Chapter 1 [Morning after "Reveals"]
Sol peeked over Horizon's eastern edge. Light burned back Nocturne's pall. Farmers stirred from their rest toward Chores' demands. Breakfast sat on tables before Day's tasks…job, errand or leisure…demanded full attention.
Some, however, never slept or stopped during the previous night.
Clark set the pitchfork back in its usual place. Sleep proved elusive. Arighatto's ambushes uncorked Paranoia's full edginess. Peter's and the Stacys' close calls scared him. The plane's crash two days before really had him on edge. Mr. Arighatto said he wasn't behind our plane's crash. Who did it? He leaned up against the wall. As if he didn't do enough? I still can't believe he exposed us to Lex and Chloe. The Stacys know. Dad's really going to love that! He lapped the county at super speed. He rushed through the woods to get further exercise undercover. Then Chores awaited him. He raked the hay from the stalls. He milked the cow. He checked the oats, hay and water in each animal's troughs.
Still Distractions didn't help….
Everyone knew. And they knew about Peter too….
What else does Mr. Arighatto know? Can we keep him out of our thoughts? Clark's eyes shot toward the ceiling. Even if we're back here, how much can he watch us?
A TRUE KRYPTONIAN WOULD KNOW THAT, KAL-EL.
And now him too? Clark shook his head. You all can block someone?
IF ONE'S MIND IS STRONG ENOUGH. I AM NOT THAT STRONG. I CAN SENSE ANOTHER PRESENCE AROUND ME. LANA AND YOU NEED YOUR EDUCATION, Jor-El admonished.
We go to school. Clark shook his head.
KRYPTONIAN EDUCATION DWARFS HUMAN EDUCATION, MY SON. YOUR SO-CALLED HIGH SCHOOL IS NOT EVEN…WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? KINDERGARTEN? YES. IT DOES NOT EVEN COMPARE TO THAT. THERE IS SO MUCH FOR YOU BOTH TO LEARN.
I get that. Clark ground his teeth. We have our lives here on Earth too. I'm not here to conquer. Neither is Lana. We're just trying to live our lives and do the best we can.
"Everything all right, Clark?" Expectation glinted in Jonathan's eyes. He noted Clark's unslept-in bed. Granted, Talk rather than Sleep had occupied Martha and him on the previous night. "Couldn't sleep?"
"Wish I could, Dad." Clark looked about the barn. "Too much to think about. I know how you feel about that trip. Mr. Arighatto knew about me already. He knows about Lana now." He rubbed the back of his neck.
Jonathan frowned. "Wait. He knew about you? Clark, did he talk to Phelan, Nixon? Lionel Luthor." He sucked in a pointed breath. "Your mother and I told you to be careful."
Listen to the boy, Kent San.
Jonathan looked about the barn. He stuck his head out the door. "WHO'S THERE? I HEARD YOU!"
"Dad." Clark shook his head. "That's Mr. Arighatto. I told you. I have to be careful of what I say or even think. He knew about me before all of this!"
"Son, we were really careful." Doubt raised Jonathan's eyebrow. "He can't just spy on people without them knowing.
Laughing echoed through their minds.
That is exactly what I have been doing. I've known of the boy for a decade at least, you Fool. Did you think you could hide him from me? I felt his aura in this dustbowl place as soon as I stepped foot here. Do not seek to come between my daughter and me, Arighatto clarified with Threat's edge for emphasis.
She's not your daughter, Mr. Arighatto. You killed her family the way you tried to kill Peter, Gwen and her Dad yesterday. Clark put his hands palms out. That is a fact.
You are very insightful, Mr. Kent. Too much so for your own good. I am looking for the spirits. Perhaps I will push Miss Lang? Did you know she is an effective medium? She would be very useful. Arighatto's snide chortles grated in Jonathan's and Clark's minds.
Clark clenched his fists. His eyes narrowed.
Think on that. I will be back. Do not blame the boy. He and I would have met sooner rather than later. With that, Arighatto went silent. Wounds or not, his presence remained a threat.
Jonathan bowed his head. "This is why I didn't want you all going to New York. I knew something like this would happen! Who knows what Lionel Luthor said to him? Bad enough we don't know where your blood sample is! And now we have Miranda's stepfather to worry about?"
"Kidnapper, Dad. Her real name's Miranda Dubois." Clark rubbed his forehead. "Did Mom tell you about her family? We heard about them yesterday."
"Her…?" Jonathan stared at Clark. "I thought she didn't know? Dubois…? We knew someone by that name about twenty years ago. He's dead."
"Maybe…maybe not. Mr. Dubois might not be dead. We don't know. Since Mr. Arighatto's listening in, I'm not saying anymore than that." Clark reached into the stall. "I did the milking. Let's talk to Mom. She should know."
"That we can agree on." Jonathan followed Clark toward the house. Paranoia spiked within himself. Farm's cocoon seemed thinner than before. Arighatto's voyeurism put him further on edge. Lana, Chloe and Lex had discovered more than he'd like them to know. Connections between their long-lost friends and Arighatto raised his senses still more beyond that. Gabe's situation raised questions as to Lana's and Chloe's respective living situations. What if Arighatto discovered the caves? And if Miranda's uncle still lived, what about his situation?
They had to find out more….
