Chapter 10
"Wake up!
The loud voice penetrates Clark's consciousness as he regains it. He sits up to find himself in a house.
"Thank God! You're alright."
Clark turns his head to find Andrea next to him, tied to a chair.
"Andrea? What happened to you?"
"There isn't time for that! Untie me! They took Mia!"
"What do you mean they took Mia?!" Clark asks urgently as he moves to untie her.
"These people are insane. During the meteor shower in '89 this family's daughter was killed and they believe that 'sacrifice' gave them the Lord's blessing in good crops and a healthy life so now they do it every year so he'll keep blessing them."
"Mia?" Clark asks in utter horror. Oh God. Not Mia. Not his daughter.
"I'm going to kill them! I'm going to snap their necks like chickens!" she vows darkly.
"Andrea. Calm down," Clark tells her as he frees her.
"Don't tell me to calm down!" she snaps at him as she jumps to her feet. "They're going to sacrifice my daughter. I can't lose her, Clark! I can't. I lost my mother and I barely survived it. I can't lose Mia! I'm not strong enough! I can't!" she starts to break down.
Clark pulls her into a hug. "You're not going to lose her. Alright," he tries to reassure her. "We'll save her. I promise but to do that we need to stay calm and think clearly, ok."
Andrea closes her eyes and loses herself in the feel of Clark's warm, solid body as she tries to reign her wild emotions in. If her daughter wasn't in mortal danger this would be so nice. It's been so long since she felt the simple comfort of a hug.
"Are you…back with us?" he asks in a soft, warm, concerned tone as he strokes her hair.
Andrea nods. "Yes," she says as she pulls back and finds herself looking into those intense blue eyes. For a moment the two just stand there before the spell is broken. "Ok. Right. Clark, I know you're not a violent man but right now I need you to unleash hell on these escapees from the Wicker Man and get Mia."
"Believe you me I would like to do nothing better but I can't."
"What do you mean you can't?!" she asks incredulously.
"The water around here is contaminated with blue meteor rock. They've been drinking it for years."
"So?!"
"You remember what I said about being allergic to the green rock you had in your necklace?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, there are different varieties, different colours that affect me differently. Blue suppresses my powers and their bodies are infected with it. As long as they're close by I can't access my abilities," he explains as he heads for the window and looks out. "The house seems to be surrounded. Our best chance is for me to get past the guards before they can fire," he says in reflection to the fact that some of the people outside are visibly armed.
Andrea joins him at the window and sees the armed guards. "Clark, I'm terrified beyond rational thought at the moment and even I doubt we could get past them without being shot dead."
Clark hates that she's right. "Yeah but…wait a minute. How did they manage to tie you up?" he asks, as it suddenly occurs to him.
Andrea sighs and blows her hair out of her eyes. "It seems like your powers aren't the only ones on the fritz."
Clark's brow furrows. "That doesn't make sense. The rocks affect me because I'm…" he trails off as he catches himself before what he was about to reveal.
"You're what?" Andrea asks, looking at him suspiciously.
"Never mind. Bottom line is there is no reason you should be affected the way I am."
Andrea's eyes narrow. What was he about to say there? She places her hands on her hips. "Lemonade," she murmurs.
"Huh?"
"She said the water she used to make the lemonade came from a special spring. I drank it so I guess that means I drank minute traces of the blue meteor rocks."
"That might have had a neutralising effect on the traces of green kryptonite in your body," Clark surmises
"Excuse me? Kryptonite?" she inquires.
"Oh. It's what I call the meteors," he tries to casually wave off his slip up.
Curiouser and Curiouser. "What do you mean 'might have'? Don't you know?"
"Their effects tend to be random and unpredictable," he says in his own defence.
"Is this permanent? Am I normal again?" she asks and is surprised by how bereft she finds the thought of losing her powers considering she never wanted them in the first place and considered herself a 'freak of nature' after gaining them.
"I can't say," he says in all honesty. "But once we get out of here, I do know a doctor that can be trusted if you're worried."
"Lets save Mia, first. That's all that matters," Andrea says, stepping over the doctor issue.
Clark takes a breath and looks around the room. "You know, maybe we're looking at this wrong," he says.
"In what way?"
