His thoughts spun in the aftermath of the tornado, the destruction it had left in its wake still heavy on his mind. The wind had torn through everything, scattering debris, memories, and lives across the town.
He couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that something was wrong, something deeper than just the tornado's havoc. The hospital smelled of antiseptic and fear, and people moved like ghosts around him. But all he could focus on was the gnawing anxiety twisting his gut—Ariella was out there somewhere, and he had no idea where.
Lana's voice cut through his thoughts as Clark passed one of the rooms. He slowed, his footsteps halting just outside the door.
Lana and Lin.
He shouldn't eavesdrop, but something in Lana's tone made him pause.
"Where's Ariella?" Lana's voice was low, strained with worry.
Clark heard a sigh, heavy and frustrated, coming from Lin.
"She went to find Clark."
His heart lurched.
She went to find me.
Clark turned his back to the door, pressing his palm against the wall as if the solid surface could steady the whirlwind inside him. The conversation continued in murmurs, but he didn't need to hear anymore. Ariella had gone looking for him, and she was out there, alone.
A flood of emotions hit him all at once—panic, guilt, and something else he couldn't quite place.
Without thinking, Clark spun on his heel, intent on finding her. But as he strode down the hall, his hand shot out, grabbing Lin by the collar before he knew what he was doing. He dragged him into an empty hospital room, slamming the door behind them. The force of it rattled the glass in the frame.
"Where is she?" Clark growled, pinning Lin against the wall with one hand, his strength barely contained. His fingers dug into Lin's jacket, his blue eyes blazing with barely restrained fury.
