Thank you's to: Merrie, scifichick774, DarkAngel, NickyJean, Queen of Tact,
Settie, Tayoni, Kandice, bramslullaby, MitchPell, P.C. LEE, HumbugGirl,
RedWitch, SlayerRyoko, NeeterDilly, Cassie-bear01, Shiann Reece,
desertgurl, and redblaze. You guys are so cool. You are make me blush.
( Author's note: I am on a presonal quest to get DarkAngel to finish a story she started a while ago. If you are bored right now, which you must be if you are reading this, then check out this story and let the author know what you think. http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=987850&chapter=1 )
Day 4 part 3
*** 11:36 am November 4th
"This is it." Clark said as Chloe pulled her car into Smallvilles only public cemetery.
The place was enormous. Bright colorful flowers and expressive wreaths addorned most of the head stones. There were many new looking modern graves with photo's of the deceased imbedded right into them and there were some markers that dated all the way back to the origional Smallville settlers. The cemetery was as old as Smallville itself and the look of some of the graves proved it.
Besides being very old the graveyard was also very beautiful. There was a large variety of interesting and fascinating grave markers. They ranged from small and inexpensive cement stones to very large marble constructins easily able to house extremely huge families. Some were intricatly detailed statues while others were just half moon shaped bolders.
Tree's and follage lined every available spot and leafy bushes specked with fall blossems were sporatically placed along the rows. With all the autumn trees changing the cemetery seemed to be on fire with the brilliant reds and oranges of the dying leaves. Everything looked alive as the chilly breeze blew across the graveyard.
"Where does the paper say to go next?" Chloe asked Pete, who was sitting in the back seat behind her. They had stopped by his house in order to pick him up not long after recieving the note. Pete had been playing a new video game he had been wanting for a long time when they had gotten to his house. When they had told him what was up, all though he had been winning, he quickly abandoned the treasured game in favor of the prospect of a real life adventure.
Consulting the note that Chloe had recieved in the Talon Pete supplied Chloe happily with the needed information. "It says here. M-125."
Chloe took a moment to digest the information. When she had first read the code in the Talon the numbers had sounded very odd and mysterious to her, but once she had figured out that the address was the Smallville cemerery everything seemed to fall into place.
It was Lana who had recognized the address. With her dead parents residing there she had immediatly known the location and shared the information. Not for the first time that day Chloe had been eternally grateful for the small brunettes presence. She wished that Lana could have joined them on their search but unfortunatly the responcible young woman had to work until five so Chloe had asked her to stop by her house later so they could talk some more. She was begining to really enjoy the cheerful girls company.
Scanning the cemetery, Chloe shuttered as she recalled her dream last night. The young boy from her nightmares had told her that everything would be revealed to her in a cemetery today. She could not restrain the excitement and fright that was welling up inside her at the prospect of solvnig this case. Absently she wondered what she would find that could be so revealing. A million theories flashed through her mind causing her body to tremble with the thrill of it all.
Of course, she still could not be completely sure that her dream was real. There was a small part of her mind that hoped that her dream helper had been wrong, that it was all a figment of her over worked imagination. After all if he was right, then what did that say about Lex? The boy had called him a killer. For a moment Chloe was conflicted. What was more important to her? That Lex was innocent or that this case be solved today? It was a tough decision. Chloe quickly pushed the mind boggeling thoughts out of her mind. There was no sense upsetting herself over something she could not control. She would find out the truth soon enough.
Manuevering her car down the curvy path Chloe slowly approached the section marked M. This was the last level in the cemetery. Located very far in the back on the lot, it was as close to the woods as you could get without actually being in them.
Scanning the markings, she watched carefully as the numbers on the side of the road slowly became larger until she was parked next to the area marked M-125.
"Where here." Clark said in a mock spooky tone from the passenger seat before flashing Chloe a toothy smile.
"Very funny?" she stated glancing at the farmboy next to her.
As usual Clark was wearing jeans and a red and blue flannel jacket over a white T-shirt. He looked very comfortable and casual in the clothing. Exactly like the country boy he was.
To Chloe, Clark was very good looking , but what really made him alluring was the fact that it was not intentional. He was just naturally sweet. Feeling the familiar emotion of caring for the gentle farmboy return Chloe felt a confliction flutter in her heart. Did she really *like* Clark or was the love she felt towards him brought on by a surge of lonlieness and heart- break. Clark was so kind, maybe she just wanted someone to care for her. Someone who would like her for who she was without using her.
The sorrow she had felt in the Talon threatened to resurface once more and quickly Chloe tore the negative thoughts from her mind. Refocusing her attention away from Clark, Chloe looked outside her car window. Of course the paper would lead her to the creepiest part of the cemetery, she thought. It only made sense.
The area she was looking at was well secluded, being completly surrounded by a ring of tall full dark pine trees. In the center of that ring was a very old looking black marble table and at the foot of that table was a small grey grave. Sighing Chloe felt a strong sense of forboding fill her body. According to the note, this was the place that Alison Fincher had been found.
Hopping out of her car the small blond slowly walked towards the grave, carefully taking in her surroundings. Chloe was completely alert for anyting out of the ordinary as she approached the headstone. She did not want a repeat of what had happened earlier that day. Although Clark's and Pete's presence definatly made her feel much safer, still, it was not like either one of them were invincible or anything. She had to be careful.
The tiny hairs on the back of the young reporters neck rose at the sight of the ominous stone marker. It was very small and obviously very old. Age had clearly gotten the better of it as errosion had fadeded all traces of the name and date, leaving only a rough unreadable exterior. Chloe sighed. Perhaps it had never even had a name on it she considered. Not all graves were marked.
"Why do you think she came here?" Clark asked kneeling next to his friend to study the unmarked grave.
"I don't know." Chloe replied mistified. "To be honest I expected this grave to have something to do with Lex. All the other places the bodies were found had something to do with him."