"We're in Kansas."
"And?"
"What does any good farmhouse in Kansas have?" he asks as he moves the tables and chairs aside, bends down and grabs the end of the rug on the floor before throwing it back to reveal a hatch.
"A storm cellar!" Andrea almost cheers his brilliance. "I guess that farmboy upbringing finally came in handy," she snarks as she impulsively kisses him on the cheek.
Clark takes a moment to get over the shock of feeling her lips on his skin before he pulls on the handle but can't break the lock due to his lack of powers. "Except that might be a problem," he groans.
"Not necessarily," Andrea says as she starts to look around the kitchen for…ah ha! That'll do. She grabs her chosen tool and starts to work on the lock
"You know how to pick locks?" he asks, surprised he's learning a new thing about her.
"Grew up in Suicide Slums, farmboy," she reminds him that she grew up in the worst part of Metropolis.
"So not exactly the role model Catholic then?"
Andrea actually chuckles despite the situation they are in. "Oh. I could tell you stories."
"I hope so," Clark says genuinely.
Andrea stops and the two exchange a deep look and a small smile. The lock clicks and she stands up straight. "We're going to need to change clothes," she says.
Clark nods. "Yeah. I think we'll stick out a little like this," he says, following her logic.
Andrea grabs her top, pulls it over her head and throws it off, followed shortly by her pants.
"Uh…" Clark says, his cheeks turning beet red but his eyes unable to look away from the scantily clad woman.
The brunette rolls her eyes. "It's not like you haven't seen it all before," she points out as she grabs some clothing out a cupboard and throws some men's ones at Clark.
True but still she does look in fantastic shape. He wonders how she manages it before mentally slapping himself. He has his daughter to save because if he doesn't that adult one living with him might just cease to exist before the day is out. Clark starts to strip himself down.
Andrea can't help but pause in her redressing as her eyes find themselves stuck on Clark's bare chest. Wow. It has really been awhile. Bad Andrea! Your daughter is in trouble! Don't think about…you know, stuff that could lead to having another.
The couple refocus on the task and once dressed make their way down into the cellar. They find their way out, behind the house and away from any prying eyes initially.
"Do you see Mia?" Andrea asks in a whisper.
"No. We just need to get some distance. Once I have my powers back, I'll be able to find her in seconds," he promises her.
Andrea nods, plasters on the fakest of fake smiles and she and Clark walk arm in arm through the celebrating townsfolk, nodding politely.
Ruth Cavanaugh comes up to them, offering food.
"Thank you, sister," Andrea says, disguising her voice but as she reaches for the snack it reveals the ring she wears. It was her mother's ring which she wears in memory of her but the problem is it's quite distinctive. Especially if someone has seen it before.
Ruth grabs Andrea's hand hard. "It's you!"
Andrea pulls her bonnet off. "You think you're close to God?" she sneers. "Try getting close to the fist of his Angel of Vengeance!" she snaps as she punches the woman hard.
"So much for undercover," Clark mutters to himself. "Come on. We need to go!" he says as he grabs Andrea's hand and they make a run for it.
"Don't let them get away!" Ruth screams from her fallen position.
Clark and Andrea near the gate to the farm only to find it blocked by men dressed as scarecrows. They slide to a stop.
Joseph comes up behind them, holding a scythe. "I had hoped to spare you the pain of witnessing your child's end."
"Where is she?!" Andrea rages.
"I won't let you hurt her," Clark vows as he moves in front of Andrea.
"You are a mere mortal, and you will not defy the will of our Lord!" Joseph declares as he swings the scythe and slices Clark's stomach open.
The dark-haired man topples over almost instantly as he begins to bleed out on the ground.
Andrea's eyes go wide in horror. "Clark! Clark! No!" The scarecrow dressed men grab her and start to drag her off. "Get off of me! Clark! I'm going to kill you for this! You hear me Cavanagh! You're dead!" she screams as she is dragged off to the town square where the sacrifice will be made.
"I had hoped to spare you, child," Joseph says to the air. "But now, to protect our town, I must make tonight a double sacrifice," he says with what is almost regret. Almost but not quite.
While Andrea is being dragged away a small group of townsfolk led by the Sheriff drag Clark's lifeless body away and bury him.
