In the quiet biology lab, Adrian lifted a test tube filled with a faint pink mist, watching the swirling vapor under the warm glow of morning light. The sun filtered through the blinds, casting golden stripes across the stainless steel tables and microscopes.
The key to this lab—one of the most secure rooms on campus—was now in Adrian's hand.
That had been thanks to Ms. Aikins, the biology teacher, who now stood near the lab table, her emerald-green dress catching the sunlight. She leaned casually, one hand on the table, the other brushing her neck as beads of sweat rolled down her skin.
Her long legs crossed slightly, her posture deliberate, calculated. Her gaze lingered on Adrian, laced with suggestion—testing him, perhaps.
But to her quiet frustration, Adrian's focus stayed on the pink vapor instead of her curves.
With all his knowledge of chemistry and human biology, he still couldn't decipher how this gas—composed primarily of altered human pheromones—could so thoroughly override a person's will.
"Aikins," Adrian said, finally setting the test tube down. "You said you developed this ability after exposure to a meteor fragment?"
"Yes." Her voice was smooth, almost melodic.
"This gas," he continued, "you said it makes men obey your every command. But does it affect women too?"
"I haven't tried," she said, stepping closer, her heels clicking against the tile. "Are you suggesting I find someone to test it on?"
Her tone turned teasing. She reached for his collar, fingers tracing down his chest. "You've already left your mark on me, Adrian. Don't tell me you don't want to make me yours completely. Or…" Her voice lowered.
"Would you rather I share that… attention with someone else?"
Adrian's expression didn't change.
Aikins smirked, emboldened. "You know what I want? For your heat vision to mark me again. That warmth… that sting… it's addictive." Her breathing quickened, and she took his hand, pressing it against her skin. "Come on, Adrian. Where should I feel it this time?"
Adrian's eyes narrowed as he lifted her chin gently between his fingers.
"Are you horny? Do you want to have sex?" he asked, his tone calm but edged with challenge.
Adrian thought to himself, If this were my past life, I probably would've gone down on her.
Then his voice lowered, smooth yet dangerous.
"You've misunderstood something, Aikins," he said. "You don't define our relationship—I do."
His eyes flashed crimson. A focused beam of heat vision cut through the air, striking the metal stand in the corner of the lab. It melted instantly, collapsing to the floor with a sharp clang.
"Or," he said, still calm, "would you prefer I leave that kind of mark on you instead?"
Aikins froze, staring at the glowing puddle of metal, her confidence suddenly faltering. She swallowed hard, her pulse racing.
When Adrian turned away, she said nothing—just quietly adjusted her dress and retreated.
As the lab door clicked shut behind her, Adrian leaned on the counter, lost in thought.
He needed help. Researching the meteorite's biological effects alone wouldn't be enough. But trusting anyone in Smallville came with risks—especially when his powers and ambitions already set him apart from everyone else.
---
Outside the lab, Chloe, Pete, and Clark Kent had seen Aikins leave.
"Wow," Chloe said, crossing her arms. "Adrian's officially the most hated guy in school."
Pete chuckled. "Can you blame them? He's been spending a lot of time with Aikins. Guess you were wrong about him, Chloe. The guy's not immune to women—he just likes the older, dangerous type."
"Mature women?" Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Pete, you have no idea what that even means. But you're missing the point—Aikins isn't normal."
Clark spoke up, his tone uneasy. "That's what I've been thinking. There's something… off about her."
"Which is why we're looking into it," Chloe replied. "I asked my contact to pull up her background. The files should be in by today. Let's head to the newsroom."
---
Later that day, after reviewing the documents, Clark could barely believe what he was reading.
"Adrian," he called out after class, catching up to him in the hallway. "I saw Aikins' file."
Adrian didn't stop walking. "And?"
"She's dangerous," Clark said quickly. "Her first boyfriend killed her stepfather, and she inherited everything. Later, her husband—a CEO—was murdered by one of her own students. There's a pattern here,
Adrian. People close to her die, and she walks away richer every time."
Adrian smirked faintly. "So, the classic black widow story."
"Yeah," Clark nodded, "and I think she might have been changed by the meteorite too. Maybe her pheromones control people—make them do things they wouldn't normally do. If she's influencing you, we can fix that. I can help you."
Adrian finally turned to face him. His blue eyes were sharp but not unkind. "Clark… no one controls me. Not a woman, not a creature, not even fate."
He placed a hand on Clark's shoulder—a rare gesture of warmth. "But I appreciate the concern, brother."
Then, with a confident smirk, he turned and walked off, the morning sun glinting off his eyes.
Clark stood there, uncertain whether to feel relieved… or more worried than before.
---