-1Chapter Thirty Five- The Mystery of Kent
"Don't you find it strange that Clark's here, hanging out with Pete?" Chloe asked while leaning against the Talon counter.
Lana moved hastily, preparing orders and making change. Clark and Pete had come after school and waited on the girls. They were going to study once the Talon slowed down and Lana could spare a few minutes.
Normally Clark couldn't make it but for some reason he was here. He'd been this way for a few weeks now. He showed up to school on time and even had his homework. In fact, when Lana showed up on the weekends they did very little studying.
Chloe just couldn't figure out what it was that Clark was doing. All she could figure was that he got extra help around the farm. Max had said something about extra help and perhaps he was the one who was giving the extra hand. She would ask Max if he could be found. Pete laughed at one of Clark's joke as Lana slowed down enough to answer Chloe's question. "I do, but as long as he's not killing himself I won't complain."
"Still, we tried everything to help him and here he is being wonder boy." Chloe continued.
Clark stood from the table and brought the empty cups back to the counter. Clark smiled at Chloe.
"What's going on?" He asked setting the cups down.
"Trying to figure you out." She answered watching him closely.
"What's to figure out? I'm alive and healthy, living life with my three favorite people." Clark said.
He knew Chloe figured something was up. If he could keep the secret about the steroids he kept hidden in the closet under the stairs, then everything was going to be fine.
"If you say so." She responded turning back to her coffee cup and sending Lana a look.
Lana shrugged and smiled at Clark, "We still on for studying this weekend?"
"Actually, I think you're done with Kent tutoring." Clark said smiling big, "In fact I was wanting to take you out for a night you wont forget."
"Are you serious?" She asked leaning against the counter.
"Dead serious. I think things are going good and I want to take you out." Clark said.
"I'm free Saturday night." She said with a smile.
"Pick you up at seven." Clark said.
"Glad to see the farm isn't keeping you down." Chloe pitched in.
"I can get the chores done in no time." Clark said in response to Chloe's remark.
A pain shot up his arm from his normal injection point. He briefly winced and rubbed the spot. The steroid was wearing off quicker and he was having to inject more to keep himself going. Because of it he was running out of shots. He'd have to find Max and get more before he ran out.
He found that the longer he went without the shots the sicker he would get. Once it wore off, he was weak and couldn't control his movements. He had to keep it in his system continuously which required taking it every four hours. He didn't mind, in fact it helped him focus and get back to his old self. Realizing it was time for another shot but not having any on him, it was time for him to go.
"Sorry guys, I wish I could stay and study but I should get home." He said.
"Everything okay?" Chloe asked noticing his earlier wince.
"Just fine. I simply forgot a few things I need to do before this weekend," Clark said hoping to throw her off the trail.
"Get some rest, you really don't look good." Lana said pointing to the dark circles under his eyes and the paleness of his skin.
"I'll take care of that, night." Clark said.
He leaned over and kissed Lana on the cheek. He nodded to Chloe before making his way out of the Talon. Pete waved and smiled before turning to Chloe and winking. Chloe blushed at Pete's obvious affections before returning to her thoughts. Clark was pale and had dark circles under his eyes. If he had the extra hands on the farm then he wouldn't look like he worked all night on the farm just so he could hang out after school. Perhaps the help Max had given him wasn't physical labor but something else.
Clark was an hour late for their date. Lana sat in the Talon talking to Chloe who was waiting with her. Chloe had stopped by right before to get a quick cup of coffee and ended up staying to talk. When Clark didn't show she got her coffee to stay.
"I can't believe he's standing me up," Lana said upset.
Chloe understood her best friend. Clark had been prince charming but ended up as prince 'never on time'. Clark was a good guy but his on and off again with Lana was getting tiresome. "Don't worry Lana, what ever his reason for being late will have you forgiving him in no time." Chloe said the steaming cup resting between her hands.
"What if it finally caught up with him. He hasn't been looking all that healthy." Lana said, the worry creeping into her voice.
"How about you go and get some rest and I'll check on Clark for you." Chloe suggested.
"I should go," Lana said.
"No, You're upset with him. I doubt he needs you ripping him a new one." Chloe said with a chuckle.
Lana smiled, "Alright. I'll see you tomorrow then."
Chloe smiled and finished off her coffee and helped Lana clean up. She was worried and pissed at Clark. Lana didn't deserve another jackass like Lex Luthor. At least Clark wasn't as evil as the bald man but Lana deserved so much more than what Clark was giving her. At least she was patient with the farm boy, more than Chloe would have been.
With a hug and a goodnight, Chloe headed out to her red bug. She dialed the Kent farm but just like Lana she got the answering machine. The same with Clark's cell. Something was going on and hopefully it didn't involve bullet's like the last time. She started her precious car and made a beeline for the Kent Farm.
When she reached the farm everything seemed okay. The lights were on inside and the truck was still in the driveway. She pulled her car to a stop and got out. Since the lights were on inside the house she decided to start there. She knocked on the door but no one answered. After waiting for a few minutes she tried the knob. The door swung inward.
Inside it was clean and looked like it hadn't been disturbed all day. Except for the box on the kitchen table with an empty needle beside it. Curious, she investigated. Inside was only a few bottles of a green liquid. The empty needle had a drop of the green liquid beneath it. It was some type of drug and obviously Clark was injecting himself with it. Question was, what did it do?
She searched all through the house but didn't find Clark. She headed out to the barn figuring he would be there. When she pulled open the barn door, the sight she saw wrenched her stomach. The toolbox was on the ground, tools strewn everywhere. The tractor was on its side with two large boot prints, as if it'd been kicked over.
She took a few steps in and found the dirt marks to appear as if someone had jerked about in that spot. Another step and a pair of boots came into view. Another step, and the boots were attached to legs. She gasped and rushed to Clarks side.
He was covered in sweat and dirt. The veins in his arm were green and protruding from his skin. She pulled his arm to where she could see the inside. It was covered in injection spots and the skin felt clammy. She shook him until he woke. His eyes were blood red and didn't seem to focus on one spot.
"Clark, can you hear me?" She called out. He rolled over and looked up at her. "Clark?" She asked, her hands resting on his chest.
"Chloe?" He asked seeming to find himself.
"Yea, it's me." She answered as she helped him to sit up.
"What are you doing here?" He asked propping himself on the wooden pole that held the loft up.
"Came to see what caused you to stand your beautiful girlfriend up." Chloe answered.
"Oh god, is she mad?" He asked rubbing his pounding forehead.
"She's upset but wait till she finds out you stood her up because you're addicted to a little drug," She said her anger evident.
"I can explain," Clark tried but failed.
"Not only can you explain, but you're going to apologize to Lana and you're going to quit." Chloe said.