Life on the edge in Metropolis wasn't bad at first. Clark managed to find a slightly cleaner but no less cheap motel the day after he arrived, after venturing out into the city a bit more, careful to stay far away from the business district. There was a small corner grocery across the street from the motel, where he managed to get enough bread, peanut butter, lunch meat, and milk he could afford weekly.
He counted his money the night he arrived, and budgeted as best he could, without knowing how long he'd have to stay there. Clark took his purchases up to the silent but pleasant enough clerk. His funds were beginning to get low, and he was getting a little worried.
He hadn't heard a word from Lex at all, and aside from calling his parents after he got settled in the motel he nicknamed "hotel happiness", he hadn't spoken to them either. Clark was basically left to fend for himself in this huge, ominous city. He was no longer protected by the warmth and comfort of the farm. Here, people were simply shadows moving at hurrying paces, offering comfort to no one—at least that's how it felt to him.
Part of it had to of been the strange feeling of not knowing what was coming next. He wasn't even sure if Lex intended to keep his promise of finding out what his father was up to. He shook his head, trying not to think that Lex would simply leave him in the hands of his father.
He knew the best thing to do was to put as much distance as possible between himself an Lionel Luthor, but there remained a part of him that was still in denial about the whole mess. Besides wanting to stay close to his family, and Lex, he often convinced himself that this would all be over soon, and his life would soon return to normal.
As Clark walked back to his hotel, his chest tightened at the realization that is was all just wishful thinking.
Clark ate his dinner of two ham and cheese sandwiches and a pint of milk, while watching one of the four channels and ancient TV set. Just as he was about to settle into a slightly fuzzy episode of Friends, the cell phone Lex sent him rang.
Of course he could only assume it was Lex that had it sent to his hotel a week ago. The man at the front desk said the person who dropped it off didn't leave a name. It couldn't have been Lex himself, Clark thought, the man definitely would have mentioned if a young, well dressed bald man had left the package.
Clark nearly tripped over the small dorm fridge grabbing for the phone. He tried to calm himself, as he felt woozy with delight at some sort of human contact.
"Hello?"
"Clark. Good, you got the phone. Look this is going to have to be quick I don't have a lot of time."
Clark forcibly calmed himself. No warmth had yet returned to Lex's voice, and there was no point in getting his hopes up for a friendly conversation.
"Its ok Lex…is it safe to talk on a cell phone..?"
"I had these phones specially equipped. As far as I know, there is no way to trace the signal."
"Ok, so what have you found out?"
"Next to nothing unfortunately. Whatever my father has planned he's keeping it more covert than usual. The lab isn't where I suspected it might be. I hate to say it Clark, but this is proving to be a lot more difficult than I imagined. But I have a few more leads to look into. How are you holding up?
Clark was slightly taken aback by the interest in his well being, but he proceeded cautiously. "I'm fine. Its not home, but things could be worse."
"The eternal optimist. Oh, as far as your folks are concerned, I think my father will stay away from them for now. He obviously isn't interested in drawing any unnecessary attention."
Clark ignored the "eternal optimist" remark. He couldn't tell if Lex was mocking him or not. He did seem a lot less angry and cold than the last time they talked, if not completely friendly.
"Thats a relief…have you seen them, I mean do they seem ok?"
"To be honest Clark, I haven't been spending much time in Smallville lately. But knowing your Dad, I'm sure they're fine. Listen I should go, I'll call you in a week."
Clark didn't like the idea of spending another week with only the television to keep him company, and tried to think of anything to keep Lex on the phone for even a few more seconds.
"Lex..I just wanted to thank you..I know, this must all seem really weird to you, but thanks for doing helping me."
He heard Lex omit a faint sigh on the other end. "Clark, despite how I'm feeling right now—well the truth is, I have no idea what I'm feeling right now, but I do know I have no intention of letting my father slice you open to see how you work."
Clark had so far managed to not think of what Lionel might do if he actually did manage to capture him. He felt a chill slide down his spine.
"Lex do you honestly think he would do something like that?"
"My father is capable of things much worst than that." He said it simply, like it was a well worn fact.
"Anyway Clark, now I really do need to go. I'll send some cash tomorrow."
Clark felt his face flush. That's the last thing he wanted Lex to do.
"No Lex, I'm fine, honestly. In fact I was planning to get a job…of some kind"
"I don't really think that's wise. You need to keep a low profile. Unfortunately, you're not exactly inconspicuous. Besides, I don't want to run around doing all this work, just to have it all end with you starving in a hotel room. Provided you can starve.."
Clark felt some sort of resolve creeping over him.
"I don't know if I can or not."
"Ok. Then I'll talk to you in a week—oh before I forget. Chloe has been snooping around and asking too many questions. I would tell her where you are, but I thought it might be too dangerous, especially considering her track record with my father."
Clark realized he'd give anything to see Chloe right now, the loneliness was driving him crazy, but Lex was right; it was far too dangerous involve her.
"No, you're right….just tell her, I don't know, tell her whatever you want, I doubt Chloe will back off—just keep her out of it, if you can"
"Good. You'll have some cash tomorrow. Goodbye Clark."
Lex hung up without waiting for him to respond. Clark sat holding the phone to his ear for a second, before realizing how ridiculous he was being. He shut the phone off and put it back in his bag.
He walked over to the window and peered down into the street. Nightfall was just descending, and the neon lights of the shops were blinking on, one by one.
Clark leaned against the window watching people walk by, going in and out of the grocery. He noticed a man wearing a gray suit enter the grocery. The man walked in and came out in less than five minutes. Clark wondered if he'd lost his way from the business district. Then, as three weeks in a neighborhood that could easily be considered a slum had taught him—you never knew what seemingly decent people were up to.