Chapter Nineteen

"What about Eric Summers?" Clark asked Chloe.

"Goes to Smallville High. Average teenager. Nothing to report, really."

The two were walking down Main Street, sipping coffee from the Beanery. It was after school, and Clark was gathering information on what happened to the other people he remembered who had been infected. He had logged into one of the Torch's computer at the school using Lois's password. The typical password was your last name and graduation date. Most students changed it to something more secure, but Lois hadn't gotten around to it yet. Clark started by looking into Bob Rickman, Kyle's sales partner. Turned out he had gotten to Desiree Atkins, the black widow. The two were still alive and living on a yacht in the Caribbean.

Chloe had found him and asked if he'd rather ask her instead. The conversation was enjoyable; there were a few names Chloe couldn't help him with, like Jeremy Creek or Ryan James, but she was able to fill in the blanks on most of the rest.

Coach Walt suffered a heart attack and died during his two hundredth win. Jodi was still overweight; she had joined the track team at the beginning of sophomore year and had a few friends. Sean Kelvin remained a womanizing jerk, but Jenna was alive. Principal Kwan oversaw running the school. Justin Gaines was in California pursuing alternate medical treatments for his hands. He had never drawn a comic strip for the Torch, so he and Chloe never really interacted. Tina Greer had disappeared after "Lex Luthor" had robbed a bank. On hearing that he did a quick Xray scan of the area and luckily, he didn't see her twisted skeleton. Since Lana moved out of town before the two had a chance to form a close friendship, theoretically she was safe wherever she was.

"Okay. Sasha Woodman."

"That's a weird one. She along with all the other students running for class president were stung by bees last year. She was the only one who died, though."

Clark stopped walking. "She died?"

"Yeah. She had a bee allergy. Were you friends?"

"Not exactly. I just was able to get her to the hospital in time." Clark started walking again. "So, with the bees, you didn't find that strange?"

"I did. They just went back to their hives after that. I had better things to do with my time. Besides, Lois had a field day researching it, but couldn't find anything concrete."

Chloe went on talking about the theories Lois had had. He only half listened, since he figured he knew the real reason already. It seemed as if people's lives were better off if Luthor Corp had harvested all the meteor rock. More people were alive this way; living normal lives instead of being shipped off to Belle Reeve.

Clark was pulled out of his thoughts when Chloe kissed him on the cheek.

"What was that for?" Clark smiled.

"I knew you were thinking about that all day. So, I figured I'd get it out of the way so we can be friends."

"Exactly what I was thinking." Clark had to excuse himself then. He had to get over to the prison to talk with Kyle.

Clark was admitted into the guest room at the prison. Lex had scheduled the meeting. He had raised an eyebrow when Clark insisted that all the guards should wear gloves around Kyle, but the order was given and carried out.

Already sitting at the table was Kyle Tippet. His beard was longer than Clark remembered, but other than that, he looked the same.

"Hi," Clark said as he took a seat.

"What do you want?" Kyle asked.

"So, you don't remember me?"

"You're Julian Luthor." Kyle shrugged. "Went through an ordeal about a year ago. Read about it in the paper. Didn't really affect me. Why?"

Clark sighed. "I'm here because of the Alison case."

"I said all I needed about that."

"I think you're lying. I think you didn't kidnap that girl. I want to know why you confessed."

"This visit is over," Kyle said and got up from the table.

"Before the meteor shower, you and your partner, Bob Rickman, were the worst salesmen to ever carry a catalogue." Clark stood up from the table. "But after, you found you could make anyone do whatever you wanted with a single handshake. Buy a tractor. Stand on one leg. I'm right, aren't I?"

"Guard!" Kyle pounded on the door.

"I asked for fifteen minutes alone. He's not coming." The sense of having orders he had given followed was empowering.

"So desperate to find out?" Kyle extended his hand.

"Why?" Clark ignored the hand. "You didn't do it, did you? Why confess?"

Kyle sighed. "To Alison? No. I hid out in the woods for years scared of me not being able to control it. Next thing I know, I'm being arrested on charges of kidnapping. They found the mask and gloves the kidnapper wore in my trailer. I didn't do it, but I'm dangerous. I deserve to be in here."

"Doesn't Alison deserve justice? For the real kidnapper to be caught?"

"What do you want from me?"

"The truth." Clark sat back down. "I have lawyers. They can reopen the case with your testimony. Of what actually happened. If you think you're dangerous, I'm sure my brother can arrange for you to get the help you need."

"Fine," Kyle agreed and sat down.

Clark waved for the lawyer, who was also wearing gloves, to come in. The lawyer took over, asking Kyle questions. There was no need for him to be there any longer, so Clark ducked out of the room. It was a strange sensation he was feeling. Powerful, but not from his strength. Doors were opened for him; the policemen were calling him Mr. Luthor and tipping their hats. His insistence on them wearing gloves had been followed without question. And, he had just convinced Kyle to tell the truth so true justice could be served.

It was a great feeling.

We never saw Justin from Crush getting his powers from meteor rocks. I always assumed that, but I guess some people think he's the first non-meteor infected mutant. I'm going with he got his powers from kryptonite during/ after his accident. Since no meteor rocks, no powers, no ability to kill Principal Kwan. Same with Sasha; we don't see her getting her powers. I couldn't find out exactly when she got them either; freshman year or before that. I'm going with she got them as a child and as she grew, she started giving off more and more of the hormone until she decided to use it during the election. As in the show, the bees turned on her after she forced them to sting her opponents and got frustrated that Paul was still winning. Since Clark wasn't there to save her, Sasha ended up dying from an allergic reaction.