It's enough to make you believe in fate, to believe that some things are meant to be. What were the odds that both Clark and I would end up on that elevator that day two years ago? That it would break, sending us plummeting, forcing Clark to reveal his powers to another person for one of the only times in his life? If it had been any other two students they would most certainly have been killed. And if I hadn't met Clark that day, who would have saved me from the fall that was occurring within me? How out of control would I have gotten? How many people would have gotten hurt as my loneliness and despair grew completely out of control?

"Are you absolutely sure he recognises you, Alicia? I mean, if you were only six years old at the time…"

"Yes, I'm sure. I don't know how it's possible, but the way he looks at me… talks to me… He knows who I am," I told him. He was still holding my hand, so gently. He's the strongest guy in the world and yet he can hold my hand like that. It felt good, but I wanted more. Of course I did – I had been alone for so long, separated from the world outside.

"All right, we're going to have to get you out of here. It isn't safe. You're going to have to teleport out while no-one is looking."

I squeezed his hand so tightly I probably would have hurt a normal person. I smiled apologetically at him, but I wasn't sure he'd even really noticed. Outside, it was starting to rain. The flowers, trees were all finding something in common as the rain hit them. I longed to be out there to enjoy the world with Clark, rain or not. I was growing more certain the longer I was with him that the old bitterness and larger-than-normal need to be loved really was gone. It was a good feeling.

"There's a problem with that," I said, revealing my lead bracelet to him. "It stops me from teleporting. Besides, I can't leave. Not yet. If I go now there's no way they'll let me out in a few weeks. They could keep me here for years, Clark. I couldn't bear that," I said, struggling to keep my voice even. Clark licked his lips as he tried to think of something else.

"Well, I can't just leave you here on your own. I'll call Chloe and see if she can find anything on this guy…"

I reached up and put my hand on Clark's cheek, half-expecting him to push it away. Instead he held it there and looked sadly into my eyes.

"You have to go. You can move fast, but sooner or later someone is going to see you. And I really don't fancy trying to explain why the guy I was obsessed with is here after visiting. They'll think I kidnapped you or something!"

"Okay, okay. But listen to me… did I ever tell you about my hearing abilities?"

"I don't think so. What do you mean, exactly?"

"Well, I was still getting used to them back then, but I've got the hang of it now. I can hear things even when I'm far away from them. Alicia, if something happens, even if something's about to happen, just call my name, okay? I'll be there before you know it, no matter how far away I am."

"O-okay Clark." I was beginning to wonder just how many abilities Clark had… there seemed to be no end to them. Was it really the meteor rocks that did this to him? I've only ever gotten one power from them. For the first time I wasn't sure if Clark really had been completely honest with me back then.

"I'm going to go now," he said, but didn't move. He reminded me of those relatives who came to visit when I was younger and kept saying they'd better getting going, yet never showed any sign of getting their butt's off the sofa. Yet in Clark's case it was more than welcome. His face leaned in close to mine; I wanted to kiss him so badly, just as I had after our first date, but didn't quite dare move in. And then Clark pulled back. "Everything's going to be fine. I'll be in touch."

"Goodbye Clark," I said quietly, watching him get up and move towards the door, where he lingered for a moment before offering me a wave. Once he had gone I sat right there, heart beating a little too fast as I looked out of the window hoping to catch one last glimpse of him.

"So that's the guy you were obsessed with. I can certainly see why."

Turning my head, I saw Stacy leaning against the doorframe, a self-satisfied smirk on her face. There really didn't seem much point in getting into a meaningless war of words with her. I ignored her completely, brushing past her as I went back through to where I was sitting before. She grabbed my hand before I could get too far. I turned to face her, eyes blazing.

"Let go of me."

She leaned her face in close to me. I could still see the remnants of adolescent acne around her mouth.

"It was him who put you in here, wasn't it? And yet you still have feelings for him? How amusing. Still, Clark's in deeper than he knows this time."

Shaking my hand free of her grip I turned to the orderly. He was still watching me, but now he was doing so with a complete lack of interest. I was starting to realise that something was seriously wrong with this situation.

"How do you know Clark?"

"Silly girl. Who do you think it was that caught me? But I'm ready for him this time. I know how to hurt him."

The meteor rocks, I thought with some alarm. I'd used them against Clark myself to great effect. Had I unwittingly led him into some kind of trap? Then I remembered Clark was apparently listening in. But I wasn't sure exactly how that power worked. Could he hear everything I was saying, or would he only catch it if I called his name as instructed? I decided I'd better be careful what I said; the last thing I wanted was for Clark to come running here if a trap was waiting to be sprung on him. Still, I figured I could warn him if I timed it right.

"Hello, Miss Baker."

Behind Stacy the director of this institute, Mr Ronald Nelson, had appeared. He was smiling pleasantly at me, though there was a glint in his eyes that I didn't like.

"I'm going to need you to step into my office for just a minute," he explained. Still unsure of what was going on I followed him down the hall, the orderly very close behind me now. It was like he was going to grab me at any moment. We passed the strange man I'd told Clark about as we went, and I began to wonder if he was behind this. As if to confirm this idea he winked at me.

The office was fairly large, accommodating two large filing cabinets, Ronald's desk, and a sofa. There was also a large box sitting closed on the floor. I had no idea what was inside, but it was large enough to hold a person. Ronald himself was shaking his head. He had always struck me as a kind man in my limited dealings with him, but there was no trace of that now. Two new orderlies had joined us.

"I have to say I'm very disappointed in your behaviour," he said finally.

"Look, I don't know what's…"

"Don't pretend you don't know," he said quietly. "We pride ourselves on taking good care of our patients, Miss Baker. Now, we were all set to release you. We thought you were cured, and everything else would just be a formality. But now I realise you're sick, my dear. Now I see just how sick you really are. We failed you."

"I'm better, you know I am…"

Two of the orderlies grabbed me then. I tried to struggle but they were far stronger than me. The other was holding a straightjacket, which I looked at with horror.

"Don't make me sedate you. There's no point struggling now."

I looked at him, really looked at him, and saw in his eyes that he'd gone crazy. That strange man had done something to him. To all of them. They put me in the straightjacket, and I knew it wasn't going to end there. Roland lifted the lid off the box and they placed me inside. I thought of calling Clark… but I remembered Stacy's words. Besides, I realised I couldn't let Clark risk his secret here if front of so many people. I had promised two years ago that I would help him keep it. And if the whole truth was something he felt he had to keep even from me it was even more important I protect it.

The last thing I saw as they closed the lid was a bloated spider crawling along the inside.