Disclaimer: All characters belong to DC and the WB, not me.
CHAPTER 1
*** 6:55 am November 1st
Chloe's Sullivan set her scrambled eggs and whole-grain wheat bagle on a small wooden table getting ready for a relaxing breakfast before school. Unrolling the morning paper she took a small sip of her coffee preparing herself for another long article filled with Smallville's boring events. The hot liquid caught in her throat and she almost choked on her coffee as she stared in disbelief at the alarming headline that was spread across page one. The ominous words, written in bold print, screamed Four Smallville Students Commit Suicide in Suspected Pagan Ritual.
Chloe placed her shacky glass mug down on the table in shock, unable to tear her eyes away from the horrifying story. A quick scan of the article, for the students names, revealed that she knew three of the four victems involved. Chloe had had several classes with them. Her stomach sunk as she realized how close to home all this was. She remembered the kids from class. They were all good students,out going, and friendly people. There was nothing about them that indicated that they were into satanism. Chloe continued to read the article, hoping to find somekind of an explaination for all this.
Her eyes grew wide in horror as she began to read what had happened to the teenagers. Each of them had been found in differnt locations around Smallville, their writs had been slit and their eyes were gouged out. The police's first suspicion had been a serial killer but the cororner in the paper reported that the teens had not been murdered, stating that there was irrefutable evidence backing up the fact that the students had removed their own eyeballs before sliting their own wrists and arms.
As her eyes darted over the last sentence in the report Chloe was disappointed to learn that there was no explaination as to why this had all happened, only more questions. She suddenly found herself unable to move. All she could do was just stare at the unbelieveable words, finding it extermely difficult to grasp their meaning in her mind.
Chloe Sullivan could not believe what she was reading. Four of her peers had killed themselves last night while she had been out partying and having a good time. Guilt welled up in her chest, expecially when she realized what a good story this was and what a fool she would be if she did not take advantage of it.
Pushing her plate of eggs away from her Chloe stood preparing to leave. Instead of the nutricious breakfast she had planned on eating she was just going to have to opt for a quick caffine rush to make it throught the morning. Picking up her coffee mug Chloe quickly downed the smooth creamy liquid as she glanced at her watch. She would have to hurry if she was going to have time to stop by the Talon before she got to school. Gulping down the last drink Chloe set her cup down with a loud thunk before grabbing up her bag and rushing out the door.
*** 7:15 am November 1st
Slowing down as she passed the Talon Chloe studied the scene that was unfolding before her. Bright yellow police tape cut off the public from the small building as several cops and photographers scurried around the blocked in area. Quickly Chloe spotted Lana Lang standing not far off. The brunette looked posatively petrified as she stood quietly next to Lex Luthor.
With her arms wrapped tightly across her chest, Lana looked like she was hugging herself as her eyes darted in nervous circles, pausing to scan every face that passed by. When her eyes met Chloe's, Chloe flashed her a wan smile. Suddenly she wondered weather she should get out of the car and comfort her friend or not. Scanning the scene she continued to ponder the question.
Studdying the facade of the building Chloe's attention was quickly pulled over to the dominating figure amid the scene. Lex Luthor stood next to Lana Lang, a cool breeze causing his long black ankle legnth coat to billow about him like a dark fog. Chloe was impressed. He looked as calm and collected positioned in the middle of the crime scene as he would lounging in front of the elegant fireplace in his enormous home.
With his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his black designer pants, he scanned the crowd with the maticulous observation skills of a talented sniper. He did not offer Lana any comfort and she didn't seem to ask. He simply stood and studied the scene around him with an unreadable expression of absolute control.
Chloe jumped as a car horn honked behind her alerting her to the fact that she was holding up traffic. Applying pressure to the gas she decided to exit the scene of the crime. The urge to hop out of the car and sporatically question everyone in sight seized her mind but she quickly dispelled that desire, knowing full well that it would lead to nothing. She knew the police wouldn't tell her anything. To them she was just some kid who liked to pretend to be a grown up but Chloe was smarter then that. She would get the story with or without their help.
She knew better then to try and get any information out of Lex Luthor. His ability to dodge a question was nearly legendary but Lana was a differnt story. Lana Lang was an open book. Chloe was sure that she would hear the whole story the moment Lana got to school. Until then Chloe had plans for her time. She really wanted to get to the school and do some research on this case before homeroom. So with quite a bit of trepidation Chloe left the scene of the crime and made her way towards Smallville high.
*** 7:30 am November 1st
Plopping her weary body down behind her large desk, in the Torch's main office, Chloe prepared herself for another long day of work. Two quick clicks of her mouse and the familiar buzz of the dial up connection suddenly sprang to life, ringing in her ears as she situated herself in her seat. Pulling out the morning's news paper article Chloe opened up her internet search engine typing in few well chosen words into the white search bar before hitting GO.
Chloe wanted to check and see if their were any similar stories online. Stories of satanic self sacrafice or ritual suicide that involved several people at once and the removing of their own eyes. The danger of the story both thrilled and terriffied her. She could already feel her jornalistic instincts a buzz with the high of a good story.
Staring at the screen her heart jumped in excitement at the extreme amount of matches that sudenly appeared before her. Surely she would be able to find something with so many resources. Moving the curser across the screen she prepared to click on the first link when she heard a slight noise from behind her. Swiveling in her seat Chloe found herself looking up into the tear streaked face of Lana Lang.
"Lana, Are you all right?" Chloe asked concern marking her voice as she stood up from her seat. Slowly she approached the frightened girl.
"Yeah." Lana said wiping away a tear. "Its just so horrible." Lana visibly trembled as she spoke.
