As Clark grew up, his father told him to be careful, to not let people know about his powers if at all possible, because the world isn't ready yet, and probably won't be for a long time. Clark always listened, and tried not to show his powers, but one day in second grade, his senses overwhelmed him, and became out of control.

"Who founded Kansas?" The teacher inquired the entire class."Clark? Could you tell us?"

Although Clark Kent knew the answer, he didn't answer, he was too distracted by all of the sounds in the room, and the terrifying x-ray vision that he seems to have procured. All of the sounds, the beating hearts, and breaths of his classmates and his teacher. He was vaguely aware that his teacher was repeating the question, and growing concerned, but he could not answer. All we wanted to do was leave, but he was frozen in place by the site of all of his teacher's internal organs, and muscles, and bone structure. He just wanted to leave, and he finally did, covering his ears and running from the room into a broom cupboard.

"Clark? Let me in, Clark!" She stepped towards the door, and he let his laser vision heat the metal knob, and heard her cry of pain. "I'm calling your mother, Clark!" She really didn't need to speak so loudly, but she didn't know that, and couldn't. He heard footsteps, her's, stepping away from the door, and he heard the buttons click on a cellular phone, and could also hear his mother's worried voice from the other end."Clark, I have just called your mother, she's on her way."

This, at least, was good news, soon his mother would be here to make everything alright again, like she always did. She would be able to reassure Clark, she always did, and he knew she wouldn't fail this time. Even as he thought this, he could hear a car roll up to the school, a car door opened, and the hurried steps of his mother made him feel a little bit better. But, his senses still overwhelmed him, and he was having trouble keeping a coherent train of thought. All he had was the promise of his mother's arms, and her soothing voice to keep him focused.

"Clark? Sweetie, what happened?" His mother's voice said from the other side of the door.

"The world is too big, mom!" Clark shouted, knowing her senses weren't as acute as his.

"Then make it smaller." She said simply. "Pretend my voice is an island, in the middle of the ocean, can you see it?"

"Yes.." Clark had closed his eyes, and pictured it.

"Then move towards it." His mothers voice said.

Slowly, Clark crept towards the door, and flung himself at his mother.

"Mom? Why am I so different?" He said tearfully.

"Your unique, dear." She said soothingly. How he wished he could believe her.