Chapter 16

Being held captive seems like a recurring theme in your life.

"Harry was right."

Oh how you hate when he's right.

You're not really sure where you are, but it smells horrible. The room is barely lit and your hands are above your head, bound with a chain. It's beginning to bruise your wrists, but you honestly barely feel it.

"Sorry I had to use that charm on you. Couldn't take a chance of you screaming."

He pulls a chair up, taking a seat.

Aaron just watches you.

"I expected more of a reaction. People typically beg for their lives in these types of situations."

"Sorry to disappoint you but you aren't the first psycho to kidnap me."

He places his hand over his chest, feigning offense.

"A psycho, I'm appalled. After all the work I put in to find you. You don't understand how difficult it was for me. See, I may have omitted a few details from my story."

You're not sure what he's talking about, or if you can even trust anything he says.

"To be honest I had no idea you existed until a couple months ago. I left home years before that crazy meteor shower and I had very little intention of coming back. When I found out what I was capable of, I knew I was destined for more than a stupid little town like Smallville. When I told them I was leaving you should have seen their faces. Mom wouldn't stop crying, it was pathetic."

You pull at your chains angrily and Aaron laughs, standing as he moves closer, grabbing your cheeks. You try to move out of his hold, but you're pretty restricted as it is, and if he uses that crazy trick on you again, you aren't sure what'll happen.

"I asked you to come with me because we're the same. You might not know this or even believe it, but we're special. When you got taken by that classmate, I felt it. Your fear, that's how I found you. "

You shove your body the best you can and he releases you.

"What the hell are you talking about!!"

"We're mutants."

For a moment you think he's joking, but he seems to believe his words.

"Are you really this insane!!!"

His laughter does a lot to solidify your claim.

"I get why you're cynical, but our father wasn't some regular guy. He had mixed blood, I'm not sure where it all originated from, but he's had powers. We're both second generation. "

Aaron lifts his hand, and the golden flecks that jump off his fingertips seem unreal.

"I've read every type of mythology out there. Trust me, crazy things were happening in Smallville way before that meteor shower."

You'd like to deny his claims, but unless he's drugged you, what you're seeing is real.

"I used to think that I was alone in this world, but when I felt you, I realized that I wasn't. You and I, we have power that people could only dream off."

You drop your head in defeat. Because it's clear that his entire intention for being here was twisted. He never cared for you. Just what he thought you were capable of.

"I don't have any powers.." You mutter weakly.

You're nothing like him.

Aaron shakes his head.

"Trust me, you have power, you just need someone to unlock it."

He raises his hand, and when it glows, you lift your head. The second he places his palm on your forehead, your eyes roll back and your body begins to seize. You're shaking violently against the chains and Aaron just laughs.

"That's it, stop fighting, I'm going to turn you into a god."

The tumbling of concrete at his side has Aaron flinching and his hand drops. Your body stops all movement, head falling forward.

Aaron's eyes track the sparks of lighting, and surprise is apparent when he sees not just Harry, but also Clark now standing before him.

"Get away from her."

Harry's voice is calm, but his eyes express anything but.

"I underestimated you Wells. Since when did you have an alliance with the speedforce?"

Harry looks unsettled.

"How do you know about that?"

Aaron grins.

"I know a lot of things, Harry. We can't all be geniuses. This universe is much more intricate that you realize. "

Aaron hasn't moved from your body, and Clark scans for injuries. He's relieved. He observes no visible wounds, but the fact that you're unconscious still has him weary.

"Now watch as I make her one of the most powerful beings this town has ever seen."

Aaron presses his hand to your head and Harry's instincts kick in.

He barely manages a step, because Aaron's body is thrown across the room the second his hand makes contact by what looks like an invisible force. Both Clark and Harry move to your side defensively and Aaron struggles to pick himself off the ground.

"What the hell.."

He looks down at his palm in confusion, then up at your body.

You jolt awake.

Both Harry and Clark work to get you out of the chains. The second you're on your feet, Clark is hugging you frantically. You hold back your tears, and Harry expresses relief that you're unharmed. You only pull away when you see the frozen form of Aaron at a distance. Clark turns in his direction as well.

Aaron is still trying to figure out what struck him.

The explanation appears right before him.

"D-Dad!!"

Aaron looks terrified, dropping to his knees, weakened.

This being is somewhat transparent. The golden light surrounding his body almost gives off an angelic feel.

Clark has seen a lot of crazy things in Smallville, but ghosts are a first.

"You were supposed to be better than humanity. I'm sorry that my power ended up being the thing that corrupted you."

The figure moves closer to your terrified brother. If you're being honest, you're not doing much better. This glowing depiction of your father is standing right in front of you. But you can't speak, move.

When he places a hand on Aaron's head, it makes him gasp.

All you can do is watch.

It looks like he's pulling something from his body. There's a ruby light that is traveling from Aaron's chest, right into your father's glowing palms. When it's completely gone, Aaron's body drops to the floor.

For a moment you think he's dead, but his chest is rising and falling steadily.

"Dad.."

He smiles at you weakly. When he approaches both you and Harry seem to falter. This is the first time you are physically seeing your father.

"I'm sorry I couldn't watch you grow up, bean."

You don't know why, but the name brings tears to your eyes. You shake your head.

"I-It's okay, it wasn't your fault."

"It was. I should have protected you, I should have stopped your brother."

His eyes turn to Harry.

"I'm proud and grateful for all you've done Harrison. Thank you for taking care of my little girl."

Harry doesn't seem to be doing much better than you. He removes his glasses, wiping the stray tear.

"Thank you for looking after me when I was younger. For everything."

Your father nods.

"Take care of each other."

Nothing else is said.

His body begins to fade right before your eyes and you drop to your knees.