"You don't think he was still alive when we buried him, do you?" one lady asks with what sounds like a tiny sliver of regret.
"If he was…he's dead now," the Sheriff responds. "It is a burden but it's one the Good Lord requires of us. In exchange for his blessing. Come now. The Ceremonies are about to begin."
The group leave, not looking back which means none of them spot the hand that thrusts its way out of the ground…
In the town square Andrea finds herself strung up in front of the pillar in the centre of it.
"Bring the child!" Joseph orders.
It is only a short time later two men return with Mia.
"Mamá! Mamá!" the dark-haired girl yells as she slips free of her abductors and runs over to her mother.
Andrea slips into Spanish. "It's going to be alright, sweetheart but I need you to be brave right now," she says, though how she'll make that true she has no idea.
"Tie her up with her mother," Joseph orders and Mia too is tied up.
"You really think this is some noble sacrifice?" Andrea addresses the whole town. "You all know it's murder."
"No one can keep us from our holy task. Our Lord has shown us the light."
Andrea laughs scornfully. "Light? Don't preach to me about light and darkness. I saw both in an instant the day my mother was killed. The man who killed her was scum but at least he was honest about what he was. Can any of you say the same? Or do you cloak your darkness in righteous bullshit? Hmm? Or if you are too afraid to look inside yourselves for the answer how about you answer the simplest question; Whatever happened to 'thou shalt not kill?'"
"We follow his example. Every year for 20 years, a young woman has been sacrificed with fire from above, just like Esther. And for that, our Lord has rewarded his devoted flock. My daughter was the first to give her life, you won't be the last," Joseph preaches in the manner of a true zealot.
"I know the pain of the grief you feel. My mother was killed in front of my eyes but I could never kill innocent women in her name because it would dishonour her memory. She would be ashamed of me. Tell me something; how do you think your daughter feels about you now? Is she ashamed of how you have led these people astray?"
"Silence!" Joseph yells, slapping her across the face. "You do not understand, because you do not have faith."
"Don't preach to me about faith. I'm Catholic. Every Sunday of every day of my life I've listened to men of true belief speak of the teachings Jesus gave us. Chief amongst them knowing the difference in right from wrong. Just like all of you do deep down. You know this isn't right. You know sacrificing this innocent girl isn't what God wants you to do. Do you think He'll forgive you for killing one whose soul hasn't a shred of darkness within it?"
Joseph turns to his flock. "Don't be swayed by her words. She does not know what we suffered before His fiery wrath rained down from the heavens. But you remember those dark days, if we let her live a vengeful God will smite us yet again, and mark my words this time he will take one of your daughters. Ben, would you give up your daughter Sarah?" he asks one of the congregation.
Ben shakes his head.
"Any of you?" he asks and none contradict him. "I say better to sacrifice a non-believer. Then to lose another one of our own."
"I promise you this Cavanagh. Killing me will not be the end of this. I'll return as an Angel of Vengeance and bring God's wrath down upon you! All of you!" she promises.
"But that is not God's plan for us for if it were He would have done it long ago. In the meantime if you and your daughter are as truly pure, He will welcome you into his arms." He turns to the crowd. "Let us begin!"
Andrea glares a hole in him as he lights a flame above her head atop the pillar. One of blue flame, fuelled by blue kryptonite.
"Let us pray. Dear Lord, accept this offering as our complete devotion to you. Take this woman and her child, so that your people may see another harvest of bountiful crops and another year without sickness."
"Praise the Lord!" the congregation says all together.
Then, suddenly, a shotgun goes off.
The crowd parts to reveal Clark, alive and well and pretty pissed off looking to put it mildly. He cocks the shotgun. "Get away from them," he orders.
"Clark!" Andrea says in utter relief, her voice trembling slightly.
"Mister Clark!" Mia yells, her voice trembling.
Clark's eyes fall upon his daughter and he finds his grip on the gun tightening as dark thoughts enter his head about just what he is going to do to these people.
Joseph will not be deterred. "No, she must be sacrificed," he says as he pulls the lever to tip the bowl the fire sits in down atop Andrea and Mia.
