บท 12: Chapter 12
"Things are getting real interesting. After Clark took off, Mitch stood by the window, watching the night outside and muttering to himself. Thought my private business was low-key, but I didn't figure Clark to be onto it like that.
But you know what? It's all good. Mitch never meant to keep it from Clark. With the crazy powers he's been developing, it ain't no biggie for Clark to piece together where he's been.
Late nights in the big city, coming back with a hint of blood in the air – that's been Mitch's deal for a while now.
See, ever since the "Homelander Template" unlocked, his powers just keep growing. And Mitch can't help but use 'em to blow off some steam. Those lowlifes, the thugs, they became his outlet.
He ain't looking to be some superhero cleaning up the streets, just figures that these bad dudes are worth his time.
Of course, while he's venting, he's also lining his pockets with a bit of cash. That's why Clark says he's "loaded."
Dan Brown's death, that scarecrow guy named Jeremy? Mitch put all that on the back burner as he sat at his desk.
No regrets or sympathy for what happened to the football team. That meathead got what was comin' to him from some kind of "revenge ghost." Mitch finds the whole "revenge and death" plot kinda intriguing.
As for the tussle to stop Jeremy? Ain't even on his radar yet.
Now, tomorrow's prom... Mitch turned around, gazing out at the sultry night, and a smirk crept onto his face. It's gonna be quite a show.
He's really looking forward to it.
...
Next morning, early as heck.
Smallville High School's buzzing with excitement. That homecoming dance's got everyone antsy.
Girls chatting away, plotting their dance partners, and boys scrambling last minute to find someone.
Whole place is electric.
"Hey, Mitch!" Just as Mitch slammed his locker shut, he heard a voice from behind.
Turning around, he saw it was Clark's buddy, Miss Chloe, a reporter from The Torch.
Blond hair, book in one hand, coffee in the other, she greeted him with a "Good morning, Mitch."
"Chloe?"
"Chloe Sullivan, reporter and chief at The Torch. First time we've talked without Clark around, huh?"
Chloe had a smile on her face, seems like she's in good spirits.
"What's up?"
Mitch ain't too familiar with this quirky reporter. He only knows from Clark that she's a real curious one.
And Mitch appreciates people who ain't afraid to dive into things.
Toss a "reporter" tag on her, though, and that's where Mitch usually checks out.
"Can we chat real quick? Won't take long, we can wrap it before class."
Chloe asked, looking kinda hopeful.
"About Clark."
Worried Mitch might say no, Chloe added that last bit.
After a sec, Mitch nodded and agreed to talk to Chloe.
They settled in at The Torch newspaper office. Chloe tidied up her cluttered desk, tryin' to make it look less messy.
"Need some coffee?"
"Nah, I'm good."
"Alright."
Chloe nodded, her expression a bit uneasy.
Seems like she's got some interest in Mitch, a guy who ain't all that brainy but got something going for him. Chloe's never had a guy confess or take her out on a date, so she's a tad short on confidence.
Mitch glanced around, then his eyes landed on a stack of newspapers on the bookshelf.
"This The Torch from recent years," Chloe said, takin' the lead.
"The Torch? You got one from three years back, around the Homecoming Prom?"
Mitch asked, a bit surprised why she'd be diggin' up old newspapers like that.
Chloe nodded, "Sure thing, I'll grab it for ya."
Without hesitation, Chloe handed Mitch a stack of newspapers.
"School starts on April 21st, and this here's from three years back, April edition. Layout might look different 'cause I wasn't runnin' The Torch back then," she explained.
Mitch took the newspapers from Chloe, his face giving nothin' away, but she could tell he wasn't too impressed.
He quickly found the report about Jeremy.
"Jeremy, the guy who went missin' three years ago, they tagged him as a 'scarecrow,' left in a cornfield overnight, then vanished next day. I remember it stirred quite a fuss back then. Jeremy was the only one from Smallville High School who won the 'APPT Physics Cup.'"
Chloe filled in Mitch on what she knew as he stared at Jeremy's report.
He nodded, readin' the info on that newspaper, then handed it back to Chloe.
The paper said somethin' about the guy bein' hospitalized 'cause of meteorite radiation when he was a kid, and bein' a physicist...
Looks like Jeremy's mutation was tied to kryptonite somehow, and he might've figured out how to harness it for power.
"Mitch?"
Mitch, deep in thought, got interrupted by Chloe, the reporter.
"Clark's been thinkin' that Dan Brown's death had somethin' to do with you. Is that true?"
Chloe asked Mitch straight up.
"Could be."
Mitch neither confirmed nor denied it.
"Usually, when folks give answers like that, they're sayin' 'I'd rather not say.'"
Chloe blinked, "So, Mitch, you also 'rather not say'?"
"What's your take on it, Chloe?"
Mitch shot the question right back at her.
"As for me? My opinion's different from Clark's. It ain't 'cause you taught Dan Brown, who was after me before, that I'm takin' sides with you."
Chloe expertly placed the newspaper back on the shelf, "I got a hunch the killer's Coach Watt. He's been actin' real strange lately, even rumors of him layin' hands on students. Maybe Dan Brown was snitchin' on him, and Coach Watt went after him."
"Leave Coach Watt out of this for now. Clark's thinkin' you're gonna make a move at the dance tonight, and he'll try to stop you. So... to clear your name, you still plannin' on goin'?"
Chloe asked Mitch with some seriousness.
"Why not?"
Mitch's short response made his stance clear.
"Why do I get the feelin'... you're pushing Clark into a showdown step by step?"
Chloe raised an eyebrow, sharin' her woman's intuition.
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