed the energy signature into the store itself cautiously and looked around.

At the counter, a gruff voice demanded, "I'll have that beer and you'll give it to me, Old Man!"

She set her jaw determinedly. Maybe Clark was sick but that gave him no right to carry on that way. Another glance confirmed what was going on. She knew that the longer the situation continued, the more chance that the police or local sheriff would respond. She had to end it. "STOP THIS!"

The storekeeper, a paunchy old man in a white shirt and a blue apron, begged her, "Miss! Get out of here and call the sheriff! Don't get hurt because of me."

"Oh he won't me. Will you?" she supposed to Kal. "It's time to go home. Stop the scene already!"

Kal let the older man go, rolling his eyes as he did so. "So you're the agent? It figures!" He wheeled around to face her. "You go home to your theater and dead parents, Sweets! I'm free!"

Lana shook her head wondering what the Hell she was going to do now. Whatever help Jor-El promised, he'd best deliver on…..