Grab The Kryptonite

Acting instinctively, the reporter lunged forward, mindful of her belly and its passenger, hand wrapping around the glowing red stone. It came off of the metal arm relatively easily, a little warm in her hand, but none of the characteristic tingle from before.

It must not work when you're already under its effects. Lois reasoned. She turned and shook Maria's shoulder.

"C'mon," the reporter said. "We need to get out of here."

The newly-impregnated young woman blinked, hazel eyes focusing on Lois. The reporter helped her out of the chair, Maria unsteady with her new belly, center of gravity low and forward. Still, whatever hypnosis that Luthor had in place seemed to still be working, the young woman was far from hysterical. Placid and accepting, if anything.

The pink lights continued to play in their odd, dizzying patterns, speakers pushing forth their hypnotic beat, but the two pregnant women were on their feet now, moving together. Lois could tell that they only had half the mystery—but at least without the kryptonite, Luthor couldn't impregnate any other women. Or so Lois hoped.

What the reporter would do about her own pregnancy was something she'd deal with later.

Maria waddled alongside, her belly much larger than Lois Lane's. The reporter couldn't suppress a jealous pang looking at how far the belly protruded from beneath the skirt, the navel already popped. Wondered how big she herself would get...

They wandered down the corridor, opposite of the way they had come. Lois was alert for guards or employees, but she didn't see or hear anyone. She was trying to figure out what she would say if they did meet someone...asking where the bathroom was seemed to be the best idea; or maybe convincing them that Maria was in labor.

A pair of hospital doors opened before them, the electronic sensor above the metal frame blinking at Lois as she walked through and the two gravid women found themselves at a T-junction, with a simple sign: A left arrow pointing to the "BIRTHING CHAMBER" and a right arrow pointing to the "MATERNITY WARD."

The reporter looked in both directions, but the corridor was short, ending in more hospital doors...but the one on the right also included a little sign that said "EVACUATION ROUTE."

Lois squeezed the piece of kryptonite in her left hand, wondering which way to go.