Chapter 5: Accusations and the World Goes On

I don't know how long I was out. I remembered pushing myself to the limit to locate the Prowler who was frantically searching for me outside the mansion. I remembered Lex's voice asking me questions, and my worry that I was proving to be too much to handle. Guilt came after that, and I couldn't help but keep piling it on. I was responsible for all of this panic and pain. I was going to get innocent people, including Lex, seriously hurt.

When I woke up, I was blinded by bright sunlight. I panicked instantly, thinking I had somehow gone blind from my push the previous night. I blinked furiously for a solid minute and was soon relieved to see my vision clearing. When I could finally see, I was in my boom, laying on the bed and covered in blankets. The curtains over the window had been flung open to let in the cheery morning light. Despite the shine though, I didn't feel so cheery myself.

My head pounded painfully as I forced myself into a sitting position and looked around. I was alone in my room with a side table pulled over with a pitcher of water and a glass on top of it. I leaned over and poured some water into the glass and drank greedily from it. As I set the glass back down, I heard a door slam shut somewhere in the mansion. I tensed at the forced anger from the slam, and waited for a sharp voice or yell to come with it. Instead, there was only the pounding of feet as someone stomped through the halls. Another door slammed, and then there were muffled raised voices.

The voices obviously belonged to Lex and his father, and I could tell that it wasn't a good conversation. It was more of an argument, and it didn't take a detective to tell that I was the center of the argument. I could hear Lionel accusing me of being the Prowler's accomplice, citing reports that the man could have had a partner in some of his crimes. Lex was doing his best to defend me, but I could sense the doubt in his tone. After last night, I don't think he was very sure of my innocence, but I was. There was no way I had worked with this man, unless that was what Zeed had wanted. That made my blood run cold.

I brought my knees up and hugged them to my chest, trying to cut myself off from the noise coming my way. When I couldn't take it anymore, I stood up and padded to the open door of my room, intent on closing it. Before I could, Lionel suddenly appeared in the doorway, startling me greatly.

"Mr. Luthor." I mumbled. He glared at me in return.

"You," He said, pointing a finger at me. "You brought that Prowler here last night."

"What?" I whispered, aghast at what he was implying.

"You're merely playing a victim. This man isn't trying to 'kill' you." Lionel made a point to emphasize kill without using generalized air quotes. "Perhaps you two are trying to kill my son."

"Dad!" Lex's voice called down from the hall. I was surprised to see that Lex wasn't immediately behind Lionel. He must have given his son the slip somewhere within the mansion.

"I'm not working with the Prowler!" I snapped angrily. "I can honestly say that I have no idea what is going on. Also, I would never do anything to harm your son. Lex has been nothing but kind to me." More than you have, you grackle, I thought bitterly.

Lionel said nothing, but remained standing imposingly in my doorway. I resolved this time to stand my ground, and show Lionel Luthor my genuine strength. Dammit, I stabbed Red Skull in the freaking leg! I fought against Thanos on Titan, and took down rogue Hydra agents, and so much more in the Marvel Universe. Powers or no powers, I was determined to be me. I clenched my hands into fists and narrowed my gaze up at Lionel.

Lionel's scrutinizing gaze searched me, trying to find weak points in my resolve. Or perhaps, a small part of me wondered, he was looking for any hint of strange abilities, like those from meteor rocks that people in Smallville sometimes displayed. I would have proudly told him that any powers I had were from gamma radiation from a burst of a cosmic stone the universe had made, but knew that it would have made no sense. Plus, I didn't want Lionel finding some excuse to whisk me away for test and experiments.

With a disgruntled huff, Lionel turned and continued down the hallway. I instantly relaxed, getting dizzy as the blood in my body rushed to the vital parts of me that had been temporarily cut off. Lex came down the hallway next, standing just outside the doorway. He looked at me and then down the hall, where his father had gone.

"I'm sorry about that." He said softly, without looking at me.

"It's okay, I shook him down, you know, stood my ground." I smiled, but Lex's expression looked a little pained at what I said. I began to worry, but he quickly gave himself a little shake and then asked if I was hungry.

I left Lex alone for the rest of the day, giving him time to work, and some much-needed space away from me. I stayed in visible areas of the house, so when Lex came looing for me, he could easily find me. He did come looking, often. I was leafing through a book in the library when I spotted him peeking in through the doorway at one point. I pretended not to see him and just continued perusing through the book.

