Delete Part 4

At Smallville High…

Jordan was nervous. He couldn't help but look over his shoulder. The broadcast had confirmed there was a killer going after the meteor infected. And that meant he could be after Jordan. For all the deaths Jordan had visions of, his own was still a mystery.

Clark had asked him to talk to Chloe about what he had seen. He had been reluctant at first, because he wanted to avoid the killer finding out about him. But now, Jordan had proof that he could change someone's fate. All he had to do was tell Clark Kent.

And if Clark Kent was telling him to trust Chloe, then that was what he had to do.

Jordan didn't know how much good it would do. Like he suspected, somehow he had managed to touch most of the current study body already. The ones he hadn't touched yet didn't seem to die from the shooter.

"Jordan." Clark had walked up to Jordan's locker.

"Hi, Clark."

"Look, I think you should tell Chloe what you know."

"I think you're right. But I really don't know much."

"You know he went after Lex and Megan. Chloe is good at finding needles in haystacks. That information could help her narrow down who it is."

"How?" Jordan finished filing up his backpack and closed his locker.

"I don't know. But, right now you're our best lead in finding this guy. Before he finds his next target."

"Okay. She at the Torch?"

"She had to leave for something. It'll have to wait for tomorrow."

"Got it."

Clark started walking and so did Jordan. When Clark made a left turn, Jordan made a left turn. He followed Clark down the stairs and into the Smallville parking lot.

"Jordan, do you want me to walk you home?"

"If you insist."

At the Luthor Mansion….

Recap:

Chloe goes to Lex for help. She explains how Lionel was interested in the Wall of Weird and the effects of meteor rocks. Lionel told her to spy on Clark, which is a line she's refusing to cross but Lex's dad isn't taking "no" for an answer. Chloe shares how Lionel threatened to fire her dad and is becoming more and more demanding. Lex promises to protect Chloe. She then shares her idea to blackmail Lionel with his connection to Morgan Edge.

At the Talon…

Lana was successful in avoiding her friends all day. She could owe this to the hijacking of the acting mayor's address. Both Chloe and Clark were kept busy at the Torch because of the new headliner. And it was all the rest of the school could talk about.

But word would get around eventually of her most recent assault in the Talon alley. It was the curse of living in a small town. And then, Clark would be by her side. Asking if she was all right. And she wanted him near her, while not wanting that at the same time. Because he wouldn't be there for her. Not fully.

Clark had actually defended Seth. Someone who violated her mind. And Seth hadn't been the first one to come after her, and he wouldn't be the last.

Lana refused to hide; she went through school and went to her shift at the Talon. She would not allow these freaks make her hide in fear. She was going to live her life.

"Lana."

She turned and there was Clark. "I just heard about the attack. Are you ok?"

"Fine," Lana managed to choke out. The vice grip the man had her in had caused swelling the doctor said would go down in a few days. It felt like her throat was constantly on fire and sometimes she could barely speak.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"What for? It was over." Lana avoided eye contact by collecting empty cups and discarded napkins left on the tables.

"What happened?"

"What always happens. I got attacked by one of those freaks. Lucky for me, that masked man was passing by and saved me."

"Are you sure he meant to save you?"

"No. It was just a happy accident." Lana pushed past him to get back to the counter. But Clark followed at her side.

"Lana, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. It's just this guy, whoever he is, seems like his priority is killing. Not saving."
"Clark, I really thought I was going to die. If that shooter didn't show up when he did, I'd be dead."

"And I'm glad you're not." Clark reached out and took Lana's hand. She looked up and Clark was staring down at her with the loving expression she had been desiring. "Lana, I don't know what I'd do if you were gone."

The serene moment Lana had been waiting for ended all too soon as Alicia miraculously appeared between them.

"Hi, Clark. Hi, Lana. Clark, the two-for-one deal is still going on. Thought of you." Alicia held out the Styrofoam cup.

Lana tried not to let her frown show. Why did this girl always manage to interrupt her conversations with Clark. And how did Alicia get here and order already? Lana was certain she hadn't seen the girl enter the building.

The one oddly satisfying thing was that Clark didn't return Alicia's smiles as he normally had. He didn't even accept the cup. Instead, he took a giant step back, like he was trying to run away.

"That is really thoughtful, Alicia. You are such a good friend. A really, really good friend."

An awkward silence descended on the trio. Lana's throat hurt more than ever now, with all the talking she had just done. She didn't know what she'd say, even if she could. Alicia still calmly held out her arm with the cup. Clark just stood before them with an awkward grin on his face.

After a long couple of seconds, Alicia took a tiny step forward and asked, "Don't you want it?"

"Uhhh…" Clark took another step back and glanced between Alicia and Lana.

Lana saw Alicia's bubbly exterior fade. The girl's shoulders sagged down along with her chin. In fact, it looked like the girl was about to cry.

Clark cleared his throat as he accepted the gift. "Thank you. Again. Very thoughtful. Friendly gesture. Nothing but two really good friends sharing a coffee. I got to go."

And just like that, Clark practically ran out the front door.

Lana might have talked more with Alicia if her throat didn't feel like it was on fire. Alicia left, no doubt chasing after Clark, and Lana returned to work.

Lana grabbed Megan's order from the counter and quietly placed the ceramic mug on the table. Her friend jumped a foot into the air from the barely audible noise.

"You okay?" Lana croaked out.

"Fine. It's just…with what happened to my locker and now the broadcast I'm worried I might be next."

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. I think that masked man is here to help."

"Help?" Megan looked just as disgusted as Clark had. "Help! Help who?"

Lana's throat was hurting. If she could talk, she might have been able to explain herself better before Megan grabbed her coat and left the Talon in a huff, completely forgetting her coffee. A few others left as well, and Lana wondered if it was because they had overheard her conversation.