The two glass doors slid open automatically as they approached. Lois went up to the lobby desk to find the room where Emil was recovering in. Clark was a few feet behind her and as he walked over it, he didn’t notice the tile on the floor that his tear cracked some months before. Clark did not like being there. It brought up a painful memory. He had a vision of his mother talking to the doctor and hearing the fatal words that came from his mouth… Clark still heard the words vividly “I’m sorry, but we did everything we could.” He could feel himself getting emotional and wanted to run. He wondered if it was possible for him to turn back time.
Lois brought him back to the real world. “Smallville, did you hear me?” She couldn’t believe that he was off in never never land as they were trying to get the last piece to their story. She continued without getting a response. “It’s no good. They won’t tell us what room he’s in. They have some stupid rule about only family members.” Lois didn’t hide her disappointment well. “Well now what are we going to do?”
“We’ve got enough to run our story. Let’s head back and get it to print.”
Lois turned and heard the sound of children playing. She looked and noticed that the two children were chasing each other around a chair in the lobby. The boy that was running had spilled some of his juice box on the tile floor. “You give up too easily, Smallville.”
Clark knew she was thinking of a plan. “What do you have in mind, Lois?”
“You see that mess those kids made on the floor.” Lois motioned only with her head attempting to be conspicuous. She watched as Clark slowly looked over to where the children were. She knew he saw it. “We need a diversion to distract the lobby clerk. I want you to go over there and slip and fall on the wet floor. Then when everyone is distracted, I will sneak up and jump in an elevator and find this Hamilton fellow.”
Clark thought for only a second. “Lois, I got a better idea. You go over and slip and fall. You don’t even know who you are looking for. I already know Professor Hamilton. We aren’t great friends as I made Dr. Slate think, but we do know each other.”
Not being able to argue with that, Lois agreed. She began to walk over to the children. She paused for a moment after only a few steps and turned back. When she did so, she didn’t see Clark anywhere. “I guess he saw an opening,” she thought to herself. Lois went over to the chairs to wait for Clark to get back.
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It took Clark only 2.3 seconds to locate Emil. From outside his room, he scanned through the wall to make sure he was alone. After discovering that it was safe, he knocked on the door. It was the sight of a friendly face that caused Emil to smile. Emil then realized that it was the first time since the night before that he had done so. While he and T.J. were working on their individual tests, T.J. happened to reach for the wrong test tube and grabbed the sulfur instead of iodine. The smell of the tube made T.J.’s head jolt back as if he wasn’t expecting the rancid odor. Emil had quite a good laugh before the unfortunate event that happened moments later.
He remembered that just before laughing that he had almost concluded his own results from his lab work. What he thought he was on to could be a catastrophe for Clark. But he didn’t want to worry Clark not having full proof. Emil also thought the news about T.J. was more important. After having light chit-chat, Emil explained exactly what happened to his young lab tech. Emil clutched his arm more out of discomfort than pain as he spoke to Clark. He disclosed the location of the structured holding cell and the small detail about the impenetrable room that imprisoned T.J.
Clark was aware that Emil understood his capabilities and for him to mention something that might be impenetrable would mean that it would be an extremely hard feat, even for him. Clark took it into advisement and also got a few needless brief statements to satisfy Lois’ story. Emil was more than willing to go on record about his survival during the night of the tornado-as long as Clark left out T.J. and didn’t make S.T.A.R. Labs seem at fault in any way. Clark promised to visit Emil when he got out of the hospital. S.T.A.R. Labs needed to make arrangements for his housing situation since most of the island’s homes were destroyed. They also paid his medical bills in full. Not only did Emil have a broken arm, but also two broken ribs and a fractured tibia. His MRI was scheduled later this evening. Clark traditionally lifted his right arm to shake hands, but then quickly switched to his left making Emil smile for the second time. Clark said goodbye and headed back to meet Lois.
