They continued through the building without a word, the silence adding to Clark's very apparent unease.
"Um Mr. Luthor?"
"Hmm?"
"Where exactly are we going?" he asked with a shaky voice.
"As I said, only time will tell where this arrangement will take us." Lionel toyed in answer. Clark could feel his fear convert to anger. He knew why Lex hated interactions with his father. Everything seemed to be a play on words, a constant attempt to keep his adversaries on edge. He didn't repeat the question knowing it would go unanswered until Lionel felt the need to divulge more.
They stopped at a steel door in the basement. Lionel pressed his thumb against the keypad on the wall next to the entrance. The sound of hydraulics filled the hall as the door slid open.
The room was empty with the exception of a small table that had a model of a highway development and some buildings. Next to it was an examining table with straps and a trolley with an assortment of syringes, scalpels and cloth.
Clark started to back up towards the door. He could feel his breath quicken and his heartbeat begin to race. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the examination table.
"Relax Clark." Lionel started as he hit the remote in his hand and the door secured shut behind Clark.
"No." Clark whispered and shook his head. His mouth felt dry and he could feel the panic taking over his body. His hands were cold and he was shivering.
"Mr. Kent, I can not continue our conversation if you do not get control of your emotions. You and my son have a lot in common. He never seizes to amaze me with his obvious lack of concern for keeping his feelings in check. You are like an open book." Lionel stepped in dangerously close. "Get yourself together, I don't have all day."
Clark made a valiant effort to mask his emotions, silently angry again with himself for showing such weakness in front of this man. He cleared his throat and licked his lips, still fidgeting with his knapsack.
"Step over here and take a look at my latest business proposal." Lionel offered in a somewhat gentle tone. Clark followed him over to the table with the model display all the while being leery of the table behind him.
"What is it?" Clark asked clearing his throat again.
"It is a new plant for military experimentation, the development of military transportation and weaponry. But most importantly is the location. It is currently located on your farm, well more precisely your parent's farm." He paused and let this sink in before continuing. "I was hoping you could help me finalize its location Clark."
"You can't built there, you don't own the property and my father would never sell it to you." Clark informed him.
"Ah yes your father. He always has been a thorn in my side. Good man, stubborn to a fault, but a pain nonetheless. How do you think he would react if he knew his son's secret was on the verge of becoming a public document?"
"You can't-"
"Oh, but I can and I will." Lionel interrupted. "The choice is yours, you can leave now and let your parents suffer to maintain your secret and lose your friendship with Lex. Or, you can do the right thing and take responsibility for your uniqueness. The choice is yours to make."
Clark tried to process what was just said to him. He was struggling with the reality of the situation.
"Mr. Kent, I am an extremely busy man. Your reluctance is all the answer I need." Lionel flipped open his phone and began dialing.
"What are you doing?"
"I am taking action on your decision. I am calling my lawyers and having them draft up the purchase documents on the farm for your father to sign." Lionel stated.
"No! Stop!" Clark lunged forward but stopped short of grabbing the phone. "I'll do it. Whatever you want I'll do it just leave them out of this." The words spilled from his mouth before he knew their full implication.
Lionel smirked and his phone flipped closed with a snap of the finality of a sealed deal. "Seems my expectations of you have not been misplaced. Let's get started, shall we?"
Clark stood watching Lionel as he sauntered over to the examining table. He gently fingered the leather straps, "Strip." He demanded without looking up from the strap.
"Excuse me?" Clark asked quite sure he had misheard him.
"First lesson in our new arrangement Mr. Kent, I do not like to repeat myself. I said strip."
Clark stood there frozen with the realization of the request, "Mr. Luthor, I-"
"Lesson number two. When I ask you, no, when I tell you to do something I expect that it is done immediately. I am not going to repeat myself again. Do It Now!" Lionel commanded, his patience wearing thin as he flipped open his phone and began to dial. He watched Clark for his response and was not disappointed. The boy dropped his bag and began unbuttoning his shirt. Clark stared back at him with pleading eyes.
"Hello Lex, meet me at the mansion tonight at seven." There was a brief pause before he continued, "I don't care how you do it, just be there." Satisfied that Clark's undressing was underway he hung up the phone. His bluffing was working out nicely; Clark would be a very useful tool in the toolbox to use at will.
"Everything." Lionel clarified when Clark stood there in his boxers. Clark's eyes betrayed his thoughts.
"I have no intention of invading your person Mr. Kent. I am simple interested in your make up."
Oddly somewhat relieved Clark shakily removed his boxers. He was shaking uncontrollably from the terror that was running through every nerve of his body and he focused on trying to control his nerves. His face flushed with the embarrassment of the situation. He was naked both figuratively and literally in front of the man who would use every bit of his strengths against him.
"Rule Number One Clark!" Lionel yelled as he slammed the palm of his hand on the smooth metal table. Clark shook himself out of thought.
"What was it?" Lionel demanded.