"I know. I couldn't believe it when i read the paper this morning." The blond girl replied still in shock. "It was so unbelievable. It's hard to believe something like this happening here in Smallville." Chloe stated. "
"Yeah it's insane what happened. Are you going to write about it in the torch?" Lana asked, well aware of Chloe's enthusiam for the weird.
"Well,...yeah..."Chloe admitted hesitantly. "So, how long do you think the Talon is going to be shut down?" She continued unable to contain her curiousity any longer.
"Just until tomorrow morning. Lex is paying a cleaning crew to come in from Metropolis to clean up the mess." Lana's spoke in a low whisper.
"Yeah. How is Lex taking it?" Chloe asked. Her concern for Lex Luthor was nonexistant but the subject was always interesting.
"Its hard to tell, you know how Lex is." Lana said with a slight smile. "He's all business. He's all ready trying to think up ways to make up for the loss of a full business day."
"Do you think...you know...what happened, will effect the Talon's business?" Chloe asked knowing that the old theater was a very important part of her friends life.
"I don't know." Lana said. Her last words came out choked as fresh tears sprung to her eyes. "I just can't believe all those kids are dead."
"I know." she agreed. "Its awful...Did you see the inside of the Talon?" Chloe asked. She knew the question was a bit tactless but she didn't feel like waiting until Lana got control of herself to ask. She needed to know now. A good reporter didn't wait.
"Yes." Lana admitted. "I didn't see the body but i saw........" Lana's eyes grew wide for a moment before abruptly snapping shut, effectively holding back the barage of tears that were ready to flow.
"Look Lana, you don't have to talk about it now if you don't want to." Chloe hated saying it but she couldn't be too hard. After all Lana was a very sensitive person.
"No, thats okay. I am fine. There really isen't much to say." Lana said attempting to regain her composure. "The body was gone by the time I got there. There was just blood, so much blood. All over the floor and the walls. Tables were smashed and so much was broken..." Lana seemed lost in thought for a long moment before continuing. "Lex is going to have it all replaced but...." Lana paused for a moment taking a controling breath, steadying her wavering voice. "I'am scared." The tiny girl admitted. " I don't understand what happened. Why the Talon?"
Chloe was speachless. She didn't have any answers for the obviously hurting girl in front of her. "Don't worry." Chloe said as comfortingly as she could, putting her arm around her friend's shoulders. "Whatever happened didn't have anything to do with you. Its over now, but i can promise you one thing. I am going to find out what happened."
Lana smiled at Chloe, her face shining with gratitude. At her last words her smile turned down a little at the corners. "Be careful Chloe. I don't think this is something you want to get messed up in. I think this is worse then anything on your wall of weird."
"Don't worry about me." Chloe said giving the girl's shoulders a final squeeze. Ill be fine. I just want to look some stuff up on the internet. Nothing dangerous." Chloe gave a small light hearted laugh to prove that she wasn't going to be too serious about things before releasing her arm from around Lana's body. Chloe flashed her her most reassuring grin. "Besides after everything I have been through here in Smallville a satanic suicide seems pertty tame in comparison."
"I just don't want you to get hurt too." Lana admitted, using a tissue to wipe away the tear marks from beneath her eyes.
"I know and trust me I appriciate it." Chloe stated honestly." There's just one thing I want to ask you."
"Go ahead." The girl replied, bracing herself.
"If you didn't find the body then who did?"
"Lex. did." Lana said with out pause. "He came back from a late night in Metropolis and wanted to pick something up from his office.
Darn Chloe thought. Lex was one of the few poeple in Smallville, besides the police, who she would have a hard time talking to. She sighed in frustration as her mind began racing with theories. Looking at Lana she decided to go out on a limb and ask another question. Something that had been bothering her since she had read the article in the paper. "Lana do you happen to know where the bodies of the other three student's were found. It says in the paper that each of the kids were found in a differnt location but the only building they mention in the article was the Talon."
"No." Lana replied looking equally disturbed and confused by the news. "Why? What do you think is going on?"
"I don't know but I am going to find out." Chloe promised. Just then the loud screaching of the first period bell blared through out the hallways , signaling it was time for her to go to English class.
"Oh shoot. I have to go. Ill talk to you later Chloe." Lana said, flashing her a weak smile before exiting the Tourch office.
Chloe sighed, blowing a strand of blond hair out of her face in frustration. She would have to finish her investigation later. Standing the reporter gathered up her literature books and advanced to her first period classroom.
*** 2:30 pm November 1st
Chloe tossed her books noisely into the corner of the Torch's office, papers scattering messily from the worn volumes. Letting out a long breath of releif Chloe was glad to finally be in her last period of the day. Lucky for her she had study hall and was able to get a pass to spend it all on her blessed paper, or more to the point figuring out what had happened to those kids.
The suicides had been all that anyone had been willing to talk about all day and Chloe didn't even see the point of having classes if no one was going to talk about anything else. Not that she minded. Chloe had kept her ears open all day long hoping to score some valuable information. There were lots of wild theories flying around but none that seemed very plausible or well founded.
Positioning herself in front of the computer screen Chloe once again began her search of similar instances of suicide. The multitue of matches was nearly overwhelming and Chloe spent the first twenty minuets just scanning the list trying to find any article that mentioned the victems blinding themselves. After switching search engines and trying several differnt word combinations, it was almost the end of the school day before Chloe found anything relevant.
Just as she was about to give up and try another route, an article mentioning a group of three kids who had gouged out their eyes before killing themselves, in Metropolis a few years ago, caught her eye. Chloe smiled to herself as she scanned the date the teenagers had killed themselves. It was Halloween. Two years ago from yesterday.
Quickly printing out the article, Chloe brought up the website for the Metropolis newspaper. Oddly enough nothing was said in the Daily Planet about the children's deaths. "Curiouser and curiouser." Chloe muttered creasing her brow in confusion.