"Yeah. I don't doubt it." Pete interjected. "This is probally the grave of his great great great grandfather or something. He probally taught Lex everything he knows about witchcraft." Pete spoke in a snide tone.
"I doubt it." Clark said frowning down at the grave. "Maybe, the fact that the locations were related to Lex was just a coincidence." He suggested looking over to Chloe. "I mean, a lot of things in Smallville have to do with him. Lex is a big name pretty much where ever he goes."
"Yeah but i think that it is more than that." The reporter stated standing and brushing her hands off on her jeans. Scanning the ground around the grave Chloe looked around for anything that stood out or seemed out of the ordinary. Chloe did not like talking about Lex. The subject had become a very sore spot for her and immediatly she regretted bringing it up.
Dead leaves crunched under her feet loudly as she began walking towards the pitch black table. It was a very interesting structure. She had seen graves shaped like this before but had forgotten the correct terms for them. Running her fingers along the smooth finish the young reporter was surprised to see that the writing on the top of the table was in another language. Just what language it was, was beyond her high school knowledge but the writing was very elegant and alluring.
"Do you recognize this writing?" Chloe quickly asked both Clark and Pete.
Pete frowned and shook his head.
"No but I recognize this." Clark said running his finger along a shape burned into the marble. The black on black was so perfectly matched that it took a moment for Chloe to see what Clark was gesturing towards. Looking closer at the the symbol the young reporter immediatly recognized what he was refurring to. It was the sign of the lacrose.
"I don't understand. Why would the symbol of a sacrafice appear here. Alison Fincher didn't even kill herself." Chloe stated confused.
"Yeah but she was supposed to." Clark reminded his friend.
"We dont know that for sure." Chloe replied, giving Clark a studding look.
"Why do you think she was out here?" Pete asked running his hand along the scorched symbol.
"I don't know. " Chloe worked her mind furiously struggling to make a connection.
"Maybe its just a coincidence that she was found here." Clark began slowly. "I mean, she was out of her mind, right? Couldn't she have just been wandering around, lost. This could have just been where she ended up. After all its not too far from her house." Clark said.
"I don't know. That sounds reasonable but some how i doubt it. Everything about this case seems to be very deliberate. i don't believe it is all just some random coincidence. I think this place has a meanng."
"What do you think it is?" Pete asked curiously.
"I don't know." Chloe said dusting her hands off against each other. "I really wish i knew who was burried here." she muttered as an after thought gesturing towards the grave.
"Maybe someone in the main office knows." Clark suggested stepping away from the grave .
"I suppose thats as good a place as any to try." Chloe admitted giving Clark a grateful smile. She was really glad that he had joined her. She definatly did not want to be in a cemetery alone right now. "Thanks for coming with me." Chloe suddenly stated her voice filled with apprcieation. "I don't know what i would do without you."
"No problem, Chloe. You know i would do anything for you." Clark replied, looking very serious.
Smiling shyly Chloe looked down at her feet. She couldn't help it. Although she had convinced herself that she was over Clark, when he looked at her like that it was hard to repress old feelings. How could she not adore someone so genuinely sweet and honest. "Thanks Clark. Your a good friend. You too, Pete." she said turning to the other boy in the group. "You guys are the greatest."
"Thanks. Your not so bad yourself, Chloe."Pete said, an uncontrolled grin spreading across his face and the hint of a blush standing out against his dark complexion.
"Yeah Chloe. You definatly make life more interesting. " Clark said his eyes twinkeling and his typical smile once again spreading across his face. Slowly he walked around the car towards the passenger seat.
"Right. Life would be boring with out you." Pete stated as he hopped into the back seat. "Without you who would drag me around town every week trying to solve some random mystery?"
"Not every week." Chloe stated with mock hurt but the fact that she was beaming as she started up her car gave away the fact that she was really touched.
"I hope the person in the office knows something." Clark said as they began to move towards the front of the graveyard.
"I think we should go to Luthor castle. " Pete said from the back seat. "We should be asking Lex Luthor what he knows. Why bother trying to put together clues when that rich creep obviously knows what's going on."
"That's not nessicarly true. Come on, admit it. Since Lex has moved to Smallville he has done nothing but try to help." Clark protested quickly.
"Maybe." Pete said huffily, crossing his arms across his chest. "But i doubt it."
Chloe was about to say a not so nice comment about Clark defending Lex but quickly thought better of it. Biting her bottem lip she held back the rude remark. Its not like she had any room to speak ill about Clarks friendship with Lex. After all she was the one who had kissed him. Chloe groaned at the memory. Taking a deep breath she attempted to control the tears that threatened to fall as her heart was pierced by the familiar pain of loss. Why was she so stupid? Why did it hurt so much?
"Are you all right?" Clark asked his friend looking over at her with a concerned expression..
"Yeah. I think I just got something in my eye." Chloe lied, using her palm to wipe away all traces of the somber emotion. "Lets go check out the office."
*** 12:21 pm November 4th
Chloe parked her car in the empty parking lot of the perfectly paved area infront of Smallvilles public cemetery office. The building was a small stone structure that looked like a large moselium. A sign attached to the front of the facade stated that Sunday's business hours were from eleven until five. Chloe smiled glad that she was not too late.
Walking between two large ivy covered collums Chloe opened the front door and walked over to the business counter. A very old grey haired man stood behind a cluttered desk. He jumped, obviously started as she suddenly appeared. "Can I help you , young lady?" the old man asked reguarding her curiously from behind two large bushy eyebrows.
"I don't know. I hope so." Chloe stated fidgeting with the paper in her hand. "I was wondering if you knew anything about the grave marked M-125."
The old man's brow furrowed and his welcoming smile vanished. "What do you want to know about it?"
"Do you know who is burried there?" Chloe asked hopefully.
A look of amusement replaced the distemper in the old mans eyes." Young lady i may be old but i am not that old." He said with a smile.
"So you don't know?" Chloe asked crushed. Disappointment oozed from her voice.
