A/N: Well I never thought when I started this that it would be this long.
Thank you for reading and sticking with it this long.
Chapter 14
Pete looked at his watch cursing under his breath as he realised he was late. He'd been talking to Erica, lost track of time and missed his rendezvous with Clark. Clark had asked Pete very specifically to accompany him home this past week, so he would not be travelling alone. Clark had been a bit sheepish during the request but Pete had assured him he would be there. Pete didn't mention it to Clark but Chloe had let him know what had happened with Lex's father, or at least an abbreviated version of it. Pete felt protective of Clark who much as he was large, was just too naive. Pete understood the workings of the real world. He may have grown up in Smallville but he knew he had a talent for seeing the bigger picture.
Pete took a shortcut through an alley behind the Talon. He was supposed to meet Clark there, as they had both had to stay late for activities. They had decided to just meet and walk home as they'd miss both bus runs. Man, it sucked having so many brothers with one car to share between them. As Pete rounded the corner, he could see the distant figure of Clark heading down Fraser's path towards the short cut home. Pete ran to catch up, shouting, but Clark was too far to hear. Again he ran as fast as he could, cursing Clark's considerable lead. Clark was nowhere in sight and Pete kept running through the woods hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Just when he was ready to stop from shortness of breath -- riding the bench in football was not helping -- he saw some motion ahead.
All he could see was a black car through the edge of the trees. It must have stopped but was pulling ahead slowly. It disappeared down the road towards the Creekside Foundry. Oh well, still no sign of Clark. Pete pulled out his cell to call Chloe, hoping to hitch a ride home and avoid a long lonely walk, but realised he had no service. He forgot it was a complete dead zone this side of highway 8. Oh well, he was a third of the way home as it was, having just run the entire length of Fraser's path through the woods. Getting closer to the dirt road, Pete noticed something red in the bush near the edge of the woods. Moving closer he saw it was Clark's backpack. Clark couldn't have dropped this on purpose. Pete looked inside seeing an array of books similar to the ones in his own pack.
Pete needed to get to a phone. After a brief look both ways in indecision, he headed back to the Talon.
***
Clark was mildly annoyed at Pete for not showing up and decided he'd waited long enough. He wanted to get home to get his chores done and see Lex. Every day away from him was its own pleasant torture. He wanted to be with him but knowing he would see him right after school made it go by faster. Clark felt himself smiling all the time at school. Of course he'd had to tell Chloe. She'd hugged him and been generous enough to be happy for him even when he knew deep inside it hurt her a bit. Clark wanted to run home at super speed but since the Phelan incident he did nothing this close to town. That did not stop him from running as fast as an olympic athlete, pushing the edges of human believability.
Clark slowed before he emerged from the trees to cut across the dirt road that led to the Creekside Foundry. He saw a car slow down. The driver was a blonde man in his thirties and he opened the window to shout "Is someone there? I'm a bit lost and could use some help..." He had a friendly voice with a British accent. Dropping his backpack and prepared for trouble, Clark stepped out of the woods.
"You must be lost. This road leads only to an old abandoned foundry." Clark's smile was equally friendly but he did not approach the car. The driver leaned out his window, holding a small map.
"Am I here?" Clark moved closer to point to the location on the map, when the back door opened and a large man got out holding a gun. The driver also got out and Clark immediately felt sick. He clutched his stomach in discomfort as the driver held a fairly large meteor fragment out in front of him. He was pointing it at Clark like a weapon, as if he knew what its effect would be. Clark tried to move back but the large man grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the car. He was unable to resist and found himself being pushed into the back seat. Lionel Luthor sat near the opposite door and smiled at him.
***
Lionel chuckled in self satisfaction. This was going extremely well. The boy really did have some sort of reaction to the rock. He definitely worsened with an increased proximity to it. It would be interesting to see his reaction when surrounded with it. Lionel watched the boy clutch his stomach and moan.
They were now heading to the Creekside Foundry an abandoned wreck that had been destroyed in the meteor shower. The owners had not had sufficient insurance and it had been left abandoned for years. Luthorcorp had bought the place as its source for meteors during the fertiliser experiment that had ended so disastrously on level three. They'd left it mostly untouched since then but there had been a boy accidentally killed by falling equipment there last year. It was the Arkin boy whose mother had also recently passed, luckily for Luthorcorp. With no closer relatives, there was no one to pursue a law suit. Luthorcorp had since set up a regular patrol by their security and the police to keep out tresspassers. It would be an excellent place to hide the boy while Lionel went to the Kents to negotiate with Lex. Lionel needed to keep the boy close in case the game required that he play him like an ace up his sleeve.
Soon they pulled up to a large factory with rusty siding, falling off in some places. Large rents could still be seen along one side of the building. The car pulled around back where a large black limousine was parked near a single small door in an intact wall. Dominic got out first and nodded to the security guard who had just rechecked the premises. Lionel emerged next and smiled at Dominic, pleased with the events so far and acknowledging the need for few witnesses. His driver/bodyguard pulled Clark unceremoniously from the car. They'd wrapped the rock in a cloth and tied it around Clark's neck. The boy appeared to be getting worse and Lionel realized it could be inopportunely fatal.
