"So, what happened?"
Martha had just opened the living room door when she froze in place.
Adrian stood outside, calm as ever, holding a blonde woman in his arms.
For a brief moment, Martha genuinely wondered if exhaustion was playing tricks on her. Adrian had gone out to check for a possible intruder near the barn. Instead, he had returned carrying a woman in a princess hold, a woman with striking blonde hair and a figure that was impossible to ignore.
Martha blinked once.
Twice.
Her son was many things, but bringing injured women home in the middle of the night was new.
"I had a car accident in the middle of nowhere and twisted my ankle," the woman said cheerfully, clearly unfazed by the situation. "So I entrusted this very responsible human, sorry, this very responsible young man, with rescuing me from the scene."
Her smile was bright, confident, and completely unapologetic.
Martha barely had time to process that before the woman continued, turning her head slightly toward Adrian.
"By the way, you never told me your name."
Adrian lowered her carefully onto her feet and answered flatly. "Adrian Kent."
Clark, who had been standing nearby with a stunned expression, was still processing the scene.
"Clark," Adrian added, glancing at him, "stop standing there like a scarecrow and help."
"Ah?" Clark blinked.
The reason Adrian had brought Lois Lane to the farm was simple. Clark needed to meet her sooner or later. Adrian was curious what sparks, if any, would fly during their first encounter.
Clark, unfortunately, had no idea he was being dragged into fate.
"You're Adrian Kent?" the woman asked, eyes widening.
The surprise on her face quickly turned into something else, excitement barely concealed.
"Yes," Adrian replied, studying her reaction. "Do you know me?"
Lois hesitated, then laughed lightly. "I've read your books. Guess I got lucky."
Adrian did not look convinced. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary before he said, "You can stand now."
"Of course." Lois slipped out of his arms without embarrassment. "I tend to talk when things get awkward. It's a personality flaw."
Martha and Jonathan arranged a place for Lois to rest while Adrian stepped aside with his parents.
"She claims she's Chloe's cousin," Martha said quietly. "But it's late, and we can't confirm anything right now."
"I've heard Chloe mention a cousin named Lois Lane before," Adrian replied calmly. "I checked her driver's license. It's legitimate."
Jonathan frowned. "She was drinking. I could smell alcohol on her. That's probably why she crashed."
"Maybe," Adrian said, unconcerned. "I'm taking a shower."
His clothes were smeared with dirt from carrying her across uneven ground. He had no interest in sleeping like that.
Before heading upstairs, he glanced at Clark. "What do you think of her?"
Clark paused. "First impression? Savage."
Adrian stopped for half a second, then nodded. "Unexpectedly accurate."
In the bathroom, steam filled the air as Adrian finished rinsing off. He reached for clean clothes when the door suddenly opened.
Through the shower curtain, he saw Lois lean against the wall casually, as if she belonged there.
"The bathroom is usually shared by turns," Adrian said flatly.
"I know," Lois replied, adjusting her hair in the mirror.
She was wearing his clothes. That alone made his expression darken.
"You've been in here forever," she continued. "And after everything you've already seen, modesty feels a bit pointless."
Adrian stepped out from behind the curtain, fully dressed now. "You're not afraid of me."
"Why would I be?" Lois stepped closer, curiosity burning in her eyes. "I'm shocked, sure. Curious, absolutely. Are you Superman?"
"I'm not Superman," Adrian replied without hesitation. "That's someone else."
She smiled. "Alien, angel, devil, whatever you are, I think I just found the door to another world. Was Metropolis's Coma Day your doing?"
"What Coma Day?" Adrian asked coldly.
"All the adults collapsed at once. I don't know how, but after seeing you, I'm convinced you're connected. Tell me the truth, and I won't dig into your life."
She stepped closer.
Adrian grabbed her wrist.
"Ever heard of Icarus?" His voice dropped. "Fly too close to the sun, and you burn."
He released her and opened the door.
Martha stood just outside.
Lois leaned past Adrian and waved cheerfully. "Hi, Mrs. Kent."
Martha's smile stiffened.
Metropolis, early morning
In his office at the LuthorCorp building, Lionel Luthor folded his newspaper slowly.
The reports on Coma Day unsettled him. While under Brainwave's influence, he had seen something vast and dark, something that refused to leave his thoughts.
He picked up a book from his desk.
"This is one of Lex's favorites," Lionel said to the man beside him. "Written by his friend, a farm boy from Smallville, Adrian Kent."
Dr. Virgil Swann adjusted his glasses. "I don't read fiction often."
"Science and mysticism are not enemies," Lionel replied. "They intersect more often than people care to admit."
He stepped closer. "Lex realized this long before I did. Green meteorites, unknown radiation sources. Your research aligns with his."
Dr. Swann hesitated. "I'll consider cooperation."
"You will," Lionel said calmly.
After Swann left, Lionel picked up the phone.
"Has Adrian Kent arrived yet?"
_____
👉 Patreon.com/Zphyr