Chapter 4
The first thing Lois felt when she regain consciousness was the excruciating pain in the back of her skull. The blow had taken the air out of her lungs, her body felt heavy and her vision was a blur of colours. Taking a moment to focus, Lois felt an unusual tightness around both her wrists and her ankles. Instead of being on the dirty cold cement, she had been moved into a solid steel chair and her hands and feet were bound roughly to the arms and legs.
There was little light and her eyes quickly darted side to side as she tried to check the situation and formulate a plan. Lois felt her panic quickly building as she began frantically pulling at her bindings to no effect. The rope was too tight and the coarseness created unpleasant friction when it dug against her skin. Her legs were no better. She'd considered calling for help but squashed that idea when she remembered that this particular building was seemingly abandoned - she did not want to attract the attention of the people who had done this.
The chair was heavy but it wasn't going to stop Lois trying to maneuver it towards the street where she could call for help. Her feet barely touched the ground but it was enough. Using the as much leg strength as she could muster, Lois pushed up with tips of her feet and pushed the chair forward. It wasn't far but every second counted, so she pushed forward again.
The ropes were chaffing her wrists and the pain in her head was radiating down her neck causing a sharp twinge each time the chair jerked. Lois was easily halfway across the room before she heard laughing coming from behind her. She pushed down the pain and let her adrenaline kick in, forcing herself to quicken the pace. Lois had moved another half a metre before a voice echoed, causing her blood to run cold.
"You're awake," the female voice from before stated the obvious. "A bit ambitious too."
"I kinda wish I wasn't." Lois choked out. She conceded that her 'escape' plan was a tad ambitious but she wasn't one to just wait for her fate. If she could do anything to get out of the situation than she would!
"Lois Lane, reporter for the Daily Planet. I admit that I've heard of you...bit of a go-getter, always after the big stories." The man who had manipulated fire earlier was holding her press badge, phone and keys.
"I just do my job."
"Seems you do it a little too well," the last member of the group spoke up. Lois gazed at each one trying to memorize their features for future reference. If there was going to be a future. She didn't like where this situation was heading, tied up in a storage warehouse with meteor infected people.
Meteor Infected
That had to be why there were no real leads in this investigation!
"Who else knows you're here?" The demand was harsh and Lois swallowed back her fear. She tilted her chin defiantly at the trio and didn't say a word. If she let them think she had back-up then she might get out of this alive.
"How did you even find us?" The woman questioned curiously. Lois again refused to answer. They didn't seem intent of torturing her which actually had her even more worried. She had seen their faces and would be able to identify them - this was bad news.
"Why are you doing this?" Lois challenged her captors, maybe she could gather some information from them...it was a longshot.
Two fireballs burst into the mans hands, the flames flickering brightly. He brought the flames towards her, the heat radiating off them causing a slight sweat to break out on her skin. He gave an evil smirk, "I'm sorry it has to be like this but we have a mission to carry out."
Lois felt her stomach drop, they were going to burn this building with her in it.
"You don't have to do this!" she begged as she renewed her efforts to loosen the ropes. They just wouldn't give but it didn't stop her from furiously pulling at them. Something had to give.
The man shrugged and threw out a fireball to his left, lighting up a pile of boxes. Lois watched as the flames spread rapidly as if they had a life of their own.
The fireballs are the accelerant! The meteor power is giving them life.
Her frustration with this investigation went out the window as she realised that she now had a lead to follow. It was actually humourous that even in such a dangerous situation she was thinking of her story...of the by-line.
"Let's go!" The man looked at his two companions whilst continuing to throw fire at piles of boxes. Lois watched in horror as the fire began licking the walls, the heat and the glow of the flames causing her heart to lodge in her throat. She was soon left alone, screaming at her captors to let her go, that she would not say anything. When that didn't work she soon began screaming expletives at them.
Smoke was rapidly filling the air causing a thick and heavy fog that had her becoming extremely distressed.
"Come on," she yelled out, pulling more furiously at the ropes.
The ropes were cutting into her wrists but the ones holding her right arm were beginning to slacken.
"That's it," she muttered. Pulling her hand back towards her body she tried to pull it out from under the ropes, if she could get one hand out than she could use that to untie herself.
The smoke was making the room hazy and she found that it was becoming a lot harder to breathe. Her eyes were starting to sting and the pain from her head just added to the problems but she was determined to free herself. Knowing she didn't have much time, Lois pulled hard at the ropes feeling them grind against her skin, drawing blood. Lois squeezed her fingers together as tightly as possible before squashing them out through the loosened rope.
The heat from the flames was increasing and the smoke was causing her to cough almost constantly. She wished they hadn't taken her phone because then she could call Clark for help.
Clark? Why not the police or the fire brigade?
Using her now free hand she started to untie the remaining ropes, going as quickly as she could because time was running out.
