Thanatos

Chapter Seven

Clark stayed at home on their farm with his father until Martha came home from work later that evening, just to make sure that his dad was really alright after he was attacked. Clark wanted to call his mother home sooner, but Jonathan didn't want to take her away from her job, but mostly he didn't want to worry her so long as he was fine.

However, when she did come home, along with Lois, who was staying with them until she could find her own place, Clark explained to his mom what had happened and she sat down beside her husband on the couch to coddle him as she stated firmly, "You should have called me, Jonathan. After everything you've been through, do you really think that I wouldn't leave early to be here with you?"

Jonathan looked at her softly as he responded, "Of course I know you would, Martha, but I told you, as I've told Clark, I'm perfectly fine. A little tired maybe, but fine."

"Does this sort of thing really happen here like Chloe explained to me in her letters and emails, or the in the stories that she writes?" Lois asked excitedly. "I have to say, I'm not really sure what I believed, but… Wow! I mean, of course I'm sorry you were hurt, Mr. Kent. It's just that this is all new to me and it's fantastic; sort of. What exactly did what she did to you feel like, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Lois, maybe now this isn't such a good time," Martha answered for Johnathan. "Would you mind if we could talk, alone?"

Lois raised her hands as she replied, "Of course! My bad, I knew it was too soon. I'll be upstairs in my room, actually… in Clark's room, if you need me."

As she left, Clark watched her walk upstairs, then looked back at his parents and said, "I realize it wasn't actually the best idea for me to invite her to stay here with us so long as she's in town to investigate Chloe's death, or disappearance rather. I promised her I would help her, but with what's going on, especially now that Tom's wife has attacked Dad…"

"Clark, I don't want you to worry so much about me as I would prefer that you focus on finding this woman and her husband, so long as you're careful, son," Jonathan finally spoke again. "I don't know exactly what kind of power she has, especially any that might affect you. I am worried about what or who this Thanatos might be."

"Thanatos?" Martha responded in confusion. "What's that?"

Clark answered, "It's the one word Dad was able to pull from Tom's wife's mind when she attacked him. I doubt she intended to let you see that, Dad. What if she comes back while I'm out trying to find her? What if she hurts either of you again, or worse?"

His father put his hand gently on his shoulder as he replied, "I told you, your mother and I will be fine. Besides, you seem to have developed some kind of sixth sense when it comes to the people you love being in danger. You saved me once from this woman, Clark. I'm sure that if she comes back, you'll be able to do so again."

"Come on, Smallville!" Lois suddenly called out as she came running back down the stairs again with her phone in her hands. "You and I are heading on over to Lex Luthor's mansion. According to my source…"

"You've been in Smallville for how long and you've already got a source?" Clark interrupted.

The reporter glared at him as she continued, "Very funny and yes, I already have a source; two in fact. Anyway, according to one of my sources, the sheriff and a few of her deputies arrived at the Luthors' mansion because somebody died there earlier tonight. The strange thing is, they say it was your mysterious stranger here in town. His cause of death is unknown at this point, but dollars to doughnuts… I'm betting this woman who attacked you, Mr. Kent, got the revenge she was looking for. It'd be a funny coincidence if his death was anything else. This will be one hell of a story."

Clark looked at the woman and quickly responded, "I'll meet you at the car."

"Fine, but hurry!" she called out as she walked out of the house.

"Lois is right, this can't be a coincidence," Clark said again nervously as he turned back to his parents.

Jonathan nodded in frustration as he answered, "She did say that she would get all she needed from my mind before she attacked me and she did. I could feel her digging around, looking for answers. She must have learned that we thought Tom might have gone to speak with Lex."

Martha added, "It would explain how she knew where to find him."

"I'm going to go find out for sure," Clark replied as he headed to the door. "I'll be back soon."

"It looks like it's my fault he was killed," Jonathan said again after their son left.

Martha raised her hands to her husband's face and turned him around to face her as she stated sadly, "Jonathan, no. That woman attacked you and forced it from your mind. You can't blame yourself for that, for something you have no control over. You're always the first to assure Clark that he's not to blame for all of the things that go wrong here in Smallville. The same goes for you too. Besides, though I don't condone what this woman did to her husband, Tom was an evil man. He didn't deserve to die, but it looks like he received the consequences of his actions. Honestly, why are you two boys always so quick to blame yourselves for everything around here?"

Jonathan smiled, then leaned down to kiss his wife, and spoke up saying, "I don't know, but I do know that I love you, Martha. And I'll keep on reminding you and Clark of that every day."