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I bought the Monday morning paper from the vendor outside of LuthorCorp and then climbed the mountain of stairs up to the lobby. It was a fresh new week and time to make money. My building interior had been renovated as to the specifications of Edward Nigma. Things didn’t go exactly as originally planned; however, it is even better. The work all started on the 32nd floor which is now labeled 33. I had someone inform those who worked on 32 that they would now be reporting to 33 (and they would amazingly find that every little detail is exactly the same). They would just presume they are on one floor up. Those who worked on the previous 33rd floor would be split. Half would report to 31 and the other half would go to 34—leaving the real 33rd floor vacant for my testing. Edward programmed the elevators and had special paneling done so that those who pushed button number 33 would actually wind up on the 32nd floor without knowing. No one would even push button number 32 because no one was assigned to this floor (just in case, I made sure the button wouldn’t light up). He also made adjustments so that none of the elevators would stop on the real 33rd floor, or what I now call 33.1. I had all the windows taken out and replaced with cinderblock. There was not one ounce of natural light that penetrated the entire floor. From the outside, 33.1 appeared nonexistent. Only my personal guarded elevator had access to 33.1, but would still require a key to reveal this particular green button. My elevator, one of the old freight elevators, was only accessible down a private corridor by the rear entrance to the lobby. Those with clearance would need to show their identification to the armed guards and be expected to comply with random searches. Guards were placed and searches were done even on 33.1.
My good mood ended when I was abruptly stopped as I reached for the entrance door. “Excuse me, sir. But you’re going to have to show me some i.d.”
I only turned my head toward this soon to be unemployed security guard who had a very annoying east coast accent. And since I’ve been there before, I recognized it as that of a person from Brooklyn, New York. “Show you my what?” I asked in a loud voice. Not liking my tone, the guard placed a hand on my shoulder and repeated the statement.
Before I knew it, I saw another guard off to my right who came running over in my direction and that’s when Mercy, who was walking behind me, pulled out her gun. She flanked to my left and pointed her glock at the guard’s head who dared to touch me. “You have less than a second to get your hand off him.” Mercy said this as she stared down the guard.
The guard who came running could be heard screaming. “Quinn, let him through. Let him through.” Fearful of moving, only the guard’s eyes moved to the left to see where the other guard was. The sight of Mercy’s gun caused the guard to release my shoulder, yet still blocked the door and waited until the other guard sprinted over. Out of breath he said, “You have to forgive us, Mr. Luthor. But, Quinn here is just a temp.”
“Quinn was about to be permanently dead had you not stepped in.” I said looking over at Mercy who holstered her gun. I looked back at the guard. “Quinn, just how long will you be…temping here?”
Quinn just stared at me. Unable to speak out of complete fear and confusion, the other guard interjected. “Quinn?” He snapped as he now caught his breath. “Mr. Luthor asked you a direct question.”
“A week, sir, Mr. Luthor.” Quinn’s voice was trembling. “I’m temping with the agency until I complete my internship at Metro General.”
I pretended to be interested. “So, you intend to be a doctor here in Metropolis?”
Confused, Quinn replied, “Yes, sir. No, sir.”
“Well, which is it?”
“I intend to be a doctor…but not in Metropolis. Part of my internship is here, but I will be finishing it up at Arkham Asylum over at Gotham City.”
“So, you want to be some kind of head shrink?” I asked with a hint of condescension.
A bit insulted Quinn said with some assertion, “My field of study is Psychoanalysis, sir. It’s a very complicated field of science.”
Catching the tone of arrogance, I ended this conversation. “Well, Dr. Quinn, it was nice chatting with you. If you don’t mind, I’m going to walk through my doors and head for my office.” Quinn immediately stepped aside and moved away from the doors. Mercy opened one of the doors for me, but before I fully entered I added a few more words. “Oh, doctor.” Quinn looked back in my direction with a layer of panic. “You’re fired!” As I passed, I noticed that Mercy gave Quinn a half smile as she held the door open. Mercy never did play nice with other women.
Outside the two guards talked. The guard that ran to Quinn shook his head in disbelief. “Harley, how are you going to get fired on your first day?”
Quinn was mad as hell. “Riley, nobody cared to tell me that this joker was bald!”
Riley couldn’t help but laugh. “Look, Harley, I’m sure the agency will just find you another location somewhere in a galaxy far, far away.”
Now mad at Riley, Quinn continued. “Thanks for standing up for me too.” In a macho voice, she repeated his earlier words. “Hey Quinn, Mr. Luthor asked you a direct question.” In her own Brooklyn-like voice she asked rhetorically, “Why are you such a tool?”
Still laughing he said, “No hard feelings, k Harley? Didn’t think he’d fire ya.”