It was odd to watch the world move on around me. The feeling of being out of place here in the world of Smallville increased within me with every passing moment. Everyone within the mansion was nice, but all eyes were on me, both figuratively and literarily. They followed me all over, to see where I was going and what I was doing. Lex worked mainly from his study, but I could tell he was getting antsy to get right back to the factory itself. He would make offhanded comments to some of the supervisors that came to check in personally. He said these comments when he didn't think I was near, or in the room, but I heard them.

One morning Lex came by my room looking a little uncomfortable, fidgeting on his feet. I waited for whatever it was he wanted to say, almost getting to the point of yelling at him to spit it out.

"I have to go into the office today." He said before I completely lost my patience.

"Okay?" I waited for him to continue.

"I've asked the Kent's if they can watch you for the day. Actually, I more asked Clark if he could." I nodded my understanding and Lex leaned forward a little, almost anticipating me saying something.

"That's fine, I understand." An awkward feeling washed over me. "Did you expect me to go on a rant about being alone here? Because there's a maniac out to kill me, and I would rather be supervised."

Lex looked a little surprised before he relaxed and then laughed out loud. I smiled too, rolling my eyes. It was nice to finally feel some of the tension from the past couple of days suddenly disappear. I wondered how much of that tension Lex had been holding in before that, and wondered if I was to blame for it. Instead, I shook my head and gathered up some things to take with me for the day.

"Doesn't Clark have school today?" I asked as I followed Lex down the hall towards the garage.

"School hasn't started for the fall, yet." Lex responded, and I paused. I had to kind of half-jog and jump to catch back up to him.

It had been almost a week since I had come to Smallville, and into the lives of Lex, Clark, and other Superman characters. I hadn't seen much of Clark, being locked up in the mansion for my own safety, but I wasn't too bothered by that. With everything going on, I was starting to remember why I had liked this DC television show, and why I judged it as the ONLY Superman story I liked. All the characters seemed real, far more real than any of their over-the-top movie counterparts.

To be honest, I was looking forward to spending more time with Clark, and I vaguely wondered if Lex had conferred with him about our second instance of Prowler hunting. If he had, did he and his friends take it upon themselves to do their own sleuthing to try and solve it? It kind of thrilled me to think about them trying to help me out of this situation, instead of me trying to do it on my own.

The drive to the Kent farm was a quiet one, and I understood why as we pulled up into the drive. Clark was waiting on the porch; he stood and met us by Lex's car. I didn't see any other vehicle and figured Clark's parents were out for the moment. It was the perfect opportunity for Lex to drop by and leave me, unannounced.

"Clark's parents aren't even here right now, are they?" I asked Lex coyly. He gave me a playful shrug as if to put off answering the question. Maybe he had even wanted it that way.

"Hey Maddie!" Clark said cheerfully as Lex and I turned towards him.

"Hi Clark," I smiled and waved back.

I didn't mind that Lex asked Clark to watch me while he went into work. What I wondered was what Clark and I would do while Lex was gone. Perhaps he would have me help with farm chores, or household jobs. Anything would be better than sitting and doing nothing, like I had been doing at the mansion.

Clark and Lex chatted for a moment, going over details about the day and what to expect. I noticed Lex shooting me curious glances, and I got the feeling he needed to talk to Clark privately, about something (me).

"Can I use your restroom?" I asked suddenly, and Clark told me where it was in the house.

I walked briskly into the house, only stopping once I was inside and out of sight. As covertly as I could, I peeked out a window, trying my best to stay hidden behind the curtain. I couldn't hear the conversation they were having, and I wasn't any good at reading lips, so I watched the expressions on their faces for clues. I was dismayed to see that Lex's expression was one of frustration, and that he was upset. Clark must have been telling him something, but I couldn't see his face to gauge whether it was something serious or upsetting. Whatever Clark was telling Lex, it only served to upset him more and more.

I dropped the curtain and quickly headed to the bathroom, closing the door and then looking at my worried reflection in the mirror. It was clear that I was causing more and more problems in everyone's life, especially Lex's. I was not used to this; I usually helped to solve the problems, or find some way around them to save the day. I was powerless, and it hurt me deeply. I closed my eyes to stop the tears that were building up inside them. I would not let myself cry over this. I had already given Zeed enough of my sadness, or so I had thought.

Oh, but I want more! The all-to familiar voice said to me, and I jumped, looking around the empty bathroom. I turned and looked into the mirror, gasping when I didn't see my reflection, but Zeed sneering back at me.

