The world slowed around him. Every spark of fire hung suspended in the air.
Dante's flames seemed frozen in time, twisted in space. His face contorted in rage, hand outstretched, ready to unleash another attack.
Clark moved in the blink of an eye.
THUMP!
His hand gripped Dante's throat.
The flaming man's expression shifted from pure fury to absolute shock.
CRACK!
A dry snap echoed through the air.
Dante's eyes widened. His body went rigid for a second.
The heat around them lessened. The flames wavered.
His lips trembled, but no words came out.
'It's over.'
The incandescent body dropped to its knees.
Clark released his throat and watched.
Dante collapsed to the side. His body, still glowing with embers, began to cool.
The fire surrounding him weakened. Ash rose, swirling in the night wind.
Silence.
Clark stood still, smelling the smoke fading.
That's when he heard it.
📸 FLASH!
His eyes narrowed instantly.
'What…?'
His body turned toward the sound.
In the darkness, something moved.
A shadow fled through a nearby alley.
📸 FLASH!
Another flash.
Clark gritted his teeth.
'Someone's taking pictures of me.'
WHOOSH!
He moved.
He scaled the wall of the nearest building and stopped on the roof. His gaze scanned the city.
Nothing.
The streetlights flickered. The wind carried the scent of smoke and melted rubber.
But whoever it was… they were already gone.
He clenched his fists.
'Just one photo… but one photo could be enough to screw everything up.'
🚨 WEEEOOO! WEEEOOO! 🚨
The sound of sirens echoed in the distance.
Firefighters. Police.
Clark looked at the smoldering wreckage of the garage.
If he stayed any longer, someone would start asking questions.
He had to go.
WHOOSH!
The wind howled as he vanished into the night.
On the ground, among the ashes, a small shard of glass reflected the moonlight.
The broken lens of a camera.
_____
Clark's House – Night
The cool night breeze drifted through the windows, carrying the distant scent of smoke and destruction.
Diana stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the straps of her jacket. Her eyes reflected resolve, but the furrow in her brow betrayed concern.
'This isn't normal.'
The light flickered as Tina walked across the room, pacing back and forth. Her arms were crossed, her jaw clenched.
"He should be back by now. This doesn't make sense. Did you see those flames?"
Diana kept her gaze on the mirror, finishing tying up her hair.
"Clark knows how to take care of himself."
Tina scoffed.
"He does, but there always comes a time when even he can—"
The door burst open.
Clark stepped in.
His clothes were still smoldering, his jacket scorched, scraps of fabric falling to the floor.
The smell of smoke invaded the house.
Diana spun on her heels instantly. Tina froze, eyes wide.
Clark looked at both of them and sighed, pulling off the remains of his shirt in one swift motion.
"It's all taken care of."
Tina blinked, unable to hide her eyes trailing down his chest.
Diana narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms.
"You smell like a fire."
Clark tossed the burned pieces to the floor, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
"Because I just walked out of one."
Tina stepped forward, her eyes gleaming.
"Are you okay?"
He looked at her, analyzing the overly concerned tone.
"I'm fine. Dante? Not so much."
Diana uncrossed her arms, assessing every detail.
"So he's no longer a problem?"
Clark grabbed a towel from the back of the couch, wiping soot from his arms.
"He won't bother anyone ever again."
Silence settled.
Tina took a deep breath, eyes locked on him.
"You killed him."
Clark stopped, staring at her for a moment. Her look wasn't judgmental. It was something… different.
Diana noticed the exchange and stepped closer.
"Was it necessary?"
Clark dropped the towel on the table, meeting her eyes.
"He couldn't be saved."
Diana held her gaze, reading every expression on his face.
"I trust your judgment."
Clark nodded, unsurprised.
Tina, on the other hand, gave a subtle smile.
"So do I."
Clark glanced at her, narrowing his eyes.
'Was that enthusiasm?'
Before he could dwell on it, a sound came from the hallway.
Kyla appeared in the bedroom doorway, her hair messy, expression worried.
"Clark?"
Her eyes scanned his condition.
The scorched clothes. The soot-covered hands. The smell of ash.
She took a hesitant step forward, heart pounding.
