Part two
The doctor's were puzzled at Lois' condition, she seemed to be getting worse though they couldn't find a cause. Luckily for him he was listed as family and if Clark or Chloe were unavailable any decisions for Lois were in his hands. This meant the doctor's couldn't kick him out, Lois needed him. He would be there, would keep her safe till Clark came back.
A vibration of the phone in his back pocket caused him to jerk, pulling it out quickly he was relieved to see who it was.
"Chloe.. about time!"
"Nice to hear you to Oliver.. I was hoping for something like 'missed you' .."
"Chloe I've bad news.."
"What do you mean.?" her tone changed.
"Lois is in the hospital, Clark has been arrested"
There was silence. Oliver could imagine the look on her face as she absorbed that, "Is Lois alright? Why was Clark arrested.. I left barely a week ago.."
"Lois was taken by something, it hurt her bad ..she was unconscious for hours before she woke, Clark has become ill too and the police think he was the one who harmed her. Its not looking good. I've got a lawyer for Clark but there isn't much I can do for Lois, she's pretty banged up and was fine but this evening she took a turn, the doctor's can't wake her again."
"I'm coming back"
"Chloe, I want you here but wouldn't that.."
"Oliver, I am coming back, its not like we can't pick up with it"
"Won't he be disappointed."
"Jealousy doesn't suit you..and HE will be fine, it might take me a day or so.. "
"Sorry... I know that I shouldn't get that way..especially not now"
"Tell them.. Tell her I am coming.. We'll figure this out I promise." there was silence from her end for a moment, he could tell she stopped to talk to someone, he found himself trying to not be jealous again. " I've an idea Oliver..I'm going to get some help.."
"What do you mean?"
"If Clark is ill and Lois too then its bad.. and there is only one person who has any real understanding of Kryptonians."
It escaped Oliver who she meant but he never got to ask for she continued, "Love you Ollie.. I have to go.. I'll be there soon"
"Love you too.."
Then she was gone. Sighing, Oliver slipped the phone back in his pocket and hung his head. It was time to go sit with Lois, perhaps telling her Chloe was coming would help, he could only hope.
~ღ The next morning at the police station ღ~
"He got lucky with the fancy Lawyer!"
"Won't matter.." Detective Hernandez picked up the picture of a tie with blood on it. "The results will take a couple of days but I'm positive its her blood and his tie."
Sinclair took the photo handed to him, "Then this should be enough to charge him with kidnapping and assault." The tie had a tear in the back seam, like someone had pulled on it in a struggle.
"D.A says we may be able to go for attempted murder."
"Its too bad we couldn't get her to testify against him."
"Either she really believes he is innocent or she is afraid of him, doesn't matter.. I don't think we'll need her., and once this comes back ." Hernandez hit the photo with his knuckle, "he won't be able to hurt anyone again."
~ღ Two days later ღ~
"Clark you should rest.. Please! can't keep going like you're some energizer bunny, not with whats going on!"
Glancing up at Oliver, who had just come in, Clark gave a deep sigh. "I can't do this not without her!"
"You can because you're doing it for her Clark.. we'll figure this out."
"That's what she said.."
"Well you know Lois.. not even sleep is gonna hold her back."
"Its not sleep Oliver.." Clark looked up from staring at her hand in his, there was a despair in his friends blue-green eye's Oliver had never seen before.
"Its worse then that, its an eternal pit of darkness, it swallows you. Leaves you cold and alone and it goes on forever.. that is where she is at..with that thing!"
Swallowing, Oliver nodded deciding he couldn't let Clark think like that even if it was true, "She really might just be asleep Clark.. "
"No.. it ..whatever it is.. it told me it would take her.."
What could he say to that, silence enveloped them both as they each got lost in thoughts of what they could possibly do next.
"Clark, I'll sit with her.." Chloe said as she came through. "Go rest up!"
"and Shower.." Oliver added as he gave Chloe a slight smile.
Thankful for some of the normalcy they brought to the situation, Clark nodded but found he couldn't get himself to leave her side, "I know I should..and I will. Just not yet, I need answers..."
"Perhaps I can help with that Kal'el.." A friendly voice spoke from behind Chloe.
"John Jones.." Chloe smiled. "I was hoping you'd get my messages!"
"I did and I came as soon as I could.. I had to do some investigating based on what you told me!"
Clark went to stand but stumbled back as he did so. John held up a hand, "Please stay sitting .." He looked down at Lois, "The doctor's don't know what is wrong with her do they?"
Oliver shook his head, "No.. they say that there is no reason for her to be like this, she had a panic attack they were forced to sedate her in the end and she just won't wake now"
John looked back at Clark, "I may be able to help.. it would also verify for me what i believe is going on."
Nodding, Clark moved to allow John in closer, touching her head gently John spoke softly, "Lois.. time to come back.."
He could feel the pull of the thing hiding in the darkness, he pushed back not only in hopes of helping Lois but to test it. It recoiled from him momentarily, giving him a chance to latch on to Lois.
Lois eye's fluttered open and focused on John. "Mr. Jones.." she half mumbled, "What brings you here.."
John smiled, "Apparently my friends are in trouble. " he moved back so Clark could take his place.
Giving a half smile at Clark, Lois looked as if she was still struggling to snap out of it. Clark squeezed her hand and sat as close to the bed as he could.
