Whisper Part 1

Lana breathed in the fresh air as she left the Talon. Her shift had just ended, and she had the entire afternoon in front of her. Lana felt the best she had in a long time; her throat had healed, she felt relaxed, since her homework was done for tomorrow, and even safe. Not that every else in town felt the same way. Main Street looked just as empty as the Talon had been ever since the masked man made his television debut. There were still some people running errands, getting groceries, or just strolling down the street.

One such person was Clark Kent, peering through the front window of the Smallville Jewelers store. Lana didn't see Alicia anywhere, so she quickly walked over to spend some long overdue time with her friend.

"Looking for someone special?"

Lana expected Clark to smile when he saw her like he normally did. Instead, there was a brief look of surprise and guilt before he forced a grin.

"Yeah; my mom. I want to get her something special."

"Well, would it help if you had a woman's opinion?"

"It would." Clark held the door open for her. "After you."

The two teenagers were greeted by the owner, Mr. Breyfogle, and his wife as they entered the store.

"Hello, Lana. Hello Clark. It's nice to see you," Mrs. Breyfogle spoke while her husband waved his hand in greeting. He began to sign with his hands as his wife translated.

"What brings you in today? Maybe something for the pretty lady?" Mr. Breyfogle wiggled his eyebrows making Lana laugh.

"We're shopping for Mrs. Kent," Lana explained. She made sure to exaggerate her mouth movements as she spoke so Mrs. Breyfogle didn't have to translate. "Do you remember if she was looking at anything in particular the last time she came in here?"

The Breyfogle's acted as a perfect team; Mr. Breyfogle brought out a small box that contained a pair of bejeweled earrings as Mrs. Breyfogle spoke to the two teenagers.

"Last time Martha Kent was in here, she made a point of trying these on."

The earrings were simple and eloquently designed; a pearl wrapped in gold wire that was studded with three small, blue stones that must have been sapphires.

"Woah." Clark's eyes popped open as he glanced at the price tag. "Did she try anything on without four numbers in the price?"

Mrs. Breyfogle made some hand signs and her husband pulled a tray out from behind the counter.

"Well, we do have some new costume jewelry pieces from a local designer. Quite unique; straight from outer space."

The jeweler showed off a pendent that had a piece of meteor rock, posing as an emerald. Lana felt a twinge of sadness. It was strange, but she missed her necklace made from a piece of the meteor who killed her parents. She had given it to Tina Greer, whom she had believed to be Whitney at the time. Tina was dead now and the whereabouts of her necklace unknown.

"Thanks. I'll keep looking." Clark walked further down the counter, gazing at what else was in the case.

The Breyfogle's put away the box and tray, smiling as Lana helped in the search.

"Does your mom like brooches?" Lana caught a glance of gold tulip brooch studded with red stones that must have been crystal or glass from the price. Lana remembered that Mrs. Kent always preferred buying tulips from her Aunt Nell's flower shop.

"Not really."

Lana gazed thoughtfully around the shop. The truth was, Mrs. Kent would rarely have an occasion to wear most of the jewelry in here. The only other wares sold here were sets of China and delicate glass ornaments. The vases on exhibit were pretty and Mrs. Kent could display flowers from her garden.

"What about a vase?"

"Maybe." Clark walked over to the stand to look them over. Lana watched his shoulders sag a little as he surveyed the prices. The one he seemed to consider most was a small vase, not even six inches high. The mouth, in the shape of a heart, was the size of a quarter; the bottom of the base billowed out and the glass itself was a swirl of soft pinks and shades of red.

"Can anything even fit in that?"

"It could fit a single flower."

Clark shook his head and moved on to the next stand showing off more baubles. Clark picked up a small blue box made of glass. It was circular; the lid only had a flat spade at the top to lift it. It could only fit three rings inside, if any.

Lana glanced at the price tag of the small vase and then walked over to another case displaying jewelry.

"Hey," Lana grabbed Clark's attention and brought him over to the case. "How about this?" Lana pointed out a necklace that had a thin gold chain; the pendant was the word MOM inside a heart. Lana peered over to Clark who seemed to blanch when he saw it.

"No. Not that one."

Lana didn't press the issue. Clark was very guarded; she had learned that Clark would share his feelings when he was ready to and pressing for answers sometimes only shut him down further.

"Well, maybe this isn't the store." Lana put her hand on Clark's shoulder, trying to comfort her friend. She understood finding this gift was important, even if Clark didn't fully explain it.

"It's got to be special," Clark insisted. "Mom likes this store. I mean, she comes in here all the time; she's just never bought anything from it."

"Don't worry. I promise, we'll find the perfect gift."

Lana and Clark shared a smile. Then, Clark's smile faded, and the look of guilt returned.

"Lana, there's something I need to tell you…"

Clark never finished his sentence. The store was suddenly filled with a high pitched noise that made Lana cover her ears and crumple to the floor in pain. She felt Clark cover her body, so her view was blocked.

Can't one week go by when I'm not attacked? Lana wondered as she watched the glass shatter.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Clark it felt like a knife was cutting through his ear and into his brain. His eyes were not harmed from the flying glass, and he was able to see the high pitched noise came from a man standing in the middle of the store. Somehow, the man was making the noise with his mouth.

Mr. Breyfogle alone remained unaffected. He grabbed a shotgun from behind the counter and pointed it at the robber. The robber had come prepared and pulled out a pistol, ready to fire.

Clark aimed his heat vision at the shooter's hand and fired a small blast.

"Ah!" Clark yelped as he felt a flash of heat hit his eyes. Instinctively he shut them and focused his attention on shielding Lana from the flying glass and possible bullets. With his eyes closed, and temporarily unable to move from the pain, he could only listen to the high pitched wail, screams, and gunshots.

I need to open my eyes. Clark did, but only saw darkness. Did the lights go out? That wouldn't matter; it's the middle of the day.

One pain disappeared as the high pitched noise stopped. There were mumbled murmurings from the crowd.

"He did it again." Clark heard Lana say from under him.

"Who?" Clark sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"The masked man. He shot that robber. Didn't you…Clark?"

Clark could feel Lana next to him. But he couldn't see her; not even an outline or a shadow. Clark blinked again. He knew his eyelids were open; he knew they were. But the darkness remained.

"Lana," Clark gulped as he realized the truth. "I…it's…it's my eyes. I can't see."

Opening theme song…

Fun Fact: the legitimate full name of the jeweler from Smallville Jewelers is Buster Breyfogle. Honestly, just for fun I tried to see if the character was named and found it out. Thanks Smallville Wiki. I added the wife and made him deaf because I got rid of the accomplice, and there needed to be a reason for Clark to use his heat vision. I didn't think Clark would use that if the robber wasn't armed. Maybe blast the heat vision at the guy's feet to break his concentration, but then his eyes wouldn't be high enough to hit the flying piece of kryptonite.