"No. I am sorry." He said shaking his head. "That grave is very old. If we ever knew the name of the person burried beneath, that information would have been destroyed in a fire that occured over a century ago. There is nothing left to indicate anything about that individual." He said regretfully.
"Oh." Chloe said, her voice a low whisper.
"Do you have any reason to connect that grave with Lex Luthor?" Chloe was surprised to hear the question come from Clarks lips. If Clark was suspicious about Lex than that was definatly not a good sign. Perhaps her inquisitive nature was just rubbing off on him.
"No." The man said shaking his head. "I don't believe that I do."
"Oh." Clark did not look disappointed.
"I guess we might as well go." Chloe said feeling defeated. Turning she began to trudge toward the door.
"Wait a minute, young lady. Your name doesn't happen to be Chloe Sullivan does it?" The man asked curiously.
"Yeah." The blond said, slowly spinning around to face the older man. "How did you know that?"
"A person came by earlier and dropped off an envelope for you." Reaching into a large stack of papers the man removed a large manila envelope. It was differnt than the one she had recieved this morning but the handwriting on the front was identical.
"Who gave this to you?" Chloe asked accepting the material.
"They asked me not to tell you." He said appologetically.
"Was it a boy or a girl?" Pete asked quickly.
"I am sorry young man. I cannot tell you that. I gave my word."
Pete lookd aggrivated but just nodded in acceptance.
"Thanks." Chloe said too excited to argue. Stepping out of the building she tore the envelope open with obvious enthusiam. Spilling out the contents onto the hood of her car Chloe saw that there was no note. Only a single thin news paper clipping. It was a short article from a news paper she had never heard of. Some New York paper called the Bugle. The story was about modern witches and their practices.
Scanning up to look at the date Chloe noted that this paper was printed twenty-five years ago. "Whoa! There she is." Pete said pointing to a photo at the bottem of the page.
"Who?" Chloe said, her eyes moving down to where he Pete was pointing. She didn't even need to ask. There staring at her was the all too familiar face of the woman who had been haunting her nightmares.
"Bethany Starling." Clark said.
*** 2:13 pm November 4th
Chloe studdied the paper for what seemed like the thousandth time. She had dropped Pete and Clark off at their homes promising to meet them at her house later. Since then she had been trying desperatly to learn something new. She had read the article over and over again hoping for any clue that might tell her what Bethany Starllings involvement was in all this.
Obviously she was a witch and knew a lot about magic. That was clear from the book she had written. The article was a short but indepth piece on why modern magic was not dangerous to the puclic and how witches were stero typed as evil and harmful to humainty.
Chloe thought the whole thing was bullshit. The writing and structure of the article was horrible. It made no sense but then again it had been written in the seventies.
Staring at the picture Chloe was able to make two very important observations. Besides the obvious presence of Bethany Starling in the photo, the beautiful figure standing next to her was also frighteningly familiar. All though the woman was many years younger then she had looked yesterday, the picture of Madame Black standing next to Bethany Starling was startelingly obvious. Looking at the caption at the bottem of the photo Chloe read aloud. "Monique Black."
The other thing that caught Chloe's eye as she studdied the black and white snapshot was the small silver ring that encircled the second finger from the right on Bethany Starling's left hand. Touching the cold metal of the identical ring that adorned her finger Chloe felt a chill run up her spine as a hundred questions flashed through her mind.
Was this the same ring, and if so how did the ring that Bethany Starling was wearing over twenty-five years ago get into the home of Lex Luthor? Did Eric Roberts bring it into the house? Where did he get it? Why did he have it? What was its signifigance, if any?
Suddenly Chloe felt the overwhelming urge to get the small piece of silver off her finger. Wrapping her hand around the ring she attempted to tug the small piece of metal from her finger. The young reporters brow furrowed as she pulled on the ring. It would not come off.
She recalled how easilty it had slid onto her finger. It had fit perfectly. Now she could not get it off. Frowning she tried a few more times pulling much harder but to no avail. It seemed to becoming tigher with the extra effort she put into taking it off. Sighing Chloe gaze up, setting her energy back into learning more about Bethany Starling and Monique Black.
*** 4:05 pm November 4th
Chloe's eyes burned from hours of staring at the brightly lit computer screen. Rubbing her eyes vigerously Chloe Sullivan ran the conversation that she had had with Lex through her mind for what must have been the thousandith time. She knew he was hiding something but why? If he didn't have anything to do with this then why was he being so evasive.
Frustrated at having no answers Chloe growled at the computer screen. She had tried hundreds of differnt methods in an attempt to learn more information about Bethany Starling and Monique Black and to no avail. In a desperate last ditch attempt to learn the truth Chloe tried typing in the name Bethany Starling with the word Oujia. Suddenly the screen turned black.
"Lousey computer." Chloe mumbled, hitting the side of the monitor lightly with her palm.
"Why did you do that?" A low voice appeared from behind her. Spinning in her chair Chloe turned to see the little boy from her dream. Panic seized her heart and she was speachless for a long moment before spitting out the words.
"What are you doing here? Do what?"
"I came here to stop you but I am too late. I am sorry."
"Too late? Why? "
"I told you to stay away from him. You didn't listen." He explained sadly.
"You mean Lex? Why should I stay away from him?"
"Its not safe."
"Will he hurt me?"
"I don't know."
"Does he know who Bethany Starling is?"
"Yes."
"Why is she killing all these kids?"
"She is trying to make herself stronger."
"How does killing kids makes her stronger?"
"I don't know."
"Then how do you know it helps her?"
"I just know."
"How do you know her?"
" She killed me."
"Your dead?! How come I can I see you."
"You have the ring."
"I can see dead people because I am wearing this ring?" Chloe asked shocked. Once again she got the strong urge to pull the thing off.
"Not all dead people." He shrugged. "but you can see me."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Jullian."
"Jullian? You mean as in Jullian Luthor?" Chloe stated wide eyed. "How is that possible? I thought you died as a baby."
