บท 23: Insatiable Hunger [23]

Clark walked down the hallway of the Convalescence Center, his mind focused on his next goal. He had already dealt with the issue of Harry Volk, but there was still an important matter to address: Cassandra Carver.

Clark stopped in front of Cassandra's room, taking a deep breath before lightly knocking.

Knock, knock!

"Cassandra?" Clark called softly as he opened the door.

Inside the room, Cassandra was sitting in a chair near the window, her face serene as she gazed outside. Her eyes, though blind, seemed attuned to the world in a way no one could understand.

"Who's there?" Cassandra asked, her voice soft but with an unusual clarity.

"It's me, Clark," Clark said, approaching slowly.

"Clark…" she said softly, as if trying to recall. "What brings you to me?"

"I came because I heard you have a special ability, Cassandra," Clark replied.

Clark moved a little closer, stopping beside her. He knew what needed to be done, but first, he wanted to try something else.

"I... I'd like to ask you for a favor," Clark said, hesitating for a moment. "I'd like you to try and see my future."

"Your future? Clark, the visions I have... they're not always easy to bear. Are you sure you want that?" Cassandra asked, her voice gentle but laced with concern.

"Yes, Cassandra. I need to know," Clark replied.

Cassandra was silent for a moment, pondering Clark's request. She sighed deeply before extending her hand in his direction, palm open, waiting for him to take it.

"If that's what you want, Clark."

Cassandra hesitated for a moment before reaching her trembling hand out to his. As soon as their hands touched, Clark watched closely, expecting something to happen. But to his surprise, nothing did.

Cassandra furrowed her brow, lightly squeezing his hand as if trying to concentrate.

"I… I can't see anything," she murmured, surprised. "That's never happened before. Usually, the visions come instantly."

Clark looked at her, realizing that something about her powers wasn't working with him.

"Cassandra, it's okay," Clark said calmly, withdrawing his hand. "You don't need to force anything."

Cassandra sighed, relaxing a bit. "This is strange… but maybe it's a sign that I shouldn't see your future."

Clark nodded, but he had other plans. He knew that as gentle as Cassandra was, her power could be dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands.

Without saying anything more, Clark extended his hand again and gently placed it on Cassandra's head.

"You're going to stop using this power," Clark said, his voice calm but full of authority. "You won't tell anyone about it. You'll forget you can see the future."

Cassandra blinked a few times, her body relaxing as Clark's words penetrated her mind. Slowly, she began to accept what he was saying.

"I… won't use this power anymore," she murmured, her voice distant now, as if resigning herself to what she had just heard. "I'll forget that I can see the future."

Clark slowly withdrew his hand, watching as Cassandra remained silent, her mind now molded to forget her abilities.

"Thank you, Cassandra," he said with a soft smile. "You're safe now."

Cassandra smiled faintly, not knowing why she felt so relieved.

Clark stood up, giving her one last look before leaving the room, satisfied that he had dealt with another problem.

...

Clark parked his truck in front of the school, watching as students streamed out of the building. He waited for Chloe, who soon appeared at the entrance, scanning the area until she spotted Clark. She smiled slightly and walked toward him.

"So, Mr. Author, are you finally going to tell me about this mysterious book?" Chloe said as she got into the truck, closing the door.

Clark smiled slightly as he started the engine. "It was just a hobby. I didn't think it was a big deal."

Chloe raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "A hobby? A whole book is just a hobby? Clark, you're hiding your talent!"

Clark shrugged, keeping his focus on the road as he drove toward the farm. "I just wanted to put some ideas on paper. I didn't think it would go this far."

Chloe shook her head, still impressed. "Well, at least now I know why you were so busy these past few months. But… you could've told me earlier!"

"I wanted it to be a surprise," Clark replied with a mischievous smile.

Chloe laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Well, you definitely succeeded in surprising me. And speaking of surprises, guess who has a date at Lana's party tomorrow night?"

Clark raised an eyebrow, curious. "Who?"

"Pete!" Chloe said with an amused grin. "He was invited by Jodi Melville. It looks like our friend is finally getting some luck."

"Pete was invited to Lana's party by Jodi Melville?" Clark asked, raising his eyebrows with a playful expression. "Well, good for him. Looks like our friend is finally catching a break."

"I know, right?" Chloe responded, laughing. "Who would've thought? Jodi's always been a bit shy, but it seems she decided to take the initiative this time."

Clark chuckled, still keeping his eyes on the road. "Well, good for Pete. He deserves a bit of fun."

Chloe nodded, agreeing. "Yeah, he does. But let's see how this plays out... something about Jodi seems a little different lately."

'Jodi Melville, huh? I remember her. Great, looks like I'll have to kill my friend's girlfriend,' Clark thought, an uneasy feeling forming in his mind. 'If she becomes a problem, she'll be dealt with, like always.'

Chloe, unaware of Clark's darker thoughts, continued talking about the party and Pete, excited about the idea of seeing their friend finally getting some romantic luck.

"But back to your book," Chloe interrupted her own thoughts, returning to the topic that still intrigued her. "You never gave me any hints. What's it about?"

Clark took a deep breath, looking at the road ahead.

...

Meanwhile, at the school, Jodi Melville was pacing nervously behind the bleachers, as if waiting for someone. A few minutes later, a student appeared. He was one of the football players, tall and strong, the kind of guy who usually drew attention. Jodi looked at him with a smile that seemed innocent at first glance, but something in her eyes betrayed another intention.

"You came," she said, stepping closer to the boy.

"Of course I did," he replied, unaware of the danger approaching. "So, what did you want?"

Without answering, Jodi took another step toward him, her eyes fixed on his. The air around her seemed to change, as if a sinister presence was growing. She tilted her head slightly, studying the boy for a moment before smiling more broadly.

"I'm hungry," Jodi said calmly, the sweetness in her voice contrasting with the darkness growing in her eyes.

The boy looked at her, confused. "What did you say?"

Without warning, Jodi lunged with surprising speed, grabbing him by the shoulders. Before he could react, she pulled him close and, with unnatural strength, sank her teeth into his neck. The boy tried to fight, but it was useless. Jodi's hunger was insatiable.

As the blood flowed, Jodi felt the boy's life force being drained, strengthening her with each passing second. She continued to devour him without mercy, savoring every moment.

The player's body quickly weakened, his attempts to escape becoming futile until, finally, he collapsed to the ground, lifeless. Jodi, now rejuvenated, wiped her lips and looked down at the body with cold indifference.

"That was... delicious," she murmured, satisfied, before disappearing into the shadows, leaving the lifeless body behind the bleachers.

...

Clark and Chloe arrived at the farm, the truck coming to a smooth stop beside the barn. Clark turned off the engine but remained seated for a moment, his gaze fixed on the barn ahead. Chloe, noticing the silence, frowned, curious.

"Clark, are you okay?" Chloe asked, turning to him from the passenger seat.

Clark sighed deeply, opening the door and stepping out. "I need to show you something, Chloe," he said, his voice serious, as he walked toward the barn.

Chloe, intrigued, got out of the truck and followed him. "What's so important that you can't just tell me here?"

Clark opened the barn door, the sound of the hinges creaking softly. He looked inside for a moment, as if preparing for what was to come. Chloe, still curious, walked in behind him.

"Clark, you're starting to freak me out. What's going on?" Chloe asked, her tone filled with concern.

Clark turned to her, his face more serious than usual. "There are a lot of things I've never told you, Chloe. And I think now it's time for you to know some of them."

Chloe crossed her arms, clearly skeptical. "Alright, Clark. Spill it. What aren't you telling me?"

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