This is what it felt, to lose control. She growled to herself, flinging her body against the tree. That stupid, stupid tree! She let the tears crawl down her face the salt making her cuts tingle. She sunk to her knees reaching for something else under her tree. A small red case.
Clark stopped walking.
She pulled a mirror from the bag. Watching herself intently, she harshly wiped the blood from her face with the heels of her hands. She pulled several skin colored creams from the bag next. Applying them to the cuts and the places she could feel bruises forming. She smiled at herself, flawless complexion restored. Next were her hands and torn bloody jeans. She wiped her hands on the inside of the black shirt she had been wearing before, pulling it over her head, smiling as she felt it stick to the scrapes across her torso. Then her jeans were replaced by another pair under the tree. Looking down at herself she smiled. Once everything was put away she ran back to the house.
Clark watched unsure of what to do. He couldn't say he saw her, how would that be explained and she wouldn't be telling him his frown deepened. Finally he walked back up the drive to sit on the porch and wait.
She stumbled up the steps, then catching a glance at him smirked.
"Contemplating the meaning of life Smallville?"
He looked up at her. "If I am?"
"Then perhaps you have more time on your hands than I thought you did."
He didn't look up at her with a glare like he usually would have.
"Lois we need to talk."
"Talk away."
"Where were you this morning?"
"Why did something happen?" panic was evident in her voice.
"No, where were you?"
"I went for a run, not that you need to know."
He looked up at her only to find her face completely clear of lies or guilt.
"Come here. You've got something on your face."
She looked at him, heart speeding up then slowing down, she walked over to stand before him.
"Yes?"
He reached out a large hand and grazed it across her face. She didn't flinch.
Now he stuck his thumb in his mouth.
"What is it Smallville? Only children suck their thumbs."
He pulled his wet digit from his mouth and ran it across her jaw. Revealing a bit of red beneath layer upon layer of makeup.
"What do you think your doing."
But by now his hand had enclosed around her arm dragging her inside the house.
He had to act clueless.
He now held her still while he brought wet paper towels to her face rubbing at the cover-up.
"Where did you get these?"
"Training."
"For what?"
"To stay fit."
"You don't need to injure yourself to stay fit."
"I didn't hurt myself."
His eyes met hers
"Who did then?"
"I…"