"I grew up."
"I didn't know ghosts could age."
"You don't know a lot of things."
"So you are Lex's brother?" Her was tone incredulious.
"Yes."
"Why does he want to hurt me?"
"He doesn't."
"Then why should i stay away from him?"
"Sometimes he has to kill people."
"So its true. He realy is a murder."
"Yes." He said quietly, lowering his gaze sadly. "I love him Chloe. I don't want him to get hurt."
"What can I do to stop him from hurting people."
"Chloe, I am sorry. I have to go." Jullian said sadly, looking quickly behind him.
"Why? Where do you have to go."
"I have to go back to the darkness."
"Why?"
"Ill be safe there."
"Where is the darkness?"
"Its in between."
"Inbetween what?"
"I can't explain. I have to go. Promise me you will stay away from my brother, Chloe."
"I can't. I am sorry."
"Me too. Good bye."
A loud beeping from behind her caused Chloe's whole body to jump in surprise and swiveling her head she watched horrorfied as the computer moniror suddenly turned on. Instead of the usual flowery desk top theme she was used to seeing the screen was suddenly filled with gross images of bugs crawling across it. It looked like the monitor was filled with the fat slimey insects as they writhed and squirmed beneath the glass attempting to break their way free.
Chloe stood frozen in horror, unable to scream even if she wanted to. Suddenly the image was no longer as fake, as the multitude of creepy crawly creatures began to spill from the computer screen, tumbeling out onto her desk and scurrying across her room. Chloe shrieked and jumped to her feet as the seemingly neverending flow of insects began to infest her house. She could feel them dart over her feet and screaming she fled from her house.
Jumping into her car Chloe attempted to rationalize what she just saw but it was basically useless. This had to end. Now.
*** 4:40 pm November 4th
Screeching to a halt the young reporter's pink vechicle almost collided with the thick brick wall of the Talon as she parked her car in the nearly empty parking lot. Clammering out of her car she rushed into the building. It felt to her like she still had millions of the monsterous creatures crawling all over her body and frantically she brushed her hands over her skin in a vain attempt to rid herself of the psudo-bugs.
"Chloe are you okay?" Clark asked jumping to his feet the moment he saw the frightened young girl enter the coffee shop.
Chloe quickly looked around. The room was mostly empty for such a busy time of day. Jonathan and Martha Kent sat a few feet away, at the table where Clark was sitting, having come in to say hello to Nell. Other than a couple of high school students and an old man the place was empty.
"No, I am not all right! Where is Lex?" She asked her body trembeling as she searched the room for the familiar bald scalp.
"I am right here Chloe." Lex said suddenly appearing from his office. He was once again dressed in the all black business atire she was used to seeing. His eyes were dark and frightening. "What have you done?" The frown that marked his features was deep and fearful.
"You!" she challenged charging towards him. "You know what is happening and you are going to tell me right now. No more bullshit!"
"Clark what is going on?" Jonathan asked standing and stepping towards his son.
"I am not sure." Clark replied the concern in his large saucer like eyes was directed at his two friends as he listened to them argue.
"I don't know what you are talking about. You have driven yourself crazy with this story. You need some rest." Lex remarked coldly.
"I am not the one who needs rest! How much sleep have you had since the murders, Lex?" Chloe shouted. "You know what is going on. Tell me!!!" she screamed into his face. She was tired of all the lies. She needed the truth and she needed it now.
"There is nothing to tell Chloe. I don' t know anything."
"Yes you do." The convincing voice was female but it was not Chloe's. As one, every face in the room shifted to look at the older woman who had briskly entered the coffee shop.
"Dr. Reese?" Chloe said confused. "What are you doing here?"
"How do you know Dr. Reese?" Lex asked looking down at Chloe, a disapproving frown slipped across his face.
"She came to see me a few days ago, Alex. I turned her away. I shouldn't have." Shifting her gaze to Chloe the doctor continued in an apologetic tone. "I am sorry young lady. I should have told you the truth a long time ago."
"Why didn't you?" Chloe asked confused.
"I was afraid. Afriad I might lose my job. Afraid of what might happen if someone were to open this story up any further." Shifting her attention to Lex she spoke in a clear but firm tone. "You have to tell them what happened. Tell them, Alex."
"I don't know what your talking about." Lex hissed, his eyes blazing with an anger that Chloe had never seen before. "I think you need to think about your job, Doctor." He punctuated the last word with a sharp growl.
"I am thinking about my job. There is a young girl who is dying, Alexander. She is my paitent. Only you can help her. Only you know what happened on that day two years ago."
"I don't know anything. I can't do anything for her." His voice was very firm and convincing causing Chloe to suddenly began to wonder if perhaps he *was* telling the truth.
"You were there on that Halloween two years ago." Dr. Reese spoke calmly.
"I don't remember that. Leave me alone!" Lex shouted, turning away from the authorative woman before quickly moving towards the exit.
"I have the pictures." She shouted to his back, holding up a handful of snapshots.
Lex paused in his steps, a trapped look suddenly springing to his eyes. "Alice Fincher needs your help." she continued, her voice shifting to a plea.
Bowing his head, Lex looked lost in thought as he carefully contemplated her words.
"Wait a minute, Lex Luthor was the fourth person?!" Chloe asked, staring at Dr. Reese with a look of confusion and excitement.
"Yes, Chloe. After that incident Mr. Luthor senior put his son in my care. Alexander was in shock. He never talked to me about what happened but I knew that he knew. Now I see the same silent horror in Alice Fincher's face. Except with her its differnt. She has tried to kill herself three times, Alex." Looking at Lex she continued. "You never tried to kill yourself. I can't figure it out. What made you so special? Why wern't you effected?"
"I don't know!" Lex suddenly shouted turning to face the older woman. "You think I don't wonder why?! You think the same question doesn't keep me up every single night of my life? If I knew Dr. Reese, I promise. I would tell you." As he continued to speak his voice became lower. Less angry and more somber.
