Reincarnation In Smallville

The light of dawn filtered through the trees surrounding the entrance to the Kawatche cave, tinting the environment with golden hues. Kyla stood before Joseph, her grandfather, who maintained a firm expression, arms crossed and eyes fixed on her. The cold morning wind lightly stirred the hair of both, but neither seemed to notice.

"You need to leave, Grandpa. They're going to blame you for the explosion. Everyone knows how you defend these lands."

"I'm not running away, Kyla. I have nothing to fear. I'm innocent, and I'll face any accusation that comes."

His voice was deep but calm, filled with unshakable determination.

'Why does he always have to be so stubborn?' Kyla thought, her fingers gripping the fabric of her jacket. She looked at the ground, avoiding her grandfather's gaze. 'If he knew it was me... that all of this was my fault... how would he react?'

Joseph took a step forward, placing his hands on his granddaughter's shoulders. "You're worried about me, I know. But I won't let them take away what's sacred to us. These lands are part of who we are, Kyla. We can't abandon that."

She wanted to respond, but her throat seemed to close, caught between fear and guilt. 'If I tell the truth now, he'll hate me. He always believed I was strong, like the spirits of the Kawatche... but I'm not. It was an accident, but I didn't have the courage to take responsibility.'

"Grandpa, what if they don't believe you? What if they decide you're guilty, even without evidence?" Her voice came out louder than she expected, betraying the panic she was trying to hide.

"If that happens, I'll trust the spirits. They've always protected us, and it won't be any different now." Joseph smiled slightly, as if that were enough to erase her worries.

Kyla felt the weight of his words, but also the pain of her own omission. 'The spirits have protected us until now. But how could they forgive me for something like this? How could he forgive me?'

She bit her lip, her gaze fixed on her grandfather's eyes. For a moment, she almost opened her mouth to confess. She almost told him she was near the tank when the explosion happened, that she had seen the spark escape from the flare gun and start it all.

"Grandpa... what if... what if things are different this time?"

"No matter what happens, Kyla. The truth always prevails. That's what matters. You need to believe that."

She nodded slowly, but her thoughts continued to swirl like a storm. 'The truth always prevails, but I can't face it. Not yet.'

Joseph touched his granddaughter's face gently, as he did when she was a child. "You're stronger than you think. Remember that."

Kyla closed her eyes, fighting back tears. 'I'm not strong. I'm a coward. And you don't know what I did.'

When she opened her eyes again, Joseph was already walking toward the cave's exit, his posture upright and confident. Kyla watched him disappear into the sunlight, feeling smaller than ever. She wanted to follow him, wanted to shout the truth, but her feet seemed glued to the ground.

'One day I'll tell him. But not today. Not now.'

_____

The intense sunlight outside the cave forced Joseph to squint. He had taken only a few steps when he noticed the uniformed figures ahead. Ethan Miller was at the center, flanked by two other police officers, their faces tense.

"Joseph Willowbrook, we need to talk to you."

Joseph stopped, his eyes calmly assessing each of the men. "About what exactly, Sheriff?"

"About the explosion at the construction site. There are witnesses who mentioned your name." Ethan took a step forward, his hand resting on his belt. "It's not an accusation, yet. We just want some answers."

Joseph remained calm, his hands firmly at his sides. "Then ask your questions. I have nothing to hide."

Ethan gestured to the officers. "It would be better if you came with us to the station. It's standard procedure, nothing more."

Joseph took a deep breath, lifting his chin. "If it helps clarify things, I'll go with you. But I expect to be treated with the respect I deserve. This land isn't just any place."

Kyla, who had come out of the cave upon hearing the voices, stopped abruptly. Her heart raced as she saw the police surrounding her grandfather. "What are you doing with him?"

Ethan looked at her, his expression hardened. "We're just asking some questions. He's not being arrested. For now, it's just an inquiry."

Kyla walked up to her grandfather, her voice trembling as she held his arm. "Grandpa, you don't have to go with them. They don't have the right—"

"It's okay, Kyla." Joseph interrupted, placing his hand over hers. "I'm not running away. I didn't do anything wrong. They're just doing their job."

Her eyes were filled with worry, but also something deeper. Guilt. 'If he knew the truth...'

Kyla took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure. "I'll go home and get a lawyer. I'll change clothes and meet you at the station. Don't make any statements without me there."