"What's so interesting?" A voice from across the room asked as Chloe's head shot up in surprise.
"Pete!" Chloe said, a smile breaking across her face. "Just the guy I wanted to see."
"Oh no! What do you want to me to do now?"Pete asked raising his hands in mock defense. " Nothing illegal I hope." The boy sighed in exasperation at his friends high intensity. He knew she was excited about the new case and that sometimes she could get a little carried away with her research.'
"Nope. Not this time."Chloe replied. Her smile grew into a very persuasive grin as she stood and walked towards her friend. "I was just thinking of talking a little trip out to Metropolis tonight and I thought you might be interested in coming with me."
Glancing at his watch Pete gave Chloe an incredulous look. "Are you crazy. If we do that we won't be back until..." Pete paused a moment calculating the amout of time it would take before continuing. "Very late and we both have a lot of homework to do."
"Since when does Pete Ross worry about homework." Chloe asked her voice tinged with humor.
"Since I am failing biology." He countered bluntly, unable to keep a reactionary smile from his face. There was just something about Chloe he could not refuse.
"Come on it wll be fun." The small girl pleaded.
"Fun?" Pete raised an eyebrow at the wired reporters idea of fun.
"Okay maybe not fun but definatly interesting." She continued her grin unrefusable. "So what do you say? Can i count you in partner?"
"Okay." Pete said throwing his hands up into the air, exhasperated. "When do you want to leave?"
"Now!" Chloe said grabbing her bookbag and the printout before dashing towards the doorway.
*** 5:15 pm November 1st
Chloe pulled her tiny pink Voltswagon beetle into the parkinglot of the Metropolis Police Department. While it probally would have been a whole lot faster to call Chloe knew that a police officer would probally not take her very seriously at all, let alone over the phone. She would just have to be extra persuasive, in person.
"Ready?" She asked Pete, looking over at him, excitement gleaming in her sparkeling blue eyes.
"Tell me again why I agreed to this." Pete replied dryly.
"Because you love me." Chloe countered hopping out of her car. Petes only reply was a soft sigh that was completely lost on the small girl.
Following Chloe into the station Pete watched as she quickly got the receptionist's attention, asking to talk to a Detective Griffith. Pete was genuinely impressed at Chloe's ability to charm people into trusting her. She may appear very innocent at first but she could be very calculating when she wanted to.
The receptionist nodded at the girls request and disappeared, returning a few moments later with the police officer in her wake. The tall lean man that strode towards her seemed very work worn, the deep age lines around his eyes indicated a life time of worry and experience.
"Can I help you young lady?" He asked. His voice was kind but held a slightly rushed tone that warned against wasting his time.
"Yes." Chloe spoke maturely, sounding several years older then she appeared. "My name is Chloe Sullivan. I work for the Torch, a Smallville newspaper and I have come here to question you about a mass suicide that occured two halloweens ago. This article says that you were the officer in charge of that investigation, is that true?"
A flash of recognition passed across the old man's eyes and he nodded solomly. "Yes I was the officer incharge but that case was closed a long time ago and I see no need to dredge it up again, young lady. Now if you will excuse me I have some important work to do." Brushing past her the officer began to walk away.
Chloe glanced at Pete. The look in her eyes was pure determination. "Wait." She shouted to the mans back. "What if I told you I had some new information reguarding the case?" Chloe asked, attempting to keep the desperation out of her voice.
The officer paused in his tracks, turning to study the girls honest features. After a breif silence he stepped menecingly towards the small girl. "Then i would tell you to forget about it. Drop the story, go back to Smallville and report about crop rotation or something and leave the past in the past. Understood." The look in the rough mans eyes challenged Chloe to argue.
Always up for a challenge Chloe quickly responded, her voice dripping with persuasive charm. "What if I told you it happened again last night?"
The officer blinked in surprise, talking a moment to let her words register before setting his face once again in the same grim expression. "Id say that it was impossible. Leave it be."
"If we don't do something about this, it could happen again. Are you saying you are willing to risk that?" Chloe protested.
Once again the police officer sighed, running a hand through his greyng hair as he contemplated his reply. "Young lady, I like you so I am going to tell you again, drop this."
"And if I don't?" Chloe challenged. She couldn't believe she had said it but she couldn't help it. This man knew something and she wanted to, No, needed to know that information too.
"Listen, Miss Sullivan, What happened to those four kids happened a long time ago and it was a terrible tragedy that the people around here don't want dredged up just because something similar has happened in some small town, understand."
Chloe listened to the man speak with a confused look across her face. " Wait a minute." She said shaking her head and pulling out the newspaper clipping from her pocket. "It say's here that there were only three kids that died. Who was the fourth?"
Officer Griffeth's eyes narrowed at Chloe and a trapped look suddenly appeared in his eyes. "I meant to say three." He corrected himself, almost convincengly.
"No you didn't" Chloe spoke with certainty. "You ment to say four. What happened to the forth person, Officer Griffeth?" Chloe inquired in a firm tone.
There was a long moment of silence as the man once again carefully reguared the young reporter and Chloe thought he was going to walk away again when he let out a long low breath, a breath that seemed to Chloe that he had been holding a very long time. "If you want to know more about the fourth person then you will have to go to Mayview Psychiatric Hospitle. Ask for Dr. Reese. She will know what your talking about although she probally wont admit it. Thats all I can tell you." he said looking into her eyes with an intensity that was filled with both hope and sadness.
"Thank you." Chloe replied with an understanding nod.
"Just be careful young lady." he told the reporter, giving her one long last look before finally turning away from her and walking back towards the calamity of the police station.
Chloe watched Officer Griffith walk away with a satisfied smile. His sholders rose and his steps were a bit lighter then she first recalled. It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his body and Chloe wondered absently as she looked over at Pete exactly what she was getting herself into.