“And did you see that bitch? She freakin’ pulled her gun on me. I’m gonna get her back, you wait and see.”
Amused. “Ok, Harley. But just remember one thing.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
Riley laughed again, “You’re still on the clock. You better punch out before Luthor finds out you’re still here.”
Not joining in with the laughter, Quinn pulled off her clip on tie and headed off to the underground parking garage to punch out. She had a total of sixty-four minutes on her time card. The first forty-five of them she spent getting to know Riley. After which Riley left his post before the rush of human traffic went through the doors, and he spent the time by the fountain in front of LuthorCorp getting to know the cute receptionist from the ninth floor. And that is when Quinn attempted to card the wrong person.
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In Overland Park, outside of Metropolis, Morgan Edge got off the phone with his insurance provider early Monday morning. They had informed him that all the paperwork had been completed and that he should be receiving the certified check that covered his wife’s policy. Once informed, he called his realtor and instructed him to put his home on the market and start looking at high rise condos in Metropolis for him. He didn’t want to waste a second to get his own plan underway. It was time for him to get back at the person who ‘wasted his time.’ He knew Luthor had money, so he had to get his own. Having his wife killed was the only way he could have the pay day he was looking for. Edge didn’t regret what he did at all, for he found out that his wife was having an affair over the past year. So, why not increase her life insurance and then get rid of the old gray mare. It was a mere fraction compared to Luthor’s piggy bank; however, two million dollars was enough of a start.
He wanted to expose Luthor for what he really is, and one of the ways to get people’s attention is through the media. He checked the stocks and found the right media outlet for the right price. Galaxy Broadcasting System’s points were down, yet they had access to television and owned a small share of Metropolis’ own Daily Planet. Edge made another call to Madoff Investors, a heavy hitting brokerage firm also located in Metropolis. He had them buy all of GBS for him. This now made Edge the new president and owner. Edge wasn’t the type of person to go legit, so he placed a few calls and organized some old veteran buddies to form a mob. He recruited his cousin, Vincent, who just got out from being incarcerated six months ago.
Edge was on his way to being one of the richest organized crime boss’ in the metropolitan area. Being the new guy was going to make him an easy target. Luckily he had some allies in the Intergang. Out of all the crime lords, the Intergang was the one to fear. This gang didn’t need colors or fancy suits to show off who they were. All they had to do was give a look and smash a fist into an open palm. People got the hint and officers turned the other way. There was no stopping them. They didn’t need to pay anyone off; if they wanted something, it was theirs. The hard part was getting past the infamous leader, Bruno Mannheim who recently committed an act of mutiny to gain control. Mannheim didn’t need money, for he had plenty of it. But Edge knew that Mannheim did need connections. The former leader took never took notes and refused to give up his connections even faced with his death. Edge had all the connections. This is why Luthor wanted him on board. Edge could get weapons, drugs, prostitutes and politicians. Vincent served four months for stealing from the evidence storage room while working with ATF. Edge had all the connections one would need. Now he had the money.
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Gazing out the window down at the tiny people, Warfield stood with his arms crossed as he just found out the news. He was now aware that his time with the Planet was almost up. Forty years of his hard work would be forgotten in just a few short months. It was time for him to think of retirement. If he was going to be forced out, then he’d want to make some serious changes before all hell broke loose.
After a few moments of contemplating, Warfield sat at his desk and pushed the intercom button. “Rosie, call up Lane and Kent for me.”
Answering back he heard, “Right away, Mr. Warfield.” He went back to his window and stood over the dull area of the carpet that he had worn out by pacing back and forth for the past 15 years. He did nothing but think and stare out the window.
The knock on the door pulled him back to reality. In his normal loud deep voice he said, “Come in.”
Lois entered the room first accompanied by Clark. Without walking fully into the room, Lois asked, “You wanted to see us, chief?”
Hesitating for a brief second Warfield cleared his throat. He went over to his desk and picked up the day’s paper. The front page had a picture of downtown Metropolis that now looked like a warzone. Below the main picture were smaller pictures of stores, business’ and your average ‘mom and pop’ shops with quotes from all the owners talking about their loss and immediate needs. He showed the two the front page of his paper. “This is exactly what I’m talking about. This is pure professionalism at work. When I assigned this task to the two of you, I honestly didn’t know if you would come through.”
