-1Chapter Thirty Seven-Recovery
Clark watched the continuous rise and fall of Chloe's breathing. He leaned against the wall because of his weak legs. He'd run Chloe to the hospital which wore off his recent injection. His hands were in his pocket to hide their shaking. Every now and then his shoulder would jerk or his eyes would lose focus.
He could have simply gone back to the farm to fix his uneasiness but he wasn't about to leave Chloe alone. The doctor had said she was fine aside from bruising and a concussion. Guilt left him rooted to the spot. Chloe had only tried to help instead he chose to help himself. Because of his poor decision Chloe was lying in a hospital bed.
"Clark!" Clark looked up to see Pete heading straight for him. He moved from the wall and before he could say anything, Pete's fist connected with his jaw. He slammed back into the wall and caught himself from falling. He tasted blood on his lip and winced as he touched the cut.
"How could you? You know, I didn't believe Lana when she told me, but look at you," Pete said pissed. Clark looked up at him and tried to apologize but Pete punched him again.
"Pete, stop!" Lana called grabbing Pete's arm to keep from swinging again. "He's not worth getting kicked out of the hospital."
Pete sighed and dropped his arm, "I'll deal with you later."
He pushed past Clark and entered Chloe's room. Lana went to follow as Clark reached out. She turned and folded her arms across her chest.
"Lana I can explain," Clark's voice was weak and his posture hunched. He looked like he was barely holding himself up.
"Explain what? Why you were injecting yourself? What drug you were using? Or how about why Chloe's in the hospital?" Lana asked, "I overheard you with Max today. You said you needed more. When I went to ask you about it I found you with a needle in your arm."
"I didn't want you to find out that way," Clark sighed heavily knowing the truth was finally out. Hiding this secret for months was slowly killing him.
"You didn't want me to find out at all," She shot back. He couldn't deny the truth she spoke. "I don't know who you are anymore," She whispered.
"I wish I could say I'm the same man I used to be. All I can do is ask for forgiveness," Clark said.
"I can't Clark. I cant support what you're doing to yourself and to all of us. Somewhere you chose the farm and football over us," Lana looked at him and he saw pain in her eyes.
"I never meant to make that choice. I just couldn't lose my family's farm," Clark explained.
Lana's expression thawed from icy to understanding and pain. He didn't know if they would survive this and if Pete would forgive him. He could feel the ice crack beneath his feet. "I know what it's like to fight for what you love. The Talon is all I have of my parents. I did whatever it took to keep that building standing," Lana's words were caring and filled with conflicting emotions.
"I'm glad you understand," He said in relief at her understanding.
"I know what you're going through but I can't watch you kill yourself and hurt those around you," She said confusing Clark. He thought they were past the argument. "Our relationship is over until you clean up."
She fought off tears. He knew he was a sore sight to look at. His eyes were bloodshot, dark circles, bleeding lip and a bruised cheek. She didn't turn away from that but from his heartbroken gaze that connected with hers.
"Lana? Wait!" He called.
She shook her head and walked into Chloe's room. Clark watched through the window as Lana joined Pete's side and rested a comforting hand on his shoulder. Clark turned away and closed his eyes.
He was alone in the world. It wasn't a new feeling to him. Needing to figure out what to do next, he left the hospital. Deciding that fresh air would be good, he began his walk to the farm.
It was dark when he arrived at the farm. He ignored the broken barn door and headed inside through the kitchen door. He pulled out the box and removed the remaining bottles and the needle. He stared down at his blessing and his curse. This miracle drug was the answer to his prayers. Yet the cost of keeping the farm running was the cost of everything else. Chloe was in the hospital, Pete hated him, and he had lost Lana. With a frustrated roar he tossed everything from the table.
Bottles broke against the wall leaving a splash of green against the wall. The needle rolled away from his sight. He slammed his fist against the table over and over till his anger dissipated. The wood was splintered and cracked as he backed away into the bar.
He fell to the floor and rested his head in his hands. Sobs racked his body as a heaviness rested against his chest. His sobs brought on his violent shaking. His legs kicked out knocking over chairs. His elbow slammed into the wall leaving a hole. The sudden withdrawal of the steroid brought about his seizure.
Eventually his movement stopped and the pain settled. He groaned rolling to his side and drawing his knees to his chest. He needed his injection, his body not knowing what to do with out it. Once his muscles relaxed he fell into another seizure. In the moments he was aware, he heard the door open. He saw Max stand above him. He could see his lips moving but could only hear between the attacks.
"Don't worry. I will make this up to you. God, you're messed up bad. I'll help you recover. This is my fault as much as yours," He said.
All Clark made out was, "Worry, up to you, messed up, recover, my fault, yours."
Max kneeled beside him and Clark was grateful when the darkness consumed his consciousness.
Chloe made a full recovery and was back at school in no time. Pete wouldn't leave her side and although she didn't mind his over protective behavior, he wouldn't let her go find Clark. Lana had told Chloe about Pete and Clark's interaction at the hospital. It was later that Chloe found out about Lana's break up with Clark.
She was worried about Clark. He was no doubt beating himself up about what happened. Not to mention dealing with Lana breaking up with him. Since no one had seen him around she wondered if he'd run off or maybe something worse.
