Y’all! I messed up so bad! Back in January, I offered up the first part of a never-written novel set in the Smallville universe, promising to give you the second part in February. But then February was the big cover reveal for Every Hunter is Hunted and when I did March’s newsletter, I completely forgot my promise and shoveled my dumb Swamp Thing/Legion of Super-Heroes fanfic at you!
Anyway, with apologies, here’s the rest of The Monday Man…
Whatever had landed in the north field, it must have been amazing. Jonathan couldn’t remember the last time he’d been able to sneak up on Clark, no less driving the pick-up truck.
He had first run into the house to tell Martha what was happening, urging her to stall any police or fire personnel who might show up at the farm. Then he’d hopped into the truck and set out for the north field, bouncing and shaking over the plowed-up rows and hillocks as he went.
Clark was climbing out of the crater when he pulled up. Jonathan jumped out of the truck — the engine still running — and ran to his son’s side, but Clark didn’t move, didn’t acknowledge him at all. He was staring down into the pit.
“Son?” Jonathan put a hand on Clark’s shoulder. His first concern had to be Clark. “Clark? You all right?”
Clark jerked as if shocked by a live wire. His eyes, normally so expressive and vulnerable, now looked hollow and almost frightened. Confused. “I can’t believe it,” he said after a moment. “It’s just…” He trailed off, shaking his head.
Jonathan hunkered down to look into the pit. The spaceship lay on one side, its top ripped off and set on the ground nearby. Inside…
Jonathan squinted. It couldn’t be.
Inside the ship, lying in what looked like a large, form-fitting cushion of some sort, was a young man, a few years older than Clark. College age. His eyes were closed and he appeared to be sleeping or unconscious, but unharmed and peaceful. Jonathan could see why Clark was so shaken. Never mind the uncanny coincidence of another ship bearing a passenger — the man in the ship bore a strong resemblance to Clark himself. Jonathan had the feeling that — if it weren’t absolutely impossible — he could be looking at his son’s distant cousin. He was wearing —
“Dad, this is… It’s…”
For the first time, Jonathan realized that Clark was well and truly rattled. And who could blame him? He stood and put an arm around Clark’s shoulders to steady him, then glanced back into the crater.
The passenger wore shiny blue boots that came to his shins, red leggings, and a matching red tunic that zipped up the front.
But oddest of all, he also wore a cape.
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