Hello, once again. I was in the mood, so I wrote another chapter today. It is a little shorter than usual, though not by much. Please, read and review, I would really appreciate it.
By the way, I also rewrote the first chapter (or Prologue, if you will), so you can go and check it out.
Chapter 9 - The Torch
„Clark, honey?" asked Martha as she watched Clark walking to the front door in the morning.
„Yeah?" asked Clark while he looked back at his mother, who, in turn, came over to him.
„Aren't you.. forgetting something?" asked Martha as she gestured to his face.
Clark slowly touched his face, the recognition slowly creeping its way into his eyes. He quickly ran off to his bedroom, where his glasses are.
Clark, in fact, does not need his glasses, but he is using them anyway. They are made out of special Kryptonian lenses with small traces of lead in it, which means that the glasses are able to absorb his heat vision as well as disabling his x-ray vision.
Also, the Kryptonian lenses are also able to change the color of his inhuman eyes to a classic blue-gray color.
He quickly put them on. As he made his way out of the bedroom, he caught something at the edge of his vision. He slowly walked back into the room and stopped right in front of the mirror. If it was possible, he looked even more... muscular than before. And before is meant a few weeks ago, considering he doesn't usually check himself out in the mirror.
He's not a narcissist.
The white t-shirt he was wearing looked a bit tighter than unusual.
„Weird."
„What's weird?" asked Martha as she came upstairs looking for him, since he's been up there for almost 5 minutes.
Clark quickly looked at his mother and then at himself in the mirror. He looked at his mother again and made his way toward her.
„Nothing, nothing. Alright, gotta go. See you later. Say bye to dad for me," said Clark as he kissed her cheek and sped away.
Martha looked at his room and then at the direction of where he sped away. She mumbled under her breath.
„Teenagers... they are always the same, no matter the planet they come from..."
When he came to school, a lot of people were looking at him strangely. Too strangely, for Clark's taste. He started getting anxious. Did they find out about his powers? Did they find out about his alien heritage? Oh my—
His thoughts were cut short when he heard the familiar, soothing voice.
„Hey, Clark."
He turned around and the sight didn't surprise him in the least. It was Sarah, looking just as striking as always, with blue jeans and a a sweater.
Oh, right. That's why everyone was looking at him strangely. It was March. And he was wearing a t-shirt. He sometimes forgets to put on something warm, like a sweater.. or a jacket, considering he can't feel cold.
„Hey, Sarah," said Clark with his usual, charming smile.
„So.. why the t-shirt? It's a little cold outside, don't you think?" asked Sarah as she took the sight before her. Well, he was wearing just jeans and a t-shirt. And the t-shirt did look a bit tight on him. Not that she minded... you could almost see the six-pack underneath the t-shirt. Or is it an eight-pack? She was brought back from her thoughts by Clark's voice.
„Yeah, I know. I didn't realize it until I was already here. Well, never mind, I guess. So, what you've been upto? Friday's still on?" asked Clark.
Sarah smiled. Of course he wouldn't forget their „date."
„Sure. Your place or mine?" asked Sarah.
„Uh.. I thought we could go to the cinema or something," said Clark. He thought about the date at home, and figured that it sounded all too weird to have a date.. alone.. at his house.. while watching movies. He saw too many „chick-flicks" for that.
Sarah thought about it as well. Well, it doesn't sound bad at all.
„Alright, but only if we can have a large, salty popcorn," answered Sarah. Clark's simle grew bigger. And, unfortunately for Sarah, even more cute.
„Alrighty then, see ya around?" asked Clark. Sarah smiled. She knew that phrase all too well.
„I'm always around."
„Clark?" asked Chloe, after finally catching up with him in the hallway.
„Yeah?" asked Clark.
„I have two questions for you," said Chloe seriously, though he could see the amusement in those green eyes of her.
Clark knew there was something behind these questions, but he decided he would give it a shot.
„Shoot."
„Alright, first – would you like to write for the Torch with me? I know you've loved writing ever since you were a kid, and you don't do any sports or otherwise any extracurricular activies. So, what do you say?"
Clark thought about it. Yes, he loved writing – it was something that was pretty hard even with his superior intellect. He never even thought of pursuing a writing career, but the more he thought of it, the more he liked the idea. Of course, he would have to start with something small – the Torch.
The decision has been made.
„Sure, I would like that. When should I write the first article?" asked Clark. Chloe's whole face lit up. She really thought he would say no.
„I was almost sure you would say no. Glad I was mistaken. Alright, so.. your first article will basically be an interview," answered Chloe enthusiastically.
„An interview? With whom?" asked Clark, a little confused.