"Well help us find out." Dr. Reese said paitently.
"How?" He asked silently. The look in his eyes was like a caged animal, sad and trapped.
"Remember what hapened." she said quietly.
( Author's note: I am on a presonal quest to get DarkAngel to finish a story she started a while ago. If you are bored right now, which you must be if you are reading this, then check out this story and let the author know what you think. http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=987850&chapter=1 )
Day 4 part 3
*** 11:36 am November 4th
"This is it." Clark said as Chloe pulled her car into Smallvilles only public cemetery.
The place was enormous. Bright colorful flowers and expressive wreaths addorned most of the head stones. There were many new looking modern graves with photo's of the deceased imbedded right into them and there were some markers that dated all the way back to the origional Smallville settlers. The cemetery was as old as Smallville itself and the look of some of the graves proved it.
Besides being very old the graveyard was also very beautiful. There was a large variety of interesting and fascinating grave markers. They ranged from small and inexpensive cement stones to very large marble constructins easily able to house extremely huge families. Some were intricatly detailed statues while others were just half moon shaped bolders.
Tree's and follage lined every available spot and leafy bushes specked with fall blossems were sporatically placed along the rows. With all the autumn trees changing the cemetery seemed to be on fire with the brilliant reds and oranges of the dying leaves. Everything looked alive as the chilly breeze blew across the graveyard.
"Where does the paper say to go next?" Chloe asked Pete, who was sitting in the back seat behind her. They had stopped by his house in order to pick him up not long after recieving the note. Pete had been playing a new video game he had been wanting for a long time when they had gotten to his house. When they had told him what was up, all though he had been winning, he quickly abandoned the treasured game in favor of the prospect of a real life adventure.
Consulting the note that Chloe had recieved in the Talon Pete supplied Chloe happily with the needed information. "It says here. M-125."
Chloe took a moment to digest the information. When she had first read the code in the Talon the numbers had sounded very odd and mysterious to her, but once she had figured out that the address was the Smallville cemerery everything seemed to fall into place.
It was Lana who had recognized the address. With her dead parents residing there she had immediatly known the location and shared the information. Not for the first time that day Chloe had been eternally grateful for the small brunettes presence. She wished that Lana could have joined them on their search but unfortunatly the responcible young woman had to work until five so Chloe had asked her to stop by her house later so they could talk some more. She was begining to really enjoy the cheerful girls company.
Scanning the cemetery, Chloe shuttered as she recalled her dream last night. The young boy from her nightmares had told her that everything would be revealed to her in a cemetery today. She could not restrain the excitement and fright that was welling up inside her at the prospect of solvnig this case. Absently she wondered what she would find that could be so revealing. A million theories flashed through her mind causing her body to tremble with the thrill of it all.
Of course, she still could not be completely sure that her dream was real. There was a small part of her mind that hoped that her dream helper had been wrong, that it was all a figment of her over worked imagination. After all if he was right, then what did that say about Lex? The boy had called him a killer. For a moment Chloe was conflicted. What was more important to her? That Lex was innocent or that this case be solved today? It was a tough decision. Chloe quickly pushed the mind boggeling thoughts out of her mind. There was no sense upsetting herself over something she could not control. She would find out the truth soon enough.
Manuevering her car down the curvy path Chloe slowly approached the section marked M. This was the last level in the cemetery. Located very far in the back on the lot, it was as close to the woods as you could get without actually being in them.
Scanning the markings, she watched carefully as the numbers on the side of the road slowly became larger until she was parked next to the area marked M-125.
"Where here." Clark said in a mock spooky tone from the passenger seat before flashing Chloe a toothy smile.
"Very funny?" she stated glancing at the farmboy next to her.
As usual Clark was wearing jeans and a red and blue flannel jacket over a white T-shirt. He looked very comfortable and casual in the clothing. Exactly like the country boy he was.
To Chloe, Clark was very good looking , but what really made him alluring was the fact that it was not intentional. He was just naturally sweet. Feeling the familiar emotion of caring for the gentle farmboy return Chloe felt a confliction flutter in her heart. Did she really *like* Clark or was the love she felt towards him brought on by a surge of lonlieness and heart- break. Clark was so kind, maybe she just wanted someone to care for her. Someone who would like her for who she was without using her.
The sorrow she had felt in the Talon threatened to resurface once more and quickly Chloe tore the negative thoughts from her mind. Refocusing her attention away from Clark, Chloe looked outside her car window. Of course the paper would lead her to the creepiest part of the cemetery, she thought. It only made sense.
The area she was looking at was well secluded, being completly surrounded by a ring of tall full dark pine trees. In the center of that ring was a very old looking black marble table and at the foot of that table was a small grey grave. Sighing Chloe felt a strong sense of forboding fill her body. According to the note, this was the place that Alison Fincher had been found.
Hopping out of her car the small blond slowly walked towards the grave, carefully taking in her surroundings. Chloe was completely alert for anyting out of the ordinary as she approached the headstone. She did not want a repeat of what had happened earlier that day. Although Clark's and Pete's presence definatly made her feel much safer, still, it was not like either one of them were invincible or anything. She had to be careful.
The tiny hairs on the back of the young reporters neck rose at the sight of the ominous stone marker. It was very small and obviously very old. Age had clearly gotten the better of it as errosion had fadeded all traces of the name and date, leaving only a rough unreadable exterior. Chloe sighed. Perhaps it had never even had a name on it she considered. Not all graves were marked.
"Why do you think she came here?" Clark asked kneeling next to his friend to study the unmarked grave.
"I don't know." Chloe replied mistified. "To be honest I expected this grave to have something to do with Lex. All the other places the bodies were found had something to do with him."
"Yeah. I don't doubt it." Pete interjected. "This is probally the grave of his great great great grandfather or something. He probally taught Lex everything he knows about witchcraft." Pete spoke in a snide tone.
