Abaris' Arrow
by linda-seton
The tape squeals to life and a man's voice speaks directly into a microphone.
"December 12th, 1996, John Doe A231-56T7..."
Another voice interrupts. "C'mon, everyone in Metropolis knows who this kid is."
"John Doe A231-56T7 was brought in at 1:32 AM. When admitted his blood work showed trace amounts of methamphetamine. His blood pressure was low and he was severely dehydrated. Doctors put him on an IV...The label's turned. Can you....don't twist it like that. Never mind. The doctors expect a full recovery. John Doe A231-56T7 was dropped outside the door of the emergency room without ID..."
"Except his face and the chrome dome?"
"Look, according to our new training manual he's John Doe until someone who is a friend or family member identifies him right?"
"You know I can't read."
"Well, it does. And we have to take photos of him to distribute to all the law enforcement people. Or we're breaking the rules and you won't have this job after tomorrow."
"Okay."
"Help me get his pants off."
"What?"
"We have to check for any tattoos or scars."
"I guess."
The two men huff and strain and there's the scuff of clothing being removed.
"You can practically see right through him." The second man comments.
"Meth-head. Get me the camera."
There's the sound of footsteps going and then returning.
"Thanks."
The rhythm of the shutter and flash practically echo off the wall of the room.
"How many are you taking?"
"You know I've always wanted to move to Coast City."
"What?"
"I take a few extra. This guy at The Inquisitor told me that anytime anyone good came in to take some pictures. And this kid will probably get me a new start."
The sound of the camera stops and the men are silent.
"What's wrong?"
"Help me get his boxers."
"No way. He's just a kid. Like you could go to prison for that."
"Hold the camera."
"Man. I'm so outta here."
"I'll cut you in. You can repay your sister all that money she loaned you.
There is a long pause. "How much do you think it'll be?"
"A lot."
There is scuffle of movement and then the first man's voice. "Give me the camera. And stand back. You're casting a shadow."
The shutter and flash resume.
"I think he's waking up."
There is silence again.
"His eyes are open."
"Let's get out of here."
The sound of running feet is caught on the tape and then the slamming of the door.
There's a soft cough and a very faint, though recognizable voice, "Hello..."
The coughing grows louder and then there's a shifting of weight.
"Where am I? Is there anyone here?"
The tape goes to silence and Chloe stares down at the spinning cogs. "Bastards."
She rolls over on her back and stares up at the ceiling tile. "Oh, just when I'm ready to hate him completely. Great..."
Her eyes slowly close and she dozes.
The shrill sound of a ringing phone jolts her to a sitting position. It takes her a moment but she finds the phone on the floor. With a sweeping hand she hits the speaker button.
"Yes?"
"Is this Chloe Sullivan?"
Chloe rolls over on her stomach so she is closer to the phone. "This is she."
"I'm calling from Smallville Medical Center. Your father, Gabe, is all right but he was in a minor car accident."
Chloe tries to get her brain and mouth to work.
"Are you there, dear?"
"Yes, what happened to my dad?"
"He was a little rattled when they brought him. He thinks someone ran him off the road."
"I'll be right there."
Chloe presses off the speaker button.
She takes a series of breaths to steady herself and then begins to gather her things. She sweeps all the tapes into her bag and moves to the door.
"I actually felt sorry for him...bastard..."
She slams the door behind her.
by linda-seton
The tape squeals to life and a man's voice speaks directly into a microphone.
"December 12th, 1996, John Doe A231-56T7..."
Another voice interrupts. "C'mon, everyone in Metropolis knows who this kid is."
"John Doe A231-56T7 was brought in at 1:32 AM. When admitted his blood work showed trace amounts of methamphetamine. His blood pressure was low and he was severely dehydrated. Doctors put him on an IV...The label's turned. Can you....don't twist it like that. Never mind. The doctors expect a full recovery. John Doe A231-56T7 was dropped outside the door of the emergency room without ID..."
"Except his face and the chrome dome?"
"Look, according to our new training manual he's John Doe until someone who is a friend or family member identifies him right?"
"You know I can't read."
"Well, it does. And we have to take photos of him to distribute to all the law enforcement people. Or we're breaking the rules and you won't have this job after tomorrow."
"Okay."
"Help me get his pants off."
"What?"
"We have to check for any tattoos or scars."
"I guess."
The two men huff and strain and there's the scuff of clothing being removed.
"You can practically see right through him." The second man comments.
"Meth-head. Get me the camera."
There's the sound of footsteps going and then returning.
"Thanks."
The rhythm of the shutter and flash practically echo off the wall of the room.
"How many are you taking?"
"You know I've always wanted to move to Coast City."
"What?"
"I take a few extra. This guy at The Inquisitor told me that anytime anyone good came in to take some pictures. And this kid will probably get me a new start."
The sound of the camera stops and the men are silent.
"What's wrong?"
"Help me get his boxers."
"No way. He's just a kid. Like you could go to prison for that."
"Hold the camera."
"Man. I'm so outta here."
"I'll cut you in. You can repay your sister all that money she loaned you.
There is a long pause. "How much do you think it'll be?"
"A lot."
There is scuffle of movement and then the first man's voice. "Give me the camera. And stand back. You're casting a shadow."
The shutter and flash resume.
"I think he's waking up."
There is silence again.
"His eyes are open."
"Let's get out of here."
The sound of running feet is caught on the tape and then the slamming of the door.
There's a soft cough and a very faint, though recognizable voice, "Hello..."
The coughing grows louder and then there's a shifting of weight.
"Where am I? Is there anyone here?"
The tape goes to silence and Chloe stares down at the spinning cogs. "Bastards."
She rolls over on her back and stares up at the ceiling tile. "Oh, just when I'm ready to hate him completely. Great..."
Her eyes slowly close and she dozes.
The shrill sound of a ringing phone jolts her to a sitting position. It takes her a moment but she finds the phone on the floor. With a sweeping hand she hits the speaker button.
"Yes?"
"Is this Chloe Sullivan?"
Chloe rolls over on her stomach so she is closer to the phone. "This is she."
"I'm calling from Smallville Medical Center. Your father, Gabe, is all right but he was in a minor car accident."
Chloe tries to get her brain and mouth to work.
"Are you there, dear?"
"Yes, what happened to my dad?"
"He was a little rattled when they brought him. He thinks someone ran him off the road."
"I'll be right there."
Chloe presses off the speaker button.
She takes a series of breaths to steady herself and then begins to gather her things. She sweeps all the tapes into her bag and moves to the door.
"I actually felt sorry for him...bastard..."
She slams the door behind her.