*** 6:46 pm November 1st
"What makes you think you are going to get any information out of this doctor? Even the cop pretty much said it was a worthless effort."
"I have to try Pete." Chloe replied as she ascented the stairs that lead to the front office of the Mayview Mental Health Clinic. The building was huge and gothic, reminding her of Dracula's castle in some old black and white film.
"Can I help you." A lovely young redhead asked as they entered the waiting room. The receptionist was sitting behind a polished cherry desk, the only thing in the room that wasen't a brilliant whiteShe was chewing a stick of juicy fruit and filing her long well manicured nails. Her nametag read Stephanie.
"Yes, Stephanie, you can. I am here to see Dr. Reese." Chloe said, once again using the authorative, no-nonesence tone she had used at the police station.
"Do you have an appointment?" The secretary asked without looking at Chloe. Her face looked bored until she spotted Pete. Slowly a small smile crept across her face as renewed interest sparked in her eyes.
"No but......" Chloe began.
"I am sorry. You can't get in without an appointment." The girl said tearing her gaze away from Pete long enough to deny her entrance.
"But its very important." Chloe protested. "It involves a paitent of hers." She said truthfully.
The girl glared up at Chloe, obviously upset she was being hassled. "Iam sorry but without an appointment there is nothing I can do." She shrugged. The girls tone was ridgid as she spoke.
Chloe began to feel panic fill her heart. There was no way she was going to come this far only to be stopped by some rule crazy receptionist. Looking over at Pete Chloe pleaded with her eyes for him to help.
Glad to get the chance to act the hero Pete walked up to the desk, leaning in towards the receptionist. It was his turn to be charming. Flashing the female his most persaussary grin he attempted to reason with her more logical side, or at least be suave enough for her to forget all logic.
"Are you the one who makes the appointments?" Pete asked casually, as if he was impressed with the fact that she might actually be associeated with such a momentous responcibility.
"Yes I am." The girl replied proudly, batting her eyelashes at him. "Most of the appointments are made by me."
"Well then, Stephanie, couldn't you just make an appointment for us to see Dr. Reese right now?" He inquired innocently.
"Well, I...." The girl was suddenly flustered as she averted her eyes from Pete's puppydog gaze.
"It would only be for a few minuets. We just have a couple of questins to ask her." At the mention of Chloe's presence the girl's attention quickly darted from the convincing young man to the the small blond in the room. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at her.
"I don't know." The girl said unsure of herself.
"Please. You would be doing me a huge favor." Pete replied with a wink, pulling the girls attention back towards her.
"Well... okay. Just this once." she replied with a nervous laugh. Quickly she opened up a large leather bound book in front of them. "Ill just need your names and phone numbers." the girl said clearly indicating that she was interested in the personal informatin for more than strictly professional usage.
Pete quickly supplied her with both Chloe's and his name. Then too Chloe's surprise along with another endearing Pete grin he added a phony phone number. Scrawling a spontanious appointment into the book Stephanie used a perfectly polished fingernail to click a large red button on her desk. Leaning into the mic, the girl smiled up at Pete as she spoke. "Dr. Reese you have a seven o clock appointment with a Chloe Sullivan and a Pete Ross." Turning to the duo she continued."Go ahead up. Offices are on level 2. Room number 238." *** 7:00 pm November 1st
Standing in the elevator Chloe could feel her stomach flutter with nervous energy. "Wow I can't believe you got us in." Chloe said amazed. "Your my hero." She told Pete. Leaning forward Chloe placed a small grateful kiss against his cheek. "Thanks." she said as the doors slid open.
Stepping off the elevator Chloe hurridly glanced both ways down the long empty hallway. Noticing the room number she needed would be to the right she quickly turned in that direction, Pete followed close behind. "I am so impressed that you got us in." she commented idely as she scanned the numbers on the rows of white doors. "I never knew you could be so suave."
Reaching the last door Chloe smiled. "Here it is.' she said exciedly glancing over at Pete who she noticed had a slight blush to his cheeks. "Are you blushing?" she teased.
"No." He replied quickly. "Why should i be the one blushing, Stephanie was the one who succombed to the Pete Ross charm."
"Right. Ill keep that in mind." She said with a laugh. "Ready?"
Pete nodded and Chloe quickly knocked on the door.
"Come in." A voice from the other side of the door spoke.
Turning the handle Chloe pushed open the heavy steel door and stepped into the office. Shoulders up, back squared, Chloe was the picture of professionalism as she entered the room.
"Dr. Reese?" Chloe aske curiously extending her hand.
"Yes." The woman behind the desk asked paitently, carefully studding the teenager in front of her as she shook her hand. "What can I do for you?"
"I need to talk to you about a paitent of your's." Chloe suddenly froze, unsure of what to say next. How could she ask about a paitent she knew nothing about. "This person was...um..." Chloe chose her words carefully as she continued to speak. "The surviving member of some kind of cult suicide two years ago."
Dr. Reese's green eyes narrowed at Chloe. "What are your names again? How did you get in here."
"Um.. we." Chloe began.
"How do you know about this. Are you family members of the paitent?"
"No." Chloe admitted, her eyes suddenly brightening with an idea. "But Officer Griffeth sent us here. He said you might be able to tell us something about why those kids killed themselves."
"Listen you two should not be here. All my paitents records are confidencial to anyone who is not a family member. There is nothing I can do for you."
"But..."Chloe's voice was filled with dispair as she realized that the woman infront of her was not going to help them.
"Please leave the premisis before i have to call security." The woman said, her voice was soft but nonaccepting of defiance.
"Could you at least tell me your paitents name?" It was a last resort plea but she had to try.
"No I am sorry." the woman said with true regret. Chloe nodded and exited the room. Pete trailed close behind.
Defeated the duo returned to her car preparing themselves for the long silent ride home.
