Chapter 51 [Kent Farm—2:30 AM Next Morning]
With everything stirring through his head, sleep eluded Clark on that evening. He stared at the darkened room's ceiling and shook his head. Why can't Life just leave us alone? Lana and I just want to enjoy things. We're willing to take on the challenges. We could just live on the farm and be able to raise a family. It'd be great.
IF YOU WERE HUMAN, YOU ARE NOT, KAL-EL. YOU STAND AT A CROSSROADS. EVERYONE WAITS ON YOUR CHOICE. THE HUMANS SEEK TO CONTROL YOU…AND LANA LANG, Jor-El pointed out.
I was wondering when you'd show up again, Clark groused. He rolled his eyes and got out of bed. He reached out in the dark toward the chair where he'd thrown his jeans and old brown flannel shirt on the previous morning. Martin doesn't trust anybody.
THE LITTLECLAW HUMAN IS CAUTIOUS AND DISTRUSTFUL. HIS TRAINING DENOUNCES DARK MAGIC AND DEMONS. LANA LANG'S ANCESTORS ARE BOTH, I FEAR.
You told me to trust Miranda's uncle. He has a demon too as Ms. Gregoire pointed out, Clark argued.
YES BUT BOTH ENTITIES HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES REPEATEDLY TO US, KAL-EL. LANA LANG'S ADVICE TO LITTLECLAW APPLIES HERE AS WELL. WATCH BUT DO NOT ENGAGE. BE CAREFUL, KAL-EL. THE FUTURE HANGS IN THE BALANCE, Jor-El noted. THEY ARE ALSO OF THE MIXED HERITAGE.
Because they have that direct line, they're okay? That's awfully big of you. Clark rolled his eyes as he got dressed. He stepped out of his room and descended the stairs.
IN A STRANGE WORLD, KAL-EL, ONE LOOKS TO ONE'S OWN KIND FIRST. THE TWO WOMEN…THEIR SIRE WAS KRYPTONIAN. THEY ARE OLDER…MUCH OLDER…THAN THEY SEEM. AS I SAID, BE WARY, MY SON, Jor-El concluded before going silent.
Nice to see he can be *so* open minded! Clark shook his head while taking a pitchfork and raking out each stall. As he cleared each one, he sped up to the loft and grabbed a fresh hay bale to replenish each animal's place. We have the article, Lana's magic, all of these newcomers and the questions. Then there's my Secret being out there. Glad Dad's still asleep. I don't need the lecture right now. He heard a creaking noise close by. "Hello?"
"You should be more cautious, Mr. Kent. I just about had the drop on you as you Americans say," Clarise lectured from the stairs. "Fortunately, mon Ami, I was out before sunrise." She considered the barn. "Your parents have kept this place much the same as I remember. Heloise will be pleased as well."
"Excuse me? This is where I live, Sister," he defended himself.
"Yes. Still that did not stop Morgan Edge or even that boy with the hunting complex earlier this year. Now did it?" she reminded him tersely while descending the stairs. "One always seeks out one's kind."
"You aren't human," he noted with certainty.
She shrugged. "Once I was a half-breed, the daughter of an alien whose true name I know not and a mortal woman. I took my vows to get away from her darkness. Still I had to escape the outcome of her crimes against Our Lord. It was in New France…Canada…that I became what I am now."
"Your father must have been Kryptonian, Sister." He furrowed his brow recalling the previous year's history class. "You said New France? Canada's been Canada since like the 1700s."
"1763 to be precise. I'm older than that, Mr. Kent." She rubbed her forehead. "Much as Lana feels, I did not ask for this darkness to fall upon me. The one who made me immortal…who brought me across into the dark world…left me with an insane hunger. Fortunately Alexandre had provisions on hand."
"Provisions? Of course he has food."
She coughed. "Non. I require blood." Her eyes glowed at him. She floated into the air overhead.
"So you're like…a vampire?" He stared at her.
"Oui. I've been such for the past four hundred years. I drink animal blood now. As I said, I've had my fill. Your stock is in no danger," she assured him while descending to the floor. "Even if my link to you is technically drained away, we are both of Krypton. I am your friend. So is Heloise. We are not our mother, sister or her descendant who you met last weekend." She extended her hand again.