Oliver caught John up on what was currently happening and once Lois felt more alert she related not only what she remembered from the kidnapping but also her out of body experience.
John glanced from face to face, when Lois finished, her experience confirmed what he knew. Every expression was grim, they weren't going to like what he had to say either.
"You've been up against something similar to this before Kal'el.."
"I think I'd remember if I had!"
John gave a slight nod having expected that response, "Its a prisoner from the phantom zone." This time Chloe,Oliver and Clark all reacted.
Chloe's looked at him and shook her head, "I thought he had bagged and tagged them all .. Clark took care of all the zoners, we haven't seen one since."
"At the time it did appear that he had, but I believe this one piggy backed with another, probably never leaving its own signature, going into hiding."
Clark leaned his head back, feeling not only dismay but very tired. "Do you know what it is.. what exactly it is after?"
John exchanged looks with Lois as he watched Clark rub his sweaty palms together. " I can not be certain but yes I believe I do know exactly which Zoner it is. " he pulled out his phone and called up an image. "I made a trip to the farm before I came here I found this burnt into one of the posts in your barn."
Clark and Lois gave the same identical frown. Clark took the phone, "I don't recognize that.. How did I miss it?"
"It was small Kal'el and you had no reason to look for it. I believe at some point the zoner was in your barn.. "
Still staring Clark shook his head, "That's a kryptonian symbol but I don't know the meaning.."
John nodded, "Its the symbol given only to one.. which is why you do not know it. Many years ago I helped in hunting down a creature called the soul splitter. It consumed off others and the more powerful the individual the more destruction it would ultimately cause. It was believe to have once been a man but something had changed it, I could never get your father to go into great detail. He only made it clear that the thing could not be allowed to have power like my own or yours. Believing such a consumption would cause it to eventually evolve.."
"Evolve.. What do you mean by evolve?" Oliver asked, memories of Davis marching unwanted through his head.
"I don't know, fortunately every time it has started consuming its been hunted, its evolution interrupted." He looked back at Clark, "This is why we must figure out now how to stop it. Not only to save you both but to prevent it from becoming something even more powerful."
Lois finally spoke up, "More powerful? Its already .." she felt incredibly weak and found she didn't have it in her to finish. It didn't go unnoticed, Clark squeezed her hand in comfort.
John patted her hand, "Yes it is already powerful, I believe it is trapped between two realities, the physical and the meta physical. Not fully a phantom but neither fully solid, allowing it to go unnoticed, and its smart that is the power it has at the moment. However, if it succeeds in getting enough energy from you Kal'el.. it may just solidly itself and with revenge in mind it will not stop."
"You said it has cause destruction before.. what kind? " Clark asked trying to keep his focus, which was hard.
"In the past its hunted down the weak first, building up. Once it reaches enough to have defenses it will target highly populated area's for feeding. It has a hunger for connections, the essence of people and relationships that bind them."
Oliver glanced between Clark and Lois then John "So your saying this Soul splitting creeper from hell will go for families, couples, those united under a belief system? Puts a whole new twist to 'the ties that bind' thing."
Before John could answer Oliver and Chloe's phones both went off.
Glancing at the text message they immediately reacted. Oliver went for the door to look out at the hallway.
Chloe turned to Lois and Clark, "Clark you've got to go. Now! Tess says they've got a warrant for your arrest.. "
"Go on the run?" Clark looked completely ill prepared.
"Clark it won't be about posting bail this time.. if they've got an a warrant that means they feel they've got something more to pin on you"
John nodded in agreement with Chloe, "Go.. I can meet up with you Kal'el"
Lois understood why he was balking but pulled on his hand, "..I'll be okay..if they take you in then we can't fight this thing.." she paused struggling to speak, "can't help us or anyone else if your locked away."
He hesitated and sat on the bed while taking her hands in his, knowing she was right, that if he went in there would be no superman and he'd be allowing this thing to win this battle. "Are you sure.. Lois ... I don't know when I'll be able to see you again." He hated the idea of leaving, it felt to much like abandoning her, something he promised he'd never do.
Lois squeezed his hand then let go, gently touching his face, giving a soft smile, "If they arrest you, you won't be able to see me."
"Shh..Lois, I'm sorry..I am so sorry" he whispered closing his eyes, their foreheads touching.
"Its not your fault smallville"
"Isn't it?.. I should have.."
"Should have what?..Clark.. you didn't do this to me.."
"I know.." he kissed her, "I need you".
"I need you too!" She put her good hand on his chest, right over his heart. "I'm here but Go.. Clark!
Please for me.." she leaned in for kiss, whispering against his lips, "I'll go home.. then.. you and me. we'll fight this.."
Clark sighed, gave her a deep kiss then grabbed the phone that Chloe held out.
"Clark be safe.." Chloe looked at him worriedly.
"I will.." Clark moved a little clumsily for the door unsure if he'd even be able to fly. With one last look at Lois he swallowed, whispering, "Love you!" then was gone.
The room went quiet, and the silence stung for a moment before the familiar sounds of the Plattsburgh detectives could be heard outside Lois' room.
In spite of herself, all her efforts, Lois began to sob. Clinging to the comfort her cousin offered, the image of her pale sickly husband frozen in her mind.
What would Clark do now?
~ღ/ღ~
Thoughts?
1st Part <- -> Next Chapter
0 comments:
Post a Comment