Lois and Clark looked at each other with big smiles from the compliments. “Chief, we’re glad you approved…”
“Don’t interrupt me, Lane.” He watched her smile get a bit smaller. “Listen, both of you take a seat.” He continued as the pair sat in the giant leather chairs in front of his desk. “It has come to my attention that one of the local media companies has just been purchased. I’m bringing this up because this particular media company owns a share of our paper.”
Lois raised her hand as if she was in Warfield’s classroom. “Chief, I don’t mean to interrupt you again, but what does this mean for us? Merger, layoffs downsizing?”
Warfield turned toward them and leaned with both hands on the back of his chair. “Right now it means nothing. And I expect the two of you to keep this news under wraps.” He continued more solemnly, “If anyone’s going…it will be me.”
Lois and Clark both mentioned how that was nonsense and that nothing could possibly happen to him. But Warfield knew the situation because he personally knew the purchaser of GBS. Warfield was having an affair with his wife. Before the inevitability of extortion was at his door, he had to make some quick changes. He didn’t know how much money Edge came into, and he didn’t want to take the gamble that Edge wouldn’t buy out the Daily Planet. “I’m going to promote the two of you to lead investigative reporters. You both proved to me in this story that you can uncover a story that is beneath one. The only catch is you two must remain a team. I still think the two of you are a bit young, but you’re the perfect age where I know you won’t sell out. You got your whole lives ahead of you, and I’d appreciate it if you remained good to the Planet like the Planet’s been good to you.”
Unrehearsed, they answered simultaneously, “You got it, Chief.”
“I’m not going to name my successor until I know I’m out. I don’t want this guy to fire whoever’s in my shoes. I’m going to need to make a deal that it’s my guy or no one.”
Lois and Clark both looked at each other and knew, just like everybody else knew that he was referring to Perry. “Um, Chief, if this means more money I’d like to know so you can update my payroll and continue to send half my check to the same address.”
Lois looked oddly at Clark, “Don’t tell me, you have it deposited in your grey-haired old mother’s account.”
He looked back at her. “Actually…”
Annoyed. “Would you two concentrate for just a second? My goodness, the two of you bicker like an old married couple.” He took a moment to regain his thoughts. “Clark, yes, this will mean a pay increase. And I will have Rosie make all the arrangements. Now, I can almost guarantee your jobs, Grant’s job, White’s job and most of the senior editors. But from there on down to the mailroom, it’s just uncertain.” Warfield moved back over by the window and looked out. He said quietly, “I really am going to miss this view.” He paused and turned to them. “O.k. you two, pack up and welcome to the fifty-fifth floor. You made it!”
The two stood up, thanked Warfield and shook his hand. Clark added, “We won’t let you down Chief.”
Warfield mad a brief smile and said, “Now get the hell outta my office.”
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I couldn’t believe the son-of-a-bitch stole my idea. A few years ago, I was the one who suggested that he kill my father and I would do the same to his wife all for the insurance money, but I wanted more than just the money. I wanted the business too. And being too young at the time, the business would have surely fallen into old man Brook’s lap. I had to wait, wait until I was old enough. Wait until I was smart enough. But it looked like Edge went through with it after all. I didn’t believe for a second what the papers wrote that Edge just happened to be in his childhood town for a joyride when his wife got shot down. Instead of using me, he used some hoodlums from the block.
I’ve known Edge for far too long to suspect anything but foul play. Our history goes way back. He was the one I would go to when my high school friends and I wanted good drugs. That is at least until my father found out and fired him. The two were bitter enemies ever since, but Edge never found a way to top my father. I’m sure he tried, but no one out smarts a Luthor. We’re always one step ahead of you or stabbing you in the back. Either way, we win.
He was smart not to wait until word got out that he came into money before making large purchases and gobbling up the companies that he wanted. This way, it all came at a surprise. I couldn’t quite tell what he was after, but whatever it was, I’m sure I wanted a piece. I had Camille make arrangements to set up an appointment with me and the president of GBS. The only way to get this kind of information is straight from the horse’s mouth.
