Author's notes: Again, In behalf of Lily and Enid, maraming salamat po… Thank you very much to each and everyone who read and/or reviewed TRNT. To those who are still clueless. Cloisers, I want to explain the story, but I can't-for now. So instead I'm giving you pointers to consider. Take a closer look with the years – they're important to the story, 2003, 2004 and 2011, the boy, Clark Jerome Kent, stones, flashes/dreams, train station and Centennial Park. We're still working on the next chapters – I made certain revisions and additions… Actually, I already submitted the epilogue of the story to Enid – she's working on it. Here are the titles of the remaining chapters:
Chapter 5: Fate
Chapter 6: The Flight (with guest writers – Lily and Enid)
Chapter 7: Turning Points
Chapter 8: Truth and Consequences
Chapter 9: Revelations
Chapter 10: Dusk or Dawn
Epilogue: Blue-Eyed Angel
Remember, The Roads Not Taken features three time lines – 2003 (bold); 2004 (italics); 2011 (normal). Pronouns that are really important to the story will be underlined.
And now… Chapter 4 of TRNT…
Chapter 4: Old Memories
Metropolis (2004)
I tied my hair after I put on my favorite jogging pants, running shoes and tank top. Of course, I wouldn't forget my iPod. It would prompt me to enjoy running on the street down The Centennial Park until I get tired. I closed the door of my apartment and headed outside.
"Geez Lo, where's your cell phone?" I muttered sharply to myself. Though I already ran one block, I decided to go back. Well, it was not like I was waiting for a text message or a call from someone. I debated myself, maybe in case of emergency. Yeah right! Actually, I got so many things going on in my head, but they led me to a non-existent conclusion – blank. Clark was special – I knew he was.
A year ago, since the last time he showered me with his attention, we almost had it all. I admitted to myself, I admired him. The first time I saw him, he offered me his handkerchief while I was sitting on a bench near the train station. I was crying for failing to get a job from a reputable newspaper in the city. I lost the last penny I had by putting it in an open canal accidentally. I skipped breakfast and it was already afternoon. I had to give up my car and needed to get the last of cash on my savings account. If I wouldn't be able to get a decent job within the next few days, I would end up on the streets, asking for alms. And I wouldn't do that. Then he sat beside me, gave his hanky and offered me his hamburger. Maybe he heard my stomach growl. Though I was hesitant at first, he convinced me with his warm smile.
Metropolis (2003)
"Don't worry I'm not a rapist or anything." He humbly offered his handkerchief and burger. With my present condition, I felt so helpless. I stared at him. He was not that bad, the other side of my brain told that he was. She shouldn't talk to strangers – that was the general rule. But there was always an exception, wasn't it? I sniffed and decided to get the things he presented.
He sat in silence until I finished eating. Then he offered me his soft drinks too. Undecided to get it, he added "Miss, take it, I promise, I'm harmless."
I smiled, "Don't tell me you're gay."
He laughed, "What do you think?"
I wanted to say, 'No you shouldn't be, 'cause I think you're hot.' Of course, I wouldn't tell him that. "I think you're not, thanks for the burger, soda and hanky. By the way, how did you know?"
"That you were hungry?"
"Yes."
"'Cause you looked like you haven't eaten in the whole day. You looked so pale."
"Sort of."
That was the first time I saw his faraway looks. It was kind of normal for me, but of course; those lame excuses meant so much more. That was another story to tell.
"I'm sorry Miss," His apologetic looks struck me, suddenly I was speechless. "I need to go."
"Thanks a lot." I managed to say and almost forgot to ask his name, but he did say it without me asking.
"Clark Jerome Kent."
"Lois Joanne Lane."
"Bye Miss Lane. Hope to see you soon."
"Bye Mister Kent."
That was it. He disappeared as he ran towards the hustle and bustle of city life.
Maybe he was my lucky charm, because after that day, The Inquisitor called me for a job. Though it was not at the same level as the other newspaper, it would still give me the chance to show my talent to the public. Since that day, I always waited for him to stop by at the train station, sitting on the same bench, at the same time, 5 pm. I'd waited there, though he never asked me to, but I wanted to see him again. I did it, until I got my car back, and then never had the chance to ride the train again. Soon I gave up. He never came back, until one night…
Perhaps I was too ambitious to want a front page story so soon. The Inquisitor wasn't as popular as The Daily Planet, but it was the first newspaper that accepted me as a reporter. And, who knew? Maybe one of these days, I would be able to grab the opportunity of interviewing 'The Red-Blue Blur'.
