-- Chapter 11 -- Countdown --

"Live Each day as though it was your last – someday you'll be right." – Kathleen Norris


1 day – 24 hours – 1440 minutes – 86400 seconds


On his knees, shoulders slumped, Clark tried not to dwell on the fact that he had given himself a single day to beat the unbeatable. Clark felt like his chest was tightening over his heart, and he struck out, burying his fists in the black earth. Relentlessly he pummeled the ground, as though it were the Eradicator. When a small bit of his frustration was vented Clark rose to his feet.

No school today after all, maybe no school ever again. Clark shook his head. This was no time to be negative. That thing didn't get to coerce him out of his life without a fight. He dropped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the little blue crystal, which had told him the small amount of information he had about the Eradicator.

"I need your help," Clark said. "Tell me how to defeat the Eradicator."

The Kryptonium sparkled to life and rose a few inches off Clark's hand. "Welcome Kal-El. The Eradicator model was never defeated in actual combat. As a Kryptonian, the Eradicator should yield to your command. Command her to stand down."

Clark shook his head and rubbed at the wrist the Eradicator had bowed back painfully. "She isn't listening to me. I told her to stand down and shut off. She just dictated her demands. Tell me something useful. Nothing is indestructible."

"The Eradicator was designed to be, as you say, indestructible."

"She's going to kill everyone if I don't do what she says. You have to know something that will help." The little crystal didn't offer any wisdom. It just hovered there glowing, waiting for another question. "Forget it," Clark said. He snatched the Kryptonium out of the air and took off for home. His parents needed to know what was happening. Maybe they'd be able to think of something he hadn't.


0.96 days – 23.1 hours – 1386 minutes – 82944 seconds


Early morning sun and the smell of coffee, Martha settled the last of the breakfast dishes into the dish water, but made no move to take her kitchen sponge up and start washing. Instead, she turned and crossed her arms over her chest. Jonathan was lingering over his last cup of coffee. It really wasn't like him to waste time over breakfast especially this time of year. There weren't enough hours in the day to get everything done as it was. She couldn't fault him for the slow startup really. She felt the same emotional drag. "So what's the plan for the day?"

Jonathan shrugged and finished his last swig of coffee. "Got to get that cellar door back on." Martha was just barely smiling at him leaned up against her counter. She looked so beautiful with the sun shining through her red hair, setting it on fire. Maybe she was tired and scared, but just seeing her gave him hope. It made him believe things worked out. "Maybe I'll take the combine up to the north pasture."

"That cellar door is awfully big and bulky. You shouldn't be lifting on it by yourself. Would you like some help with it?" Martha couldn't quite come out and say that she didn't want to be alone today.

"Alright, I'll run out to the shed and get some hinges and wood ready while you finish up in here," Jonathan said. He brought Martha his dishes and kissed her briefly. Sometimes it scared him how easily he understood his wife's signals. At the moment, he didn't much want to be alone either. Clark had set the tone by going to school though. They were having a normal day. The farm didn't know anything was out of the ordinary.

Jonathan stepped outside and let the screen door bang shut behind him. The temperature was already on the rise. It was going to be unpleasantly warm. A squeak from the right caught Jonathan's attention, and he paused on the steps.

"Dad."

Clark was sitting there in the porch swing, his head dropped nearly between his knees. Almost imperceptibly, he was rocking. "Clark? What happened? I thought you were going to school." Had the Eradicator returned? Was it something else? They should have taken that rock, Kryptonium away from him. That thing had probably done something.

Clark didn't look up. He was staring at something cupped in his hands. "We have a serious problem."

"You're going to have to be a little more specific. We seem to have half a dozen of those lately," Jonathan said. He took a seat next to Clark and wrapped an arm around his slumped shoulders. "Whatever happened, we'll figure it out."