Even without his powers Clark makes a dash an Olympic sprinter would be proud of and makes it to the pillar, covering Andrea and Mia with his own body as the blue kryptonite fire burns at his flesh.
Andrea can hear the scream of agony from him. Then as he stands away from her, she stands up straight and her eyes widen at seeing his back, burned as severely as one might imagine.
"This is a trick," Joseph says, yet stepping back as does the rest of the people.
"Look at what he's been through Joshua, and he's still alive. It's a sign!" the Sheriff says.
Andrea's eyes then notice the slight glow of light from Clark's wounds as they begin to heal. It then strikes her what to she must do. "Yes. It is a sign," Andrea says. "Look!" she says, spinning Clark around to show the crowd his back. All of then take a further step back and Clark's back begins to heal more before their eyes. "Move back all of you. Way back. Far away from him. You are not worthy to be in his presence. Drop your weapons and beg for forgiveness for you see you stand in the presence of a true Messenger of God, sent from the Heavens."
"I don't believe you," Joseph says, though the assuredness in his tone is faltering.
"Oh, you better believe it. Because if you don't listen He will strike down upon thee, with a greater vengeance and furious anger than even I might have. Step back and listen or He will raise your village with fire from his eyes and smite your crops with winds blown from his lips," she says, using what abilities she knows he possesses.
Clark gets what she is doing as he watches the crowd step further and further away and as they do so the agonising pain from his back fades away to nothing. "Amen," he says.
Andrea turns back to him and speaks softly. "Now how about you get us out of here before they change their minds?" she asks him.
Clark gives her a smile and in an instant he has freed her and Mia, picked them up and sped away…leaving the townsfolk astonished and the man of faith Joseph falling to his knees in disbelief.
The Watchtower…
Tess needed somewhere….anywhere to get away from the horrific day she had been having. She had been hoping to…well she guesses save Alexander, Lex's last clone but it was a lost cause. The rapidly aging boy possessed all of Lex's memory and the inherent evil that came with it. She had decided to lock him away back at Cadmus for the 6 or so weeks the boy had left as his rapid aging was killing him.
The redhead enters the room at the top of the building only to discover someone else is already here. That someone being the woman she had herself had dubbed 'Supergirl'. The dark-haired superhero seemed very intensely focussed on something on one of the computers. So focussed, in fact, she hadn't seemed to notice Tess' arrival.
"Something I can help you with?"
Mia literally levitates out the chair, her eyes wide as she states the red-haired woman. "Quién eres tú?"
"Funny coincidence. That was to be my question for you."
"Wait a minute. You're Tess, right. My P-cousin mentioned they had made you the new 'Watchtower'."
Tess notes her correction when mentioning Clark. What was she about to say that started with 'P'? "So, what brings you here?"
Mia shrugs and tries to school her features as best she can. "Just seeing if there was anything going on that needed my services."
Tess folds her arms across her chest and arches an eyebrow. Despite the girl's best efforts she isn't that good at hiding the fact she's lying. She'll play along for now. "So, is there?"
"Wha-uh?"
"Anything going on?"
Mia shakes her head. "No. No. All quiet," she says as she leans down and types away on the keyboard, clearing away what was on the screen. "I guess I'll go see if that cousin of mine is back from his assignment…that you sent him on."
"He volunteered," Tess corrects.
"Well, it was nice meeting you, Tess," Mia says as she walks off towards the window.
"Yeah, you too…didn't catch the name?"
"No," Mia says with a tiny smirk. Though the thought she is currently having in her head is that she swears Tess looks kinda familiar. Has she met her in the future? If she did it was a very brief meeting because she can't place where the sense of familiarity comes from.
Tess watches the Latino girl fly out the window before walking over to the computer she was working on. Yep. Just as she figured. 'Supergirl' there has wiped it…except as she was telling Clark and Ollie the other week nothing in cyberspace is truly lost. So, lets us just see what it is our mysterious heroine is really up to. And with that thought Tess locks her fingers together and cracks her knuckles before she gets to work.
Author's Note: The key thing I was thinking about when it came to this episode is that it opened up an area of inquiry for Andrea when Clark is forced to explain his loss of powers. Or in other words it brings us closer to Clark finally having to fess up the truth. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews.