The young man sighed, satisfied, and brushed his raven hair back after he placed the last two apple buckets on the ground next to the others. The harvest had been generous that autumn and the land would not disappoint its inhabitants, despite its foul sovereigns.

He looked around the small barn; there was enough wheat accumulated, as well as dry wood and hay for the animals. That winter the Kent family would not pass cold, thanks to their hard work and the aid of his… special abilities.

He was about to turn around, ready to continue his morning chores when he noticed that one of the buckets he had gathered the previous day was missing. He frowned and looked around, cautious. The blanket he kept at the entrance of the barn was gone as well. Someone had been there. A Burglar, perhaps?

Maybe they were still there.

And then, a crack. Too faint, but he had always been able to hear beyond of what others could.

The farmer studied the haystack to his left, then the leather piles to his right and finally, his gaze rested on the loft above his head.

He closed his eyes for a moment and calmed his thoughts while he allowed his senses to reach beyond. That is when he perceived another life force, one with a quick heartbeat and held breath.

It was only one person; he could take them down without exposing himself. He expected he wouldn't need to make use of certain resources, though.

He started advancing toward the stairs and the old wood of the first step protested under his weight. The heartbeat became faster.

Taking the shovel resting on the beam besides him, he went up the rest of the stairs with quick strides and once there, looked over the small place; everything seemed to be in order, but he knew the loft better than any other site in the kingdom and several things were no longer where he had let them the day before, especially the blanket that was supposed to be hanging downstairs, and not up there, covering a rounded bundle. He could see a head hidden beneath it.

Burglars were very dangerous, specially in those difficult times. He secured his hold on the shovel.

"I know you're there," he called. "Will you come out, sir? Or will I be forced to make you do so?

There was no answer, only a heart beating so strong that it seemed to pierce his ears. He didn't know why, but such thing disturbed him deeply, it made him feel uneasy and anxious. He could not understand the reason behind it.

"Sir, I don't want to hurt you, just show yourself and I will allow you to leave, there is no need to notify the sentinels about this," he repeated, trying to lend more confidence to his voice.

Again, no answer. He approached the blanket and stretched his arm slowly while the other prepared the shovel to come down, would the invader attack.

"Sir?"

Then, with a rapid movement, he pulled the blanket off and it all happened too fast; a shiny blur appeared in front of his eyes, cutting the wind and he responded bringing down his shovel to block the attack. A sharp sound echoed through the barn when metal clanked with metal.

Neither of them would back off. The farmer allowed his eyes to focus on his attacker and was surprised to find two green orbs staring at his own blue ones with a fierce expression. He felt a chill run down his back.

He retreated a couple of steps and lowered the shovel, surprised, yet the girl holding the sword would not do the same. She was dressed in traveling clothes and a green hood. There was a dagger attached to her waist and her feet were protected by thick boots. Her long, brown hair was tied in a braid and her soft features were set in a defiant gesture.

Judging by her attire, she was obviously nobility.

Nonetheless, her face was marred with dirt, the braid was about to come loose, her clothes were torn and stained and behind her, he could see the rest of the missing apples, along with the bucket that had contained them.

"I—I'm sorry… I didn't mean to… are you alright?" he asked and the girl opened her mouth, but…

"Clark!" A male voice reached their ears and the young farmer turned his head for a moment. When he looked back, the girl was already attempting to sneak past him, but he cut her path with an extended arm.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going?"

The girl scowled at him and raised an eyebrow, then spoke with a raised chin. "Look, the apples were delicious, though the accommodations could certainly improve, and yes, you are forgiven for trying to smash my skull with your… weapon, but I can't stay to play with you. I must go."

She tried to get past him again, but he kept blocking the way.

"What? You were the one who attacked me first!" he objected.

"Clark!" The male voice called again, more urgent this time.

"Yes, yes, and that excuses you for assaulting a poor, defenseless maiden? My goodness, are all farmboys this considerate?" she mocked.

"I… huh… you…" Affronted, he tried to retort, but somehow the words wouldn't come. He couldn't believe her! She had just entered his family's property, stole their food, slept in his loft, attacked him, and now she was calling him inconsiderate? Who was this girl?

"CLARK!" The man called once more. This time, the anxiety in the voice was unmistakable.

Clark looked down and this time he opened his senses for a second time to see what was upsetting his father so much. He held his breath when he found out the reason.

Meanwhile, the girl put her hands to her hips and tapped one foot. "Listen farmboy, I know you must be thrilled at the possibility of a hay stacking partner, but I already said that I must go. Now, if you will excuse me…" She tried to get past him a third time, but Clark pointed at her with a menacing finger.

"No, you will stay here until I come back, madam, or I will turn you in to the sentinels standing right outside this barn."

That seemed to do the trick. She froze at this and her face became pale in an instant. Clark congratulated himself, unexplainably pleased for getting the upper hand.

"You are telling lies…" her voice kept a slight fearing tone.

"Do you wish to find out for yourself? I am not lying, now, be a good trespasser and stay here. Will you?" he replied.

She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes, containing herself, but nodded with resignation and slowly retreated to her previous hideout. Clark turned to leave, but before that, he looked at her one more time. "By the way, who are you?"