After a few drinks before noon, Camille had informed me that a Mr. Edge, President of GBS, would meet me tonight at Church promptly at 9p.m. Camille insisted that it should be at a more suitable location and a reasonable hour for her boss. But she was denied and told that her boss would understand. He was right, what Camille didn’t know was that Church wasn’t a religious structure with a steeple and a bell. Before the sign was damaged, it was originally named Churchill and manufactured paper for envelopes and stationery. But it was better known to service book publishers for both prestigious companies and independent writers. The owner was a British native and respected his former leader and receiver of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Winston Churchill. However, the owner died in the early seventies, and after crack hit the streets in the eighties, its users found their way inside the empty building. It was now nothing more than an abandoned warehouse in Southside where the junkies go as a safe haven to get high. In Suicide Slum, when people went to Church, they didn’t bring a Bible. They brought a pipe. It was an unfortunate, yet perfect name for the place of their habit.
I told Camille that it was merely an inside joke and that 9p.m. would be fine. Seeing how it was off hours, she didn’t have to pencil it in for me. I had no other appointments for the afternoon, so I decided to go down to 33.1 and check on the progress. I never knew just how much moving and reordering one could get down in a single weekend. I made sure not to forget the name Nigma if I ever wanted his services again. His personality and wardrobe puzzled my mind but very professional he was indeed.
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Lois never much liked taking orders or working with others. She had done some researching after she had left Warfield’s office. She didn’t have to be promoted to an investigative reporter to actually being one all along. She had the knowledge and the skills to be covert (from her father) and intuitive (from her aunt).
She had stepped over motionless bodies, walked passed trash cans with its contents lit on fire. She had second thoughts about staying and capturing her first solo story. But as she was going to turn back, her mind flashed the image of her aunt’s framed Pulitzer. She must go on. She thought of what Perry would do in this situation. She knew that he wasn’t fond of him either. Before Lois clocked out for the day, she had found out which media conglomerate had shares of the Planet. She used her female persuasion to get the new President’s agenda for the week from the former President’s assistant. The assistant thought that he would soon be out of a job, so he didn’t much care one way or another and gave her the information. Once Lois found out that he had a meeting set up with Luthor, she knew she was on to something. She thought this might be the chance to get even.
Lois went up to the highest point she could find, and she sat there with her camera and tape recorder in hand. She knew she was over an hour early but didn’t want to take the chance of getting seen. Lois found the perfect spot to see the ground level. It captured the entrance and the main area where the two were more than likely to meet.
While focusing her camera on the front doors, she felt a tap on her shoulder. After letting out a short scream, she turned and saw a man covered in filth with his hand out. Lois thought he was going to kill her. But when he didn’t move, she reached for her purse and handed him a twenty. Then without saying a word, the stranger walked away and left Lois in peace. She sat there and waited while chewing a granola bar.
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The two had had a not so polite conversation with each other shouting insult after insult against the other. Accusations were thrown and the past brought up. Truth was revealed and lies all uncovered and all caught on Lois’ tape. They thought they were alone. Luthor had Mercy wait by the car, and Edge had Vincent hiding in one of the rooms. Their animosity for each other grew with every second. Edge slowly reached in his back pocket for his knife. Luthor spotted his movement and pointed it out. Considering his own age, Edge decided it wouldn’t be a good idea to go one on one with someone much to his junior. Their secrets were now open and exposed and Edge’s turn arose to spout out more of it. Before he could, they both witnessed a bright light coming from up top.
“You got spies here, Luthor?”
“Do you honestly think I would have anyone in an ear shot of what we just said?”
“You don’t think that was a camera flash, do you?”
“Don’t you move. I’m not through with you.” I quickly turned my back and shouted for Mercy.
Edge called out for his watchman and shouted. “Vincent, someone else is here. Go and find him.”
Mercy came running in and went up the run down stairwell to look for the eavesdropper. When Mercy went up, Vincent came down in the opposite direction. “I found your problem. I saw her enter long before you guys got here. I was just waiting for her move.” Vincent said this while pulling Lois’ arm closer to Edge.
Confused, Edge asked, “Who the hell are you?”
Without hesitation. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t little Lois. The last time I saw you was on my security tapes. I watched you ride off into the night with Irons on his motorcycle.”
Edge interrupted our cozy reunion. “You know this broad, Luthor?”
“She’s is my late fiancé’s sister.”
Lois pulled at her arm trying to set if free. When she realized it was no use, she stopped resisting. “I knew it Lex! I knew right after Lindsay’s death that you were twisted. And now I got the proof. I heard everything both of you said, and now I’m going to tell the world.”
