Here's the next Chapter. Sorry it took longer this time. We've been crazy busy.This chapter is for all the Pete appreciators like us. Come back Pete! Thanks again for all the feedback.

Chapter 4:

As Clark ran back home, a new idea occurred to him; an idea that he wouldn't have been even close to accepting a few hours before. It was Chloe's reaction that had brought it to his mind. What if this wasn't some kind of trick? What if somehow, in a way that Clark had no hope of understanding, the stranger was able to do what he said? What if Clark really didn't exist?

He decided to go to the Talon. That was where he had last seen Pete, and even if he was no longer there, someone would have seen him. Pete was Clark's last hope; the last chance he had of believing that this world he was in now wasn't real. Pete would never betray him. If this was a game, there was no way that Pete would go along with it.

Clark super-sped to the center of town, but stopped short. He thought he must have made a wrong turn because he was standing in front of a parking garage. He looked around and saw the Fordman's store. He must be in the right place, but where was the Talon? He stopped a passing woman.

"Excuse me, Where is the Talon?"

"The old movie theater? It's been closed for years. A couple years ago, Luthor Corp bought it and tore it down."

"That's not right. They were going to, but Lana Lang made it into a coffee shop."

"Oh, it's coffee you want, is it? Well go down two blocks and you'll find the Beanery. Best coffee in town." The woman continued walking and Clark was left with a sense of dread.

He thought about the stranger. Everyone seemed to think that this life was normal. There was no way they could all be in on the "joke." They must believe it. His own friends wouldn't turn against him. Even with the strain in his and Chloe's relationship right now, he couldn't believe she would do something like this.

Just then, Clark saw the stranger leaning against the parking garage, whistling to himself. A sudden idea occurred to Clark. He grabbed the stranger's arm to get his attention.

"The game's up buddy."

"I beg your pardon?" the stranger replied.

"You almost had me, but you messed up."

"Care to explain?" the stranger replied in the same calm, unworried voice.

"Well, the Ross brother's never sold Lionel their factory right?"

"Right."

"So Luthor Corp never would've built this parking garage." Clark smiled proudly at his perceptiveness.

"I think you're forgetting something. Luthor Corp builds other things besides fertilizer plants. Smallville is not 'Luthor Free'. There's a huge Luthor Corp condominium complex south of town. It's been around for about 10 years. This parking garage is just another one of their projects 'for a better Smallville'."

Clark looked up a the immense cement building. When he looked back the stranger was gone again.

Clark felt a sudden urgency to find Pete. He thought he might as well go to the Beanery, remembering how they had all hung out there before the Talon was renovated. As he approached, he saw Pete inside, surrounded by people as usual. Pete was apparently telling them a joke because the whole room erupted in laughter. This is right, Clark thought. This is normal. The 'normalness' of the scene gave Clark the courage to walk right up to Pete.

"Hey Pete, listen, I need to talk to you."

"Okay," Pete replied, though he looked a little confused. Clark was certain he had read Pete's expression wrong in his paranoia. He was probably just worried.

They stepped outside. Clark was so happy that someone knew him that he started right into his explanation, barely pausing to breathe.

"Pete I don't know what's going on but I was in the graveyard and this drunk guy showed up and he said I didn't exist and then Lana was dead and Chloe didn't even know me and- What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Clark had just noticed that Pete was staring at him blankly.

"Umm, don't you think we should start with an introduction? That'd be helpful."

Clark felt weak as his last hope was torn from him. He replied in a tired voice, with no hope of triggering recognition. "It's me Clark, your best friend."

Pete just stared at him and then chuckled, "Look, if you want to come to my party on Saturday you don't have to pretend you're my best friend. You can come." And with that he turned to go back inside.

Pete had barely stepped into the doorway when he froze. The people were laughing again, but their laughter made Clark's stomach churn. Their words carried to where Clark stood, though they clearly didn't realize that Pete was listening.

"That Ross kid is such a joke. He thinks he's hilarious."

"At least we didn't have to listen to that lame story about his dad saving the town from Lionel Luthor when he refused to sell his creamed corn factory. I must've hear that one at least a hundred times."

"And then my wonderful daddy told Lionel Luthor he could look for a factory elsewhere." one of the boys added in a mocking tone.

Pete spun around and rushed past Clark down the street, trying to hide the tears streaming down his face. Clark strained to listen and when Pete was about two blocks away Clark heard him say to himself, "All I ever wanted was a friend."

Clark's world was shattering around him. First Lana, then Chloe, and now Pete. His hope that this was some kind of game or trick was gone. This was real; this was the life he was stuck living, alone. What could he do now? He needed someone to help him; someone to help figure out a way to make things right. Who else did he have to turn to?

As if in answer to his question, he heard the stranger's voice again, "I bet you're wondering about Lex."