Chapter 68 - Threats

Clark had never had to sneak into the mansion, but he found it ridiculously easy. The security had never been as great as Clark might have expected, but even if they had been world-class, he doubted they could have competed with his powers.

He expected to find Ryan up and about. Ryan had been doing well over the past few weeks. He had spent a lot of his time at home, because at any moment he might need medical assistance, but he had been able to do some schoolwork, and Lex had brought him in some tutors for different subjects he liked. So when Clark found Ryan in bed connected to an IV, he couldn't help but worry.

Ryan gave Clark a weak smile, though it seemed like there was some thing more than weakness there. Some thing in the way his eyebrows knitted together and his forehead wrinkled, something like worry. Maybe fear. Maybe focus. Clark wished he could put his finger on it. "Hey. Everything OK? I thought you were doing better."

"I am…" Ryan's voice trailed off even as he stared Clark directly in the eyes.

"Um, Lex didn't tell me you were back on the IV."

"Pamela has been taking care of me, and she hasn't told Lex yet. She didn't want to worry him while everything else was going on at the plant."

"Yeah, it's been crazy. His entire staff just announced a mutiny."

"I heard."

Clark found that interesting, since he doubted either Lex or Pamela would have told him, but he didn't comment on it. It wasn't what he came to talk about. "Hey, I don't know if you're up to it, but I was wondering if you could do us a huge favor."

"What's up?"

"Well, none of the sabotage we've been seeing could've happened if there wasn't a spy on the inside. I'm wondering if you might have a walk around the mansion, or I could roll you around if you want to get a wheelchair."

Ryan swallowed. "Was this Lex's idea?"

Clark winced. "What Lex doesn't know won't kill him. But that saboteur might."

"Oh..."

"I know. But when I brought up the idea to Lex, he sort of freaked out, he didn't want to get you involved."

Ryan nodded slowly. Once again, Clark really wished he could tell what Ryan was thinking.

"Honestly, I just wish I had thought of this earlier. Could've saved us a lot of trouble."

Ryan's eyes shone. "I wish you had, too."

Now Clark was really worried. He came to sit down on the side of the bed. "What's going on?"

"He threatened me. Told me I had to keep quiet."

"Who?"

Ryan looked away, licked his lips, and took a deep breath. "Lex."

Clark blinked a few times. The biggest reason he had been able to hold onto his trust in Lex even while everybody else gave up on him was that they had a mind reader on their side. And by default, Clark would have trusted his best friend no matter what anyone else said, but if an actual mind reader started insisting that Lex really was at fault… "Why haven't you told me this before?"

"It's not safe to talk openly. There are eyes and ears everywhere."

"No, not in your room."

"Especially in my room."

Clark shook his head. He was having a hard time taking it in. "There's no spy?"

"The security is bad, but —"

"It's bad on purpose? To leave room for doubt?"

A tear traced its way down Ryan's cheek. "Clark, you have to understand what I'm telling you. I can't talk openly, he's threatening me, but you have to know, your safety is my number one concern."

"No, no, you worry about yourself."

Ryan looked up and away. "Clark, I'm in worse shape than Pamela. I'm not gonna make it until Lex finds a cure anyway."

"Is he searching for a cure or not?" Clark had seen all of the data from the experiments; he didn't think it was possible that Lex could've faked all of it, but he also didn't think it was possible that Lex could've been threatening Ryan, or sabotaging himself.

"It's all about the experiments for him. The power, the money."

"Ryan, you've always told me that he really cared about us. You've been reading his mind all this time…"

Something like anger filled Ryan's eyes. "You're not understanding! I can't talk freely!"

"Then what about now, hm? Why are you telling me all of this now?"

"There isn't much time. I'm in danger, Clark. Everything's about the experiments. Even at the plant. And that drug prototype, it isn't ready, it's dangerous…"

"Lex said he wasn't going to use it on anybody until they finished more simulations."

"I can see into his mind, Clark." Another tear rolled down his cheek. "And it's too late."

Clark felt a horrible sinking in the pit of his stomach.

"I'm sorry, Clark. I wish I could've helped sooner. But… I have to make sure you're safe…"

"I just… I don't understand…"

"You have to understand. You have to understand what I'm saying."

"What are you saying?"

"He's forcing me to say things that aren't true. But you need to know the truth. It's too late for me, but it's not too late for you."

Clark stood up. "I'm going to talk to him."

Ryan nodded. "That's a good idea."

Clark put a hand on Ryan's shoulder and patted a few times. "I'm not gonna let Lex hurt you."

Ryan lowered his head, letting out a couple of quiet sobs. "You don't understand… I wish…"

"I'll be right back."

Ryan took Clark's hand and gave it a quick squeeze. His grip was so weak, his skin so pale. Clark almost didn't want to leave him alone.

He hurried from Ryan's room into the study. His mind raced, trying to make sense of everything he had seen and heard over the past hour, the last few weeks, and even the last couple of years. He really believed he had known Lex—no, he knew he had. Ryan had to be confused, had to be misinterpreting some thing he had heard in Lex's mind. But he was so scared. And he kept saying it was too late; what was that all about? And if his first concern was Clark's safety—not that Clark agreed it should be—why hadn't he stepped up sooner? Had he just been scared? He hadn't seemed scared all this time. Something had changed.

Clark didn't knock when he entered the study. Lex gave him a curious look from his desk. "Security didn't tell me you were coming."

"I snuck in." There was no remorse or apology in Clark's voice.

Lex stood up, his own voice hardening. "Clark, what's going on?"

"You tell me. I just spoke with Ryan."

"Getting him involved in this, in my fight? Clark, I told you—"

"You didn't want him to get involved. He said it was because of his safety, but is that really all it is?"

A thick silence fill the room. When Lex spoke again, his voice was very low, almost dangerous. "What have you heard?"

"Is it true?"

"You'll have to give me more than that, Clark."

"Did you threaten Ryan?"

Lex swallowed. "What happened?"

"Just answer the question, Lex. "

"You've known me for a while now, Clark. Be rational. Is that the kind of thing I would do?"

"I didn't think so. But maybe it's all about the experiments to you. Maybe you've been playing me all this time, and Ryan hasn't felt safe to speak up until now, now that his life is on the line."

"His life?"

"The drug prototype, Lex. I thought we weren't going to try it on anybody until it was ready."

"We're not."

Clark stared at him for a moment, then he stalked out of the room and went down towards the experiment room. He knew exactly where the drug was supposed to be kept.

"Hold up, Clark! I moved it."

Clark whirled around to face him. "Why?"

"Easier access for the scientists, who still don't know about the experiment room. Come back into the study."

Clark took a deep breath. He needed to keep his mind focused and not fly off the handle.

He followed Lex back into the study, where Lex opened a panel on one of his cabinets and entered in a security code. A metal safe opened, and some foggy condensation cleared away to reveal an empty chamber.

Lex's face went pale. "Clark, I swear—"

But Clark wasn't listening anymore. He ran out of the study and over to Ryan's room.

"Ryan?" he called, rushing over to the bed. "Ryan!"

Ryan's eyes were open, glassy and staring at the ceiling. He didn't respond.

"Ryan!" Clark shook his shoulders, tapped lightly at his cheeks. They felt cold. Finally, he pressed his fingers into Ryan's neck, feeling for a pulse.

There was nothing.

A/N: This is random, but it's release week for my science fiction novella! Drama, angst, friendship, family, and robots ;) Info at kaylienight dot com!