Vincent took out his gun and motioned it toward Lois. “Hey Morgan, you want me to go ahead and waste her?”
“Just take her out back and deal with her. And make sure you take her camera.” Edge turned and asked, “You o.k. with all this Luthor.”
At one point I considered Lois to be family. But she was determined to bring me down. I realized now that I have no family. Everyone I had ever loved is gone. They all left. After making this decision, I knew there was no turning back. But what choice had I. I can let her go and risk her opening her mouth. Or I can end this once and for all. It’s me or her, and I’ve come too far to let anyone get in my way. “Do it!”
Lois looked deep into my eyes and screamed for help. But there was no one there. Only the junkies who were all strung out. I watched Vincent drag Lois away. He destroyed the tape cassette and exposed the roll of film. “Let’s go, little girl.” But in a split second, Lois was gone. Vincent stood there holding a handful of air. “Where the hell did she go?”
Morgan screamed, “Go find her! She couldn’t have gotten far.” Vincent ran off to find Lois’ hiding spot. “This your idea of a joke, Luthor?”
I laughed at the poor fool. He didn’t even remember that he’s the one who picked the location. I looked around in every direction and realized it was quiet…too quiet. “Mercy!” I waited just five more seconds. “Mercy, where are you!”
I heard her voice for a brief second. “Lex, get out! It’s soop…” And then it was gone. I didn’t know where she was. But I knew it was her. What was she trying to say? Who’s crazy enough to come…And then I knew. “Morgan, it’s time to go.”
Edge looked at me with concern. For the first time, I saw fear in his eyes. He called out for Vincent. “Luthor, what the hell is going on?” Edge screamed his next question to me and to whomever else was here. “Who’s out there?”
Full of anger, I knew who it was. He will soon become number one on my hit list. I wasn’t afraid. He’s full of good. Full of righteousness. And this will be his downfall. “Oh, Superman. Come out, come out wherever you are.”
I didn’t see him, but he spoke. His voice was everywhere. “Luthor! It’s over! Give it up!”
He must have me confused with the low class criminals he deals with everyday. I’ve done nothing wrong. “Superman, I went out for a walk and lost my way. Can you come save me? Please.” The arrogant bastard had no other choice. What was he going to do, kill me? “That’s what I thought, Superman. Have a nice day.” I turned to walk out, and as I did, Superman was in front of me. He stood there with his arms crossed and flashed his broad shoulders. I never thought I would be this close to him. His hair looked at strong as his biceps. “What’s with the curl? It’s not very manly looking.”
“Save it, Luthor. You’re coming with me.” He said those words, and then I saw his eyes look past me. Without knowing, he was gone. I soon heard a gunshot. Edge tried to shoot me in the back. But the damn fool saved me. This red and blue clown took the bullet and knocked Edge out cold with the flick of his finger. He came back towards me. I thought it was now or never. He wouldn’t even expect it. It might just by me a few seconds. He came in reach, and I punched him in the face as hard as I could. He simply turned his face, but I shouted out in pain. But I saw blood on his face, and then I realized it was my own.
With a big smile on his face he asked. “Did you break your hand, Luthor?”
Even in all this pain, I wanted to punch him again. I balled up my fist on my good hand and then watched his smile go away. In utter confusion, I watched this super man fall to his knees. I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I just kicked his chest and watch him fall completely on the floor. A smile arose on my face, and for a short time, the pain was gone. But not for long. It came back, and so I left.
I wanted to finish the job, but I didn’t know how. I didn’t know how to kill this strong, yet obvious vulnerable man. I had to find his weakness. I had to figure out what had just hurt him. I knew it wasn’t my punch. I’ve seen him on the news getting hit full force by a tractor trailer. Everything in my life shall be on the back burner until I find out the way to destroy Superman. I will get a second chance.
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The sun came up and shone brightly on Emil’s face. The light made him turn his head as he woke from his sleep. He rubbed his eyes with his left hand and reached for a glass of water that the nurse left him. He was about to reach for the television remote when he was startled. “Good morning, Emil.”
Emil quickly looked over to see Clark sitting in a chair. “Clark, my word. You almost scared me half to death. What brings you here so early?”