"You really think so? I don't know how." How do you tell your parents that an ultimatum had been issued against their lives? How was he supposed to tell his dad that the only way he knew to keep him and his mom safe was to leave home? "The Eradicator threatened you, Mom, Chloe, Lana...everybody. If I don't go with her, she's going to start killing. She doesn't want to hurt me, just everyone I love." Clark turned the little blue piece of Kryptonium in rapid circles. He could feel his dad stiffen beside him. "I tried to fight her, but she was too strong. I have a day. Well she gave me a day. If I don't comply with her demands, she'll start the killing. So what do I do? I can't beat her, and I can't let her kill anyone." Clark turned and finally looked at his dad. "Tell me what to do."

Jonathan tightened his grip around his son. Clark looked so lost and scared and he wanted answers, direction. The Eradicator threatened you, Mom, Chloe, Lana...everybody. If I don't go with her, she's going to start killing. How do you fight evil? What were they supposed to do? "So we're rolling over and playing dead? How do you know you can't beat the Eradicator? You've tried to fight her once. She got the best of you that one time. She has a weakness. Everything has a weakness."

"I'm not rolling over. I'm scared. The Eradicator is an alien weapon. How do you think we're supposed to find her weaknesses? If that thing starts killing people, it'll be my fault," Clark said. "I can't let it come to that."

Jonathan took a deep breath and held it. What could they do? Clark wasn't strong enough to face this creature if the first encounter was any indication. If they ran away, it would start killing people. Even if he could live with the consequences of fleeing, Jonathan couldn't ask Clark or Martha to take on that responsibility. "What do you think the right thing to do is, Clark?"

Tears were blurring his vision but Clark blinked them back. "I think I have less than a day to get things in order. I don't want to have any regrets tomorrow."

With a blast of speed, Clark disappeared into the corn. Jonathan covered his face with a hand and hid his tears. He had never been a religious man. Jonathan believed in God. He'd just never been on speaking terms with him. This morning Jonathan prayed for inspiration, for answers, for a chance to save his son. "God, we need to talk..."


0.93 days – 22.4 hours – 1344 minutes – 80640 seconds


"If you don't let me go home, I will go insane," Chloe said. The angry tenor to her voice belied the broad smile on her face. "Please?"

The doctor, with his starched white lab coat and his delicate gold-rimmed glasses just smiled at her and flipped through her chart. "Ms. Sullivan, I can't release you without your father's signature. He'll be coming by after work to take you home. It's the rule."

"Can't be letting the crazy people out of the psych ward, right? You could at least move me to a less embarrassing section of the hospital. I can't stand the thought of visitors coming in here," Chloe moaned. "The whole school will be whispering about 'crazy Chloe'."

"I wouldn't worry too much about that," Clark said. "I haven't been spreading any rumors."

Chloe winced and smiled at the friend peeking his head around her hospital door. "Come on in Clark. This particular drone isn't willing to negotiate." She waved dismissively at the doctor.

Clark managed to force a smile onto his face. "I could bust you out of here?"

"And miss the Jell-o that's coming with lunch? Clark, I have grown quite fond of that lime green concoction," Chloe said sarcastically. She rolled her eyes dramatically and tucked her hair behind her ears. The doctor shook his head at the two teenagers and left with Chloe's chart.

"I see they're justified, keeping you in the psych ward then. Lime Jell-o? Need I shudder?" Clark's smile began to feel more comfortable on his face. Chloe had that effect on him. She always set him at ease.

"Hey, watch it. I am not crazy, at least not at the moment. Now, I have a few questions for you mister." Chloe glanced at the wall clock. "I won't start with why you're not in class, truant-one. Just, tell me about the whole incident last night, the girl who threatened you, every detail. I managed to finagle a peek at the police report, but I'd like to hear a first person account."

Clark's smile faded and he shrugged. "That came out of nowhere. You'd think spending time in the hospital would distance you a little more from all the action out in the world."

"A good reporter stays on top of these things. Now spill it. The police think the perpetrator that took a piece out of me is the same one who caused the trouble at your place. I own this story, Clark. Talk." Chloe pulled out her notepad and waited expectantly.