"Thanks. Sorry. Lots going on lately." He shook the other's hand guardedly. "I'll feel better when we get to know each other. Hope that's not insulting."
"Not at all. I am glad for that caution. Be watchful of my niece. Merci!" With that, she flew away into the starry night sky.
Unreal. No wonder Martin's spooked. Clark finished the stalls. Then he milked the cows. He took the milk toward the house.
At least he could save Jonathan some work…..
[Three Hours Later—Kitchen Table]
Clark sipped broodingly on his coffee. Who else is out there? Should I even bother to try and sleep? He scratched his head while scanning his efforts on the laptop. He sighed while combing his notes and then comparing them to what was on the screen.
For some reason, he felt as if the pieces needed something more…something with punch….
I've got the deal with the apples. I have the farmers here and there talking about their harvest traditions. There are going to be some awesome pictures with everyone there. Why do I feel this way? He shook his head. Maybe I should just let Chloe proof it. She wanted 750 words. I have a thousand. She'll have to make cuts. At least I can give her extra stuff. That'll keep Reynolds off my back as well. He typed away on an email and attached the article file to it. Then he sent both off. "That's done at least." He slid the chair back with a heavy creak across the floor. He trudged over to the coffee maker and prepared a fresh pot knowing that his parents would want some with breakfast as well.
"Clark? You down there, Son?" Jonathan called as he came down the stairs.
"Yeah, Dad. Sorry. It was a long night," Clark apologized. "Couldn't sleep."
"What's the matter? Everything okay with Lana?" Jonathan supposed.
"She's dealing with her heritage and the new abilities much like I do," Clark noted. He pointed to the coffee maker. "New stuff will be ready in a few minutes. I did the chores. Milk's in the fridge."
"Did you get any sleep?" Martha queried pointedly from the middle of the staircase.
"I tried for a few hours. There's too much stuff going on. I need to just take a step back and think," Clark replied. "Since I couldn't sleep, I took care of things. As I just told Dad, I did the chores. I sent the article off to Chloe just now."
"That's nice. I'm sure Chloe will enjoy reading it," she assured him. "Thanks for getting the milk. I'll get that strained later. How about some pancakes?"
"I'd love them, Mom. Thanks." Clark stifled a yawn. He fixed himself another cup of coffee.
"So how are they, Clark?" Jonathan asked expectantly.
"How are who?" the farm boy inquired in confusion.
"Ms. Gregoire and Sister Clarise. Lex said they were flying in last night. They'll be here for dinner tonight," she informed him.
"They're really intense and strange. Martin was put off by them much as he is Mr. Dubois," Clark informed them.
"Martin has his own agenda as well, Clark. We know Mr. Dubois. Sister Clarise and Ms. Gregoire have helped us in the past. All of them need chances to prove themselves," she declared while pouring batter into her greased skillet.
"Yeah considering what Sister Clarise is. We talked early this morning," Clark informed them.
"So she told you?" Jonathan exchanged curious glances with his wife.
"You both know?" Clark stared at them incredulously. "I mean…vampires really exist?"
"She does at least." She frowned. "We'd hoped to break that in slowly. You can ask more questions at dinner. As I said, she has helped us in the past. Back before the meteor shower, that ghost you all ran into up in Massachusetts caused all sorts of trouble here as well. The two ladies you met last night helped to deal with the situation." She flipped the pancakes.
"So that's how Mr. Dubois' been down here?" Clark trucked his coffee back over to the table. "I'll set the table, Mom, since you're doing that."
"Thanks. His involvement's a longer story than that," Jonathan remembered. "Some of it you've heard. The rest of it is really better left back in the past." He grabbed his coat. "I'll be back in a few minutes for breakfast. Just want to get some air." He walked out and closed the door behind himself.
"What did I say?" Clark wondered both in fear and amazement.
"It's not you, Clark. It's not the easiest thing to deal with. Your Dad and I both hoped it would all stay buried after all of these years," she noted while setting the first finished cakes on a plate and pouring out another batch.
He nodded while putting the place settings in place. He had the feeling that breakfast wasn't going to be easy either. With a purposeful bite, he started in on a juicy Granny Smith. Vampires, witches and demons? Really?
Seemed there was more to the world than he'd previously believed…..
