Gone – Chapter 7
"Lois, where's Clark?" Perry was frantic, racing up to her sooner than she got off the elevator. "He's not here. Did you hear from him?"
"No," she said softly. She didn't want to break into tears. Then she looked over at his desk wishing that Perry was kidding. His desk was blank - only the nameplate she had given him remained. She walked over and picked it up, staring at it for several minutes. The whole newsroom saw this and stopped. She started crying.
"Lois, did you and Clark have a fight?"
"Perry, I can't explain it." She sat down in his chair, opening all the different drawers, hoping to see something.
A note.
Dearest Lois,
I knew that you would look for something from me. Here it goes. I am sorry about ever telling you - I hurt you and never meant to do that. I know that you have an obligation to the paper, so I have left an article of my own for you to turn in. I can never return - I feel like I have betrayed too many. Please take care of my mom - keep her from harm. I just want you to know that I will always love you. Never forget me.
Clark
She crumpled the note up and started to cry again. She went to her desk and picked up the manila folder with a two page article titled My Secret to the News and walked back out of the Planet. For days, she sat and stared at the folder and decided to do something about it.
"Hello?"
"I'm looking for Martha Kent."
"This is Martha. Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for your son, Clark? This is Lois Lane."
"Lois, is Clark not home?"
"Clark left...he emptied his desk...his place is deserted. I think it's my fault."
"Lois what do you mean...we haven't heard from him for a couple of weeks. He said you two were doing well."
"He told me his little...not so little.."
"Lois, what happened?"
"I kicked him out of my house and then he was gone...his desk at work cleaned out...his house is a deserted mess...he told me to take care of you. I don't think he's planning to return." Lois could here his mother gasp. Lois read the short note to his mom. She were stunned. She had never known him to be so unwise, but Lois kept saying it was her fault. They both hung up and in their own places, his mom and Lois both felt like praying for his return.
Weeks past and there was not a sign from Clark or Superman. The city had been relatively calm but a difference was noticed in people's perception of the now past superhero. He was still present though. He had been present the entire time - living at the top of an abandoned building. He had heard everything but never tried to help. Night was the hardest, for that was the time people wanted the most help, especially having to listen to Lois cry.
'There is sound in the calm
Someone is coming to harm
I press my hands to my ears
Its easier here to forget fears'
Lois had decided to do something rash. She went shopping - she had never really enjoyed doing that kind of thing, but decided it had to be done this time.
"Hi...I'm looking for something real special...maybe from that cabinet there." The man opened the case. She pointed to a certain item and the sales clerk pulled it out.
"This is quite a choice, and for you ma'am?" Lois looked at the man and looked back down.
"Let me see that. Mmmm. I like that. I'll take them both." Lois left the store sweating in anticipation. Now she had to decide how she was going to do this.