"Could this wait, at least until you get out of here? I don't much want to talk about it at the moment." What did he want to talk about? Why was he here? No regrets. Did that mean telling secrets? He could give her the scoop of the century. I'm not ready to give up on my life and its requisite secrets though. "I need you to do me a favor."

Chloe cocked her head to the side and frowned. "I'm the one in the hospital, and you need a favor? Okay, ask. I reserve the right to decline though." Clark looked awfully serious. Maybe he wasn't as okay as he'd been acting?

"Be safe. Don't take so many risks. Don't chase every meteor mutant that crawls out of the woodwork." Clark looked up and shrugged. "Try not to land in the hospital anymore." If I'm gone tomorrow, don't forget me.

"A reporter has to take risks." Chloe sighed. She couldn't be adamant when he was giving her the puppy-dog look. "I'll promise to try, after you give the interview about last night."

"No strings Chloe, I'll give you your interview tomorrow morning, baring tragedy. I want your word," Clark said. "Please."

Chloe looked away from Clark's earnest baby blues and sighed dramatically. "I promise to be more careful or at least try."

A smile spread over Clark's face as he tried to imagine Chloe actually being cautious. "At least try, eh? I can live with that." Clark glanced at the clock. Time was moving too quickly. "I'd better get going."

"Yeah, you're missing your education. Go to school," Chloe said. "And Clark, thanks for not spreading this particular hospital visit around and for being there yesterday."

"We're best friends. It's my job to be there."


0.88 day – 21 hours – 1260 minutes – 75600 seconds


Pete Ross just managed to pry his geometry book out from under the impressive clutter filling his locker. "I have got to clean this thing up." He slammed the locker and came face to face with, Clark. "Hey man, didn't you get the memo? Classes are starting at eight now. The teachers are taking roll and everything."

Clark winced and nodded. "Yeah I'll have to work on that. So you want to be a delinquent with me? How about skipping geometry?"

"To do what?" Pete asked. "I have to make an A in that class." It was strange. Clark never seemed to have time for him anymore. Now, all of a sudden, he was trying to drag him off like they were bosom buddies.

"I guess I just wanted to talk." Clark frowned and stared hard at the clock in the hall. It wasn't fair for him to drag Pete off right now. It was selfish and Pete had every right to just walk off. "I sort of need to talk."

"After school we can talk. Scratch that, I have practice. I suggest you get to class, and don't forget your sociology outline for this afternoon. Mrs. Pringles will so dock you ten percent if you don't have it." Pete shot Clark a wave and made his way into class. Once safely in his usual seat, Pete regretted walking away. I wasn't fair! He shouldn't feel guilty for actually going to class. Clark had seemed sort of stressed, desperate. He's your friend Pete, and you blew him off. Well, Clark was getting a taste of his own medicine. Pete had been blown off enough to last a lifetime. They'd just see how much Clark liked getting ignored.

He could always make nice tomorrow.


0.87 days – 20.8 hours – 1248 minutes – 74880 seconds


Clark leaned against a bank of lockers as the hall emptied. Well, he was batting 500. Pete was annoyed. That wasn't the note he had intended to leave. Well he'd just have to find a way to be there tomorrow and apologize. His dad was right. He'd only ever thrown one punch at the Eradicator. Maybe it wasn't as hopeless as it felt? He just wished the memory of her strength wasn't still so fresh in his mind.

One hard look at the wall clock and Clark's started walking. There were still loose ends, and he was wasting time.


0.79 day – 19.1 hours – 1146 minutes – 68760 seconds


An immense bed, set atop a small dais, was illuminated by floor to ceiling French windows. Under crimson silk sheets Lex Luthor lay motionless, not sleeping. Lounging around in bed until nearly lunch wasn't his style, but Lex couldn't seem to motivate himself to head down and deal with the crap factory today. For one thing, he was sore. The Eradicator thing wasn't weak and she had managed to get two good licks in on him. Physical discomfort wasn't keeping him in bed though.

