Chapter 3

(By the time Clark gets home, it is nearing midnight.  Both of his parents are sitting at the table with untouched mugs of coffee in front of them.  Clark enters.)

Martha (Jumping up to embrace him): "Clark! Oh we were so worried!"

Jonathan (After Martha releases Clark from her entangling grasp): "Lana told us you ran off.  She tried to follow you but said you-"

Clark (interrupting his father): "Dad, it happened again."

(Both of his parents are silent as they look at him.  Clark's voice is wavering uncertainly.)

Clark: "Jor-El said that I don't have any choice, that he's going to contact me when 'the time has come'..."

Jonathan: "Son, you don't have to do anything he-"

Clark (Suddenly angry): "Yeah?  What about the last time?  What about the baby?  What happens if this time it's you? or Mom? or Lana?"

(Both of his parents are silent, and Clark gets his anger back in check.)

Clark: "I just don't want anyone to get hurt, not again..."

Jonathan: "Clark-"

Clark: "I'm going to bed.  Good night."

(Clark quickly walks up the stairs and enters his room.  Sitting down on his bed, he puts his head between his hands and inhales deeply.  A faint knock is heard at the door.  Several seconds later, his mother enters.  She sits down on the bed beside him, and puts her hand across his shoulders.)

Martha: "Honey, no one blames you for the baby's death."

Clark: "Mom..."

Martha: "It wasn't your fault.  You did what you thought was right and we don't expect anything more, Clark."

(She moves her hand up and down his back soothingly, and pats him lightly on the shoulder.)

Martha: "You're our son, and nothing can ever change that."

Clark: "Mom, what am I going to do?  What happens if he tells me it's time and I don't go?"

Martha: "When the time comes, we know you'll make the right decision."

(Clark looks back at her and smiles.  They embrace momentarily, and Martha stands up from the bed.  She kisses him on the top of the head and turns to leave.)

Martha: "Good night, honey."

(She opens the door.)

Clark: "Mom?"

(She turns around and looks at him.)

Clark (Smiling): "Thanks."

(She smiles and exits his room, closing the door behind her.  Clark lies down on top of his covers and stares at the ceiling.  His mind drifts and he falls asleep.  In his sleep, he sees the ship.  He puts the key in it and it explodes.  He sees the baby inside of his mother, hears its heartbeat slowly stop.  Then he sees Lana.  She is breathing heavily and is in his arms.  Blood slowly oozes from her head.  A tear falls down her cheek to the ground.  She looks up at him, raises her self up painfully and kisses him, then falls back limp and dead.  He hugs her close to himself, crying gently into her soft hair.  Clark sits up in his bed, beads of sweat running down his face and body.  He looks at the camera, frightened and confused.  Standing up, he walks out of his room noiselessly and makes his way for the loft.  The neighbor's orange cat is sitting on the couch, balled up and purring.  Clark sits down next to it, and absent mindedly strokes its back.)

Clark: "Wish I knew what do to..."

(The cat raises its head, and much to its pleasure Clark scratches its chin.)

Clark: "What would you do if you had special powers?"

(The cat mews softly, and licks Clark's hand.  Clark chuckles softly and looks out the open loft doors at the stars.)