Talisman Part 3

At Smallville High…

Jordan frowned at the Torch's headline: Swim Team Winning Pipeline Blocked. Megan had been voted out of her role as captain and benched for the last meet before qualifying for state. The result being Smallville didn't win enough to qualify. The bullying of Megan only intensified after that. She was blamed for the loss, even though her being benched was on the coach's orders. Jordan was on his way to Megan's locker now to walk her to next period.

"Hi, Megan." Jordan made sure to tuck the newspaper away.

"So, you're my bodyguard today." Megan sighed.

"I'm not a bodyguard." Jordan wasn't concerned for Megan's life. His gift allowed him to see Megan's new death after Clark had changed her fate. Megan's future now held for her a battle with cancer; one that she did not survive past her forties.

"I've noticed how you or Pete or Clark switch off walking me to class. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it after what happened. I just…miss my old life, you know?"

Jordan could only speculate. There were no markings on his body to give away his ability. The only physical trait that could was how he flinched after touching someone for the first time. It was a weird tick, but one that was explainable.

"Has it gotten any easier?" Jordan asked as they walked down the hall amid a sea of glares and stares.

Before Megan could answer, Alicia sidled up to them. "Hey. Have either of you seen Clark today?"

"No, sorry." Jordan answered. Megan got distracted as they passed by Jake opening his locker.

A pile of cafeteria trash spilled out. Jake grimaced in disgust as he tried to salvage his homework and textbooks from the rotten peels and slimy noodles. The lookers-on either laughed or ran away gagging from the pile. Jordan saw how Alicia was among those that giggled, while Megan seemed pained.

"Don't feel sorry for that loser." Alicia dragged Megan to keep walking. "He showed his true colors and is unworthy of someone as special as you."

"I don't feel special," Megan mumbled.

"Yes, you are despite…"

Alicia's words faded away as Jordan's consciousness was pulled to see past the veil. There was a woman lying in her bed. Her hair was white, skin wrinkled from a life well lived. The sun streamed into the tranquil room. There was a man beside her; someone she cared for deeply. It was her time to go.

"…what some may think," Alicia finished saying. Her gaze was pointed at Lana Lang, who had bumped slightly into Jordan.

"Sorry, Jordan." Lana rearranged the books in her arms "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Fine."

"You know, Jordan, there has been one upside to all this," Megan said. "You get to know who your real friends are."

Lana flinched. "Megan…"

But whatever words Lana was about to say was stopped by the bell. Alicia ushered Megan to keep walking and Jordan followed.

It was better to stay in a group. After all, there was a killer still on the loose.

Recap:

Clark wakes up in Professor Willowbrook's office surrounded by his parents. They explain how Jor-El used Johnathan as a vessel to heal Clark. Professor Willowbrook comes in with a bandaged hand. He informs them that Lionel Luthor has been kidnapped.

Clark rushes off to the slumbering place to prevent Jeremiah from killing Lionel. As they fight, Lex shows up and unties Lionel. Clark is successful at getting the dagger away from Jeremiah, stripping him of the powers. The dagger falls next to both Luthor's and they both reach for the dagger at the same time.

Palak dissolves into dust, marking that either Lionel or Lex is Segeeth, the greatest enemy of Naman.

At Luthor Corp…

Lex entered Lionel's office. His father was seated at his desk, casually leaning back in his chair talking on the phone as if he had not been held as a human sacrifice twenty-four hours earlier.

"I'm very pleased with the progress you've made."

Lex was envious hearing his father say those words. Ever since he started working at Luthor Corp, Lionel had never said those words to him. His father made it clear in other ways that Lex was doing "exceptional" work, but never the words Lex desperately wanted to hear.

Good work, son.

I'm proud of you, son.

I love you, Lex.

"Don't worry, you'll get there. But if there's anything I can provide to speed things along…yes. No, sadly that formula isn't working. Yes, that could work. I'll make sure you get some. I look forward to your next report."

"Lex," Lionel removed his Bluetooth, "what do I owe this visit?"

"I came to see how you were doing. Are you sure you should be back at work so soon?"

Lionel brushed it off. "I'm fine. There'll be plenty of time to rest when I'm dead."

"Just got off the phone with the doctors. Jeremiah is in a coma." Lionel made no response. "He can't hurt anyone else, dad."

"What's your point?"

"Is there any reason to withdraw the donation to the Kawatche research fund?"

Lionel shrugged. "They were uncooperative. I wanted information; Professor Willowbrook and Jeremiah chose to hide the true nature of that artifact. I can't let insubordination like that slide."

"A display of strength. That's what this is about, isn't it, dad?"

"That's right, son."

"So why let the people who murdered your parents get away with it?"

"What are you saying, Lex?"

"I read the original report. Your parents were murdered."

"I was just starting my business, Lex. I had no resources. I couldn't pursue it."

"Then. What about the last twenty years?"

Lex watched his father's face carefully. He tried to see if his father flinched, the slightest twitch in his eyes or a curve in his lips. If Lex saw anything, it was a look that he often saw in the mirror. A look of sadness and longing for something that would never be achieved.

"It wouldn't bring them back, would it?" Lionel asked, refusing to look in Lex's direction.

Lionel was either putting on the performance of his life, or he truly mourned his parents' passing. Lex wondered if Lionel cried over his parents' graves.

"No. No, it wouldn't have."