CHAPTER 1
*** 6:55 am November 1st
Chloe's Sullivan set her scrambled eggs and whole-grain wheat bagle on a small wooden table getting ready for a relaxing breakfast before school. Unrolling the morning paper she took a small sip of her coffee preparing herself for another long article filled with Smallville's boring events. The hot liquid caught in her throat and she almost choked on her coffee as she stared in disbelief at the alarming headline that was spread across page one. The ominous words, written in bold print, screamed Four Smallville Students Commit Suicide in Suspected Pagan Ritual.
Chloe placed her shacky glass mug down on the table in shock, unable to tear her eyes away from the horrifying story. A quick scan of the article, for the students names, revealed that she knew three of the four victems involved. Chloe had had several classes with them. Her stomach sunk as she realized how close to home all this was. She remembered the kids from class. They were all good students,out going, and friendly people. There was nothing about them that indicated that they were into satanism. Chloe continued to read the article, hoping to find somekind of an explaination for all this.
Her eyes grew wide in horror as she began to read what had happened to the teenagers. Each of them had been found in differnt locations around Smallville, their writs had been slit and their eyes were gouged out. The police's first suspicion had been a serial killer but the cororner in the paper reported that the teens had not been murdered, stating that there was irrefutable evidence backing up the fact that the students had removed their own eyeballs before sliting their own wrists and arms.
As her eyes darted over the last sentence in the report Chloe was disappointed to learn that there was no explaination as to why this had all happened, only more questions. She suddenly found herself unable to move. All she could do was just stare at the unbelieveable words, finding it extermely difficult to grasp their meaning in her mind.
Chloe Sullivan could not believe what she was reading. Four of her peers had killed themselves last night while she had been out partying and having a good time. Guilt welled up in her chest, expecially when she realized what a good story this was and what a fool she would be if she did not take advantage of it.
Pushing her plate of eggs away from her Chloe stood preparing to leave. Instead of the nutricious breakfast she had planned on eating she was just going to have to opt for a quick caffine rush to make it throught the morning. Picking up her coffee mug Chloe quickly downed the smooth creamy liquid as she glanced at her watch. She would have to hurry if she was going to have time to stop by the Talon before she got to school. Gulping down the last drink Chloe set her cup down with a loud thunk before grabbing up her bag and rushing out the door.
*** 7:15 am November 1st
Slowing down as she passed the Talon Chloe studied the scene that was unfolding before her. Bright yellow police tape cut off the public from the small building as several cops and photographers scurried around the blocked in area. Quickly Chloe spotted Lana Lang standing not far off. The brunette looked posatively petrified as she stood quietly next to Lex Luthor.
With her arms wrapped tightly across her chest, Lana looked like she was hugging herself as her eyes darted in nervous circles, pausing to scan every face that passed by. When her eyes met Chloe's, Chloe flashed her a wan smile. Suddenly she wondered weather she should get out of the car and comfort her friend or not. Scanning the scene she continued to ponder the question.
Studdying the facade of the building Chloe's attention was quickly pulled over to the dominating figure amid the scene. Lex Luthor stood next to Lana Lang, a cool breeze causing his long black ankle legnth coat to billow about him like a dark fog. Chloe was impressed. He looked as calm and collected positioned in the middle of the crime scene as he would lounging in front of the elegant fireplace in his enormous home.
With his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his black designer pants, he scanned the crowd with the maticulous observation skills of a talented sniper. He did not offer Lana any comfort and she didn't seem to ask. He simply stood and studied the scene around him with an unreadable expression of absolute control.
Chloe jumped as a car horn honked behind her alerting her to the fact that she was holding up traffic. Applying pressure to the gas she decided to exit the scene of the crime. The urge to hop out of the car and sporatically question everyone in sight seized her mind but she quickly dispelled that desire, knowing full well that it would lead to nothing. She knew the police wouldn't tell her anything. To them she was just some kid who liked to pretend to be a grown up but Chloe was smarter then that. She would get the story with or without their help.
She knew better then to try and get any information out of Lex Luthor. His ability to dodge a question was nearly legendary but Lana was a differnt story. Lana Lang was an open book. Chloe was sure that she would hear the whole story the moment Lana got to school. Until then Chloe had plans for her time. She really wanted to get to the school and do some research on this case before homeroom. So with quite a bit of trepidation Chloe left the scene of the crime and made her way towards Smallville high.
*** 7:30 am November 1st
Plopping her weary body down behind her large desk, in the Torch's main office, Chloe prepared herself for another long day of work. Two quick clicks of her mouse and the familiar buzz of the dial up connection suddenly sprang to life, ringing in her ears as she situated herself in her seat. Pulling out the morning's news paper article Chloe opened up her internet search engine typing in few well chosen words into the white search bar before hitting GO.
Chloe wanted to check and see if their were any similar stories online. Stories of satanic self sacrafice or ritual suicide that involved several people at once and the removing of their own eyes. The danger of the story both thrilled and terriffied her. She could already feel her jornalistic instincts a buzz with the high of a good story.
Staring at the screen her heart jumped in excitement at the extreme amount of matches that sudenly appeared before her. Surely she would be able to find something with so many resources. Moving the curser across the screen she prepared to click on the first link when she heard a slight noise from behind her. Swiveling in her seat Chloe found herself looking up into the tear streaked face of Lana Lang.
"Lana, Are you all right?" Chloe asked concern marking her voice as she stood up from her seat. Slowly she approached the frightened girl.
"Yeah." Lana said wiping away a tear. "Its just so horrible." Lana visibly trembled as she spoke.
"I know. I couldn't believe it when i read the paper this morning." The blond girl replied still in shock. "It was so unbelievable. It's hard to believe something like this happening here in Smallville." Chloe stated. "
"Yeah it's insane what happened. Are you going to write about it in the torch?" Lana asked, well aware of Chloe's enthusiam for the weird.