„The smartest girl in school. Which, of course, leads me to the second question I meant to ask you," answered Chloe once again.
Clark knew where this was going. Of course he knew who was the smartest girl in school. Before he had a chance to say something, Chloe beat him to it.
„So, what's going on between you and Sarah Wilson?"
Still, Clark expected this, but he was unable to say anything. He just stared at Chloe for a few seconds.
„The-there's nothing between us, I don't know what you're talking about," answered Clark, finally.
He was a terrible liar. Everyone knew this. Chloe, Lana, Pete, his parents. Hell, Chloe was sure the whole town knew how bad of a liar he was. He didn't look her in the eyes when he answered her, which was an answer of its own.
Clark always looks into your eyes when he is talking to you. It's a manner. And, of course, he was the mild-mannered Clark Kent. A mild-mannered Clark Kent with a tight t-shirt on. Chloe had a little crush on Clark when they were younger, but she got over it. Well, she got over it, just to have a crush on her another best friend, Pete Ross... well...
‚Smallville – the soap opera,' thought Chloe bitterly.
Back to the present.
„Clark, even you know you are a terrible liar. I saw the looks you give one another. I am pretty sure the whole school can see it. I am one of your best friends, you can tell me anything. So.. I am going to ask you once again.. what's between you and Sarah Wilson?"
Of course she wouldn't drop this, she is stubborn and curious like that. Well, that's Chloe for you.
„Okay, maybe... I had a date with her. And maybe we have another one planned this Friday..." answered Clark.
Chloe just beamed at him.
„You've got a girlfriend! Congratulations!" said Chloe as she hugged him. Clark was confused.
„Hey, hey, hey, Chloe. Hold on. She's not my girlfriend. Not yet, anyway. But I like her. Like.. I like her a lot. And I hope she likes me, too. I don't know where this is going, but I do hope it's going to be good. Now, drop this, and let's talk a little more about the Torch, alright?" said Clark.
Chloe just nodded a few times, but she teased him for the rest of the day.
While watching TV, Clark heard something. And he didn't like the sound at all.
It sounded suspiciously like an explosion. He decided to focus on it a little more.
„-ELP! SOMEBODY HELP US, PLEASE!"
Clark immidiately stood up and sped away without a second thought. He followed the sound of cries and destruction. It wasn't very hard, considering that something like this basically never happens in Smallville.
After reaching his destionation, Clark realized that one of the factories was caught on fire. Immidiately, Clark scanned the whole perimeter with his x-ray vision. He left his glasses at home, he doesn't wear them there. He noticed that almost everyone was out of the danger zone, except for one person in the main office of the factory.
Clark started running, though not at superhuman speeds. Someone started yelling at him to get back, but he didn't listen. There was a person trapped inside. And Clark was his only hope.
He almost couldn't see through the smoke, but he activated his x-ray vision and made his way through the smoke filled bulding. Debris started falling from everywhere, but he didn't care.
After finding the office, he tore the door apart. In the middle of the office lied the person he was looking for, unconscious. Probably from the smoke inhalation. From what he could see, the person was bald, but he looked young. Mid twenties, early thirties, perhaps. He was wearing a black suit with purple shirt and a green tie. Clark took him in his arms bridal-style and tried to carry him outside.
Of course, fate wasn't kind on Clark Kent, as it had to block his path. He put the man over his shoulder and punched through the debris blocking the way. After he punched through it, he ran outside with the man.
Firefighters and EMTs were already there, so he ran over to them. He put the man on the ground and let the EMTs do their job. The EMTs were able to get the man to breathe again. After a few seconds, he woke up by himself.
„What the hell happened?" asked the man. His voice sounded irritated.
‚Well, duh. Who wouldn't be irritated after almost dying?' thought Clark.
The EMTs explained the situation to him and that he should use a breather, as he suffered from smoke inhalation. However, as Chloe would say, the man didn't give a shit and came over to Clark.
„I heard you saved me," said the man as he looked Clark in the eyes.
„I suppose," answered Clark. The man smiled and offered his land.
„Lex Luthor."
Clark accepted the handshake.
„Clark Kent."
„Well, I suppose I should thank you, Clark," said Lex.
„No need to thank me. Anyone would've done this," said Clark.
Lex seemed honestly taken aback by his words for a seconds, though he masked it well.
„Well, Clark.. I guess this is a beginning of a beautiful friendship," said Lex with a smile.
Clark didn't know what was about this man, but it sended chills down his spine.
Unknown to Clark, someone was watching him from afar.
„Very good, Kal-El. Your parents would be proud of you."
So, this is the end of the chapter. Who do you think is the mystery 'person' watching Clark from afar?
Thank you for reading. See ya around :)
