Reincarnation In Smallville

Smallville Police Station Cell

The environment was cold, illuminated by a pale light that accentuated the gray walls of the cell. Joseph was sitting on a small bench, his hands resting on his lap, his eyes fixed on Kyla, who stood on the other side of the bars. She gripped the bars tightly, trying to contain the emotions consuming her.

"Grandpa, why are you doing this? Why aren't you fighting like you always did against them? Against LuthorCorp?"

Joseph maintained a serene gaze, but there was a noticeable weight in his expression.

"Kyla, sometimes fighting doesn't mean shouting louder or resisting with force. Sometimes, it's about bearing the burden to protect what truly matters."

Kyla felt her heart race. There was something in his words, something that made her hands tremble slightly. 'He knows. He knows what happened.'

"You shouldn't be here. They're using you as a scapegoat, and you're just accepting it!"

Joseph sighed, leaning slightly forward, his hands clasped together.

"These lands are sacred, Kyla. They always have been. And the way we protect what's sacred changes over time. My fight now is to ensure you don't carry a weight heavier than you can bear."

She took a step back, her chest tight with the growing guilt. 'He knows. But he won't say anything.'

"Grandpa... I—"

Joseph raised his hand, cutting her off before she could continue. His eyes met hers with gentle firmness.

"You don't need to say anything, Kyla. I already know. And no matter what happens, you're still my granddaughter. Nothing will change that."

She bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears. The silence between them was filled by the muffled sound of footsteps behind her. The lawyer was approaching, his shoes echoing on the station floor.

"Mr. Willowbrook, can I ask one last time? Are you really not planning to defend yourself? Accepting this arrest is a decision that could complicate things further."

Joseph stood up slowly, turning to the lawyer with a calm expression.

"I've made my decision. I won't change my stance."

The lawyer pressed his lips together, clearly frustrated. He turned to Kyla, who was still gripping the bars tightly.

"I'm sorry, Kyla. Without his cooperation, there's not much I can do. I'll be available if he changes his mind, but for now, I'm out of the case."

Before Kyla could respond, the lawyer left, his footsteps echoing again as he disappeared through the door. Chloe, who had been watching from a distance, narrowed her eyes as she saw him leave. After a few seconds, she walked toward the cell, stopping beside Kyla.

"He gave up," murmured Kyla, not taking her eyes off her grandfather.

"It's because he doesn't understand the situation like we do," replied Chloe, her voice low but filled with determination.

Joseph observed the young journalist with curiosity. He tilted his head slightly, assessing her.

"And you are...?"

Kyla turned slightly, wiping a discreet tear from her face.

"This is Chloe Sullivan, Grandpa. She's trying to help."

Joseph continued to watch Chloe, his expression firm.

"And why would someone like you be interested in helping my family, Miss Sullivan?"

Chloe gave a slight smile, leaning forward slightly, resting lightly on the bars.

"Because I believe there's a bigger story here, and stories like this deserve to be told. Besides, I know someone who can really solve this problem. He's on his way."

Kyla turned to Chloe, her eyes still red but now filled with skepticism.

"Who is this person? And why would he be able to fix all of this?"

Chloe just smiled, crossing her arms as she looked at Kyla.

"You'll see soon enough."

Before Kyla could question further, the firm sound of boots against the floor echoed down the hallway. Ethan appeared at the cell door, his expression filled with exhaustion and irritation. He stopped in front of the two, crossing his arms.

"Ladies, this isn't a visiting room. The lawyer's gone, and you should be too."

Kyla stepped forward, challenging the sheriff's firm stance.

"I'm not leaving while my grandfather is locked up. He didn't do anything wrong!"

Chloe raised an eyebrow but kept her tone calm.

"Ethan, we know this arrest has no grounds. You're just following orders, but that doesn't mean we're wrong to question."

The sheriff let out a heavy sigh, gesturing brusquely toward the door.

"I'm not going to argue with you. Either leave now, or I can guarantee you'll have plenty of time to think about it in another cell."

Kyla clenched her fists, her eyes burning with frustration.

"You can't do that! We haven't done anything wrong!"

