Chapter 10 [That Night—Rest Stop Outside of Minneapolis]

Luna ascended high into the cloudless dark backdrop. Stars (including a certain red one) twinkled all round it. Slight breeze rippled the Mississippi River and its environs around the Twin Cities.

Some, however, sought Solitude….

Kal parked the motorcycle against the parking lot's far curb. After Jor-El's last attempt at communication and the mention of his 'agent', he'd carried the bike on a super speed shortcut up the interstate. In only half an hour, he'd widen the potential gap by an extra six hours between potential pursuit and himself. I can do an hour. They won't be catching up with me. An overconfident smirk and cough punctuated his attitude at that point. He rolled up his coat and set it on the ground. Then, he laid down on the grass. His eyes studied the stars overhead. Look at them! These humans think everything's so peaceful up there. Yeah right! WHATEVER! Dad wants me to rule. I'll rule eventually. Right now, I just want to rule the clubs and PARTY!

EVEN NOW, YOU RESIST YOUR PURPOSE, KAL-EL! EVEN NOW, YOU HURT THOSE YOU INSIST THAT YOU LOVE! TURN BACK! Jor-El insisted.

Kal grimaced. "And hello to you too, Dad! I'm trying to get some sleep. Oh yeah. You know what that's like since you're dead." He turned off to the side. The last thing he wanted was for the ghostly father figure's lecture.

YOU WILL LISTEN, MY SON! Jor-El snapped at him.

"Like I really care about the humans? Come on! You know better than that! I know better than that! Go ahead and hurt Little Girl Small, the Bald Billionaire, the Blonde Big Mouth and Jonathan! I really don't care! Do what you want! They aren't in my life anymore!" Kal raised an eyebrow. "Just leave me alone!"

AND WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO CARE FOR CLARK KENT, MY SON? THEY MATTER NOW AS WELL! Jor-El interjected.

A pointed snort escaped from Kal's mouth. "Now Clarkie matters? Really? Gee, Dad! What happened? One of them really lay into you or something?" He squinted a look toward the sky. Intrigue and Curiosity drew him into the spirit's line of thinking.

THE ONE CALLED LANA LANG IS TRULY SPECIAL, KAL-EL! I ERRED IN THREATENING HER BEFORE! SHE IS OF MUCH STERNER STUFF THAN EITHER OF US COULD IMAGINE! SHE SEARCHES FOR YOU AS WE SPEAK! Jor-El could feel Lana's concern and outrage through their shared link. He attempted to convey that to his wayward son.

Kal sat up. He rubbed his forehead to assuage the building headache therein. "Now you care about them? HA! Little Girl Small's too slow for my speed anyway! Let her have her dead parents and stupid dead theater anyway!"

Lana? She cares? Clark surged within their shared mind. Warmth and Strength bolstered his own standing. He pushed back against his counterpart. For several seconds, the struggle was on.

Irritation dampened Kal's brow. "Now see what you did, Old Man?" He brandished the red ring and pressed it against his forehead. Radiation suppressed Clark's will once more. "She must've did something to get your attention like this! What was it? She make like Auntie and put out for you?"

SHE PASSED MY TEST, MY SON! EVEN NOW, SHE SPEAKS WITH THE CULTURAL SPECIALIST FROM THE CITY CALLED NEW YORK. GO THERE IF YOU WISH YOUR ANSWERS! THEY PREPARE FOR YOU! Jor-El kept his temper on a tight rein. Challenge jabbed at Kal.

"Swann can think what he wants! But Little Girl Small survived, did she? Hmmm…." Curiosity drew him in. Kal hadn't expected Lana to survive Jor-El's direct assault. "Maybe I should go see what she has! She waited long enough for Clarkie to do it! Not that the little boy ever would!" He got up and shook his jacket. He headed for his bike.

Maybe Lana did have something besides that little girl after all. How much more he was about to find out….