They moved into the building and across to a wooden office built at one end of the large structure. Pulling Clark inside they tied his hands together and hooked them on a crossbeam jutting out at an angle to support the still solid ceiling. He hung limply, unable to support his own weight. Lionel untied the rock from around the boy's neck and backed away slowly to gauge his reaction. The greenish tinge became less apparent as he moved away but did not disappear even as he left the office. Looking around, Lionel took note of the fragments scattered throughout the warehouse.
"This should be sufficient to keep him under control until I return." Lionel watched as the figure tied to the post tried to regain his feet, from his almost kneeling position.
Looking out from under a fringe of dark hair, bright eyes blazed with hatred. Sweat was matting Clark's hair to his forehead and he spoke with visible effort. "You can't do this. Lex.."
Lionel cut him off. "I'll do as I please. Your reaction to these rocks is most interesting. Perhaps if Lex behaves I'll let him have you back. I'm sure he'll want to investigate this."
"Lex would never hurt me." Clark was panting as Lionel moved the rock closer.
"You really believe that, don't you. Lex has never done anything in his life without benefitting in the end. He'll get over you, pretty as you may be. He may think he cares now but he's young and still learning the meaning of true power. He's still my son."
"Not in his heart."
"We'll see soon enough." Lionel turned back to Dominic. "Between these rocks and this," he handed Dominic a gun, "he should give you no trouble. We'll be back soon."
Clark watched Lionel sweep out of the office in his long black coat, followed by the bodyguard and closed his eyes in despair. He had to do something but he felt so weak he could barely stand. Dominic and the security guard settled on crates near the office door waiting for their master's return like the spineless lackeys they were. Clark wanted to break them in half. He tried again to stand up but merely attracted Dominic's attention. Walking over, he laughed at Clark's struggles.
"So you're the cause of Lex's downfall. I really should thank you. Mr Luthor has come to depend on me much more now that his son has adopted Smallville as his home." Dominic was gloating. "I hope Lex defies his father. I'll be rid of him and his arrogance." He reached out to lift Clark's chin and make eye contact. "We can put you to good use, I'm sure." Dominic smirked meaningfully. "Unless, of course, Lionel just decides to get rid of you."
Dominic played with the meteor in his hand and moved forward, his lips near Clark's ear. Clark's vision blackened as he heard the whispered words, "Maybe Lionel will let me kill you both."
Clark glared at Dominic, shocked at the hatred he saw in the other man's eyes. Dominic smiled and hit him with the fist holding the meteor. Clark lost conciousness.
Chapter 14
Pete looked at his watch cursing under his breath as he realised he was late. He'd been talking to Erica, lost track of time and missed his rendezvous with Clark. Clark had asked Pete very specifically to accompany him home this past week, so he would not be travelling alone. Clark had been a bit sheepish during the request but Pete had assured him he would be there. Pete didn't mention it to Clark but Chloe had let him know what had happened with Lex's father, or at least an abbreviated version of it. Pete felt protective of Clark who much as he was large, was just too naive. Pete understood the workings of the real world. He may have grown up in Smallville but he knew he had a talent for seeing the bigger picture.
Pete took a shortcut through an alley behind the Talon. He was supposed to meet Clark there, as they had both had to stay late for activities. They had decided to just meet and walk home as they'd miss both bus runs. Man, it sucked having so many brothers with one car to share between them. As Pete rounded the corner, he could see the distant figure of Clark heading down Fraser's path towards the short cut home. Pete ran to catch up, shouting, but Clark was too far to hear. Again he ran as fast as he could, cursing Clark's considerable lead. Clark was nowhere in sight and Pete kept running through the woods hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Just when he was ready to stop from shortness of breath -- riding the bench in football was not helping -- he saw some motion ahead.
All he could see was a black car through the edge of the trees. It must have stopped but was pulling ahead slowly. It disappeared down the road towards the Creekside Foundry. Oh well, still no sign of Clark. Pete pulled out his cell to call Chloe, hoping to hitch a ride home and avoid a long lonely walk, but realised he had no service. He forgot it was a complete dead zone this side of highway 8. Oh well, he was a third of the way home as it was, having just run the entire length of Fraser's path through the woods. Getting closer to the dirt road, Pete noticed something red in the bush near the edge of the woods. Moving closer he saw it was Clark's backpack. Clark couldn't have dropped this on purpose. Pete looked inside seeing an array of books similar to the ones in his own pack.
Pete needed to get to a phone. After a brief look both ways in indecision, he headed back to the Talon.
***
Clark was mildly annoyed at Pete for not showing up and decided he'd waited long enough. He wanted to get home to get his chores done and see Lex. Every day away from him was its own pleasant torture. He wanted to be with him but knowing he would see him right after school made it go by faster. Clark felt himself smiling all the time at school. Of course he'd had to tell Chloe. She'd hugged him and been generous enough to be happy for him even when he knew deep inside it hurt her a bit. Clark wanted to run home at super speed but since the Phelan incident he did nothing this close to town. That did not stop him from running as fast as an olympic athlete, pushing the edges of human believability.
