Red Shoes

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

The next day, Clark did his rounds of apologies. First he went to see Pete, who he figured would be the easiest. Next he found Lana in the Talon.

She seemed so pleased to see him that Clark allowed her to kiss him before he came to his senses. It felt nice not to face accusations.

"Lana," he finally said, finding the strength to pull away.

"Clark, I was so worried about you. Where were you?"

"It's a long story."

"Don't worry, I've got time," she smiled.

"Lana..."

"What's wrong?" she said, sounding concerned. "What happened?"

He couldn't tell her the truth because he couldn't live with the betrayal he'd see in her eyes.

"Lana, I can't explain. I just want you to know that I'm sorry I left like I did."

Lana wondered what was so bad that he couldn't tell her about it.

"It's okay, Clark, as long as you're back now. We can sort everything else out later."

"Lana," he couldn't find it within himself to say that words that would end their relationship. "We'll talk later, I promise but right now I have to be somewhere."

"Oh. Okay," she stepped away from him, looking hurt.

"Lana, I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. Now that you're back, you must have quite a few people to see."

Clark could tell that it wasn't all right but he'd put off seeing Chloe for long enough already. He couldn't keep avoiding her forever.

III

Chloe's hand hesitated on the door to the Talon; she felt like she'd been punched in the solar plexus.

Clark was back and in true Clark fashion, he had gone straight to Lana. The sight of them kissing was too much to bear and she turned away, running down the street, her vision blurred by tears.

III

"Mr Edge, we've located the boy, he's just entered the school building."

"And Miss Sullivan is there too?"

"Yes."

"Bring them to me. Use force if you have to but I want them alive."

III

The Torch office was locked but he could see Chloe was inside through the small window in the door. He knocked but she didn't answer.

"Go away, Kal" she said without looking up. He saw her wipe her eyes and knew she was crying.

"Chloe, please, I have to talk to you."

"Don't worry, I won't tell Lana."

"That's not why I'm here. Please, Chloe, just hear me out."

"I don't have to hear you out. I don't have to do anything and if you have even a shred of respect left for me, you'll go and leave me to deal with this on my own."

"Chloe, I'm sorry," he said, glad that term hadn't started yet so the building was empty. "The things I did and said to you were unforgivable."

"Why bother apologising if you don't deserve forgiveness?"

"Chloe, if you'll just let me explain-"

"Explain?" she turned towards him and he could see how upset she was. She stormed over to the door and threw it open. "Do you want to explain this to my dad?" she asked, removing her cardigan and scarf so he could see her bruises. The most recent one on her forearm was still black. "Do you want to explain how you can spend the summer fucking me, both literally and figuratively, then the moment you get back into town start making out with Lana again? Do you want to explain why red meteor rocks turn you into an asshole? Do you want to explain how you can move so fast that you appear out of thin air?"