"I doubt it." Clark said frowning down at the grave. "Maybe, the fact that the locations were related to Lex was just a coincidence." He suggested looking over to Chloe. "I mean, a lot of things in Smallville have to do with him. Lex is a big name pretty much where ever he goes."
"Yeah but i think that it is more than that." The reporter stated standing and brushing her hands off on her jeans. Scanning the ground around the grave Chloe looked around for anything that stood out or seemed out of the ordinary. Chloe did not like talking about Lex. The subject had become a very sore spot for her and immediatly she regretted bringing it up.
Dead leaves crunched under her feet loudly as she began walking towards the pitch black table. It was a very interesting structure. She had seen graves shaped like this before but had forgotten the correct terms for them. Running her fingers along the smooth finish the young reporter was surprised to see that the writing on the top of the table was in another language. Just what language it was, was beyond her high school knowledge but the writing was very elegant and alluring.
"Do you recognize this writing?" Chloe quickly asked both Clark and Pete.
Pete frowned and shook his head.
"No but I recognize this." Clark said running his finger along a shape burned into the marble. The black on black was so perfectly matched that it took a moment for Chloe to see what Clark was gesturing towards. Looking closer at the the symbol the young reporter immediatly recognized what he was refurring to. It was the sign of the lacrose.
"I don't understand. Why would the symbol of a sacrafice appear here. Alison Fincher didn't even kill herself." Chloe stated confused.
"Yeah but she was supposed to." Clark reminded his friend.
"We dont know that for sure." Chloe replied, giving Clark a studding look.
"Why do you think she was out here?" Pete asked running his hand along the scorched symbol.
"I don't know. " Chloe worked her mind furiously struggling to make a connection.
"Maybe its just a coincidence that she was found here." Clark began slowly. "I mean, she was out of her mind, right? Couldn't she have just been wandering around, lost. This could have just been where she ended up. After all its not too far from her house." Clark said.
"I don't know. That sounds reasonable but some how i doubt it. Everything about this case seems to be very deliberate. i don't believe it is all just some random coincidence. I think this place has a meanng."
"What do you think it is?" Pete asked curiously.
"I don't know." Chloe said dusting her hands off against each other. "I really wish i knew who was burried here." she muttered as an after thought gesturing towards the grave.
"Maybe someone in the main office knows." Clark suggested stepping away from the grave .
"I suppose thats as good a place as any to try." Chloe admitted giving Clark a grateful smile. She was really glad that he had joined her. She definatly did not want to be in a cemetery alone right now. "Thanks for coming with me." Chloe suddenly stated her voice filled with apprcieation. "I don't know what i would do without you."
"No problem, Chloe. You know i would do anything for you." Clark replied, looking very serious.
Smiling shyly Chloe looked down at her feet. She couldn't help it. Although she had convinced herself that she was over Clark, when he looked at her like that it was hard to repress old feelings. How could she not adore someone so genuinely sweet and honest. "Thanks Clark. Your a good friend. You too, Pete." she said turning to the other boy in the group. "You guys are the greatest."
"Thanks. Your not so bad yourself, Chloe."Pete said, an uncontrolled grin spreading across his face and the hint of a blush standing out against his dark complexion.
"Yeah Chloe. You definatly make life more interesting. " Clark said his eyes twinkeling and his typical smile once again spreading across his face. Slowly he walked around the car towards the passenger seat.
"Right. Life would be boring with out you." Pete stated as he hopped into the back seat. "Without you who would drag me around town every week trying to solve some random mystery?"
"Not every week." Chloe stated with mock hurt but the fact that she was beaming as she started up her car gave away the fact that she was really touched.
"I hope the person in the office knows something." Clark said as they began to move towards the front of the graveyard.
"I think we should go to Luthor castle. " Pete said from the back seat. "We should be asking Lex Luthor what he knows. Why bother trying to put together clues when that rich creep obviously knows what's going on."
"That's not nessicarly true. Come on, admit it. Since Lex has moved to Smallville he has done nothing but try to help." Clark protested quickly.
"Maybe." Pete said huffily, crossing his arms across his chest. "But i doubt it."
Chloe was about to say a not so nice comment about Clark defending Lex but quickly thought better of it. Biting her bottem lip she held back the rude remark. Its not like she had any room to speak ill about Clarks friendship with Lex. After all she was the one who had kissed him. Chloe groaned at the memory. Taking a deep breath she attempted to control the tears that threatened to fall as her heart was pierced by the familiar pain of loss. Why was she so stupid? Why did it hurt so much?
"Are you all right?" Clark asked his friend looking over at her with a concerned expression..
"Yeah. I think I just got something in my eye." Chloe lied, using her palm to wipe away all traces of the somber emotion. "Lets go check out the office."
*** 12:21 pm November 4th
Chloe parked her car in the empty parking lot of the perfectly paved area infront of Smallvilles public cemetery office. The building was a small stone structure that looked like a large moselium. A sign attached to the front of the facade stated that Sunday's business hours were from eleven until five. Chloe smiled glad that she was not too late.
Walking between two large ivy covered collums Chloe opened the front door and walked over to the business counter. A very old grey haired man stood behind a cluttered desk. He jumped, obviously started as she suddenly appeared. "Can I help you , young lady?" the old man asked reguarding her curiously from behind two large bushy eyebrows.
"I don't know. I hope so." Chloe stated fidgeting with the paper in her hand. "I was wondering if you knew anything about the grave marked M-125."
The old man's brow furrowed and his welcoming smile vanished. "What do you want to know about it?"
"Do you know who is burried there?" Chloe asked hopefully.
A look of amusement replaced the distemper in the old mans eyes." Young lady i may be old but i am not that old." He said with a smile.
"So you don't know?" Chloe asked crushed. Disappointment oozed from her voice.
"No. I am sorry." He said shaking his head. "That grave is very old. If we ever knew the name of the person burried beneath, that information would have been destroyed in a fire that occured over a century ago. There is nothing left to indicate anything about that individual." He said regretfully.