'He fought. Was he hurt? He's… different…'
Clark watched her, reading every reaction.
"It's okay now."
She bit her lip, hugging her arms.
'But for how long?'
Diana crossed her arms again, changing the subject.
"Is there anything else we should know?"
Clark turned toward the door, his eyes darkening for a moment.
"Yeah. Someone was taking pictures."
The room grew colder.
Tina stopped breathing for a second.
Diana tilted her head slightly.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small shard of broken glass.
"Camera lens."
Tina stared at the object.
"Someone saw everything."
Kyla swallowed hard, feeling the weight of those words.
Diana took the lens shard from Clark's hand, examining it under the light.
"That means we have a problem now."
Clark ran a hand through his hair.
"Or maybe just a warning."
Tina raised her eyebrows.
"You think the person just wanted to be noticed?"
Clark closed his hand around the shard, feeling the rough texture against his skin.
"If it was someone from LuthorCorp or the government, I'd already have a team at my door."
Kyla stepped forward, her voice low.
"Then who?"
Clark lifted his gaze to her.
"That's the question of the night."
The wind blew through the open window, making the curtains sway gently.
Diana watched Clark, her eyes analyzing every detail of his face.
He was more distant. Colder.
'He killed someone tonight.'
She could feel it.
But she didn't ask.
Because she knew if he had, it was because there was no other choice.
She simply nodded.
"We'll find out who it is."
Clark tossed the piece of lens onto the table.
"I know."
Silence lingered again.
Tina glanced at Clark's exposed chest, biting the corner of her lip.
Kyla lowered her eyes, conflicting emotions churning inside her.
Diana took a deep breath and grabbed her jacket again.
"I'm getting something to eat. Anyone want anything?"
Tina blinked, snapping out of her trance.
"I do!"
Kyla just shook her head.
Clark remained silent, watching Diana walk away.
As soon as she left the room, Tina stepped closer with a discreet smile.
"You look really good covered in soot, you know that?"
Clark looked at her, raising an eyebrow.
Kyla rolled her eyes and went back to the bedroom.
Tina laughed.
Clark just sighed, running his hands over his face.
He grabbed his phone and quickly dialed. It rang a few times before Chloe picked up.
"Finally, farm boy. You kept me waiting. Does that mean you sorted out Pete's mess?"
Clark leaned back on the couch, closing his eyes for a moment.
"It's all taken care of. You don't need to worry about him anymore."
Chloe sighed on the other end.
"Great. But you know what's not taken care of? My job. I should be at the scene of the fire right now, but there's one small problem."
Clark frowned, sitting up straighter.
"Problem?"
Chloe grumbled softly.
"My legs are weak. I can barely walk, let alone chase leads."
Clark blinked.
"Are you okay?"
Chloe was silent for a moment before letting out a low chuckle.
"I'm fine. Just... let's say my afternoon was very active."
Clark blinked again, still not quite getting it.
"Active?"
Chloe huffed.
"Clark, for God's sake. I'm talking about when you were at my house... what happened between us."
Clark's eyes widened.
"Oh."
Tina, sitting beside him on the couch, leaned in with interest.
"Something interesting, Clark?"
Clark covered the phone's microphone with his hand.
"None of your business."
Tina smirked.
"Now I want to know even more."
Clark took a deep breath and turned his attention back to Chloe.
"So you can't go to the fire scene?"
Chloe sighed on the other end.
"Exactly. Which is frustrating, because I'm a journalist, and journalists need to be where things are happening."
Clark relaxed a little.
"So, in the end, it's actually a good thing."
"Good?! What do you mean good?"
"Because at least you're not putting yourself at risk chasing fire and unstable rubble."
Chloe was silent for a moment before letting out a quiet laugh.
"Okay, Clark. You might have a point there."
Clark smiled faintly.
"If you need anything, let me know."
"I need legs that work."
"That's not my problem anymore."
"I hate you."
"Love you too, Chloe."
Silence fell on the call.
Clark tossed the phone onto the couch and ran a hand over his face again.
Tina nudged his arm.
"So… Chloe can't walk properly because of you?"
Clark looked at her, narrowing his eyes.
"Tina."
She raised her hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay. I'm just trying to have a little fun."
Clark just sighed.
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