"Well,...yeah..."Chloe admitted hesitantly. "So, how long do you think the Talon is going to be shut down?" She continued unable to contain her curiousity any longer.
"Just until tomorrow morning. Lex is paying a cleaning crew to come in from Metropolis to clean up the mess." Lana's spoke in a low whisper.
"Yeah. How is Lex taking it?" Chloe asked. Her concern for Lex Luthor was nonexistant but the subject was always interesting.
"Its hard to tell, you know how Lex is." Lana said with a slight smile. "He's all business. He's all ready trying to think up ways to make up for the loss of a full business day."
"Do you think...you know...what happened, will effect the Talon's business?" Chloe asked knowing that the old theater was a very important part of her friends life.
"I don't know." Lana said. Her last words came out choked as fresh tears sprung to her eyes. "I just can't believe all those kids are dead."
"I know." she agreed. "Its awful...Did you see the inside of the Talon?" Chloe asked. She knew the question was a bit tactless but she didn't feel like waiting until Lana got control of herself to ask. She needed to know now. A good reporter didn't wait.
"Yes." Lana admitted. "I didn't see the body but i saw........" Lana's eyes grew wide for a moment before abruptly snapping shut, effectively holding back the barage of tears that were ready to flow.
"Look Lana, you don't have to talk about it now if you don't want to." Chloe hated saying it but she couldn't be too hard. After all Lana was a very sensitive person.
"No, thats okay. I am fine. There really isen't much to say." Lana said attempting to regain her composure. "The body was gone by the time I got there. There was just blood, so much blood. All over the floor and the walls. Tables were smashed and so much was broken..." Lana seemed lost in thought for a long moment before continuing. "Lex is going to have it all replaced but...." Lana paused for a moment taking a controling breath, steadying her wavering voice. "I'am scared." The tiny girl admitted. " I don't understand what happened. Why the Talon?"
Chloe was speachless. She didn't have any answers for the obviously hurting girl in front of her. "Don't worry." Chloe said as comfortingly as she could, putting her arm around her friend's shoulders. "Whatever happened didn't have anything to do with you. Its over now, but i can promise you one thing. I am going to find out what happened."
Lana smiled at Chloe, her face shining with gratitude. At her last words her smile turned down a little at the corners. "Be careful Chloe. I don't think this is something you want to get messed up in. I think this is worse then anything on your wall of weird."
"Don't worry about me." Chloe said giving the girl's shoulders a final squeeze. Ill be fine. I just want to look some stuff up on the internet. Nothing dangerous." Chloe gave a small light hearted laugh to prove that she wasn't going to be too serious about things before releasing her arm from around Lana's body. Chloe flashed her her most reassuring grin. "Besides after everything I have been through here in Smallville a satanic suicide seems pertty tame in comparison."
"I just don't want you to get hurt too." Lana admitted, using a tissue to wipe away the tear marks from beneath her eyes.
"I know and trust me I appriciate it." Chloe stated honestly." There's just one thing I want to ask you."
"Go ahead." The girl replied, bracing herself.
"If you didn't find the body then who did?"
"Lex. did." Lana said with out pause. "He came back from a late night in Metropolis and wanted to pick something up from his office.
Darn Chloe thought. Lex was one of the few poeple in Smallville, besides the police, who she would have a hard time talking to. She sighed in frustration as her mind began racing with theories. Looking at Lana she decided to go out on a limb and ask another question. Something that had been bothering her since she had read the article in the paper. "Lana do you happen to know where the bodies of the other three student's were found. It says in the paper that each of the kids were found in a differnt location but the only building they mention in the article was the Talon."
"No." Lana replied looking equally disturbed and confused by the news. "Why? What do you think is going on?"
"I don't know but I am going to find out." Chloe promised. Just then the loud screaching of the first period bell blared through out the hallways , signaling it was time for her to go to English class.
"Oh shoot. I have to go. Ill talk to you later Chloe." Lana said, flashing her a weak smile before exiting the Tourch office.
Chloe sighed, blowing a strand of blond hair out of her face in frustration. She would have to finish her investigation later. Standing the reporter gathered up her literature books and advanced to her first period classroom.
*** 2:30 pm November 1st
Chloe tossed her books noisely into the corner of the Torch's office, papers scattering messily from the worn volumes. Letting out a long breath of releif Chloe was glad to finally be in her last period of the day. Lucky for her she had study hall and was able to get a pass to spend it all on her blessed paper, or more to the point figuring out what had happened to those kids.
The suicides had been all that anyone had been willing to talk about all day and Chloe didn't even see the point of having classes if no one was going to talk about anything else. Not that she minded. Chloe had kept her ears open all day long hoping to score some valuable information. There were lots of wild theories flying around but none that seemed very plausible or well founded.
Positioning herself in front of the computer screen Chloe once again began her search of similar instances of suicide. The multitue of matches was nearly overwhelming and Chloe spent the first twenty minuets just scanning the list trying to find any article that mentioned the victems blinding themselves. After switching search engines and trying several differnt word combinations, it was almost the end of the school day before Chloe found anything relevant.
Just as she was about to give up and try another route, an article mentioning a group of three kids who had gouged out their eyes before killing themselves, in Metropolis a few years ago, caught her eye. Chloe smiled to herself as she scanned the date the teenagers had killed themselves. It was Halloween. Two years ago from yesterday.
Quickly printing out the article, Chloe brought up the website for the Metropolis newspaper. Oddly enough nothing was said in the Daily Planet about the children's deaths. "Curiouser and curiouser." Chloe muttered creasing her brow in confusion.
"What's so interesting?" A voice from across the room asked as Chloe's head shot up in surprise.