"Stop it!" I hissed angrily. "You're taking this too far!" I looked to the door cautiously, hoping that Clark or Lex wasn't on the other side, hearing me talk to myself. Hopefully they were still outside.

I can stop nothing, that universe is in control now. I am enjoying your pain though. I wanted to punch the smug look off of his face, but settled with just scowling at him.

"I'm going to beat this, just like I do with Watt's challenges." I told him confidently.

Watt's challenges weren't to specifically kill you, now, were they?

I felt the blood drain from my face. Zeed's goal was to actually kill me? I felt sick to my stomach at that realization, and he could see it. He grinned wickedly before shimmering away, leaving me to stare at my pale, frightened expression in the mirror.

It felt like all the air had been suddenly knocked out of me. The shock of it all bored down on me like falling rock, and I had to steady myself on the bathroom sink. Eventually, I opened the door, finding Clark standing in the dining room, patiently waiting for me.

"D-did Lex leave?" I tried to sound like I hadn't just been mortally threatened by a crazy reflection no one other than me could see.

"Yeah, he said he'd be back this afternoon." Clark replied. I nodded. "I was going to go into town, if that's okay with you," He said rather hopefully.

I stared at him for a minute as a new panic set into me. Was I allowed into town? Would I be attacked? Would Zeed spring a trap and finish this whole ordeal with one swoop? Clark must have sensed my panic because he held up my hands as if to reassure me.

"You'll be okay. I'll make sure nothing happens." He smiled warmly, and I had to remind myself that Clark was technically Superman, just in a younger form.

"Could we go somewhere?" I asked hesitantly, and Clark nodded slowly. "I've been cooped up, and I could really use a Dr Pepper, or a Pepsi."

Clark grinned and then chuckled. "Alright then, let's go!"

XXXX

We walked into town, chatting aimlessly. I told Clark a little more about myself, and he told me about life in Smallville. As we entered town, Clark led me straight to The Talon, a café of sorts run by on his friends and her aunt. I knew it was Lana Lang, but I would wait and let Clark officially introduce us.

The warm colors painted inside helped to ease some of the anxiety I felt about being in the open. It was slightly busy, partly due to school not quite being in session yet. There were a lot of younger people sitting in comfortable chairs and sipping at mugs of coffee and hot chocolate. Clark led me right to the counter, where a pretty young woman was wiping down dishes.

"Hi Lana, this is Maddie," Clark said, taking a seat at the bar.

"Hey Clark! Hi Maddie." Lana smiled warmly at us, and I smiled back. We were all smiley today, which was a nice change from the mood in the mansion.

"Maddie, I don't think I've seen you around here before. Are you new to Smallville?" Lana asked as she set down the dish she was washing.

"Kind of, I guess." I replied. I didn't know how much Clark had talked ab out me to his friends, especially Lana. I didn't want to go on about myself if Lana had no clue, or already knew everything.

"She was the girl Lex found," Clark put in.

"Oh! You're that Maddie!" Lana's voice went up a little in pitch as she made the connection. "You're all the town is talking about at the moment." Lana raised her eyebrows at me and winked, but I shrunk away a little from her words.

"What can I get you?" She pulled up two mugs and waited for our order.

Clark asked about the Dr Pepper or Pepsi for me, and thankfully the Talon had Dr Pepper! I was so grateful to get the glass of bubbly soda. Dr Pepper was my favorite, and the last time I had had one was back in my own reality, before Zeed came and messed it all up. I drank almost half the glass all at once and Lana couldn't help but giggle at me.

"Does Lex not stock up on soda?" She poked playfully.

"I haven't mentioned my liking of soda, really." I admitted. "I don't want to bother him more than I already have."

"And who said that you were bothering him?" Lana cocked her head to the side, genuinely interested in the question.

I thought of a list of people I thought were bothered with Lex being my temporary guardian: Lionel, Johnathan Kent, and maybe even Lex a little. I could tell he was starting to feel that way, my mind flashing on the upset expression on his before leaving me with Clark. I didn't voice any of these, but instead shrugged, only displaying the uncertainty on my face as an answer. She didn't say anything else, but nodded empathetically at me. She reached across the counter and patted my arm.

"It's okay. Give Lex Luthor a chance. He probably just feels out of his element." We locked eyes, and I could feel the warmth coming from her words. It probably would take Lex some time to get used to this, but hopefully he wouldn't be in this situation for long.

Clark and I sat at the counter for a little bit while Lana went back to work. She served customers and collected cups, chatting and socializing wherever needed. Soon, Clark cleared his throat and I braced myself for a hard conversation topic.

"Tell me about your family." He said, breaking down the door and going right for the heart of the matter.

I hesitated, recalling the strange note that had appeared when I summoned up my aura a few days ago. I didn't know exact details, but I figured I could make a few educated guesses from the very basic information I had been given. I recalled what the world was like for me when I had been fourteen, and decided to start from there.

"I had a hard time remembering, but lately I've recalled some things," I told Clark, taking a deep breath before going on. "I'm from the west, and it was just me and my parents." I stopped, and Clark waited patiently.

"Anything else?" He asked, trying to keep me going in my remembering.

"Clark, you already know this." He looked surprised and then a little uncomfortable. "I may not remember much, but I do remember my parents and home life. They were all I had, and we went on some vacation and an accident happened. From there, I can't remember."

He opened his mouth to say something else, but then closed it, unsure how to proceed. He looked to his clasped hands on the counter, and I could tell he felt a little guilty.

"What else have you found, Clark?" I asked softly. "You or Lex, or maybe some of your friends have looked into this, and I know you told Lex something today." I went on, not waiting for Clark to explain himself. "What have you found that I'm not remembering?"

I didn't mean to sound so accusatory, but I was trying to keep up with the amnesia I was supposed to have. Maybe Zeed had anticipated this, and wanted to catch me in a trap, but what he didn't know was that someone had given me a note to help me out.

"What all do you remember?" Clark asked.

"We went on vacation, to Metropolis. My mom always wanted to go there, and we finally were able to." I spoke quickly, building up the story as I went. "I remember being in a car, and a crash, but then nothing. Then I woke up in the hospital in Smallville." Tears welled up in my eyes, and they were not forced. The more stressed I felt, the more I pushed down emotionally, causing me to come closer and closer to just breaking down. This was just the start of all that emotion bubbling over.

My tears must have worked, because Clark slumped a little, and ran a hand through his hair. He pressed his lips into a thin line, gathering all the information he knew before telling me.

"You're right, there was a car accident." He started. "The Metropolis found your parents, and they were, they were," He stopped and looked at me. I knew he what he meant, and the "passed" portion of the mysterious note made sense.

"Dead," I finished for him and he nodded.

"My friend Chloe looked into it," He added. "She's an investigative reporter in the making. Witnesses said a strange man ran into the road, making your parents crash, and then he disappeared, and you were gone."

A tear slipped down my cheek as I envisioned my real parents in this situation, even though I knew they were safe in my reality. These "pretend" parents had died, just so that I could have some backstory of belonging in this world, and it hurt to know that innocent people died.

"Do you think that I helped the Prowler with his attacks in Smallville?" I held onto a sob as more tears fell from my eyes.

"No, I don't think so." Clark said firmly, surprising me. "I think he kidnapped you, and tortured you." He was so matter-of-fact, and his conviction made me feel even more sad.

"He took everything," I said of the Prowler. "I have no one."

"You have Lex," Clark tried to put in, but I shook my head.

"For now, but he can't keep this up forever. I can tell I'm making him stressed, and Lionel put the idea of me being the Prowler's accomplice in his head. I'm sure hearing the news of the accident didn't help his view of me either." I spoke quickly, and my tone felt a little bitter.

All I wanted to do right then was walk out of The Talon, and back to the mansion. The fresh air would have done me some good, and could have helped to clear my mind, but fear kept me rooted to my seat. It was fear that the moment I stepped outside, the strange Prowler would spring out and take me. Fear that Lex would come up and tell me to get lost. Fear that I would have to navigate the world alone, just like Zeed wanted.

Clark put his arm around me suddenly, and pulled me into a tight side embrace. He leaned his head down on mine, and I blinked in surprise. The silent gesture told me that Clark wanted me to know I had him, and that he knew the truth. I sat there and basked in the comfort the simple gesture brought me. We stayed like that for five minutes, until I calmed myself down enough that the tears stopped. I wiped my face with a napkin, and Lana came and filled my drink once more. She too gave me a comforting squeeze on my arm.

"I'll help Lex figure out that you aren't that Prowler's accomplice." Clark said firmly.

I nodded, and knew I would have to come to terms with this, just like Lex. I had to accept what was going on and try with all of my might to change it. Things were spiraling more and more out of control, and I had a horrible feeling that something worse was going to happen soon, and I had no idea what it was, or what I could do about it.