" You… you don't like to repeat yourself." Clark stammered.
"You must learn to pay attention to me at all times if this arrangement is to remain status quo. I said get on the table. Do it now."
Clark's lower jaw started to quiver and his eyes filled with unshed tears as he shakily walked over to the table. He sat on the cold steel with his back to Lionel.
He felt hands on either shoulder. "That's a good boy, now lay down."
Clark shuddered but slowly swung his feet up onto the table and laid his head down. He couldn't remember ever feeling this vulnerable. Staring at the ceiling, unblinking he tried to remove himself mentally from the movements around him. He barely felt Lionel securing him to the table with the leather straps. At any given time he knew he could snap the straps off and break Lionel's neck with ease. Why didn't he? It would be so easy to take his life. He would be ridding the world of a man who exemplified the very essence of evil.
Emotions over took good sense and he did just that, well almost. He snapped the strap and reached for Lionel's throat.
Lionel struggled for air that wouldn't come. He rasped as he fought to talk. "I wouldn't do that," was all he managed to get out. Clark was still on his back holding Lionel by the throat off to the right of the table.
"No and why exactly would that be?" Clark asked through gritted teeth. He was shaking still now but this time it was from sheer determination not to kill this man. Feeling powerful for the first time, he loosened his grip to allow Lionel to talk.
"Do you take me for a fool Mr. Kent?" Lionel asked through his interspersed coughing.
"What do you mean?" Clark seethed.
"I have plans in place should I die that will allow my threats to you and your family to be carried out in my absence. Should I pass on your father is to be killed, your home is to be demolished and all my research on you will be sent to my son, my researchers and the media."
"Why should I believe you?"
"You don't have to believe me. Find out for yourself." Lionel challenged with an air of confidence.
Clark's eyes darted around the room looking for something that would indicate that Lionel was bluffing. Angrily he tossed Lionel away from the table, releasing his grip and the last hope of regaining control over his life.
Lionel quickly recovered and approached the table still gingerly searching his throat with his fingers for damages. He coughed gently and leaned over Clark so he was mere inches from his face. "Last chance Mr. Kent, you have tried my patience for the last time. Tell me, what are you most afraid of hmm?"
Clark blinked at the question, mouth open slightly still breathing heavily from the exertion of controlling his desires to kill Lionel. "No answer, no matter. I plan on finding out for myself at any rate."
Lionel reached over to the tray beside the table and picked up a needle. He grabbed Clark's wrist and commanded that he remain still. As the needle began to push against the skin the tip snapped in half leaving no mark on Clark's arm.
"My, my, I always said you were thick skinned but really," he mused as he stared at the needle before him.
Next he reached for the surgeon's scalpel. He re-secured his grip on Clark's wrist. "Let's try this again shall we?" Lionel's words were more to himself that to Clark. He pressed the blade to Clark's forearm and drew a line down towards his wrist. The blade did not break the skin nor did it leave any semblance of a mark. Lionel pressed harder, visibly shaking with the exertion of the effort. The blade of the scalpel met the same fate as the needle. "Interesting Mr. Kent," Lionel purred. "How is it that I am unable to break the skin but yet I have seen you bleed on a number of occasion?"
Clark's mind raced. When had Lionel seen him bleed, was it when he was exposed to meteor rock or when he had his powers stripped from him? Those were the only times he could think of that this may have been possible. Neither of these were scenarios he was willing to give to Lionel.
"I don't know," he mumbled.
"You don't know?" Lionel leaned in against Clark and whispered into his ear, "Young man I seriously doubt that. In any case I have things to see to prior to my meeting with Lex tonight." Lionel stepped away from the table picking up his coat from the back of the chair and draping it over one arm.
Clark swallowed as he eyed Lionel with suspicion, "Mr. Luthor I told you, I don't know why you can't penetrate my skin. Maybe it's because I am nervous." Clark offered trying to sound sincere.
"Oh I very much doubt that Clark. At any rate you have until tomorrow to find a solution to our little problem. I expect to see you exactly as you are now with a solution at hand at ten am tomorrow. Do I make myself clear?"
Clark couldn't bring himself to answer. He lay there letting a cold shiver run its course along his spine.
"I am sure you can see yourself out. Good day Mr. Kent." Lionel hit the button on the remote and the door opened with a loud thud and he disappeared around the corner.
Clark lay on the bed, numbness overcoming his senses. What was he going to do? He couldn't let Lionel have knowledge of the one thing that could kill him. That would seal his fate for good. But what were his options? He couldn't let his parents lose the farm or lose his friendship with Lex.
Clark dragged himself from his thoughts with the realization that the tears he had been holding back were now freely falling down his cheeks. He thought about Lionel's last words, "exactly as you are now" and his face flushed again with the embarrassment yet to come. He thought better of snapping the remaining leather straps holding him to the table and began to unbuckle them slowly as he sniffed away his frustration and tears.