Clark slowed before he emerged from the trees to cut across the dirt road that led to the Creekside Foundry. He saw a car slow down. The driver was a blonde man in his thirties and he opened the window to shout "Is someone there? I'm a bit lost and could use some help..." He had a friendly voice with a British accent. Dropping his backpack and prepared for trouble, Clark stepped out of the woods.
"You must be lost. This road leads only to an old abandoned foundry." Clark's smile was equally friendly but he did not approach the car. The driver leaned out his window, holding a small map.
"Am I here?" Clark moved closer to point to the location on the map, when the back door opened and a large man got out holding a gun. The driver also got out and Clark immediately felt sick. He clutched his stomach in discomfort as the driver held a fairly large meteor fragment out in front of him. He was pointing it at Clark like a weapon, as if he knew what its effect would be. Clark tried to move back but the large man grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the car. He was unable to resist and found himself being pushed into the back seat. Lionel Luthor sat near the opposite door and smiled at him.
***
Lionel chuckled in self satisfaction. This was going extremely well. The boy really did have some sort of reaction to the rock. He definitely worsened with an increased proximity to it. It would be interesting to see his reaction when surrounded with it. Lionel watched the boy clutch his stomach and moan.
They were now heading to the Creekside Foundry an abandoned wreck that had been destroyed in the meteor shower. The owners had not had sufficient insurance and it had been left abandoned for years. Luthorcorp had bought the place as its source for meteors during the fertiliser experiment that had ended so disastrously on level three. They'd left it mostly untouched since then but there had been a boy accidentally killed by falling equipment there last year. It was the Arkin boy whose mother had also recently passed, luckily for Luthorcorp. With no closer relatives, there was no one to pursue a law suit. Luthorcorp had since set up a regular patrol by their security and the police to keep out tresspassers. It would be an excellent place to hide the boy while Lionel went to the Kents to negotiate with Lex. Lionel needed to keep the boy close in case the game required that he play him like an ace up his sleeve.
Soon they pulled up to a large factory with rusty siding, falling off in some places. Large rents could still be seen along one side of the building. The car pulled around back where a large black limousine was parked near a single small door in an intact wall. Dominic got out first and nodded to the security guard who had just rechecked the premises. Lionel emerged next and smiled at Dominic, pleased with the events so far and acknowledging the need for few witnesses. His driver/bodyguard pulled Clark unceremoniously from the car. They'd wrapped the rock in a cloth and tied it around Clark's neck. The boy appeared to be getting worse and Lionel realized it could be inopportunely fatal.
They moved into the building and across to a wooden office built at one end of the large structure. Pulling Clark inside they tied his hands together and hooked them on a crossbeam jutting out at an angle to support the still solid ceiling. He hung limply, unable to support his own weight. Lionel untied the rock from around the boy's neck and backed away slowly to gauge his reaction. The greenish tinge became less apparent as he moved away but did not disappear even as he left the office. Looking around, Lionel took note of the fragments scattered throughout the warehouse.
"This should be sufficient to keep him under control until I return." Lionel watched as the figure tied to the post tried to regain his feet, from his almost kneeling position.
Looking out from under a fringe of dark hair, bright eyes blazed with hatred. Sweat was matting Clark's hair to his forehead and he spoke with visible effort. "You can't do this. Lex.."
Lionel cut him off. "I'll do as I please. Your reaction to these rocks is most interesting. Perhaps if Lex behaves I'll let him have you back. I'm sure he'll want to investigate this."
"Lex would never hurt me." Clark was panting as Lionel moved the rock closer.
"You really believe that, don't you. Lex has never done anything in his life without benefitting in the end. He'll get over you, pretty as you may be. He may think he cares now but he's young and still learning the meaning of true power. He's still my son."
"Not in his heart."
"We'll see soon enough." Lionel turned back to Dominic. "Between these rocks and this," he handed Dominic a gun, "he should give you no trouble. We'll be back soon."
Clark watched Lionel sweep out of the office in his long black coat, followed by the bodyguard and closed his eyes in despair. He had to do something but he felt so weak he could barely stand. Dominic and the security guard settled on crates near the office door waiting for their master's return like the spineless lackeys they were. Clark wanted to break them in half. He tried again to stand up but merely attracted Dominic's attention. Walking over, he laughed at Clark's struggles.
"So you're the cause of Lex's downfall. I really should thank you. Mr Luthor has come to depend on me much more now that his son has adopted Smallville as his home." Dominic was gloating. "I hope Lex defies his father. I'll be rid of him and his arrogance." He reached out to lift Clark's chin and make eye contact. "We can put you to good use, I'm sure." Dominic smirked meaningfully. "Unless, of course, Lionel just decides to get rid of you."
Dominic played with the meteor in his hand and moved forward, his lips near Clark's ear. Clark's vision blackened as he heard the whispered words, "Maybe Lionel will let me kill you both."
Clark glared at Dominic, shocked at the hatred he saw in the other man's eyes. Dominic smiled and hit him with the fist holding the meteor. Clark lost conciousness.