Far Away From Smallville

A Morning Surprise

Metropolis, the city of tomorrow. The sky has an orange tone, from the rising sun. The morning is so awfully quiet that the birds can be heard flying, near the buildings. There's no sight of people yet, outside of a young Clark Kent seated at the top of one of the many skyscrapers around the city. He's looking at the innocent birds spreading their wings against the wind and the clouds high above. He senses someone coming. From the footsteps, he knows it's a teenager. A short and overweight young man. This kid goes to the edge of the rooftop and looks down. He's very nervous and his heart is pounding.

"Hello, there! Are you ok?", Clark asks, smiling at the boy.

The teenager, startled, looks to his right to see a smiling Clark Kent, seated with his legs off the building, "What are you doing here?", the kid is taken back by how calm and relaxed the reporter is. Deep down, he wishes he could have some of that confidence too...

"Just appreciating the morning. And you?", Clark stares at the teenager. He exhales so much positivity that it calms down the surprise visitor.

"I don't know, really...", the boy says, staring at the road down below. He should be scared, but he just isn't. He doesn't take this lack of emotion as courage, but as apathy.

"How so?", Clark asks, intrigued.

"I just don't feel anything... I came here to feel something. Fear? A rush? I'm not sure... I just feel so... Numb."

Clark's smile fades away. The sadness the boy is feeling can't help but make him feel the same way as well. He thinks of what to do, but impulsively, he just stands up and walks towards him. The teenager doesn't even notice that Clark left his place. He's very concentrated in the ground and what he should do next. Even so, Clark, gently, puts a hand on the boy's shoulder, "What's your name?"

"Edward", the new character finally reveals.

"Hi, Edward! I'm Clark. Nice to meet you!"

"It's nice to meet you too...", Edward says, almost whispering.

"Do your parents know how you have been feeling, Edward?"

"Not really. We don't talk a lot. Mommy and daddy issues, I guess. Our relationship has never been the best."

Clark senses a lot of darkness from the boy. Not an evillish darkness, but something uncontrollable. An unpredictable feeling that comes when we least expect.

"I'm sorry to hear that...", Clark mutters, looking down. Of course, he doesn't understand this. He grew up with the best parents in the world: Ma and Pa Kent. They didn't have much, but there was never a moment without happiness.

"You don't need to apologize. You've been more friendly to me that most people are", Edward says softly, "Metropolis: The City of Tomorrow. What a title, huh? Tomorrow will be just like today..."

"And isn't that great?", Clark asks, innocently, with a grin on his face.

"GREAT?! How is it 'great'? There's no one good in this world anymore! No one cares about the other! This city, this planet is inhabited by selfish people who don't care about anything or anyone! They call you names, they mock you, they make fun of you... How can it be better than today?! Every single day is the same fucking thing! How am I supposed to keep on going?! How am I able to move on with my life, if everyone keeps slamming me into the ground?!", Edward takes a few seconds to breathe after the furious rant. His face is red from all the accumulated rage, but it doesn't matter, because there's no one to witness it nearby, except for Clark, of course.

There is a moment of silence. Edward looks ashamed for the tantrum he threw and Clark is just trying to think of what to say. This is not as easy as rescuing a cat from a tree or help a child find their way back home. It's serious. Clark expected the metropolitan city to be very different from Smallville, but didn't think of a case like this.

"I'm so sorry to hear that... I can only imagine what you're going through", the farm boy tries to reach Edward. He doesn't know how, but he tries nonetheless, "You're right. The world can be a very bad place sometimes, but I need you to know something: You are not alone", Edward turns around to look at Clark as he continues, "Every day that has passed just proved something. You are strong. Everyone is against you every single day, the world slams you down, yes, but you keep getting back up. That means something, Edward, I need you to know that. You are way stronger than you think."

"And if this happens again? What happens then?", Edward asks while walking towards Clark.

"I'll be here for you. I want you to know that you're not alone in this. You can always talk to me", Clark suggests.

"You really aren't like everyone else...", Edward says, chuckling and sobbing.

"You could say that", Clark remarks chuckling as well, "Besides me... Do you have someone to talk about this? Talk about your feelings? Your sadness?"

"I actually have. My two best friends: Al and Eve."

The farm boy from Kansas smiles. Even though he's not in a good place, he found two people that understand and care about him. Clark sees himself in the boy. Both have the weight of the world on their shoulders, but can always count on the best two individuals around. For Clark those are Lois and Jimmy and for Edward is Eve and Al.

"That's great!", Clark comments, "Do you talk with them about stuff like this?"

"No... No, I don't. I just don't want to overwhelm them... You know?"

"Try and do it, Edward. They seem like extraordinary people and I know they'd be willing to help."

"It's funny", Edward chuckles, "If it was another person, I'd personally tell them to go fuck themselves, but I don't know... I feel I can trust you."

Edward lifts his head up and looks at Clark, who's right in front of him, "If I feel like this again... If I find myself on the edge again... Can I count on you too?"

As soon as Edward finishes his sentence, Clark hugs him, "Of course. I'm here as long as you need me."