"Oh." Chloe said, her voice a low whisper.
"Do you have any reason to connect that grave with Lex Luthor?" Chloe was surprised to hear the question come from Clarks lips. If Clark was suspicious about Lex than that was definatly not a good sign. Perhaps her inquisitive nature was just rubbing off on him.
"No." The man said shaking his head. "I don't believe that I do."
"Oh." Clark did not look disappointed.
"I guess we might as well go." Chloe said feeling defeated. Turning she began to trudge toward the door.
"Wait a minute, young lady. Your name doesn't happen to be Chloe Sullivan does it?" The man asked curiously.
"Yeah." The blond said, slowly spinning around to face the older man. "How did you know that?"
"A person came by earlier and dropped off an envelope for you." Reaching into a large stack of papers the man removed a large manila envelope. It was differnt than the one she had recieved this morning but the handwriting on the front was identical.
"Who gave this to you?" Chloe asked accepting the material.
"They asked me not to tell you." He said appologetically.
"Was it a boy or a girl?" Pete asked quickly.
"I am sorry young man. I cannot tell you that. I gave my word."
Pete lookd aggrivated but just nodded in acceptance.
"Thanks." Chloe said too excited to argue. Stepping out of the building she tore the envelope open with obvious enthusiam. Spilling out the contents onto the hood of her car Chloe saw that there was no note. Only a single thin news paper clipping. It was a short article from a news paper she had never heard of. Some New York paper called the Bugle. The story was about modern witches and their practices.
Scanning up to look at the date Chloe noted that this paper was printed twenty-five years ago. "Whoa! There she is." Pete said pointing to a photo at the bottem of the page.
"Who?" Chloe said, her eyes moving down to where he Pete was pointing. She didn't even need to ask. There staring at her was the all too familiar face of the woman who had been haunting her nightmares.
"Bethany Starling." Clark said.
*** 2:13 pm November 4th
Chloe studdied the paper for what seemed like the thousandth time. She had dropped Pete and Clark off at their homes promising to meet them at her house later. Since then she had been trying desperatly to learn something new. She had read the article over and over again hoping for any clue that might tell her what Bethany Starllings involvement was in all this.
Obviously she was a witch and knew a lot about magic. That was clear from the book she had written. The article was a short but indepth piece on why modern magic was not dangerous to the puclic and how witches were stero typed as evil and harmful to humainty.
Chloe thought the whole thing was bullshit. The writing and structure of the article was horrible. It made no sense but then again it had been written in the seventies.
Staring at the picture Chloe was able to make two very important observations. Besides the obvious presence of Bethany Starling in the photo, the beautiful figure standing next to her was also frighteningly familiar. All though the woman was many years younger then she had looked yesterday, the picture of Madame Black standing next to Bethany Starling was startelingly obvious. Looking at the caption at the bottem of the photo Chloe read aloud. "Monique Black."
The other thing that caught Chloe's eye as she studdied the black and white snapshot was the small silver ring that encircled the second finger from the right on Bethany Starling's left hand. Touching the cold metal of the identical ring that adorned her finger Chloe felt a chill run up her spine as a hundred questions flashed through her mind.
Was this the same ring, and if so how did the ring that Bethany Starling was wearing over twenty-five years ago get into the home of Lex Luthor? Did Eric Roberts bring it into the house? Where did he get it? Why did he have it? What was its signifigance, if any?
Suddenly Chloe felt the overwhelming urge to get the small piece of silver off her finger. Wrapping her hand around the ring she attempted to tug the small piece of metal from her finger. The young reporters brow furrowed as she pulled on the ring. It would not come off.
She recalled how easilty it had slid onto her finger. It had fit perfectly. Now she could not get it off. Frowning she tried a few more times pulling much harder but to no avail. It seemed to becoming tigher with the extra effort she put into taking it off. Sighing Chloe gaze up, setting her energy back into learning more about Bethany Starling and Monique Black.
*** 4:05 pm November 4th
Chloe's eyes burned from hours of staring at the brightly lit computer screen. Rubbing her eyes vigerously Chloe Sullivan ran the conversation that she had had with Lex through her mind for what must have been the thousandith time. She knew he was hiding something but why? If he didn't have anything to do with this then why was he being so evasive.
Frustrated at having no answers Chloe growled at the computer screen. She had tried hundreds of differnt methods in an attempt to learn more information about Bethany Starling and Monique Black and to no avail. In a desperate last ditch attempt to learn the truth Chloe tried typing in the name Bethany Starling with the word Oujia. Suddenly the screen turned black.
"Lousey computer." Chloe mumbled, hitting the side of the monitor lightly with her palm.
"Why did you do that?" A low voice appeared from behind her. Spinning in her chair Chloe turned to see the little boy from her dream. Panic seized her heart and she was speachless for a long moment before spitting out the words.
"What are you doing here? Do what?"
"I came here to stop you but I am too late. I am sorry."
"Too late? Why? "
"I told you to stay away from him. You didn't listen." He explained sadly.
"You mean Lex? Why should I stay away from him?"
"Its not safe."
"Will he hurt me?"
"I don't know."
"Does he know who Bethany Starling is?"
"Yes."
"Why is she killing all these kids?"
"She is trying to make herself stronger."
"How does killing kids makes her stronger?"
"I don't know."
"Then how do you know it helps her?"
"I just know."
"How do you know her?"
" She killed me."
"Your dead?! How come I can I see you."
"You have the ring."
"I can see dead people because I am wearing this ring?" Chloe asked shocked. Once again she got the strong urge to pull the thing off.
"Not all dead people." He shrugged. "but you can see me."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Jullian."
"Jullian? You mean as in Jullian Luthor?" Chloe stated wide eyed. "How is that possible? I thought you died as a baby."
"I grew up."
"I didn't know ghosts could age."
"You don't know a lot of things."
"So you are Lex's brother?" Her was tone incredulious.
"Yes."
"Why does he want to hurt me?"