The night before, he had collapsed into bed, his mind in turmoil. Smallville was like a mystery novel, or a jigsaw puzzle. There were always new pieces coming to light, but Lex couldn't seem to put any of them together. Yesterday's addition to the jumble of facts, the Eradicator, hadn't shed a great deal of light on the mess that was Smallville. Another freak in the freak show, she was hardly of interest at all except for the threat she posed. It wasn't the Eradicator that had him staring at the inlaid wood design of his ceiling pondering. So what did?

"Mr. Luthor, I know you are never to be disturbed in your bedroom," a pencil thin brunet with tired pinched lips said. "But you also left strict orders that you were to be notified when Clark Kent came to visit. Mr. Kent has been waiting for nearly an hour and he was about to leave, so I decided to disturb you."

Sometimes Lex wished that the doors around his home creaked. He sighed and threw the covers back. "Your only mistake was taking nearly an hour to notify me." It was a real hassle training new staff. "You won't make that mistake again. Send Clark up."

"Yes sir."

Lex stepped into the privacy of his dressing room. He decided to forego his morning shower for the moment and selected a nice anonymous black suit. He barely winced as the fabric slid over his swollen arm. Still buttoning his navy blue linen shirt he stepped back out in his sock feet. "Clark, many apologies for keeping you waiting."

"Hey Lex, it's not a problem." You just wasted five percent of my day. "I figured you were in some important meeting. Never really thought you were the type to sleep in."

Lex straightened his jacket and smirked at Clark in the mirror. "Generally, you'd be correct. I never figured you for the type to skip school either, but here we are two days in a row."

Clark shrugged. "I have parental sanction. They thought it might be a good idea to take a day off after all the excitement last night. Are you feeling okay? I know the Eradicator tried to wring your arm off."

"I'm fine," Lex said. He flexed his arm for emphasis. "So, I'm guessing this isn't just a social call. What can I do for you?"

"Honestly, I came to ask you a favor," Clark said.

That gave Lex pause. Actually asking for a favor? It wasn't like Clark to ask for anything. Maybe that's why Lex was always offering him things.

"I guess you start thinking when you land your first real stalker." You really start thinking when you have less than twenty hours left on earth. "It sounds stupid, just saying it. If anything happened to me, would you look after my parents. I know my dad never has trusted you, but he's wrong. There isn't anyone else I trust enough to ask this."

"Not much of a favor, because you're fine and you're going to stay fine. I understand you might be a little disturbed, but this is no time to be putting your affairs in order," Lex said. "Now first off, the Eradicator has a rather short attention span. She came after me first then she switched her attentions to you. She'll probably be stalking Whitney Fordman tomorrow."

Clark didn't respond. What could he say? The Eradicator wouldn't be switching her attentions again because she'd found the extraterrestrial. He should probably just agree, but he couldn't bring himself to tell the outright lie. "But if something did happen..."

"If something happened, I'd take care of your parents as though they were my own." Lex laughed and shook his head. "I take that back. You know what I meant though. Whether your dad wanted the help or not, I'd find a way."

"Thank you." Clark smiled and this time it wasn't forced. "I apologize for being so morbid and for asking you such a big thing."

Lex smiled back and slapped Clark on the back. "Stop dwelling on the worst possible scenario. You're going to be fine. Now, how do you think your dad would feel about me sending some security out to the farm, just until this all blows over?"

"I don't think he'd be thrilled. I would recommend you save them the round trip." Clark tugged at this coat and looked Lex in the eyes. You trust him enough to ask him to look after your parents, but he doesn't get to know what you are. It seemed wrong to Clark, but telling secrets was the same thing as giving up and he wasn't technically doing that yet. "My mom is probably ready to ream me out for staying gone so long."

Lex let Clark outdistance him down the stairs and he stopped halfway down. "Be safe, Clark."

"I'm going to be fine," Clark said. "Right?" Now if I can keep everyone else safe without having to vacate the planet.