Joseph smiled slightly, his gaze as serene as ever. "Don't worry, I'll wait for you."

Ethan nodded. "Let's go, Joseph. The sooner we start, the sooner we'll finish."

The officers began escorting Joseph to the patrol car. Kyla stood still, watching as her grandfather was taken away, each step he took seeming to increase the weight on her shoulders.

She clenched her fists at her sides. 'This is my fault. He's being dragged into this because of me. And all because I didn't have the courage to tell what happened.'

When the patrol car disappeared down the road, Kyla slowly turned, heading home. The trees around her seemed to suffocate her, the long shadows of dawn stretching like accusing fingers.

'I need to think. I need to find a way to fix this without him paying for my mistake.'

Each step toward her house felt heavier than the last, as if the ground itself resisted her march. But one thing was certain: she wouldn't let Joseph face this alone, even if it meant confronting the truth she feared so much.

****

Luthor Mansion – Lex's Office

Lex was sitting in a leather armchair, his fingers crossed in front of his face as he watched Lionel standing, speaking on the phone with one of his lawyers. The expression on Lionel's face was one of sharp concentration, a slight smile on his lips.

"I don't want excuses, I want results. Make sure the widow gets enough to keep her mouth shut. And as for the culprit, it doesn't matter who it is, find someone who can take the fall. I want construction resumed in a week, no matter the cost."

Lionel paused, listening to the lawyer's response. The mention that it still wasn't clear whether the incident was criminal or accidental didn't change his expression.

"I don't care if it was an accident or sabotage. What matters is that it doesn't interfere with our plans. Fix it, and fast."

Lionel hung up the phone, placing it on the table with a controlled, almost indifferent motion. He turned to Lex, who remained silent, his eyes fixed on his father. The room was charged with tension, though neither had said a word since Lionel began the call.

Lex let his fingers slide along the arms of the chair, a slow and deliberate gesture. 'He didn't even mention the name of the man who died. Not a single word about the widow beyond "silence her." To him, they're just pieces on a board. Nothing more.'

Lionel walked to the window, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked out into the darkness. "Lex, I believe you're aware of the importance of this project. We can't let sentimentality delay progress."

Lex leaned forward slightly, his voice calm but laced with sarcasm. "Sentimentality? Are you referring to the man who died or the widow now bearing the weight of loss? Just to clarify, Father, which of those things is irrelevant to progress?"

Lionel chuckled softly but didn't turn around. "I knew you'd say something like that. Always so... idealistic. But, Lex, the world doesn't move on idealism. It moves on action. And, in this case, the right actions will ensure our plans aren't interrupted."

'He's incorrigible,' Lex thought, gripping the arms of the chair. 'No matter how much I try to get close, how much I pretend to share his vision, he always finds a way to remind me why we're different.'

"Maybe you're right, Father," Lex said, his voice low, almost a whisper. "Progress requires sacrifice. But tell me, when did we decide that others' sacrifices are always more acceptable?"

Lionel finally turned, his eyes fixed on Lex. "Are you judging me, Lex? I thought you'd already understood how this world works. It's not about justice, but survival. And surviving means ensuring the Luthor name stays on top, no matter the cost."

Lex kept his gaze fixed on Lionel, but his mind was a whirlwind. 'I understand how the world works. I understand that it only respects power. But that doesn't mean I have to follow every step he takes. I'm not like him. Not completely.'

"Maybe I am judging, Father. Or maybe I'm just trying to understand where the line is drawn. Because, right now, it seems like it doesn't exist for you."

Lionel gave a slight smile, as if amused by the comment. "The line, my son, is an illusion. And those who insist on seeing it end up left behind. I hope you're not one of them."

Lex leaned back, his gaze now colder. "Don't worry, Father. I never get left behind."

Lionel nodded, satisfied with the answer, though he didn't notice the icy tone that accompanied it. He turned back to the window, while Lex remained silent, his thoughts racing.

'If he knew that, one day, all this obsession would be his downfall... maybe he'd be different. Or maybe not even that would be enough. I just know I won't be like him.'

Lex picked up a glass of whiskey from the table beside him, swirling the amber liquid slowly. As he watched Lionel, his mind was already planning the next moves.

'If he wants me to play this game, I'll play. But unlike him, I'll know when to stop.'

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