Chapter 3
"Clark? I can barely hear you, son," Jonathan said loudly into the phone. "What? Okay. Yes, I will. Alright. Stay put. Clark, I'm serious. I'll find out. Do not leave the Talon. I know you can survive this weather, but I said no. Do you hear me? Good. Stay put. Alright. Bye," Jonathan said, hanging up the phone.
"Jonathan? Was that Clark?" Martha asked, walking into the room.
Jonathan nodded. "He, Pete, Lex, Lana, and some others are snowed in at the Talon."
"What was that about staying put?" Martha asked, laying an armful of blankets on the counter.
Jonathan's eyes got a sad look in them.
"Jonathan? What is it?" Martha asked, walking to her husband.
"Chloe went out in the storm. If Clark is right about the time she left, there's no way she made it home," Jonathan told her.
Martha gasped. "Does Clark know that?"
Jonathan shook his head. "No. Lex convinced him she's safe at home, but she left ten minutes ago."
"Oh, Jonathan. What if she's out there?" Martha asked, her eyes wide.
"Her cell phone isn't working and no one's answering at Gabe's," Jonathan replied. "I promised Gabe that we'd watch out for the girls."
"What are you going to do? You can't go out in the storm," Martha pointed out. "If anyone can, it's Clark."
"Clark, can't. Pete could cover for him, but everyone would figure it out. I have to take the truck. I put the snow tires on this morning," Jonathan told her.
* * *
"Lex, your hand," Lana said, handing him a latte.
Lex looked at his red knuckles. "It's nothing," he told her.
Lana seemed to study him for a moment before nodding once. She walked to where Clark and Pete were standing around talking. "Clark? Do you want some hot chocolate?"
Clark just waved her away, talking to Pete. "I know she's out there, Pete. I know she is. I can feel it."
"Clark, I'm sure she got home," Lana put in.
Clark looked at Lana. "No, she didn't, Lana. I don't know how I know, but I do."
"Cla-" Lana started again.
Clark interrupted her. "I'm going to go talk to Lex." With that he left.
Lana was in shock. Clark had never openly ignored her before. It was a complete turn-around. Pete gave her an apologetic look before following Clark. Lana gave one last look at Clark's back before going back to the counter.
* * *
"Here I am. Snowed in-in this POS-car, while Clark and Lana are snowed in at the Talon. They're probably getting all warm and cozy as we speak," Chloe muttered harshly, slamming her hand against the dashboard. "Why is it always me? Why me? I'm always the one in trouble."
Chloe rubbed her hands up and down her arms. "Oh, Clark. Come save me," she said, rolling her eyes. "I knew it was you, it's always you. Well, where is he now? Huh? In the Talon, probably drinking a hot chocolate, and snuggling with Lana to conserve body heat."
Chloe wrapped her scarf tightly around her neck. "I can't stay out here or I'll freeze to death." The Sullivan home was about half a mile down the road. Actually, it was the only shelter between her car and anything else.
Chloe took a blanket from the backseat of the car. "Now I'm glad Lana was so cold the other day," she said gratefully.
Chloe struggled to open the car door against the wind, pocketing her keys. She threw her purse over her head, letting the wind slam the car door. Shivering, she wrapped the blanket tightly around her. "Here goes nothing."