章 53: A New Beginning in London [53]
Clark stopped in front of the store and, without wasting time, entered while the world around him remained frozen thanks to the Speed Force. He knew exactly what needed to be done. First, he looked around, identifying the customers scattered throughout the store.
Clark walked up to them, his eyes intensifying as he focused. He hypnotized each of the customers.
"You've finished your shopping. Now, it's time to go home."
Once the Speed Force was deactivated, the customers, now in a trance, would leave the store, following Clark's suggestion without question.
With the customers out of the way, Clark turned to the store employees. He knew he had to be careful. Approaching them, he used his hypnosis powers once again.
"You will treat me with respect. My name is Mr. Kent, and my wife, Mrs. Kent, is outside. You will provide anything we need without question."
Like the customers, the employees would obey Clark's instructions when the Speed Force was deactivated, acting exactly as he commanded.
With everything under control, Clark walked through the store, picking out some clothes he deemed suitable for himself and Diana. Before leaving, he also grabbed two overcoats—he knew they'd need them to walk around the city without drawing too much attention.
...
Clark quickly returned to the rooftop where Diana awaited him. He landed softly beside her, holding the overcoats.
As soon as he deactivated the Speed Force, the world returned to its normal rhythm.
"Here, Diana. Put on this overcoat. We'll get some more suitable clothes to blend in here," Clark said, handing her one of the overcoats.
Diana looked at the coat that had suddenly appeared in Clark's hands, clearly intrigued. "How did you get this so quickly?" she asked as she put on the coat.
Clark just smiled faintly. "Let's just say I'm very efficient when I need to be."
Clark and Diana began descending from the building and walking through the streets toward the store. The cold London weather enveloped them, and the bustling crowd kept moving. Diana, wearing the overcoat, seemed curious and observed everything around her, absorbing every detail of this new reality.
As they walked, Clark noticed that some people looked at them curiously. It was hard not to notice Diana, even with the overcoat. Her imposing posture and striking features did not go unnoticed, and occasionally someone glanced at them, trying to figure out who these two strangers were.
Clark maintained a calm demeanor, holding Diana's hand to guide her to the store.
He knew they needed to remain discreet, but he was also aware that, for someone like Diana, that could be a challenge. Every glance they received was a reminder that they didn't belong there, but it was also motivation to finish their task quickly.
When they reached the store, Clark looked at Diana and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Let's go inside and get some clothes more appropriate for this place. That way, we might avoid drawing so much attention."
Diana nodded, though her eyes were still fixed on the people around them.
Clark and Diana entered the store. The employees were all present, while the hypnotized customers had already left. As they entered, one of the employees approached with a warm smile.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kent, it's a pleasure to have you here. How can we help you?" said the employee, speaking with a respectful tone.
Clark kept a calm expression.
"Thank you. Now, close the store so my wife and I can shop in peace."
One of the employees quickly went to the entrance and flipped the "Open" sign to "Closed" with a soft click.
She then locked the door, ensuring no one else could enter.
Clang!
Diana watched everything closely, and the word "wife" left her slightly confused. Clark was clearly trying to use a cover story, and while she understood that, she couldn't avoid the discomfort of being called his wife. She thought it was likely just a necessary ruse to blend in and avoid suspicion, but still, it felt strange.
Clark then looked at Diana and smiled faintly. "Let's pick out some clothes that fit the style of this place better. We need to look more... local."
Diana nodded, still processing the idea of being called "Mrs. Kent," but she didn't question Clark. She knew he had a plan and trusted him.
Clark began walking around the store, selecting some clothes. He picked a gray suit for himself, a thick coat, and some neutral-colored shirts. For Diana, he chose a dark blue dress—simple yet elegant—and a long coat that could be useful for London's cold weather.
The store employees watched silently, ready to fulfill any requests. Clark approached one of them and asked them to prepare the clothes so he and Diana could try them on.
As Diana looked at the clothes Clark had chosen, she couldn't help but admire his effort to adapt to the world of men and the situation they were facing. For her, everything still felt strange, but something about Clark's confidence made her feel that, somehow, they were on the right path.
After trying on the clothes, Clark looked at Diana, now dressed in attire more fitting for the locale. She looked like an ordinary woman to others, but to him, it was impossible to ignore the presence and strength she exuded.
"You look perfect, Diana," Clark said, a sincere smile on his face.
Diana looked at him and returned the smile, adjusting her coat. "Thank you, Clark. You look... different, but in a good way."
Clark chuckled softly, looking at himself in the mirror. "I think we're ready."
Clark approached one of the employees and inquired about lodging in the city. "Could you recommend a good hotel nearby? We need a place to stay for the night."
The employee smiled and promptly responded. "Of course, Mr. Kent. I recommend the Savoy Hotel, just a few blocks from here. It's an excellent place, very comfortable."
Clark thanked the employee and turned to Diana with a faint smile.
"Let's go, Diana. We have another stop to make."
Diana nodded, and together they left the store. The employees, still under hypnosis, bid them farewell respectfully.
...
Clark and Diana arrived at the Savoy Hotel, an elegant and imposing building exuding luxury and comfort. They entered the lobby, and Clark approached the reception desk to check in.
"Good afternoon. I'd like a room for me and my wife," Clark said, maintaining the cover story.
He looked directly into the receptionist's eyes, his gaze intensifying as he focused:
*"You will treat us with respect. Give us the best available suite and ensure we are not disturbed."*
The receptionist, now under hypnosis, smiled cordially and retrieved the keys to the hotel's best suite.
"Of course, Mr. Kent. I hope you enjoy your stay. Here are the keys to our finest suite, number 305."
Clark took the keys and, holding Diana's hand, headed toward the elevator, keeping a composed demeanor as they prepared to enter the room. Diana watched him silently, still processing everything that had happened up to that point.
When they reached the third floor, Clark and Diana walked down the corridor to suite 305. Clark unlocked the door and opened it, letting Diana enter first.
The suite was spacious and luxurious, with a large, comfortable bed, a magnificent view of London, and elegant decor. Diana looked around, impressed by the surroundings.
"This place is so different from anything I've ever seen," Diana said as she walked through the suite, observing every detail.
Clark closed the door behind him and smiled, placing the overcoat on a nearby chair. "I hope you can rest a bit here, Diana. We'll need our strength for what's to come."
Diana crossed her arms and frowned. "Clark, we can't rest now. Ares is out there, causing destruction. Every minute counts. We need to act immediately."
"I know you want to defeat Ares, but we need information and a base to establish ourselves," Clark said, looking around the suite. "Let's take advantage of the room tonight to talk and rest. Ares is a god; we need to be at full strength to defeat him."
Diana hesitated, her determination to act immediately still strong. However, Clark's words made sense. She knew that to face a god, they would need to be fully prepared.
Diana took a deep breath and slowly nodded. "All right, Clark. I'll trust your judgment. But we can't take too long. Every second counts."
Clark smiled softly. "I promise, Diana. Tomorrow, we'll start our search for Ares. But tonight, let's rest."
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