Morning found all three men still sleeping as Lionel opened the door to the room. He crinkled his nose at the smell of damp and sweat that filled his nostrils. Lex stirred slowly opening his eyes and squinting against the light from the hall. One of Lionel's men turned the lights on brighter as Lex struggled to sit up. He squirmed into a sitting position with a great deal of difficulty. His shoulders screamed from his arms being bound behind him for the entire evening and his hands had long since fallen asleep.
"My, my you three are looking a little worse for wear. Maybe if Lex here can pull this off today without any screw-ups I'll consider providing a few comforts. Maybe a mattress and a bed pan for starters." Lex remained sitting looking up at his father trying to keep the contempt out of his eyes.
Clark stood up and met Lionel's gaze with full force. "You rotten bastard, you said if I did what you wanted you would leave my family and friends alone."
Lex watched knowing his father would see humor in Clark's words. Clark always was too trusting for his own good.
"Clark, son, I do believe that I gave you an opportunity to be completely honest with me. I warned you of the repercussions of lying to me and yet you still tried to deceive me. Never try to cheat a cheater Clark."
"I believe that by now my son has filled you in on his plans for the day. He had hoped that you would be available to act as the best man but I'm afraid that just won't be possible. You see you will be otherwise occupied and with so many people looking for you it would be difficult to explain away your presence."
"Lionel, I don't understand why you are doing this. He's your son, don't you get that."
"Why yes Jonathon, I do in fact get that as you say. It is because he is my son that he has survived this long. Without me and my influence he would have been found dead in a ditch a longtime ago. Isn't that right Lex?"
Lex closed his eyes and resolved himself to follow through with ensuring nothing like what happened the previous night would happen again. He opened his eyes and stared into his father's, "Yes sir."
"Hmm, this is a change from your attitude last night. Does that mean that your little lesson has sunk in?"
"Yes."
"Wonderful." Lionel smiled and rubbed his hands together. "So I can expect your full cooperation for today's event then?"
"Yes." Lex said again with no emotion just pure focus.
"Take my son upstairs and get him cleaned up. He has a big day ahead." Lionel softly chuckled, "I was going to say that you only get married once but we know that isn't the case is it son."
Lex didn't respond he just turned slowly so the guards could hook his wrists from the chains on the wall.
As he was lead past his father he stopped, "If I do this, if I cooperate fully will you guarantee their safety?"
"Nothing in life is a guarantee Lex." Lionel purred.
"I'm not asking you for their freedom dad. I know that won't happen. All I'm asking for is that they remain uninjured and that they are made comfortable. Move them into a half decent room, one of the spare rooms. Don't leave them down here like this."
"How about we just concentrate on making it through the day Lex. Then we will see what little rewards you can win for your friends here."
"You bastard, you can't just dangle our wellbeing in front of your own son like a carrot." Jonathon shouted in anger. "Lex don't do this. Don't take on this burden."
"Too late Jonathon, Lex has made up his mind and if I were you I would seriously consider taking a lesson from him. He seems to care a great deal for your son and is willing to make certain sacrifices to ensure his wellbeing. Maybe you should think about doing the same." Lionel calmly retorted then he turned back to his guards, "Take him up to his room."
Once the door was shut behind them Lionel slowly sauntered across the room towards Jonathon and Clark stopping briefly to run his fingers alone the chains that had secured Lex.
Clark took a few steps back as he approached him. "Well Clark what do you say you get some fresh air today. You have been cooped up in here long enough. It's starting to take its toll. You look dreadful. Did you have a rough night?" He asked rhetorically with a knowing grin.
Clark didn't say anything he just stared feeling the fear chill him making him start to shiver.
"Clark, you really do need to mind your manners. When someone asks you a question it isn't polite not to provide an answer. Did you have a rough night?"
"You know I did." Clark spat.
"Back off Lionel!" Jonathon chimed in.
Lionel ignored Jonathon for the time being and continued with Clark, "I have your first job lined up for you for today Clark."
"What do you mean job?" Clark asked skeptically.
"In this folder I have a list of places I need you to visit. At these places are a few items I would like for you to retrieve for me. I'm sure that with your speed and strength you shouldn't have any problem bringing them to me."
"What kind of things?"
"Lionel-" Jonathon started but Clark interrupted.
"It's okay dad. What kind of things?" He demanded again.
"Oh just a few odds and ends, loose ends to tie up from previous dealings. The list is there for you. I am sure you will find it quite comprehensive." Lionel passed Clark the folder. "How is your strength today Clark? I know last night you were feeling a bit drained. I trust a good nights sleep without struggling against your restraints should have you almost back up to full capacity."
"I feel fine."
"Good, lets not waste anytime then." Lionel undid the chains at Clark's wrists leaving the cuffs securely in place.
"I'm not going anywhere until you let my father and Lex go." Clark stated with finality.
Lionel simply laughed at the attempted bargaining. "You just don't understand do you son. You don't have a choice. You could learn a lesson from Lex. It seems he has finally learned his place in this arrangement. Please don't make me repeat myself; I am sure you remember the rules of this deal. Rule number one: I don't like to repeat myself."
"You broke every part of this deal we had! You went against your word and now you expect me to follow your stupid rules!"
"Temper, temper Clark. You know what they say 'don't deal with the devil'. I'm afraid that your blatant disregard for my authority is putting your father's well being at stake, so go ahead and keep talking."
Clark lunged forward at Lionel slamming him up against the wall. His forearm pinning Lionel's throat. He was shaking and his face was mere inches from Lionel. Suddenly his whole body screamed out in pain and he fell to the floor at Lionel's feet. Lionel stepped over him and walked over to Jonathon who was yelling for Clark.
The pain subsided and Clark slowly raised himself up onto his elbow staring at Lionel. Lionel grabbed Jonathon by the arm and roughly pulled him closer. He pulled out a syringe from his pocket and before Jonathon could pull away Lionel jabbed it into his upper arm. Jonathon screamed out in pain.
"Dad!"
"Your decision Clark!" Lionel yelled as he roughly dragged a now heavily drugged Jonathon closer. "Get up and retrieve my things and I may let your father live!" Lionel glared angrily at Clark, "You have to the count of ten to decide. One! Two! Three-"
Clark rose to his feet looking entirely beaten.
"Good boy." Lionel let Jonathon fall to the floor.
"What are you going to do to him?" Clark asked meekly.
"That's up to you Clark. Get my things and I will let him live. You have until 10 this evening to drop the items at their designated locations. Don't do it and your father will pay dearly."
Clark retrieved the paper from the floor where it had fell. He glanced down at it. When he returned his gaze to Lionel it was one of disbelief. "There are people's names on this list?"
"How very astute of you to notice. Yes there are in fact people's names on that list and I expect them brought to me by 10 pm tonight. Is that going to be a problem for you?"
"I can't bring people to you to be killed."
Lionel chuckled at the simplicity of this boy. "Who said anything about killing them Clark. I just want to discuss a few things with them. If you have an issue with that then I am sure your father will understand."
Lionel crossed the room, opened the door and called for his guards. Passing them the key to Jonathon's chains Lionel instructed them to bring him to the master bedroom and get him cleaned up. As he followed them out the door he turned back to Clark who stood in silent debate.
"Don't be late." He turned and started to walk out the door. Stopping again he turned back, "Oh, I almost forgot. Don't try anything foolish. You're fast but not fast enough to be in two places at once. There is no way you could rescue your father and Lex at the same time. Don't test my resolve son just do as your told."
Lionel walked out of the room and left the door open for Clark to start his treasure hunt. Staring down at the paper that was shaking in his hands he decided to start with the small objects first and work up to kidnapping later in the day.