'Why can't I fit in here? Why?' Anthony thought to himself as he slumped down the wall of his small apartment. Suddenly, there was a knock at his door. Anthony grabbed a wet wash cloth and pressed it to his bloody nose as he walked to answer the door. "Clark?" He said as he opened the door.
Yes, Clark had followed him to see if he was okay. "Hi Anthony, I just wanted to see if you were okay. You took a pretty harsh beating back there." Anthony looked up at Clark with eyes that seemed to tell his story for him. It made Clark feel nervous and afraid. "But then again, you sure taught John and the gang a lesson or two. What was it that you used?" Anthony cracked his knuckles before he answered.
"It was just some advanced Kung Fu. That and some viciousness." Anthony laughed quietly at Clark's reaction. Clark smiled and kindly slapped Anthony's side. To Clark's surprise, Anthony yelled out and collapsed in pain. "Agh, dammit!" He yelled as he held his ribs.
"Anthony! You okay?!" Clark asked as he helped Anthony stand up. "I'm fine. Listen I have to go. Don't know if I'll be in school tomorrow." Clark looked puzzled, but understood. He just had one more question. "Where are your parents?" Anthony looked up to Clark with those eyes again.
"They're gone." Clark apologized, but Anthony seemed in a rush to go. The air became cold around Clark. He shivered slightly as Anthony quickly waved him off. The door was closed in Clark's face. He knew what it was like. To be lonely, to be hurt. Just then, Clark thought to tell his parents about Anthony's odd behavior. Meanwhile, behind the door, Anthony was gasping for air.
"It's h-happen-ing ag-again…" His breaths for air became loud and violent. Quickly, he held out his hand and waved it around. The air around him became warm and welcoming, as his breaths calmed to normal. He looked up and peered around his apartment. "Time to become my own friend again…" he mumbled.
Kent Farm
"I'm telling you dad, the kid caught a serious beat down. But then he just turned the fight! I followed him and asked if he was okay, but he just shut me out." Clark said.
"Well, how are his parents? Are they nice people?" Asked Martha Kent, Clark's mother. Clark looked up and replied "Well, he said that they were gone. I don't know if they are alive."
Jonathan Kent, Clark's father stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Clark, not everyone will have a happy life. Just try to be a friend. You never know, you might be able to save him as well." He laughed to himself as Clark smiled softly. The phone rang.
"Hello?" Clark asked. It was Lana and she wanted to know where Anthony lived. She was going to try and make things up to him. "He tried to protect me, and I feel terrible for what happened. I have to thank him." She added. Clark was never able to resist Lana's sweet voice. Soon, he told her where to go. "Lana, just be careful. He wasn't exactly the nicest person when I spoke to him today. I'll talk to you later." With that, Clark hung up the phone.
Lana hopped onto her favorite horse and smiled as the near-night air caressed her cheeks. She was off towards the small apartment, riding with such a grace that declared a certain expertise. She heard that Anthony was a little depressed. Lana knew what it meant to be hurt. She was alright with it as well. At least that's what she thought. Upon arriving at Anthony's apartment, she heard screams coming from inside the house. The front door was open and from what Lana could tell, the place looked trashed. Jumping off of her horse, Lana clenched her fists. She felt ready for anything.