Chapter 8
Back in upstate New York Lois Lane walked out into the gardens
of the lavish estate where they were staying to get away from the
lights so she could see the stars. Movement caught her attention
and she turned to see Vic, Luthor's obnoxious henchman.
"If you don't mind," Lois remarked, "I'd like some
privacy." Vic reached up and caressed her hair. "I DO
mind!" he answered. "Seeing you in that bikini in the
hot tub makes me understand why you're Superman's hottest babe!
Luthor said to see that all your needs were fulfilled. I'm just
fulfilling his orders."
"Get lost!" Lois snapped. Vic grabbed ahold of a
handful of her hair and gave a yank. "Don't get snotty with
me, miss high and mighty!" he growled.
Suddenly a dark figure came up behind Victor ad a hand closed
around the back of his neck. Victor gave a startled cry and let
go of Lois' hair. "You know, little man," a deep voice
remarked, "you have got to have a serious attitude
adjustment where women are concerned! When a lady tells you to
get lost you turn around and move your feet in the other
direction! Someday you're going to be something, but you've
definitely got to work on it a little bit! Now, when I let go,
walk!"
"O.k.!" Vic muttered. "O.k.! I get the picture!
Let go! I think you cracked something!"
There was a moment's silence then the deep voice answered,
"No, I just pinched some tendons, you're going to be sore
for quite a while. Now, good-bye!"
Victor hurried off and Lois stared at the hulking form before
her. "You must be Darklight!" she commented.
"The one and only!" her rescuer answered. "Would
you mind very much, Mrs. White, if I kiss you on the
cheeks?" "What?" Lois asked.
Her visitor was silent, so she finally said "I don't see any
harm."She could not see the man's face in the dark as he
lifted his mask, but the kisses on her cheek were light and
delicate and seemed to fill her with a strange comfort.
"Thank you!" her guest remarked. "We'd better get
up to the house. I need to speak to Luthor."
Lois nodded. Luthor was waiting for them on the porch steps.
"I was coming looking for you!" Luthor remarked to
Lois. "I noticed Victor was gone. Was there any
problem?"
"Not really," Lois answered. "I think we have an
understanding now."
"If there's ever a problem again," Luthor snapped,
"tell me immediately!"
Lois nodded. "I think someone wants to talk to you,"
she continued. "I'll make myself scarce though it's a
conversation I'm sure I'd like to hear!"
After she disappeared Darklight spoke. "You really don't
need to be concerned," he told him. "You're going to be
a fine father, and a fine grandfather. Just because your parents
were not loving and caring doesn't mean that you won't be. Don't
worry about it! All of your children will always be proud that
you were their father, and how well you prepared them for
life!"
"Damn!" Luthor thought, "Do you know every damned
thought I think, every damned worry I have?"
"Not every one," Darklight answered, "but a good
many of them. Oh! I've only got a minute more, I've got another
appointment. Be sure to leave the reception by 3:45 tomorrow.
It's imperative! You have to be out of there before that time!
Don't forget, 3:45! Be in your cars and rolling by then!"
"If you say to do it," Luthor answered, "it will
be done!"
"One other thing," Darklight continued, as he walked
off.
"Continue working on the Hercules suit. You're going to need
it."
"I thought you didn't want me to fight Superman!"
Luthor remarked. But there was no answer. Darklight was already
gone. Luthor stared into the night then went back into the house.
"Getting late," he remarked, "we'd all better get
to bed." He went over to Victor and examined his neck.
"That's going to hurt like hell!" he remarked.
"I'd better give you something for it. But watch your
manners in the future, or next time I might hurt your neck!"
"Yes, Mr. Luthor!" Vic answered. "Thank you, Mr.
Luthor!"
"Playing doctor?" Lois asked.
"I could easily qualify for a medical degree," Luthor
answered. "I've even been known to do some surgery."
"I don't doubt it!" Lois answered. "Good
night!" "Good night!" everybody replied.
"You know," Ben commented as Lois disappeared,
"she's a nice lady! Glad we can be friends once and a
while!" Luthor only smiled. He was thinking of a Bible
verse, of all things; "Even the worst of man will not give
their children a scorpion when they ask for meat." Luthor
hadn't really understood that passage until now!
Far away in Metropolis Officer Bill Murphy was leaving his local
convenience store heading for his apartment when he looked up to
find Darklight standing in front of him.
"Hello!" Murphy remarked.
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