Her lowered gaze danced for an instant before answering, "Lois, Lois… Lane." Of course, she made a point in not revealing the suffix that gave her family their elevated position.

Clark nodded at this and went downstairs.

"Mother, Father, what is going on?" Clark asked, once outside.

"Oh Clark, will you come next to me, please?" her mother requested, extending her hand to him, which he took and did as told. His father remained silent, arms crossed over his chest. His face revealed a hard expression; he obviously didn't enjoy the intromission into their quiet lives.

"Is he the only other person who lives here?" asked the stout man standing in front of them. He was wearing a tabard with the golden "L", insignia of the kingship of the Luth-Ors. Next to him, three armed sentinels mounted guard. They could not be collectors, Clark reasoned. The levy had occurred only a month ago.

Martha Kent put a hand over his son's chest and nodded while saying, "he is, our farm is very small and we need no more help."

The man eyed the trio and grimaced. "Still, we need to search your property. Those are the orders," he said and proceeded to advance toward the small house that served as home for the family.

Jonathan Kent finally spoke, his voice bringing the men's steps to a halt. "And why is that? What are you looking for? Why are there dozens of sentinels searching every house in the entire town?"

"Jonathan…" Martha touched his shoulders. One did not upset the king's soldiers. However, the man turned to them with a tired gesture. It seemed it was not the first time he had faced the inquiry.

"I am not to be questioned by a farmer, but I will answer, for the King desires his subjects to know about it. Two weeks ago, a dangerous woman escaped the castle's cellars and her capture is of great importance for the kingdom's security."

"But what is a criminal to do here, in Littleville? It's a long way from the capital," Clark asked, ignoring her mother's scowl. Could it be possible that the girl in the loft…

"We don't know if she is here. We are only making sure. Now, you've asked enough." The man continued his way and, with a gesture, ordered the sentinels to enter the house. He then looked at the barn.

"And what do you keep in there?" he asked the Kents, jerking his head toward the rustic construction.

Martha answered, "oh, our provisions, grain… you can search there as well, if you lik--"

"But I have been working there all morning and there is no one else inside," Clark interceded. Somehow, this Lois didn't seem like a criminal to him. Rude, no doubt, but not a criminal. Besides, when a Luth-Or pointed someone as a felon, it was usually an innocent who had made the unforgivable mistake of opposing their wishes.

The man hesitated for a second, the boy said the barn was empty, and he was tired, he wanted to finish this stupid mission and sit in a cool tavern with an ale in his hand. In that moment, the sentinels left the house, indicating with a gesture that their search had been fruitless.

"Fine. We will be gone now. If you notice something strange or have word of this woman, you are to notify the authorities, understood? Don't attempt to capture her yourselves. There might be a reward for those who cooperate in this matter."

"We will do that," said Jonathan with an impatient tone. The soldiers mounted their horses and quickly disappeared down the road.

Martha sighed. "They finally left," she said. "Those men make me really nervous. Jonathan, who do you think they are really looking for?"

"I don't know, sweetheart," Jonathan put an arm around her shoulder.

Clark directed his eyes to the barn and said, "I think I know." Then he paced back inside and climbed the loft stairs. His parents looked at each other, confused, but followed suit.

"Lois? Lois, are you still here?" he called once he reached the top.

"Who are you calling, son? Who is Lois?" asked his father, but the answer came when a young woman appeared behind a pile of logs.

"Are they gone?" she peered down, as if expecting to see the sentinels enter at any moment.

"Yes," Clark said and then addressed his parents. "Mother, father, I found this girl hiding here, I have the feeling this is the 'dangerous criminal' the sentinels were looking for. Am I right, Lois?"

She tilted her head and glared at him. "Do I look like a dangerous criminal to you, farmboy?"

Martha gave a step closer and put her hands on Lois' shoulders, who wisely, didn't back off. "But look at her, she is just a child! Are you alright? Why were those men looking for you? Your name is Lois, right?" she asked, moved by the girl's soiled face and how thin and scared she looked, no matter how valiantly she tried to hide it.

"Y—yes, that is my name."

Jonathan had a soft heart as well, but he also had a family to protect, and he knew that the last thing they needed was to catch any kind of attention.

"Young lady, please, answer my wife's question and tell us, why are the sentinels moving heaven and earth to find you?"

Lois looked at the woman holding her compassionately, then the man staring at her with a hard glare and then, the boy behind, observing the scene with a set jaw.

She breathed deeply before answering, she felt so tired. "I… I never acknowledged I was the object of their search… I was merely cold and hungry and in need of a place to spend the night. I am sorry for intruding on your property. I will leave now."

"No, wait!" Clark caught her by her wrist and Lois turned to see him with those same, fierce eyes. This time, however, Clark noticed they were surrounded by dark rings.

"Let go of me now!" She yanked her hand free and reached for the hilt of the sword at her hip.

Jonathan gave a step forward, Martha took a hand to her mouth and Clark raised his hands, but it was all Lois saw, because in that moment her head felt light and her vision darkened, the sound of her sword hitting the floor was vague and distant and then, she knew no more.