She knew that drugs cause people to do things they normally wouldn't. She knew Clark would never have hurt her but he had. She also knew Clark would never hurt himself, which she feared he might be doing.
After a week, Clark finally showed back up at school. He looked as if his life was ending. His face was pale, the only color from his bruised cheek. His eyes were sunken, red, and dark circles rested underneath. His veins were blue against his skin and jutted out. He walked with a limp and jumped at sounds.
Even though the weather was warm from the coming summer, he wore a hoodie and jeans. The only reason for the heavy clothing was to hide something. His excuse for his absense and health was that he caught a serious virus. The teacher's didn't argue from the way he looked. He was so pale he was turning grey except for the blue of his veins.
When he went to class he sat far away from the three of them. Normally the back corner where no one noticed his sudden jerks or occasional spasm. She would watch him when Pete wasn't looking. She began to figure out when he suddenly dropped his pencil, grabbed his arm which was jerking uncontrollably. He had gone cold turkey or had simply run out of the drug.
Eventually it wasn't just Chloe who noticed but Pete as well. He caught Chloe staring and ended up watching Clark as well. Pete figured he'd gotten to Clark at the hospital and Clark finally was cleaning up his act. Pete didn't know all the details since Chloe refused to discuss it, but at least Clark was fixing the problem.
Surprisingly nothing was said by Lana. Chloe figured she'd at least notice Clark's attempt to clean up. Instead Lana looked up front and ignored Clark. If Chloe would bring him up Lana would stop talking and focus on something else. Lana was dealing with her pain of losing Clark but avoiding him. Chloe had only one option left, Lois.
Once she explained everything to her cousin Lois was all for helping Clark. Hopefully Clark would want Lois's help. Once Lois was briefed, Chloe sent her on her way to the Kent farm. Lois promised to check in but demanded the space to work. Lois had dealt with fighting addictions with ex-boyfriends. Clark was in need of help and wouldn't deny her.
"Go away Lois," Clark said from the doorway.
Lois folded her arms and glared at him. Her ex-boyfriend hadn't been this difficult. Of course her ex had wanted her and could never resist any of her offers. She just had to get Clark to want her help.
"Listen Clark, I can help you. I know what's going on and I know how to help," She said.
Clark slid his shaking hand into his pocket. She sighed in frustration and barged her way inside. She dragged him to the couch and shoved him down onto his stomach. He laid still after landing with a grunt.
"You need to ease your body. This drug has wound up your muscles and won't release. That's why you're jerking," She began with his shoulder, slowly adding pressure to the rock hard mass.
She slowly worked her way down his back till he had fallen asleep. Once he was softly snoring she moved around the house. Furniture was strewn everywhere, broken glass laid from a smashed frame. The dining room was the worst; the kitchen table was splintered, chairs with legs laid on their sides and broken glass laid against a wall with a dried green liquid. The kitchen door opened and a familiar face walked in.
"Max what are you doing here?" Lois asked.
"I could ask you the same thing," He answered setting down brown paper bags onto the counter.
"I'm here to take care of Clark," She replied walking to the counter and inspecting the bags.
"So am I," Max said removing the items. He pulled out cans of food, bread, eggs, and other groceries. Lois began putting the items away when he pointed to the pantry.
"Clark needs a woman's touch, so I'm not going anywhere," She said figuring out his look. He didn't think she'd be any help.
"Then we can agree on something. I've been doing the farm work and other stuff. He doesn't have anymore of the drug but I can't keep an eye on him all of the time. I don't know what damage he's doing to himself," Max said helping her out.
"You're right, we can agree," Lois said. "I'll clean this mess up while he sleeps. He needs a positive environment if he plans to get better. He has to get mentally better as well."
"Wait, you got Clark to sleep? How?" Max asked walking around her to peer into the living room.
"I gave him a back massage, why?" Lois asked looking at him confused.
"He hasn't slept since Lana broke up with him. Clark is a physical person, love or hate. There is no middle ground with him. He sleeps well after a fight or if he's in a physical relationship," Max explained.
"Perhaps I should talk to Lana," Lois suggested.
"Chloe said she's not wanting anything to do with him. I've already tried to enlist her help. Perhaps having you around to-" Max began but Lois cut him off.
"Whoa, hold up. I'm not getting hot and heavy with him. I used to baby sit him," She said her hands raised.
"That was years ago, beside's you're not that much older than him so it's not like your robbing the cradle or anything. Just give him some physical comfort to help him along," Max suggested not seeing a problem with the idea.
"Clark doesn't need a relationship while he's recovering," Lois began.
"I'm not asking you to fall in love with him, just help him sleep at night. If he can get a good nights rest then he'll start to recover faster," Max continued to explain.
"Let's just save that as a last resort then. I'll try what I know and we'll see how it goes. If he doesn't sleep better or at all…I'll try your idea," She agreed with a sigh.
She had to admit, it was hard seeing Clark in his current state. She cared for him and wanted to help. Everyone wanted him to get better and she had been called in. She didn't want to fail them and she didn't want to fail Clark. This time she would rescue Clark.