"He doesn't."
"Then why should i stay away from him?"
"Sometimes he has to kill people."
"So its true. He realy is a murder."
"Yes." He said quietly, lowering his gaze sadly. "I love him Chloe. I don't want him to get hurt."
"What can I do to stop him from hurting people."
"Chloe, I am sorry. I have to go." Jullian said sadly, looking quickly behind him.
"Why? Where do you have to go."
"I have to go back to the darkness."
"Why?"
"Ill be safe there."
"Where is the darkness?"
"Its in between."
"Inbetween what?"
"I can't explain. I have to go. Promise me you will stay away from my brother, Chloe."
"I can't. I am sorry."
"Me too. Good bye."
A loud beeping from behind her caused Chloe's whole body to jump in surprise and swiveling her head she watched horrorfied as the computer moniror suddenly turned on. Instead of the usual flowery desk top theme she was used to seeing the screen was suddenly filled with gross images of bugs crawling across it. It looked like the monitor was filled with the fat slimey insects as they writhed and squirmed beneath the glass attempting to break their way free.
Chloe stood frozen in horror, unable to scream even if she wanted to. Suddenly the image was no longer as fake, as the multitude of creepy crawly creatures began to spill from the computer screen, tumbeling out onto her desk and scurrying across her room. Chloe shrieked and jumped to her feet as the seemingly neverending flow of insects began to infest her house. She could feel them dart over her feet and screaming she fled from her house.
Jumping into her car Chloe attempted to rationalize what she just saw but it was basically useless. This had to end. Now.
*** 4:40 pm November 4th
Screeching to a halt the young reporter's pink vechicle almost collided with the thick brick wall of the Talon as she parked her car in the nearly empty parking lot. Clammering out of her car she rushed into the building. It felt to her like she still had millions of the monsterous creatures crawling all over her body and frantically she brushed her hands over her skin in a vain attempt to rid herself of the psudo-bugs.
"Chloe are you okay?" Clark asked jumping to his feet the moment he saw the frightened young girl enter the coffee shop.
Chloe quickly looked around. The room was mostly empty for such a busy time of day. Jonathan and Martha Kent sat a few feet away, at the table where Clark was sitting, having come in to say hello to Nell. Other than a couple of high school students and an old man the place was empty.
"No, I am not all right! Where is Lex?" She asked her body trembeling as she searched the room for the familiar bald scalp.
"I am right here Chloe." Lex said suddenly appearing from his office. He was once again dressed in the all black business atire she was used to seeing. His eyes were dark and frightening. "What have you done?" The frown that marked his features was deep and fearful.
"You!" she challenged charging towards him. "You know what is happening and you are going to tell me right now. No more bullshit!"
"Clark what is going on?" Jonathan asked standing and stepping towards his son.
"I am not sure." Clark replied the concern in his large saucer like eyes was directed at his two friends as he listened to them argue.
"I don't know what you are talking about. You have driven yourself crazy with this story. You need some rest." Lex remarked coldly.
"I am not the one who needs rest! How much sleep have you had since the murders, Lex?" Chloe shouted. "You know what is going on. Tell me!!!" she screamed into his face. She was tired of all the lies. She needed the truth and she needed it now.
"There is nothing to tell Chloe. I don' t know anything."
"Yes you do." The convincing voice was female but it was not Chloe's. As one, every face in the room shifted to look at the older woman who had briskly entered the coffee shop.
"Dr. Reese?" Chloe said confused. "What are you doing here?"
"How do you know Dr. Reese?" Lex asked looking down at Chloe, a disapproving frown slipped across his face.
"She came to see me a few days ago, Alex. I turned her away. I shouldn't have." Shifting her gaze to Chloe the doctor continued in an apologetic tone. "I am sorry young lady. I should have told you the truth a long time ago."
"Why didn't you?" Chloe asked confused.
"I was afraid. Afriad I might lose my job. Afraid of what might happen if someone were to open this story up any further." Shifting her attention to Lex she spoke in a clear but firm tone. "You have to tell them what happened. Tell them, Alex."
"I don't know what your talking about." Lex hissed, his eyes blazing with an anger that Chloe had never seen before. "I think you need to think about your job, Doctor." He punctuated the last word with a sharp growl.
"I am thinking about my job. There is a young girl who is dying, Alexander. She is my paitent. Only you can help her. Only you know what happened on that day two years ago."
"I don't know anything. I can't do anything for her." His voice was very firm and convincing causing Chloe to suddenly began to wonder if perhaps he *was* telling the truth.
"You were there on that Halloween two years ago." Dr. Reese spoke calmly.
"I don't remember that. Leave me alone!" Lex shouted, turning away from the authorative woman before quickly moving towards the exit.
"I have the pictures." She shouted to his back, holding up a handful of snapshots.
Lex paused in his steps, a trapped look suddenly springing to his eyes. "Alice Fincher needs your help." she continued, her voice shifting to a plea.
Bowing his head, Lex looked lost in thought as he carefully contemplated her words.
"Wait a minute, Lex Luthor was the fourth person?!" Chloe asked, staring at Dr. Reese with a look of confusion and excitement.
"Yes, Chloe. After that incident Mr. Luthor senior put his son in my care. Alexander was in shock. He never talked to me about what happened but I knew that he knew. Now I see the same silent horror in Alice Fincher's face. Except with her its differnt. She has tried to kill herself three times, Alex." Looking at Lex she continued. "You never tried to kill yourself. I can't figure it out. What made you so special? Why wern't you effected?"
"I don't know!" Lex suddenly shouted turning to face the older woman. "You think I don't wonder why?! You think the same question doesn't keep me up every single night of my life? If I knew Dr. Reese, I promise. I would tell you." As he continued to speak his voice became lower. Less angry and more somber.
"Well help us find out." Dr. Reese said paitently.
"How?" He asked silently. The look in his eyes was like a caged animal, sad and trapped.
"Remember what hapened." she said quietly.