Stop the World (Supergirl)

Chapter 1

Luthorsport, Ireland

January, 1941

The beach was deserted, mostly because no one in the small coastal village of Luthorsport other than Lena Luthor was eager enough or mad enough, depending on who you asked, to take their dog out for a walk in such wind and misty greyness. Though rain still threatened, with the wind such as it was, taking an umbrella was a waste of time and resources. Lena walked along the pebbles and coarse sand that made up the shoreline as her spaniel Caoimhe jumped and played and chased the waves back from the shore. Lena walked with her hands shoved deep into her coat pockets, collar popped up, grateful that her hat was well pinned to her hair, else it would be half way to the Americas by now.

Through the mist coming off the roaring waves, Lena could just make out the towering cliffs ahead, with the lighthouse jotting out into the wild Atlantic ocean; the safety and warmth of the village and port behind her. A shape moved in the waves up ahead, seaweed no doubt. Lena kept walking, wondering if there was a way to increase the light from the lighthouse. War of not, Ireland was a neutral country, and she didn't want any ships smashed upon the rocks.

Caoimhe barked and ran ahead. What had looked like seaweed was now moving forcefully, coming ashore. Lena whistled and Caoimhe ran to her side. Lena hooked the leash to Caoimhe's collar. "No barking at seals," she said, giving the dog a pat on the head. Lena looked back at the shape coming out of the water, and saw that it was no seal. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph," Lena breathed. Caoimhe stood behind Lena. "Come on," Lena said, tugging at the leash. Caoimhe cooperated with her mistress as they apprehensively made their way down the beach. "Hullo?" Lena called.

A woman emerged from the waves, almost doubled-over, coughing up water, her wet blonde hair dangling over her face, soaked clothes clinging to her body. Lena grabbed the woman's shoulder to stop her from falling while she coughed up a good amount of sea water.

"You must be freezing," Lena said, Caoimhe sitting patiently at her side. "Where did you come from? How did you get here? And in the water? The waves are huge - "

The woman nodded and tried to straighten up. She pushed her hair back from her face, and grabbed Lena's arm for support.

"I'm Lena," Lena said. "Do you - do you know where you are?"

The woman looked at Lena, then looked up and down the beach. "Where's Alex?" she asked, her voice raspy.

"I - I haven't seen anyone else," Lena said. "We don't usually get people appearing from the waves. Especially not in January, on the morning after a storm."

The woman let go of Lena's arm and swung around. "I have to find her. I have to go."

"No, wait - " Lena began, but the woman was already walking back into the waves. "You'll drown!" Lena called, but the woman jumped over a wave and leapt up into the air, disappearing into the mist and clouds. Lena stared in disbelief. "You saw that too, right?" she asked Caoimhe. The dog cocked her head and tugged at the lead, eager to press on.

...

"Any news today, Joe?" Lena asked as she entered the post office, both Lena and Caoimhe walking sand and water into the small shop.

"Not a word, Miss Luthor," Joe replied. If anyone was going to know what was happening in and around Luthorsport, Joe would be the one.

"A storm like that last night, and no news?"

"Oh, I thought you meant from the papers. Mr O'Brien at the station got a call from up the line saying there's been a tree down across the tracks, so we've none of the morning papers from Dublin. No morning mail. No nothing. Mr O'Brien said he'll let me know as soon as he does when the tracks are cleared again."