Webs of Steel

Chapter 3; Fear Unspoken

Clark opened his eyes with a groan. He wasn't sure how long he'd been asleep but the sky outside was pitch black. His vision cleared up quickly as he saw Lana standing above him, he nearly jumped out of his seat.

"Lana?" He questioned with a sleepy frown upon his face.

A smile crept onto her face, and he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that it embedded in his gut. He stretched his arms above him and adjusted himself so that he was sitting up.

"Hey, Clark." She greeted him.

He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something in her voice that he didn't like. The way she had said his name, it hadn't sounded like it was Lana who'd said it. But that was illogical. She was standing right in front of him. Of course his name had come from her.

"It- it's late… What are you doing here?" He yawned.

Lana giggled and took a step closer so that her legs brushed lightly against his knees. He swallowed nervously, almost afraid of what she would do next. She leaned over him, resting her hands against the back of the couch. She didn't stop until her mouth was aligned with his ear.

"I know your secret, Clark."

His heart dropped at her revelation and he could feel the weight physically hanging over his shoulders. He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, unsure of how to respond.

"Oh, don't worry… I can keep a secret." She laughed.

"Lana, I-" He began, but stopped as she climbed up onto his lap. "H- how do you know?"

"Does it matter?" She hissed, and nipped at his ear.

"Lana, stop." He told her firmly. "I'm- I'm-"

"Clark!" Lois' voice cut through his own.

"I'm with Lois." He finished.

"Not anymore." Lana grinned.

Without thinking, Clark shoved Lana from his lap and jumped to his feet. He glanced back at her as she landed on the couch, and frowned as she got up.

"Lois, I swear…"

"I know what I'm seeing. There's no need to explain…" She snapped. "But whatever. Goodbye, Clark."

"No! Wait, Lois-"

But she was gone. Except, she didn't walk away. She disappeared in a cloud of thick grey smoke. Clark folded his arms across his chest and his frown deepened as he turned back to Lana. His eyes widened as she opened her hand to reveal a glowing green meteor rock and he gasped, no longer able to breathe.

"Lana!" He choked. His hands flew up to his throat and he dropped to the floor on his knees. "P- please…"

"Should have just been honest with me." She sneered. "You're as good as dead now anyway."

Before Clark could move, she squeezed the meteor rock in her hands and then thrust it straight into his back. His face twisted in pain and blood soaked his white t-shirt, and she tilted his head up to look at her as she walked around him.

"That's for my parents." She hissed.

"Clark!"

"Clark!"

Lois jerked back as Clark awoke and bolted up, still screaming. Panic flashed across his face and his head snapped up towards the window of the barn, staring out at the sky. He visibly relaxed slightly as he saw that the black of night was giving way to a lighter blue.