Lex stared at his closed front door and tried to make sense of the bit of information, which had kept him thinking all morning. The Kents were liars, practically professional. Jonathan and Martha Kent had lied to the police as though they lied every day of their lives. If his instincts were to be trusted, they lied to him. Another piece to the "Smallville puzzle," but this was a section of said puzzle that Clark had asked him to leave well enough alone.

Clark was his friend. He gave Lex his life back.

"I hate a mystery." You couldn't make intelligent decisions without understanding the puzzle you were manipulating. How was he supposed to look out for Clark and his family when he had no idea what they were hiding?


0.65 day – 15.7 hours – 942 minutes – 56520 seconds


"Nell, have you seen my clean apron?" Lana called. She wrapped her hair into a ponytail and continued searching for the missing garment. "I'm going to be late." She glanced at the clock, 3:30.

"You aren't going to be late. I'm the manager and I excuse you," Nell said. She tossed the clean little apron to her niece with a smile.

"You saved my life." Lana grinned and hugged her aunt tight. Cheerleading had been less stressful and time consuming, but helping run the Talon was more rewarding. Nell seemed to finally be coming around about it all. "Can I catch a ride in with you?"

"Sure, I'll meet you at the car. Just let me grab my purse," Nell said.

Lana pushed her way out onto the porch and almost stumbled over a lone vase with a flower. Frowning, she crouched down to examine the out of place blossom. It was a wild flower, apricot blossom unless she missed her guess. A purple head, delicate and round with hundreds of narrow petals rising together from their point of convergence, rested perfectly on a pale green vine. There wasn't a card and no one was around. Maybe Whitney had left it? That wasn't really his style though. He would have come in and taken credit for the present.

Lana held the simple glass vase and smelled the flower, pungent not really sweet, but it was pretty.

Not far away, in the trees Clark sat and with his exceptional vision watched Lana find his flower. It hadn't been his initial plan, to pick a flower and leave it. He had been going to stay behind and tell Lana how much the delicate purple blossom reminded him of her. He had been going to tell her how beautiful she was and that he valued their friendship. He'd even considered mentioning the L-word.

Clark hadn't done it though. He was sitting out here playing the voyeur. How can you love someone you can't even consistently talk to? Chloe would laugh at him and tell him how pathetic he was. Lex would tell him he should have brought more flowers or maybe offer some wisdom or more likely a pair of concert tickets.

"I think I might love you, Lana Lang. Here's hoping I get the chance to figure it out."


0.61 days – 14.6 hours – 876 minutes – 52560 seconds


Martha snuggled close to Jonathan and tried to draw strength from his presence. They'd been waiting for hours, waiting for Clark to return. After hearing the news about the ultimatum the Eradicator had issued, Martha had panicked. First she'd been angry and scared and that turned into energy. It was a small wonder there wasn't a trench worn in her kitchen floor. After a while she just felt exhausted, like the entire world was sitting on her shoulders. She'd joined Jonathan on the porch swing. He had held her and petted her. He whispered important things: it was going to be okay; they weren't going to lose Clark.

"Mom, Dad."

Martha sat up and all the fog fled her mind. "Clark, what do you mean disappearing all day? Are you okay?"

"I'm..." Clark had been going to say fine. That had been his line all day. These were the two people he didn't have to lie to though. "I'm so scared." That was all the encouragement his parents needed. His mom wrapped him in a tight hug and his dad was at his side. "I didn't mean to worry you guys. I just needed to do some things. I went to see Chloe and Pete and Lex. Then I did every chore I could think of. The south pasture is fenced. I know I should have checked in, told you guys not to worry."

"You should have," Jonathan said. "It's okay though." Being angry with Clark just wasn't possible at the moment.

Martha stepped back and nodded. "We don't have a lot of time. We need to figure out how we're going to beat the Eradicator."

Clark looked down and frowned. "I've already decided how to handle this. It's my fight and I get to decide."

Martha nodded, and her hand slipped into Jonathan's. Clark had already figured out how to handle the Eradicator. That was a relief.

"I'm going to leave with her."