CLARK'S POV
Something was wrong with Aaron Gill.
Clark could not explain it. His senses had been getting stronger for months. He could hear conversations from miles away. He could see through walls if he focused. He could move faster than anyone noticed. But these powers scared him. His pa said to hide them. To wait.
But standing next to Aaron, his hearing sharpened on its own. He heard Aaron's heartbeat. Slow. Too slow. Half the rate of a normal person. And the rhythm was strange. Cold. Like something alive but not warm.
He looked at Aaron's father. Aryan Gill. The man smelled like fish. No. Like the ocean. Deep water. Salt. Clark's nose caught it immediately. No one else noticed. They were all smiling and talking. But Clark smelled it. Strong. Like standing at the edge of the sea.
He could not stop himself. His vision flickered. The world turned transparent for a second. X-ray. He saw Aaron's skeleton. Normal. But his heart. The chambers moved strangely. And behind it, something coiled. A shape. A serpent. Faint. Sleeping.
He blinked. The vision vanished.
Martha touched his shoulder. "Clark? Are you alright?"
"Fine, Ma. Just fine."
Aaron was looking at him. Dark eyes. Calm. Knowing.
"Something wrong?" Aaron asked.
"No," Clark said. "Nothing."
But everything was.
---
School started the next week.
Clark walked with Aaron through the front doors of Smallville High. The building was smaller than East Side High. Fewer students. Older lockers. But the smells were the same. Chalk. Sweat. Cheap floor wax.
"The principal's office is down this hall," Clark said. "I will wait."
Aaron registered. Got his schedule. Same homeroom as Clark. Convenient.
At lunch, the trouble began.
Whitney Fordman held court in the cafeteria. Quarterback. Town golden boy. His hair was blond. His smile was white. His eyes were mean. Two friends flanked him. Big boys. Farm strong. Not smart.
Aaron walked past their table. Whitney's foot shot out. Tripped him.
Aaron caught himself. Did not fall. Turned slowly.
Whitney grinned. "You are the new kid. The rich kid. From the city."
"I am Aaron."
"I heard your family bought half the county. So here is the deal. You bring me your pocket money. Every week. Otherwise..."
He let the threat hang.
His friends cracked their knuckles.
Aaron looked at them. No fear. No anger. Just assessment. He had seen stronger. Much stronger. These were boys pretending to be wolves.
"Tomorrow," Aaron said. "I will bring you something."
Whitney blinked. "What?"
"Tomorrow. I will bring it."
Aaron turned. Walked away.
Clark hurried after him. "Aaron. What are you doing? You cannot fight them. Whitney is the quarterback. He is protected. The teachers love him."
"I am not fighting them at school."
"Then what?"
Aaron did not answer.
---
AFTER SCHOOL
Aaron waited behind the gymnasium. The football team had practice. Whitney and his two friends left late. Laughing. Shoving each other. Talking about the weekend.
They cut through the football field. Toward the parking lot.
Aaron followed.
His feet made no sound. The serpent in his chest was still. The blood core pulsed slow heat. He pulled his hood up. Not to hide his face. Just because the sun was low and his skin tingled.
The three boys reached the edge of the field. A line of trees. A drainage ditch. No cameras. No lights.
Aaron stepped out of the shadows.
"Whitney."
The quarterback turned. Saw him. Grinned.
"Rich boy came back for more."
"I brought what you asked."
Whitney's grin widened. His friends stepped forward.
Aaron held up his hands. Empty.
"But you have to take it from me."
The first friend swung. Big fist. Wide arc. Sloppy.
Aaron ducked under it. His hand shot up. Palm strike to the chin. The boy's head snapped back. He hit the ground before he knew he was falling.
The second friend rushed. Shoulder first. Football tackle.
Aaron stepped sideways. His leg swept. The boy's feet left the ground. He landed on his back. Air burst from his lungs. He gasped like a fish.
Whitney froze. His grin was gone.
"What are you?"
"Someone who does not pay bullies."
Whitney charged. He was bigger than Aaron. Stronger. But strong meant nothing if you could not hit.
Aaron caught Whitney's arm. Twisted. The quarterback spun. Aaron's knee drove into his stomach. Whitney folded. Gasped.
Aaron let him fall.
The two friends were crawling. Trying to stand. Aaron walked to them. Stood over them.
"Do you surrender?"
One nodded fast. Tears in his eyes. "Yes! Yes! Please!"
The other could not speak. He just nodded.
Whitney lay in the dirt. His ribs heaved. He looked up at Aaron. No smile. No threat. Just fear.
"Please," Whitney whispered. "Please. Enough."
Aaron looked at them for a long moment. Three boys. Broken. Begging.
" Will bully someone again! "
"Yes."
"Yes."
Aaron turned. Walked away.
---
Clark stood at the edge of the field. His face was pale.
"How long have you been watching?" Aaron asked.
"Long enough."
They walked back toward the main road. The sky was orange. Dusk was safe.
"Why did you do that?" Clark asked. His voice was tight. "You could have just said no. You could have told a teacher."
"Would a teacher stop them?"
Clark said nothing.
"Someone has to do it," Aaron said. "With great power comes great responsibility."
Clark stopped walking.
"What?"
"It is a law. The warrior's code. Never back down from a challenge. If you have power, you use it. You protect. You fight. You do not run."
Clark stared at him. The words hit something. Deep.
Clark's breath caught.
"I do not—"
"You do. I can feel it. The air around you hums. You walk like a man carrying a mountain on his shoulders. You are not normal, Clark Kent. I know you are powerful than me "
Silence.
"I will not tell anyone," Aaron said. "Your secret is safe. But do not pretend you are ordinary. Not with me."
Clark looked down. His hands were shaking.
"My pa says I should hide."
"From the world. Not from yourself. Your power, you have to control, otherwise, if your mind is not controlled, your will is not strong, your power will be controlled by someone else"
---
THE NEXT DAY. RECESS.
Whitney Fordman stood near the fence. Alone.
His friends were absent. Bruises healing and broken bones.The story had spread.
Something had happened after practice. No one knew the details. But everyone knew Whitney was different now. Quiet. Smaller.
Aaron walked past him. Whitney flinched.
"Relax," Aaron said. "I am not going to hit you."
Whitney nodded fast. "I know. I... I did what you said."
"Good."
"I told my friends. No more bullying. No more..."
"Good."
" Okay, go lakh your game! "
Whitney blinked. Then, slowly, he nodded.
Aaron walked away. Clark was waiting at the lunch table.
Clark almost smiled. "I think I am glad you moved here. I thought I was freak, so, what's your power, I will tell you mine, and you tell yours"