The silver sedan cut through the empty Kansas roads.
Lex drove with one hand. The other tapped the steering wheel.
His mind replayed the bridge.
The impact. The water. The hands pulling him out.
Clark Kent.
A farm boy. Fifteen. Maybe sixteen. Strong.
Too strong.
Lex pulled into his private garage. Killed the engine. Sat in silence.
He opened his phone. Photos from the bridge. Tire marks. The crushed railing. The riverbank where he'd woken up.
He had hit Clark at forty miles per hour.
Clark should have been dead. Or broken. Or both.
Instead, the boy swam him to shore. No bruises. No cuts. Nothing.
Lex saved every photo. Every note. Every question.
He created a folder. Labeled it: "Kent."
This was the beginning.
...
Lex's penthouse was quiet.
Too quiet.
He poured a drink. Stared out the window.
His phone buzzed. Lionel Luthor.
"Why are you still in Smallville?"
"Tying up loose ends."
"The board is asking questions. Your accident is already news. Come back to Metropolis."
"Soon."
"Don't make me come get you."
The line went dead.
Lex finished his drink. His father's voice stayed in his head. Cold. Sharp. Always cutting.
He looked at his reflection in the glass.
He did not want to become that man.
...
Monday morning.
Smallville High.
Students crowded the entrance. Backpacks. Laughter. The normal noise.
A silver sedan pulled up.
Lex Luthor stepped out.
Bald head. Dark sunglasses. Expensive coat.
Every head turned.
Clark stood near the main doors with Aaron. He saw Lex. His face shifted.
"I told you," Aaron said. "He will tail you."
"You said 'tail.' Nobody says 'tail.'"
"I say tail. Look. He's waving."
Lex raised a hand. Smiled. Walked toward them.
Students stared at the car. Whispers spread.
"Is that a Luthor?"
"That car costs more than my house."
"Why is he talking to Clark?"
...
Lex reached them. His smile was easy. Practiced.
"Clark. Good morning."
"Lex. What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see how my favorite rescue hero was doing." Lex looked at the school building. "Nice place. Rustic."
"It's a school."
"I noticed you didn't drive the truck. Problems?"
Clark shifted his weight. "No problems. I just don't want to mess up my school life. Showing up in a new truck on day one? Everyone would talk."
Lex nodded. "Smart. Keeping a low profile."
"Something like that."
...
Lex turned to Aaron.
"You must be Aaron Gill."
"Yes."
"I heard you transferred from one of the wealthiest private schools in the country. East Side High. Expensive. Exclusive." Lex paused. "Were you also on the bridge that night?"
Clark stiffened.
Aaron met Lex's eyes. No reaction.
"No. I was not on the bridge that night."
Lex studied him. The pause was slight. Almost nothing.
Almost.
"Interesting. I thought I saw someone else. The water. The confusion. Memory plays tricks."
"It does."
Lex smiled. "Well. Any friend of Clark's is someone I should know. Aaron Gill. I'll remember the name."
"I'm sure you will."
...
The bell rang.
Clark grabbed Aaron's arm. "We should get to class."
"Of course." Lex stepped back. "Clark. Think about the truck. It's meant to be driven. And Aaron. I hope we talk again."
Aaron said nothing.
Lex walked back to his car. Students parted for him like water.
The silver sedan pulled away.
...
Clark let out a breath. "He knows something."
"No. He suspects something. Different."
"What do I do?"
"Nothing. You act normal. You go to class. You do homework. We will act normal for now, otherwise I will use the power of vampire on him."
Aaron watched the car disappear down the road.