"Pete!" Chloe said, a smile breaking across her face. "Just the guy I wanted to see."
"Oh no! What do you want to me to do now?"Pete asked raising his hands in mock defense. " Nothing illegal I hope." The boy sighed in exasperation at his friends high intensity. He knew she was excited about the new case and that sometimes she could get a little carried away with her research.'
"Nope. Not this time."Chloe replied. Her smile grew into a very persuasive grin as she stood and walked towards her friend. "I was just thinking of talking a little trip out to Metropolis tonight and I thought you might be interested in coming with me."
Glancing at his watch Pete gave Chloe an incredulous look. "Are you crazy. If we do that we won't be back until..." Pete paused a moment calculating the amout of time it would take before continuing. "Very late and we both have a lot of homework to do."
"Since when does Pete Ross worry about homework." Chloe asked her voice tinged with humor.
"Since I am failing biology." He countered bluntly, unable to keep a reactionary smile from his face. There was just something about Chloe he could not refuse.
"Come on it wll be fun." The small girl pleaded.
"Fun?" Pete raised an eyebrow at the wired reporters idea of fun.
"Okay maybe not fun but definatly interesting." She continued her grin unrefusable. "So what do you say? Can i count you in partner?"
"Okay." Pete said throwing his hands up into the air, exhasperated. "When do you want to leave?"
"Now!" Chloe said grabbing her bookbag and the printout before dashing towards the doorway.
*** 5:15 pm November 1st
Chloe pulled her tiny pink Voltswagon beetle into the parkinglot of the Metropolis Police Department. While it probally would have been a whole lot faster to call Chloe knew that a police officer would probally not take her very seriously at all, let alone over the phone. She would just have to be extra persuasive, in person.
"Ready?" She asked Pete, looking over at him, excitement gleaming in her sparkeling blue eyes.
"Tell me again why I agreed to this." Pete replied dryly.
"Because you love me." Chloe countered hopping out of her car. Petes only reply was a soft sigh that was completely lost on the small girl.
Following Chloe into the station Pete watched as she quickly got the receptionist's attention, asking to talk to a Detective Griffith. Pete was genuinely impressed at Chloe's ability to charm people into trusting her. She may appear very innocent at first but she could be very calculating when she wanted to.
The receptionist nodded at the girls request and disappeared, returning a few moments later with the police officer in her wake. The tall lean man that strode towards her seemed very work worn, the deep age lines around his eyes indicated a life time of worry and experience.
"Can I help you young lady?" He asked. His voice was kind but held a slightly rushed tone that warned against wasting his time.
"Yes." Chloe spoke maturely, sounding several years older then she appeared. "My name is Chloe Sullivan. I work for the Torch, a Smallville newspaper and I have come here to question you about a mass suicide that occured two halloweens ago. This article says that you were the officer in charge of that investigation, is that true?"
A flash of recognition passed across the old man's eyes and he nodded solomly. "Yes I was the officer incharge but that case was closed a long time ago and I see no need to dredge it up again, young lady. Now if you will excuse me I have some important work to do." Brushing past her the officer began to walk away.
Chloe glanced at Pete. The look in her eyes was pure determination. "Wait." She shouted to the mans back. "What if I told you I had some new information reguarding the case?" Chloe asked, attempting to keep the desperation out of her voice.
The officer paused in his tracks, turning to study the girls honest features. After a breif silence he stepped menecingly towards the small girl. "Then i would tell you to forget about it. Drop the story, go back to Smallville and report about crop rotation or something and leave the past in the past. Understood." The look in the rough mans eyes challenged Chloe to argue.
Always up for a challenge Chloe quickly responded, her voice dripping with persuasive charm. "What if I told you it happened again last night?"
The officer blinked in surprise, talking a moment to let her words register before setting his face once again in the same grim expression. "Id say that it was impossible. Leave it be."
"If we don't do something about this, it could happen again. Are you saying you are willing to risk that?" Chloe protested.
Once again the police officer sighed, running a hand through his greyng hair as he contemplated his reply. "Young lady, I like you so I am going to tell you again, drop this."
"And if I don't?" Chloe challenged. She couldn't believe she had said it but she couldn't help it. This man knew something and she wanted to, No, needed to know that information too.
"Listen, Miss Sullivan, What happened to those four kids happened a long time ago and it was a terrible tragedy that the people around here don't want dredged up just because something similar has happened in some small town, understand."
Chloe listened to the man speak with a confused look across her face. " Wait a minute." She said shaking her head and pulling out the newspaper clipping from her pocket. "It say's here that there were only three kids that died. Who was the fourth?"
Officer Griffeth's eyes narrowed at Chloe and a trapped look suddenly appeared in his eyes. "I meant to say three." He corrected himself, almost convincengly.
"No you didn't" Chloe spoke with certainty. "You ment to say four. What happened to the forth person, Officer Griffeth?" Chloe inquired in a firm tone.
There was a long moment of silence as the man once again carefully reguared the young reporter and Chloe thought he was going to walk away again when he let out a long low breath, a breath that seemed to Chloe that he had been holding a very long time. "If you want to know more about the fourth person then you will have to go to Mayview Psychiatric Hospitle. Ask for Dr. Reese. She will know what your talking about although she probally wont admit it. Thats all I can tell you." he said looking into her eyes with an intensity that was filled with both hope and sadness.
"Thank you." Chloe replied with an understanding nod.
"Just be careful young lady." he told the reporter, giving her one long last look before finally turning away from her and walking back towards the calamity of the police station.
Chloe watched Officer Griffith walk away with a satisfied smile. His sholders rose and his steps were a bit lighter then she first recalled. It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his body and Chloe wondered absently as she looked over at Pete exactly what she was getting herself into.
