Hereafter Part 5

Clark was in the Torch office the following Monday. The headline read: Smallville Swim Team Continues Winning Streak.

Clark had managed to get enough strength to speed away before the cops found him. It turned out, Jordan had made the call sometime toward the beginning of the meet, feeling he had to be more helpful.

Clark was unable to write any article that contained information about the shooter. There was just no way to bring it up; the only evidence came from a changed vision from the future. There was no viable excuse he could give for being at the church instead of being at the pool. Thankfully, due to Jordan's notes, Clark managed to put together a decent article.

"You did it again!" Jordan beamed as he entered the office. "That's two people's fate you've changed. Why so glum?"

"I wanted this article to be different. I had hoped to catch this guy. Instead, he's still out there. Did you have any other visions of who might be next?"

"No." Jordan shook his head and took a seat in a nearby chair. "The thing is I lived here my whole life. It's possible I did already but it was a long time ago and I don't remember."

"Jordan, that rock you mentioned seeing, do you know if it was a meteor rock?"

"Maybe. I mean, it's a rock."

"You know, whoever it was, they didn't kill me. He had the chance but was focused on shooting Megan instead. Why?"

Jordan shrugged as Chloe walked into the office. "Hi, hello. And what are you two so engrossed in discussing?"

Jordan gave Clark a panicked look and shook his head. Clark understood; Jordan wasn't ready to share his ability with someone else. Clark would talk to Jordan later about letting Chloe in. Besides, with her help she might be able to track down the mysterious sniper. He had had no luck with the search he had done.

"I was just telling Jordan he helped out a lot on Saturday."

"Yeah, thanks for filling in. Just don't waste so much memory next time. You took a lot of unnecessary photos on the bleachers. I mean, I get one or two, but more athletes, less spectators. I'll have to delete some of those."

"No!" Both Jordan and Clark shouted, surprising Chloe.

"I'll explain later," Clark assured her.

Jordan coughed. "Well, I better get going."

Just as Jordan left, Alicia walked in.

"Hi, Clark." She said, shyly approaching his desk.

"Hi," Clark said. He noticed she was smiling.

"I wanted to apologize for being so stand-offish. You've been nothing but nice to me."

Clark shrugged. "It's okay. It can't be easy being at a new school and hardly knowing anyone."

"I know you. Anyway, does the Torch still need that new-student interview?"

"We do, actually," Chloe cut in. "Why don't we…"

"Can you do it?" Alicia's eyes never left Clark.

"Um…sure."

"Now?"

"I guess."

"Want to go to the Talon? My treat."

"Uh…ok. I just have to grab my backpack."

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Chloe could tell that Alicia had fallen for the knight in plaid armor with just one look. The new blonde's face lit up when she gazed at Clark's smile. And Chloe was semi-certain Alicia's knees were trembling a bit too.

Poor girl. She doesn't know she already lost. I better help her out.

"So, you like Clark, don't cha?" Chloe asked after her favorite farm boy exited the room.

"What's not to like?" Alicia giggled. And Chloe didn't miss the small blush.

"Look, as an established Smallville resident, I can assure you that Clark Kent is a taken man."

"With who?"

"Lana Lang. There's been a lot of drama between the two of them and they haven't even made it to three dates yet."

"I'm not worried about her."

Alicia spoke with such confidence Chloe stared back with her mouth open. "You don't get it. Clark is in love with Lana. Head over heels. Struck by Cupid's arrow. Drunk on Love Potion Number Nine in love with Lana Lang. Other girls just don't stand a chance."

"Clark's just getting to know me. He'll find I'm not like other girls. But thanks for the heads up, Chloe. That was very nice of you."

"Anytime." Chloe shook her head as Alicia left the Torch office. That girl is in for a world of hurt.

Not to mention the girl had done a one-eighty on her personality. When Chloe had first approached Alicia in the Talon for the first time asking for an interview, Alicia seemed like she had wanted nothing to do with Clark. Or anyone, for that matter. Now, she looked utterly smitten.

A commotion brought Chloe into the hallway. A crowd was gathered around Megan's locker. Clark and Alicia were among the onlookers. Jake held a protective arm around Megan's shoulders as the student body surveyed the work of vandalism in front of them.

The word "Freak" had been written repeatedly over Megan's locker in white.