"I hope young Mom's okay," Jason said.

"You're such a worry wart," Carol told him, as she furiously swept the floor.

"I'm sure she's fine," Martha said. "She just wanted some time alone."

"Hey, Carol?" Lilly said.

"What?" Carol asked.

"Look outside across the street. Isn't that the guy who was in here yesterday? I think he's still watching us."

"It is that sick son of a gun," Carol said.

"I bet it's the body that Zod is possessing," Clark said.

Before they blinked an eye, he had gone and come back with the 40-something-year-old man in a steely grip.

"Who are you?" Clark asked him.

"A friend," he replied in a soft voice and shy smile.

"Zod is not a friend of ours," Carol said. She punched him really hard in the stomach. "Ow," Carol said, rubbing her hand. "Either he's wearing a metal plate under his shirt or he's definitely Kryptonian."

"Start talking or you can start talking in the Phantom Zone," Clark said.

"I guess there's no harm in telling you. I'm Mathew Kent."

"Matthew Kent?" everyone chorused.

"Yeah. You probably know me as the unborn child older Mom is carrying around."

"What are you doing here?" Clark asked.

"It's a long story that you'll know eventually. Right now you have to trust me and know that I play a role in this, one that will be coming soon."

---

Young Lois began to walk faster. She felt like someone was watching and following her. She looked back. There wasn't a human being in sight. Suddenly, she heard a dog growl and she sneezed.

When she saw the dog, she stopped and let out a sigh of relief.

"You scared me, Shelby," she said with a half-hearted laugh. "I didn't know who you were. What are you doing off the farm?"

The dog continued to growl and got a little closer.

"Shelby, it's me, Lois. Remember the girl, who saved you? I know I technically ran you over but it all worked out. No hard feelings, boy?" she said, putting her hand out for him to sniff.

The dog got closer and she found herself backing into an alley.

"Shelby, I know you don't want to hurt me and I don't want to hurt you. So be a good doggy."

Shelby barked menacingly and leaped for her throat. Lois threw herself against the wall and covered herself with her arms.

TBC