Clark stood up and said, “Superman has a problem.”
Emil thought he was joking but soon noticed the seriousness on Clark’s face. “Oh come now. Do tell.”
“I don’t know what happened. There wasn’t any Kryptonite around, but I got into a fight last night and felt the same sickness as if it was right next to me.”
Puzzled, he asked, “Really? Who was…It wasn’t Mr. Luthor was it? Did he get any of his blood on you?”
Clark was speechless. “How could you possibly know that?”
Emil didn’t know where to begin. He didn’t have his notes with him. Didn’t have his tests. “Clark, I’m going to try to explain this to you in the most simplest terms. Once I’m on my feet, we can run some tests. I’d be able to explain it better that way.”
Clark didn’t care about the complexity of the cause. He just wanted to know what went wrong. If he had some other weakness. “Emil, it’s o.k. Just tell me what you know.”
Emil explained Luthor’s battle with cancer and how he ran tests on Luthor’s blood awhile ago. He mentioned that he knew there were characteristics of the meteorite in his blood stream and bone mass. Also, how he just got partial results of new testing the night of the tornado. “I’m afraid the fragments of the meteorite cured his cancer by attacking it. His body now has the capability of attacking any foreign substance that enters it. Mr. Luthor has super immunity.” Emil looked down at the floor not wanting to share this next bit of news. “Clark, Mr. Luthor’s blood carries with it the carbon element of Kryptonite. When exposed to it…” Emil paused again making sure Clark understood the severity of it all. “When you’re exposed to Mr. Luthor’s blood, it becomes drastically fatal.”
Clark’s eyes widened. He didn’t know how to react. Emil continued, “How did you even manage to get out of there alive?”
He tried to remember. “All I remember is getting punched and hitting the ground. I woke up to the sunlight coming through a broken window. And oddly enough, there was this dog licking my face.”
Contemplating the theories. “Two options. One, either it was a small amount of blood and it dried up which slowly caused the radiation or carbon monoxide to wear off. The sun then giving you your strength back. Or two, at some point in the night, this dog accidentally licked the blood off and then the sun gave you your strength back. Either way, the sun played a big part, I’m sure.”
Clark took in all the news. He didn’t like it but knew there wasn’t much he could do about it. “Well, I’m just going to have to be careful not to get in a sparring match with Luthor anymore. Just in case though, I brought that dog home with me.” Clark laughed after hearing the ridiculousness from his own words.
During their laughter a nurse happened to walk in. She was annoyed at the sight of Clark. “I’m sorry, but it is not visiting hours yet. You’ll have to leave.”
Obeying the rules, Clark got up to leave, and they said goodbye. Before leaving the room, Emil stopped him. “Wait, Clark. Before you go, what are you gonna call him?”
“Call who?”
“Your dog. What’s his name?”
Clark smiled and said, “Her name is Krypto.”
_____________________________________________________________________
I somehow woke up in my own room and couldn’t get my mind off of the night before. I had nightmares about the events that took place. I wondered about Mercy and the others and whether or not they got away. Lois soon came to my mind shortly after, but I recalled that all the incriminating evidence she had was trashed.
My body needed a drink, a good stiff drink from all this concern. I grabbed a bottle and realized that I couldn’t open it. My hand was still throbbing in pain. I placed the bottle down and walked over to my window to get some air. It too was closed tight, and I just lost it. Somehow, I needed to get relief. But, I was in pain and sweating through my clothes. I just needed something, either a drink or cool air, or I was going to lose it. I went back to my window and thought I saw Mercy heading toward the estate. The sun came directly in line of my vision and couldn’t be certain it was her. So, I placed my wounded hand over my eyes to block the sunlight and be sure that it was her.
An odd sense of comfort came over me. I could feel the pain deteriorating. I looked at my hand and felt the heat of the sun. I could also see the black and blue color of my knuckles. Not knowing why, I punched my bruised hand through one of the many rectangular panes in the window. I stretched it out toward the sun, as high as I could get it. What came next was a miracle of science. Not only had the pain fully fled, but once again there were no bruises. I had no battle wounds to tend to.
I sat in my chair and figured that ‘Project Element’ had a new main attraction. It was no longer only the crystals and the meteorites (that were a surprise to us all). But it would be me. My body, my bones, my flesh and my blood that will make up the element of surprise.
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