"Thanks John," Clark shook the Martians hand gratefully. He'd spent the last few hours using the resources of the Metropolis Police Department to try to track down leads on both Doomsday and the arsonists. If he came back with nothing to offer Lois than she would hand his ass to him. John had given him open access to both electronic and hard copy data which was helpful as not every detail makes it into the electronic database. Chloe had already gathered what she could but Clark was hoping to find something that had slipped through the cracks!
John had also been a good mentor in lieu of the Fortress which was still dark from Brainiac's attack. He could give Clark information about his Kryptonian heritage, his family and anything to do with other alien creatures.
"Kal-El, the times ahead will prove hard but remember it is your destiny to protect humanity." John Jones informed Clark. It was always hard to hear the enormity of his destiny and how much weight rested on his shoulders but it also helped him put things into perspective.
"Until I've discovered Doomsday's human identity then I'm powerless." Clark told the former Martian Manhunter grimly.
"I hope the information I have provided you about these cases will help you. I will also continue searching."
Clark smiled and nodded before saying goodbye. He had a folder filled with the profiles of Doomsday's victims. He was hoping that by constructing a timeline that he could narrow down where Doomsday was targeting. He quickly glanced at his watch; it was late in the afternoon. He'd meant to be back at the Planet at least an hour earlier in order to share his findings with Lois. He didn't want to look like he wasn't pulling his weight.
It was police policy that all mobile phones and electronic devices be handed over before entering the precinct. Clark collected his phone from the front desk and switched it back on. It beeped immediately indicating voice mail.
Dialling his message bank Clark placed the phone up to his ear. The first message was from Chloe wondering how his meeting with John had gone. The second message was from Lois, he smiled when he heard her voice but his smile was quickly replaced by a frown.
Lois was at a warehouse downtown chasing up a lead. He had to admit that she was a go-getter, anything for a story even if she put herself in danger. It was all worth it in her eyes! Clark hit his speed dial and waited for Lois's number to ring. It continued to ring and ring until it reached her message bank. He'd learnt from experience that it was never a good sign when Lois didn't answer her phone whilst tracking down a lead.
It could be nothing
Clark tried to reassure himself but his heart was beating rapidly and he had a feeling in his gut that he just couldn't shake. Clark closed his eyes, took a big breath and concentrated. He was listening for Lois's heartbeat - It was a sound he hated to admit he'd become familiar with over the years, using it to easily figure out Lois's condition and even more importantly her location.
Clark focused but was having trouble zeroing in on Lois. He doubled his efforts and what he heard had his stomach clenching in fear. Her heartbeat was slow...too slow. Clark quickly checked that nobody was watching and super sped towards the sound of Lois's heartbeat.
He followed the slowing sounds to a warehouse. Stopping in the car park, Clark first caught a glimpse of Lois's car before he noticed the plumes of black smoke billowing out of the building. He raced to the side door, pulling it off its hinges and throwing it quickly behind him.
Using his x-ray vision, Clark concentrated on the wall searching for Lois.
What he saw churned his stomach; a body was lying unmoving on the floor in the middle of a room. Within a matter of seconds Clark was inside and next to the unconscious body. She'd been restrained as he left leg was still precariously tied to a metal chair.
"Lois." He whispered brokenly as he picked her up, snapping the rope that held her leg in place.
The unbearable heat from the fire had sweat beading across Lois's skin. The raging flames were licking every surface with vengeance, causing the building to become unstable and debris to fall.
In moments he was a safe distance from the building - sirens were blazing all around. Lois was still in his arms and he felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest. He hugged her closer and the relief that coursed through his veins was revitalising.
Fire engines had screeched into the car park and fire fighters were pouring out, ready to do their jobs. Clark saw an ambulance approaching them and was torn between rushing straight off to the hospital or handing Lois to the paramedics.
"Clark," a familiar male voice called out.
"Davis, we're over here." Clark called out as he was waved towards the ambulance. He was reluctant to let Lois go but he was worried about her still being unconscious. He placed her down inside, his hand tentatively reaching out to stroke her cheek, mainly to reassure himself that she was okay.
Davis was efficient, placing an oxygen mask over Lois's and checking her vitals. Clark hovered awkwardly in the background watching anxiously everything that was happening.
"She is incredibly lucky." Davis spoke as he prepped Lois for the ride to the hospital. His partner jumped in the cab and started the engine. Davis smiled sympathetically at Clark.
"Do you want to come?"
The only thing Clark wanted to do was go with Lois to the hospital but he couldn't...he needed to search for evidence before it was all detroyed. Davis watched as a distressed look covered the reporters face and Clark shook his head negatively.
Davis gave a quick nod and pulled the ambulance doors shut.
Clark watched as they drove away. The activity behind him quickly reminding him of what needed to be done.
He would find who had done this and they would answer for their crimes!
TBC