*** 6:46 pm November 1st
"What makes you think you are going to get any information out of this doctor? Even the cop pretty much said it was a worthless effort."
"I have to try Pete." Chloe replied as she ascented the stairs that lead to the front office of the Mayview Mental Health Clinic. The building was huge and gothic, reminding her of Dracula's castle in some old black and white film.
"Can I help you." A lovely young redhead asked as they entered the waiting room. The receptionist was sitting behind a polished cherry desk, the only thing in the room that wasen't a brilliant whiteShe was chewing a stick of juicy fruit and filing her long well manicured nails. Her nametag read Stephanie.
"Yes, Stephanie, you can. I am here to see Dr. Reese." Chloe said, once again using the authorative, no-nonesence tone she had used at the police station.
"Do you have an appointment?" The secretary asked without looking at Chloe. Her face looked bored until she spotted Pete. Slowly a small smile crept across her face as renewed interest sparked in her eyes.
"No but......" Chloe began.
"I am sorry. You can't get in without an appointment." The girl said tearing her gaze away from Pete long enough to deny her entrance.
"But its very important." Chloe protested. "It involves a paitent of hers." She said truthfully.
The girl glared up at Chloe, obviously upset she was being hassled. "Iam sorry but without an appointment there is nothing I can do." She shrugged. The girls tone was ridgid as she spoke.
Chloe began to feel panic fill her heart. There was no way she was going to come this far only to be stopped by some rule crazy receptionist. Looking over at Pete Chloe pleaded with her eyes for him to help.
Glad to get the chance to act the hero Pete walked up to the desk, leaning in towards the receptionist. It was his turn to be charming. Flashing the female his most persaussary grin he attempted to reason with her more logical side, or at least be suave enough for her to forget all logic.
"Are you the one who makes the appointments?" Pete asked casually, as if he was impressed with the fact that she might actually be associeated with such a momentous responcibility.
"Yes I am." The girl replied proudly, batting her eyelashes at him. "Most of the appointments are made by me."
"Well then, Stephanie, couldn't you just make an appointment for us to see Dr. Reese right now?" He inquired innocently.
"Well, I...." The girl was suddenly flustered as she averted her eyes from Pete's puppydog gaze.
"It would only be for a few minuets. We just have a couple of questins to ask her." At the mention of Chloe's presence the girl's attention quickly darted from the convincing young man to the the small blond in the room. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at her.
"I don't know." The girl said unsure of herself.
"Please. You would be doing me a huge favor." Pete replied with a wink, pulling the girls attention back towards her.
"Well... okay. Just this once." she replied with a nervous laugh. Quickly she opened up a large leather bound book in front of them. "Ill just need your names and phone numbers." the girl said clearly indicating that she was interested in the personal informatin for more than strictly professional usage.
Pete quickly supplied her with both Chloe's and his name. Then too Chloe's surprise along with another endearing Pete grin he added a phony phone number. Scrawling a spontanious appointment into the book Stephanie used a perfectly polished fingernail to click a large red button on her desk. Leaning into the mic, the girl smiled up at Pete as she spoke. "Dr. Reese you have a seven o clock appointment with a Chloe Sullivan and a Pete Ross." Turning to the duo she continued."Go ahead up. Offices are on level 2. Room number 238." *** 7:00 pm November 1st
Standing in the elevator Chloe could feel her stomach flutter with nervous energy. "Wow I can't believe you got us in." Chloe said amazed. "Your my hero." She told Pete. Leaning forward Chloe placed a small grateful kiss against his cheek. "Thanks." she said as the doors slid open.
Stepping off the elevator Chloe hurridly glanced both ways down the long empty hallway. Noticing the room number she needed would be to the right she quickly turned in that direction, Pete followed close behind. "I am so impressed that you got us in." she commented idely as she scanned the numbers on the rows of white doors. "I never knew you could be so suave."
Reaching the last door Chloe smiled. "Here it is.' she said exciedly glancing over at Pete who she noticed had a slight blush to his cheeks. "Are you blushing?" she teased.
"No." He replied quickly. "Why should i be the one blushing, Stephanie was the one who succombed to the Pete Ross charm."
"Right. Ill keep that in mind." She said with a laugh. "Ready?"
Pete nodded and Chloe quickly knocked on the door.
"Come in." A voice from the other side of the door spoke.
Turning the handle Chloe pushed open the heavy steel door and stepped into the office. Shoulders up, back squared, Chloe was the picture of professionalism as she entered the room.
"Dr. Reese?" Chloe aske curiously extending her hand.
"Yes." The woman behind the desk asked paitently, carefully studding the teenager in front of her as she shook her hand. "What can I do for you?"
"I need to talk to you about a paitent of your's." Chloe suddenly froze, unsure of what to say next. How could she ask about a paitent she knew nothing about. "This person was...um..." Chloe chose her words carefully as she continued to speak. "The surviving member of some kind of cult suicide two years ago."
Dr. Reese's green eyes narrowed at Chloe. "What are your names again? How did you get in here."
"Um.. we." Chloe began.
"How do you know about this. Are you family members of the paitent?"
"No." Chloe admitted, her eyes suddenly brightening with an idea. "But Officer Griffeth sent us here. He said you might be able to tell us something about why those kids killed themselves."
"Listen you two should not be here. All my paitents records are confidencial to anyone who is not a family member. There is nothing I can do for you."
"But..."Chloe's voice was filled with dispair as she realized that the woman infront of her was not going to help them.
"Please leave the premisis before i have to call security." The woman said, her voice was soft but nonaccepting of defiance.
"Could you at least tell me your paitents name?" It was a last resort plea but she had to try.
"No I am sorry." the woman said with true regret. Chloe nodded and exited the room. Pete trailed close behind.
Defeated the duo returned to her car preparing themselves for the long silent ride home.