Chapter 7
Sixteen years ago, Superman's spaceship came crashing down right in the heart of Smallville.
Alongside it, came what is known to folks as "Kryptonite," from Superman's home planet, Krypton. This stuff could strip Superman of his powers, leaving him weak or, in severe cases, even pushing him into a coma or death.
Now, Mitch, who's got a sinister streak, wouldn't pass up a chance like that.
As soon as he was able, he started gathering up that "Kryptonite" that fell in the town.
To keep it hidden from Clark, he even went the extra mile, sealing it up tight in lead packaging.
You see, lead messes with Superman, making it hard for him to see or sense things.
Inside that lead box were bits and pieces of Kryptonian debris that Mitch had collected over the past month. He was planning to take it home today, but he didn't expect it to be stolen!
Though it wasn't a large amount, it raised suspicions in his cautious mind.
Could there be dark forces lurking in the shadows, ready to make their move?
Or perhaps some folks had caught wind of Superman's powers and were getting themselves ready?
Nah, Clark's just a high school kid for now, and nobody's seeing the big changes he'll bring in the future.
So who could it be?
After shutting the locker door, Mitch was filled with questions.
BANG!
A loud crash echoed from the office at the end of the hall.
Then came a voice, loud enough to reach every corner of that corridor.
"I'll tell you, I'm the boss here! I've put in twenty-five years at this school, brought in heaps of honors, and you, my students, you stand up against me, tryin' to hide your dirty deeds! Shameful! Despicable! Betrayal!"
The shouting was followed by the sound of the table getting knocked around, and you could just imagine the fury behind it.
Was that Coach Watt from the football team?
Mitch furrowed his brows as he listened to the ruckus echoing down the hallway.
He'd run into Coach Watt a few times before.
See, the coach was always trying to recruit him for the rugby team, and they'd crossed paths a few times, but his old man, Jonathan, always shot that idea down.
Mitch leaned against the wall, sneaking a peek through, and saw the football players gettin' an earful from Coach Watt.
Something must've really ticked off the coach. Mitch shook his head and was about to move on.
Squeak!
The coaching room door swung open, and the dejected players shuffled out.
"Hey, looks like Coach Watt's got some real issues. Otherwise, he wouldn't be losin' his cool like that."
Chloe was standing in the corridor, getting ready for class. She happened to see this scene and said to Peter, all excited.
"Hold this for me, I'm gonna snap a pic."
She handed her book to her buddy, Rose, and reached for her camera, ready to take a shot.
But her little photography session didn't sit too well with the burly rugby players.
See, they weren't too thrilled with Chloe pokin' her nose into their business, so they tossed their footballs her way.
Chloe, camera in hand, didn't even notice, and one of them smacked her right in the shoulder.
"Ow!"
Chloe let out a pained yelp and stumbled back, doin' her best to stay on her feet, but she ended up bumping into Mitch's locker.
Clang!
She hit it with a solid thud.
"Hey! Lay off, guys!"
Peter saw Chloe hurt and stepped up, tryin' to get the football players to chill.
But one big guy, the one who threw the football, just ignored Peter, all calm-like, and made his way over to Chloe.
He gave Chloe a look and then bent down to pick up the football from the floor.
"What's your game, huh? Tryin' to harm a classmate?"
Chloe asked the guy, eyes wide, holdin' her sore shoulder.
"I'm just givin' you a warnin', stay outta the rugby team's business."
The brawny member threatened her in a low voice.
"Oh, you touchy now? So you're the one who wrote that nasty letter to me, full of bad grammar and foul language. I thought a homeless person wrote it, someone who never saw the inside of a school."
Chloe shot back without missin' a beat.
The strong man ignored her and was about to turn around when he saw Mitch standing silently next to the locker.
Another glance saw the words "Mitch Kent" on the locker.
"Are you Mitch Kent? Coach Watt always mentions you. Even though you never joined, you're like a legend on the football team."
A sarcastic smile appeared on the corner of the strong man's mouth, and he stretched out his hand toward Mitch.
"Dan, Dan Brown!"
Looking at the evil smile on his lips, Chloe knew that he would definitely take advantage of the handshake to cause trouble.
Looking at the idiot standing in front of him and yelling, Mitch just glanced at him coldly and turned to leave.
Dan Brown's hand stopped in mid-air, looking embarrassed on the road.
Then his embarrassment turned into anger. He clenched the football in his hand and threw it towards Mitch.
The football thrown with great force rushed to the back of Mitch's head in an instant.
Lana, who had just entered the teaching building, was talking and laughing with her boyfriend. She happened to see the football hit the back of Mitch's head and couldn't help but cover her mouth.
But, contrary to what you'd expect, Mitch didn't go down. When that football came close, he just snatched it outta the air with one hand, like it was nothin'.
Didn't even make him flinch.
Mitch caught the football and casually tossed it forward. The football slammed into the astonished Dan Brown like a cannonball.
Bang!
Dan Brown suddenly doubled over in pain, clutchin' his stomach like it was on fire.
He bent down so hard that his back hit the iron locker, making a loud thud.
"Ugh..."
Dan Brown moaned, still clutchin' his belly, and he looked like he was about to cry from the hurt.
His stomach was screamin', and his tailbone was singin' a whole different kinda tune after smashin' into that locker.
After pullin' off that move, what they called the "Sweetheart Shot," Mitch gave Dan a quick once-over, shook his head, and walked away.
If the school wasn't so crowded, Mitch might've given that idiot a hospital stay of at least six months, put an end to his football career for good.
Chloe, standin' right next to Dan, was just plain stunned.
Who would've thought Clark's brother was such a "freak"?
Catchin' that football like it was nothin' and then slammin' it back into Dan Brown. That was something else.
Was this whole Kent family a bunch of "freaks"?
While she was both relieved and intrigued, Chloe knew she had a new story to chase.
Peter, standin' beside her, saw the gleam in Chloe's eyes and knew her "weird radar" was goin' off again.
No doubt about it, Mitch was about to get himself some "quality harassment" in the name of journalism.
"Stop!"
A sudden voice cut through, stoppin' Mitch in his tracks just as he was about to leave.
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*Power Stones and Leave 5 Stars*