'Oh well, Lane this must be your lucky day.' The lab had been left unlocked. Was that possible? Or was it just a trap? I carefully stepped in. A greenish substance was spread all over the place. The guards? I didn't see any of them. Was this an abandoned place? My informant, well, he might be right that this substance was used to create fake money.
Then I heard something, so I needed to hide. I saw someone lying on the floor. I couldn't tell what was on my mind at that time but I helped him. Soon I discovered that it was him. The person I met at the train station. He was the one with blue green, puppy-dog eyes.
"Mr. Kent… Oh my god!"
"Get me… out… of here…" He was almost out of breath.
"Okay. Can you stand up?"
He nodded. His face had a greenish glow. I wondered why. I also noticed he wore a shade of red and blue. I didn't see that one of the cabinets was about to fall on me, until he flipped us over, and with his last strength, he rolled us to the side where it wouldn't harm us. I wasn't that stupid, witnessing how fast his reflexes were, moving us from one position to another and covering me protectively, I knew something was up. I was too stunned; unable to speak and move for a moment. Meanwhile he was staring at me. It was the first time someone was there for me and saved me. This time from heavy furniture that might have paralyzed me, or worse, killed me.
Though I accepted that my life wasn't as important as others who lived in fame and fortune, it was still precious because we only had it once - unless you believe in re-incarnation, which I didn't. He moved to the other side so I could stand up. My hands were shaking when I offered them to him. His weight was almost thrice compared with mine, but I had been able to hold him. It seemed like his life depended on me. I needed to keep him safe, and I did thanks to the adrenaline rush that boosted my strength at that time.
He was in deep pain. I could tell from the way he breathed and the manner he held on to me. I put him inside my car and drove us away from the building as fast as I could.
"Mr. Kent. Mr. Kent. I'll take you to the hospital." I put my left hand on his forehead; he was burning hot.
He gulped hard before telling me, "No… Please stop the car."
I hit the brakes and parked on the left wing of the road. I didn't know where we were. The road was too dark and there were no signage. There I saw his blue shirt soaked in the green substance as well as his red jacket.
"No?" I countered. "But you have a very high fever. Maybe, you're infected by this substance." Though at the time I realized that if that was an airborne virus, I might have ended up just like him, I didn't care. I had to help him. That was the most important thing to me on that moment.
"Please, help me to get rid of my clothes." He stared at me; his face was flushed and sweating.
My eyes almost popped out from its sockets when I heard him said that. Did I have a choice? I pulled his jacket; his t-shirt was next, revealing his broad chest and six-pack abs. I couldn't help but to stare at this perfect male form. His face started to calm and peace out. The hurt that I spotted on him a minute ago was removed little by little.
'Honk!' I almost jumped out of my seat. I was too astonished by his beauty and my hand accidentally pushed the car's horn.
"Throw them away from here." He said in a very low voice, his eyes were still close.
"Throw? Are you sure?" I said, deeply confused. But I obeyed, stepping out of the car and tossing them as far as I could.
Then I saw a wound below the right side of his abdomen. Suddenly, the wound healed itself until it disappeared, leaving no trace of it except for a dry blood stain. Dang, I knew he was special. He kept his eyes closed, which allowed me to watch him while he was sleeping. His face was a little haggard; it seemed that he was too tired. Was it too coincidental that he wore red and blue? That he could heal his wounds in seconds?
It was three a.m. when I glanced at my watch. Are we safe here in the middle of nowhere? I couldn't tell. Anyway, we wouldn't be able to get into the next town. My gas tank was almost empty. I decided to get a red blanket out of the trunk and put it on his bare torso. My eyelids were getting heavier. The events of the night finally sunk in. My tired muscles finally gave up and in just a minute everything faded.
The next morning, I woke up with the bright rays of the sun. I was moved by the comfort of the red blanket on my body. Then I found him looking at me.
"Good morning Ms. Lane." I saw one of the brightest smiles I had never seen in years.
"Morning." I replied, and suddenly became worried, had I drooled while sleeping?
"Thank you for saving me." He followed immediately.
"Don't mention it, Mr. Red and Blue." I grinned widely. "We're even now."
He stared at me, weighing what he was about to say next.
"You're him." It was more of a statement than a question.
He nodded while his puppy dog-eyes were fixed on mine.
TBC
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