"Then prove you're smarter than you look and leave while you can."

Chloe huffed, crossing her arms.

"You're just reinforcing what we already know, Ethan. This arrest is political, and you know it. But intimidating witnesses and family? That's a new level of desperation."

Ethan's gaze hardened, and he took a step forward, pointing directly at Chloe.

"I said leave. And I won't ask again."

Joseph slowly rose from the bench in the cell, his calm demeanor contrasting with the growing tension in the room.

"Kyla, go home. And take your friend with you."

"Grandpa, no! I'm not leaving you here alone!"

Joseph approached the bars, gently holding his granddaughter's arm. His eyes met hers, filled with firmness and affection.

"Kyla, you need to trust me. I don't want you getting involved in this in a way you can't control. Please, go."

"But Grandpa—"

"No 'buts.' I won't say it again."

Kyla hesitated, but the strength in his voice made her step back. Joseph looked at Chloe, his tone calm but authoritative.

"You too, Miss Sullivan. I appreciate your help, but this isn't where this fight will be won. Go and find the answers you're looking for. I'll be fine."

Chloe exchanged a glance with Kyla, reluctant but understanding the weight of Joseph's words.

"Alright. But this isn't over."

Ethan watched the two with his arms crossed, shaking his head slightly.

"Now we're understanding. You know where the door is."

Kyla cast one last look at Joseph, tears silently streaming down her face.

"I'll come back, Grandpa. I promise I'll come back."

Joseph nodded, his gaze full of tenderness.

"I know you will. But trust me for now."

Reluctantly, Chloe pulled Kyla away from the cell. Ethan followed them to the exit, the heavy silence lingering between the three. When the door finally closed behind them, Kyla stopped, taking a deep breath.

...

Road

VRRRROOM!

The truck's engine roared as Clark drove down the winding road toward the Smallville police station. The sky was overcast, heavy clouds spread like a gray blanket, the wind swaying the tree branches around. Inside the vehicle, the air carried a silent tension, broken only by the rhythmic sound of tires against the asphalt.

"Clark, I still don't understand why you think Sheriff Ethan will make things easier. He doesn't seem like the type to change his mind easily."

Clark kept his eyes on the road, his expression calm, but his mind was already working on the next step.

"Trust me, Diana. Ethan just needs a... different perspective. He's not bad, just pressured by bigger forces."

Diana crossed her arms, leaning slightly against the window. Her eyes shone with determination, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her posture.

"You talk like you can solve this with words, Clark. But he treated me like I was the problem. I don't know if he'll listen to anyone, much less me."

Clark glanced at her briefly, the corners of his mouth forming a slight smile.

"You'd be surprised what a little logic and... persistence can do. Just give me a moment with him. After that, the field will be clear for you and Chloe to investigate."

She studied Clark's serene profile, trying to decipher what was going on behind that expression.

'He always acts so calmly, like he already knows the ending of every story. But what if he's wrong this time?'

"Either way, I just want a chance to find the truth. These lands and the people involved deserve justice."

"I agree. And that's exactly what we're going to get."

The truck jolted slightly as it passed over a rough patch of road. Diana watched Clark more closely, sensing something in his tone that made her question.

"You're hiding something, aren't you? It feels like there's more to what you're doing than you're telling me."

Clark kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead, his hands relaxed on the wheel.

"I just want to make sure you two have the chance to work together without unnecessary distractions. You and Chloe could be a powerful team, Diana. You just need time and space to figure that out."

She leaned forward, her gaze intense.

"You're planning something behind the scenes, aren't you? I don't like being kept in the dark, Clark."

Clark let out a low laugh, almost imperceptible, but didn't respond immediately.

'I knew she'd notice. But some things need to follow their own course. Pushing too hard would only make things more complicated.'

"Maybe. But not everything needs to be explained right now. Just trust me, Diana. I'd never do anything to harm you."

She looked away, watching the landscape rush by outside.

"I trust you, Clark. I just hope you know what you're doing."

"I always do."

To read 7 chapters ahead, go to

pat reon.com/22Mirko22